Will Antichrist arise to conquer Jerusalem, claim the rulership of the world, and plunge humanity into an orgy of war, bloodshed and evil unparalleled in the history of mankind?

The Return of Christ: Basic Teaching of the Bible
The personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ in power and glory, to take up his great authority, and reign on earth as king, is a basic doctrine of the Bible. Hundreds of references to it are made therein and these are set forth in clear language, the meaning of which should be beyond dispute.

Consider the following predictions:

"This same Jesus, which is taken up from you (Apostles) into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

"Times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:19-21).

"God hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man (Christ) whom He hath ordained: whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (1 Corinthians 15:19-23).

The teaching of the second coming of Christ permits believers to look beyond the iron curtain of trouble today, to a glorious future when the evils and frustrations of the present will be replaced by a righteous administration that will bring "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men."

The Doctrine Distorted
Unfortunately this doctrine, so plainly taught in the Bible, is misunderstood and misinterpreted by some who would carry its message to the world. In consequence, its teaching is distorted with the result that often a grotesque, irrational outline of coming events is set before the public.

Two books before us as we write do just that. One is entitled There's A New World Coming by Hal Lindsey, and the other is Armageddon by J. Wolvoord. Both books advance a similar theory relating to the doctrine of the second coming, a theory that perverts the actual teaching of the Bible. Unfortunately, such books are so widely advertised as to become best-sellers. For example according to the publication notice, some 700,000 copies of the former book were sold in the seven months following October 1973 and there have been additional editions since. At $2.95 per copy this represents a rich reward of over $2,000,000, which however, we would not begrudge the author if only the sound truths of Scripture were set forth.

Instead, in both books, a mistaken idea of Christ's coming is outlined, which, as we will show, could have the effect of those who are swayed by it actually opposing Christ when he does appear.

Between them the books set forth the idea that Antichrist is about to arise, and will set up his power in Jerusalem. He will then claim to be the king Messiah, and abolishing the Jewish religion, will build a Temple, and command the worship of humanity. Both books then refer to the return of Christ, and the "rapture," that they claim will follow alleging that he will convey his true believers to heaven.

In fact, the Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to accomplish that which they claim Antichrist will do: set up his power in Jerusalem, demand the allegiance of mankind, and build a Temple for the universal worship he will establish. He however, will reign on earth, not return to heaven (Isa. 24:23; Zech. 14:9; Rev. 5:9-10).

The books referred to above largely draw upon the teaching of The Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, to establish their theory.

Therefore, in considering the teaching advanced, we aim to answer five questions:

• What is the basic message of the Book of Revelation.?
• Who or what is Antichrist?
• What does the mystical number 666 refer to?
• When and where will Armageddon be fought?
• How will we be personally involved at Christ's coming?

The Basic Message Of Revelation
Revelation is a prophetic book of symbols. This is shown by its introduction. The first verse declares:

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servant things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John" (Rev. 1:1).

This teaches that the book is designed to outline future events leading to Christ's second coming, and that its contents were both sent and signified by Christ.

The statement is important. It proclaims that the book is largely symbolical; its teaching is set forth in sign language, which is the meaning of signified.

Unfortunately, this important introduction is frequently ignored, and many miss the meaning of the book by giving literal meanings to symbolical statements.

The book pictures burning stars falling to the earth; fiery mountains being plunged into sizzling seas; a woman giving birth to a son in heaven; a dragon with a tail so huge as to fling a third of the stars above on to the earth.

These are all literal impossibilities; though as symbols they can be aligned with prophetic, historic developments.

Moreover, this same book contains key explanations. to such mysterious figures, sufficient to determine the meaning of such. We read such explanatory notes as the following:

"Here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains. . ." (Rev. 17:9). "The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Rev. 17:15).

So Scripture compared with Scripture enables one to come to a clear understanding of The Revelation, and to understand the plan of prophecy that moves throughout the book.

When this is not done skilfully, unfortunate and serious mistakes follow.

The basic teaching of the Book of Revelation is consistent with the rest of the Bible, and relates to the return of Christ. It proclaims that he will return personally and visibly to the earth:

"Behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him" (Rev. 1:7).

This is consistent with the statements cited earlier. But why should "all kindreds of the earth wail" because of the presence of Christ? Because there will be a general recognition of lost opportunities in relation to it. People everywhere will regret that they have been so led astray with false teaching concerning Christ, or have so opposed the influence of the Bible, as to turn their backs upon its truth, and so deny themselves the hope it presents.

As to those who worship God in truth (see John 4:24), they will be elevated as co-rulers with Christ in his earthly administration, and will inherit eternal life. Christ declares:

"He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations" (Rev. 2:26).

"Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev 22:12).

Consider carefully this last statement of Christ's in the light of general religious teaching. Most claim that they will go to heaven for their reward. Not the Bible! It plainly teaches that "the meek shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5); and here Christ states that he will come with his reward. The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is not taught in Scripture, which plainly reveals that the promised inheritance is eternal life upon the earth.

Christ comes to bring to an end the reign of flesh, and set up his own rule from Jerusalem. Hence his promise to his followers that he will give them "power over the nations." For reference to the earthly reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, consider the following:

"And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." . . . "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 11:18,15).

Analyse these statements of Scripture. Notice that the resurrection is aligned with a time when the nations are in an angry and belligerent attitude with each other, and the possibility exists of men destroying the very earth. Consider that for the first time in history man has the means to do that through nuclear war. Even today he is busy destroying the earth by polluting it. The return of Christ alone will prevent the destruction of civilisation, and will be followed by his world wide reign on earth in conjunction with his true followers. The Revelation states:

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:6).

See how clearly this last book of the Bible, consistent with its general teaching, proclaims:

• The personal, visible return of Christ;
• The resurrection and bestowal of eternal life on his followers;
• The establishment of Christ's return on earth;
• The subjugation of all nations to his rule.

This glorious message of hope for a sinning, sorrowing, quarrelling world is the basic message of the Bible as well as of the Book of Revelation. It is summed up in the statement:

"The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed: the kingdom shall not be let to other people (its rulers will be immortal); but it shall break in pieces and consume all kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Dan. 2:44).