L & T of the AC Part 5: The False Prophet

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE ANTICHRIST

PART 5

THE FALSE PROPHET

 

The figure known as the “False Prophet” is also called the “second beast” in Revelation chapter 13.  His prophesied role is generally allocated as the agent or press secretary to the beast (antichrist), although he does other things for the beast.  The prophet is only mentioned in the book of the Revelation as far as scripture is concerned.

 

The false prophet is presented as “coming up out of the earth” as opposed to “rise up out of the sea” as does the beast (antichrist).  He has two horns like a lamb but speaks as a dragon.  The horns may represent authority but they lack crowns as found on the 10 horns of the beast, thus his authority is not political.  Some commentators claim the two horns are a symbol of power which gives him a religious look or an impersonation of Jesus.  He is most likely attempting to appear as a genuine lamb (religious person), but is merely a wolf in “sheep’s clothing” because he speaks as a dragon.  He will be a deceiver and the ultimate false prophet.  Satan and the dragon are usually considered as synonymous and he has the power of the first beast: “ And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him”  (Rev 13:12 KJV)

 

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.  (Revelation 13:11 KJV)

 

It is my opinion that the false prophet (or second beast) will claim to be the prophet Elijah, who was taken up in a whirlwind and is prophesied to return.  John the Baptist was heralded as a forerunner of Elijah in the gospels, but the Jews do not accept this explanation and are still awaiting his return.

 

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:   (Malachi 4:5 KJV)

 

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.   (Isaiah 40:3 KJV)

 

The idea of a return of Elijah is a major concept of Judaism.  Jewish cultural customs include:  a chair set for him at circumcision ceremonies; and a fifth cup set for him at the Passover meal.  According to a Jewish encyclopedia:  Elijah will verify the Messiah; he will resolve all disputes in Jewish law; and he will resolve all questions brought to him.  Another section of the encyclopedia states:  “When the archangel Michael blows the trumpet, Elijah will appear with the Messiah, whom he will present to the people.  They will ask of Elijah, as an attestation of his mission, that he raise the dead before their eyes….”

 

It could be (and most likely will be) that the false prophet (as Elijah) will appear to raise the dead antichrist (ben Joseph) to life as the final beast (ben David)  (link for more details of the two antichrist personas:)     /prophecy/2014/10/the-life-and-times-of-the-antichrist-part-3-2464816.html)  

 

Revelation 13:13 states that the false prophet will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men.  Although not often mentioned, verse 14 hints that he appears to do other miracles as well (in the sight of the beast).

 

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; (Revelation 13:13-14 KJV)

 

Elijah is the only known Old Testament prophet to call fire down from heaven, which he did on three occasions.  With this single action,  the false prophet will establish himself as the returned Elijah, and he will then endorse the beast as the Jewish messiah, who they have been awaiting for around 2000 years since the claim of Jesus.

 

Later in the action, there will be an appearance of the two witnesses.  One of the witnesses is thought to be Elijah by many commentators.  Although the two witnesses first appear in Rev. 11:3, they are part of the 6^th trumpet judgment which is the “wrath of God” section and therefore they surface after the initial appearance of the beast and the false prophet.

 

Not only can the two witnesses emit fire from their mouths, they can also shut the sky from rain, turn waters into blood, and smite the earth with any type of plague.

 

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.   (Revelation 11:5-6 KJV)

 

Many commentators claim that one of the witnesses is Elijah due to the fire issue, but, if that is the case, the residents of Jerusalem at that time don’t think so.  The beast eventually kills the witnesses; their dead bodies lie in the street for three and one-half days; earth dwellers rejoice, make merry, and send gifts to one another because they consider the prophets as tormentors.

 

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.   (Revelation 11:9-10 KJV)

 

The false prophet also tells earth dwellers to make an image of the beast; he has the power to give life to the image so that it can speak; he sentences death to any person who will not worship the image of the beast; and he places a mark, on the right hand or forehead to all who do worship the image which gives the marked the authority to buy or sell.

 

As stated in Part 3 of this series -  it is my opinion this mark will not be some secret, esoteric microchip or DNA alteration.  It will not sneak up on you.  It will be by choice and those receiving it will be aware of the mark because they will voluntarily worship the image of the beast. 

 

What does 666 mean?  I have no idea and neither does anyone else.

 

 

Jewish Expectations of a Messiah

/prophecy/2014/10/jewish-expectations-of-a-messiah-2464752.html

 

The Life and Times of the Antichrist Part 1

/prophecy/2014/10/the-life-and-times-of-the-antichrist-part-1-2464780.html

 

The Life and Times of the Antichrist Part 2

/prophecy/2014/10/the-life-and-times-of-the-antichrist-part-2-2464790.html

 

The Life and Times of the Antichrist Part 3

/prophecy/2014/10/the-life-and-times-of-the-antichrist-part-3-2464816.html

 

The Life and Times of the Antichrist Part 4 Islamic Eschatology

/prophecy/2014/10/l-t-of-the-ac-part-4-integrating-islam-eschatology-2464854.html

 

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