Now that April 8, 2024 has safely passed and the modern day prophets have been proven wrong –again, and the world is not going to end, attention can be turned to other doomsday moments with the hope the madness of prophetic speculation will disappear.
On June 6, 2006, Hollywood released the remake of the film The Omen. The storyline tells of the birth of the son of Satan, who had a jackal for a mother, literally. Eventually placed in the home of the political godson of the president of the United States, who becomes the Ambassador to the Court of St. James in England, Damien survives numerous attempts on his young life.
The political environment in which Damien thrives, allegedly allows a Biblical prophecy to be fulfilled, provided the Scripture is torn out of its historical context, which is readily done, to make the movie line move forward. The Biblical text appealed to is Revelation 13:1. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea , and saw a beast rise up out of the [political] sea , having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
While the fictional book series Left Behind, presents a mental vision of the anti-Christ, and all the evil that follows in his wake, The Omen presents the visual counterpart. But what should be said about Hollywood’s latest flirtation with the Christian religion, following on the heels of the blasphemous production of The DaVinci Code?
A chief observation is that Hollywood remains consistently on the dark side of the Christian religion, once more casting it in a negative light while exalting evil and its power. In the opening scene of The Omen, a Catholic priest encourages fraud and deceit, by substituting a live baby for a dead one, to a distraught mother saying, “God will forgive this little deception.” Evil was dressed in religious robes to deceive the innocent. Later, those who tried to right any wrong, were wounded, or killed by the emissaries of the Evil One to protect the son of Satan. The powers of darkness consistently triumphant over the power of good.
Because The Omen is presented only as a work of fiction, and because no one has made any pretense for the storyline being either Biblically accurate, or historically factual, the movie can be viewed with a detached spirit, and analyzed objectively. For those who would like to know what the Bible teaches about the anti-Christ, the following points should be considered.
First, in the Bible the term “anti-Christ”, refers to any person who sets himself up to oppose Christ, and the people of God. The term “anti-Christ” also has reference to anyone who places themselves in the place of Christ. In other words, the concept of an anti-Christ does not always mean someone who is hostile to Christ per se. It can refer to someone who says they are here in the place of Christ thereby diverting glory from Jesus to self, or the office they hold.
Second, the term “anti-Christ” is used exclusively by the apostle John in his writings in the New Testament, and then in only four verses.
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1 John 2:18).
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22).
“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” (1 John 4:3).
“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 anti-Christ” (2 John 1:7).
Notice that the apostle John wrote that several “anti-Christs” already existed in his day in the form of false teachers, and that John considered himself to be in the last times. The last times have lasted now for over 2000 years.
This point is important to understand to calm the fears of individuals who believe that life is coming to an end in the immediate future. Perhaps it will, but there is no way of knowing, or suggesting that there are signs of the time to that effect. There is a system of theology which feeds on fear, and it is wrong.
Notice also that the individuals of whom John spoke were against Christ, because they denied the Lord’s deity and incarnation. “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 anti-Christ” (2 John 1:7).
This is significant, because while many Christians today are being taught to look outward for a political leader as an “anti-Christ”, more care should be taken to look within the professing Church for teachers who deny major historic doctrines concerning Christ, or set themselves up in His place.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 explains. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [of the Second Coming of Christ] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
The supreme purpose of any anti-Christ is to deceive, for deception has always characterized Satan in his attempts to undermine the work of God in the world. Satan’s deception began in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), and will continue until the end of time.
Therefore, there will be many lesser anti-Christs until the end of time, because Satan can always find willing followers, reflected in the modern Wicca movement, to say nothing of the devotees of Anton Szandor Lavey (1930-1997), author of the Satanic Bible. Concerning Mr. Lavey, his real name was Howard Stanton Lavey. Apparently “Howard” did not have the appeal of the more Gothic sounding, “Anton Szandor.”
Of course, a name is not that important, for those who follow any of the many anti-Christs of this world, like those who followed the anti-Christ of the Revelation era in AD 70 will experience certain doom through the wrath of God.
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name” (Rev. 14:9-11).
