I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the coming of a man who will promise and provide the world the peace it longs for…

… Some years ago I spoke on this subject which was immensely popular. I believe it warrants repeating again today more than ever!

Jeanne Dixon the famous astrologer wrote,”

“A child born somewhere in the Middle East shortly before 7:00 A.M. (EST) on February 5, 1962 will revolutionize the world. Before the close of this century, he will bring together all mankind in one all embracing faith. This will be the foundation of a new Christianity, with every sect and creed united through this man who will walk among the people to spread the wisdom of the almighty powers."

This chilling forecast Dixon made, contained some intriguing speculations. In light of this thought and the fact we are in the last millennium, I want to examine what the Bible has to say about this predicted COMING WORLD LEADER. Is he in the world today? Will he appear in our lifetimes? Stay tuned to find out…

… Indeed, the world is looking all the more these days for a dynamic world leader, a powerful international charismatic figure who can offer solutions to our chaotic world problems of terrorism, wars, suffering, hunger and pestilence. Well, the Bible reveals such a “man” will arise in our world and promise to deal with all these things. Who is this man? What will he do and accomplish? When will he appear? All these questions are answered amazingly in the Word of God.

Now to begin let's answer the question "who is this man who will become the world's savior from its serious global problems of life and living?" The answer is the Anti-Christ! This well known title comes from only a single section of Scripture. We read in.

1 John 2:22 (NIV) Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.

The Bible predicts that a real human being is coming, who will gain complete control of the leadership of the world, will be a man called “the Antichrist.” This name is very befitting, for it means someone who is against and opposed to Jesus Christ and all God stands for. Secondly, the same preposition "anti" can convey the idea of "in place of," or be "a substitute for "Jesus Christ.” This title is perhaps the most descript title given to this coming man who will gain world leadership just before Christ returns. However, the Bible also gives him other names, at least twenty in number. Now for interest sake, some key names we find in Scripture are as follows

1.      The seed of Satan - Genesis 3:15

2.      The little horn - Daniel 7:8

3.      The king of fierce countenance - Daniel 8:23

4.      The prince that shall come - Daniel 9:26

5.      The desolator - Daniel 9:27

6.      The willful king - Daniel 11:36

7.      The man of sin - 2 Thessalonians 2:3

8.      The son of perdition - 2 Thessalonians 2:3

9.      The lawless one - 2 Thessalonians 2:8

10.  The beast - Revelation 11:7

All these names are descriptive titles of the antichrist's character and actions which God ascribes to this man who will one day arise and be accepted  worldwide as the one capable to lead the world out of its tribulations and troubles. Now many Bible scholars and students don't agree as to the prophetic origins of the antichrist. Yet the Bible does tell us enough about him to draw some startling conclusions. For instance, we first of all we know from Scripture, that…

1. the coming antichrist will be a being totally energized, and yielded to Satan, the "wicked one." -  

Satan's plan, since the beginning of the world, has been to take over the world and universe wrenching its power and control from God Himself. Therefore, the Bible predicts that in the last days, before God intervenes in the affairs of men to establish His Son's rightful kingdom and rulership of the world He made, Satan will arise and "imitate" God's work. As God is a triune being, “Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” so Satan will bring to life an "unholy trinity." We find this revealed to us in the 13 chapter of Revelation.

Here we find Satan will set up during the Tribulation period, and unholy trinity of rulers. “Satan” himself will play the role of a counterfeit God the Father, “the Antichrist” will play the role of the counterfeit son, and the “False Prophet” mentioned in this chapter of Revelation 13, will play the role of the counterfeit Holy Spirit.

Now in order to gain full control of the world in this last period of Gentile history, Satan's man of the hour will be this counterfeit son, the antichrist. Many people frequently ask, "What nationality will this man of sin have?"  This brings us to the second aspect of the Antichrist…

2. the coming antichrist will BE GENTILE IN HERITAGE AND ORIGIN 

- a goodly number of Bible students have speculated that he must rather be a Jew, if the Jewish people are to receive him. I personally believe the antichrist will not be a Jew, rather, he will be Gentile and of Roman origin. We read in,

Rev 13:1 (NIV) and the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.

