For centuries many have speculated over who the antichrist would be. Many pointed to the tryants of yesteryear as the man of perdition but they would come and go and we'd go on to the next bad guy who surely must be the man of the hour. Many movies in recent years have been attributed to him and many speculate on the when and who still today. Many, as I do, believe he's among us today. He wouldn't even know he's the man appointed for this task yet.
So who is he? What does the bible have to say about this man? Many know that the last book of the bible, the book of Revelation reveals quite a bit about this antichristos where we get our English translation "antichrist."
The word antichrist appears only four times in scripture and only from the Apostle John although there are other passages implicitly describing this man of sin as well. When John spoke of this antichrist he was describing a time when Israel and the Jews would be at the center of the antichrist's persecution and the Christians would be expected to intervene being faithful, bold and courageous during a time unlike any we have ever seen before.
The thirteenth chapter of Revelation reveals what will happen in the final stages of the "latter days" that the bible so frequently mentions. This is written for us to understand and to be prepared. It's not a pleasant chapter to read but critical that we understand it. This is a doom and gloom chapter of the whole bible where a couple of really bad individuals empowered by Satan himself will be leading the whole world.
Many are fearful to read such things but we must remember it's written to help us; to give us full disclosure so that we're not caught off guard and that we remain faithful. There's nothing in this chapter that gives us hope, joy or anything to encourage us. The time period we're talking about is three and a half years. This will be a long period of time for many trying to escape the clutches of two very wicked men.
John saw two beasts. One is coming up from the sea and the other coming out of the land. This means that the first beast will be a Gentile (sea=world) and the second beast will be a Jew (land=Israel). The first beast will be the antichrist. The second beast will be his false prophet doing some mighty miracles called lying wonders by the prophets of God. So we're looking for a Gentile and a Jew working together. World peace and one world government will be their goal. Their message will be one of unity. But it's deception at its finest.
The first beast, coming from the sea had seven heads or seven Kingdoms. Later in Chapter 17 we see more about these heads. I believe these heads after studying these passages along with the book of Daniel are seven kingdoms. These kingdoms all have one thing in common. They all severely oppressed Israel thru the centuries. They are Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Persia, Rome and Germany. They are all Gentile Nations.
The seven heads have 10 horns. Horns are known to be used of animals for fighting, showing power and strength. It could be the nations mentioned above have 10 kings representing them while they oppressed the Jews. This beast John saw in his vision was like a leopard and his feet were like that of a bear and his mouth like a lion. The leopard depiction speaks of his rapid speed as to how he moves, the lion analogy speaks to his feroucious behavior and loud roaring giving us a picture of his vivid personality.
One of the heads will suffer a fatal head wound. He will be wounded to death but then will be healed. So the speculation goes on that it's either a Kingdom or a King. The personal description seems to indicate a King will be declared dead. Interestingly I just read an article in the paper about Hitler. They really have no idea if he really did die when they thought he did. The skull they have has been listed as a hoax. Whoever this ruler is, there will be widespread speculation. He will be well known, widely recognized and, scripture says, the world will wonder over the beast who was raised from death to life when his deadly wound is healed.
In verse 4 it says the world will worship the dragon (Satan). This is not hard to understand at all. Can you understand just how rapidly America has turned away from the God of the Bible and towards a one world government? This antichirst will be blaspheming the God of the universe. His speech will be laced with mockery and ridicule. It says he will speak great things and power will be given him to do such things for 42 months (3 1/2 years). This also is not hard to see. Just look at the media and the world of entertainment. Sin is mocked and accountability is a thing of the past. Look at David Letterman's exposure of his infidelity and how his audience laughed and his guests patted him on the back or Polanski who brutally raped a young girl and the call for his release. It's going to get much worse.
The second beast, a Jew, will be the false prophet to the Antichrist and will be doing the miracles as if he were Elijah. Many will believe this is the projected Elijah they have been waiting for. The Jews will be on board and they will listen and follow this second beast. His job is to authenticate the antichrist's message. The signs and wonders he will be able to do will make many believers and they will have no reservations taking the mark of the beast. This mark will enable us to buy and sell. Without it we will not be able to do business of any kind.
At the end of the chapter we see the infamous 666. What does this mean? It says the number of the beast is the number of a man and his number is 666.
In John's day there were three prevalent languages. Hebrew, Greek and Latin. All three gave numerical value to each letter of the alphabet. Many over the years took the different names of the world's most hated men using the alphabet and the number it represented and came up with all sorts of ideas of who the Antichrist could be. We've heard names such as Nero, Alexander, Mussilini, Kissinger, Hitler, Kennedy and various popes.
But what numerical value do you take? Hebrew? Greek? Latin? Some point out that it doesn't say six hundred sixty six but just 666. What's the difference?
We read many times especially in the OT that God is Holy, Holy Holy. Three times for emphasis. We read here that the number of the antichrist is the number of man...666. Six is one short of perfection. Man was created on day six. Could John be saying under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the antichrist is "just a man, just a man, just a man?" He is not deity but many will be worshipping him as if he were. Could this be a reminder?
We do know that in the end God will defeat the antichrist, the false prophet,the Dragon and all who follow them.
We need to be found faithful even unto death if necessary.