The historical anti-Christ of the Revelation in the person of Nero, whose number was the number of a man, 666 (Revelation 13:18), made persistent war against Christ and His army until he was captured and in spiritual terms, was “cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:20). The same fate waits all who embrace wickedness, the Evil One personally or one of his devotees.
Although the apostle Paul does not use the term anti-Christ as the apostle John did, Paul surely had an anti-Christ in mind when he wrote of the great apostasy, or falling away that would occur prior to the return of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 says, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [of the Second Coming of Christ] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”
The appearance of the Man of Sin, another Son of Perdition in the same vein as Judas Iscariot whom the apostle Paul had in mind, could not have taken place apart from God’s permission. That concept is important to keep in mind when considering the power of evil. God is sovereignly in control of every facet of His creation. Righteousness will always ultimately triumph over evil.
So far, the timing had not been right for the anti-Christ Paul had in mind when he wrote his epistle to the church in Thessalonica, and thus the Holy Spirit was restraining his appearance. However, by the time Paul wrote to the Galatians an apostasy had taken place. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel” (Gal. 1:6), and so the Man of Sin was free to make his appearance.
Another spiritual principle emerges. Once divine restraints are removed from any life, Satan will move to energize the heart, any heart, for his cause and kingdom. The Bible exhorts people to guard their hearts, lest Satan get an advantage over them.
As Paul urged the Church to stand firm in the faith, and not be deceived by an anti-Christ who was to display “all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9), so every believer is warned not to be misled by the deceit of any anti-Christ, at any time, in any generation. Matt 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
If there is a negative social, or spiritual impact the movie The Omen will have it is no less than the negative impact already being fostered within the Church, and that is to encourage Christians to look for signs of the time of the end of the world and a political anti-Christ. Jesus said a wicked generation seeks after signs (Matthew 16:4). There was a time when the Church did not seek after signs, but the Savior. There was a time when the Church did not look for an anti-Christ but for Christ Himself. To that historic faith, a call should go forth so that the Church says again with the apostle John, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Failed Prophecies
As the church prays for the return of Christ, let the church stop engaging in prophetic utterances. Since the completion of the canon of Scripture, individuals have not fared well by picking up the prophetic mantle, and for this reason.
The true test for a prophet is found in Deuteronomy 18:20-22. “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? 22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
The Bible teaches that a prophet must be tested by checking his prophecies.
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, “and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’– which you have not known–‘ and let us serve them,’3 “you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.4 “You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him” (Deut. 13:1-4)?
Christ said that no one would know the time of his return (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32). No one can predict with any accuracy, when Jesus will come back. Only the Father knows. Unfortunately, this has never stopped people from saying that they do know, and so the predictions are set forth.
Item. During the mid-2nd century, a movement was started by Montanus, who proclaimed himself as the Spirit of Truth. Montanus believed he knew of things to come. Prophets and prophetesses of the Montanist movement predicted that Jesus would return sometime during their lifetime. They expected the Millennium at any time.
Item. 375 – 400: Saint Martin of Tours (c. 316-397), who served as Bishop of Gaul, taught that the Antichrist existed in his day, writing: “There is no doubt that the Antichrist has already been born. Firmly established already in his early years, he will, after reaching maturity, achieve supreme power” (End-Times Visions Richard Albanes)
Item. 798 The Spanish monk Beatus (d. 798) felt he would live to see the Antichrist and the end of the world by the year 800. (End-Times Visions Richard Albanes)
Item. 1000 AD Many Christians in Europe had predicted the end of the world on this date. Most considered the anti Christ as coming. They believed Christ would return at the end of the first 1,000 years. People sold their businesses and left their fields. Raoul Glaber, a Burgundian monk, who was born in the late 10th century wrote his Histories, which mention a panic concerning the end. Pope Sylvester the II spoke of hundreds of pilgrims flocking to the holy land in expectation of the end of the world.
Item. 1205 Joachim of Fiore predicted in 1190 that the Antichrist was already in the world, and that King Richard of England would defeat him. The Millennium would then begin, sometime before 1205.
Item. 1533 The Anabaptists movement was fueled with end times fever. One writer prophesied that Strasbourg (France) was chosen by God to be the New Jerusalem. It was said that God’s Spirit would flow so strong through the miracles of the saints that no one could resist it. Enoch and Elijah were to appear to judge the unbelieving earth. When this failed two of the members claimed that they were the two witnesses, and they were going to set up New Jerusalem in Munster.
