Future Events, Pt. 9 - End-Time Personalities

Understanding the “Signs of the Times”

End-Time Personalities in the Book of Revelation:

The Antichrist, the False Prophet, the Two Witnesses, the 144,000,

and the Coming King

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

(On the website above, click the link to “recent message notes” to view this message online.)

Revelation is a book full of mystery and intrigue. It is the final book in the Bible, written by John the Apostle, while in exile on the Isle of Patmos, off the coast of present day Turkey. When one links the prophecies of Revelation together with the book of Daniel in the Old Testament we can see amazing correlation that ties together principle characters in the end time events spoken of by Jesus Christ and the prophets.

There will one day be a time of unprecedented trial on the earth…

Church historians can look back over time and identify “waves” of “tribulation” – persecutions and horrendous trials, which have washed over the world since Christ’s first coming. These, I believe, give us growing glimpses of what the final Tribulation looks like when that conclusive tsunami of the wrath of God crashes down upon the world in the fury of its catastrophic carnage and Judgment upon the earth. As Jesus said, “days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.” Mark 13:19 (see also Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21; Jeremiah 30:7; Revelation 16:18).

Critical Clue – The Re-birth of the Nation of Israel

A critical clue of the age in which we live, is given to us in the re-birth of the nation of Israel, proclaimed by David Ben-Gurion on May 14, 1948 – with the British government relinquishing their mandate of the land at 6 p.m., sixty-three years ago today (the 15th also being the same day when the United States announced her official recognition of the State of Israel)!

Israel’s reestablishment had been prophesied for almost 2,000 years. It had not taken place before the first or second World Wars…but only in the fullness of time, in 1948, were these momentous Prophecies fulfilled (such as Ezekiel 36:24). I believe the time clock of the end began to take on serious new meanings when this happened. There are still events that need to take place – such as the rebuilding of the Temple (so that the Levitical sacrificial system can be reestablished – see Daniel 9:27 as an example of prophecy of the sacrificial system which will be established, being cut off), but those prophecies may also be fulfilled in our day, only God the Father knows the exact times of His plan. Is the re-birth of the Nation of Israel part of the “budding of the fig tree”, spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:32-35? I believe so.

“Be Prepared”

The Apostle Paul tells us we should not be caught by surprise at the events of the end times, so we are studying the Scripture to be consciously aware of what God has revealed in His Word regarding the events, which are coming!

1 Thessalonians 5:3–6

3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

Remember what Jesus Said?

Christ rebuked the Pharisees by telling them that they could predict the weather but they were not aware of the “signs of the times” (see also Luke 19:41-44).

Matthew 16:1–3

2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Remember God’s words to Daniel the Prophet?

God told the Prophet Daniel that the prophecies given him would be sealed up until the time of the end when their meaning would be revealed – the “wise will understand”.

Daniel 12:9–10

9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

Not Theories

Since you have asked me to share with you Biblical truth from Revelation, I do not want to just promote end-time theories. In this message I want to identify the personalities spoken in prophetic books such as Revelation and Daniel, and put them in Scriptural context, as much as I am able.

The first personality we will look at today is the person called “the Antichrist”, the “man of sin”, or “the beast”.

The Antichrist

“For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’

and they will lead many astray…”

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’

or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.

For false christs and false prophets will arise

and perform great signs and wonders,

so as to lead astray,

if possible, even the elect.

See, I have told you beforehand.

- Spoken by Jesus Christ, in Matthew 24:5,23-25

----

“The truth is that the method of international committees has failed. What we need is a person, someone of the highest order of great energy. Let him come and let him come quickly. Either a civilian or a military man, no matter what his nationality, who will cut all the red tape, shove out of the way all the committees, wake up all the people and galvanize all governments into action. Let him come quickly. This man we need and for whom we wait will take charge of the defense of the West. Once more I say, it is not too late, but it is high time.” - Attributed to Paul-Henri Spaak, former Premier of Belgium, shortly following the 2nd World War

The Fourth Beast identified in Daniel’s Prophecy

Daniel 7:7–28

7 “After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.

8 “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

9 “As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12 (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

The Interpretation of the Dream

15 “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. 16 I approached one of those standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this.

