THE ANTICHRIST Central Truth: Those who follow the Antichrist in rebelling against God and His Christ will suffer eternal torment. We believe that the Antichrist will be revealed after the rapture of the Church, when Christ will come to take His followers to heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7 says, “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” If we believe the Antichrist won’t be revealed until after the Christians are gone from this world, what benefits are there in learning about him? As Christians, we are reminded of our need to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ. And we are reminded we are to take a stand against the spirit of the antichrist that is already in this world by witnessing for Christ. We can warn others that those who follow the Antichrist in rebelling against God will suffer eternally and invite them to share in the triumph of Christ’s eternal kingdom. Study Text 1 Daniel 7:1-8 2 Daniel 7:23-28 3 Revelation 13:1-18 4 Revelation 14:6-13 Daniel 7:1-8 describes a vision of the world powers that lead up to the Antichrist’s rise to power. The four beasts found in Daniel 7 were fulfilled through the great kingdoms and leaders of ancient times----Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Rome is fulfilled both in the ancient Roman Empire and in the sinful world system that will reach its peak in the end times. The ten horns on the beast represent the ten nations that will exist along with the Antichrist, who himself is the other “little horn” (Daniel 7:8, KJV). This is our introduction to the Antichrist. He will be an arrogant man who will represent and carry out Satan’s evil schemes at the end of time. Daniel 7:23-25 are part of the interpretation of Daniel’s dream. They offer further insight into what some Bible scholars refer to as the Revised Roman Empire. This beast has ten horns, which are believed to be ten nations that will have their political roots in the old Roman Empire. The other king rising up after the ten kings in verse 24 is the little horn described earlier, who will overpower three of the ten kings. The remaining seven nations will submit to his leadership. This final king, the little horn, will be the Antichrist. Note the insight into his character found in verse 25. The Antichrist is very arrogant and defiant. He is a man who will blaspheme God and persecute the saints. Who are “the saints of the Most High” referred to in Daniel 7:25? Zechariah 13:8-9 states, “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” Revelation 12:1-6 says, “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” The saints are probably those saved during the Great Tribulation, both Jews and Gentiles. Since he knows he cannot actually hurt God, the Antichrist attacks God’s people on earth. The Antichrist will desire to have dominion over everyone and everything. He will try to replace the laws and customs of society with his own. We can infer from Daniel 7:23-25 that there will be no religious freedom during his reign. He will demand that all worship be directed toward him. He will systematically oppress Christians. His rule will be merciless, without tolerance for the values and desires of those who do not agree with him or surrender to his will. Why will the Antichrist be able to captivate the world completely? The Antichrist’s rise to power and unquestioned rule will come about through about supernatural means----his charm and deceit finds its source in Satan himself. And it can be inferred from Scripture that the world stage will be set for him to enter as the man who has the answers and abilities to lead. In this vision found in Revelation 13, the apostle John saw a beast rising up out of the sea. The sea represents the peoples of the world. Revelation 17:15 states, “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” The beast represents the Antichrist and his government coming out of the last series of world governments. The crowns on its horns represent a claim of royal power. The blasphemous name is not explained here, but it is undoubtedly a claim to deity. The beast will want people to think he is divine. The Antichrist will be Satan’s substitute for Christ. He will claim to be the real Christ. The description of the beast is like a combination of the wild beasts Daniel saw in Daniel 7. His power will all be given to him by Satan. His purpose will be to gain religious, political, and economic dominion over the whole world. Why do people believe the lies told to them by people they’ve never met or known? Many factors apply, such as charm, an appealing message, and trustfulness of the hearer. Sometimes people are so worn down by life that they will surrender to whatever seems to make life easier and more bearable. Revelation 13:3 tells us that the people will be drawn to the Antichrist by demonstrations of power. The Antichrist will rise in power and stature because of a miracle, as he will be mortally wounded, then resurrected. This miracle will lead people to worship the Antichrist and the dragon. What does Revelation 13:5 and 6 tell us about the nature of the Antichrist? He is described as having been given a mouth to speak proud words, a reference to great ability to express himself and to influence others that comes from Satan himself. With disrespectful words he will attack God’s nature and deny the Lord Jesus Christ. The Antichrist’s reign will endure for three and a half years----the final half of the Great Tribulation. During the first half, he will be seen more as a peacemaker, forming a covenant with Israel that he will later break. Daniel 9:27 says, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” There is no limit to the Antichrist’s power with respect to people. Even the saints will be defeated by the Antichrist (Revelation 13:7). Revelation 13:8 states that all who are living on the earth at that time will worship the Antichrist, except for one group of people. Those whose names are written “in the book of life of the Lamb.” The Antichrist will not deceive those whose names are written in the Book of Life. Only those who refuse God’s offer of salvation and reject the gospel of Christ will be deceived. