Who is the Antichrist?
He is "that man of sin.the son of perdition; 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." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
By Linda Sargent
With all of the tension and uncertainty in the world today, there is a growing interest in endtime prophecy. In particular, curiosity is mounting about the identity of a coming world leader, sent and empowered by Satan himself, that will deceive the nations. Even though the Old and New Testaments give this ruler many names and titles, he is most commonly referred to as "The Antichrist".
He is "that man of sin.the son of perdition; 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." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
Surprisingly, the proper noun "Antichrist" is not found even once, in the Bible. The lower case "antichrist" is found only four times, all within First and Second John, referring to a general belief or attitude. The Apostle John warned that many false teachers would deny Christ's deity; however, his warnings dealt with a false doctrine rather than a specific person.
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22)
One of the most common references to the Antichrist is found in Revelation 13:18. "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 three score and six." Some have manipulated the numeric reference to correspond to individuals' names or positions in an effort to identify the 666 of Revelation 13:18. In the 1940's, Adolph Hitler was the likely candidate and deservedly so. But he is dead. Other unlikely guesses include the Pope, whose crown bears an inscription that can equate to the number 666, Saddam Hussein, former presidents George W. Bush, William Clinton and Ronald Reagan. Hussein and President Reagan are dead as well, so that rules them out. Recently, the eyes of the world are on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President Barack Obama and Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
The Bible warns that the Antichrist will deceive many and will be the antithesis of all that is good and Christ-like. He will be revealed after much deception and will lead all nations against Israel into the Battle of Armageddon before Jesus returns to establish His kingdom.
Questions abound. Is the Antichrist alive today? Does he know he is the Antichrist? Is he in power already and working behind the scenes? If so, who is he? Although the Bible does not identify the Antichrist, the scriptures provide many clues and characteristics to describe him. Let's take a look.
The Book of Daniel provides additional clues and prophecies regarding the Antichrist and his actions, prior to the final showdown between good and evil. Daniel asked for more understanding of his visions but was denied the revelation.
Centuries passed before God spoke again about these endtime events. Some of the New Testament writers received many of the same revelations as Daniel. Some received even greater details. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians with great clarity about the Antichrist and provided more insight into his actions that will help identify him.
Some of the greatest clues in the New Testament were revealed to John while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos and are recorded in the Book of Revelation.
This second beast, also known as the False Prophet, is empowered by Satan and will rule with the Antichrist. He will emerge as a non-threatening lamb, but because he is controlled by Satan and in partnership with the Antichrist, he will be a counterfeit as well. He, like the Antichrist, will have power to deceive and perform miracles. In fact, it is the False Prophet, not the Antichrist, who actually establishes the Mark of the Beast to control the world's economy.
At first, the Antichrist will appear to be a well-intentioned world leader promoting peace and safety. In reality, the Antichrist will bring chaos and destruction as he exerts his power to persecute Christians and unify world leaders against Israel. Only a politically savvy, ruthless, and feared ruler has that kind of influence. Is there anyone alive today who has these attributes?
Never has there been a time in history where everything is in place and ready to usher in the end of this age, just before Christ returns. The Antichrist will be the instrument of Satan in his final attempt to deceive the world and defeat God's plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. As the scriptures foretell, for a while it appears that the Antichrist will prevail. The armies of the world will descend on Jerusalem. ".and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city." (Zechariah 14:2) In this final showdown between good and evil, the Antichrist, the False Prophet and Satan will form an unholy trinity.
Thankfully, the story has a good ending for Jerusalem and all of those the Antichrist persecuted. Full of pride and delusions, the Antichrist, the son of perdition, will meet and fall to the true Christ, Jesus, the Son of God.
By Linda Sargent
With all of the tension and uncertainty in the world today, there is a growing interest in endtime prophecy. In particular, curiosity is mounting about the identity of a coming world leader, sent and empowered by Satan himself, that will deceive the nations. Even though the Old and New Testaments give this ruler many names and titles, he is most commonly referred to as "The Antichrist".
He is "that man of sin.the son of perdition; 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." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
Surprisingly, the proper noun "Antichrist" is not found even once, in the Bible. The lower case "antichrist" is found only four times, all within First and Second John, referring to a general belief or attitude. The Apostle John warned that many false teachers would deny Christ's deity; however, his warnings dealt with a false doctrine rather than a specific person.
