The Antichrist

Few Biblical topics arouse the interest of the general public like a study of the Antichrist. Several imaginative books and movies have been produced inspired by Biblical references to this powerful individual who, according to Scripture, will one day make his entrance onto the world stage.

For that reason, it is important that we try to remain close to the actual references to him from God’s Word. There is certainly a danger that our imagination will go beyond what God has really said.

I am using the title “Antichrist” because in our day that title has come to be the most commonly used name for this man. Other Biblical titles include “The Beast” (from Revelation chapters 13 and 17 and Daniel chapter 7) and “the Man of Sin” (from 2 Thessalonians 2).

It may be somewhat surprising to some Christians just how many details are given in God’s Word about this man. It may seem especially surprising to believers who assume that Jesus will come back to rapture the church before this man comes on the scene. If that is to be the case, then, of course, all these references to the Antichrist really do not relate to Christians of today—but only to saints who will come to know Christ during the tribulation. Most likely, however, God has given us these words so that Christians of all ages can be alert to the possibility that he will be revealed in their lifetime.

It seems that many Christians have a kind of “intuitive” understanding of the importance of knowing something about this man. Most of us seem to have a kind of God-given curiosity to learn as much about him as we can, until perhaps some well-meaning pastor or teacher persuades us that we don’t need to know such things, that we cannot understand such things, that such things really do not relate to us anyway, or that we have “gone off the deep end” when we attempt to study these things.

But God has given us these passages for a reason. It would be wise for us to try to realize why God caused these truths and prophecies to be written into His Word, and what practical value they might have for today’s church.

This paper will not be an exhaustive study of the Antichrist. But perhaps this introduction to the subject will stir up an appetite within you to do more personal Bible study on your own. God is always pleased when we are stirred to dig further into His Word!

So here are a few of the Biblical teachings concerning this man who will one day come on the scene. We cannot be sure when these things will begin to come to pass, but it could be during your lifetime! Be prepared!

The Appearance of the Antichrist is a Sign that the Events of the End Times are upon Us

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 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 2:1-4)

Paul had, of course, written to the Thessalonians about the coming of the Lord and our being gathered together to meet him with the resurrected saints in his first letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This had caused some of them to become so focused on rapture that they had assumed that they were already near the end of the age and that the rapture could occur at any moment. Some of them had even quit their jobs, believing that the return of Christ was imminent. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, reminds them that they should realize that these things cannot happen until the great apostasy (or rebellion) happens and until the man of sin be revealed.

A pretty strong case can be made that we are already experiencing the beginnings of the great apostasy. There are a growing number of people in our world today who call themselves Christians, but who have embraced—knowingly or unknowingly—the very antichristian religion of secular humanism.

But it would be hard to make the case that the man of sin has already been revealed. He may be alive now. But as I write these words, we don’t yet know who he is. And so, God gives us several passages in His Word that will help us identify him without mistake when he does come on the scene.

He Blasphemes God

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 there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:1, 5, 6)

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25)

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)

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36)

There will be no mistaking the wickedness of his evil nature by true Christians! He will be the epitome of what it means to be “anti-God!” From the Antichrist’s perspective, he himself is “God!” No wonder he is called blasphemous! It may be useful to remember that the very powerful religion of secular humanism that now holds sway in most of the wealthy nations of the world claims that “man is his own god.”

His Real Power Comes from Satan Himself

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 13:2)

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Daniel 8:24)

This fact will not be obvious, at first, to his followers. But it should be obvious to Christians.

Humanly, He Uses Intrigue and His Apparently Peaceful Intentions with a Small Group of People to Gain Power

And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries… And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people… And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. (Daniel 11:21, 23, 27)

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:23-25)

To many, he will seem like the one to solve all their problems. He will be an extremely skillful manipulator and political operator. But he will not gain his strength through a majority process. (Even though, perhaps, in his early days of power the majority will become convinced that he is the “right man at the right time” to bring the world peace and desperately needed economic stability.) (

Apparently He Will Have Been Supernaturally Brought Back to Life after Being Killed

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 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. 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. (Revelation 13:3, 12, 14)

Some Bible students believe this means that he only seems to be killed, or nearly killed. But the Greek words in this passage seem to indicate that he was actually killed and brought back to life. Some have also speculated that he may seem to be an apparent “reincarnation” of a great leader of the past who was killed. Others believe his slaying will occur during his rise to power at some future time from now. In any case, when he rises to power, this aspect will cause many to be filled with wonder at him. When he rises to power, all Christians who are familiar with this passage will understand.

