And what does God permit at this point? God removes the Power of the testimony (although not from the earth), the Spirit who until now has prevented the revealing of the man of sin.

Therefore Antichrist is able to overcome the witnesses and kill them.

The way now is cleared for his exaltation as god.

The night has come in which no man can perform Christian works. Woe to the lukewarm believers in Christ in that day for they will be oppressed and deceived!

Some state that Antichrist cannot overcome a saint. Antichrist already has conquered numerous believers in the world of today. Antichrist does not conquer primarily by force, although on occasion he has used and will continue to use terror and pain to overcome double-minded believers.

The ways of Antichrist are far more deadly than merely the use of force and terror. Antichrist is conquering the Christian people of today by befriending them, by making sure they are prosperous and at ease.

How many Christians do you know who are not forsaking their own life; who are not taking up their cross and following Christ with single-minded intensity of dedication and purpose? These are the believers whom Antichrist already has conquered.

Do both the Old and New Testament Scriptures teach us that the saints will be overcome in the last days, that the restraining power will be removed from the path of Antichrist?

I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; (Daniel 7:21)

Notice that this precisely is what the Apostle Paul taught in Second Thessalonians—that the restraining power would be taken out of the way.

Paul taught also that Christ would destroy Antichrist by the power of His coming.

Compare:

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:22)

No doubt Paul gained much of his knowledge concerning Antichrist from the Book of Daniel.

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25)

And his power shall be mighty but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people [God's witnesses]. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace [ease; security] shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes [Christ, at His coming]; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:24,25)

Antichrist overcomes by means of "craft." He destroys the saints by putting the believers at ease and giving them a sense of security, in addition to the use of violence, bloodshed, and economic penalties.

To be continued.