Everything you wanted to know about the Antichrist Everything you wanted to know about the Anti-Christ (except his name) and where to find it: He will appear on the scene in the “latter times” of Israel’shistory (Dan. 8:23). He will not appear until the Day of the Lord has begun (2 Thess. 2:2). His manifestation is being hindered by the Restrainer (2 Thess. 2:6-7). This appearance will be preceded by a departure (2 Thess. 2:3), which may be interpreted either as a departure from the faith or a departure of the saints to be with the Lord or both (2 Thess. 2:1). He is a Gentile since he arises from “the sea” (Rev. 13:1) a symbolic representation of the Gentile nations. (Rev. 17:15). He arises from the Roman Empire, since he is a ruler of the people who destroyed Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26). He is the head of the last form of gentile world dominion, since he is like a leopard, a bear, and a lion. (Rev. 13:1). (Cross reference Dan. 7:7-8, 20, 24; Rev. 17:9-11) As such he is a political leader. The seven heads and ten horns (Rev. 13:1; 17:12) are federatedunder his authority. His influence is world-wide, for he rules over all nations (Rev. 13:8). This influence comes through the alliance which he makes with other nations. (Dan. 8:24; Rev. 17:12). He has eliminated three rulers in his rise to power (Dan 7:8, 24). One of the kingdoms over which he has authority has been revived for one of the heads, representing a kingdom or king (Rev. 17:10), has been “healed” (Rev 13:3). His rise comes through his peace program (Dan 8:25). He personally is marked by his intelligence and persuasiveness (Dan 7:8, 20; 8:23) and also by his subtlety and craft (Ezek. 28:6) so that his position over the nations is by their own consent (Rev. 17:13). He rules over the nations in his federation with absolute authority (Dan. 11:36), where he is depicted as doing his own will. This authority is manifested through the change in laws and customs (Dan. 7:25). His chief interest is in might and power (Dan. 11:38). As the mead of the federated empire he makes (confirms) a seven year covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27), which is broken after three and one-half years (Dan. 9:27). He introduces an idolatrousworship (Dan. 9:27) in which he sets himself up as God (Dan. 11:36-37; 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:5). He bears the characterization of a blasphemer because of the assumption of deity (Ezek. 28:2; Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:1, 5-6). This one is energized by Satan (Ezek. 28:: 9-12; Rev. 13:4), receives his authority from him, and is controlled by the pride of the devil (Ezek. 28:2; Dan. 8:25). He is the head of Satan’s lawless system (2 Thess. 2:3) and his claim to power and to deity is proved by signs wrought through satanic power (2 Thess. 2:9-19). He is received as God and as ruler because of the blindness of the people (2 Thess. 2:11). This ruler becomes the great adversary of Israel (Dan. 7:21, 25; 8:24; Rev. 13:7). There will come an alliance against him (Ezek. 28:7; Dan. 11:40, 42) which will contest his authority. In the ensuing conflict he will gain control over Israel and adjacent territory (Dan. 11:42). And will make his headquarters in Jerusalem (Dan. 11:45). This ruler, at the time of his rise to power is elevated through the instrumentality of the harlot, the corrupt religious system, which consequently seeks to dominate him (Rev. 17:3). This system is destroyed by the ruler so that he may rule unhindered (Rev. 17:16-17). He becomes the special adversary of the Prince of Princes (Dan. 8:25), His program (2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 17:14), and His people (Dan. 7:21, 25; 8:24; Rev. 13:7). While he continues in power for seven years (Dan. 9:27), his “satanic activity” is confined to the last half of the tribulation period (Dan. 7:25; 9:27, 11:26; Rev. 13:5). His rule will be terminated by a direct judgment from God (Ezek. 28:6; Dan. 7:22, 26; 8:25; 9:27; 11:45; Rev. 19:19-20). This judgmentwill take place as he is engaged in a military campaign in Israel (Ezek. 28:8-9; Rev. 19:19), and he will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20; Ezek. 28:10). This judgmentwill take place at the second advent of Christ (2 Thess. 2:8; Dan 7:22) and will constitute a manifestation of His Messianic authority (Rev. 11:15). The kingdom over which he ruled will pass to the authority of the Messiah and will become the kingdom of the saints (Dan. 7:27).
Posted on: Sun, 11 May 2014 17:54:58 +0000
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