Antichrist

Antichrist: Response to the Rapture (Revelation 13:10)

Ken

The sudden disappearance of people worldwide will not only be noticed by all, but must be explained by world leadership, especially by the one Christians identify as the Antichrist. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1Corinthians 15:52 KJV). If we recall the words of Jesus, “Surely I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20), we should understand the “dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (1Thessalonians 4:17). The Second Coming of Christ combines the Resurrection of the Saints “first,” then accompanies the harpazō of the living saints “together with them” (4:17). The nature of our translation is called a “mystery,” because much takes place in the Unseen Realm, before His return, then “every eye shall see Him”  (Revelation 1:7). “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (1Corinthians 15:51). This is for our encouragement, not just theological slight of hand. 

The “mystery of iniquity” (2Thessalonians 2:7) has been conspiring against the Almighty, since the original rebellion. Answering the Removal of Saints worldwide would be the goal of the devil, certainly by the time of the modern rapture theory discussions, but anciently speculated due to the examples of the raptures of Enoch and Elijah. 

What will be the response of the Antichrist to the Rapture?

 First, the sudden removal of all the godly influence of Spirit Indwelt Saints would leave not just a moral vacuum, but a disruption of the peace due to the absence of all the godly, who have departed this world (Jeremiah 29:7). Second, Antichrist must offer himself as a leader, actively promoting and attempting to replace the world’s missing peace, requiring the cooperation of the world’s leaders. This would be in connection with the peaceful-conquering-by-displaying-power diplomacy of the First Seal Judgment (Revelation 6:2). A “king of fierce countenance” (Daniel 8:23), shall promote the demonic “craft [witchcraft] to prosper in his hand” (8:24), and will eventually proclaim his divinity, when “he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many” (8:25). Third, Antichrist will do like the New Age literature prophecies of a coming alien visitor Avatar, seeking to aid us in our evolution, overcoming poverty, disease, famine, war, political, cultural, religious, and economic division, while promoting unity through “globalism, ecumenism, personal immortality (reincarnation), pantheism (‘you will be like gods,’ Genesis 3: 15), moral relativism, and the notion that the Bible is not the word of God” (from Alien Encounters, Ch. 13 “The Cosmic Deception” by Chuck Missler). 

Fourth, malcontents have been removed, i.e., by the Rapture, and are being removed, i.e., the Fifth Seal Judgment of martyrdom of post-Rapture, born-into-the-Kingdom-during-the-Tribulation Saints (Revelation 6:9-11). Fifth, global unity will be promoted through the construction of a World Temple at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. If Solomon built the Temple in seven years, Oppenheimer built the atomic bomb in less than three years, couldn’t the Antichrist complete the Tribulation Temple with all the resources of the world, in less than 3 1/2 years? “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains” (Matthew 24:15-16). 

Sixth, miracles and “powers and signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:9) will be used by the Antichrist to persuade the religious and the scientific to trust the Antichrist, and to unreasonably fight the LORD God Almighty. The inexplicability of UFOs defying the laws of physics, the paranormal activities of demon possessed individuals, all of these will increase. “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2:10-12). Seventh, it is extermination by Antichrist for any found godly, but of more significance, God’s patience has finally come to an end in finishing His Final Harvest, so He can now complete a thorough cleansing of the ungodly from the earth. “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints” (Revelation 13:10).

LORD, cause the Sleeping Church to awaken to the battle against the enemy. May we be praying for the success of Your Gospel, the unstoppability of Your Gospel, obedience to the Gospel, showing us who must next receive Your Message, the boldness to explain Your plan, the preparation of their hearts to repent and receive the Gospel, education of Your children, the sustenance of Your family, the overcoming of our ignorance, the hastening of Your return, the defeat of the forces of Antichrist, and the judgment of the devil and his little gods. Make us willing to witness a good confession laying down our lives, if need be. May the ideas put forth by this writer prosper, even as it is understood, if Your Spirit is making me think these thoughts, there are others thinking them, as well. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Antichrist: Deadly Head Wound Healed (Revelation 13:3)