“So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 17 ‘The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’

19 “Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws—the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. 20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

26 “ ‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’

28 “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

One day there will be the most “spiritually” dynamic and powerful man ever to lead in world politics. This man will be hand picked to be indwelt by the spirit of satan himself. If God has shown that He can be incarnate in Christ Jesus, then satan will incarnate himself, to the degree that he is able, within the antichrist, to seek to establish what he has always wanted: world domination and world adulation. While the antichrist is ruling it will be a time of unspeakable catastrophe and trouble in the world…never before seen in history, and thankfully, it will only last seven years.

2 Thessalonians 2:7–9

7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders….

“Antichrist” is also more than a person; it is a spirit – a spirit that has prevailed in the world from the beginning of the fall of mankind, beginning with satan’s coy deceptive words, “Has God said?” (1 John 4:2-3; 1 John 2:18)

There has always been a longing in the hearts of mankind, supported through prophesies in God’s Word even at the fall of man (Gen. 3:15), of the coming of a Messiah who would set things right in our sad world. Satan, on the other hand, has cast a spell on the world to reject the true Messiah and receive the evil spirit of unbelief instead.

Satan is a deceiver, illusionist, liar, and counterfeiter. He knows more than anyone on earth that the Messiah, Jesus Christ has come as Redeemer and will one day come again as King. Satan hates that reality, in fact, he would rather not believe it at all and would just as soon no one else in his dark kingdom would believe it either. He would prefer to have his own “antichrist messiah” rule the world under his own spiritual domination, to further deceive and destroy. He still has that not-too-secret desire to be God, and he will make the most of his “final stand”.

Revelation 13:1–10

13 1 …And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. 4 Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?”

5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

9 He who has an ear, let him hear.

10 If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go.

If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed.

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

•This final beast is a world system, headed by the Antichrist. It will be a terrible combination of all the previous primary world systems (directly related to the destiny of Israel, God’s chosen people).

[This is the revived fourth kingdom from the prophetic world domination seen in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image with the head of gold, chest and arms of silver, waist of bronze, two legs of iron, with 10 toes (and the revived Roman Empire) on feet of iron and clay, Daniel 2:31–45.]

•The ten horns are echoed from the Prophet Daniel, and a mirror image of satan:

Revelation 12:3 – The dragon/serpent typifying satan

3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon (typifying satan) with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. (see Rev. 12:9; 20:2; Isaiah 27:1; Gen. 3:1; )

Revelation 17:9–10 – Seven Heads

9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come….

Daniel 7:24–25 – Ten Horns

24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

Revelation 17:12–13

12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.

The Antichrist will be the final world ruler, but he is not alone, the Scripture says there will be ten other kings that reinforce his rule (he consumes three of them), and then reveals his sinister spiritual partner.

The False Prophet

Revelation 13:11–18

11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.

Supported Demonic Supernatural Authority: In a counter-parallel with Aaron, as Moses’ mouthpiece before Pharaoh’s court in Egypt (before the exodus of the Israelites), so the False Prophet will be to the Antichrist. Through amazing miracles, he will provide the greatest deception and fullest authority on behalf of the Antichrist, pressing for the fullest allegiance and “marking” of every worldly soul to the Antichrist’s person and kingdom.

• He looks like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon (inspired by satan as an angel of light).

• He exercises all the authority of the Antichrist – on the Antichrist’s behalf (like Aaron did for Moses in Egypt).

• He makes everyone worship the Antichrist (his demand for worship is reinforced by the miraculous and supernatural healing of the Antichrist’s deadly wound).

• He performs great and miraculous signs – even causing fire to come down from heaven in full view of everyone.

• His supernatural powers deceive everyone but believers in Christ, on earth.

• He orders an image set up in honor of the Antichrist (on a wing of the Jewish temple – Daniel 9:27), which I believe is the fulfillment of “the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 9:27; 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14) – in honor of the Antichrist who seemed mortally wounded, but revived from his life-threatening wound.

• The image of the Antichrist, set up by the False Prophet in the temple, is demonically empowered to have life.

• The image then decrees that anyone not worshipping the Antichrist is to be killed.

• [Notice how this totally new supernatural voice from the “image” begins commanding deity worship of the Antichrist, with death as the penalty for disobedience... this spares the Antichrist and False Prophet from looking bad… as despotic dictators – because they are “only enforcing” the supernatural command of the image!]

• He also becomes the enforcer of the economic control (most likely with the help of the voice of the image) of everything bought or sold – tied to the name or number of the beast – the Antichrist... 666.

