The Coming Antichrist - Part 1

THE COMING ANTICHRIST (PART 1)

THE ANTICHRIST

In Revelation 13, the first beast (from the sea) is a political leader we call the Antichrist. He gets his authority from the dragon (Satan).

Rev 13:1-2 (NIV) … And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns…

The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion.

The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

THE ANTICHRIST

The Bible predicts that in the End Times a world ruler will emerge.

John calls him the Antichrist (1 John) and the Beast (Revelation).

Paul calls him the man of lawlessness (1 Thessalonians).

Jesus calls him a false Christ (Matt 24).

Daniel calls him the little horn (Dan 7 & 8) and the prince that shall come (9:26).

Attempts to identify the Antichrist prior to the Rapture are almost futile.

Recent suggestions alone have included Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Gorbachev, JFK, Pope John Paul II, Saddam Hussein, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

SELF-NOMINATED

Black magician Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), dubbed “the wickedest man in the world”, claimed that he was the Beast prophesied in the Book of Revelation.

He took the Greek name (Το μεγα θηριον) for “The Great Beast”, which adds up to 666 by isopsephy. *

* Isopsephy is the Greek language word for the practice of adding up the number values of the letters in a word to form a single number. Isopsephy is related to Gematria, the same practice using the Hebrew alphabet.

He popularized the archaic spelling of “magick” to differentiate it from stage “magic”.

Crowley was bisexual, experimented with drugs and is infamous for his quote: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.”

However the true beast will not have horns and a pitch fork as many suppose.

Instead he will probably be a very charismatic, appealing world leader offering peace and prosperity.

A HERO

Initially (the first 3 ½ years of his 7-year rule) he will be a hero to all.

Rev 13:3 (NIV) …The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.

VISUALLY IMPOSING

The Antichrist is described as being stern or fierce, or having an insolent look about him.

Daniel 8:23 (KJV) “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance…shall stand up.”

 The Hebrew root word translated fierce is “az” meaning strong, mighty or fierce. So, his presence is commanding.

INTELLIGENT

Dan 8:23 (Darby) … a king of bold countenance, and understanding riddles [chidah], shall stand up.

“understanding hidden things” (YLT)

The Hebrew word “chidah” means “riddle, enigma, parable, puzzle, conundrum.” It is used of Samson’s riddle (which the Philistines had to cheat in order to answer) in Judges 14.

“Chidah” is also the same word used when the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon with her “hard questions” (1 Kings 10:1) in order to test his wisdom.

So that which baffles others shall be simple to the Antichrist.

A GIFTED ORATOR

Adolph Hitler won over the crowds at his rallies with his hypnotic speeches in which he sympathized with their problems and provided a scapegoat for them to blame.

He understood crowd psychology, taking advantage of peer pressure by strategically placing those devoted to him within the crowds to start shouting “Sieg Heil”, the cries of which would subsequently grow into a chant which included all present.

Like Hitler who mesmerized his audiences, the Antichrist will excel as an orator.

Rev 13:2 declares that his mouth is “as the mouth of a lion”. The voice of the lion excels that of any other beast.

In Daniel 7:20 we are told that he has “a mouth that spoke impressive (rabravan) things” (God’s Word Translation).

The Hebrew “rabravan” can mean “huge (in size); domineering (in character); (very) great (things).”

Flattery: excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one's own interests.

The Antichrist will also use flattery to achieve his own purposes. Daniel tells us that “he shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries” (11:21) and that “with flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant” (11:32).

FLATTERER

ARROGANT

Both Daniel and John say that he will be arrogant. “He will consider himself superior” (Daniel 8:25) and he “was given a mouth to utter proud words” (Rev 13:5).

However many today perceive that as a strength rather than a vice i.e., being confident, self-assured and assertive.

His arrogance is obviously boosted by the fact that he seems to be unstoppable and he that “will succeed in whatever he does” (Daniel 8:24).

POLITICAL GENIUS

He exercises global authority (possibly the leader of a more powerful EU or United Nations, or a president of a superpower like the USA).

Rev 13:7 … And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.

So completely will the world be swayed by his hypnotic spell that the ten kings of the final Roman empire shall “give their kingdoms unto him”. He will be the last great Caesar.

