The Antichrist
The Antichrist is a popular topic among Bible prophecy students. But it is often considered a fringe or unimportant issue. But is that true? The early Church Fathers didn’t seem to think so.
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Introduction to In Search of the Antichrist
The mysterious man called the Antichrist struck fear in me the first several times I heard about him. The Exorcist movie was in the theatres around that time and I was foolish enough to watch it on the big screen. Since I was scared of the Antichrist before then, I was terrified after watching that sickening girl’s head spin around on her neck, spewing vomit, and cursing those ill-equipped priests who were in over their heads against the forces of darkness.
Yes, I was afraid, but so were a lot of us.
When I first heard about the Antichrist I was a young Christian attending Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa California. The Pastor, Chuck Smith, was an older man who had a strong appeal to the growing masses of young believers who were attending his church. I liked his teaching style as did a lot of us teens and young adults. Every week the church was full of young people like me who flocked to the church.
Pastor Chuck
Pastor Chuck, as he preferred to be addressed, was characterized by his ever-present bright smile and a round, balding head. He exuded the warmth of a lovable Charlie Brown, yet with an enduring smile and a deep passion for imparting biblical teachings to young minds. Attending Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa during his tenure became a can’t-miss weekly affair for many youngsters.
With a genuine love for teaching, Pastor Chuck’s eager students rapidly grew in both grace and knowledge of God, learning to extend love to strangers as much as to themselves. Unlike merely skimming through verses and delivering humorous anecdotes, he delved into the scriptures, providing insightful explanations.
Eschatology, the study of end times events as outlined in the Bible, was one of his favored subjects. Whenever it arose in his teachings, which was frequent, I made it a point to attend as often as possible. His method of instruction not only captivated my attention but also that of numerous others.
Back then, my sandy brown hair often hung untamed on my shoulders, as haircuts and combs were seldom favored choices among young men. Those days of flowing locks, kissed by golden sunlight, are now cherished memories, as I find myself gradually resembling a graying Charlie Brown. Many of us would head straight from the Southern California beaches to the evening services. The vibrant melodies from live worship bands set the tone, and when Pastor Chuck delved into Bible prophecy, the venue was consistently packed, with some even seated on the floor in front of the altar.
The Jesus Movement
During the peak of the Jesus Movement in the late ’60s and throughout the ’70s, our mode of transportation consisted of VW bugs or surfing vans, adorned with Jesus-loves-you stickers for those fortunate enough to own cars. We lingered long after the services concluded, immersing ourselves in the teachings about the early Apostles of Christ. These were ordinary fishermen who had the privilege of sitting at the feet of Jesus, eagerly absorbing every word uttered by their Savior.
The ambiance of youthful, eager disciples gathering in a vast room to glean wisdom from a seasoned, benevolent elder was exhilarating, albeit in a positive sense. While drugs plagued society then, as they do now, many of us abstained, believing that “Jesus was the only drug we needed,” as was often reiterated among our ranks.
The mention of the Antichrist during those church gatherings invariably heightened tension in the room. Pastor Chuck didn’t intend to instill fear; it was simply the gravity of the topic. We were taught that a man would emerge onto the global stage, deceiving and scheming his way to world domination. Initially, he would appear as a charming, attractive yet obscure politician from Europe, destined to ascend to global power. Pastor Chuck frequently remarked, “He’s likely alive today, but his identity remains concealed.”
The revelation of the Antichrist
Once his identity was unveiled, the landscape would undergo a seismic shift. Fear gripped our young, untamed minds as we envisioned a world overrun by demons and devils. It seemed inevitable that soon, heads would spin uncontrollably, bodies convulsing with vomit, while priests struggled to contain the chaos wrought by the Antichrist. Such scenarios haunted our thoughts.
To clarify, Pastor Chuck wasn’t solely responsible for these anxieties. Numerous preachers propagated similar teachings, and rampant speculations often veered far from what the Bible actually conveyed.
During those years, Chuck imparted teachings that, upon reflection, diverged from the biblical narrative. Yet, like all of us, he was fallible, although admitting mistakes was a rare trait among proud preachers and teachers. This reluctance to reconsider interpretations often led to complications. We must be willing to revisit our understanding of biblical truths.
The book you’re currently engaged with—thank you for that—will challenge your perceptions of the Antichrist. While Pastor Chuck conveyed his interpretation of biblical teachings on the subject, I won’t follow suit. I won’t impose my beliefs on you concerning this matter; that discussion will occur later, in a different context.
A disciple of Christ
This book unveils the teachings of an esteemed disciple of Christ, Hippolytus. Known for his unwavering defense of the doctrines upheld by the early disciples, Hippolytus vigilantly safeguarded the integrity of scripture amidst the encroachment of false teachings. Among his notable works is “Against Heresies,” where he staunchly upheld the word of God and the teachings of the initial Apostles.
Born around A.D. 170 and passing in A.D. 236, Hippolytus lived concurrently with the renowned figure Irenaeus. He received instruction from revered figures such as Polycarp and Justin Martyr, being born a mere seventy years following the demise of the last original disciples, including the Apostle John.
With access to the words and original manuscripts of the early church, Hippolytus, like myself, approached his studies with fervent curiosity. He ardently championed the Bible as the paramount source of divine truth.
Contained within these pages are Hippolytus’s own words, originally composed in Greek and now translated into English. While the focus is on the Antichrist, rest assured there are no tales of spinning heads or vomiting. He relies solely on scripture to draw his conclusions, leaving fanciful speculation to others.
Calvary Chapel and the Antichrist teaching
During my time at Calvary Chapel, I encountered various interpretations regarding the Antichrist, many of which bordered on the absurd. Speculation ran rampant regarding the identity and origins of this figure.
Candidates ranged from the President of Russia to a Spanish Prince, or even a lesser-known Duke in England—any European figure seemed fair game. If the individual happened to bear a mark on their forehead, akin to the Russian leader, they were immediately thrust into consideration as the dreaded embodiment of evil.
However, hindsight brings clarity, doesn’t it? Or does it?
Here’s a challenge for you: suspend your preconceptions as you delve into these study notes from an ancient disciple of Christ’s earliest followers. You can always revert to your original beliefs once you’ve completed your reading. No offense will be taken. Simply grab a cup of coffee or tea, your Bible, and proceed to slowly immerse yourself in the text.
A wise disciple
An esteemed old disciple offers intriguing insights on this subject. His perspectives surprised me greatly. While I haven’t completely abandoned my previous beliefs, I find myself pondering with newfound understanding from a sage who was acquainted with some astute Bible scholars long before it became the most widely read book in history.
Before you delve into the text, a brief note: this manuscript is readily available online in various formats, just as I stumbled upon it. To aid your reading experience, I’ve made some enhancements to the original text, which, even after translation, remained challenging to decipher and often appeared congested.
In the copy you’re holding, you’ll find the text presented in a more reader-friendly format, supplemented with a crucial addition: a key verse preceding each section of the manuscript. Additionally, I’ve provided titles and subtitles that offer subtle hints about the content of each section. Perusing these titles will provide you with a solid starting point and an overview of the direction Hippolytus will take you through the scriptures.
Enjoy your exploration, and remember to temporarily set aside your preconceived notions. You can always revisit them later. Hippolytus won’t be any the wiser, but perhaps you’ll gain some fresh insights to complement your existing beliefs.
Once you’ve completed your journey, I encourage you to connect with me online. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the old disciple’s musings.
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