Introduction . . .
God warns of a world leader who will soon rise and grow in power. This coming world leader has been given around 33 names and titles (which describe attributes) in the Bible (both in the Old and New Testaments) ... one of which is the 'Antichrist.' The Bible says this man will not be revealed until after the 1. 'Restrainer' (the Holy Spirit influence will be taken out) – 2.(including the body of believers alive at the time) is 'removed' (as a note, some believe at that time the U.S. will also be "removed" from its role as a "restraining" world power). 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that 2 Thessalonians 2:7 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.
This coming world leader (the Antichrist) will begin by exerting control over ten nations which were once part of the Roman Empire (most likely European) . . .
"The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from (out of) this kingdom (the Roman Empire ... could be 10 nations out of the European Union)
And another shall rise after them; he (the Antichrist) shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings (or nations) . . ." (The end begins)
(Daniel 7:24)
"Shall be different"... we don't know what nationality this man will be, or what might make him "different." In one verse he is described as 'the Assyrian' (an area around Syria and Iraq). He may be considered an 'alien' by some. This man will quickly consolidate power over 10 nations which were once part of the Roman Empire (probably European) and then over the whole world through treaties and war possibly using the former USA as his power platform. God warns this man will be empowered by Satan. He will lead the world into the terrors of the Apocalypse. This coming world leader has been given many names and titles in the Bible, including one of the best known, yet most misleading - the 'Antichrist.' Although he will be against faithful Christians and will mock God’s Word, the world will view him as a great leader and a man of peace. This man will be Satan’s counterfeit messiah. He will use deception and lies to "spin" his web of deceit and to conceal his true motives. Prophecies hint this man will not be fully revealed until after the Rapture, when the "Restrainer" is taken out of the way . . .
"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work;
only He who now restrains (the Holy Spirit)
will do so UNTIL He is taken out of the way.
And THEN the lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed,
whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth
and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
The coming of the lawless one (Antichrist)
is according to the working of Satan,
with all power, signs (miracles), and lying wonders"
(2 Thessalonians 2:7-9)
"He who now restrains" . . . The Rapture of the Church
We are told that all who believe Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) died for their sins, was buried, then raised from the dead, and accept Him as their Lord and Savior (who saves us from Hell) are "born again," and are then indwelt by the Holy Spirit. According to the Bible, you cannot separate the Holy Spirit from the believing Christian. This is God’s promise. So, in order to remove "He who now restrains" (the Holy Spirit), God must also remove the body of believers who are alive at that time. This is why many believe the man some call the 'Antichrist' cannot be revealed until after the Rapture of the Church (admittedly a pretty 'hard to comprehend' prophecy) . . . so we don't spend too much time trying to figure out who this guy is. Also, since there doesn't appear to be any obvious prophecies concerning America specifically during the Tribulation period, some feel the U.S. may be "neutralized" as an international restraining force at or around this same time . . . however, some in more modern times of prophetic interpretation feel that Daniel 7:24 & 25 seem to be talking more about the Antichrist's platform then the actual antichrist himself. If this is correct then the ten horns most definitely would be the ten existing nations of Europe that are the remnants of the Roman Empire. The Kingdom it speaks of would be the European Economic Union EEU. The other "Who shall rise from this kingdom..." would be the United States of America.
The three that will be subdued by the one raised up from the EEU would be, looking back, Spain, France and Great Britain. The USA actually came out of the modern day Roman Empire and defeated the three countries who had colonized the new Americus. The prophecy of verse 25 c. is being fulfilled in the 21st Century. The platform thus will be the political, military, and leadership power that the Antichrist will need to rule the world. As Jerusalem is the Seat of the Messiah, Babylon will be the seat of the false messiah. Whether Babylon will be the actual city of Babylon resurrected by Saddam Hussein or religious Babylon represented by the city of Rome is not as clear.
The Beast: The Rise of Satan's Antichrist . . .
So, the world will soon get the leader it seems to be longing and waiting for. A powerful leader who will be popular, attractive, charismatic, and a great talker whose many words will not be chosen for truth, but for lies and deception. A leader who will kill many Christians and Jews . . .
"Then I stood on the sand of the sea.