Most of the People of the World Will Be Amazed by Him, Follow Him, and Even Worship Him

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:3-4)

He will seem so powerful and so amazing that most people will believe it to be futile to resist him. People will gladly recognize that he is the most important and most powerful person in the world. So they will willingly make him “number one” in their lives in order to have the apparent advantages of being part of his system.

His Power Will Seem to be Worldwide

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. (Daniel 7:23)

In fact, we know that there will be Christians throughout the world that do not become part of his system (see below). But to the casual observer, the news media, etc. his worldwide power will seem unchallengeable.

He Will Be Fiercely Opposed to God’s People and Will Persecute Them Intensely

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)

I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;… And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:21, 25)

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Daniel 8:24)

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.(Revelation 13:15)

And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, manydays….And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. (Daniel 11:33, 35)

Throughout recorded history, God’s people have experienced great persecution and martyrdom at the hands of satanic rulers (e.g., The Egyptian Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus Epiphanes, Herod the Great, Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin, just to name a few.) Even as I write these words, I know that I have brothers and sisters in Christ living in other lands that are experiencing the fiery trials of fierce and brutal persecution and martyrdom. The only difference during the reign of the man of sin will be that the persecution will be more extensive than ever. It will be worldwide. Christians should never live under a false illusion that they are somehow “exempt” from persecution or martyrdom. God uses these fiery trials to purify and refine His people as part of our preparation for eternity! Jesus reminded us to not fear those who are able to kill only the body. Ultimately, while we may experience physical pain and even death, we cannot be harmed!

The Time of His Power is Very Limited

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)

And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. (Daniel 8:14)

Of course, 3 ½ years may seem like a long time when one is in the middle of a fiery trial! But in light of eternity it is nothing! Christians who remember these words can take courage and, by the grace of God, endure persecution and even martyrdom because they know that the suffering will soon be over and they will forever be with the Lord! The principle is true for all suffering in any age. It is brief! It will soon be over! In Christ, we win!

The reference in Daniel 8 to the 2300 days (a little under 6 ½ years) may include about 3 years for him to consolidate his power. The last 3 ½ years will be the time of intense persecution of Christians.

He will Attempt to Control the World with His Economic Plan

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. 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 threescore and six. (Revelation 13:16-18)

We are not sure yet just what the “mark” will be like. And there is probably no way for us to understand what the numbers “666” refer to until the prophecy is fulfilled. (Many well-intentioned Christians have made many futile guesses in the past!) But it certainly will NOT be something that could be received “accidentally.” Those who choose to take part in his system will do so by renouncing all other allegiances, including the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Of course, true Christians will never renounce their Lord. Remember, the Antichrist demands “worship.” That means he requires that everyone who is part of his system be totally submitted to him and to no one else. When this happens, it will probably seem to most people that it is the only way the world can avoid economic collapse.

True Christians Will Refuse to Participate in His Plan, Because to Do So They Would Have to Renounce Jesus Christ

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-5)

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9, 13-14)

Of course, many will be put to death for their decision to be true to Jesus Christ. But it is a temporary problem. God will raise us back up after He has destroyed the Antichrist! It is also of interest to note that in Revelation 20, God calls this resurrection (a resurrection that obviously occurs afterthe great tribulation) the “first resurrection.” It seems likely that if Christians were going to be raised before the reign of the Antichrist, that this resurrection referred to in Revelation 20 would not likely be called the “first resurrection!”

It seems that while the Antichrist’s power covers the whole earth, there will be many Christians, perhaps scattered here and there, perhaps in smaller out-of-the-way communities, who refuse to renounce Christ and worship the beast. Many will be killed. Others will survive until the Lord returns.

A possible application of this truth might be that Christians who have the means to do so should give some thought and make some practical preparations that would allow them to continue to bear witness to the power of the Lord Jesus Christ for a time of His choosing during the reign of the Antichrist.

It is likely that the reason God has given us so much instruction about the end times is so that Christians who choose to do so can study His Word, recognize the end-times as they approach, and make preparations. These preparations could involve preparations to survive in the body for a time during the Antichrist’s reign, but certainly should involve spiritual and emotional preparation for possible times of persecution and martyrdom!

During the Antichrist’s Reign, Many Christians Will Be Used by God to Instruct Others, Until Their Time Is Completed

And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. (Daniel 11:33-34)

Here is another reason Christians should become prepared to fight a good fight during the reign of the Antichrist. God has already told us that He will use “those who understand” to instruct others during this terrible time. He will provide supernatural help as needed for these Christians to continue to serve Him. But we will not be able to instruct others if we are not well equipped with the knowledge of God’s Word! We must use the time we have now to become equipped and prepared students of the Scriptures!