Ken

Antichrist surviving a deadly head wound is resurrection from the dead, but only the Almighty controls resurrection. What is going on? “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” (Revelation 13:3 KJV). If Antichrist is a human being, “having seven heads“ (13:1), as individuals represent the head of state of a government, Antichrist will certainly have one head for that current state, which will be mortally wounded, i.e., dead. Now, let us reach back to Genesis and revisit the Nephilim. KJV translates, Genesis 6:4: “There were giants [Hebrew, nephilim] in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God [angelic beings] came in unto the daughters of men [yes, hybridization with human females], and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown” (Genesis 6:4). First, Nephilim were present before the Flood, “and also after that” (6:4), for the spies sent by Moses saw them, “giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants” (Numbers 13:33), and David slew the giant, Goliath of Gath. Second, the Hebrew expression “sons of God” (Genesis 6:4) in the OT, uniformly identifies angelic beings (Genesis 6:2, 4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7). Third, angels lack the necessity for sexual reproduction in heaven, but does not mean they are incapable, i.e., “in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). Fourth, fallen angels “kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation” (Jude 1:6), when they hybrid with human females. Fifth, the Flood did not remove God’s curse from humanity, but it did eliminate all Nephilim, leaving eight spiritually righteous and physically unimpaired to repopulate the earth, i.e., “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect [Hebrew, tâmîym, physically healthful, sound, unimpaired, perfect] in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). Sixth, demons of the NT are the disembodied spirits of OT Nephilim slain in the Flood, seeking habitation in a living host, i.e., “29 What have we to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God? art Thou come hither to torment us before the time? 31 So the devils besought Him, saying, If Thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine” (Matthew 8:29, 31). 

What do Nephilim have to do with the Antichrist? It appears Satan has always desired to create his own version of the Virgin Birth, and the result will be the Antichrist. Preposterous? Outlandish? Crazy? No more than Christ coming down to become man the first time or rapturing His Church prior to His Second Coming. “Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). If we refuse God’s Spirit to teach us these things, how can we efficiently cooperate with God praying for the fulfillment of any of His other prophecies? “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” (John 3:12). 

Does Antichrist actually die? Yes, but coming back from the dead, is the real issue. Remember, Christ raised the dead, and they still died a second time. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The Almighty alone is the Gatekeeper, and He alone knows how to handle the bookkeeping. Real question would be, Does God allow it? And, doesn’t the fact He tells us it will happen, Doesn’t that imply He allows it to fulfill all righteousness? “But John tried to prevent Him, saying, I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me? So Jesus replied to him, Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then John yielded to Him” (Matthew 3:14-15 NET). 

Father, grant to us the simplicity of faith that we would not struggle against Your attempt to teach us of heavenly things in the Unseen Realm. Give us an understanding heart that we would be co-laborers with You as we pray for the fulfillment of prophecy. Use all the plans of the Devil against him, but to build Your Kingdom. Cause the wrath of man to praise Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray, return quickly. Amen. 

Antichrist: Leopard, Bear, Lion (Revelation 13:2)

Ken

Antichrist, the villain of this story, is illuminated by the imagery of the leopard, bear, and lion. “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2 KJV). The swiftness of the leopard, ferocity of the bear, and domination of the lion are all empowered by the dragon, who is the “god of this world” (2Corinthians 4:4). If disciples do not fully appreciate they are “not of this world” (John 8:23), they will become confused by the gatekeepers of the world system represented by the leopard, bear, and lion, whose master said (without Christ’s contradiction), “All the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them” (Matthew 4:8) are his. Though we are “in this world” (12:25), God’s “kingdom is not of this world” (18:36). Our “citizenship is in heaven – and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NET). As “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13 KJV). this status only troubles the world, if they do not understand we pray for the peace of wherever God sends us (Jeremiah 29:7). Our power is the recognition, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).

Just as John outlined a story concerning a leopard, bear, and lion, similarly, the Old Testament prophet Daniel was given a vision of “four great beasts [of prey, which] came up from the sea” (Daniel 7:3). Daniel described the Babylonian Empire as a “lion, [that] had eagle’s wings” (7:4). A second kingdom, the Medo-Persian Empire, was represented as a bear, i.e., “And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs [i.e., dominating Media, Persia, Babylonia] in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh [i.e., subduing Lydia, Egypt, etc.]” (7:5). A third world empire, Greece, was depicted as a leopard, which speaks of the swiftness of Alexander the Great’s conquests, i.e., “After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it” (7:6). Finally, the Roman Empire was likened to a dreadful beast with ten horns, i.e., “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns” (7:7). And so, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a “great image” (2:31) agrees with both Daniel’s vision of “four great beasts” (7:3) and John’s vision of the “beast which… was like unto a leopard… a bear… [and] a lion” (Revelation 13:2).