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 maintains, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” What encouragement is given to Christians in Revelation 13:10? How can this encourage us today? Quoting Jeremiah 15:1 John referred to the law of sowing and reaping. The general statement that he who leads others into captivity will go into captivity and he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword shows that what the Antichrist sows he will also reap. This gives a reason for the saints to show patience and faith in Christ. Believers in Christ today will not face the attacks of the Antichrist. Still, persecution will surely come our way, for the spirit of antichrist is at work in the world. So we, too, must practice patience in the face of rejection, injustice, and tribulation for our faith. The Antichrist will have an assistant (later identified as the false prophet in Revelation 19:20; 20:10). What is the role of the false prophet? The false prophet will promote worship of the beast through signs and wonders. His work is a perverse counterfeit of the Holy Ghost’s work. The false prophet will order that a statue of the beast be erected for people to worship. Miraculously, this statue will speak, thus, the elevation of the Antichrist----and Satan himself----will reach a high point in the eyes of deceived humankind. The false prophet will oversee the marking of the Antichrist’s followers, identifying them with the beast and allowing them certain basic rights. What does the Bible tell us about this mark? Three points can be made. One, the mark is equal to the name and number of the Antichrist. Two, the mark allows it bearers to conduct business, thus placing horrible economic consequences on all who refuse. Three, John called for wisdom in calculating the number (666). Christian history is filled with attempts to understand exactly what this means and how the number identifies the beast. Revelation 13:18 notes it as the number of man, of incompleteness. As such, it symbolizes the beast’s worldly nature. The mark will be used as a means of control by the beast. And, as seen in the last point of this study, those who accept the mark will suffer eternal torments (Revelation 14:9-11). Revelation 14:6-12 records the pronouncements of three angels. The first angel preaches “the everlasting gospel” to all people. During the Church Age, the Church has been given the responsibility to proclaim the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). The fact an angel is proclaiming the gospel strongly suggests the Church is no longer on earth. People are to fear and worship the sovereign God of creation who alone is worthy of praise. God is not willing that anyone should perish. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Even as He pours out His judgment on earth, God gives people opportunity to turn to Him. A second angel proclaims God’s judgment on Babylon----the world system. In Revelation, Babylon is the symbol of the political and religious systems that rule the world under the leadership of the Antichrist. Christ will destroy this system. A third angel continues God’s message of judgment. All who worship the beast are doomed forever. They will receive the full measure of God’s wrath poured out on the earth. The punishment described in verses 10 and 11 may have two aspects. There is an eternal physical torment described by the phrase “fire and brimstone.” There also seems to be an additional torment. Some scholars believe the phrase “in the presence of the holy angels” indicates that those being tormented will be able to view God’s gracious favor on those who have accepted Christ as Savior. Part of their torment will be in knowing that the same favor could have been theirs. Luke 16:23 declares, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” John linked this horrific picture to a call for perseverance by the saints. He was calling Christians across the ages to consider sin’s terrible consequences and respond with faith. Why is perseverance important in difficult times? Our own commitment will also be tested----if not by the threat of death, then by the lure of sin and the schemes of deceitful people. It can be hard to wait for God’s deliverance when we are going through trials. But God will reward our faithfulness as we serve Him in spite of any persecution we might experience. We must not lose sight of the future and remain committed to the service of Jesus Christ. How might Revelation 14:13 affect the way we view life and death? This verse offers a word of encouragement amidst the intense truths taught in these chapters. It addresses those who die as martyrs during the Great Tribulation, calling them blessed. “Blessed” refers to a sense of joy unaffected by circumstances. There is no power----not even the full force of hell and Satan----capable of changing our standing with God. The Antichrist will not defeat Tribulation saints, and evil should not defeat faithful Christians today. We can persevere if we remain faithful, looking forward to rest and peace as affirmed by the Spirit at work within us. What are some forces that try to turn Christians away from following the Lord today? We could cite subtle issues, such as worry, fear, and bitterness. We must also guard against more obvious dangers, such as lust, materialism, and pride. While these matters may not threaten our very lives, they beckon us to turn our eyes and hearts from Christ. We must determine to glorify God today as well as in the endless days of eternity. One day the Antichrist will be revealed. While we believe this will not occur until after the rapture of the Church, the spirit of antichrist is at work in the world even today. So we must set our hearts on being faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ. Our perseverance will be tested. We should remember several principles when we are tempted to turn our attention from Christ: 1. Be alert, always seeking God for spiritual discernment. Satan is constantly on the prowl to derail us, often in subtle ways. 2. Be faithful in studying and applying God’s Word in preparation for present and future spiritual battles. 3. Keep an eternal perspective, remembering that the trials of today are temporary while the glories of heaven last forever. 4. Call on God, who stands ready to help and empower us when we call on His name. The powers of evil will test our faith in coming days. We must be prepared to respond with determination, reaffirming our commitment to Christ. As we await Christ’s return, the spirit of the antichrist is at work in our world. We battle this evil influence in two ways. First, we stand for Christ no matter the consequences. Second, we proclaim the gospel.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 21:13:00 +0000
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