• Everyone who wants to have or use wealth in the world’s economic system will be required to receive the mark of the name or number of the Antichrist in his or her forehead or hand -- a constant reminder of who they have loyally committed their souls. None who receive the mark will afterward ever have a chance to be reconciled to the God of heaven or to His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:1-14

I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

• They are given power and protection by God, to prophecy and call down plagues on the earth, for 3 ½ years.

• They will be able to supernaturally consume their enemies with fire, which comes from their mouth. We do not know how this will be implemented from our limited understanding, but it could entail one or more of the following:

oLiteral fire comes from their mouth, which ignites and kills the ones seeking to destroy them.

oThe supernatural power of their words becomes a fire, which consumes those who attack them.

Note the imagery of the all-consuming, powerful weapon in Revelation, which Christ uses to strike down and destroy His enemies – “the sword of His mouth”, in Revelation 1:16; 2:16; 19:15; and 19:21.

Revelation 19:15

15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

The power of the Words spoken by Christ (the “sword of His mouth”) causes those to whom it is directed to be killed.

Note God’s reference to words given to Jeremiah becoming “fire” to consume his enemies:

Jeremiah 5:14

14 Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty says: “Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes.

We all are aware of the power of the tongue to literally destroy through malicious gossip, lies and defamation, as found in James 3 – possibly beginning with a “spark”, but becoming a devastating forest “fire”…

James 3:5–6

5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Could it be that those plotting to destroy these two Godly men, upon the witness’ proclamation, those seeking to assassinate them will be consumed by some form of spontaneous combustion, whether secretly holed up around a fortified bunker, or in plain sight while threatening the life of these who will become so hated by the world: the cause of death (death by burning) obviously revealing the true intent of their sinister plot to kill the two witnesses of God.

In any case, or a multiple of the above scenarios, the two witnesses will become untouchable and uncomfortable to those wanting to dispose of them, until their ministry is complete.

• They have supernatural power over the earth’s natural elements just as was evidenced through Moses and Elijah (Rev. 11:6).

o They have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying drought.

o They have power to turn the waters into blood.

o They have power to bring every kind of plague as often as they want.

They can cause Horrific Earthquakes.

They have power to command celestial bodies…bringing darkness, intense heat, and/or terror because of what is happening visually in the heavens, such as a blood-red moon, or the blotting out of certain portions of the stars for periods of time.

They have power to bring horrific pandemic plagues killing vast numbers (sometimes a third – two billion or more) of the people on the earth.

o In being God’s direct mouthpiece to bring God’s Judgment on the earth, the Two Witnesses are intensely hated by everyone who follows the Antichrist.

• After 3 ½ years, when they had finished their testimony, the Antichrist is given the power to attack them, overpower and kill them.

o Their bodies will lie untouched, after their slaughter, for three and a half days, on the streets of Jerusalem.

o Everyone will gaze at them and refuse to bury them.

o The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over their death and celebrate by sending each other gifts, because of these two prophets who had tormented them were now dead.

• After three and a half days a breath of life from God enters them.

o They will stand on their feet.

o Terror will strike the hearts of all who see them.

o A loud voice will be heard from heaven saying, “Come up here”!

o They will be taken up into heaven in a cloud while their enemies look on!

o Then there will be a terrible earthquake where a tenth of Jerusalem will collapse and seven thousand people will be killed.

o The survivors will be terrified and give glory to the God of heaven!

• The prophecies, slaying and rising of the two witnesses seem to coincide with the first three and a half years that the antichrist comes to power.

• This would seem to be a convenient time for the diversion of an assassination attempt to be made on the antichrist where he would receive a “deadly wound”. Then to have the “deadly wound” healed would be spectacular – as if he too had been resurrected!

• Following the Antichrist’s “resurrection” would be a great time to abolish the recently established daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation in the Jewish temple.

• The False Prophet powerfully bringing the image to life would also give a further miraculous deception.

• This could then be followed with the proclamation of the Antichrist to be god, to be worshipped by all – with the pain of death for those who did not do so.

During this time God is quietly and gently moving in the hearts of those in the world through the testimony of the 144,000 Jewish Evangelists, which He has left as His remnant on the Tribulation plagued world.

The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists and the blessed fruit of their ministry

Redemption through Christ’s Blood is still very viable during the intense Tribulation period of Judgment upon the earth.

Revelation 7 and 14:1-5 give the prophetic record of the ministry and fruit, which came from their powerful Tribulation witness.

Revelation 7

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,

from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,

from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000,

from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,

from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,

from the tribe of Levi 12,000,

from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,

from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,

from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

The Great Multitude in White Robes reveals the fruit of their Tribulation Ministry – from every nation, tribe, people, and language.