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1John 2:18). Understanding the Antichrist as being a man, yet he embodies the history of world systems of many antichrists building up to his emergence on the world stage. Christ’s First Coming was initially noticed only by humble shepherds, but at His Second Coming, “every eye shall see Him” (Revelation 1:7). How will the Devil so effectively position the Antichrist to be received by all? Conquering, war, famine, death, martyrdom (Revelation 6), prepare for the Temple to be built in Jerusalem, where three major monotheistic religions worship. The most noticeable and acutely felt event in the world, since the Flood or the Tower of Babel, would be the removal of the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit through the Rapture of the Church. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV). 

LORD, we do not pretend to have answered all the questions You must answer to bring this grand story to its conclusion. As much as we desire understanding of Yourself and these End Times, we know the Kingdom of God is not simply “in word, but in power” (1Corinthians 4:20 KJV). May that power rest on the presentation of Your story in the Gospel message (1Thessalonians 1:5). Magnify Yourself in the salvation of sinners and sanctification of saints. In Jesus’ name, we pray, come quickly. Amen. 

Antichrist: Seven Heads, Ten Horns, and Ten Crowns (Revelation 13:1)

Ken

Antichrist is this arch blasphemer against God. Going beyond simple disobedience or impious actions; but, “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:4 KJV). Where did this blasphemer originate? “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). The Gentile nations are represented by the “seas” (13:1). John draws upon Daniel to explain the beast. Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a “great image” (Daniel 2:31), whose “head was of fine gold [Babylon], his breast and his arms of silver [Medo-Persia], his belly and his thighs of brass [Greece], 33 His legs of iron [Rome], his feet part of iron and part of clay [the Revived Roman Empire]. 38 Thou [Nebuchadnezzar] art this head of gold [the Babylonian Empire]. 39 And after thee [Nebuchadnezzar] shall arise another kingdom [the Medo-Persian Empire of Darius and Cyrus] inferior to thee, and another third kingdom [the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great] of brass, which shall bear rule over all the Earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom [the Roman Empire] shall be strong as iron” (2:32-33, 38-40). 

To this initial interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel had a subsequent vision, which John uses to describe Antichrist’s “ten horns” (Revelation 13:1). A governmental system and its head, here, are interchangeable. “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast [the Roman Empire], dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another Little Horn [the Antichrist], before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things” (Daniel 7:7-8). 

Of the seven stages of Gentile world power, six are historical, and the seventh is a revived form of the sixth (the Roman Empire):

(1) Egypt (1600-1200 BC),
(2) Assyria (900-600 BC),
(3) Babylon (606-536 BC),
(4) Medo-Persia (536-330 BC), 

(5) Greece (330-146 BC),

(6) Rome (200 BC-400 AD), and

(7) the Revived Roman Empire, which seems to be the European Union, that was formed from the older European Economic Community (1957-1958) through the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty), which was enacted on November 1st 1993.

What Daniel’s interpretations and visions teach us is God has a discernible succession of governments and empires defining world history. The LORD would not reveal this unless He expected us to understand it, i.e., “whoso readeth, let him understand” (Matthew 24:15), acquiesce to His will being done through them, i.e., “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” (6:10), and pray for the fulfillment of His prophecies by them, i.e., “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). 

Since “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (2Peter 1:20), the fulfillment of any discussed prophecies is subject to your estimation of whether they have been, are, or will be fulfilled, but most of all, whether the “Spirit of Prophecy” (Revelation 19:10) agrees they have fulfilled their purpose. If you listen to the preaching or teaching of God’s Word, then you are listening to a human opinion. Your job is to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Thessalonians 5:21). Remember, agreeing with the interpretation of any scholar, teacher, commentator does not mean accepting man’s opinion over God’s, since any good thought first had to come from the mind of God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). Pray only to be receptive to the thoughts coming from Him. “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 119:18).

LORD, give Your servants understanding of Your prophecies that we may labor with You in praying for the fulfillment of those prophecies. Hasten Your return to us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Suggestion: For a coherent opinion about Bible Prophecy, I recommend Every Prophecy of the Bible: Clear Explanations for Uncertain Times by John Walvoord.

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.