And I saw a beast (Satan’s Antichrist)
rising up out of the sea,
having seven heads and ten horns,
and on his horns ten crowns,
(The book of Daniel explains these represent 10 nations he will rule)
and on his heads a blasphemous name . . .
The dragon (Satan) gave him his power,
his throne, and great authority."
(Revelation 13:1,2)
"The coming of the lawless one (the coming 'Antichrist')
is according to the working of Satan,
with all power, signs (miracles), and lying wonders"
(2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
"It was granted to him to make war with the saints
and to overcome them (he will slaughter millions).
And authority was given him
over every tribe, tongue, and nation."
(This "leader" will dominate "World" governments)
(Revelation 13:7)
"Then the king (Antichrist) shall do according to his own will:
he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god,
shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods,
and shall prosper until the Wrath (God's wrath) has been accomplished;
for what has been determined SHALL be done. (The coming "Apocalypse"...)
He shall regard neither the God of his fathers
NOR the desire of women, (he may aggressively promote the "homosexual" agenda ...)
nor regard any god;
for he shall exalt himself above them all."
(Daniel 11:36-37)
"Woe to the worthless shepherd,
who leaves the flock! (Jewish? Christian?)
A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye;
his (the Antichrist’s) arm shall completely wither,
and his right eye shall be totally blinded."
(This may happen when he receives his mortal "head wound")
(Zechariah 11:17)
As previously stated, this man whom we call the Antichrist has been given many different titles in the Bible. The most well known term "Antichrist" is unfortunate, because it is misleading. Misleading because, although this man will be against Christ (the Messiah), the world will see him as a "pseudo-christ." This man will not be ugly or scary looking. This future world leader will be Satan’s counterfeit Christ (Messiah.) This coming leader will be very, very popular in the eyes of the world. The world will love him. The world will see him as a great leader, a man of "peace," and as a "messiah." While God sees this man as a lying, evil, vicious, and bloodthirsty . . . "Beast." We are told quite a bit about this coming world leader, Satan’s counterfeit messiah, who will someday soon rise in
power ....
- He will be indwelt and empowered by Satan
- He or his platform will rise to power first over 3 and then 10
nations (from the old Roman Empire ... Europe?!)
- He will somehow be 'diverse from the rest'
- He will bring 'peace', yet conquer through treaties and war
- He will be very, very popular around the world
- He will speak blasphemies against the God of gods
- He will not regard "the desire of women"
- He will be a great talker and speech maker
- He will likely be charismatic and physically attractive ... like King
Saul
- He will receive what appears to be a fatal wound to the head
- He will appear to be resurrected from the dead
- His right eye may be blinded and his arm completely withered
- He will enforce a "peace" plan or resolution (covenant) upon
nation Israel (It doesn’t say he signs this treaty, but he enforces
some coming 'peace plan' or resolution)
- He may help to get the new Jewish Temple built in Jerusalem
- He will appear to perform miracles ("lying signs and wonders")
- He will require that everybody on Earth receive a mark or
identification on their forehead or hand and nobody will legally
be able to buy or sell without it
- He will stand in a new Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and declare he
is "God"
- Unspeakable terror and war will then engulf Earth for exactly 3½
years (1260 days)
- He will direct the slaughter of millions of Christians and Jews who
come to know the Lord resulting from a great revival after the
Rapture.
- He will lead the armies of the world into Israel . . . Armageddon.
A SECOND Beast will Rise.
The coming Antichrist will have a religious partner . . .
"Then I saw ANOTHER beast coming up out of the Earth,
and he had two horns like a lamb
and spoke like a dragon.
And he exercises all the authority
of the first beast (the Antichrist) in his presence,
and causes the Earth and those who dwell in it
to worship the first beast (the Antichrist),
whose deadly (head) wound was healed."
(Revelation 13:11-12) (The Antichrist will appear to be resurrected from a wound)
The coming Antichrist will not be alone. Another man, also empowered by Satan, will rule with the Antichrist. This powerful religious leader or "beast" (as God sees him) will rise to power with the Antichrist. In this prophecy God reveals some important information and details concerning this coming "religious" man of power ...
