Chapter Six - The Anti-christ
1. INTRODUCTION
What a glorious experience it will be for the Church, the bride of Christ, to be transported to meet her heavenly Bridegroom, the Lord of glory, in the air! But by the same token, what tragedy and despair for the lost who are left behind! They have spurned the Son of God. They will now be exposed to the frightful regime of Antichrist!
At the rapture of the Church the Holy Spirit's restraint will be removed. "There is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:7). We believe that this One is the Spirit of God, Whose presence in the world today prevents the full development of lawlessness. And although He will work mightily on earth after the translation of the Church, there will be a lifting of His control over political and religious ungodliness. This will clear the way for Satan to mastermind his end-time conspiracy.
The topic of the "Antichrist" will be further discussed in the study of the book of Revelation.
1.1 Definition of "Antichrist"
The name "Antichrist" has not appeared in Daniel or in the book of Revelation. The Bible uses the term only in John's writings (1 John 2:18, 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 7). Bible teachers are not agreed as to which of the prophetic characters should bear the title. The question, "Who is the Antichrist?" can be answered in different ways - indeed, the Bible says there are "many antichrists" (1 John 2:18).
The word Antichrist can be understood to mean either against Christ or instead of Christ. Several times it is used in the plural, and in such a way that it can be applied to almost anyone who is opposed to Christ. The common use of the name applies to the great antagonist of the last days, the world dictator, the final emperor. He is not only against Christ, but, to the Gentiles at least, he is instead of Christ. He is Satan's man on earth, receiving from Satan the dominion once refused by Christ (Revelation 13:2; Matthew 4:8-10). His impersonation of Christ includes some sort of a physical resurrection from death (Revelation 13:3, 12, 14). But whether we use the term "Antichrist" as describing this person or not, there will in any case be an individual who will fulfil the prophetical Scriptures relating to this "man of sin" or "lawless one." (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)
2. THE IDENTITY OF THE POLITICAL BEAST (OR CALLED THE BEAST FROM THE SEA, THE GENTILE ANTICHRIST)
Read Revelation 13:1-10. The Political Beast rises out of the sea. The sea in Scripture is often a type of the Gentile nations (i.e. the restless nations of the world), so this may mean simply that he is a Gentile. Or the sea may refer to the Mediterranean area, where the Roman Empire centered. He has ten horns. Daniel predicted that the Roman Empire would be revived in a ten-kingdom form (Daniel 7:24).
Many powerful rulers have crossed the stage of human history. Genghis Khan, Nero, Stalin, Hitler - we recoil in horror at the memory of their ruthlessness. But the Bible teaches that the most wicked dictator of all is yet to appear. He may be living today, biding his time, waiting to manifest himself as the implacable foe of God. Jesus called the image he sets up in the Temple "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" (Matthew 24:15). Our Lord's reference was to Daniel 9:27, where it is recorded that the prince (Antichrist or called the Political Beast, the Beast from the Sea) that shall come will break his covenant with the Jews and reveal himself as an abominable perjurer, blasphemer and desolater of men. Paul describes him as "the son of perdition," "that Wicked," "Lawless one" (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8).
3. THE CHARACTER OF THE POLITICAL BEAST
3.1 Consuming Pride
He will "exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god" (Daniel 11:36). This self-glorification will go so far that he will actually sit in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This is what the Lord Jesus had in mind when He said that the abomination would "stand in the holy place" (Matthew 24:15). In unrestrained conceit he will open his mouth in blasphemy against God. Daniel declared: He "shall speak great words against the most High" (Daniel 7:25). He "shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods" (Daniel 11:36); "he shall magnify himself above all" (Daniel 11:37). Paul describes him as the one "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped..." (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
3.2 Arrogant Blasphemy
Antichrist will hate God. "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies...And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven" (Revelation 13:5, 6). The God Himself - His Being, His attributes, His sanctuary and His redeemed in heaven will be teh objects of Antichrist's blasphemous, scornful diatribes.
3.3 Great Power
The greatest dictator the world has known, he will move triumphantly from the west into Palestine, "the glorious land," overcoming nations en route, and finally entering Jerusalem victoriously (Daniel 11:41-45). Continuing to exhibit astonishing might, he will demonstrate his martial prowess in a series of remarkable military exploits. Power "was given unto him...over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Revelation 13:5, 7).
