Understanding the Antichrist--The Beast of Revelation (Article + Video Teaching)

The Antichrist—The Beast of Revelation (A video teaching on this subject is provided at the end of the article)

Guiding Scripture: “…And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion and the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2)      

 

The Antichrist is the Beast of the book of Revelation. He is evil personified—indwelt by Satan, ruthless and intent on destroying all that God loves. A dichotomy of character will allow this monster to garner support and move into power. He will at once, charm the crowds while planning to kill millions. He will solve global problems and appear to be good, but his agenda is evil. He will lead in brokering a peace covenant with Israel, but is not a man of peace and will, in fact, usher in a period of war that will kill billions. He is the personification of evil, a real-life Dr. Jekyll, and Mr. Hyde, or perhaps the nefarious Lex Luthor—wise, polished, and powerful, but malevolent and merciless. This article will provide a biblically-based overview of the coming Antichrist–the arch-enemy of all that is good.

The Antichrist is the Beast of the book of Revelation, and the foremost villain in history. He is evil personified. There are more than eighty references to him in Scripture—none are positive. It is true the Antichrist will be attractive, politically savvy, and wise. These qualities are quickly overwhelmed by his vicious ruthlessness; and his hatred of God, His plan, and His people. The scope of the pain and suffering he will inflict on the world will have no equal. The Antichrist will be a man but will be indwelt by Satan.

 

The Biblical Foundation for the Term Antichrist:

An antichrist is one who opposes the will of Christ.  However, during the tribulation period, a great deceiver and enemy of Christ will appear (and reign) on the earth. This individual is known as the “Abomination of Desolation” and the Antichrist.

 

Before proceeding, it is important to clarify the term “antichrist.” According to the epistles of John, an antichrist is one who opposes the teachings of Christ. In this sense, many can be an antichrist—in fact, anyone who hinders the ‘Great Commission’ work and opposes the things of God is an antichrist. However, Scripture notes that during the Tribulation period, a world leader will arise. The world will praise him for leading in brokering a peace covenant in the middle east and solving many complex global issues. In time he will gain control of global and economic systems. Though he will claim to be divine, he is, in fact, demonic—indwelt by Satan. He is the Antichrist. This article profiles that individual, the Antichrist of the Tribulation period. This article will differentiate him from antichrists throughout history by referencing him with a capital “A” in his title.

• “…Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 7).
• “…Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” (1 John 4:3).

 

The Timing of His Coming:

•  “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

•  “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).  

•  He will “confirm a covenant” for seven years. (Daniel 9:27)

 

His Character/Nature:

•  The Antichrist will be a great deceiver. Displays of power, signs, and wonders will embolden his claim to be an agent of good (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

•  Scripture notes that seven kings or rulers will precede the Antichrist (Revelation 17:11; Daniel 5). The empire of the Antichrist will be similar to, but different from, past empires which embraced paganism and persecuted God’s people.

• The Antichrist will be a man (Daniel 7:24-25).
• The Antichrist will have a fierce countenance (Daniel 8:23).
• His look will be “stouter than his fellows” (Daniel 7:20). This can have several meanings. It could mean the Antichrist will be larger in stature than others, older than others, have a greater following than others, or is of higher military or political rank than others, or that he is more qualified than others.

   

Peculiar Aspects to His Rule:

•  A miracle-working partner, the false prophet, will support and exalt the Antichrist (Revelation 13:11-12).

•  The Antichrist will be unusually wise and cunning (Daniel 8:23).

•  The Antichrist will prosper in everything that he does (Daniel 8:24).  

•  The Antichrist will not regard the desire of women (Daniel 11:37).

•  The Antichrist will sit in the temple of God and claim to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

•  The Antichrist “will cause craft to prosper” (Daniel 8:25).           It is interesting to note the definition of the word “craft” here. The word in the original Hebrew text is mirmah (‘meer-maw’), meaning deceiving; fraud, deceit, false, feigned, guile, and treachery. 

•  Revelation 17:8 notes that the Antichrist “was, and is not, and yet is.” Many believe this to be a reference to his overcoming an apparently fatal wound. Some understand this to refer to a revived political career or empire. 

