Here Comes The Antichrist: The Imminent Emergence of Maitreya?
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Here Comes The Antichrist?
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The Imminent Emergence of Maitreya?
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By R.A. Coombes
Author of "America, The Babylon"
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It’s a never-ending guessing game in the world of Biblical Prophecy. I’m referring to the past-time of guessing the name or person who will be The Antichrist. It’s been a mental guessing-game for at least the entire Christian era, though one might take it all the way back to the time of the prophet Daniel who was the first to write down some details about a future false messiah who would be “THE” false messiah.
The guessing game itself has intensified in the past 100 years but particularly so in the last 50 years within certain Biblical prophecy circles.
Such guessing takes place despite the fact that the prophecies indicate that this false messiah will be unknown until he is ‘revealed’ to the world. See 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2.
In my lifetime, I’ve seen a plethora of individuals nominated for the role by prophecy watchers. Among those names kicked around (besides the popes and UN Secretaries General) are:
Adolf Hitler (under the theory that he didn’t commit suicide & was living in S. America until the 1960s)
Josef Stalin
Mahatma Gandhi
Charles DeGaulle
Mao Tse-Tung
King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
John F. Kennedy
Unknown child born 2-5-1962 – predicted by Jean Dixon
Lyndon Johnson
Gamel Abdul Nasser (Late Egyptian President)
Richard Nixon
Henry Kissinger
David Rockefeller
Uri Geller (an occult miracle worker)
Lord Maitreya – promoted as such by Benjamin Crème in 1975
King Juan Carlos of Spain (King of Jerusalem)
Prince Charles
Ayatollah Khomeini (now deceased)
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
Anwar Sadat (late president of Egypt)
Mikhail Gorbachev (USSR President-w/ a mark on his forehead)
George H.W. Bush
Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
Vladimir Putin (President/Prime Minister of Russia)
Osama bin Laden
Several rabbis
Saddam Hussein
President Assad of Syria
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Ayatollah Khameini
President Nicholas Sarkozy (French President)
President-elect - Barak Obama ( born 8-4-1961)
Of course, by no means is this a comprehensive list of potential candidates for the title as “The Antichrist.” It is however, representative of the names being bandied about during my lifetime, which I personally remember as being considered by many as being potentially “The” Antichrist.
As I count the list (excluding the Popes, Hitler and various UN leaders) I come up with 33 names. That is a lot of names for consideration. There is one name however, that stands out amongst those mentioned on the list. It is the name “Maitreya” sometimes referred to as “Lord Maitreya” by chief apologist and promoter, Benjamin Crème. The persona known as Maitreya” came into existence in 1975 when Crème first announced the existence of the name and person as being the future “Messiah” of humanity.
Crème’s campaign or “ministry” of promoting his “lord Maitreya” has been ongoing now for “33” years claiming that his master was the coming “messiah” who would save humanity and bring on utopia.
During these past 33 years Creme has stated Maitreya’s arrival would soon transpire but he did not yet know precisely when that would occur and still does not, but apparently he still believes the coming of Maitreya is close at hand and could be at any time.
I mention Crème and Maitreya – only because of the peculiar timing of an overlooked article published in the Wall Street Journal on December 21, 2008 which focused on a new announcement by Crème that Maitreya’s arrival was close at hand. The Wall Street Journal however only published a Press Release ( LINK ) written by Crème’s organization, “Share International.” LINK
The fact that the Wall Street Journal would publish this Public Relations release indicates a subtle signal is being sent throughout the New World Order, Global Governance crowd. So what is the signal?
Something BIG is about to happen in the near future concerning Maitreya and his messianic mission. The news release describes it as a “Christmas Miracle” in its title. The article then begins with a citation from a Time Magazine article in 1995 that talks of signs and miracles noting that the world is “hungry for signs.” The Crème organization’s press release then makes a point-blank announcement:
“Look now for the biggest miracle of all. In the very near future a large, bright star will appear in the sky visible to all throughout the world -- night and day.”
Is it a Comet?
This sounds like a description of a very bright comet that will be seen in both the night and daytime skies. It would have to be a very bright comet.
I did some checking on anticipated comets and their brightness expectations for the coming months. Only one stands out as a possible candidate according to a Japanese comets page website. The possible comet is called “C/2007N3 (Lulin). It is expected to reach to a 4th magnitude of brightness in February of 2009, but at the moment is not visible on Earth as it apparently is behind the sun and swinging around. It will reappear in late December at a brightness magnitude of 7 and will grow brighter as we move into 2009 when it reaches the 4th magnitude. A 4th magnitude of brightness would make it very visible in the night sky but not likely during the daytime.
