So it is not beyond belief that if, as we think, most people on the earth will make a profession of belief in Christ because of the unprecedented power of the latter-rain revival (symbolized by the "two witnesses" of the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation), the aftermath will be worldwide democracy sponsored and enforced by well-intentioned Christians. Out from this will come Antichrist who finally will envision himself as the only true god (as is the case with much "enlightened" thinking and preaching in America today as people are encouraged to seek the god "within them"). He will sit in the Holy of Holies of the restored Temple in Jerusalem and there proclaim Himself the living God, the God of Israel.

His announcement will trigger the Great Tribulation.

Eventually he will get rid of the religious establishment that he might rule without hindrance.

The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16—NIV)

Notice how rich the self-serving Christians had become:

"When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her." (Revelation 18:9—NIV)

The vision of the future is of a worldwide, self-willed Christian Church (are not the Catholic and Pentecostal movements seeking reconciliation today?) enforcing democracy on every nation and making money the means by which everyone can be housed, fed, and clothed. Money and commerce will characterize the huge organization.

"They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! Rejoice over her, O heaven!' Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.'" (Revelation 18:19,20—NIV)

Our young people and children are facing a world in which man will be worshiped. The philosophy of humanism is the worship of man, of man's mind, of man's right to make his decisions apart from the interference of any god.

This is the spirit that undergirds the governmental philosophy of democracy.

The original problem was produced when Satan, the covering cherub, decided he wanted to be like God but not in obedience to God. Because of Satan's self-will he has been bound horribly with lust, rage, lying, thievery, gossip, and every other sin. All sin comes originally from self-will

Adam and Eve succumbed to self-will. Abraham emerged victorious from his severe test of obedience. So did the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

"Not my will but Your will be done." This is the battle cry of the Kingdom of God.

Whenever we choose to live our own life instead of looking to Jesus for every decision we make during the day, we nurture our self-will, disobedience, rebellion, and lawlessness. Antichrist is the personification of self-will, disobedience, rebellion, and lawlessness.

To be continued.