9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!

Praise and glory

and wisdom and thanks and honor

and power and strength

be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God

and serve him day and night in his temple;

and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

16 Never again will they hunger;

never again will they thirst.

The sun will not beat upon them,

nor any scorching heat.

17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;

he will lead them to springs of living water.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 14:1–5

14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

The Final Victory is with Jesus Christ the Coming King!

[To be covered next week!]

Addendum

More Biblical Information on the Antichrist

• Three Identifiers of the Antichrist in Scripture

Daniel 7:7–8

o He is hungry for Power: The Little Horn that gains world domination through deceit.

o He is thirsty to Perceive…to be the one “who sees”: The Perceiving Eyes that see.

o He boasts in his Person – he is totally self-centered: The Boastful Mouth full of prideful blasphemies.

1. He is hungry for Power: The “Little Horn” that Gains World Domination through Deceit.

• He is satan incarnate, evidencing all the traits of this incarnation.

2 Thessalonians 2:9–12

9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

As Jesus Christ was God incarnate, so the antichrist will be satan incarnate.

• The antichrist begins as “a little horn” that grows exceedingly great in Power

The Hebrew word “Little” (צָעִיר ) used in this verse, translates in other portions of Scripture, as “younger”, “least”, “youngest”, “little”, “little ones”, “small one”, and “small”… (Strong’s Concordance)

So we see that the word “small” that grows great in power, can also be referenced to possibly a younger, relatively unknown and seemingly powerless man (to begin with) who grows phenomenally great in his power throughout the first part of the Tribulation and in the last half of the Tribulation in particular. He is probably a key younger player, in the “peace” established (Daniel 9:27) through the treaty with Israel at the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation period. But watch out after he makes his move to set himself up as god (in the Temple) in the middle of the Tribulation.

(Speaking of a younger Messiah, remember that Jesus Christ began His ministry at the relatively young age of 30 and was crucified, bearing the sins of the world at 33!)

It is like the imitator satan, to recast his impostor in the same younger age. Remember Alexander the Great at 33 years of age, was “broken off”, as Daniel 8:8 recorded – at the height of his power (and in the prime of his life).

The antichrist, it seems will most likely be a young man, growing in exponential power, to far exceed the domination of any other ruler in the history of the world.

Daniel 8:9–14

9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. 12 Because of rebellion, the host of the saints and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.

13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?”

Daniel 8:25

25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

Daniel 9:27

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

Daniel 11:31

31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.

Daniel 12:6–13

6 … “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”

7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”

8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”

11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

• The antichrist comes as an angel of light (of “righteous” peace) – but his deeds will give him away!

2 Corinthians 11:13–15

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

• The antichrist will become Powerful after raising himself up and using the subjection of others to obtain his own ends.

Daniel 11:36

36 “The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.

• He will destroy (uproot) three “kingdoms” or dominions and replace them with himself.

Daniel 7:20–24

20 I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

• He will seek to alter or change the times, seasons and/or decrees established by God, to enact his own laws and establish his own spiritual authority. He will be given a certain amount of authority the final three and a half years of the Tribulation.

This certainly involves the breaking down of the “laws of temple worship” (Dan. 8:11-13), and may involve other consistent allocations of especially “times and seasons” in the Jewish calendar (Galatians 4:10), or more radical changes throughout the world.

Daniel 7:25

25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

• The antichrist is deceitful.

As satan is father of lies, ÓJohn 8:44, so the antichrist is a liar in the most deceitful of ways.

Daniel 8:23–25

23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

• The antichrist is ruthless.

o As satan is a murderer, John 8:44 so he is a murderer; as satan’s name is Apollyon (the Destroyer), Rev. 9:11, so he is a destroyer.

o He wants to ensnare his victims, as does satan, 1 Tim. 3:7; 2 Tim. 2:26.

o He will be given the Authority to Defeat, Imprison and Destroy Believing Saints during the last 3 ½ Years of the Tribulation

Remember that Job, in his trial, recorded in the book of Job, suffered his testing only after God authorized satan to touch him.

God protects His people with a special protection, unless, for His own reasons, He allows testing for our own good and maturing – trials which all believers must experience. (1 Peter 4:12, 13; James 1:2-5; etc.) Remember “all things work together for good to them who love God…” (Rom. 8:28) God wouldn’t have put this verse of comfort in the Scripture without Him establishing some protection for His own!