The dragon of course is Satan, and the beast he raises up is seen "coming out of the sea." This phrase in Scripture always symbolically refers to the Gentile peoples of the world (Rev. 17:15). So in putting some pieces of prophecy together, we read that this beast, having 10 horns, is also referred to in the Book of Daniel. There we read,

Dan 8:8-9 (NIV)  The goat became very great, but at the height of his power his large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven. 9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land .

This "small horn" of Daniel that came up out of the four Grecian horns, clearly signals that the antichrist will be of Grecian origin. Then in Daniel 9:26, we further find that another point of origin for the antichrist is clearly Roman.

Dan 9:26 (NIV)  After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.

This says the coming antichrist will be of the royal lineage of the people who destroyed Jerusalem . History shows the Romans, under General Titus accomplished this in 70AD. Now there is a troublesome scripture found in Daniel 11:36-37. Here we read that this antichrist who will appear, will not regard the "God of his fathers." I have come to believe our modern English translations have been somewhat incorrect in translating this verse, to refer to "God" in the singular. The Hebrew text better suggests: "gods of his father." This is not a reference to any Jewish ancestry, but a clear reference to the fact that this Gentile ruler will not heed the heathen deities of his gentile heritage. So, the coming antichrist will then be a Gentile of Roman and Grecian origin. Now, what will the antichrist do and accomplish?

3. the coming antichrist WILL HAVE A SUPERNATURALLY ASSISTED RISE TO WORLD POWER - The Bible gives quite a detail account of the career of this man whom Satan raises up and supernaturally energizes. He will have a four-phase meteoric rise to power, and like many national rulers of the past his stay in power is short. The Bible reveals the Antichrist's stay will be a short seven-year period.

Now it’s important to note that the first phase of his power, will begin prior to the start of the seven year “Tribulation Period.” Many believe we are close to this coming time, so close that they believe Jeanne Dixon's idea that the antichrist is alive in this world right now, and being readied for world introduction when Satan feels the time is right, is a viable prediction. Regardless, it is reasonable to believe that prior to “the Rapture of the Church,” which I strongly believe will occur BEFORE the Tribulation period begins, the antichrist will begin his political career and arise as a leader of a powerful western nation. This can be any nation of say the European Common Market, including the United States itself. However, the coalition of nations the bible speaks about, that he will first lead, will come forth from this western federation of nations (literally a restored Roman empire ).

Now what will bring this man to prominent power and the final stage of human history? The answer only can be some catastrophic world event that will call the peoples of the world to seek unification and world leadership. I believe that event is the worldwide "Rapture of the Church." Now I know there are so many interpretations in the Bible concerning the home going of the Church, which I'll not discuss here except to say, there can be no world event so great than the moment when God calls the Church home and lifts it suddenly out of every nation. Yes, all God's children will in an instant disappear and be swept upwards to Heaven to receive their heavenly reward. This event will close what we call, “the Dispensation of the Church Age," and give God a time to again deal with the Jews and all rebellious humanity.

Indeed, when thousands of millions of people disappear suddenly, the world will plunge into a frightening chaos worse than any global terrorist act committed. At that point, Satan will bring forth this godless wicked one, the image of himself, to lead the world in the quest for peace, stability and protection against the forces of lawlessness that will burst forth all across the world.

Now, the Bible tells us that during the first half of this seven-year period called the Tribulation, a man will arise and begin taking over nations. Listen as I read of this in,

Dan 7:8 (NIV)  “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

Dan 7:20 (NIV)  I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.                       

Here we see the antichrist conquers three major western nations and possibly subdues seven others in what may be one single event. With this powerful 10-nation federation of western powers, the antichrist offers to protect Israel from Islamic terrorists, and marauding neighbors and predators seeking to destroy them and gain the wealth of oil and gold there. So the Antichrist makes a peace pact with Israel . The nation sees this Gentile leader as one who cares for them, so they fully embrace and accept him and his terms.

