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Who is Antichrist?
The Bible devotes many scriptures to a specific person called antichrist. Who is Antichrist? The bible also tells us that the spirit of antichrist has always been and is currently working in this present world system. Who is this man, like Judas Iscariot, will be called the son of perdition? Let's look at what the scripture tells us about this man. Daniel Chapter 8 reads22 As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power. 23 "And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. 24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. 25 "Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; 27 And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means. The four kingdoms referred to in this passage became the Roman Empire. This scripture tells that near the end of the Roman Empire, a king shall arise. Since the Roman Empire collapsed from its own moral decay, many say this prophecy has been fulfilled but that is simply a misunderstanding of scripture. What does this passage tell about who is antichrist? This man understands sinister schemes just like gang leaders and mafia dons do. Because he understands sinister schemes, he will be an intellectual genius. He will have great power but it is not his own power. In fact, his power comes directly from Satan. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.Revelation 13:2 The dragon in scripture is another name for Satan. Satan rules the present world system so he knows very well how it works. Haven't you ever wondered why fantasy paintings and sculptures are so enamored with dragons? I believe they are the world's subconscious tribute to the one who rules the world's systems. The antichrist is a man who is empowered by Satan himself. Dan 11:36 & 37 tells us "Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. The coming antichrist will exalt himself above God, which means this man will be full of pride just as Lucifer was before he became Satan. The antichrist desires to be worshiped because to worship the antichrist is to worship Satan. This is confirmed in 2 Thessalonians 3 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, 4 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. This man of sin or son of perdition will not come to the forefront until there is a "falling away". The "falling way" could be a reference to the coming rapture of the church when believers in Christ are taken to meet the Lord in the air. In effect, this event is a type of "falling away" from the Earth. This could also be a reference to a great apostasy in the church where true worship is mixed with demonic worship. This apostasy is happening today on a grand scale. I believe the "falling away" is a reference to the combination of apostasy and the Lord removing His own from the planet. It's no secret that membership is declining in all of the major protestant denominations. Many are just dropping out of church altogether and many churches have employed worldly things in an effort to increase attendance. The church should not blend in with the world but stand apart from it.
Jesus Christ lived only to serve others, the man of sin will do everything according to his own will. Selfishness is the root cause of all sin. The antichrist should be popular with the homosexual crowd because he does not have the desire of women. Who is antichrist? He is the man who will bring peace to the Middle East. Many national leaders desire to be the one who accomplishes this seemingly impossible task. The antichrist will accomplish this but it will be a false peace. Daniel 9 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. The covenant here is a week of seven years. Note that the covenant is not created by the son of perdition but is confirmed by him. This can mean that a peace treaty that is already written will be enforced by military might. Note that the treaty is broken in the "middle of the week" or after 3.5 years. All peace treaties created and enforced by man are doomed to fail. Why? Because there is no peace without Christ. This treaty is with the nation of Israel who have a rebuilt temple and are offering animal sacrifices in that temple. Remember when the wall in Germany that separated East Germany from West Germany was taken down? Remember when communism collapsed in Russia? The United States had the idea that wars were finally coming to an end and would be a thing of the past. This country thought we had finally learned to get along with each other. That self delusion was shattered on Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists flew jets into the world trade center. The United States now has no illusions that we are safe from attack and war. Yet, the antichrist will convince the world that wars will be ancient history. It will be a lie because Satan is a destroyer and the single most important goal of Satan is to destroy Israel. He attempted this in World War II using Hitler as his instrument but this attempt failed miserably because that war was the catalyst that led to the recreation of the nation of Israel. Satan wants Israel to be destroyed so prophecy cannot be fulfilled. Prophecy includes Satan being cast into a bottomless pit then set free for a season only to be cast into the lake of fire. When antichrist has convinced the world that all is well, then all hell breaks loose. 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 3 reads For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. When terrorists destroyed the world trade center, this verse came to mind. Israel will pay a great price for trusting Satan's ambassador, but they will not be completely destroyed. Many will realize their mistake and call upon the their true messiah, Jesus Christ, and he will save them. We know this from Zechariah Chapter 13 8 And it shall come to pass in all the land," Says the Lord, "That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it: 9 I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; And each one will say, 'The Lord is my God.' Who is antichrist? He is the very first being to be cast into the lake of fire. Currently, the lake of fire is empty. The lake of fire was created for the devil and his angels. We learn this from Matthew Chapter 25 verse 41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: Could the lake of fire be the sun? How do we know that the antichrist is the first occupant? Revelation 19:20 states Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. The antichrist does not go into the lake of fire alone. The false prophet goes with him. The false prophet will be a religious leader who works miracles for the antichrist. The Roman Catholic church believes the next Pope will be a defector from the church and also the very last Pope. Could he be the false prophet spoken of by scripture? How do we know the antichrist and the false prophet are the first two occupants of the lake of fire? First of all, all who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are never cast into the lake of fire. This leaves those who don't have a relationship with Christ, the devil, and his angels. When is the devil cast into the lake of fire? After he has spent 1,000 years in a bottomless pit, God sets him free and he leads one final rebellion against God and fails. Then The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Note that the antichrist (beast) and false prophet are already there and have been there for a thousand years. The next group cast into the lake of fire will be that group of people who are not written in the Book of Life. Revelation Chapter 20 verse 15 states And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. The antichrist and his right hand man, the false prophet, have the dubious honor of being the very first occupants of the lake of fire. Who is antichrist? If Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead, then it makes sense that the antichrist will also rise from the dead if he is going to convince the world that he is God. Antichrist can mean either against Christ or a substitute for Christ. We learn from the book of Revelation Chapter 13 verse 3 that the antichrist will receive a mortal wound but he will not die. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. How long will this man of sin, this son of perdition reign over the earth? Revelation 13:5 states And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Forty-two months is three and a half years. The Antichrist's reign will be short but it will be a time of great trouble and terror for planet earth. Who will worship the antichrist? Revelation 13 verse 8 states All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. The point is crystal clear. If you are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, then your God is Satan. Copyright 2005 by Gary Goodworth
Who Is Antichrist? Grant Jeffrey points out 38 prophecies fulfilled since 1948 that lead up to and will answer the question Who is Antichrist?
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