The Antichrist |
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In chapters 12-14, as we have seen, the focus is on the characters of the Tribulation Period. We have looked at the Woman who represents Israel, at the Man-child who represents Jesus, and the Red Dragon who represents Satan. In this study we want to look at the fourth character highlighted in this section and that is the antichrist.
I have often been amazed at those who claim they know who the idenity of the antichrist. I think of one example. In a book by Herbert R. Stephen Hanchett, he says that George Bush is the Antichrist. He writes, “The violence and destruction that began when George W. Bush first entered office, is now certain to culminate in the apocalypse, as predicted in the Bible over 2,000 years ago.” He uses the process of Gematria (counting up the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in a word or name) to come to his conclusion. Supposedly if you add the letters in George Bush’s name it comes out to 666. I am sure that are a few Democrats that would agree with him. By the way, using the same process the same works out for Napoleon and Adolf Hitler.
Although many names and suggestions have been given to the identity of the antichrist, the simple truth is, no one really knows the identity of the antichrist. I do believe that it is very possible that he is alive today. Yet, I think anyone is out in left field when they attempt to identify who he is.
As we look at Revelation 13 we are given a glimpse of the antichrist. Let me point out a few things that we see about this important Tribulation character. First, notice with me:
1. THE SATANIC AUTHORITY OF THE ANTICHRIST
Let me say at the very beginning that the antichrist is a real person. He is more than some symbolic character. He is a real person that one day will exercise power upon the earth. As well, he is a representative person. He will be Satan’s Superman and the Devils Messiah. He will represent in human flesh all that the devil is and will carry out his diabolical purposes.
He is called the “Little horn” in Daniel 7:7-8. He is, as we saw in an earlier study, is the “rider of the white horse” in Revelation 6:2. He is called the “man of sin” and the “son of perdition” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. When we see him in Revelation 13 we find him in verse 1 as a “beast” rising from the sea. The sea is symbolic of the masses of people. In Revelation 17:15 we read “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” The antichrist was rise from the peoples, multitudes and nations of the world.
During the early days of the Tribulation Period, the antichrist will rise to power as a political leader of a one world government. There will come a day when all the nations of the world will form a union and the antichrist will be the head and leader of this union. He will be a man of great and unprecedented authority in the world.
In verse 1 we see:
A) The Symbols of His Authority
We see the antichrist having "seven heads." In 17:9 we see that these seven heads are seven mountains. Many believe that these seven mountains refer to the city of Rome and the antichrist will bring about a revival of Roman Empire. It is believed by most that the formation of the European Union is prelude to the revival of the Roman Empire.
We also see that he has "ten horns." In 17:12 we see that seven horns are ten kingdoms. Many believe that these are the ten kingdoms that make up the Roman Empire. He is also seen as having "ten crowns" upon the ten horns. These crowns no doubt refer to the rulers and political leaders of the ten nations.
In verse 2 we see further symbols of his authority. We read that he “was like” and “as” certain creatures. In verse 2 we him compared to three animals; the leopard, bear and lion. In Daniel 7 we find that these features are associated with the “little horn” and there are depicted as the empires of the world. The first empire was the Babylonian Empire, whom Daniel described as a lion. The lion is a creature with a ravenous appetite and incredible strength and is a fitting symbol of the Babylonian Empire.
The second empire was Medo-Persia and is represented by the Bear because of its massive strength and powerful claws to crush it victims. As before, it is a fitting symbol to describe how the Medo-Persian kings ruled the world. The third empire was the Greek Empire represented by the Leopard because of its rapid movement in conquering the world. The combination of all these symbols speaks of how the antichrist will combine all the strengths of these world empires into his one world empire.
We also see:
B) The Source of His Authority
Daniel saw a fourth
beast. We read in Daniel 7:7, "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." This fourth beast was the antichrist. Daniel saw him as
one who is exceedingly strong and with great power. In Revelation
13:2 we find the source of his strength and power. We read that
"the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."
The devil will give him his power, his throne, and the great authority he will have. He will be set up and backed by Satan. The devil will be behind his emergence and rise to a place of prominence and power in the world. He will be a man that will operate by SATANIC AUTHORITY.
Furthermore, we see:
2. THE SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE ANTICHRIST
The antichrist will be aided in his rise to world power because he will be accepted and embraced by the world. Historian/Author Arnold Toynbee said, “By forcing on mankind more and more lethal weapons, and at the same time making the world more and more interdependent economically, technology has brought mankind to such a degree of distress that we are ripe for the deifying of any new Caesar who might succeed in the giving the world unity and peace.” The conditions of the world will be ripe for one man to take the reins of world leadership and control.
