The Anti-Christ

The following article was obtained through the website, Learn Religions, and written by Mary Fairchild.

What Does the Bible Say About the Antichrist?  

The Bible speaks of a mysterious character called the Antichrist, the false Christ, the man of lawlessness, or the beast. Scripture doesn't specifically name the Antichrist but does give us several clues as to what he will be like. By looking at the different names for the Antichrist in the Bible, we gain a better understanding of the kind of person he will be.     

Antichrist

The name "Antichrist" is only found in 1 John 2:18, 2:22, 4:3, and 2 John 7. The Apostle John was the only Bible writer to use the name Antichrist. Studying these verses, we learn that many antichrists (false teachers) will appear between the time of Christ's first and Second Coming, but there will be one great Antichrist who will rise to power during the end times, or "last hour," as 1 John phrases it. 

The Antichrist will deny that Jesus is the Christ. He will deny both God the Father and God the Son and will be a liar and a deceiver. First John 4:1-3 says:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this, you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming and is now already in the world." (NKJV)

By the end times, many will easily be deceived and embrace the Antichrist because his spirit will already dwell within the world.  

Man of Sin

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, the Antichrist is described as the "man of sin," or "son of perdition." Here the Apostle Paul, like John, warned believers about the Antichrist's ability to deceive:

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (NKJV)

The NIV Bible makes it clearer that a time of rebellion will come before Christ's return and then the "man of lawlessness, the man doomed to destruction," will be revealed. Eventually, the Antichrist will exalt himself above God to be worshiped in the Lord's Temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Verses 9-10 say that the Antichrist will do counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders, to gain a following and deceive many.   

The Beast

In Revelation 13:5-8, the Antichrist is referred to as "the beast:"

"Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven. And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered." (NLT)

We see "the beast" used for Antichrist several times in the book of Revelation.

The Antichrist will gain political power and spiritual authority over every nation on earth. He will most likely begin his rise to power as a very influential, charismatic, political or religious diplomat. He will rule the world government for 42 months. According to many eschatologists, this time frame is understood to be during the latter 3.5 years of the tribulation. During this period, the world will endure a time of unprecedented trouble.   

A Little Horn

In Daniel's prophetic vision of end days, we see "a little horn" described in chapters 7, 8 and 11. In the interpretation of the dream, this little horn is a ruler or king and speaks of the Antichrist. Daniel 7:24-25 says:

"The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time." (NIV)

According to some end times Bible scholars, Daniel's prophecy interpreted together with verses in Revelation, specifically point to a future world empire coming from a "revived" or "reborn" Roman Empire, much like the one in existence at the time of Christ. These scholars predict the Antichrist will emerge from this Roman race.

Joel Rosenberg, author of end times fiction (Dead Heat, The Copper Scroll, Ezekiel Option, The Last Days, The Last Jihad) and non-fiction (Epicenter and Inside the Revolution) books about Bible prophecy, bases his conclusions on extensive Scripture study including Daniel's prophecy, Ezekiel 38-39, and the book of Revelation. He believes the antichrist won't appear to be evil at first, but rather a charming diplomat. In a 2008 interview on CNN he said the Antichrist will be "somebody who understands the economy and the global sphere and wins people, a winsome character."

"No commerce will be done without his approval," said Rosenberg. "He will be seen as an economic genius, a foreign policy genius. And he will emerge out of Europe. Because Daniel chapter 9 says, the prince, who is to come, the antichrist, will come from people who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans. We are looking for someone of a reconstituted Roman Empire ..."   

False Christ

In the Gospels (Mark 13, Matthew 24-25, and Luke 21), Jesus warned his followers of terrible events and persecution that will occur before his Second Coming. Most likely, this is where the concept of an antichrist was first introduced to the disciples, although Jesus does not refer to him in the singular:

"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (Matthew 24:24, NKJV)

Conclusion                                                                                                                                                

Is the Antichrist alive today? He could be. Will we recognize him? Perhaps not at first. However, the best way to avoid being deceived by the spirit of the Antichrist is to know Jesus Christ and be ready for his return.