Rev 17:17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule…

Will he be accepted by political leaders?

The stage is being set for the world to accept global leadership.

Famed British historian Arnold Toynbee (1889-1975) was correct when he said, “The nations are ready to give the kingdoms of the world to any one man who will offer us a solution to our world’s problems.”

Remember that Hitler, who is clearly a type of the Antichrist was initially very popular with many Germans.

He brought economic recovery after the Great Depression. His policies helped reduce unemployment and stabilize the economy.

The Nazi regime used extensive propaganda of the mass media to promote Hitler as a strong and charismatic leader, which helped build a cult of personality around him.

Paul-Henri Spaak was the first president of the UN General Assembly, prime minister of Belgium, one of the early planners of the European Common Market, as well as a secretary-general of NATO.

He said, “We do not want another committee, we have too many already. What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the allegiance of all the people and to lift us up out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man, and whether he be God or devil, we will receive him.”

HIS DURATION OF RULE

The Antichrist will be prominent in the world political arena for a 7-year period. Daniel 9:27 speaks of a covenant being confirmed for “one week” of years,” i.e., 7 years.

Daniel’s 70th Week (7 YEARS) Dan 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’

The Gentiles “will trample on the holy city for 42 months.” (Rev 11:2)

The two witnesses “will prophesy for 1,260 days” (Rev 11:3)

3 ½ YEARS

“In the middle of the ‘seven’… at the temple he [Antichrist] will set up an abomination that causes desolation” (Dan 9:97; cf. Matt 24:15]

“Great Tribulation” (Matt 24:21)

The beast was given “authority for 42 months.” (Rev 13:5)

Israel flee into the wilderness “for 1,260 days” (Rev 12:6)

3 ½ YEARS

“After the tribulation of those days” Christ will return (Matt 24:29-30)

A PEACE TREATY

He will broker a 7-year treaty with Israel as one of the parties.

Daniel says of the Roman prince to come that “he will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’” (Daniel 9:27, NIV)

As Israel is being addressed here, this is most likely a peace treaty in the Middle East between Israel and her hostile Muslim neighbours.

Prophets like Isaiah, Joel, Amos, and Zephaniah frequently speak of the “Day of the Lord” as a period of darkness, wrath, and devastation.

But people will have an expectation of peace when the Day of the Lord comes:

1 Thess 5:2-3 (NIV) for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety”…

The phrase regarding people saying “Peace and safety” at this time seems to indicate that the treaty may be a Middle East peace treaty.

With the current political climate and instability in the Middle East this seems a very plausible option. Prominent political leaders today (particularly US presidents) are forever trying to broker peace treaties in the Middle East.

E.g. In 2020 during US President Trump’s first term, the Abraham Accords were signed. These were bilateral peace treaties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.

The Abraham Accords were primarily negotiated by Jared Kushner, an American Jew who was a senior advisor to (and son-in-law of) President Donald Trump at the time.

So it’s quite likely that the 7-year Tribulation will start with the signing of a 7-year Middle East Peace treaty.

THE MAGOG ATTACK ON ISRAEL

Ezekiel 38-39 predicts an end-time alliance of nations who attack Israel. The timing is debated. The options are:

At the end of the Millennium.

At the end of the Tribulation. (If it is the same as Armageddon.)

At the start of the Tribulation. (In Ezekiel, it takes 7 years to destroy their weapons.)

Assuming the latter, the Antichrist might be the peace broker after this invasion.

MUSLIM ALLIES OF MAGOG

Ezek 38:5-6 (NIV) Persia, Cush and Put will be with them … also Gomer … and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops…

Russia is joined by several Muslim nations:

Persia: Iran (currently engaged in a proxy war with Israel)

Put: Libya

Cush: Sudan

Gomer & Beth Togarmah: Turkey?

TREACHEROUS

He will be crafty, deceitful and ultimately treacherous.

Daniel 8:25 He will cause deceit [mirmah] to prosper… When they feel secure, he will destroy many …

The Hebrew word “mirmah” refers to fraud; deceit, falsehood, and treachery.

In this regard, he will take after Satan, who is his spiritual mentor. Jesus said of Satan that “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44, NIV)

TREATY BROKEN

The 7-year period is divided into two halves of 3 ½ years each. The first half is a time of relative peace, during which the Antichrist rises to power, confirms a peace treaty and possibly sponsors the Third Jewish Temple.

