Rick Warren: Antichrist?
Posted by David Ketter on July 18, 2006
Note: This post can also be found at Agent Tim Online.
The famous battle between Rick Warren and the Purpose-Driven “PEACE” Corps and extreme “temple police” like Ingrid Schlueter and the Dombrowski’s is coming to a new front: that of eschatology, or the study of the End Times. In some posts, Ingrid Schlueter, in referring to Pastor Warren’s trip to North Korea, has either alluded to or made direct reference to a “possibility” that Rick Warren may indeed be the long-dreaded antichrist.
“America’s new superstar pastor wants to rebrand evangelical Christianity. He’s got the management genius to do it. Here’s where he’s leading his troops.” […] Fortune is only saying what I and so many other concerned Christians have been sayins for several years. Rick Warren believes that he owns Evangelical Christianity. He’s “branding” it with his purpose-driven catch phrase on everything but church carpeting. (link)
Rick Warren’s presence in North Korea, just as its insane dictator Kim Jong II is promising to launch more long range missile tests, is no accident. Rick Warren can then become an international “Man of Peace” and will be in even greater demand among heads of state to bring peace and stability to a violent world. Just like a messiah (false) would. (link)
For someone who is as familiar with theology as Ingrid Schlueter is, I would have hoped for better. Unfortunately, contention within the Body of Christ (something Satan must truly enjoy) can blind us often to the truth of the doctrines of Christ. The “man of peace” designation is very well-known about the antichrist, but it could also apply to just about any major political figure in the past – Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Ronald Reagan, included.
Just what are the identifying markers of the antichrist? First, refer to Revelation 13. In this passage, the antichrist is known as “the beast” who comes out of the sea. This tells us a few things in itself. The fact that he comes from the sea refers to Jewish tradition in which the Gentile nations are symbolized by the sea. Thus, the antichrist is a Gentile. The physical description of this beast is even more telling. Among these characteristics are:
· “ten horns” – the horn is a traditional symbol of authority and power. The number ten is traditionally associated with completion or majority. These horns thus represent the fact that antichrist will be the ultimate authority of the human race. The diadems on each head reinforces the fact, as well as demonstrating his unchallenged authority over the nations.
· “seven heads” – the heads represent entities, a traditional representation of leadership or interest. Seven is also associated with fulfillment and unity. The heads then represent the antichrist as representing all forms of life on earth – everybody’s man. The blasphemous names demonstrate the antichrist’s pivotal role in leading the rebellion against God, a rebellion unlike any since the Tower of Babel.
We are offered even further characteristics in 2 Thessalonians 2. The antichrist, in this passage, is thus known as “the man of lawlessness” or “the man of sin,” depending on the translation. Such is this description that reveals to us one key aspect of the antichrist’s moral makeup: an absolute lack of it. In terms that many may find familiar, the antichrist will be the ultimate expression of the doctrine of Total Depravity.
There are many other representations and symbolisms about the antichrist in Scripture – the “little horn” and “great king” of Daniel, the “false Christ” of the Gospel-writers, and simply, the “antichrist.” Take separately, some may indeed describe many men on this planet. Taken together, however, and it is clear that the antichrist is not yet here, and certainly does not speak from the pulpits of the Church. The verdict? Rick Warren could never be the antichrist, even if he desired such an infamous identity.
John said
== Risen Christ is Antichrist ==
The Risen Chirst is the Antichirst, the first beast that had the fatal wound that had been healed.
Paul of Tarsus was his false prophet, the second beast who was servent to the first beast and extended its authority everywhere, making the world and all its people worship the first beast.
If you don’t believe me, read the Bible and no! you will not die if you eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods.
~~~~John~~~~
davidketter said
John,
Such a belief is not supported by Scripture – for how can a house be divided against itself? I have studied the Scriptures from the days of my youth and never has such nonsense presented itself.
Christ is not a man of lawlessness…neither does he receive His power from the dragon (which, in Revelation 12, seeks the death of the Christ-child).
Jon said
Wow, uh… not going to go there.
Sam said
I’m sorry David, but I can promise you that Ingrid does not believe that Rick Warren is the anti-christ. Your saying this about her is useless and hurtful. What does it do to encourage, teach, or exhort fellow believers? It is simply your opinion on a quote that does not mean what you claim. I know Ingrid personally and I can tell you that she does not believe this. At most, she believes he may be a false-prophet, but certainly not the anti-christ.
Also, do not scoff at the idea that Rick Warren is a false teacher. Matthew 24:24 clearly says that in the last days the deception will be so great that even the elect might be deceived. The false truth taught in the last days will not be obvious. Please refrain in the future from using terms such as “temple police” about a very experienced Christian and an elder in the faith. Please also do not take her quotes or anyone elses and project your own interpretation of them as the original intent. Thank you.