3.4 His Title "the Gentile Antichrist"
His very title summarizes his despicable vices. He will be anti, "opposed to," Christ in every conceivable area of character and conduct. The Lord Jesus represents righteousness, truth, purity and honor. This personality will be a man of sin, falsehood, vileness and dishonor. Christ was marked by self-denial. Antichrist will be a man of self-esteem and self-aggrandizement. Jesus came in humility, "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). This wicked man will strut in pomp across the stage, destroying, pillaging, murdering those who refuse to yield to his unruly will. He will also be anti, "seeking to supplant," the Lord Jesus Christ; for he will claim to be the Messiah.
4. THE EMPIRE OF THE POLITICAL BEAST
In the second chapter of Daniel we read that the emperor Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. Daniel the prophet interpreted it correctly. The lofty figure of a man which the king saw represented a series of successive world empires (read Daniel 2:28-45). In "the latter days" (Daniel 2:28) in the period of the feet and ten toes, a stone "cut out of the mountain without hands" (Daniel 2:34, 45) would smite and destroy the image. The reference is, of course, to our Lord's return for the battle of Armageddon (which we shall study in lesson 8). But the ten toes (see also the ten horns of Daniel 7:7, 8, 24) imply that in the last days ten federated nations, emerging out of the area of the ancient Roman Empire (the iron legs of Daniel 2:33, 40), will arise. Seen among these will be Antichrist, the "little horn" (Daniel 7:8), who will seize power by toppling three other rulers (Daniel 7:8) and will claim dominion over much of the area once controlled by Rome.
In simple words, the ancient Roman Empire will be revived as a ten-kingdom confederacy, covering most of Europe (Daniel 2; 7; Revelation 17). The nation of Israel, having rejected its Messiah, will embrace the grossest idolatry (i.e. accept the Antichrist as their Messiah), and its last state will become worse than its first (Matthew 12:43-45; John 5:43). And Christendom (that is, the mass of mere Christian profession) will have become utterly apostate (1 Timothy 4:1-3; Revelation 3:16, 17).
5. THE ASSOCIATES OF THE POLITICAL BEAST
The Political Beast will be a man. But he will not work alone. He will have a powerful assistant at his side and an invisible force behind him. Otherwise, he would never be able to perform such phenomenally wicked exploits.
5.1 The False Prophet (or called The Religious Beast, The Beast from the Earth, The Jewish Antichrist)
The career of the Religious Beast or called the False Prophet is sketched in Revelation 13:11-18 as well as in other New Testament passages. He rises out of the earth. The earth may represent the land of Palestine, suggesting that this religious leader is a Jew (i.e. the God's chosen earthly people). He has two horns like a lamb, giving the appearance of gentleness and harmlessness, and also suggesting that he impersonates the Lamb of God. The Lord Jesus taught that false prophets may look like the true sheep, but we can know what they really are by their fruits (Matthew 7:15, 20; 1 John 4:1-3).
His field is religion, and he serves as the lieutenant of the first beast. In other words, these two men are associates, the first having his capital in Europe (probably Rome) and the other in Jerusalem. The religious leader arises out of the earth, suggesting that he is a Jew (the earthly people), and is an imitator of the lamb of the God. But his speech betrays him: he is another mouthpiece of the devil, and possesses as much deceptive power as does his political superior. In fact, he directs worship to the latter as well as receives it for himself. His own claims to deity are the essence of impiety and blasphemy, and his enforcement of idolatry is effected by a universal economic boycott. This religious beast is apparently the Jewish antichrist, called elsewhere "the man of sin" and "the false prophet." For his full description we should also consider carefully the following passages: Daniel 11:36-45; Zechariah 11:16, 17; John 5:43; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-13; 1 John 2:18-22; Revelation 19:20.
5.2 The Devil
Anti-Christ's coming is "after the working of Satan." Hence his uncanny skill and ability to deceive (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10). The "dragon" will indeed give power unto the "beast" (Revelation 13:3, 4).
5.3 An Abominable Trinity: Anti-Christ, the False Prophet and the Devil
No wonder the tribulation they inaugurate and promote will be "great," to quote the Lord Jesus (Matthew 24:21). And no wonder they will ultimately meet a similar fate. The devil will some day be "cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false propet are..." (Revelation 20:10).
6. THE CAREER OF THE POLITICAL BEAST
The Antichrist's deeds of horror on earth will occur after believers have gone to meet their Saviour in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). We should understand the seven stages of the Antichrist's career.
6.1 Victorious Advance
Honoring the god of forces instead of the living God (Daniel 11:37, 38), Antichrist will lead his troops in triumph into Jerusalem itself (Daniel 11:41, 45).
