6. RISE OF THE ANTICHRIST Christians are often surprised to discover that there are more than 100 passages of Scripture that describe the Antichrist who will rise up in the last days. While the term “Antichrist” itself is used very little in the Bible, the Antichrist and the global system he runs are mentioned numerous times. Through the ages, many people have tried to identify this coming world ruler, but the Bible simply does not give us enough information to make this determination. Instead, we are given some general clues and facts – and it’s important that we use discernment and keep these facts separated from the rampant speculation that often occurs in an attempt to figure out who the Antichrist is. 1. Titles of the Antichrist: (a) The Beast (Revelation 13:1). (b) The Man of Sin (2 Thessalonians 2:3). (c) The Lawless One (2 Thessalonians 2:8). (d) The Abomination (Matthew 24:15). (e) The Little Horn (Daniel 7:8). (f) The King with Fierce Features (Daniel 8:23). (g) The Prince Who Is to Come (Daniel 9:26). (h) The Vile Person (Daniel 11:21). (i) The King Who Will Do According to His Own Will (Daniel 11:36). (j) The Worthless Shepherd (Zechariah 11:16-17). (k) The Antichrist (1 John 2:18, 22). 2. A great deal has been written about the prefix “anti” in connection with the Antichrist. It can mean either “against” (in opposition to) or “instead of” (in place of). The issue comes down to whether he is the great enemy of Christ or he is a false Christ. If he is the enemy of Christ and the head of a Gentile world government, then he is most likely to be a Gentile himself. If he is a false messiah who is accepted by the Jews, then it would stand to reason that he would be Jewish. 3. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 tells us that the Antichrist will “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.” Paul is referring to the very act of ultimate apostasy which reveals the final Antichrist and sets the course for the events that usher in the Day of the Lord. He exalts himself and opposes God by moving into the temple, the place for worship of God, declaring himself to be God and demanding the worship of the world. In this act of Satanic self-deification, he commits the great apostasy in defiance of God. 4. In Isaiah 45:5-6 God declares “I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me.” No other person or object can compare to the holiness and power of our living Creator. He is sovereign over everything—both good and evil. 5. In Revelation 19:19 we are told the Antichrist (“the beast”) will attempt to make war against the Lord. According to verse 20 “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 bodies of the beast and the false prophet will be transformed, and they will be banished directly to the lake of fire (Daniel 7:11)—the first of countless millions of unregenerate men (Revelation 20:15) and fallen angels (Matthew 25:41) to arrive in that dreadful place. That these two still appear there 1,000 years later refutes the false doctrine of annihilationism (Revelation 14:11; Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:48; Luke 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:9). 6. Revelation 13:7 states that the Antichrist’s authority will be “over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” The Antichrist will be allowed to massacre those who are God’s children (Revelation 6:9–11; 11:7; 12:17; 17:6; Daniel 7:23–25; 8:25; 9:27; 11:38; 12:10; Matthew 24:16–22). He will appear to be victorious over God’s people. 7. We read about the extent of God’s authority in: (a) 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 “For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all.” God has complete control over the universe and His power is great. He is the glorious Master over all (Psalm 134:3). (b) Revelation 19:16 tells us: “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Jesus will wear a banner across His robe and down His thigh with a title emblazoned on it that emphasizes His absolute sovereignty over all human rulers. KING OF KINGS means the One who is supreme over all earthly rulers. The phrase “Lord of lords and King of kings” is found in Revelation 17:14, anticipating the Second Coming. 8. The Antichrist will wield enormous power and unleash unimaginable cruelty upon the world, but we do not need to be fearful of him. The outcome is already certain – Jesus will defeat the Antichrist upon His return, and we will reign with Jesus’ kingdom on earth. This should comfort and encourage us in knowing that no matter who opposes us; as a child of the King, we are protected by God, teaching the truths of His Word. All Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible, © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. ©2013 Kenute P. Curry. All rights reserved.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 04:12:31 +0000