PROPHECIES CONCERNING A FALSE MESSIAH TO COME

A truth early taught in the church was the coming of a personal anti-christ prior to the Millennial reign of Christ. He was seen as the “seed of the serpent” in ultimate development.

The culmination of Satan's efforts to gain control of humanity will be a practical incarnation in counterfeit of the incarnation of the Son of God.

The anti-christ will be Satan's masterpiece, attempting to make good the original assertion of the devil to Adam: “Ye shall be as gods.”

The trinities of Scripture are significant. The divine Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Mt. 28:19-20). Man himself a trinity—spirit, soul and body. (1 Thess. 5:23). A trinity of opposition to Christ— the devil, the world and the flesh. (1 Jn. 2:16). Evil will culminate in a trinity— the devil, the anti-christ and the false prophet. (Rev. 20:10).

ANTI-CHRIST SYSTEM HEADS UP IN A MAN

Anti-christ is not a system only, but eventually a person. “The man of sin” (2 Thess 2:3). His number is the “number of a man.” (Rev. 13:18). The anti-christ system will have, at the end of the age, a personal dictator.

He will be “the man of the earth.” (Psa. 10:18). “The son of perdition.” (2 Thess. 2:3). “The beast.” (Rev. 13:4). “The anti-christ” (1 Jn. 2:18). “The wicked one.” (2 Thess. 2:8).

Christ came down from heaven. (Jn. 6: 38). Anti-christ will ascend from the pit. (Rev. 11:7).

Christ came in the Father's name. The anti-christ will come in his own name. (Jn. 5:43).

Christ humbled Himself. (Phil. 2:8). The anti-christ will exalt himself above all that is called God. (2 Thess. 2:4).

Christ was the despised and rejected One. (Isa. 53:3). The anti-christ will be admired of men. (Rev. 13:3-4).

Christ received His words from the Father. (Jn. 12:49). The anti-christ will receive his authority from Satan. (Rev. 13:4).

Christ glorified God on earth. (Jn. 17: 4). The anti-christ will blaspheme the name of God. (Rev. 13:6).

Christ was the Good Shepherd giving His life for the sheep. (Jn. 10:14). The antichrist will be the idol shepherd, destroying the flock. (Zech. 11:16-17).

Christ was the True Vine. (Jn. 15:1). The anti-christ will be “the vine of the earth.” (Rev. 19:18).

Christ was received up into heaven. (Mk. 16:19). The anti-christ will go into perdition. (Rev. 17:8-11).

Christ is coming in power and glory. (Mt. 24:30). The anti-christ will be rendered powerless by the brightness of Christ's coming. (2 Thess. 2:8).

Christ shall reign. The anti-christ will be tormented day and night forever. (Rev. 20:10).

CAN WE IDENTIFY ANTI-CHRIST?

Who will the anti-christ be? Many think it will be a pope of Rome. But popes only claim to be God's representatives. (cf. 2 Thess. 2:4). Popes do not and probably will not deny the coming of Christ in the flesh, (cf. 1 Jn. 4:3) nor His second coming. (2 Jn. 7). It is not likely that any pope will be an infidel or will try to prove Christ a fraud. (1 Jn. 2:22-23). No pope is likely to be of Hebrew descent. (Dan. 11:37).

It is foolish to try to make positive identifications. The Romanists found the number 666 on Martin Luther. Before the World War, some found 666 on the German Kaiser. Many others have borne the brunt of these predictions.

NUMEROUS TYPES OF ANTI-CHRIST

There have been many types of antichrist.

Nebuchadnezzar was a supreme monarch who caused an image of himself to be worshipped.

Alexander the Great overran the East and sought acknowledgment of the high priest of Jupiter that he was the son of God.

Antiochus Epiphanes, called “The Illustrious”, slew 400,000 Jews and sold as many in captivity. He polluted the holy place of the temple, set up an altar, forbade offerings except to himself. After his death, he was worshipped as God.

Caligua, the mad Roman Emperor, made a golden statue of himself and took the names of deity.

The early church considered Nero the anti-christ and even after his death, many thought he would rise from the dead and fulfill Scripture predictions.

Domitian who banished John to Patmos, filled the empire with images of himself and many victims were sacrificed to him. Official notices from him read: “Our Lord and God commands.”

Many looked upon Napoleon as the antichrist.

Guesswork is unprofitable. It is sufficient to know that the number 666 denotes evil in its most intense manifestation. It is heaven's estimate of the devil's masterpiece.

SUMMARY IN REVELATION 13

A summary of the matter is given in Rev. 13: 1-9.

The beast rises out of the sea. (v. 1). As a political power he will emerge from the turmoil of the nations. (Rev. 17:15).

V. 3 may indicate that he will be a spirit released from hades obsessing some living man.

He will be a great statesman, genius, daring hero. (v. 3). A man bewitching in manners and eloquence. Politicians will doubtless say: “Here is a man capable of directing the League of Nations.”

Eventually he will declare himself against the Christian religion. (v. 5). Terrible persecution will follow (vs. 7-8) during the last 3% years of the Tribulation period.