 From 1974 and until he passed away in June of 2005, Frank Caw devoted a considerable amount of time to research and study in Bible prophecy and related philosophical and theological issues. This website is dedicated by his family to his memory and work and is as he presented it at the time of his death. The family of Frank Caw, Jr. would like to thank Tim McHyde of EscapeAllTheseThings.com for hosting his website.
While always insisting on a plain, literal and sensible approach to scriptural exegesis,
he has pieced together many new scriptural insights on a number of extraordinary
prophetic developments that are poised to be fulfilled in our immediate
future!
Thus, it is safe to say that things are not going to happen the way many people think
they will happen.
But, this book will give you the scriptural keys for truly understanding what God has
preordained will happen, and how you can survive the incredible scenario of prophetic
events about to unfold! |
This ministry is dedicated to the loving memory of my
late wife, Debbie, who went to be in the presence of God on October 23, 1997, and who was
so instrumental in helping me to prepare for my ministry during those many long, difficult
years.
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Why Antichrist Will Not
Pretend
To Be The Jewish Messiah
An Ipsos poll says that 25 percent of adults believe it is at least somewhat likely that Jesus Christ will return to Earth in 2007 2008. Of white evangelical Christian adults it's 66%. Want to know why Jesus won't come in 2007 2008, before most find out in Jan 1, 2008 2009? »» Read Featured Article
It is said that the Antichrist will sit in the rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be “God.” However, this does not mean he will try to pass himself off as the personal, infinite, triune God of the Christian Bible, but only as a god of the New Age variety. (The letter “g” does not have to be capitalized in the Greek.) In fact, in this very same passage it is said that he “opposeth” everything associated with the true God in Heaven. Furthermore, not only will he oppose God immediately after the Rapture when he executes Christian believers for their faith in Christ, but even before the Rapture, he will advocate his own brand of morality and spirituality as confirmed in a number of passages.
Daniel 7:25 gives us additional insight: “And he (the Antichrist) shall speak great words against the most High.... and think to change times and laws...” In other words, Antichrist will speak boldly and defiantly against the true God of biblical Christianity while advocating his own standard of morals and values for society. No decent standard or sensible norm will be safe from attack or immune to criticism. Accordingly, from the very outset, there will never be any pretense on his part at feeling very sympathetic towards Israel or Jews or Bible-believing Christians, nor will he ever pretend to be the Jewish Messiah as some people suppose — especially since Israel will be one of the very first countries he will attack when he first rises to power. (Dan. 8:9). Instead, he will begin soon after his initial appearance to criticize and defy traditional Christian beliefs and moral values and cultural conventions, and then immediately after the Rapture, will even kill anyone who proclaims their faith in Christ. Later, he will also violate the sanctity of the sacred Holy of Holies room in a rebuilt Jewish Temple while proclaiming himself to be the god of gods.
I John 4:3
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (KJV)
II John 1:7
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (KJV)
I John 2:18, 22
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (KJV)
In the above passages, not only are we told that a specific, unique personage called the “antichrist” will appear some day, but we are also informed that since the inception of Christianity, there always have been people who have denied that the historic Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh. Or as noted in I John 2:22, that both God the Father and God the Son are the true God in Heaven. Thus, these people, too, are “little” antichrists in a manner of speaking. So, while we are warned against the heresy these people teach, we are also given further insight as to exactly what the Antichrist will advocate, and how the Bible itself actually defines the word “antichrist.”
Because Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the prefix “anti” as meaning “one that is opposed,” this indicates that the Antichrist will be opposed (to the true God in Heaven). Moreover, as we noted in the paragraph above while commenting on I John 2:22, the Bible says that the Antichrist will deny the true God in Heaven, i.e., the personal, infinite, triune God of biblical Christianity. So, obviously this scriptural prediction is completely consistent with Daniel when he says in Daniel 7:25 that the Antichrist “shall speak great words against the most High,” and in Daniel 11:36-37 where he states that the Antichrist will “magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods... nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.” This then is how we should define the word “antichrist” because that is how the Bible defines it.
That is why it is wrong to think that the Antichrist will ever pretend to be the Jewish Messiah — even when he first appears to rescue the world from the threat of terror and destruction and war. Instead, the Antichrist will deny both God the Father and God the Son while proclaiming himself to be a god above all other gods. Therefore, it may not be a coincidence that the popular New Age Movement teaches that we can achieve godhood and extraordinary powers of the mind through “higher consciousness” techniques or “Christ consciousness.” For that reason, the impressive historical evidence proving the true identity of Jesus is ignored by these people and their followers, and He is relegated to the status of just another ordinary psychic seer.
