The Antichrist

Two-Edged Sword Ministries

It is interesting that the Bible only refers to the Antichrist on four occassions and all by the Apostle John. The name itself means what it says - "He who opposes Christ or is opposite to Christ". It is true, that anyone who opposes Christ can also be called anti-christ, but the Bible makes special reference to a man of intrigue who will rise up in the last days and be the image of the "ultimate" Anti-christ. In other words, he will embody all characteristics of those that have through time been opposed to Christ.
The Bible does not write fairy tales about the existance of the antichrist, Paul writes about what must happen before Jesus will return in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 below ...

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.

In scripture he has many names, Paul referred to him as the son of pedition and the lawless one; John refers to him as the beast in Revelation whilst Daniel refers to this coming ruler as a cunning, devious, exalting, arrogant and all powerful world ruler who openly turns against any believer during his last period of reign. Daniel, the Old Testament prophet, also provided that this great man will emerge once a final powerful world kingdom is established:

At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause a shocking amount of destruction and succeed in everything he does. He will destroy powerful leaders and devastate the holy people. [Daniel 8:21 NLT]

Daniel , chapter seven, provides that at the time of the end of human rule, a world kingdom will come into power. This kingdom will flow from treaties and alliances with those in the former Roman Empire. Through the study of other prophecies on this site, we have already seen the emergence of this revised Roman Empire in the form of the European Union. When there are ten rulers, ruling over this empire, another ruler will emerge on the scene and overthrow three rulers and rule with the remaining seven leaders. However, he understands sinister schemes and actually lords it over these remaining seven rulers. (Daniel 7:24)

You might have seen it in meetings, where although there are many people around a table, there are always one or two people that set the tone and actions adopted in a meeting. Invariably, the strong and bombastic people get there way or even get agreement where the others fail.

The prophet Daniel gives this ruler the following attributes:

He will speak pompous words against God

He will change times and law.

He will exalt himself.

He will blaspheme God.

He will understand sinister schemes

The Antichrist first comes on the scene as a powerful orator and a man of peace. The world is longing for a ruler who comes to the podium and delivers results. He will unite ten regions from the former Roman Empire and will confirm a treaty between Israel and its neighbours for a period of seven years. It is important to note, that he only comes on the world scene once the ten kingdoms are in place.

While it is true that we are seeing today the revival of the Roman Empire in the form of the European Union, it has not reached the state where there are ten regions with ten leaders assigned to rule. Until such time, whilst he may be in the world, he cannot be identified. Any claims that he is George Bush,Preseident Obama or the Pope is obviously therefore non-sensical and just makes for sensational reading.

According to Daniel 9, one the treaty between Israel and its neighbours are in force for three and a half years, he will break the treaty and declare himself to be God in the Temple of the Jews. Paul, the Apostle confirms this in his writings in 2 Thessolonians 2 above.

It is at this point where he is rejected by the Jews, he then begins his persecution of all Gods' people, Jews or Christian. He forces all people on the earth to receive a mark, whereby they may buy or sell. His name itself, is symbolic of the Greek letters "666".

See our discussions on Revelation 13 "Mark of the Beast"

A remnant of the Jews are protected by God for the last three and a half years. In his fury he marches into Africa and takes country by country in rapid succession. Jordan escapes his hand and this is probably due to the fact that they are protected in its mountain range. According to Daniel 11, whilst he is descending down Africa, he hears news of an army that is emerging to the north of Israel and news of a massive army about to cross the Euphrates river in the East.

Massive warfare ensues which culminates into the battle of Armageddon (picture of plains of final war on the right), which finally puts West versus East. It is at this point, that the Lord returns and ends his reign. Such destruction is cast upon the face of the earth, that in Jesus' own words, if He did not return, the entire human race would be destroyed.

The earth will be out of orbit having tilted on its axis, people will be anxious at the roaring of the seas, the earth will receive only one-third of daylight and the moon would be red like blood. A period of destruction and a time to avoid ...

Two-Edged Sword Ministries - South Africa