Page 38 - C062_Revelation 3-The Antichrist

The Antichrist and the False Prophet

The 13th chapter of Revelation describes the arise of a leader known as “the
beast.” Literally it means monster. A vicious killing animal. There will be one
nal satanic world empire and led by this beast - a demon possessed man
known as the Antichrist. This government led by the Antichrist is anti-Christ,
anti-God and is a revived Roman empire.

Revelation speaks of the beast as having seven heads which may represent the
successive world empires of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece,
Rome and this nal kingdom of the Antichrist. He is also described as having
ten horns. Horns always represent power in the animal kingdom. Ten is a
number that symbolizes the totality of human military and political power that
will assist the Antichrist as he will come from these ten kings.

Numbers in the Bible speak to God’s exactness and also represent recurring
ideas. The number 6 falls one short of Gods perfect number, 7, pointing to
human imperfection. When the Antichrist is revealed there will be some way to
identify him with the number 666.

Chapter 13 of Revelation also describes a fake death, and resurrection enacted
by the Antichrist as part of his lying deception. The people of the world marvel
at this miracle as well as at his charisma, superior knowledge and
attractiveness. But God has already sovereignly limited the time of his reign to
3 ½ years. During this period of his reign he will blaspheme God, kill many of
God’s followers and betray the nation of Israel. He will also the cause all people
to receive a mark identifying themselves with the Antichrist in order to engage
in commerce or receive food.

The co-worker of the Antichrist is another demonically possessed individual
known in the Bible as the false prophet. Like a lamb he will appear to be gentle
and deceptively attractive. Like many other false prophets before him, he will
be a deceiver and Satan’s mouthpiece. Even though he performs miracles,
causes re to fall from the skies and erects a replica of the Antichrist that can
talk, he will meet the same end as the Antichrist – the lake of re.

Followers of Christ need not fear the Antichrist, the False Prophet or any
human. God is our protection in both life and death. Him only should we fear
and worship.

II Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and
protect you from the evil one.

Isaiah 41:10 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand.
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