Rise of the Antichrist and the False Prophet

Why Are People So Easily Fooled?

Ken

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24 KJV). How could Lucifer — the highest of Yahweh’s created beings — choose himself over the Most High God? No sin had ever been committed, so he couldn’t blame anything or anybody but himself for doing it. Yahweh gave Lucifer the capacity to choose, just as He has given us the same ability. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:27). Pride is glorifying self instead of God, “who is worthy to be praised” (1Samuel 22:4; Psalm 18:3 KJV). Five times, Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12) was recorded by Yahweh as not having said out loud, but only voicing in his heart, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (14:13-14). He wanted what only the Almighty was worthy to have — the praise, honor, and glory for being the first, the highest, the most powerful, the wisest, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Righteous Judge. He refused to give Yahweh the credit for being Yahweh. “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Romans 13:7). Whenever anyone willingly does not acknowledge self-evident truth about the Most High God, they commit the sin of pride, and take that glory for themselves. Again, pride is essentially glorifying self instead of God. 

Okay, so why are people so easily fooled? And, why will they be ensnared by the Antichrist to worship him as God Almighty? Because they have been willing to give someone other than Jesus Christ the glory for being the True Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:15). But, you say, How can we know that Jesus Christ is the prophesied seed? Because He fulfills all the prophecies concerning the Messiah, e.g., Psalm 2:7, 12; Proverbs 30:4; Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Isaiah 53; Malachi 3:1; et al. Which means whoever will be sitting in the Jerusalem Temple at the middle of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:26) proclaiming himself as God (Matthew 24:15), is an impostor — the Antichrist. Paul tells us, “10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2Thessalonians 2:10-12).

They had “pleasure in unrighteousness” (2Thessalonians 2:12), since they did not “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24), because, like Lucifer, they sought their own glory, for they were speaking on their own authority. “If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will know about My teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak from My own authority” (John 7:17 NET). Notice the relationship of the one who does not speak on his own authority and the one who sent him. The righteous relationship stems from seeking to honor God and not himself. “The person who speaks on his own authority desires to receive honor for himself; the one who desires the honor of the one who sent him is a man of integrity, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (John 7:18 NET). Both the Antichrist and those deceived by him speak on their own authority, as Lucifer did with the First Sin. 

Father, teach us to beware of speaking on our own authority that we would not be deceived by the claims of Antichrist and the Antichristian system of the world. Give us strong understanding of You and the strength to withstand the wiles of the Devil. Lord Jesus, return quickly to deliver Your faithful followers. In Jesus’ powerful name, we pray. Amen. 

Seven Heads Are Seven Mountains (Revelation 17:9)

Ken

Revelation is an understandable story, where the angel explains the vision of the woman sitting upon the beast (Revelation 17:7 KJV). The following only highlights aspects of the description of the Whore, who represents the False Prophet, and the Beast, who represents the Antichrist. “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth” (17:9). The mountains represent kingdoms, i.e., like the “great mountain” (Daniel 2:35) of Daniel’s vision. “And there are seven kings: five are fallen [Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece] and one is [the Rome of John’s day], and the other is not yet come [Revived Roman Empire]; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space” (Revelation 17:10). “And the beast [Antichrist] that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition” (17:11). The Antichrist political system existed at one time, disappeared, and reemerged.  “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings [Ten regions of the world, not just the European Union], which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive no power as kings one hour [possibly only 15 days] with the beast [Antichrist]” (17:12). “These shall make war with the Lamb [Battle of Armageddon at the end of the Seventieth Week of Daniel], and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (17:14). “And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire [the religious system of the Great Whore will be destroyed by the Antichrist, who got tired of taking directions from the Great Whore]” (17:16). The chapter ends identifying the whore with Rome. “And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (17:18). 

Wondered With Great Admiration (Revelation 17:6)

Ken

John’s vision of the Great Whore caused him great astonishment of what he saw. “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration [Greek, thauma, amazement]” (Revelation 17:6 KJV). Watching False Christianity martyr the True Saints is difficult to watch, unless it is understood, not everyone is Christian, who claims to be Christian. Who is friend, and who is foe? “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1John 3:15). Murderers kill True Saints; hence, the False Prophet will be “drunken with the blood of the saints” (Revelation 17:6). Never tolerate hatred of True Saints in your own heart, for the enemy never truly loves the saints in their own heart. Question? Which brother or sister do you not truly care for? If it is not sin in them, then there is sin in you. Repent, or you will be siding with the Great Whore. Father, You are the Judge of our Hearts. May any sense of lacking of love for our brothers and sisters cause us to respond with alarm. May we repent and reevaluate our understanding of Your truth, which would allow such unjust opinions and hatred of Your Body. Convict by Your Spirit those parts of the Body that need convicting. Restore to Yourself a Sound Body. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

The Great Whore and the Beast (Revelation 17:7)

Ken

Religion in bed with politics is the one world ecumenical movement riding the Antichrist. In the Revelation, John shows us the final development of the world’s religious aspirations fully engaged with the power of the world’s governments. “I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters” (Revelation 17:1 KJV). In A Woman Rides the Beast (56:28), Dave Hunt historically connects papal Rome with ancient Babylon — though often ignored or discounted by modern scholarship — then he prophetically links Rome’s ecumenical leadership — “that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:22) —  with the whore riding the beast. 

