when the bible talks about the ac its mentions a man not just a spirit.
Actually, according to John's epistle, there were many antichrists because the spirit was already at work in the world. Not just a man: many men.
John writes of "the beast" in Revelation 13, and while this was a man, he is considered by some scholars to be Nero Caesar, who not only began the persecution against Christians simply because of Christ's name, but also ordered Cestius Gallus and Vespasian to put down the Judean revolt in 67 AD.
Here's a snippet from
Tertullian on Nero:
Consult your Annals: there ye will find that Nero was the first to wreck the fury of the sword of the Caesars upon this sect [Christians], now springing up especially at Rome.
And this
from Tacitus:
But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular.
Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man's cruelty, that they were being destroyed.
Clearly, Nero was an antichrist, but he was also the beast of Revelation 13, who was given power to wage war with the saints for 42 months. Nero began his persecution of Christians and war against the Jews in late 64/early 65 AD. He died by his own hand - having an assistant help him shove a short sword through his throat - on June 9, 68 AD: 3.5 years after his persecution against Christians began.
You can learn more about him here:
in order for the jerusalem to say baruchba be shem adonai, the isrealites must be in jersusalem to proclaim that as a nation. so what drives them to repent?
Jason, even you should know this one:
In Luke's account of the Olivet Discourse, what does he write:
{20} "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Luke 21:20 (NASB)
This was fulfilled in 70 AD: Jerusalem's house is still desolate. So, if Revelation and the Olivet Discourse all point to Jerusalem's desolation, where do we see her restoration???
Ezekiel 37.
And what causes them to repent after being restored?
Ezekiel 38 & 39.
When she is surrounded by the combined armies of Put (Libya), Cush (Sudan and Ethiopia), Persia (Iran), Turkey, they call on Him and He responds by saving them.
{18} "It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," declares the Lord GOD, "that My fury will mount up in My anger.
{19} "In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare
that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.
{20} "The fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground.
{21} "I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains," declares the Lord GOD. "Every man's sword will be against his brother.
{22} "With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone.
{23} "I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD."'
Ezekiel 38:18-23 (NASB)
The futurist view believes Israel has yet to be destroyed, and believes a single antichrist will come to pitch the world into chaos by his actions against Israel.
The point of the Olivet Discourse and Revelation is that the generation that crucified Christ in "Mystery Babylon" has already paid for their sin. God is now at work to restore Israel because He cannot break His word to them.
This time when Israel is surrounded by hostile armies, the outcome will be significantly different in Israel's favor.
Hope this helps.
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