Daniel 8:9
And out of one of them came forth a little horn (Antichrist), which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land (Palestine; Israel). (KJV)
This biblical passage portrays the “little horn” Antichrist originating from one of the four major divisions of the ancient Grecian Empire which emerged soon after the unexpected death of Alexander the Great. Then the little horn, representing both a tiny, new country and the personage of Antichrist, waxes “exceeding great” very quickly as he conquers countries in a southern and eastern direction. Please note that the “pleasant land” (i.e., Israel; Palestine; Dan.11:16, 41; Ezek. 20:6, 15; Psalms 106:24; Jer. 3:19; Zech. 7:14) is mentioned specifically as one of the first countries attacked by Antichrist during his initial rise to power, thereby precluding any reasonable possibility that he might pretend to be the Messiah to the Jews. The fact that the scriptural evidence also indicates Antichrist will originate from the country of Lebanon, and not from Israel, decreases that possibility even more so.
Later, in this same passage of scripture, Daniel elaborates on the above prophecy in verse 9:
Daniel 8:23, 24
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully... (KJV)
It is when the communists “come to the full” that “a king of fierce countenance... shall stand up.” This fierce-looking man, the Antichrist, will be a “king,” i.e., a political leader, and an aggressive military genius who will understand “dark sentences” that will infuse him with amazing occult power. Then with that power, the Bible predicts he will destroy his enemies with astounding ease! Nothing will seem too difficult for this extraordinary man to achieve! Although the “church-world” and many “religious leaders” will seem dazed and confused while fumbling around for plausible explanations, the Antichrist will appear to have the answers! During a period of crisis and fear and confusion, he will mesmerize the whole world with his incredible military feats and miraculous occult power and enchanting oratory.
“And he shall destroy wonderfully.” (Dan. 8:24). Thanks to modern science and technology, mankind now possesses a multitude of amazing high-tech weapons and nuclear bombs. So, it certainly makes sense that the Antichrist — from a very small country with a small army — would require supernatural occult power to achieve what the Bible predicts he will accomplish. This is made even more apparent in Young’s Literal Translation: “And wonderful things he destroyeth.” Thus, this scripture predicts that the Antichrist will rise up suddenly and demolish the modern, high-tech weaponry that will be arrayed against him. Moreover, further clarification becomes evident in an analysis of the word “destroy” because it is translated from the Hebrew word SHACHATH, defined as meaning “to ruin.” So, we must conclude it will be a most startling and remarkable demonstration of satanic occult power.
Other than from Satan, where could a man obtain this fantastic power and ability? That is precisely what Daniel was predicting in the scriptural phrases “understanding dark sentences” and “his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power.” Such amazing occult power will be satanic-inspired as the apostle Paul likewise explains in the following scriptural passage: “Even him, whose coming (i.e., initial ascendancy to power) is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” (II Thess. 2:9). This view is further corroborated in Revelation where it is said that the whole world, immediately after the Rapture, will understand that Satan is the source of power for the miraculous occult abilities of the Antichrist after he is “revealed.” (Rev. 13:4).
Daniel 11:36-39
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. (KJV)
“Neither shall he regard... the desire of women... for he shall magnify himself above all.” Not only will the Antichrist magnify himself above every god, but apparently he will also lack interest and desire in the beauty and sexual attractiveness of women because “he shall magnify himself above all.” This does not necessarily mean, however, that he will not be married. Instead, it may indicate he will be obsessed by his extraordinary supernatural occult power and abilities, and by his agenda for political power and military conquests and spiritual deception. That is why there is no reason to believe he will be a homosexual as some have speculated; he will be too preoccupied with himself and his objectives to concern himself with sexual desires that would consume much of his time and energy.
An interesting alternative rendering of this scriptural phrase in verse 37 is found in the Amplified Bible: “He shall not regard the gods of his fathers or Him [to whom] women desire [to give birth — the Messiah] nor any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.” Because the promised Messiah was the one to whom all young Jewish women desired to give birth, He was the “desire of women.” Accordingly, verse 37 could be interpreted to say: “He will not regard the God of his ancestors, nor will he regard Messiah God of Israel, nor will he regard any god.” Likewise, the preceding verse, i.e., verse 36, also predicts that Antichrist will speak against the God of gods, i.e., the true God of biblical Christianity. Then in similar fashion, verse 38 states that when the Antichrist is “in his estate,” meaning after the pre-tribulation Rapture when he will be fatally wounded and incarnated by Satan, that is when he will acknowledge Satan, the god of forces, as his true source of power. (See Rev. 13:4). Thus, the proposed translation of verse 37 would reinforce verse 36 and other passages that indicate the Antichrist will never pretend to be the Jewish Messiah, even before the Rapture occurs, because he will blaspheme the true God while exalting himself above all other gods.
