Just about every Christian denomination in every country and culture has a different profile of Jesus—Hispanic, African, Caucasian and more. Plus, a Chinese, European and Native American mother and child would pop up in an internet search too.
Author and pastor Mark Biltz says that humans must remember that we were created in His image and we shouldn’t try to create Him in our image.
In advance of his soon-to-be-released book, Decoding the Antichrist and the End Times: What the Bible Says and What the Future Holds, Biltz questions if Jesus will even be recognized.
“For that matter, how will we recognize the two witnesses from the Antichrist and the false prophet when they are battling it out?” Biltz says. “These are very important considerations, especially if we don’t want to be deceived.”
Replacement theology in the Christian view of the Messiah has taken Christians far off target, Biltz adds, and it affects their end-time theology.
“The common view of the church replacing Israel has caused huge consequences,” he says. “Many Jews have a hard time believing in a Jewish Messiah that has replaced them. Many other Jews realize the truth that replacement theology is wrong and that the Messiah is still in a covenant relationship with them, as they have come to the understanding of wonderful saving grace.
“Being one degree off doesn’t seem like a big deal, but after 2,000 miles, it sure does,” Biltz continues. “Well, it is the same way with the Bible. If we are off by one degree in our theology, 2,000 years later, we will be way off!”
Therefore, Biltz says, we have to ask ourselves: Are there really two different Messiahs—Jewish and Christian?
“Think about this for a moment—all the apostles were Jewish,” the author says. “To them ‘pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen’ (Rom. 9:4-5 KJV, emphasis added).
“Let’s look at another example,” he continues. “I could show you a verse in the Bible where the apostle John was kicked out of the church. Not only was he kicked out, but all other Jews were as well. Even any Gentiles who wanted the Jews to stay in the assembly were kicked out of the ‘church.’ It’s in every Bible, and it’s always overlooked. The Jews were being scattered and persecuted, and the Gentiles who were coming to faith were taking over the assemblies.”
Likewise, Biltz adds, in the third epistle of John, he stated that he ‘wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not’ (verse 9). He goes on to say that Diotrephes does not accept the brethren, referring to the other Jews, and that he forbids other people to accept them and kicks anyone who does out of the church.
“It is incredible how quickly anti-Semitism took over,” Biltz says. “We must know these facts because realizing our bias can and will affect our end-time perspectives.”
Decoding the Antichrist and the End Times, which will be released March 5, takes an in-depth look at some of the deepest questions surrounding the Antichrist, such as the following:
- What does the Bible say about the Antichrist’s tactics and his motivation?
- Will he be a Muslim, a Jew or a professed Christian—or something else?
- Will the Antichrist work through modern technology to seize control?
Mark Biltz is founder of El Shaddai Ministries and a well-known and popular commentator on the feasts of the Lord. In fact, he has produced a series of DVDs on the feasts that have gone around the world. Biltz is also the author of Blood Moons and God’s Day Timer. His research and theories have led to guest appearances on both radio and television as well as being featured on the covers of magazines.
Decoding the Antichrist and the End Times is published by Charisma House, which has published books that challenge, encourage, teach and equip Christians, including 14 New York Times’ best-sellers.
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