6.2 Establishment of a Covenant
Upon instituting his iniquitous regime in Jerusalem, Antichrist will form a league with the Jews, who will have returned in unbelief to the land of their fathers (Daniel 9:27). A seven-year treaty will be signed (note: "one week" is, in the Hebrew, "one seven," that is, seven years.) We are not told what the exact terms of this pact will be. But possibly Antichrist, archdeceiver that he will be, will promise to protect the Jews from their enemies or to further their progress in establishing a homeland in Palestine.
6.3 Breach of the Covenant
He will break his agreement after three and one-half years (i.e. in the midst of the week in Daniel 9:27); and the last three and one-half years of the period will witness the terrors of the great tribulation.
6.4 Desecration of the Temple
This Jewish Temple, to be re-built in the last days, will be violated by the detestable usurper (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
6.5 Persecution of the Jewish Remnant
During Antichrist's fearful regime many Jews, overwhelmed and destitute as the result of his iniquitous practices, will turn to God. The dictator will level his attack against these "saints," the converted remnant. "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them..." (Revelation 13:7). "The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them" (Daniel 7:21). And he "shall wear out the saints of the most High..." (Daniel 7:25).
6.6 Duration of His Effrontery
For three and one-half years his wild, tempestuous fury will rage (Revelation 13:5; see also Revelation 11:2, 3). He will brook no rivalry in the mad pursuit of increasing authority, prestige and power.
6.7 Participation in the Battle of Armageddon
Antichrist will be one of the military leaders to oppose the Son of God at the dread battle of the Son of God (Revelation 19:19). He will dare to lift his puny fist in open hostility against the Lord of life and destiny.
7. THE OVERTHROW OF THE POLITICAL BEAST
Evil will not permanently triumph. Antichrist, vain in his blasphemy and cruel in his oppression, will more than meet his match when the three and one-half years of his moral and political debauchery are ended. The Lord will consume him "with the spirit of his mouth" and "with the brightness of his coming" (2 Thessalonians 2:8). When Jesus returns with His saints for Armageddon's struggle, both beast and false prophet will be seized and "cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Revelation 19:20). Daniel foresaw Antichrist's doom when he wrote: "I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame" (Daniel 7:11). Again, "They shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end" (Daniel 7:26). And "yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him" (Daniel 11:45).
When the thousand-year rule of Christ on earth is ended, the wicked leaders will be joined by their defeated sponsor - the devil. And all "shall be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10).
8. WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?
8.1 The Political Beast or called The Beast from the Sea is the Antichrist (Interpretation One)
Bible commentators who hold that the Political Beast is the Antichrist (such as Sir Robert Anderson, Barnhouse, Chafer, Larkin, McGee, Newell, Pentecost, Pettingill, Talbot and Vine) generally find him throughout the prophecies of Daniel. He is the eleventh horn of Daniel 7:8; the king of fierce countenance in 8:23; the prince that shall come of 9:26, 27; and the willful king of 11:36. He is also the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2:2-10 and the Beast from the Sea in the book of Revelation 13:1-8.
Another leading character appears in Revelation 13:11-16. He is called the False Prophet, in contrast to the first beast who is a False Christ (Matthew 24:24). He takes a place of subordination to the first beast, and directs worship to him. In doing so, he is imitating the role of the Holy Spirit, who directs worship to Christ. Satan, the Political Beast and the False Prophet appear to form a Satanic counterfeit of the Trinity. The False Prophet, in this view, does not appear in the book of Daniel. They opined that Satan is the Anti-God, the Political Beast is the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet is the Anti-Holy Spirit.
8.2 The Religious Beast or called The Beast from the Earth, the False Prophet is the Antichrist (Interpretation Two)
A second viewpoint (held by Darby, Dennett, Gaebelein, Ironside, Kelly, Scott, Tatham) sees Antichrist as a religious leader rather than as the political head. The False Prophet is called Antichrist, and his particular concern is with the Jewish people. He acts as an imposter, impersonating Christ, presenting himself to the Jewish people as the Messiah. He carries out the dictator's purposes in the Holy Land. His likeness to the lamb (Revelation 13:11) is part of his impersonation. He himself must be a Jew, or else his false claim would have no appeal to the Jewish people. 2 Thessalonians 2:2-10 is a reference to this False Prophet, rather than to the Beast from the Sea in the book of Revelation 13:1-8. They opined that the Political Beast is the Anti-God, the False Prophet is the Anti-Christ and Satan is the Anti-Holy Spirit.
