> the bible states that we cannot know who the antichrist

> will be until after the Rapture occurs (II Thess. 2: 6-8). 

> Are we then to say that God does not know what he is talking about?

 

Obviously not. But perhaps teachers saying 2The 2:6-8 says such a thing do not know what they are talking about? Let's read it again in one of the best new versions available today (or any version actually works):

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 (HCSB) - ⁶ And you know what currently restrains [him], so that he will be revealed in his time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, ⁸ and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of His mouth and will bring him to nothing with the brightness of His coming.

I see nothing there even remotely close to saying, "antichrist cannot be identified until the rapture". I'm sure pretrib teachers say the "out of the way" is the rapture of the church and the revealing is required to identify. Two big assumptions. Isn't the revealing, if it starts at the tribulation and rapture really equated with the start of his reign? Why can't we identify the 666 man with the calling card of the hybrid beast before he is reigning (and setting up the abomination of desolation statue)? These two clues from Revelation 13 require no action on his part, just wisdom on our part to count his name and find a matching hybrid beast associated with him, just as Prince Charles has on both counts: http://timmchyde.com/antichrist.htm

 

Just think about it carefully: why would we even be were told about 666 and the hybrid beast when it's enough to identify him through seeing him set up the Abomination of Desolation statue that the False Prophet commands be made of him? 666 and the beast clues are redundant at that point once he sets up a talking statue and forces the whole world to worship it and him! It's obvious who he is (but it won't be easy to resist him since you'll be very hungry and he has the food: http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/planet-x-nibiru-wormwood.html )

 

But 666 and the Beast clue only make sense to identify him before he performs this act. In this way we'll know "where we are in Bible prophecy" for sure once this man comes on the scene and gets older and older. Prince Charles who finally literally fulfills Revelation 13 is now 58 years old. At this rate, there is not long to go until the Great Tribulation for his 42 month reign, when he is revealed to the whole world as their savior, god and King with answers for everything.

 

The Antichrist is not worried if a few of God's people know who he is. It changes nothing. They are a minority and are not going to stop him if he has the masses deceived and controlled. So this presents no problem that we the elect already have marked him as the far and away leading candidate.

 

Hope this helps explain.

 

Tim