John said
Davidketter,
“The number (name) of the beast: it is the number (name) of a man” Revelation 13:18 i.e. Jesus Christ.
“’Take care that no one deceives you (the twelve chosen); because many will come using my name and saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many’” Mathew 24:4
We know that the Antichrist has a false prophet:
“Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as sheep but underneath are ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, a sound tree produces good fruit but a rotten tree bad fruit. A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit. Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire. I repeat, you will be able to tell them by their fruits. It is not those that say to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When that day comes many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?’ Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!” Mathew 7:15-23
“’If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you.’” John15:18
“Remember, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as serpents and yet harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16
“You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22
“If they have called they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household?” Matthew 10:25
Who does the hate, Yahweh God or the serpent?
No, David, The serpent was the original Christ, the lamb slain from the foundation of the World. Yahweh God is the Dragon, The Risen Christ is the Antichrist and Paul of tarsus is the False Prophet.
“On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world men have shown that they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil.
And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God” John 3:19-21
davidketter said
John,
Utter nonsense…beware that you do not blaspheme the Spirit of God.
Sam,
I know Ingrid certainly may MEAN well and I wholeheartedly support exposing false teachers but, unfortunately for Ms. Schlueter, he isn’t that far gone. I don’t really see how “my” interpretation is of her quote…she used terms that any student of prophecy would recognize as referring to THE antichrist. She isn’t stupid and I respect that…I’ve found a lot of her writings to be very knowledgable…something that Rick Warren often lacks in his writing.
Make no mistake…I stand with the Apostle Paul: “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice […]” (Philippians 1:15-18, ESV)
John said
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and cannot find one. Then it says, ‘I will return to the home I come from.’ But upon arrival, finding it unoccupied, swept and tidied, it then goes off and collects seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and set up house there, so that the man ends up by being worse then he was before. This is what will happen to this evil generation.” Mathew12:43-45
“Serpents, brood of vipers, how can you escape being condemned to hell? This is why, in my turn, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes: some you will slaughter and crucify, some you will scourge in your synagogues and hunt from town to town; and so you will draw down on yourselves the blood of every holy man that has been shed on earth, from the blood of Abel the Holy to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the alter. I tell you solemnly, all of this will recoil on this generation.” Mathew 23:33-36
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” Mathew 24:36
“Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.” Mathew 5:11-12
Simon Templar said
John, you have left the path of good sense. You are using the writings of men who believed Jesus to be the Messiah, the true Christ, and God.
If you were to operate for a moment on the basis of common sense you would see that such methodology of argument is dishonest at best. If these men beleived Jesus to be God, they would hardly write things intended to show that he was a false prophet and anti-christ. Further, their writings would not be trustworthy if your argument were actually true.
Thus, on the first point you are necessarily purposely twisting the words of the apostles to mean something they were not intended to mean. This is the tactic of a deciever, the spirit of antichrist who drives many antichrists to spread their false teachings.
On the second point you would be appealing to a source that according to your own view would not be trustworthy.
On both scores, your views reek of dishonesty and deception.
your gnostic blasphemy, further, is based on grossly misunderstanding the genesis account. God’s intent was not to deny man knowledge, nor was the fall of man a punnishment from God. God intended to teach man truth, to be the source of man’s knowledge, the serpent on the other hand enticed man through pride and selfishness to exalt himself against God. Man’s fall was not an act of anger on God’s part, nor even a punnishment. It was simply the natural result of seperating oneself from God. God is life, to be apart from God, is death.
The so called “curse” was not a punnishment handed down by an angry vengeful God. It was an act of hope, laying the foundation upon which redemption could be built.
Knowledge is useless without life. Life is only in God.
Simon Templar said
David,
while you are correct on the symbolism of ‘horns’ and ‘crowns’ and possibly on seven heads, your analysis here misses important details laid forth elsewhere in scripture. Noteably Rev. 17. The same beast described in Rev. 13 is described again in Rev 17 and some of the details are explained.
For example, the 10 horns are explained to be 10 kings who will be given power for a short time at the end. They in turn will give their power to the beast. So the horns are not directly describing the power of the beast, but rather ten kings who will give their power to the beast.
The seven heads are said to be both seven hills (in relation to the woman described in Rev 17) and also seven kings or kingdoms which have existed in history (5 were historical, 1 present tense to John’s time, and 1 future tense to John’s time). This tends to indicate that the beast, in addition to an individual man, represents an ongoing system or an ongoing kingdom which has been embodied through out history in specific rulers.
The fact that the beast in Rev 17 is described as “was, is not, and will come up out of the abyss and go to destruction” indicates that the beast is either a man who once lived, or probably more likely, a spirit which drove a man, or men in the past, and will be released (ie the restraint removed) from the abyss at the end.