The last comet that had daytime visibility was a 2nd magnitude caliber comet known as 17P/Holmes which dramatically broke apart in 2007 into many fragments and did provide for a spectacular show at a magnitude of 2. Even then it was not all that visible in the daytime.
I mention this information merely to point out that no comet is expected to provide a display as the Share International and Crème prediction states.
Of course, the prediction simply mentions a “star” and not necessarily a comet. We’re assuming the prediction is a “cometary” event. The closest comet we expect in the near future with any kind of brightness would be the C/2007N3 comet – but that 4th magnitude of brightness would not occur for another 2 months or so.
It should be noted that the press release by its title “Christmas Miracle” suggests that such a ‘star’ will become a visible miracle around Christmas.
Comet c/2007N3 may not be visible again until the end of December and even then only a 7 magnitude.
So what’s up with Crème’s prediction?
Keep in mind that Crème has had other predictions go bust. Yes, alas Crème is but another false prophet unable to claim a perfect prophetic record. Of course, Crème would have us believe that false predictions shouldn’t be counted against him. Apparently, he would have us ignore God’s own warnings against believing false prophets.
Yet we are supposed to believe that the “biggest miracle of all” is about to descend on humanity according to this press release, which the Wall Street Journal promoted on December 12, 2008. The article goes on to add the following:
“Around a week later, Maitreya, the World Teacher for all humanity, will begin his open emergence and -- though not yet using the name Maitreya -- will be interviewed on a major US television program.”
“Awaited by all faiths under different names, Maitreya is the Christ to Christians, the Imam Mahdi to Muslims, Krishna to Hindus, the Messiah to Jews, and Maitreya Buddha to Buddhists. He is the World Teacher for all, religious or not, an educator in the broadest sense.”
This entity known as Maitreya is going to openly emerge a week after this spectacular sign in the sky – a bright star that is visible in both the night and day skies. Note that this event will be seen worldwide, apparently in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Now that’s a neat trick for a comet. If that is indeed what it would be, yet it may be something different and not a comet, perhaps.
The prediction that Maitreya’s emergence into the public spotlight will be through the agency of a major US television program suggests the idea of fulfilling 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2: 1-12
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Is it entirely possible that Paul’s prophetic words are about to be fulfilled with Maitreya’s television appearance?
The Antichrist Revealed on TV?
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While I suppose it is possible, I strongly suspect that the appearance of the “Man of Lawlessness” as described comes either by way of his descent onto the Mount of Olives (a reversal of Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven) or by his proclaiming himself to be God as he defiles the newly rebuilt Temple and proclaims himself as God. See Daniel 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Further elaboration of this is also found in Daniel 11:31
Further elaboration of this is also found in Daniel 11:31
“And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.”
And Daniel 12:11
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.”
Jesus also refers to this event. See Matthew 24:15
“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)”
Also Mark 13:14
“But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:”
As also Luke 21:20
“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.”
The Abomination Of Desolation - A TV Appearance?
Now the question becomes this: Is Crème describing the Abomination of Desolation – which is thought to be the seminal event that reveals the Antichrist?
The answer as I see it – is “no.” What Crème is descriptively describing is the arrival of someone but simply as appearing on television. This would not be the Abomination of Desolation in which the Antichrist reveals himself.
Instead, Crème is describing an appearance. It does not necessarily mean that Maitreya will assume power. The press release states that he will “begin his open emergence.” In fact, the article states that he won’t be using the name “Maitreya.” This is a bit puzzling that he would be interviewed on a major US television program and not be using the name Maitreya. I’m not sure what that indicates, if anything or if we understand that cryptic statement correctly.
No matter what, the article does not indicate that Maitreya is taking control or taking on the powers of leadership of nations.
Frankly, I suspect that Maitreya is NOT really the Antichrist, but rather the False Prophet spoken of in Revelation 13 who manipulates humanity into worshipping the first beast, the Antichrist. Maitreya gives the persona as being a “spiritual” leader. We know however, that the Antichrist will be a military or political leader who conquers at least 3 nations. See Daniel 7:20, 24
20. And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
24. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
So clearly, the Antichrist, i.e. “The Beast” is someone who leads wars or military campaigns either as a national or organization (NATO for example) into the conquest of 3 kings or 3 nations and their “kings” or leaders.”
If there is any doubt, it should be erased by the description of the first beast – i.e. The Antichrist – in Revelation 13: 1-2
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Note the terms describing The Antichrist's political power –
1. “crowns” indicating power and authority.
2. “horns” – the Greek word “basileyah” which can mean either a leader (as in King) or an ambassador or representative of a leader (King).
The fact that this person has 10 horns and on each horn a crown indicates he is a ruler of 10 nations or a 10 member confederation of some sort. This underscores his political power and as Daniel notes that he conquers 3 other nations, he is at the minimum a war-time leader if not a military commander.