In the Book of Revelation, John describes a woman: (1) of great power and spiritual corruption, i.e., “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication” (Revelation 17:4), (2) with a harlot’s forehead, designating her as the explanation for the occasion, source, and widespreadness of spiritual corruption, i.e., “And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (17:5), (3) responsible for the martyrdom of countless True Believers, i.e., “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration” (17:6), (4) sitting at ease at Rome, the City of Seven Hills, i.e., “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth” (17:9), and (5) reigning and influencing world governments from papal Rome, i.e., “And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (17:18). If Babylon the Great is here identified with the religious world system, then papal Rome would be more representative of the beast “out of the sea” (13:1), which is the False Prophet, and would not be the Antichrist. Hence, the Whore rides the Beast. Father, the signs of Your Son’s soon appearing are around us and ominous. Cause us to walk carefully but powerfully. Come quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Do You Believe There Will Be New Heavens and New Earth?

Ken1 Comment

The entire universe as we know it will pass away is the meaning of “New Heavens and a New Earth” (Revelation 21:1 KJV). When I was a youngster, in the time period shortly after the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 16-28, 1962), during the Cold War with the USSR (Soviet Russia), nuclear war was a reality. I was living in South Florida, only so many miles away from the nuclear warheads Nikita Kruschev placed in Fidel Castro’s Cuba. The public school systems were practicing “duck and cover” exercises, so my elementary school mind said they were serious. In particular, I remember coming across a sermon booklet by a Southern Baptist evangelist, Hyman Appleman, The Atomic Bomb and the End of the World (1954). I was convinced I’d better be ready for the end of the world. The sun came out the next morning, and I persuaded myself not to get carried away. But, it reminds me that we all can have thoughts about the end of things as we know it. “If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?” (Ezekiel 33:10). 

How do we get to New Heavens and New Earth from here? “And I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1). Just as it is complicated to process everything from Creation to the Cross, it will be as much of a challenge to understand how we get from here to the end. Spirit of Christ, You alone can instruct us about the future. “And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3). 

(The following is a longer read, but hopefully, not too long. Scan ahead to preview.)

In Christ’s Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:1-25:56; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36), He gave an outline for the future that we may use to interpret the prophecy of the Book of Revelation’s New Heaven and New Earth. A good summary of the Olivet Discourse can be found here to make that interpretation. But chiefly, the Rapture of the Church is the next key event in the steps towards the New Heavens and New Earth, and Paul was its chief expounder (1Thessalonians 4:13-18). (1) The dead in Christ will bodily resurrect to return with Christ’s Second Coming, i.e., “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him” (4:14). (2) Those who are “alive and remain” (4:17) in Christ will be “caught up” (4:17) to meet the Lord “in the air” (4:17), i.e., “we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (4:17). However, “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2Corinthians 5:8) means earthly events do not impact the Heavenly narrative, because we are immediately in another dimension, in other words, seven earth years can elapse before the Lord completes His Second Coming. 

Prophecy is all about predicted events and necessary consequences. In Daniel’s intercession for Judah and Jerusalem, he confessed his sins and the sins of his people (Daniel 9:20). The angel Gabriel gave him the Seventy Weeks Prophecy (9:24-27), concerning Messiah the Prince (9:25), where the weeks were weeks of years. After 69 weeks or 483 years (9:25) “shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself” (9:26), which is the Crucifixion of Christ. “And the people of the prince that shall come [the Romans] shall destroy the city and the sanctuary [70 AD]” (9:26). The gap between Daniel 9:26 and 9:27 is the entire History of the Church, where the Gentile nations would participate in the House of God (1Timothy 3:15). But, the Seventieth Week of Daniel resumes with a covenant made by the “prince that shall come [Antichrist]” (9:26) with Israel, where a Temple will be rebuilt. But, in the midst of the Seventieth Week, “he [Antichrist] shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate” (9:27). This is the Abomination of Desolation also spoken of by Jesus in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:15). 