The second half, often referred to as the Great Tribulation, is a time of intense persecution and turmoil, marked by the breaking of the covenant and the cessation of sacrifices in the Temple.

Unlike our covenant-keeping God, the Antichrist will be a covenant-breaker. He will break the treaty midterm.

Dan 9:27 (NIV) He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering…

Once his power is consolidated, he will feel no obligation to honour treaties.

Here he is again reminiscent of Hitler, who agreed to a non-aggression pact with Russia (the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact) simply to avoid a war on two fronts, only to subsequently attack Russia once he felt his position in Europe was strong enough.

Similarly after raising expectations of peace, the Antichrist delivers the opposite.

1 Thess 5:3 (NIV) While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

MORTAL WOUND

The Antichrist receives some sort of deadly wound - which will be healed.

John refers to “the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived” (Rev 13:14) and says that the “earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed” (Rev 13:12)

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.

There is a lot of speculation as to what that means exactly. Will he – like Donald Trump – survive an assassination attempt?

A FAKED RESURRECTION?

Some believe that the deadly wound that is healed indicates that he will he appear to have died and will then fake a resurrection in an attempt to mimic the historic bodily resurrection of Jesus. Interestingly Gregory, Bishop of Rome (590-604) held this view saying that the Antichrist “pretends to die and rise again”. (Selected Epistles, Bk. 13, Epistle 1)

This idea of a counterfeit resurrection seems more plausible in light of the fact that the “world will be astonished” when they see or hear about the event. This definitely could apply to people seemingly witnessing a resurrection from the dead.

The very same Greek term “as if slain” which is used of the false Christ in Revelation 13:3 is also used of the true Christ in Revelation 5:6.

Rev 5:6 (NASB) And I saw … a Lamb standing, as if slain (hōs esphagmenon) …

Rev 13:3 (NASB) I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain (hōs esphagmenen) …

But others argue that only God can raise the dead and in fact it is his resurrection from the dead that establishes Jesus’ unique credentials as the Son of God.

Rom 1:4 (NASB) who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead…

Both the false prophet and the Antichrist work on deception, so the death and resurrection may be faked.

Paul calls him a future deceiver capable of performing “all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” (2 Thess 2:9–10) i.e., the miracles are not necessarily genuine, but they deceive people, nonetheless.

The people who follow him are deluded and “believe the lie” (2 Thess 2:11).

A COMMERCIAL GENIUS

All commerce will be under his control. The false prophet forces people to receive a mark compulsory for all trade and it is used to control people.

Rev 13:16-18 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.

If this sounds far-fetched remember how the recent COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the implementation of mandatory vaccination policies in some regions.

Certain governments and organizations required proof of vaccination for activities such as attending school, working in specific industries, or traveling.

This created a situation where individuals felt compelled to get vaccinated to participate fully in society, similar to the idea of needing a mark to engage in commerce.

A global cashless society is in the making. Many countries are pursuing policies to eliminate cash. Digital payments are becoming increasingly dominant worldwide.

Globally, cash accounts for only 16% of point-of-sale (POS) payments.

In contrast, digital payment methods are more prevalent, with debit cards used for 23%, credit cards for 26%, and digital wallets for 32% of transactions.

Since the American Kennel Club Reunite microchip program began in March 2007, over 5 million pets have been enrolled.

The technology exists today to take a chip similar to those used in smart cards and place it under your skin.

Once the chip is implanted it could be read by an inexpensive scanner, much like the one that reads bar codes in your local grocery store.

You would then become your own smart card — and the very expensive problem of making sure the owner of the card is who he says he is, has been solved!

In 2018, the Guardian newspaper reported on concerns of the Trades Union Congress regarding an announcement by some UK companies of a proposed rollout of chip implants to improve security.

UK firm BioTeq has already fitted 150 implants. The tiny chips, implanted in the flesh between the thumb and forefinger, are similar to those for pets. They enable people to open their front door, access their office or start their car with a wave of their hand, and can also store medical data.

In 2024, Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk, started trials on a brain-computer interface which is a coin-sized brain chip surgically implanted under the skull.

