Read: Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4

But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here… Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. (1 John 4:3,5)

Relate: The spirit of the Antichrist is already here. He calls himself a prophet, a spiritual guide, a teacher. But he is none of these. With best selling books like A New Earth, The Power of Now, and a series of web seminars viewed live or seen by over 28 million people, he has definitely seen many. But about Jesus, Eckhart Tolle says, “Never personalize Christ. Don’t make Christ into a form identity. Avatars, divine mothers, enlightened masters, the very few that are real, are not special as persons.” This is the spirit of the Antichrist.

He is a buddhist monk. He is not a Christian but he has been endorsed by many famous pastors, even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by a pastor. He is a master at redefining terms like baptism, salvation, and the Holy Spirit in a way that it seems like he is saying some very Christian things. But ultimately he stresses the humanity of Christ and wants to deny, or at the very least, ignore his divinity. Tich Nhat Hanh says, “As the child of Mary and Joseph, Jesus is the Son of Woman and Man…The life of Jesus is faith in His resurrection or faith in eternity.” This is the spirit of the Antichrist.

React: Truth is not subjective. Truth is uncompromising. Today we live in a world where open mindedness and tolerance are the highest ideal. To be fair both Tolle, Hanh, and others of similar mindsets like Oprah have a lot of good to say. They have some great practical advice that can help you live a healthier, happier, more fulfilled life… all the way to hell. In Isaiah God says about Himself, “I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with others!” There is nothing greater than the glory of God, and there is no greater manifestation of that glory than in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Anything that tries to tarnish the truth of the Incarnate God, Jesus, is the spirit of the Antichrist. Have nothing to do with it.

Respond: God, reveal Your glory. Help me to know truth and not get caught up in deceptions of the world. Help me to walk in imitation of how You walked on this earth. Let me be such a true reflection of You that those around would not get caught up in lies that mar the image of Your greatness. Let Your Name, let You nature, let Your truth be lifted higher.

This is a devotional created by and for Two Rivers Assembly.