The stamp of Antichrist will be put on the forehead or on the hand. Perhaps the mark will be an actual inscription or the implanting of a computer chip of some kind, but the symbolism is clear: the marked individual belongs to the world spirit and thinks and acts accordingly.

This is in contrast to the perfected remnant who have Christ's name and the Father's name inscribed on their forehead.

There is coming a split in the ranks of Christians. The majority of believers will become part of the world organization of Christians. A remnant will discern the presence of Satan in Antichrist and in the spirit of religious seduction and refuse to cooperate with the world secular-religious leadership.

The holy remnant will be forced to flee from civilization. They will experience many hardships and then emerge from the wilderness a perfected Bride, leaning completely on the Lord Jesus Christ.

The process of separating the remnant from the remainder of the believers has begun. It is more than the customary breaking off from the established churches of fervent believers whom the Spirit is using to bring forth fresh doctrine and experience, a pattern that has been repeated throughout Church history. Rather it is the separating of the firstfruits of the Bride from Babylon.

We in America do not understand how much a part of the Antichrist spirit we are. For several hundred years Western philosophy has been spreading the concept that man is God. The American Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights reflect the idea that man must not be hindered in his pursuit of personal happiness.

This is Antichrist—man making himself God.

The spirit of religious seduction has made rapid progress since the middle of the nineteenth century with the pre-tribulation "rapture" doctrine; dispensationalism; God is love and not wrath; grace is unconditional—it will bring us to Paradise whether or not we live righteously; Christians ought to be wealthy; by faith we can have whatever we desire; Christians will rule the earth before Jesus returns; the converted Gentiles are the true Israel and have replaced physical Israel in the Divine plan.

If we will look closely we will discover that the above doctrines, all of which proceed from the spirit of religious seduction, are man-centered not God-centered. They are in keeping with the secular philosophy of man being God: man is central; God will not allow man to suffer; God has given gifts to man so that he by faith can do as he will on the earth; and related errors.

The delusions have this in common—God will give the Gentiles every blessing on earth and take them to Paradise before any evil can harm them, if they will acknowledge the fact that Jesus died for our sins and rose again as Lord. Current Christian doctrine sounds correct to the believer walking in the flesh and is accompanied by a strong sense of assurance; but it is so terribly incorrect!

To be continued.