By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #78 ~
The most wicked and evil man ever, one called the Antichrist, will soon be ruling this world. There’s a whole lot in the Bible about this godless man, which means he’s an important subject, especially for the church, for she will still be on earth during his devilish rule. What does the Bible tell us about this end-times’ “antichrist” (1 John 2:18), this “Beast” (Revelation 13:3-8), this “man of lawlessness?” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
It tells us about his purpose. The desire of the Antichrist is to carry out the work of that murdering devil. This beast of a man will rule the world, bring a pseudo-peace, blaspheme God and Christ, persecute Jews and Christians, and be worshiped by unbelievers. The world will, being greatly deceived, will love this most hateful man. Revelation 13:4, 8
It tells us about his power. Revelation 13:2 says, “the dragon gave him his power and throne and great authority.” The Antichrist will seemingly be raised from the dead, and be possessed by Satan, whose goal is for him to usurp the rightful rule of Christ. Be assured that our sovereign God is in control, and will use the Antichrist to “execute His purpose… until the words of God will be fulfilled.” Revelation 19:17
It tells us about his authority. “Authority over every tribe, people, tongue and nation was given to him” (Revelation 13:7). This evil impostor will be the head of a one-world religion, for “the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast” (Revelation 13:3). He will be commander of the military, for no one is able “to wage war with him” (Revelation 13:4). He will control the economy, for “no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark… of the beast.” Revelation 13:17
It tells us about his character. This Antichrist will be the most vile, lawless, corrupt, perverted and God-hating man this world has ever seen. He will be super-proud, boastful, smooth-talking and mesmerizing, a devil of a man. “He will be insolent and skilled in intrigue… and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree.” Daniel 8:23-24
It tells us about his partner. There’s another beast, another extremely wicked man, a false prophet who is teamed up with the Antichrist. This second beast will “exercise all the authority of the first beast,” and will make those who “dwell on the earth to worship the first beast.” He will “perform great signs,” and will cause most of the unbelievers to take the mark of the beast, the mark of the Antichrist. Revelation 13:11-17
It tells us about his persecution of the church. The rapture of the church occurs at Christ’s coming, which takes place after the coming of the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:1, 8-9). Therefore, the church will be on earth during the rule of the Antichrist, and be greatly persecuted by this most powerful pawn of the devil. If you are alive at that time, you will know that he “makes war against the saints” (Revelation 13:7). The evil forces aligned with him “will deliver you (Christians) to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9). But don’t be afraid, for “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). And remember, Jesus Christ will be “with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
It tells us about his time on earth. At the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27), this coming Antichrist will confirm a peace treaty with Israel. He will then take control of ten kingdoms, his power base by which he will rule the world. In Jerusalem, at the midpoint of this 70th week, he will be revealed to all as the Antichrist, the one “who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” This is the “abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), for the Antichrist desecrates the very temple of God. There was given to him “authority to act for 42 months” (Revelation 13:5), the last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week. But during that 70th week, at a time unknown to us, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, will return. He will rapture the Christians, and then pour out His wrath upon the world, resulting in the Antichrist’s authority being greatly diminished. Shortly after the end of Daniel’s 70th week, at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:20), the Antichrist and the other beast will be seized, and “thrown alive into the lake of fire.” They will get what they deserve, for they will forever be “tormented with fire and brimstone.” Revelation 14:10
I believe millions and millions of Christians will be alive on earth during this short reign of the Antichrist. If you are one of those chosen by God to be here at that time, see it as a great privilege and opportunity to be part of His special forces. Pray for Christ’s kingdom to come. Share the gospel. Encourage the saints. Live for Him, and be willing to die for Him. “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Yes, there will be this great struggle against the “world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness” but we have God’s promise: “They (Christians) overcame him (Satan) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). Finally, “be looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13
P.S. As you know, the subject of the Antichrist is a very important one for the Christian to understand. That’s why I have already written a shorter post, The Antichrist is Coming Soon, and It’s Before the Coming of Christ, and a longer and more comprehensive article, The Coming of the Antichrist, the Devil’s Man on Earth. When you get time, I encourage you to sit down and read them.
P.S.S That “blood moon” taking place today (7/27/2018) has nothing to do with the signs in the heavens, spoken of in Matthew 24:29. That’s because the cosmic disturbances described in that verse (also in Revelation 6:12-14), will be occurring after the Antichrist is revealed, which takes place at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week. Read What Needs to Happen Before Christ’s Return (Post 70).