Antichrist: Beast Out of the Sea (Revelation 13:1)

Ken

Blessing not conceit, God motivates us to explore the labyrinth concerning the antichrist. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3 KJV). Antichrist is both against Christ and in the place of Christ, but he also embodies what humanity already believes is their best and necessary choice of all worlds. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy” (Revelation 13:1 KJV). The “sea” represents the “isles of the Gentiles” (Genesis 10:5) or the nations of the world (Isaiah 42:10). The early church already had perceived a connection beyond the immediate circumstances of the seven churches of Revelation 2-3, as witnessed by the 3rd-4th century comment on the “beast” (Revelation 13:1) by Victorinus: “This signifies the kingdom of that time of Antichrist, and the people mingled with the variety of nations.” Though John had already written about “many antichrists” (1John 2:18), he now focuses upon the one Daniel identities as the “little horn,” which had “a mouth speaking great things” (Daniel 7:8), NT commentators identify this as the antichrist. Father, bless us with the desire to understand Your Revelation of Jesus Christ. May our comprehension of the character of Christ and the antichrist motivate us in laboring with You in praying for the fulfillment of prophecy. May Your Kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.