Wearing Out the Saints: Standing Strong Against the Spirit of the Antichrist
Daniel 7:25 - And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
This prophetic vision given to Daniel does not only apply to Daniel’s time, but it also speaks to the times we are living in today. While the immediate fulfillment of this prophecy was occurring in Daniel’s time, it speaks of the conditions and events that will unfold in the final days before Christ’s return. This includes the rise of a global leader (the Antichrist) that opposes God and Christian values and seeks to wear out the faithful through oppressive control.
The Present Reality of the Antichrist Spirit
John told us that the Antichrist will come, but the spirit of the Antichrist is already at work in the world today (1 John 4:3). This spirit, relentless in its pursuit, seeks to wear out the saints - draining us, urging us to compromise, and clouding our vigilance. Look at the many things facing the church today and the outright opposition against Christian values. We can see the efforts of the Antichrist spirit seeking to exhaust the faithful and cause believers to compromise the word of God.
The Consequences of Spiritual Weariness
Why does the Antichrist spirit seek to wear out the saints? Because a weary church is a vulnerable one. When the saints get worn down, we become tired and will doze off to sleep. When the saints get worn down, there can be a temptation to just stop resisting and to compromise. When the saints get worn down, they can “zone out” and become oblivious of what is going on around them.
The spirit of the antichrist knows that it cannot change anything as long as the church is awake and alert. However, he will see to get us tired, pushed down, worn out and “zoned out”, and then things can change.
We Must Not Bow
The book of Esther speaks of Haman, a high ranking noble in the Persian empire (Esther 5:9-13). He ruled by fear and as he would move around the city people would bow. However, despite all his riches and accomplishments, Haman becomes infuriated when Mordecai refuses to bow down to him. This act of defiance, rooted in Mordecai's Jewish beliefs which forbade him from bowing to anyone but God, sparks Haman’s deep hatred towards all Jews. Despite the vastness of his power and riches, one thing was able to rob him of his joy. That was one man, Mordecai, who would not bow!
The Importance of Faithfulness
Don’t let the enemy tell you that you don’t matter. We do! Our faithfulness does matter. We must not be worn down by the spirit of the Antichrist in these last days. Make a daily decision to be faithful and unwavering. The devil doesn’t fear our talent or education, he fears our faithfulness.
The Remnant: Standing Firm to the End
God has always had a “remnant”. Let us be faithful to the end. The secular definition of the word remnant is not a pretty one. It gives us the image of leftovers and something seen as little or no value. However, in the Bible the remnant are those people that stand against the tide of this world. They stand against the ways of the world. They are a people who stand on the word of God and will not compromise. They are unwavering and faithful to the end.
You defeat the spirit of the antichrist when you completely fall in love with Jesus Christ!