From all that I’ve read about Crème and his remarks about this “Maitreya” this character is geared towards theological or spiritual principles. Crème does not portray Maitreya to be a political, military, scientific or economic leader. For that reason, I suspect Maitreya to be the False Prophet who will exalt and prompt the worship of the Antichrist as noted in Revelation 13: 11-18
11. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
18. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Note this is the second beast that is described in the chapter. Notice his function – it is spiritual in nature. The second beast causes the worship by humanity of the first beast who is the conquering political power beast. The second beast functions in the religious realm and apparently heads up a religious worship system that is geared towards worshipping the first beast – or worshipping the Antichrist.
Notice that the 1st beast – the Antichrist is first mentioned in the passage and apparently comes onto the world stage first as a leader. The False Prophet then steps forward and secures a new religion that worships the Antichrist. The Antichrist comes first, and then comes the False Prophet. The Antichrist is a political/military leader. The second beast is a religious or spiritual leader.
So that, if Maitreya is a “spiritual” teacher/leader then his character fits the role model as False Prophet – who must come AFTER the Antichrist comes to power. It is the second beast’s job to “reveal” the Antichrist and no doubt set up or prepare for the Abomination of Desolation.
So what does this mean?
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If Maitreya is actually the False Prophet the he must officially appear AFTER the arrival and coming to power of the Antichrist. Also, as I’ve written extensively in previous articles and in Volume 2 of “America, The Babylon” – the Antichrist comes to power during the one-hour destruction of the super-power nation identified as Babylon in Revelation chapters 17 and 18 and in Isaiah 13, 14, 47 and again in Jeremiah 50, 51.
The idea that the False Prophet would reveal himself prematurely ahead of the Antichrist seems to be a rather unlikely one, though again, we have to be very careful about linear time interpretation in the book of Revelation because we KNOW that the events written about in the book of Revelation are not presented in a completely 100% chronological order. Why?
The Advent of The Antichrist
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Revelation chapter 13 describes the arrival of the Antichrist and the False Prophet Yet in Revelation 17:!2-18 we see the description of the Antichrist ascending to power in the same one hour time frame that Babylon is destroyed in first Babylon judgment, the fire judgment. (Note a second judgment – a water judgment against Babylon occurs at The 2nd Coming).
So then, knowing that Revelation is not in complete chronological order, then we must not necessarily assume that Revelation 13 is in chronological order either, though it may well be the case and I suspect is indeed the case but I cannot necessarily be absolutely certain that this is indeed the fact.
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Sequence of Events
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IF indeed Revelation 13 is chronological in order, then the False Prophet cannot come into emergence or at least not totally until the Antichrist has first assumed power and is in control. As such then, for the False Prophet to emerge soon or now, Babylon must first be destroyed by fire during a one hour time frame and the Antichrist comes to power during that destructive one hour time frame.
Also preceding this destruction and advent to power by the Antichrist, the Church must be raptured out prior to these events because of Revelation 18:4 – the Rapture verse, which precedes the Divine decree of Babylon’s impending “double judgment” which is found in Revelation 18:6 where it is repeatedly stated that there are 2 different judgments upon Babylon – “double unto her”
Now again, let me repeat what I’ve previously written about the Rapture occurring before the rise to power of the Antichrist by way of Revelation 18:4 and 6.
Remember, chapters 17 and 18 are not in chronological order. In chapter 17 verses 12-18 we see the “beast” (Antichrist) voted into power by the 10 horns during a 1 hour “summit” meeting. In this one hour meeting they vote power to the beast. This event is describing the Antichrist’s rise to power. He has no power before this point. This one hour meeting in which he is given power is the same ‘one hour” described in verse 16 in which that one hour period is the fiery destruction of Babylon, which is then later described in Revelation 18: 9-19.
Prior to this one hour meeting and the one-hour fiery destruction, we find the Divine Decree announced by Heaven in Revelation 18:5-6. Just prior to that announcement of impending “double judgment” – we find verse 4 describing the Rapture although the verse has been badly mistranslated.
Revelation 18: Verses 4 - 6
4. “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
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The Rapture
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Babylon Judgment Decree
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The Rise of The Antichrist
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This verse 4 is mistranslated because the original Greek text contains certain grammatical factors, very minute and complicated but very critical in importance. There is a single Greek word used although it is in 2 different Greek variants. It is the word in English “Come out” It is the Greek word “Exelthate” and “ek” and per certain complex Greek rules of grammar the phrase “Come out of her, my people” should be translated as follows:
“Come UP and OUT of her My People ... (towards the location of the speaker). In actuality, the word is repeated twice. “Come Up and Out and Come out of her” The double repetition indicates also directional elements for the terms which are terms of command.