• “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The world was filled with wonder and followed the beast” (Revelation 13:3).

 

The Early Years of His Rule:

• The Antichrist will arise from among ten kings (Daniel 7:8)  
• The Antichrist will oversee a ten-nation union, perhaps a form of a revived Roman Empire (Daniel 2:44).
• The Antichrist will uproot three kings from the ten-nation union noted above (Daniel 7:8).
• The Antichrist will ascend to power on a platform of peace (Daniel 8:25).
• The Antichrist will form a world government, which he will dominate (Revelation 13:1-2).
• The Antichrist will rule a “mighty and strong kingdom” (Daniel 7:7).
• The Antichrist will “have power over all nations” (Revelation 13:7).
• The Antichrist will lead great armies (Daniel 11:31).
• The Antichrist “will plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain” (Daniel 11:45). Perhaps the Antichrist will set up small fortifications between the sea and Jerusalem.

 

 

The Final Years of His Rule:

• The Antichrist will have an image made after him (Revelation 15:2).
• The Antichrist will assume complete control over the world government 3 1/2 years after he confirms the covenant with Israel. He then will continue to reign for 42 months (Revelation 13:5).
• The Antichrist will endorse the setting-up of the “Abomination of Desolation” (an image unto himself that all are forced to worship). This event signals the beginning of the final 42 months and the commencement of the period called the “Great Tribulation” (Daniel 9:27).
• The Antichrist will forbid daily sacrifices in the Temple (Daniel 11:31).
• The Antichrist will control the ability to buy and sell, and force all to prove allegiance to him by taking the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:11).
• The Antichrist will seek to kill Jews and Christians (Daniel 12:7).
• The Antichrist will wage war against Israel—culminating in the battles of Armageddon (Rev. 6-19).

-  The focus of his rage will be God’s people, Israel and Jerusalem: “Behold, a day is coming…when the nations [will] gather against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle…”  (Zechariah 14:1-2).

His Fate:

• The Antichrist will stand against the Prince of princes (Daniel 8:25).
• Christ will consume the Antichrist, and all enemies of God with the “spirit of his mouth,” which is the Word of God (2 Thessalonians 2:8).
• The Antichrist will be “cast alive into the lake of fire” (Revelation 19:20).
• The Antichrist will be “tormented day and night forever” (Revelation 20:10).

Summary:

The Antichrist is an actual person (not a symbol of evil) who will seek to control government, the economy, and religion. He will be responsible for persecution, war, pain, and suffering.  But there is hope—His name is Jesus the Christ. Consider this: The focus of the book of Revelation is not the power of the Antichrist, but the power of God. The book of Revelation does not center on the victories of Satan but the ultimate victory of God through His son Jesus.  Yes, evil men and movements will come—there will be battles—but God and good will prevail. Scripture notes that Jesus is the Victor and that those who believe in Him will share in His victory (1 Corinthians 15:57). 

 

Turbulent times are coming—the Antichrist is coming, but help is available; His name is Jesus Christ. There is a spiritual battle swirling about us—it will profoundly impact the earth in the days to come. The only hope is to align with Jesus and seek safety, strength, and salvation in Him. God will judge humans who, out of fear, ignorance, or false hope, decide to stand with the Antichrist. Receiving his mark may sound like a prudent economic decision. It may seem rather innocent to acknowledge the world leader as god in public, yet privately believe in the God of the Bible and His Son Jesus in your heart. These may sound like benign decisions, but they are not. They are decisions that determine your eternal destiny. Receiving the mark of the Antichrist is an unalterable decision to reject God and His offer of salvation, forgiveness, and Heaven. The wise will seal their eternal fate now. It does not require money or special education—but there is a cost. You must surrender your will, your priorities, and your life to God. You must believe in Him, and then accept Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior. You must allow Him to lead, and you must faithfully follow. You must confess your sins to Him, and you must both accept His forgiveness and forgive others. From these decisions flow forgiveness, joy, hope, and the promise of eternity in Heaven.