He will become a name recognized by the world, quickly rising the political ladder. He will be widely, eagerly accepted by the leaders and masses of the world. He will solve the Middle East problem, a problems that many world leaders have attempted to solve, but fell short in the process. The Bible tells us that he will bring about a peace treaty in the Middle East bringing to an end the hostilities in the most troublesome spot on the face of the earth. With all the problems that even now exist in the Middle East, and all the failures at attempts to bring peace, you can see why he will win the world’s respect.
As we look closer we see how he will:
A) Fascinate the World
In verse 3 we read of how "and all the world wondered after the beast." The word "wonder" means "to marvel." He … fascinated by him. The cause of this fascination is explained. John says, "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed." There are two widely held views as to what is meant.
The death referred to is the death of the Roman Empire in the past, and the healing of the wound is his ability to raise back up the Roman Empire. After the death of the Roman Empire, many have tried to revive it, such as Charlemagne and Napoleon. There have been others who had similar dreams, Mussolini, Hitler, etc. But none have been able to do so, however the antichrist will accomplish what others failed to do. As a kid we often sang the little song “Humpty Dumpty." You remember the words. "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the kings horses and all the kings men, could not put Humpty together again.” The song was actually written about the fall of the Roman Empire and the efforts of people to put it back together again. The antichrist will put it back together again. The second view is that the antichrist will imitate a counterfeit resurrection from the dead. At some time he will be seriously wounded on the head. It will appear to be a fatal wound and there will be the announcement that he is dead. Being one so popular, you can imagine how the world will mourn. But then his propaganda machine will churn out the news of his resurrection from the dead. Jesus said in Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." The antichrist will be one that deceive the world by "great signs and wonders." A fabricated resurrection from the dead would be a story that would give credence to many of his claims, such as being the Christ. The world will be in the palm of his hand. They will be absolutely fascinated with him. The world’s fascination with him will make it easy for him to carry out his agenda.
Furthermore, we see how he will:
B) Captivate the World
We read in verse 4, "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?" The world will not only be fascinated by him, but will actually worship him. They will praise him and lift him up. Both the antichrist and Satan will be worshipped by the world. Just as the Father receives worship through the Son, the devil will receive worship through the beast (antichrist). He will not only have the world eating out of his hand but also falling at his feet.
We read in verse 8 "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." All the lost people of the world we be deceived by him and look to him as God. He will be their god. The world will be captivated by him.
Notice thirdly:
3. THE SPIRITUAL ASSAULT OF THE ANTICHRIST
The antichrist will bring about a peace treaty. This will be part of the reason he fascinates and captivates the world. But afterwards, his real colors start to show. In the middle of the tribulation he will break that treaty. By this time the temple will have been rebuilt and sacrifices are once again are being offered. He will take control of the temple and sit in it proclaiming himself as God, as well as declaring war against the Jewish people.
In verse 1 we read that “upon his heads" is "the name of blasphemy.” As the antichrist is anti-God and vents his hatred of God and His Christ against the Jewish people. This blasphemy is demonstrated in his words and the war he brings.
First, notice:
A) The Objective of His Words
We read in verses 5-6, "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." The antichrist will no doubt be a brilliant speaker and scintillating orator. I think of Hitler, who was a remarkable speaker that captivated the minds of the German people. He spread his evil propaganda with such brilliant and skillful speeches he whipped the whole nation into a frenzy. He once said, “You say something long enough and loud enough and people will eventually believe you.”
In the case of the antichrist the objective of his words is "to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." The word "blasphemies" and "blaspheme" speak of vilification, railing, evil speaking. HIs objective will be to turn people against God.
Furthermore, we see:
B) The Object of His War
We read in verse 7, "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." Those that are the object of his war is the "saints." This is all the saved people on the earth. He will be a future Hitler, but his target will not be limited to Jews, but anyone who names the name of Christ. I can imagine that he will have his own concentration camps, gas chambers and furnaces.
The actions of the antichrist is in reality the devils last fling. He will drink his fill of the blood of martyrs. However we read in verse 10, "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." The devil through the antichrist will have his way on the earth, but there is a payday coming for them both, as we will see in future studies.
Who is the antichrist? I have no idea. But one day he will rise from sea and take control of the world. You just have to watch current events to see that stage is being set for such a person. |