The Antichrist Will “Team-up” with a Powerful Spiritual Advisor

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. 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. (Revelation 13:11-15)

This “false prophet” will have amazing supernatural powers. Those who are not Christians will be overwhelmed at the amazing powers demonstrated by the Antichrist and his close “spiritual advisor.” It will be very easy for those who reject Jesus Christ to be horribly deceived.

The Antichrist will Participate in Some Kind of Alliance with Ten Other Rulers, Three of Whom He Will Overthrow

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. (Revelation 13:1)

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns… And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns…. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Revelation 17:3, 7, 12-13)

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things…. And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows…. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. (Daniel 7:7-8, 20, 24)

Again, it is impossible for us to predict exactly who these kings might be ahead of time. Many have tried. The point is that when these things come to pass, those who are familiar with God’s Word and with these prophecies will recognize the fulfillment. These events will help us recognize beyond question who this man really is.

Eventually, He Will No Longer Need the False Religion That Helped Him Consolidate His Power and Will Destroy It

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns… And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns…. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:3, 7, 16)

It will be clear to all that the “religion” and the “miracles” were merely Satanic tools that the Antichrist used to achieve total control over the unbelievers of the world.

The Antichrist Will Be Greatly Hampered by Two of God’s Powerful Servants until He Has Them Put to Death

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, [i.e., 3 ½ years] clothed in sackcloth. 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. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (Revelation 11:3-7)

Notice that these two servants of God cannot be hurt until God has finished using them to bear witness to His truth and power. Then and only then does God allow them to be killed by the Antichrist. Of course, God will raise them back to life—as He will raise all His children back to life!

He Will Seat Himself, as if He Were God, in the Temple of God

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months (i.e., 3 ½ years). (Revelation 11:1-2)

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. (Daniel 9:27)

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Daniel 11:31)

And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days (~ 3 ½ years). (Daniel 12:11)

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (Matthew 24:15-16)

Some Bible students see this “temple” as symbolic, pointing out that in New Testament times no building can really be the temple of God, since God now dwells inside us. (Our bodies are called His “temples.” And the church, as a body of believers, is called His “temple.”)

Other students see these things as events that have already occurred as historical events many centuries ago.

I personally am inclined to take these verses more literally and believe that before the end comes, God will allow Israel to rebuild a temple which is a physical building, which conservative Jews will dedicate to God, only to be horrified when the Man of Sin uses it to try to prove that he himself is the only god there is.

When Christ Returns to Reign, the Antichrist Will Resist Him. But the Antichrist Will Be Destroyed!

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 (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

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 19:19-20)

And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25)

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is….And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (Revelation 17:8,11)

Christians living during these times will take great courage from these words! The Antichrist may seem to be awesomely powerful at the moment. But his time is very limited. The Lord Jesus Christ will soon return and destroy him! (

Conclusion

There are other things God teaches us in His Word about the Antichrist. He gives us more details that will help Christians identify him and the progress of his 3 ½ year reign of terror. You can learn more of these details by reading Daniel chapters 7, 8, and 11; 2 Thessalonians chapter 2; Revelation chapters 13-20, and Matthew chapter 24.

Don’t be intimidated from reading these passages just because Christians cannot all agree about what the details may mean. God intends for us to study His Word, even if we cannot understand everything just yet.

Isaac Newton was one of the most brilliant men who ever lived. He was a great scientist. (He invented calculus so that he could describe the motions associated with the force of gravitation!) He was also a brilliant student of God’s Word. (By the way, he happened to be a posttribulationalist.) Newton once wrote these wise words about these Biblical prophecies: “God gave the prophecies, not to gratify men’s curiosity by enabling them to foreknow things, but that after they were fulfilled they might be interpreted by the event, and His own providence, not the interpreters, be thereby manifested to the world.”

Christians need to be familiar with these prophecies. When they begin to unfold before our eyes, we will see God’s hand at work in history and prophecy, understand what we need to understand, and give glory to Him.

Meanwhile, we can learn enough from them to be prepared!

There is coming a time of great tribulation. There is coming a brief but intense time of great worldwide persecution upon the children of God. Be prepared! But be of good cheer! Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming back! And we shall rise up to meet Him! And by His grace we shall live with Him forever!

Jesus did not promise that we would escape tribulation. But He did promise us victory over it! Never forget His words: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)

Steve Hall

December 2004