A surgical robot inserts ultra-thin threads precisely into the brain. The device processes neural signals and transmits them wirelessly to a computer or mobile device, allowing users to control these devices with their thoughts.

On 20 March 2024, through a livestream on X, Neuralink introduced the person who had received the first Neuralink implant in the clinical trial as 29-year-old quadriplegic Noland Arbaugh.

Noland demonstrated his ability to move a cursor on a computer screen to allow him to control music and play games such as chess.

In September 2024, Neuralink announced that its latest development effort, called Blindsight, will restore some level of vision to certain blind people. They envision future applications that could include restoring motor function, and speech, as well as expanding how we experience the world.

While Neuralink is being used primarily for medical purposes, the potential exists for a similar type of technology to be used for the mark of the beast, which is associated with economic and social control.

MILITARY GENIUS

The Antichrist is identified with the rider of the first horse in Revelation:

Rev 6:2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

He is spoken of as the man who will “shake kingdoms” and “make the earth to tremble” (Isa 14:16).

Daniel 8:24 … He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does…

Daniel is told that the final world kingdom “will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it.” (7:23)

He sees it as a beast that is “terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.” (7:7)

His successful military ventures are marked by swiftness.

Daniel 11:40 (NIV) … He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.

In World War II, what has been dubbed “Blitzkrieg” (lightning war) tactics were successfully employed by the German Wehrmacht in their swift invasions of Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and France, as well during the North African campaign by Erwin Rommel.

So, the military style of the Antichrist may be similar to Blitzkrieg, or to the more recent “Shock and Awe” (technically known as rapid dominance) strategy used by the US in their 2003 invasion of Iraq.

He will sweep everything before him so that the world will exclaim, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” (Rev 13:4).

The final world empire in Daniel 2 is represented by the 10 toes of the statue.

The Antichrist will preside over this final Revived Roman Empire consisting of 10 divisions.

Daniel 7:7 After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.

He will subdue 3 of the 10 kingdoms.

Daniel 7:8 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…

The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.

He will invade Israel.

Daniel 11:41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land…

Modern Jordan will escape:

Dan 11:41… Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.

Some believe that the Jewish remnant will flee to Petra in Jordan based on this and Revelation 12.

He marches on Jerusalem but is met by Jesus and his armies.

Rev 19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. (NIV)

Daniel 8:25 … he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. (NIV)

2 Thess 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendour of his coming. (NIV)

KEPT BACK BY THE RESTRAINER

Regarding the man of lawlessness, Paul wrote: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains [will do so] until he is taken out of the way.” 2 Thess 2:7 (NASB)

Who is the restrainer?

Human Government: Some suggest that the restrainer could be a form of human government or authority that hinders the rise to power of the Antichrist.

The Bible indicates that God uses government (even pagan and secular ones) as a tool for restraint on evil. Romans 13:4 describes governing officials as God’s servants, avengers who carry the sword to punish wrongdoers.

Some believe the restrainer is a powerful military or political force that will fall before the rise of the man of lawlessness.

While this is a minority view today, the early Church writers, Tertullian, 1 Chrysostom, 2 and Jerome believed that the restrainer was the Roman state.

1 On the Resurrection of the Flesh 24 2 Fourth Homily on 2 Thessalonians

Some today think it might refer to the US government, in particular. Then the phrase “until he is taken out of the way” would imply a significant decline or removal of the US’ influence or power.

This might be a geopolitical shift, an internal collapse, or a major event that drastically reduces the country’s ability to maintain global order and stability.

The main Futurist views today are that the restrainer is:

The Holy Spirit: Many believe the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, who holds back the full force of evil until the appointed time.

The Holy Spirit is often described as a force of conviction, guidance, and protection. In John 16:8, Jesus says that the Spirit will “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.”

Gen 6:3 (NKJV) And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh…”

The Church: The Holy Spirit indwells believers, empowering them to live righteously and resist evil.

This collective indwelling presence is seen as a restraining force against the spread of lawlessness.

As the light of the world, the true Church exposes evil; as the salt it stops or minimizes the moral decay.

Eph 5:11-14 (NIV) Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

If the church is the restrainer then “taken out of the way” could refer to the Pre-Tribulation rapture.

AUTHOR: Gavin Paynter

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