The Lord's Spirit-filled people are at this crossroads. What will we do with our knowledge of spiritual gifts, our understanding of the Body of Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our insight into the Scriptures, and all the other spiritual abilities that have been entrusted to our generation of believers? It may be true that no other generation of Christians in all Church history has possessed the spiritual wisdom and power being assigned to today's believers.

If we give back to Christ all of our wisdom and power, voluntarily becoming His servants, patiently carrying our cross behind Him, seeking union with Him above all else, then we will be the generation that receives the double portion of power to bear witness of the soon coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth.

But if we yield to the temptation to attempt to build the Kingdom of God according to our own plans and ambitions, or to exert our "faith" in order to bring about that which we think is a good thing, or otherwise fly around in an uncontrolled manner through the universe as a wandering star, we then are in danger of becoming a part of the False Prophet, the supporter of Antichrist.

We Spirit-filled believers are in the place of greatest opportunity and also the place of greatest spiritual danger. Antichrist is not the opposite of Christ, he is an imitation of Christ. Antichrist is like Christ. The difference between Antichrist and Christ is that Antichrist is not willing to become a servant of God. Numerous "Spirit-filled" believers also are not willing to become the servants of God. Rather they picture Christ as their servant who is to run about in response to their "word of faith" and their prayers.

It appears there are few believers of today who can distinguish between Christ and Antichrist.

It is the willingness to bear patiently the cross of afflictions and denial that distinguishes between Christ and Antichrist, between the true saint and the deceived believer of today.

The true saint is crucified with Christ. He seeks to gain his desires only through union with God through Christ. He is a person of patience, of suffering, of meekness, of obedience. He bears the reproach of the world and the disdain of those religionists who would be socially acceptable, prominent, wealthy, and powerful.

The disciple of Jesus covets and seeks the approval of God and cares little for the approval of people.

The deceived believer resembles the true saint in many ways. He uses the same terms in his speech, attends the same gathering of Christians, sings the same hymns, and subscribes to the same theological statements.

But the basic motive of the deceived believer, a motive that will lead him finally into punishment and perhaps destruction, is his own lusts and self-will. He may speak much about "going out and saving souls" and of "ministering to a lost and dying world" (neither of which expressions is found in the Scriptures). But he is self-driven. He is not waiting on the Lord Jesus until He knows what it is Jesus desires of Him.

To be continued.