I had some thoughts on that recently that were new to me, I’m still mulling them over, I’ll have to share them with you sometime and get your opinion.
Jacqie said
The Antichrist has to be Prince Charles of Wales. Read: The Antichrist And a Cup of Tea.
He is occultic, and his insignia is the Red Dragon. The main earmark many look for is the value of 666 in the name of a world leader. “Prince Charles of Wales”. This name adds up in English and Hebrew and in transliterated Hebrew to English using the Hebrew counting system.
PRINCE CHARLES OF WALES 227+237+66+136=666
nun samek yod kaf tsade resh lamed samek mem vav yod lamed samek 50+60+10+20+90+200+30+60+40+6+10+30+60=666
NASICH CHARLES ME WALES 140+380+40+106=666
Remember, every fact is established by two or three witnesses. Revelation 13:18 also says that it is the name/number of a man. The onomastical definition of the name “Charles” is “man”. Like his motto “I am your man”. He is a man, not a computer or political power.
Simon_Templar said
Jacqie,
The problem with the evidence you put forward here is that it could fit dozens of people. There are quite literally hundreds of famous people who’s names add up to 666 (especially when you juggle it using titles and so on).
for example
Barney the purple Dinosaur can be made to add up to 666, and he is a dinosaur, which is what a dragon would be today, and he is purple, which is very close to crimson.
While it is concievably possible that Prince Charles could be the “anti-christ” the evidence presented isn’t terribly convincing, because the same evidence can, and has fit numerous other people in history who have not been the anti-christ.
When revelation says 666 is the number of man, what it is referring to is that 6 is the number of man. 7 is the number of God, 3 is the trinity, 8 is messiah (etc) 6 represents man both because it is less than God, its not complete on its own, and because man was made on the 6th day.
thus the significance of 666 is the idea that a man is exalted as though he were God.
Further, the beast of Revelation 13 (ie the anti-christ) is almost certainly the same person as the “prince who is to come” of Daniel chapter 9. This prince is identified as a Roman. Thus the beast will almost certainly arise out of Rome somehow, or have some significant connection by which he claims the heretige of Ancient Rome.
We are told in revelation 17 that the beast was, is not, and is coming up out of the abyss, and that he belongs to the seven kings who went before in that chapter. This strongly suggests that either the beast will be, or claim to be a historical leader re-incarnated, or at the very least will claim a strong heretige from one of those ancient kings.
Charles, as of now, is a virtual non-entity in terms of power and politics. Even when he becomes king, his role is pretty much limited to that of a figure head, a public show piece. The beast is described in scripture as primarily a military and political power house. Thus there would have to be significant, and at this point, unforseeable changes in order for prince Charles to fit the bill.
If I had to guess, I’d say, look for a minor noble, probably german, connected to the house of Hapsburg and the old Holy Roman Empire. He will have to be appointed as some sort of chief executive or military official over the newly created European Union Army. He will probably be connected to/backed by a 10 member executive council of some sort which runs the EU.
After the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy comes to pass, he will make a covenant with Israel giving them a military gaurentee of peace and even aid in overcoming their muslim neighbors.
By this time Europe will have become very anti-muslim as the result of a backlash due to radical islam trying to take over europe (we are seeing the beginnings of this now).
This fellows conterpart in Israel, who will sign the covenant and use the armies of the beast to overcome his enemies, will be the false prophet (and the “King who does according to his will” of Daniel chapter 11:36) In return for the military aid, the false prophet who is ruling Israel, will use his position in the middle east to provide vast financial (probably oil) benefits to the beast. This relationship will culminate in the false prophet setting up an image of the beast in the temple in Jerusalem. The temple will have been rebuilt as a condition of the earlier covenant.
thats my guess
of course I could be totally wrong.
Jacqie said
There is nothing in the Bible about anyone being “reincarnated”. Prince Charles is taking a low profile now.
His one of a kind royal genealogy was shown last May in an Israeli documentary that proved he is a descendant of King David the house of Judah – a hardcore Messianic requirement. You have to appreciate that virtually no Jew can make such an outlandish claim today. This will insure his claim to be Messiah and presence on the temple mount.
Prince Charles VIII attended the funeral of Yitzchak Rabin and made firm the 7 year covenant at his grave Daniel 9:27 & Isaiah 28:15. Immediately after the funeral he demonstrated his influence in the middle east peace process by conducting the negotiation of the Golan Heights before returning home.
There are about 40 prophecies concerning this person and Prince Charles has already fulfilled over 20 of them. No one else in the world past or present has fulfilled so many requirements and thus I believe that this man will most likely fulfill the remaining points.