This protection is lifted during this terrible time of testing in the last half of reign of the antichrist. God’s protection will be lifted and satan will focus his deadly destruction and fury, through the antichrist, on God’s holy people. Even though this is the most devastating cruelty experienced by God’s people in the history of the world, there is also a special place that these alone will be given in Christ’s Presence throughout eternity (Rev. 7:9-27). Never does any believer’s endurance, during the intense fire of a trial, go unnoticed or unrewarded by God.

o There will be Devastation especially during the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation to those who have trusted Christ as their Messiah

Daniel 7

21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

… After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

Daniel 8

Revelation 13

7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation….

9 He who has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is to go into captivity,

into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

Revelation 17

6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus….

• In the end, the antichrist’s demonic authority will be taken away for good!

There will be a time of horrible “Jacob’s Trouble” for the Jews and for those coming to Christ from the witness of the 144,000 Jewish Believers. The world will be tested as never before during the dictatorship and vile, deceitful cruelty of the antichrist. In the end, the Authority given to the antichrist, by God, to deceive those three and a half years, will be taken away, and the final Authority will then be given to God’s Saints from then on, for eternity! (See also Daniel 2:34-35; 44-45)

Daniel 7

21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom…

26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken

away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end.

27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the

kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the

saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting

kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’

The first identifier of the antichrist is that he is Power Hungry: he is the “Little Horn” in the vision of Daniel the Prophet, that Gains World Domination through Deceit. The second identifier has to do with his eyes…

2. He is one who has Perceiving Eyes.

It is interesting that in the Daniel 7 passage there are two descriptive parts to the “little horn”. It has Eyes and a Mouth. Eyes are an interesting feature.

Daniel 7

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, Óthere came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and Óa mouth speaking great things.

Daniel 8:23c

…a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise.

• Special Information: His government will have full access to all personal information that up-to-date computer data, Internet feeds, banking records, spy satellite surveillance, unmanned drones and gossip can provide – for every human being.

• Supernatural Comprehension: He will have uncanny, supernatural “eyes” and powers that his spiritistic incarnation will give him. No one will be able to conspire against him without his awareness during the time allotted him. He will try to find and destroy anyone who opposes him – especially believing Children of God.

• Sympathetic Emotions: He will have sympathy and accolades from the world because of his great accomplishments in “peaceful negotiations” and especially because of the “deadly wound” (Rev. 13:3,4,14) that was healed – certainly received while in “dedicated service” for “peace” in the world. The world will give him any support needed to do anything he pleases…including finding anyone opposed to his government. There will be no safe havens for those in opposition. He will have the power and authority to do as he wishes to anyone, without question.

Revelation 13:10 If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed.

He will see! George Orwell’s 1984 about “Big Brother’s” invasive government will be more of a reality than ever before in the dominion of the antichrist.

3. He boasts in his Person – he is totally self-centered: The Boastful Mouth full of prideful blasphemies. He calls himself “god”.

• He raises himself up above all things and makes himself to be equal to God.

As satan has been given for a time the authority as the spiritual prince of the power of the air in this world, ÓEph. 2:2Ó; ruler of the darkness of this world, ÓEph. 6:12; the god of this world, 2 Cor. 4:4; and power of darkness, Col. 1:13; so the antichrist wants to be physical dominator and ruler of all – he wants to be, as satan who indwells him desires, to be “Beelzebul” the “lord of the house” – the lord of the world, Matt. 12:24.

Daniel 7

25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High

Revelation 13

5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months [3 ½ years]. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling,_ that is, those who dwell in heaven.

• He is a Proud, Bold, Unapologetic “Boaster”! But he does it in such a suave and mesmerizing way that the world loves it and calls him god!

Daniel 7

20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.

Daniel 7:25b

… and shall think to change the times and the law;

and they shall be given into his hand

for a time, times, and half a time.

Daniel 11

36 “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. 37 He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all.

• He does as he wills.
• He exalts and magnifies himself above every god.
• He speaks astonishing things against the God of gods.
• He prospers until everything meant for his indignation, has been accomplished – what has been decreed is done.
• He magnifies himself above all.
• This man is so full of himself and asserts his authority over the whole earth that he makes himself an “all knowing god”

Daniel 11:45b

…Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

But in the end…

Jesus Christ will rule and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords, forever and ever!

Our hope is in the eternal Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Lord and Savior.