But, even though the alternative translation for this scriptural phrase makes it more consistent with the theme of the phrases adjacent to it, we must question if it is truly the intended meaning. For instance, using the phrase “desire of women” is an obtuse way to say “Messiah.” Also, based on Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary, the precise literal translation of the original words would be the phrase, “nor desire women.” Other words in this passage, such as “the” and “of,” are words that were added by the translators in an effort to clarify the intended meaning. Furthermore, Young's Literal Translation matches the KJV closely, and I generally prefer the YLT and KJV Bibles for two basic reasons. First, their translators were less intentional about allowing their personal theology to influence their translation efforts, and second, they are based upon more reliable ancient manuscripts.
“And the king shall do according to his will.” Daniel describes the Antichrist as “exceeding great” (Dan. 8:9), while Alexander the Great is given a description that denotes a lower magnitude of greatness; he is described as simply “very great” (Dan. 8:8). Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that the military feats accomplished by Antichrist will be amazing even when compared to the swift military conquests waged by Alexander the Great. Other scriptures also testify to the incredible military conquests achieved by the Antichrist. Thus, since Alexander the Great conquered his enemies with lightning speed, so likewise will the Antichrist. Nothing will be able to stop him or thwart his will. As John noted: “Who is able to make war with him?” In fact, the military conquests of the Antichrist, during his initial rise to power, will be so spectacular and astounding that he will be universally acclaimed as an invincible war genius, and most people will even believe him when he proclaims himself to be a god!
“The king shall do according to his will.” From the very beginning, the Antichrist will boldly and unabashedly defy God by doing whatever he chooses to do according to his personal values and passions. Moreover, Daniel 7:25 states that the Antichrist “shall speak great words against the most High.... and think to change times and laws.” Thus, Antichrist will boldly defy and blaspheme the true God in Heaven even as he encourages defiance and rebellion against traditional cultural conventions and norms and moral values. Likewise, Daniel 7:8 predicts that the Antichrist will “speak great things” from the outset when he first begins his spectacular rise to power. As further corroboration, Daniel 8:25 predicts that the Antichrist will “magnify himself in his heart,” while Daniel 11:36-37 also prophesies he will “exalt” and “magnify” himself “above every god” and “above all” — descriptions which are reminiscent of the self-deification delusion that snared Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Thus, he will “magnify himself above every god,” and will be so bold and defiant as to “speak marvellous things against the God of gods.” Obviously these statements seem to imply that the Antichrist, indeed, will advocate “god-hood” for everyone — just as the New Agers teach.
“And shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished.” The Hebrew word for “indignation” is ZAAM, meaning “rage; fury, especially, God’s displeasure at sin.” Therefore, this scriptural passage predicts that the Antichrist will “prosper” in his plans to deceive people before the Rapture by inspiring world peace and prosperity. Then later, after the Rapture, he will continue to “prosper” by waging “war” against Christian believers for three and one-half years of Great Tribulation. But then after that, the Day of God’s Wrath will begin, and the Antichrist will no longer “prosper” in his plans because God’s “indignation” and judgment will be unleashed in the form of Trumpet-Vial plagues before culminating in His Return at the Battle of Armageddon.
“Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers.” A reference to the personal, infinite, triune God of the Christian Bible is not necessarily intended here in this passage because the letter “G” is not capitalized in the word “God” in the original language. Here is how Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary defines the word “God”:
430 ‘elohiym (el-o-heem’);
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:
KJV— angels, X exceeding, God (gods)- dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
So, the word “God” actually can be translated as “gods in the ordinary sense,” or it can be rendered as “the supreme God.” However, we should note also that the article “the” was added arbitrarily by the KJV translators because they jumped to the same conclusion everyone else did — so the presence of the article “the” does not lend any support to the theory that this word must refer to the true God of biblical Christianity. Accordingly, it is erroneous to assume this scriptural phrase necessarily refers to the Jewish fathers of the Antichrist in an attempt to prove the Antichrist will pretend to be the Jewish Messiah. Besides, it could just as easily refer to the Islamic supreme god, Allah, if the Antichrist proves to be a Moslem or Druze Moslem. Instead, it means precisely what it actually says, i.e., he will ignore the religion of his ancestors by simply declining to honor or worship the god whom his ancestors worshipped, whomever that may be. Corroboration on this point is provided in this very same passage of scripture when it continues by saying that neither will he “regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all” BEFORE the Rapture, but that AFTER the Rapture, he will modify his religious stance by publicly honoring the “god of forces” who is none other than Satan himself:
Revelation 13:4
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (KJV)
The Antichrist will proclaim himself to be a god, but it will be as a “new-age” style of god. That is why he will magnify himself above every other god BEFORE the Rapture when the world will be astounded by his miraculous mind powers and military genius. But AFTER the Rapture, when he is “revealed” to the world and everyone will know that his power is from Satan, he will curse and blaspheme the true God in Heaven while publicly honoring the “god of forces.” Likewise, it is essential to our understanding on this matter to remember that he will invade Israel in his initial rise-to-power, many years before the pre-tribulation Rapture occurs. Therefore, without a doubt, all of these things indicate there will be no pretense on his part at being the Jewish Messiah.