This brings us to the second phase of the antichrist's career. This takes place during the first three and half years of the Tribulation Period. During this time of rising to power, three other kingdoms will align and gather. There will be a Southern Kingdom, an Eastern Kingdom and a Northern Kingdom which will arise out of the Old Russian Empire.

All these world powers will seek to control the Middle East seeking its wealth, power and spiritual prestige. Now the Antichrist, as head of the Western Coalition of Nations, will gain more and more control until he reaches the point of absolute power. How will he do this? The Bible says Satan will supernaturally empower this man. He will be a stunning and marvelous orator, manifesting rhetorical eloquence and superior intelligence (Rev. 13:5). In the past men like Adolph Hitler, and Winston Churchill could dynamically move and motivate millions. But, they are nothing compared to Satan's man of the hour. He will rise to absolute power by his intrinsic charisma! Now we need to know some further things about this Antichrist.

4. the coming antichrist WILL COME SUPPORTING A RELIGIOUS WORLD VIEW - As Satan's man, he will first come as a promoter of morality and religion. He will respect all faiths left on the earth, and will pretend to honor them especially the faith of the Jews. This is why he is so readily accepted. His minion that Satan raises up will be one called, "the False Prophet," a religious leader who will support the antichrist and issue the call for all people to follow him spiritually as well.

Now just when things look good for the antichrist, the Bible reveals, that his enemies assassinate him! Yes that's right, he is killed! But to the world's astonishment, the antichrist is raised from the dead! Listen now to the scriptural account…

Rev 13:3 (NIV)  One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.

Rev 13:12 (NIV)  He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

Rev 13:14 (NIV)  Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Here we have the scenario. With new power and might in resurrected form, Satan performs his great lying miracle which causes the world to bow at his feet. This worldwide adulation launches the third phase of the antichrist's career. We read in,

Rev 13:5-7 (NIV)  The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.

Now the antichrist has arisen to unchallenged world power. Ruling the greatest nations on the earth, he becomes the supreme dictator he has long waited to be. In order to consolidate his reign, he sets up a false religious system and demands that the Jews now worship him! In the restored and rebuilt temple in Jerusalem that is coming, the Antichrist places an image of himself to be worshipped by all. The Jews of course refuse, and all who do are hunted down and killed. However, God in His mercy, the Bible reveals, hides a multitude of Jews in the desert wilderness, preserving them for the promised millennial kingdom coming.

At this point though, the wrath of Satan against God is poured out against all who have been saved during the Tribulation period. While the antichrist is building his kingdom, so God is doing the same. You see the Tribulation Period has a two-fold purpose. First, (1) to judge the wicked unbelieving nations of people for their sinful rejection of Christ, His Church and His Word.  Yes, the creature, man, will be held accountable to the Creator for disobeying God's laws and precepts. These judgments are revealed to us in the Book of Revelation as the "Seal and Bowl Judgments," which God Himself pours out progressively upon the sinful world. Then secondly, another reason for the Tribulation Period is simply (2) to save humanity, particularly, the ancient people of Abraham, the Jews. We read in,

Rev 5:9-10 (NIV)  And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Here we see that the Tribulation Period will also be a time of God's continued movement of grace to fulfill God's promise to Abraham, to love and save his children, and God's promise to Adam and Eve, to save their children represented by the entire human race. Indeed, hundreds of millions will be saved and believe in Christ as their Savior during the Tribulation Period, while the entire Church of Jesus Christ is absent. Now the price for many Gentiles to believe during the Tribulation Period will be martyrdom. However, God will raise them up on the last day to enter into His eternal joy.