The final moments of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 2:22; 7:14) or the Tribulation Week or the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) are the climactic Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:11-21) at the Battle of Armageddon (16:16). The Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire (19:20), while the Devil is cast into the Bottomless Pit (20:1). Christ reigns over His Millennial Kingdom (20:1-6), then Satan is released (20:7) from the Bottomless Pit (the Abyss), as if to drain the dregs of anymore opposition to the Almighty forever. “For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them” (Psalm 75:8). Satan stirs up a revolt and surrounds Jerusalem, but is subdued by fire out of Heaven (Revelation 20:8-9). Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire (20:10). All the wicked dead are judged at God’s White Throne (20:11-15). Next comes the New Heavens and New Earth. 

Peter described the New Heavens and New Earth, but Isaiah already prophesied of them (Isaiah 65:17; 66:12). “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for New Heavens and a New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2Peter 3:13). When John describes the scene, he notes “there was no more sea” (Revelation 20:1); in other words, this is the eternal state, where all land will be habitable and the necessity for water to flourish life will be satisfied supernaturally by the Alpha and Omega (21:6) and the River of Life (22:1). But, most prominent will be the New Jerusalem ascending from God out of Heaven (21:10). John calls this New Jerusalem, “the Lamb’s wife” (21:9), probably because it would be the dwelling quarters Jesus once described, “In My Father’s house are many mansions [Greek, monē, dwelling places]: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The city is a cube of 1,400 miles long by 1,400 miles wide by 1,400 miles high (Revelation 21:14 NET), and 1,400 miles is more than half the distance from San Francisco, CA to Washington, DC. If a “mansion” or dwelling unit was 1 cubic mile, how many mansions or dwelling places could you fit into New Jerusalem? 2.744 trillion mansions.

A further description of New Jerusalem: (1) Glory of God like a crystal clear, precious jewel jasper (Revelation 21:11), (2) Walls of jasper (21:18) about 216 feet high (21:17), (3) Twelve gates with the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel on each gate (21:12), (4) Twelve foundations with the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb (21:14), (5) City is pure gold like transparent glass (21:18), (6) Walls are decorated with twelve kinds of precious stones (21:19-20), (7) Twelve gates of twelve whole pearls (21:21), (8) Main Street is pure gold (21:21), (9) No Temple, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple (21:22), (10) No sun or moon, because God and the Lamb are the light (21:23), (11) Earthly kings bring their grandeur into the city (21:24), (12) No night and the gates never close (21:25), (13) The grandeur of the wealth of nations may enter but nothing detestable (21:26-27), (14) The River of the Water of Life flows from the Throne of God and the Lamb (22:1), (15) Tree of Life on each side of the River producing Twelve Kinds of Fruit, and its leaves are for the health of nations (22:2), (16) No more curse! (22:3), (17) Throne of God will be in the city (22:3), (18) His servants shall worship Him (22:3), (19) They will see His face and His name will be on their foreheads (22:4), (20) No need for light for the Lord God will shine on them (22:5), and (21) They will reign forever and ever (22:5). 

For more background for those who believe in New Heavens and New Earth, see our article, Is New Always Better?

Preparation for the Kings of the East (Revelation 16:12)

Ken

Drying up the Euphrates River in preparation for the Kings of the East to cross for the Battle of Armageddon is already in progress. “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared” (Revelation 16:12 KJV). Though an Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources (2021) report warned that the Tigris-Euphrates River system could run dry by 2040 due to declining water levels and droughts driven by climate change, the Sixth Vial Judgment will be the completed accomplishment of that warning. The LORD told Abraham that the Euphrates is the eastern boundary of Israel (Genesis 15:18). “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet. Till Earth and Sky stand presently, at God’s great Judgment Seat” (The Ballad of East and West, 1889, Rudyard Kipling). The picture of demonic frogs coming out of the mouths of the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet (16:13) only reinforce the idea of an Unholy Trinity, which use miracles to draw the kings of the earth into battle against the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. Only deception and insanity make it a good idea to fight against Almighty God at any time, much less at Armageddon (16:16). “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (16:14). And, a final invitation from the Lord Jesus indicates the harvest is about to be complete. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (16:15). LORD, magnify Yourself in judgment. Fulfill all Your pleasure in redeeming souls. In Jesus’ name. Amen and amen. 

