The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. II Thessalonians 2:9-12Consider how that the people who have been involved with the Heaven's Gate group have fallen prey to this deception. Lest you think that the people who will be deceived are a particularly gullible few, consider the testimony our Lord related to us in Matthew 24:24.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.The implication here is that all but the elect will be deceived. That includes a majority of the people on the planet! How do we avoid being deceived? Because any counterfeit is recognized only by having a familiarity with the details of a genuine, to know the true Messiah intimately is our best preparation. To be familiar with what the Bible says about the lawless one and the signs to be given is most helpful. I have written at some length (See endnote #4) about the sign which is specifically given to signal the church when it is about to be harvested from the earth, a sign which involves the lawless one. When he is revealed in a powerful anointing and display of power and authority, this is the sign by which we will know the nearness of our departure to be with the Lord.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. I Thessalonians 5:19-21Prophetic messages have been given by some connecting the comet Hale-Bopp with the lawless one. John Leary brought forth a message in this regard on Thursday, March 27, 1997:
Jesus said: "My son, this comet that you have seen tonight with your own eyes, is the sign of the Anti-Christ's coming. I have told you before to look to the skies for the signs of things to come. I have also told you that I, and not the Anti-Christ, would produce this sign of his coming. As you see the darkness come after, you will know his reign will be brief, but darkness will have its day much like the men I allowed to crucify Me for your sake." (Thanks to Dr. William Zambrano for bringing this to my attention).Although there are many who claim to be prophets and their testimonies are diverse, we have a directive (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21) not to treat prophecies with contempt and to test everything, holding on to the good. John Leary is a Catholic. Many would automatically reject any message he brought forth on that basis alone. It's not my intent to provide a blanket endorsement of all his prophecies and neither do I condone Catholicism or any other-ism, but we're going to find that this very relevant prophecy passes the test!
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.It is very interesting that the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple in the New Jerusalem. If the heavenly menorah is "in the Lamb," (Aries) it is symbolically placed in the temple in the New Jerusalem. The marking of the anniversary of the day construction began on the earthly temple twice before in history by such a unique celestial sign was certainly worth noting!
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:11-13