By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #42 ~
The most wicked, vile, evil man ever, will soon be ruling over this world. This man is the Antichrist, also called the Beast, the man of lawlessness, or the little horn. He will hate God and Jesus Christ with a devilish passion, and therefore hate His people, both Jews and Christians. Now I’m not here to scare you, I just want you to know the truth.
Since the Jews are back in their land, we know we’re living in the end times, and now in 2019, we’re in that time period Matthew 24:8 calls the “beginning of birth pains.” That is, wars, earthquakes, famines and economic problems are taking place in various places around the world. But we’re only at the beginning stage, which means they will be getting a lot worse. And what comes next? Matthew 24:9 says, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” This is why I say Antichrist is coming soon, because this tribulation, which is instigated and directed by the Antichrist, clearly comes right after the “beginning of birth pains.”
Some of you may not want to hear this, or believe this, for you don’t even want to think about the possibility that you and your family may be alive when this Hitler-like Antichrist is ruling this earth. But as a Christian, you need to know what God wants you to know. And what does the Bible say about the Antichrist? It’s Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24-27) that helps you to frame this end-times’ picture of the Antichrist and his evil work.
Right at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, there will be the signing or confirming of a peace agreement involving the Jews, and the Antichrist will be the key player promoting this deal. During the first half of this 70th week, these “birth pains” will be increasing in intensity and frequency. People will be so distraught with these worsening world conditions that they will be desperate for some strong leader to rise up and solve these global problems. During this time, this future Antichrist will be growing in popularity, power and influence, eventually gaining control over 10 different countries.
Then we come to the 3½ year mark, the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9 tells us that the Antichrist is in Jerusalem, and he breaks this peace agreement with the Jews, for he “exalts himself above every so called god… so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as God.” The Jews were sacrificing in their temple, but no more. This “abomination of desolation,” this desecration of the temple, is when Christians will know for certain the identity of the Antichrist, for this is exactly what God had predicted would happen. But the good news is that they know it won’t be long before the true Christ returns to rapture the church. Matthew 24:15-26
At the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, the unbelievers are so happy, for the Antichrist, the answer to all their problems, is now ruling the world. He is in charge of the military, the economy and religion, and he will be their “god.” This smart, well dressed, good looking, smooth talking super-man will bring a pseudo peace to this planet. And Satan is super-happy, for now both he and the Antichrist are being worshiped. “The whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast, they worshiped the Dragon (Satan)… and they worshiped the beast.” Revelation 13:3-6
The Antichrist will be in power, in charge, but it’s his evil partner, this false prophet, who implements his plan. By doing great signs and wonders this 2nd beast will further deceive the masses and gain their allegiance. Then he will make people worship an image of the Antichrist, and if they don’t, then they are to be killed. He will force people to take his mark on their right hand or forehead, and if they don’t, they won’t be able to buy or sell. But please, don’t be afraid, for true Christians will not and cannot worship the Antichrist or take his mark. Revelation 13:11-18, 14:9-13
What happens to the Christians? Revelation 13:7 says, “It was given to him (the Antichrist) to make war with the saints and to overcome them.” This is what is called great tribulation. Matthew 24:9, 15-26 and Revelation 12:13-17 describe how the Antichrist first comes after the Jews in Israel, but a remnant of them will escape and be protected. But this Antichrist, as mad as the devil, now comes chasing after the Christians. Many Christians will be martyred for their faith (Revelation 6:9-11), but a great many will persevere and endure to the end, and then be raptured at the coming of Christ. Matthew 24:9-14
That the devil’s man, this Antichrist, will soon be ruling this world, is a most sobering subject. But this is God’s plan, and who are we to argue with God? Isn’t it also true that many of our Christian forefathers have had the privilege of suffering for the Lord? It’s our time, and so let’s continue to serve our Lord in this great battle for the truth, right up to the end of this age. And let’s be singing, “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.” Remember, God is God, and He will lead you, encourage you and use you for His purposes – and one day, whether by death or by rapture, He will bring you home to heaven.
P.S. Here is another shorter post about the Antichrist – That Evil Antichrist and His Short Rule on Earth. I also encourage you to read a more extensive article about the Antichrist.