In the New Testament(2), Paul prophesied of
the coming of a "Man of Sin," the son of perdition, an anti-Christ,
as he is severally called. Much wondering and speculation has arisen around
this prophecy down through the ages. Who might this man be? Where will he
arise? How will we be able to detect him?
Many nominations have been set forth, and truly history has provided us
with quite a selection of feasible candidates who have applied to this
prophecy at least on a certain level. However, lest we lose sight of where the
focus ought to be -- namely on introspection, not on finger
pointing -- it would be good to remember this: In a way, each of us could
qualify for anti-Christ until we overcome the world through Christ, endure in
faith on his name to the end. In fact, the more devout the Christian, the more
qualified he/she becomes to be able to fill the role. Remember that in order
to be a son of perdition one must sin against the Holy Ghost, denying the
Christ once the Father has revealed him. This requires a tremendous level of
accountability to begin with.
Furthermore, no anti-Christ would ever succeed in society -- let alone
to the level that he is going to according to prophecy -- if there were
not a people susceptible to his/her bidding. He will not be the only one who
becomes a son of perdition. The arising of an anti-Christ to the heights
spoken of, therefore, is more a commentary on society than it is on the person
who plays that role.
For this reason, though this treatise is about one person in particular, it
is more about a phenomenon to which we all would do well to pay heed. The
intent is that we might obtain a heightened motivation to trust foremost in
the Lord -- for that is the anecdote. Because God deals with
civilizations in similar fashion to how he deals with individuals, the two
paralleling one another, what takes place on a societal level can be applied
to the individual, and vise versa.
One might expect that a treatise that claims to expose the "Man of
Sin" would be filled with documentation including: archival files,
insider confessions, investigative committees, tangible proofs of conspiracy,
eye-witnesses to duplicity, top-secret document interception, photographs of
revealing associations, etc. This expectation comes because we find ourselves
in a culture that is nearly always following some huge scandal; and these have
been the tools employed.
However, this treatise will present no such documentation -- not a
single shred of shred able documents. All to often, the uncovering of a
scandal itself is touched by scandal -- especially because we all have
sinned, and such tabloid coverage usually takes no consideration for the
possibility of repentance -- or the even more difficult scenario of God
commanding unusual things. What might a reporter have said about Abraham's
sacrifice, or Nephi's method of obtaining the Plates of Brass, or Isaiah's
walking naked and barefoot for three years?
I suppose it would be impossible to approach this subject (revealing the
anti-Christ) in such a manner (requiring and relying alone on tangible
evidence) and not be guilty of being an "accuser of the
brethren" -- "evil speaking of the Lord's anointed," in
the Mormon vernacular.
You may wonder, therefore, how it would be possible to present a convincing
case without setting forth such documentation as these accustomed methods. May
I say on the outset, that not only are the following evidences convincing, but
they are sobering, enlightening and surprising; one of the best surprises
being that they can also be uplifting -- if you will let them -- for
they can be traced to the best, most loving and wise detective of all: God.
Furthermore, they are accessible. Most every home already has them
available in plain sight in the pages of two or three books already sitting on
their shelves -- or next to their beds or desks, if not open on their
desks. Though an angry man might burn a Bible, one hundred will replace it.
The jury, in this case, is we, the people, with the Lord as judge.
What are these evidences that are current, indestructible, specific,
substantial, enlightening, foreordained, and accessible -- though
previously hidden?
From time to time over the past two years or so, the Lord has presented for
my notice a series of amazing findings from scriptural and scripture-based
sources that pertain to this "Man of Sin." Through a variety of
unique approaches, which are obvious when pointed out, these evidences that
have been hidden in plain view come into clear focus.
I didn't put them there. They were there long before this land was even
called "America." Some of them were there before Jerusalem came
under Roman captivity. Some were even around at the time of Moses. All of
them, I believe, were foreplanned by God to come together with a vivid focus
on this very day in which we live.
All I have done is notice them and dust them off. There is a message to
them that is ultra timely and important. The connections are too solid to
deny. The message they convey may be very uncomfortable for most, moving them
far out of their comfort zone -- hopefully toward Christ and none other,
if they will let it. My interpretation of the findings may be up for debate,
but the evidences themselves will not go away, they are indelibly engraved in
our language.