Blindness of the Church (Part 1)

Ken

All of history has been building up to today, when the Church faces the god of this world and the minions of his demonic horde, long ignored in western biblical exposition. Jewish rabbis would rejoice to find the difficult passages to interpret because then they would have the most opportunity for discovery. “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Psalm 119:18 KJV). We will either lose our faith or go mad, if we continue to seek solutions without elevating our thinking about the Scriptures. Genesis is the beginning of most of our misunderstandings that only multiply throughout Scripture. Without debating six literal days of creation or Noah’s worldwide flood carving the Grand Canyon, trouble appears in Genesis 6, where the “sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown” (Genesis 6:4 KJV). In the OT, benai elohim, “sons of God” (6:4) always refers to angelic beings (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7). Angels (also called elohim, Psalm 82:1,6) who “kept not their first estate” (Jude 1:6) produced an unnatural, ungodly hybrid known as Nephilim. “The Nephilim [KJV, giants] were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown” (Genesis 6:4 ESV). The significance of this ungodly hybridization manifests itself throughout Scripture, e.g., Goliath; but ultimately, it will demonstrate itself in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy concerning the Antichrist. Already, the Church has been blinded concerning this because it has been mired in establishing the First Truths of the doctrines of Christ. “1 Therefore leaving the principles [Greek, archē, elementary instructions, first truths] of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:1-2). More about this later. LORD, grant us the gift of a willing heart to remove our blindness about what You are about to do in fulfillment of Prophecy. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

For more information on the Nephilim, see our book, Understanding Spiritual Warfare.

Hastening or Hindering, Restraining or Unleashing

Ken

Hastening or hindering, the Almighty allows us much more than we imagine. Children can help parents accomplish their goals or get in the way. When we pray for the fulfillment of prophecy, we are hastening Christ’s Second Coming. “Looking for and hasting [literally, hastening] unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2Peter 3:12 KJV). We may pray, “Thy kingdom come” (6:10) and promote His return. But, if we should discourage the faithful from seeking our Lord’s imminent appearing, then we are hindering the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When Jesus promised, “Surely I come quickly” (Revelation 22:20), shouldn’t we hasten His return by praying, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (22:20)? 

Restraining or unleashing, the LORD God seeks our comradeship in warfare. Allies can assist or delay final victory. Working with the Spirit of God, the godly, as the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13), represent the greatest restraining influence in the world against the adversary, his Antichrist, lawlessness, anarchy, malevolence, utter disregard for life, property, and the morals of others. Not simply the influence noticed by the world, e.g., anti-abortion, anti-pornography, pro-family, but the freedom, prosperity, and peace enjoyed by all, results from the peace the LORD grants to the righteous. “And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). Though Abraham’s concern was for the welfare of “just Lot” (2Peter 2:7), his intercession provided the Judge of All the Earth (Genesis 18:25) the sanction or approval to unleash His judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, after Lot was removed. 

By contrast, the Great Removal of the Church at the Pre-Tribulational Rapture represents the LORD determining He had sufficient sanction to remove the Restraining Influence — the Spirit Indwelt Saints — from the world. “7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he [Holy Spirit] who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming”  (2Thessalonians 2:7-8 NASB). As an omnipresent influence, the Holy Spirit continues His function in the world, but the noticeable absence of the restraining influence of the raptured believers will be profound. The Almighty will be proceeding with His masterful end game in dealing with the earth. 

LORD, You are sovereign in determining when You will return. We are humbled that You would seek our companionship, labor, and approval in what You choose to do. Grant to us an understanding heart that You may be even more greatly magnified, when You choose to rapture Your Church. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen. 

False Prophet: Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:16)

Ken

The Mark of the Beast is a loyalty oath with survival benefits. Worship or die. Receive the mark or not survive. Death by beheading (Revelation 20:4) appears to be the execution. “And he [the False Prophet] causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads” (Revelation 13:16 KJV). Either you worship and live, or you refuse and die. You receive the mark and eat, or you refuse and die. “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:17). Antichrist purposely makes the choice obvious, for the devil knows his time is short. It is now easy to say; but, “Isn’t this the best example of sacrificing the eternal on the altar of the immediate?” May God give His martyrs the conviction and power to make the right choice! Speculation of the meaning of 6-6-6 is endless, but, since man was created on the sixth day, perhaps it means, “Antichrist is only a man-man-man?” “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (13:18). 

False Prophet: Worship the Image of the Beast (Revelation 13:15)

Ken

An image of the Antichrist will be made, brought to life, and worshipped by all earth dwellers, as demanded by the False Prophet. “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15 KJV). No one can remain neutral about worshipping the “image of the beast” (13:25). Worship or die. Before the events of the Tribulation Week, one might proceed to the end of their natural life before a decision might be made. Now, “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (12:12). Rationality is not the question. Do you value your present physical life more than your eternal life? Even the young in Christ can understand the choice. God can give His people the power to persevere a martyr’s death. “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (2:10). LORD, You alone can make us faithful to bear a martyr’s death. Make us faithful and cause us to hang on, when we have no one else but You to grasp. Bless Your Name and all those, who hold fast to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.