Paul explains that the Holy Ghost is preventing the Antichrist from being revealed during our current church age. In our present day the spirit of the Antichrist is operating. This spirit is developing an environment and culture in the world which will be conducive for the revealing of the Antichrist. We are witnessing this development but our hearts are not to be anxious. This is the unfolding of prophecy which is written in the Bible.

It is prophetic that there will be crisis in the world and that people will look for someone to offer a solution. Effects of global warming, shortages of food and natural resources, and the conflicts between nations set the stage for the revealing of the Antichrist. Our participation in world events needs to be examined as to which spirit is being glorified. In our actions are we promoting the works of the spirit of the Antichrist or do we promote the kingdom of God? Later chapters of this book will discuss the Battle of Armageddon. This will be the battle in which Jesus destroys the Antichrist and his nations of the earth which war against Him.

Climatic of the rise to power of the Antichrist will be at the Battle of Armageddon. Development of world events today set the stage for the revealing of the Antichrist. Developments which are occurring today are orchestrating events which will have their climatic end at the Battle of Armageddon. A leading up of events to a climatic end is also regarded to as a campaign of events which are directed to a specific goal. Thus we have the term the campaign of the Battle of Armageddon.

Daily we are challenged to yield to the spirit of the Antichrist which will culminate in the Antichrist. By the spirit of the Antichrist today is the campaign of Armageddon in momentum. Do our actions testify that we are encouraging the spirit of the Antichrist? Is it more convenient for us to accept and follow the spirit of the Antichrist? Criticism of the world can manipulate believers from resisting the campaign of Armageddon. Forsaking this world includes resisting the spirit of the Antichrist and the campaign of Armageddon.

There may be ways established in society that we cannot avoid. God understands this but He does expect us to resist when it is possible. “…Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Rom 12:9) Resisting the Antichrist and Armageddon is to resist evil. Things which have the character of evil are things which yield the fruits of pain and sorrow. Abhorring evil is to hate, detest and refusing to allow it in any part of our being. We fully resist putting our trust in darkness for it will one day attempt to overthrow God. Participation in this life is by cleaving to that which is good. Convenience to self rather than commitment to holiness will result in the believer being a part of evil.

Participating in evil in life is strengthening and encouraging the spirit of the Antichrist even if it is in the smallest measure. We need to be mindful of the events of our day as they pertain to the campaign of the Battle of Armageddon. To be separated from this world is to resist advertising the works and goals of the spirit of the Antichrist. This world is a system which is preparing to fight the Lord in an attempt to overthrow His rule. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: and I will receive you.” (2Cor 6:17) Separating from the world is our act of personal holiness and our discouraging the army of darkness. This becomes more apparent in our daily walk the more we understand the book of Revelation.

Question: What in our present day can you identify is the result of the operation of the spirit of the Antichrist?