I confess the Lord's hand in being led to them, for of myself I would have
never found them. As I point out these various evidences, I will also relate
some of the story behind the miracle of their discovery.
They not only point specifically to a particular person, but they set forth
the theological concepts behind this whole scenario regarding the Man of Sin,
showing God's glorious purposes for the salvation of his children, despite,
and even as an outgrowth of, such horrendous wickedness. This magnitude of
folly, when finally realized, will -- like nothing else can -- invite an
entire civilization to drop to its knees before the Lord, finally
acknowledging their own nothingness, bringing forth the broken heart and
contrite spirit that calls forth the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost,
which brings the mighty change of heart. In and of ourselves, we are nothing;
as to our strength, we are weak; but with the Lord God, all things are
possible. Thus will an entire people be born again, now established on the
unshakable foundation of Christ, and a smaller subset will have proven
themselves valiant in the testimony of Christ, thus being brought to the
church of the Firstborn. Thus will we at long last have Zion -- the
kingdom of God on the earth.
As these scriptural evidences have been unfolded to me, one at a time, I
have written them up and filed them away -- until now. Because of their
potency, and my inadequacy, and factors of timing of the Lord's work in
general, I have not hitherto felt impressed to disseminate them. My inadequacy
remains, but the timing seems to have ripened -- at least to a limited
extent (see Alma 12:9). I suppose this ripening of season is because at least
a subset of people are prepared to consider this, and the set of findings is
now sufficiently complete (though not exhausted, for there are an infinite
number of witnesses yet to be uncovered) to present a case that cannot be
ignored and will prove to be a blessing or a curse, depending on how it is
taken.
Which it will be is a function, as always, of individual choosing. One may
choose to be offended and stumble, while another may choose to trust in the
Lord in discerning the truths contained herein (and there are truths to be
found) and assimilate those for the blessing of humanity. If you read this
material trying to understand what I as the writer think, as reflected by the
inadequate words I have chosen to express my ideas, you will most surely
stumble; for at a minimum, you will discover some of my weaknesses (and I have
many) and find ample reason to balk; and because of your own human weakness,
chances are you will unfairly ascribe unwholesome motives or paradigms to me
which are not accurate, hence further discrediting the work in your
mind -- unjustifiably. However, if you will read this material looking
for what God has done, seeking to discover his hand, despite
my weakness, then you will discover a feast of understanding and spiritual
resolve. You may even find yourself to be carried by the Lord beyond major
obstacles that have hitherto impeded your growth in coming into his presence.
If you look to man, ultimately you will curse him and yourself; but if you
look to God, you will live. This is a sure promise, innate to the weakness of
man and the virtue of God.
This principle of trusting in the Lord holds true for the worst and best of
writings(3) -- not that I would therefore
find reprieve from the need to present this material as accurately and
carefully as I can, with sensitivity and charity. Technically, I could do a
terrible job in presenting this material, exhibit the worst of human
weaknesses, yet the value of the material itself, as designed by God, would
remain constant; and one who approached the reading with a pure heart, through
trust in God, would discover what is there to be discovered. Nevertheless, for
my own sake and responsibility before the Lord, I will do my best, praying
continually for the grace of God to aid me in such a delicate and important
matter. Still, by divine design, there are sure to be errors in my attempt. I
believe this principle holds true of anything struck off by the hand of man.
If God were to enable a man to produce something perfect, then people would
have a tendency to place their trust in that man rather than God. Even the
Book of Mormon, pure as it is, is not the "absolutely correct book,"
but is the "most correct book." The only infallible source is God.
And our link to Him is through his Holy Spirit -- a gift which is
accessible to all.
Therefore, once I have done my part as a writer, the responsibility rest
with you, the reader, as to how you will receive this. Technically, even if I
were not to put any of this in writing, you would still be responsible on a
certain level to come to this understanding -- and through the Holy
Ghost, you could come to this understanding. I praise the Lord, however, that
he has enabled me, notwithstanding my weakness, to provide this assistance,
meager though it may be, to any who may wish to use it to facilitate their own
growth in overcoming the world through Christ. I pray that the grace and
charity of God may be with you.
Proceed with book (2. Overview of Evidences).