Daniel 9:26 tells us that this person will be a `prince’ of the people who destroyed the temple in A.D. 70. Revelation 13:2 says this prince receives his throne, power, and authority from the red dragon. Prince Charles received his power, throne, and authority in 1969 at his investiture where the Red Dragon of Wales was presented on banners, flags, and cut right into the back rest of the throne in Caernarfon Castle. This is the ensign that appeared on the Roman standards of Titus’ army which destroyed the temple in A.D. 70.
At this event Queen Elizabeth II said to Charles… “This dragon gives you your power, your throne, and your authority`
To which Charles responded with . . . “I am now your Liege-man and worthy of your earthly worship.”
He is behind three of the most important documents of this decade, the U.N.’s Global Security Programme, the 7 Year Oslo Accord, and the Rio Summit’s `Agenda 21′. The holdings of the House of Windsor constitute enormous wealth including Archer-Daniels-Midland which controls 75% of the world’s grain. You have already eaten his bread. He can decide what nations eat or starve. The Prince’s World Business Forum of 200 top corporate leaders consolidates 26% of the world’s wealth. You would find it hard to believe the list of owned corporations.
Some people don’t think Charles is this capable or even intelligent. Some do not believe that he is a Mason even believing that his family shuns the occult when in fact they embrace it. Many people still view Charles as Defender of the Christian Faith, that he is a harmless, gentle, and kind man. At worst they see him as a royal blunder as the distracting and tabloids tell us. In face of the factual life of this man, we have all grossly underestimated his power, influence, and wealth.
John said
Simon Templar;
I would assume that you consider yourself to be a follower of Christ, however do you truly follow his word?
Have you truly, from your heart, forgiven everyone who has wronged you?
Do you refrain from judging other people?
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive those who are in debt to us.” Matthew 6:12
“Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.” Matthew 6:14-15
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgments you give are the judgments you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given. Why do you observe the splinter in your in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How dare you say to your brother, ‘let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
“Brood of vipers, how can your speech be good when you are evil? For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart. A good man draws good things from his store of goodness; a bad man draws bad things from his store of badness. So I tell you this, that for every unfounded word men utter the will answer on Judgment day, since it is by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37
“For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. You have learned how it was said to your ancestors: You must kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother ‘Fool’ he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him ‘Renegade’ he will answer for it in hell fire.” Matthew 5:20-22
“So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is meaning of the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
James said
John, that is some of the most horrifically misguided stuff I have ever read. Read what David said again. And we’ll pray for you.
dsimple said
I think the funniest comment I’ve read online recently was someone saying that Rick Warren can’t possibly be the Antichrist because “the Antichrist would never wear a Hawaiian shirt!” How’s that for sound Biblical logic and reasoning?
~Debi
Gavriela Bat Katriel said
Some of this stuff is utter nonsense. Rick Warren is not the antichrist or the false prophet. The antichrist has not yet surfaced as such. If he is a small gov’t official somewhere in the world he has yet to come to enough power to do anything. Prince Charles is definitely not the antichrist. Several people have wanted to be, but desire is not enough. He will also possess demonic intelligence. Prince Charles is so inbred, he barely knows his own name.
With His love,
Gavriela
David Langer said
I think with this whole argument a serious point has been missed. The antichrist is not going to rule until the Christians are taken away.There will be a time when the antichrist rules but there will be new believers. They will be the ones who need to hold fast during much persecution and tribulation.
Besides, I don’t think the antichrist is going to be very recognizable or obvious, not to mention there won’t be any stupid signs or symbols to give it away. The Devil is more cunning and deceptive than that. At that rate God wouldn’t need to give us wisdom to be able to tell what the Devil is behind. Also I don’t think Christians are even going to be able to tell who the antichrist is off hand. God may choose to reveal it to some, but I think the petty talk that goes around has nothing to do with it. Not to mention, in the days that the antichrist is here, I think when one would truly accuse the antichrist of being the antichrist he would find himself suffering serious persecution. The world won’t want to hear that, but it seems the accusations that are going around right now are simply riling up the close followers or fans of the accused.
We will never fully understand the revelations of God, but we should at least study the word as much as possible and not in our own wisdom.
I noticed from the commenting that it seems most respond in pride. This is only natural, but I hope that most would try to approach it humbly. This can only be done by the grace of God working in our hearts. With pride we are blinded to the truth, so check for its poisons all the time.
One last thing is although I say watch out for a reaction cause of pride it is not wrong to disagree and have a discussions about it, but with the pride the discussions will be hollow human arguments. I hope I myself didn’t write this as a result of pride. I know I disagree with a lot that was stated, but I suppose the only way to know is through the Word.
Matthew 9:9 said
I guess what I can’t get around is the fact that once the church is raptured and things really start going down there are still going to be those that don’t belive. How much more proof could you possibly need?