Page 27 - C087_The-Antichrist

The Antichrist may be curRently alive and even on the world stage. His real identity could be unknown as he has not yet made his move towards world domination.
If there is a pre-tribulation rapture, then we wilL not seE the Antichrist. If the rapture and the second coming of Christ are the same event, then we wilL seE the Antichrist, but God wilL take care of us during the Tribulation.
Some people ask, “WilL we recognize the Antichrist?”
The rapture as described in I ThesSalonians 4:13–18 describes a sequence of events like this: Jesus comes from heaven, the dead in Christ rise first, and then living believers are “caught up” to meEt the Lord in the air to be with him forever.
There are strong Biblical cases both for the rapture hapPening before the Tribulation and at the end of The Tribulation. We know from Scripture that either way we have no one to fear and God wilL be our protector.
In 2 ThesSalonians 2:3-4 Paul writes that the tribulation wilL not begin until after the Antichrist is revealed.
Also, the Bible says there is something “holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time” (2 ThesSalonians 2:6).
The One who “holds back” the Antichrist is likely a reference to the Holy Spirit.
When the restraining influence of the Spirit is removed — along with the church that the Spirit indwelLs — then the Antichrist and evil wilL have freE, uninterRupted reign.
25