Item. 1697, 1716, and 1736: Influential Puritan Cotton Mather (1663-1728) preaches that 1697 would be the year of the world’s end. He later changes his prediction to 1716. After that date passes, 1736 becomes his new deadline for Christ’s return (End-Times Visions Richard Albanes).
Item. 1787 Shakers- Ann Lee had a vision, while in prison, that she was to restore True Christianity, establishing a perfect society on earth. Mother Ann Lee was believed to be the 2nd coming, and was fulfilling in herself Christ’s kingdom on earth, starting with the Shaker church. The Shakers, believed that the world would end by 1792.
Item. 1835 Mormon Joseph Smith predicted in 1835 that, “the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty-five years old”. (History of the Church, 5:336; April 1843; Joseph Smith was born Dec. 23, 1805, so the Lord would come sometime after Dec. 23 1890). Tragically Joseph Smith was murdered on June 27, 1844. He was only 39.
Item. 1843-44 2nd/ 7th Day Adventists William Miller, founder of the Millerite movement, predicted that Jesus would come on March 21, 1843. Then the date was set for March 21, 1844. When that date passed a new date was set in August of 1844.
E.G. White continued this date setting. “Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming.” (Early Writings, p. 15) ‘The voice of God is heard from Heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people” (The Great Controversy, p. 640)
Item. 1868 The Rev. M. Baxter, in the Church of England, predicted that the Battle of Armageddon would occur during this year.
Item. 1914 was one of the more important dates, believed to be the start of the war of Armageddon by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Other dates followed as this one failed, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975
Item. 1908 Lee T. Spangler – a grocery store owner in York, Pennsylvania announces that the world would end by fire in October 1908.
Item. 1936 The issue of Plain Truth,(June/July 1934) the magazine launched by Worldwide Church of God founder Herbert W. Armstrong, predicted that the economic depression, and fear of war, marking the early 1930s, would continue until 1936. Then, said Armstrong, “we may expect to see the heavenly signs of the sun and moon becoming dark … which shall be followed by the ‘Day of the Lord”‘ (p. 5).
Item. During the 1950’s William Branham was believed to be the prophet Elijah, who was to come before the return of Christ Jesus. I sincerely believe and maintain as a private student of the word along with Divine Inspiration that 1977 ought to terminate the world systems and usher in the Millennium.” (Seven Church Ages Page 322)
Branham proclaimed himself the angel of Revelation 3:14 and 10:7, and prophesied that by 1977 all denominations would be consumed by the World Council of Churches, the Rapture would take place, and that the world would be destroyed. (Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, p. 96)
Item. 1975 Herbert W. Armstrong set dates about the rapture. 1936, 1943, 1972, and 1975 after these dates were wrong, he kept silent on the issue. “This drought will be even more devastating than he foresees, and that it will strike sooner than 1975 – probably between 1965 and 1972! This will be the very beginning, as Jesus said, of the Great Tribulation!”
Item. 1987 Lester Sumerall, in his book I predict 2000 A.D… said, “I predict the absolute fullness of mans operation on planet earth by the year 2,000 AD. Then Jesus Christ shall reign from Jerusalem for 1,000 years.” (Millennial Madness CRI journal cited by Ron Rhodes fall 1990 p.39)
Item. 1988 Edgar Whisenant, a NASA scientist, published his book “88 Reasons why the Rapture will Occur in 1988.” Many were convinced, and over 4.5 million copies sold. When this failed he reset his calculations for September 30 1989, or possibly Oct 14-20 1989.
Item. 1994 Harold Camping, president of Family Radio predicted, that the end of the world would happen in September 1994.
Item. 2000 Jack van Impe On his television broadcast, Van Impe declares: “The Bible teaches that an Antichrist comes to power (Rev. 13:1) – a world dictator … This world dictator could appear anywhere from now to 2003 …. (July 2, 1997)
With all these predictions increasing, someone is bound to possibly get one right, one of these times! However, Jesus never said to look for Armageddon, or the antichrist, or to calculate the day of His return. He did say to watch, and be ready.