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22)
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4: 2-3)
One of the most common references to the Antichrist is found in Revelation 13:18. "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 three score and six." Some have manipulated the numeric reference to correspond to individuals' names or positions in an effort to identify the 666 of Revelation 13:18. In the 1940's, Adolph Hitler was the likely candidate and deservedly so. But he is dead. Other unlikely guesses include the Pope, whose crown bears an inscription that can equate to the number 666, Saddam Hussein, former presidents George W. Bush, William Clinton and Ronald Reagan. Hussein and President Reagan are dead as well, so that rules them out. Recently, the eyes of the world are on Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President Barack Obama and Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
The Bible warns that the Antichrist will deceive many and will be the antithesis of all that is good and Christ-like. He will be revealed after much deception and will lead all nations against Israel into the Battle of Armageddon before Jesus returns to establish His kingdom.
Questions abound. Is the Antichrist alive today? Does he know he is the Antichrist? Is he in power already and working behind the scenes? If so, who is he? Although the Bible does not identify the Antichrist, the scriptures provide many clues and characteristics to describe him. Let's take a look.
Biblical Names for the Antichrist
- King of Assyria (Isaiah 10:12, 14:24-25, Micah 5:5-6) -Assyria is an area near Syria and Iraq.
- King of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4) - Ancient Babylon was located in Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq.
- The Wicked (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
- Man of sin, the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
- The Beast (Revelation 13:5-8)
Characteristics of the Antichrist
The Book of Daniel provides many characteristics of the Antichrist.- He comes from ten kings (rulers) in the restored Holy Roman Empire. (Daniel 7:7, 24)
- He will subdue three of these kings. (Daniel 7:8, 24)
- He is diverse or different from the other 10 rulers. (Daniel 7:7, 19)
- His appearance is more imposing than his fellows. (Daniel 7:20)
- He will make war with the saints for 3½ years and overcome them. (Daniel 7:21, 25)
- He will speak great words against and blaspheme God. (Daniel 7:25)
- He will try to change times and laws. (Daniel 7:25)
- He is a king of fierce countenance. (Daniel 8:23)
- By peace he shall destroy many. (Daniel 8:25)
- He shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. (Daniel 11:21)
- He shall exalt and magnify himself above every god and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods. (Daniel 11:36)
- He shall not regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. (Daniel 11:37)
- He shall have power over the treasures and precious things of Egypt. (Daniel 11:43)
The Book of Daniel provides additional clues and prophecies regarding the Antichrist and his actions, prior to the final showdown between good and evil. Daniel asked for more understanding of his visions but was denied the revelation.
And I heard, but I understood not; then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. (Daniel 12:8-9)
Centuries passed before God spoke again about these endtime events. Some of the New Testament writers received many of the same revelations as Daniel. Some received even greater details. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians with great clarity about the Antichrist and provided more insight into his actions that will help identify him.
He will Claim to be God
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; 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. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
He will Possess Great Power
"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; even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9)Some of the greatest clues in the New Testament were revealed to John while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos and are recorded in the Book of Revelation.
He will Receive His Power from Satan
"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. And 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." (Revelation 13:1-2)
He will Rule for 3½ Years
"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." (Revelation 13:5)He will Persecute Christians and Dominate World Governments
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." (Revelation 13:7)He will Blaspheme God
"And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." (Revelation 13:6)He will Partner with Another Powerful World Leader
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. 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. (Revelation 13:11-12)
This second beast, also known as the False Prophet, is empowered by Satan and will rule with the Antichrist. He will emerge as a non-threatening lamb, but because he is controlled by Satan and in partnership with the Antichrist, he will be a counterfeit as well. He, like the Antichrist, will have power to deceive and perform miracles. In fact, it is the False Prophet, not the Antichrist, who actually establishes the Mark of the Beast to control the world's economy.
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 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. 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. 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: 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. (Revelation 13:13-17)
He will Gather the World to the Battle of Armageddon
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:13-14)
He will be Defeated by Jesus and His Armies
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:11,14-15,19-20)
At first, the Antichrist will appear to be a well-intentioned world leader promoting peace and safety. In reality, the Antichrist will bring chaos and destruction as he exerts his power to persecute Christians and unify world leaders against Israel. Only a politically savvy, ruthless, and feared ruler has that kind of influence. Is there anyone alive today who has these attributes?
Never has there been a time in history where everything is in place and ready to usher in the end of this age, just before Christ returns. The Antichrist will be the instrument of Satan in his final attempt to deceive the world and defeat God's plan for salvation through Jesus Christ. As the scriptures foretell, for a while it appears that the Antichrist will prevail. The armies of the world will descend on Jerusalem. ".and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city." (Zechariah 14:2) In this final showdown between good and evil, the Antichrist, the False Prophet and Satan will form an unholy trinity.
Thankfully, the story has a good ending for Jerusalem and all of those the Antichrist persecuted. Full of pride and delusions, the Antichrist, the son of perdition, will meet and fall to the true Christ, Jesus, the Son of God.
Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east.And the Lord shall be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:3-4,9)
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