So, we can see the last half of the Tribulation period will unleash all the powers of Hell and sinful man, against all that stands for God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Now unless God intervenes in this massive assault by Satan, and God’s wrathful judgments cease - the whole world would be destroyed. Therefore, this period lasts only seven years. After that, God calls it to a close by sending His Son Jesus Christ, to fulfill His promised triumphant return to rule and reign forevermore. Now, the final and fourth phase of the antichrist's career is seen in,

Rev 19:11-16 (NIV)  I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Rev 19:20 (NIV)  But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Here we find the armies of the earth insanely gather to do battle with God. Upon Christ's return, He slays them all with but the breath of His mouth. He simply speaks and they all die (Rev. 19:21). Defeated by Christ, the Antichrist becomes the first occupant of the Lake of Fire , for all eternity.

Yes, all these things I've told you are not a story or myth, but prophetic realities. Now whether Jeanne Dixon is right that the antichrist was born in 1962 in the Middle East or not, I do not know. Of course, Jeanne Dixon is no spokesperson for God. God has no modern day predictive prophets, nor any who have personal revelation from Him in these “Last Days.” Our knowledge of all things must come only from what is written in the Word of God; and, all that I've told you can be confirmed in Scripture. So today while it is still day, and the Church has not yet been raptured, there is only one thing God wants from you and me. He wants us to yield our hearts and lives to His Son Jesus Christ and to His glorious purposes in the Age of Grace.

God has for centuries held back his time of the end, so that many more could be saved, and many could enter into His grace of forgiveness and not suffer His wrath that is coming upon a Christ rejecting world. I think there is no greater Scripture that speaks to this than what King David wrote by divine inspiration long ago. We read in,

Psa 2 (NIV)  Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my King on Zion , my holy hill.” 7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son ; today I have become your Father. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Here God powerfully tells us His wrath for now is held back, but one day very soon, it will be kindled against all sinners who have rejected him! The only escape is to take "refuge in Him." That is, God's Son Jesus Christ. I plead with anyone listening today. If you haven't taken Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are in danger of the greatest peril of all eternity. What awaits you is a fearful looking forward to the wrath and fury of God. May this look at the coming Antichrist cause each one of us a sober reminder us of how great God is, and how much he loves us to send us His Son to die for our sins, and for God in mercy to offer pardon and forgiveness to all who embrace Christ in this life we live. I for one have done that more than 30 years ago. I am ever grateful, and forever happy I made that decision that changed my destiny.

Say friend how about you? Can you point to a time when you bowed your heart and surrendered to Christ? I'm not asking if you were baptized, or are a member of a church, or believe in Jesus. I'm asking you if you can recall a moment when you surrendered your heart to Christ! If you can't recall any such moment make it happen right now. Wherever you are, just stop what you are doing, find a quiet moment and in your mind and heart speak to God and ask Him to save you, forgive you, and grant you His gift of eternal life. Confess you are a sinner worthy of Hell, but thankful God loves you enough to send His Son there in your place! Do it today, or one day you will be one for whom it is too late! Behold the Bible says, “now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time…. for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!”

... So friend, if we are honest, we must admit our world conditions are not getting better. Because nations have rejected God and His Word for their life and living, God's blessing will continue to evaporate, especially in this nation of America that once was Christian. As world conditions continue their slide into Hell, we must do everything we can to help others be rescued before the coming storm. I for one, not wanting to be dogmatic, do believe the antichrist is coming soon. I believe it's only a matter of time before Christ raptures His Church and reveals this man of sin, and ushers in this terrible time of the Seven Year Tribulation. Let's be faithful to share Christ with those in need, and to live for Christ so they will not stumble when the Gospel is preached. May the Lord find us "occupied with His business," so that when He comes, he will say to us all "Well done thou and good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of the Lord."

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RESOURCES & SUGGESTED READING :

1. "UNDERSTANDING END TIMES PROPHECY- A Comprehensive Approach" by Paul N. Benware, Copyright 1995, Moody Press, Chicago , Il .

2. "THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH," by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Copyright 1982, Ariel Press, Tustin CA .

3. "REVELATION," by Tim LaHaye, Copyright 1975, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids , MI .

4. "WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE RAPTURE," by Charles C. Ryrie, Copyright 1981, Moody Press, Chicago. IL.