Those holding this second viewpoint, also recognize the coming of a great world dictator, but do not call him the Antichrist. Their interpretation of the book of Revelation is substantially the same as that given by those of the first viewpoint. The principal difference from the first view is in the assigning of passages in Daniel. The dictator is seen in Daniel 7 and 9, but a different king is usually seen in Daniel 8:23. The Antichrist, in this view, appears in Daniel only once, and that, as the willful king of 11:36-40. There are, then, three main actors found in Daniel in place of the one seen in the first view. There is a vagueness in the presentations of this viewpoint as to which of the three actors introduces the "the abomination of desolation."
8.3 Summary and Conclusion
From other passages of Scriptures, we get the following description of the Antichrist. He opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he as God sits in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). His coming is after the working of Satan in that he performs all kinds of miracles powers and signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). The Jews will receive him as their Messiah (John 5:43). "He shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods" (Daniel 11:36). He will not regard the God of his fathers (Daniel 11:37). This is generally taken to mean that he is a Jew who has apostatized from the God of Israel. He will not regard the desire of women (Daniel 11:37), perhaps a reference to the Messiah.
It is impossible to discuss fully the arguments put forward. Basically, the argument for the Political Beast being the Antichrist rests on the fact that he is worshipped as God. Those who hold that the Religious Beast is the Antichrist point out that no Jew would ever accept a Gentile as Messiah and that since the Religious Beast appears to be a Jew, he must therefore be the Messiah.
For further information on this topic, please study the course: Eschatology, Chapter 5, Section 17.1 - Is the First Beast Antichrist?
9. HOW TO IDENTIFY THE ANTICHRIST DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD
How to identify the Antichrist when he appears on the earthly scene? There are some hints provided in Revelation 13:18. I would like to share some of the possible Biblical interpretations of 666 as stated in Revelation 13:18. Please note that the true meaning of 666 is quite controversial.
"Here is wisdom: let the one who has understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of man; and his number is six hundred sixty-six." (Revelation 13:18)
The term "wisdom" is the skill necessary to solve the problem of the number. Through the God-given ability, the believers who alive during the days of the false Christ’s reign, will be able to unravel the mystery of the number 666.
9.1 Interpretation One (Most Probable Interpretation)
The way to identify the beast is by counting. In ancient times, letters of the alphabet served as numbers. The first nine letters stood for the numbers one through nine, and the next nine for the numbers ten through ninety, and so on. In Greek, the current alphabet did not have enough letters, so certain obsolete letters and signs supplemented the system. Every name yielded a number.
However, the identity of the person represented by the number 666 should not be a subject of speculation until that person arrives on the earthly scene. The person to whom 666 applies must have been future to apostle John’s time, because John clearly meant the number to be recognizable to someone. If it was not discernible to his generation, the generation to whom it will be discernible must have lain in the future. If 666 is the number of a future individual, attempts to identify past entities through the number are futile.
9.2 Interpretation Two (Second Most Probable Interpretation)
The triple six has each digit falling short of the perfect number "seven" and so is the number of a man. The number "seven" often has the idea of "perfection", the number of God. (Note: The God creates the whole world in seven days. The God creates man at the sixth day. The God rest at the seventh day). Six is the number of man, who always comes short of God’s perfection. The first beast is not God, only the greatest man in his time, ruler of the world.
The number 666 represents a false Trinity of the God. The first digit 6 represents the false God the Father (Satan), the second digit 6 represents the false God the Son (The Political Beast or Gentile Antichrist) and the third digit 6 represents the false God the Holy Spirit (The Religious Beast or False Prophet). Alternatively, some Bible teachers opined that the Political Beast is the Anti-God, the False Prophet is the Anti-Christ and Satan is the Anti-Holy Spirit.
This solution, however, falls short on two counts. It ignores the command to "count", and it overlooks the writer’s intention that the number be understood well enough to identify an individual from it.
9.3 Interpretation Three
Some people attempt to refer the number 666 to specific historic Roman emperors such as Nero Caesar, Caligula and Domitian. The Nersonic calculation requires using a Hebrew transliteration of the Greek form of a Latin name for a readership who knew no Hebrew. It also involves a defective spelling. The only sensible conclusion is that it does not refer to Nero. Caligula and Domitian have evidence even weaker than that for Nero.
9.4 Interpretation Four
The rulers of the former pagan Roman Empire with the rulers of later papal Rome. This errs in making it the number of an empire instead the number of a man.
9.5 Interpretation Five
Some people think that 666 is a symbolic representation of the whole anti-Christian international power in the whole world of the New Testament era. It is the epitome of blasphemy and wickedness. This is true, but it does not identify a specific individual who heads up the system.