Why should one specifically concern oneself with the Antichrist, when it is much more important to receive the message of the Gospel in depth and pass it on? No question, the latter is the most important and essential, but there is something called prophetic responsibility, if one lives in imitation of Christ. This does not only refer to vigilance in one's own life, but is also a service to the faithful and all men.

Unfortunately, we have to expect deceptive maneuvers following and before the coming of an Antichrist, as we have already experienced it in the Communist and "Nazi" propaganda, and it might be difficult to recognize subtle deceptions of the Antichrist. Though the gift of the "discernment of spirits" belongs to the "basic equipment" of all human beings, who listen to God, especially those, who know the Voice of Jesus (1), the confusion that the Antichrist will cause, seems to be such that it will not be perceived by all. A special gift of discernment of spirits is additionally needed for that: an even more subtle perception and discernment between the Divine, human and evil spirit. This discernment is also difficult, because many times, those different spirits are simultaneously at work in a human being resp. influence him. In addition to that, Satan can disguise himself as an "Angel of Light" (2). This is suspected by many, who concern themselves with the person and the spirit of the Antichrist. The form of appearance of today's Antichrist will likely not be so easy to identify as for example in the antichristian systems of Communism or in the "Third Reich" or in the appearance of cruel Roman emperors.

Therefore, the mission of "Balta Lelija" becomes a necessity. Faithful and God seeking people must be better made aware of the effective "antichristian spirit", as well as those, who perceive these negative developments, but cannot really classify them properly.

A universal response to the perceptive threats by antichristian developments can only consist of trusting even more in the goodness of our Heavenly Father and strengthening faith. Then it will be possible, in view of eschatological events, to expect the second coming of Christ and to follow the Word from the Gospel of Luke: "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (3)

This mission must also not lead to a general lamentation about the "bad times". Instead, it should clearly label things in love and truth and extend an invitation to resist evil, in God and at His side, and serve the Kingdom of God with all determination!
It is also necessary, to defend the honor of God, for no one desires to disturb the true image and intimate relationship with God than those forces, which stand at enmity with God and men (4).

When the Antichrist is mentioned in the following, it refers to that Antichrist, who will appear before the second coming of Christ. In case of the appearance of a new antichristian figure, God will show Himself, if this will be that last one or still one of his forerunners!

The text about the Antichrist is not presented as a complete script at this time, but as a continuing series of reflections, meditations and updates over a longer period of time, and remains open for additions and amendments.

(1) John 10.4-5
(2) 2 Corinthians 11.14
(3) Luke 21.28
(4) Genesis 3.1-3

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The testimony of Holy Scripture suggests that the "son of perdition" (5) will appear before the second coming of Christ.

Much has been written and speculated about this "son of perdition". Entire name lists are appearing! They reach from the Roman emperor Nero to present-day personalities like for example the presidential contender Obama in the USA! Again and again, the papacy is brought into proximity to the Antichrist, and others consider Islam to be a religion with antichristian imprint. Some suppose that the Antichrist is only a mystical figure, an expression of the general identification of evil. Again others name with this expression only the spiritual current, which stands in opposition to Christ and Christian values. There are many serious voices and assumptions, but also some obscure ideas. In today's world of rock and pop music, one encounters allusions to the Antichrist, and some performers seem to feel drawn by dark powers.

A very authentic voice is the one of the Russian thinker Vladimir Solowjew (1853-1900). In the year of his death, he felt urged to write the "Short Story of the Antichrist".
There is a great probability that the English catholic priest Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914) knew this book. In his novel "Lord of the World", he vividly describes how the Antichrist seizes power, and, in the course of his rule, turns out to be a bloody dictator, who particularly persecutes Christians!
Purposely, the Lithuanian Antanas Maceina (1908-1987), tries to interpret the "Story of the Antichrist" in his profound work "The Secret of Wickedness", which first appeared in German language, as historic theology of the antagonist of Christ.

These three books, especially the works of the two East Europeans, constitute important background information, but the testimony of some Church Fathers and other authors should also be considered, as well as authentic voices of prophetic character. Likewise, contemporary testimonies do not remain unnoticed, and naturally - as much as God grants - the proper intuition is also flowing in. Basis for all considerations though remain the respective passages of Holy Scripture.

(5) cf. 2 Thessalonians 2.3-12


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a) The Antichrist, in union with demonic powers, will seek Divine veneration for himself!