“He shall honour the god of forces.” Initially, New Age thinking may very well ascribe the incredible supernatural occult power of the Antichrist to the “universal spirit” or the “cosmic consciousness” of the universe. But, those who are wise will understand that it is Satan who is the source of such miraculous occult abilities, not some “universal power” achieved through “higher consciousness” or a “sudden, dramatic leap in evolution.” However, immediately after the pre-tribulation Rapture occurs, everyone in the world will understand that Satan is the real reason for the incredible power and abilities of Antichrist. (Rev. 13:2, 4) (Dan. 11:39) (Hab. 1:11). Moreover, that is precisely what II Thessalonians 2:3-12 alludes to when it states that the Antichrist will be “revealed” (Greek word APOKALUPTO; disclosed, uncovered, revealed), immediately after the Rapture, when the Holy Spirit will be “taken out of the way” (but not out of the world), and a mortally-wounded Antichrist becomes possessed and incarnated by Satan himself (Rev. 13:2-4). So, in other words, we will see the “coming” of the Antichrist when he first appears on the world scene as a man endowed with satanic supernatural power. But, we (as Christians) will not see him “revealed” as Satan incarnate because that satanic union will not happen until immediately after the pre-tribulation Rapture takes place.
These astounding developments will not mean, however, that most people will believe Satan is evil — even after the Rapture when the whole world will worship both Satan and Antichrist (Rev. 13:2-7). Instead, they probably will think — as many people, reportedly, believe already — that Satan is a “good angel” who goes by the name of Lucifer, and that he is a morally good and benevolent creature. Especially since he will have been responsible for creating world peace and prosperity, before the Rapture, through his human surrogate, Antichrist. But on the other hand, God will be blamed for destroying that world peace and prosperity when He begins to unleash horrific plagues and judgments upon the earth. That explains why Revelation states in several different passages that AFTER the Great Tribulation — during the Great and Terrible Day Of The Lord — people on earth will curse God while refusing to repent of their sins.
“Shall honor the god of forces.” According to Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary and the Rev. Alexander Hislop, author of the classic, The Two Babylons, a more accurate translation of the word “forces” would be the word “fortifications.” Therefore, this scriptural phrase may be an allusion to the great rebel Nimrod, who (as documented by Hislop; pp. 30-55) can be described as “the god of fortifications.” So, apparently the Antichrist will be a modern-day version of Nimrod, who was viewed in his days as an extraordinary benefactor of humanity because he taught people how to protect themselves from the wild animals by building walls around their cities, and because he was a mighty hunter of these wild animals who were threatening to overrun the earth. But, after giving people the benefits and blessings of safety and security, he used his prestige to persuade people to rebel against God, thus beginning the great Babylonian apostasy.
Sometimes it is said John 5:43 proves that the Antichrist will pretend to be the Jewish Messiah:
John 5:43
43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (KJV)
However, Jesus simply was saying that many of the people listening in His audience were so hardheaded and unreceptive they would not receive Him despite the impressive Godly evidence of His ministry. Yet, on the other hand, they were so foolish they would believe some ordinary man and accept him as their Messiah without any sign of Godly inspiration as proof of his identity. Which is precisely what they did some years later, causing many Jews to suffer at the hands of the Romans.
Furthermore, please note that Jesus did not say “when” another man comes along in his own name, thus implying the absolute necessity for this event to happen. Instead, He said “if” this happens, clearly implying that it might or might not happen — an acknowledgement that people have a God-given right to freedom and freewill. But, since this word “if” carries the element of doubt and uncertainty with it, this passage can not possibly be a reference to Antichrist because numerous Old Testament prophecies had already been given by God predicting Antichrist would appear at the endtimes. This view, concerning the word “if,” is confirmed by Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary:
1437 ean (eh-an’);
from 1487 and 302; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:
KJV— before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-) soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, [who-] so (-ever).
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