All these names
are actually 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 learn from Scripture,
that…
1. The coming antichrist will be a MAN totally energized and yielded to Satan,
the "wicked one." (Rev. 13)
Satan, the fallen
angel’s plan since the beginning of creation, has been to take over our world
and the 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 Being and work. Since God is a
triune being, revealed to us as the “Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” Satan will
bring to life his "unholy trinity." We find this revealed in the 13 chapter of
Revelation.
In that text, 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 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 the coming Antichrist must be a Jew, if
the Jewish people are to receive him. However, I personally believe the
antichrist will rather be a 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 where 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. It is
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, who
will outwardly reject spiritual worship itself, being a secular humanist. Now,
what will the antichrist do and accomplish?
3. the coming antichrist WILL BE SUPERNATURALLY ASSISTED TO RISE TO WORLD
POWER
Indeed, the Bible
gives quite a bit of detail account of the career of this man whom Satan
raises up and supernaturally energizes. In fact, he will have a four-phase
meteoric rise to power, and like many national rulers of the past, thankfully
his stay in power will be short, that is only a 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” predicted to come in Scripture.
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.
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
a 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
only answer can be some catastrophic world event, which will force people 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 fearful world event so
great, as the moment when God calls the Christian Church home by suddenly
lifting them out of every nation of the world. Yes, one day in the future, all
of God's children will in an instant disappear and be swept upwards to Heaven
to join their Master and King forever. 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 suddenly disappear, 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 the nations of the world.
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 united, the antichrist offers to protect Israel
from its 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 (Rev.6:1-2)
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 BEGIN BY SUPPORTING A RELIGIOUS WORLD VIEW
As Satan's man,
he will first come as a promoter of morality and then following the Rapture,
Christless religion itself. 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. You see Satan will raise up a sidekick, 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 13:12-14 (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… 14
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 a 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
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 ALL humanity, INCLUDING 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 (Rev. 7:13-14). 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
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…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 the breath of His mouth. That is, 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, rather the opposite. 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.
The only escape,
friend, is to take refuge in Jesus Christ (Psalm 2). So then, 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
renewed look at the coming Antichrist cause each one of us to realize 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. 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. How
about you?
____________________________________________________________________
RESOURCES & SUGGESTED READING :
"UNDERSTANDING END TIMES PROPHECY- A
Comprehensive Approach" by Paul N. Benware, Copyright 1995, Moody Press,
Chicago , Il .
"THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MESSIAH," by Arnold G.
Fruchtenbaum, Copyright 1982, Ariel Press, Tustin CA .
"REVELATION," by Tim LaHaye, Copyright 1975,
Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids , MI .
"WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE RAPTURE," by
Charles C. Ryrie, Copyright 1981, Moody Press, Chicago. IL.