In the imitation of Christ, the Antichrist will deceive men. Since the Antichrist will be guided by demonic powers, representing in a certain way their "fleshly presence", he will be deeply occupied and entirely engaged in claiming Divine honors for himself. It was the original temptation of a high Angel, perverted to a devil, to desire to be "like God", striving for His Almighty Power alone and not His Infinite Goodness. He did no longer want to serve, but desired to reign himself!
In the story of temptation in the New Testament, the devil approaches Jesus, desiring that He would adore him, promising Him all "kingdoms of this world" (6). This is also the destination route of the Antichrist as instrument of ungodly powers! This he will know to hide at first, but this motivation will be present in all his words and deeds.

b) The Antichrist will be a deeply fallen human being under the influence of Satan

Some authors go so far in their ideas as to suppose that, for the sake of the mocking imitation of the virginal birth of Jesus, the devil would pair with a "prostitute" or virgin. In this view, the Antichrist would be a physical union of angel and human being. The Incarnation of Christ as Son of God and Son of Man constitutes such a unique Divine event though, that it can hardly be imitated by a creature. Despite all plenitude of power of satanic beings, the devil is not almighty and can only act within the boundaries of his creatureliness. Being an angel however, he has far reaching knowledge of the laws and inherent possibilities of the cosmos. Because of this, he can also deceive men with "miracles". Occasionally, there exists also the notion that the Antichrist was already possessed by satanic powers as a child.

According to the concept of Solowjew, the Antichrist knows about the existence of God, but he does not love Him. Solowjew writes that the Antichrist, upon reaching the age of Christ, has a key experience in turning away from Jesus, denying his resurrection, and that, instead of the former rational and cold veneration of God, an internal hatred is spreading. This is followed by great despair, which the Antichrist of Solowjew wants to extinguish by suicide! In this situation enters now not God as Savior, but the antagonist of God. He "delivers" him from his own doubts regarding Jesus, if this one was not more than only his "forerunner", whom he should adore. Instead, the mission of the Antichrist begins and he is given the power that he needs for his mission. That temptation of power (better: abuse of power), which Jesus rejected in the desert, takes hold of the Antichrist, because the Antichrist does not adore God, but, in depth, himself!

This short summary of Solowjew's thoughts has quite a few points, worthwhile to think about. If we look at the figure of Judas Iscariot for example, the disciple of Jesus, we cannot assume that Judas wanted to betray Jesus right from the beginning. Like the other disciples, he shared life with Jesus, witnessing His Words and the miracles that were occurring. When did he start to move away interiorly from Jesus? Did Judas not really love Jesus? Did he expect other things from Jesus? Was greed the only determining motive for betraying his Lord, as biblical testimony is initially suggesting?
We cannot be sure of all that, but there is testimony that Satan entered into him at the last supper, after Jesus gave him the bread. It was the moment, when Satan took possession of him, and he successively carried out the betrayal, which he had already carried in his heart (7). We know that Judas - according to biblical testimony - did not find the way back to Jesus and in his despair committed suicide.

Following the version of Solowjew, the Antichrist experienced something like a "negative conversion", a form of "breakthrough of the satanic"! Such a thought is not abstruse, because we know a few things about the fall of the angels. It can be assumed that the fallen angels initially lived in communion with their Creator. Some authors suppose that the rebellion of the angels occurred when God told them that the Second Person of God would become Man and would have a human mother, who then would be honored as Queen of Angels and men.
There is no question that the fallen angels know about God, but they do not love Him!

In the biblical story of the fall of man, we also know a story of estrangement, but under different conditions than the fall of the angels. We see that man was living in original intimate communion with God, before the tempter approached him to drag him into the rebellion against God.

A biblical passage about the Antichrist resp. about the Antichrists: "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us..." even permits the assumption that the Antichrist could be a person, who moves about the religious environment or did so at times (8). In a radio address in 1947, Cardinal Fulton Sheen from New York said this about the Antichrist: "He will even speak about Christ and say that He was the greatest Man, who ever lived..."

This makes it even more difficult to identify him, for he can make use of religious terminology, filling it with other contents though, deceiving people with his religious knowledge as well!

(6) Matthew 4.8-9
(7) John 13.27
(8) 1 John 2.18-19

to be continued!

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