Series: Hard Questions, Holy Answers — Post 10
The Question
Do you believe literal events like the tribulation, the Antichrist, and Revelation are going to precede the coming of Christ?”
This is no small question. It touches on how we read prophecy, how we prepare our hearts, and whether the Church is anchored in Christ or distracted by systems of men.
The Short Answer
Yes — the Scriptures are plain: there will be a literal Antichrist revealed, a great tribulation, and climactic judgments before the Lord returns in glory. Yet these things are not only future; the spirit of them is already at work.
– Already Present: “Even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1 John 2:18).
– Not Yet Consummated: “Then shall that Wicked be revealed… whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth” (2 Thessalonians 2:8).
The tension is both now and not yet.
The Tribulation
Jesus Himself said:
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).
Some want to water this down to “hard times in general.” But He speaks of a unique, climactic season. The Church has always faced trials, yet there will be a final concentrated period when persecution, deception, and judgment converge.
But notice: tribulation is not the wrath of God. Wrath is for the ungodly. Tribulation is what the saints endure.
“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)
The Antichrist
Paul describes him clearly:
“that man of sin… who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).
There will be a climactic individual manifestation. Yet John says the spirit of Antichrist is already deceiving, already denying Christ’s true person and work (1 John 4:3).
The wise believer prepares for both — resisting the spirit of Antichrist now, and being ready for the full unveiling later.
Revelation
The Book of Revelation is not mere symbol. It is a prophetic unveiling. Its visions use typology and imagery, but they point to real judgments, real conflict, and a real consummation.
The Lamb reigns already (Rev. 5). Yet there are bowls of wrath, the Beast, Babylon, and the Bride still unfolding in history. Those who “spiritualize” everything away rob the Church of watchfulness. Those who over-literalize every detail miss the spiritual reality already pressing upon us.
The balance: types and symbols reveal realities that will climax in history.
A Word on Michael Heiser and Similar Voices
Joseph also asked about Michael Heiser (The Unseen Realm). I’m familiar. Heiser did well to remind readers of the unseen world, the divine council, and spiritual warfare. But there are limits. His system leaned on academic reconstructions of Second Temple Judaism, and at times it placed extra-biblical literature on par with Scripture.
On Pentecost as “the regathering”: there’s truth there — the outpouring of the Spirit gathered Jew and Gentile into one body. But Heiser’s framework often blurred the greater reality: it is not Israel after the flesh, nor ethnicity, nor politics, but Christ Himself. The true regathering is to Him: “That he should gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).
The Takeaway
- Yes, literal events will unfold: tribulation, Antichrist, judgments, Christ’s return.
- Yes, the spirit of these things is already here. We are called to discern and overcome now.
- Beware of teachers who complicate what God has made plain. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).
- Anchor your hope not in timelines, but in the One who reigns already and will appear soon.
The peril of the last days is deception. The call of the last days is faithfulness. The victory of the last days is Christ.
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12)