The words are in the Greek rules of grammar known as the imperative mood of command. What is stated the by those words is not an option for consideration. It’s not an option to obey or not obey. You flat out have NO CHOICE. You WILL Come OUT and UP. You have no choice in the matter.
It is a command. It is an order to be obeyed automatically. Furthermore, the term “exalthate” and also by the repetition of it with “ek” indicates that the commanded action of “Coming” is to be not only “out of” but “up” toward the speaker because the movement is towards the speaker’s position which is … where the speaker or voice located ??? – “from Heaven.” So that those hearing the command are ordered to report to the speaker’s location which is - ‘in heaven” as in the earth’s upper atmosphere.
Also note that the purpose of the command is to avoid the impending judgment to fall upon Babylon. The fact of the command of this verse is:
The command is given for a call to action. The action is movement in two aspects.
1. “out” or “out of”
2. with a sense of direction – towards the one giving the command.
These are the facts of the grammatical rules of the Greek grammar in this particular circumstance.
So what is the passage describing?
THE RAPTURE!
If you doubt this – consider what is considered by many to THE RAPTURE verse – 1st Thessalonians 4: 13-17
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Now the above passage in context is describing the resurrection of the Believers in Jesus Christ who have died and the instant bodily transformation of those who are alive at that moment which is centered on the last two verses which describe the details of the event.
Note in verse 16 –
#1. The Lord shall descend – from Heaven
#2. With a “Shout of Command” & “voice of the archangel”
What do we have in Revelation 18:4?
We have voice speaking a shout of command. This is the same “shout of command” that we see in Revelation 18:4.
Now lest you doubt this “shout of command” aspect in Paul’s account, let me point out the key word in verse 16 in its original Greek text.
The word is “keleusmati” and it means literally – “a voice of command” or a “shout of command.” It is Strong’s Code # 2752. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexical definition is – “a command, an order, specifically a “stimulating cry” such as an utterance issued by man to horses, or to hound dogs, or that which is a signal given to men such as boat rowers by the master of the ship or by an army commander to his soldiers most often to “charge” with him out front and towards him and follow him.
Thus the Greek meaning of the term means far, far more than a mere “shout” – it is an order of command.
This is the same command that is found in Revelation 18:4 only in Revelation 18:4 the term provides us with additional information lacking in Paul’s phrase – the term itself doesn’t give a sense of direction. Paul fills in the directional aspects with descriptive phrases of first the dead in Christ and then those who are alive in Christ. Revelation 18:4 merely gives us the actual command word itself and the fact that it is repeated twice and it includes the command direction to move towards the speaker who is located in the sky above.
So that…
Revelation 18:4 describes the Rapture of the Believers – followed by the decree of impending judgment upon Babylon and that it is a Double Judgment or two distinctly different judgments at different points of time.
Then the following verses in the chapter, verses 9-19 describe the first judgment, the fiery, one-hour judgment. This description expands on the initial nutshell judgment description found in Revelation 17:16, which is also the same one hour judgment. And it is the same ONE hour that the Antichrist is voted into power by the 10 horns of Revelation 17:12-14 and we know this by the context of the entire sequence and the sequential tie-ins within the descriptive elements.
So then what does this have to do with Benjamin Crème’s announcement of the emergence of “lord Maitreya?”
Maitreya – IF he is the False Prophet or the Antichrist he will not likely be allowed by God to emerge publicly until after two things happen:
#1. The Rapture of the Church
#2. The first, fiery judgment on Babylon (America).
If Maitreya is truly to emerge as either the False Prophet or The Antichrist then those first two things must happen prior to his emergence.
OF course this is assuming Crème’s Maitreya is in fact either the Antichrist or False Prophet and I’m one who still has serious doubts about that.
Even though I have doubts that Crème’s Maitreya is anything more than yet another of many false Christs, I consider it a good idea to keep an eye out on what he’s up to and to how the NWO crowd reacts.
The fact that the Wall Street Journal gives the article credence by merely publishing it, suggests that the “NWO” Illuminists are to pay attention and be alert. That in itself is interesting and merits reason enough for this article on our website. It will be interesting to see how the NWO responds to this. It will do so most likely via the news media. Perhaps indeed a major US TV network will conduct an interview with this Maitreya fellow.
The questions I ask myself yet have no answer: – how soon is this Maitreya event supposed to happen and will it even matter? Time will tell.
For more information on the Rapture/Babylon Judgment and the Rise of the Antichrist - see our recent article with further textual analysis. LINK HERE.
For more about the 2-volume work, "America, The Babylon" - see the book's old website - LINK HERE. -- To obtain a copy of the 2 volume work on CD Rom, you can obtain a copy free with a $30 or more donation to The A-O Report - See link here for donation information.
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