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The following article was obtained through End Time Ministries.

Understanding the Antichrist: Who He Is and Who He Is Not

With so many people asking, “Who is the Antichrist?” Endtime Ministries continues to teach an understanding of how to identify this political magnate among the many signs of the end time in current events.

As we move progressively closer to the end of the world, many people are wondering “Who is the Antichrist?” In fact, the term is used so much in today’s society—including many references made by popular culture—that many people may be starting to doubt the validity of his appearance. However, the Bible clearly prophesies who the Antichrist will be, when he will arrive, and what he will do.

Could the Antichrist be Pope Francis?

The short answer is “no.” The end of the world will involve Satan acting through two key figures, both the Antichrist and the False Prophet. The Antichrist will be a political leader, described in the Book of Revelation as “the Beast.” He will poison the minds of his followers with half-truths, false love, and, above all else, sheer charisma. Most importantly, he will gain much of his power and influence by being endorsed by the False Prophet, a mighty religious leader with nefarious goals.

Even if the current pope is not the False Prophet, the False Prophet will be pope of the Roman Catholic Church. His true mission will be to convince his followers that the Antichrist is a man deserving of respect and admiration. He will use his position as a religious figurehead to shepherd his flock into accepting the Antichrist in his mission of establishing a rebirth of the Holy Roman Empire.

What is the Difference between the Antichrist and the False Prophet?

There are two evil men involved in the end of the world and it is important to make the distinction between both individuals. The Antichrist will not be a religious leader, but an international political leader seeking to establish a new world government with the overwhelming support of a major religious leader, described in the Bible as the False Prophet. Under the guise of uniting all the people of the Earth under one, global, nation and religion, the two figureheads will attempt to strip humanity of its identity, freedoms, and suspicion, ushering in an age of blind acceptance.

It is becoming obvious that these two men will come to lead soon, as many events prophesied to occur before the end time are occurring as we speak. One clue from Revelation 13:13 is that the False Prophet will publicly pull fire down from heaven, indicating that God has given his approval to the political workings of the Antichrist, an act that will be celebrated and revered among the masses as a sign of the arrival of Jesus Christ as God’s Messiah. True believers, though, will know that this is the work of Satan himself. When this happens, we will be on our way to the Final Battle of Armageddon.

How Can We Prepare for the Antichrist?

It is important to understand that the reign of the Antichrist is a key indicator of the coming of God’s true kingdom. The Antichrist and his False Prophet will ultimately lose the war and become the catalyst of change that welcomes the Great Tribulation, the reign of Jesus Christ upon the Great White Throne, and the culmination of God’s plan for eternity.

The best way to prepare for the reign of the Antichrist, and the endtime, is to open your mind to the Word of God available in biblical prophecies. Endtime Ministries explains these prophecies so that others can come to know the truth of the Bible and understand the endtime. Tune in to Irvin Baxter’s podcast “Politics & Religion” for more information on who the Antichrist is, and to learn more signs of the end time through an informed, biblically accurate, discussion of today’s world events.

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FACTS about the ANTI-CHRIST as described in the Bible: 

• Intelligent: Revelation 13:18; Daniel 7:8.
• Charismatic Speaker: Daniel 7:8; Revelation 13:5.
• Crafty Politician: Daniel 9:27; Revelation 17:12, 13, 17.
• Distinct Physical Appearance: Daniel 7:20.
• Military Genius: Revelation 4; 17:14; 19:19.
• Economic Genius: Daniel 11:38.
• Blasphemer: Revelation 13:6.
• Utterly Lawless: 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
• Selfish, Ambitious Egomaniac: Daniel 11:36, 37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
• Greedy Materialist: Daniel 11:38.
• Controlling:  Daniel 7:25.
• Proud and Self-exalting Above God and Everything: Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians. 2:4.

Related articles:

The Rise and Fall of the Anti-Christ

Top 10 signs of the Anti-Christ in the End Times

10 Characteristics of the Anti-Christ

Antichrist | History, Characteristics, Symbols, & Facts