Why Are So Many Self-Professed Christians Focused on Finding "Anti-Christ" vs. "Elijah?"
Why are so many people who call themselves Christians so busy looking for the anti-Christ?
It's it written in Revelation (ch. 11-13), foretold by Yeshua/Jesus (Matt 17, Mark 9, Luke 1), and alluded to in the Old Testament (Malachi 4) that Elijah returns and preaches before the anti-Christ shows up.
But I don't hear one word about Christians trying to see who is "the Elijah who is to come" (see Matt, Mark, Luke refs. above) or figuring out from scripture what he might say or do.
Focusing on Finding the Devil
Most of what I hear is a drumbeat of people trying to pinpoint the anti-Christ, calling various forms of government tools of the Devil, and misstating that in Revelation there will be a "one world currency." In fact it does not say that at all. Read the end of Revelation 13 and you will not read anything about one world currency; here's what you'll read: the mean creatures being foretold force their wills on everyone and that includes having some kind of "mark" that allows them to buy or sell. Here are the relevant passages, 14-18 (NIV):
14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,
17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.
Mean Spirits Who Force Their Wills On Others
I don't see anything about a one world currency. There is mention of being forced to take a "mark" but nothing about a single currency for the whole world. Please note the one thing all these evil creatures have in common: they force their wills on others, they seem to despise freedom of choice and allowing others to exercise free-will. No doubt they force their wills on others by bullying, peer-pressure, threats of death, imprisonment, and legislation. [Revelation 13:10]
Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11
Some people even go so far as to allude that President Barack Obama is the anti-Christ, an accusation I do not make. If he is, then where was Elijah, as prophesied in Malachi? In Revelation 11 it claims there are two witnesses who share their message before the awful events of Revelation 13. Some people say the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. But don't forget what Jesus said about John the Baptist being the fulfillment of the arrival of Elijah, a claim which it's written John did not make; in fact it's written John explicitly said he wasn't Elijah when asked point-blank if he was. John 1:19-21. (Although in the next passage, 23, he quotes from Isaiah… and I could go off on a tangent here but won't.)
So who were they? Who are they? Have they come and gone already? Why haven't the people who seem to be so busy looking for the anti-Christ pointed us to the two prophets who are foretold in Revelation — foretold to come before the dragon, the beast out of the sea, and the beast out of the earth?
Be Prepared, Do Not Be Deceived
Don't get me wrong, I think it's wise to educate yourself to be prepared. But as far as I'm concerned Jesus advised us to search for his kingdom and righteousness, the pearl of great value, the treasure buried in the field, not for who the anti-Christ is. Please stop looking in the wrong direction. Turn around.
If you disagree, please tell me where I'm wrong. But don't worry I won't take silence as "you're right." I'll still be scrutinizing this situation.