Israel: Remnant Seed of the Woman (Revelation 12:16-17)

Ken

Israel as the remnant seed of the “woman” (Revelation 12:16) is singled out for satanic wrath, for many reject the worship of antichrist and will embrace the Messiah before the end of the Tribulation Week. “And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:16-17 KJV). Excitement bristles in the Unseen Realm as all eagerly anticipate how the Almighty will conclude the story, while keeping His promise to Abraham of blessing his descendants, as well as the Gentiles (Genesis 22:17-18). Even the earth miraculously helps the fleeing fugitives of Israel, who refuse the worship of the antichrist, and who now “have the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17). Many speculate these flee to Petra, and pray the prayer, “Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?” (Psalm 60:9). Yahweh will “let none of his words fall to the ground” (1Samuel 3:19), as He secured for Samuel. National conversion awaits Israel (Isaiah 66:8), as her Messiah comes the second time. LORD, Your faithfulness astounds us in fulfilling all Your prophecies. May Israel be preserved and saved to their joy and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen. 

Measure the Temple of God (Revelation 11:1)

Ken

John the Beloved may return to administrate the Seven Thunders (Revelation 10:3-4). What? That’s crazy. No more than you judging angels (1Corinthians 6:3). The Almighty directed John: “Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not” (Revelation 10:4). Then, he directed John to eat the “little book” (10:10), which was sweet in the mouth and bitter in the stomach. John was next given a cryptic promise, “Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings” (10:11). Thereafter, he was directed, “Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein” (11:1). What the Almighty measured, did He not exercise dominion over (Isaiah 40:12)? Temple worshippers during this time worship Antichrist. Whatever surprise the LORD delivers with the Seven Thunders, it may become significant for John, just as Malachi projected for Elijah. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5). Who would ever see this coming? LORD, fulfill Your prophecies that You may be justified, whatever we may predict. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen. 

Persecution Grows the Church (Revelation 7:9)

Ken

Saul of Tarsus (the future Apostle Paul) was the berserker, who wreaked havoc on the Early Church, but  the churches “were multiplied” (Acts 9:31 KJV); nonetheless, because persecution grew the Church. Likewise, a “great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” (Revelation 7:9 KJV) will respond to the Gospel witnessed by the 144,000. That multitude will be those martyred by antichrist. “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14). A seeming paradox is the blood of Christian martyrs grows the Church. Tertullian (155-240 AD) defended the Christian faith before the governors of the Roman Empire. He said, “The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed” (The Apology, 50.13). Though the Vanity Fair approach has been enormously successful in limiting Spiritual Christianity, even such measures will become unnecessary during the final end game of the Tribulation Week. LORD, grant unto Your children the patience of faith of Christ, Stephen, Antipas, and Your Two Witnesses that we may, too, witness a good confession for You, even unto death. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen. 

Great Earthquake (Revelation 6:12)

Ken

The sixth seal judgment of the Book of Revelation is a “great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood” (Revelation 6:12 KJV). This is an apocalyptic shaking of the entire earth. Here, interpreting the “stars of heaven [that] fell unto the earth” (6:13 KJV) as Fallen Angels (compare Job 38:7) prepares for the Mid-Tribulational worship of Antichrist as God at the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2Thessalonians 2:8). We live what we believe, and what we believe about prophecy affects our decisions today. If apocalyptic shaking of the planet and strange displays in the cosmos are scheduled for the future, then we should be more concerned about our heart’s interaction with God. After all, that alone we control. LORD, may all our understanding of Your judgments cause us to walk righteously before You, and cause us to warn others. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Black Horse of the Cost of Living (Revelation 6:6)

Ken

The third seal judgment of the Book of Revelation reveals the third horseman of the Apocalypse, which is famine or the insanity of the cost of living. Unlike the Father caring for us like He does the “birds of the air” (Matthew 6:26 KJV), food insecurity under the Antichrist will require more than an ordinary job can provide. “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat [what a laboring man would eat in only one meal] for a penny [a day’s wage], and three measures of barley [a lesser grain that a laboring man would eat in three meals] for a penny [a day’s wage]; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine” (Revelation 6:6). No doubt there will be peace enough for building again the Third Jewish Temple, but food insecurity will prevail to fulfill this prophecy. LORD, we appreciate what You have already given us to do Your will. May Your tribulations teach righteousness in the earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.