"Two horns like a lamb," tells us he will emerge with Christian credentials or doctrine, but "spoke like a dragon" tells us he will be controlled and directed by Satan. There are hints this man might even have Jewish blood. This person, along with the coming "one-world" (global) religious system he will lead, is referred to as "The Woman Who Rides the Beast" in the book of Revelation. This evil, blood-thirsty "one-world" religion appears to rise out of Rome.
The "IMAGE of the Beast" . . .
"He was granted power to give breath to the image of the Beast, (the coming Antichrist)
that the image of the Beast should both speak
AND cause as many as would not worship
the image of the Beast to be killed."
(Revelation 13:15)
This religious leader will create some sort of an interactive "image" representing the Antichrist. All those who refuse to worship it will be executed. It may be something very miraculous, or it may be two-thousand year old vocabulary trying to describe some future technology such as robotics, animatronics, or 3D virtual reality ...
God describes these men as "beasts" because these "beasts" will slaughter and devour millions of believing Christians and Jews who will come to know Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) after the coming "Rapture."
The "MARK of the Beast" . . .
"He causes ALL,
both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave,
to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
and that no one may buy or sell (or get health care)
except one who has the mark,
or the name of the Beast,
or the number of his name."
(Revelation 13:16-17)
This prophecy is very crucial for those who have not accepted Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) as their Lord and will be alive when this law is enacted and enforced. This "mark" may be some kind of tattoo, or implanted microchip with all of your credit card and banking information, we really don’t know right now. It will not be easy to refuse this mark, whatever it is, for many will have families and children that will need to be fed. But, please be warned . . . by taking this mark, you will have sealed your eternal fate in Hell. In God’s eyes it identifies you with the Antichrist. There will be no turning back for any who take the "mark, the name of the Beast, or the number of his name." The utter darkness, loneliness, and torments of Hell will be their fate. Blessings are promised in Heaven to all those who refuse to take the "mark" and refuse to bow down to this coming world leader . . . and die in their faith for doing so. The Lord will take the sting out of death.
An enigma . . . 666
"Here is wisdom.
Let him who has understanding
calculate the number of the beast (the coming Antichrist),
for it is the number of a man:
His number is 666."
(Revelation 13:18)
Used by permission only:
Dr. M. Dennis Ellis - Founder & Director of Open Light Ministries.
God warns of a world leader who will soon rise and grow in power. This coming world leader has been given around 33 names and titles (which describe attributes) in the Bible (both in the Old and New Testaments) ... one of which is the 'Antichrist.' The Bible says this man will not be revealed until after the 1. 'Restrainer' (the Holy Spirit influence will be taken out) – 2.(including the body of believers alive at the time) is 'removed' (as a note, some believe at that time the U.S. will also be "removed" from its role as a "restraining" world power). 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that 2 Thessalonians 2:7 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.
This coming world leader (the Antichrist) will begin by exerting control over ten nations which were once part of the Roman Empire (most likely European) . . .
"The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from (out of) this kingdom (the Roman Empire ... could be 10 nations out of the European Union)
And another shall rise after them; he (the Antichrist) shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings (or nations) . . ." (The end begins)
(Daniel 7:24)
"Shall be different"... we don't know what nationality this man will be, or what might make him "different." In one verse he is described as 'the Assyrian' (an area around Syria and Iraq). He may be considered an 'alien' by some. This man will quickly consolidate power over 10 nations which were once part of the Roman Empire (probably European) and then over the whole world through treaties and war possibly using the former USA as his power platform. God warns this man will be empowered by Satan. He will lead the world into the terrors of the Apocalypse. This coming world leader has been given many names and titles in the Bible, including one of the best known, yet most misleading - the 'Antichrist.' Although he will be against faithful Christians and will mock God’s Word, the world will view him as a great leader and a man of peace. This man will be Satan’s counterfeit messiah. He will use deception and lies to "spin" his web of deceit and to conceal his true motives. Prophecies hint this man will not be fully revealed until after the Rapture, when the "Restrainer" is taken out of the way . . .
"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work;
only He who now restrains (the Holy Spirit)
will do so UNTIL He is taken out of the way.
And THEN the lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed,
whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth
and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
The coming of the lawless one (Antichrist)
is according to the working of Satan,
with all power, signs (miracles), and lying wonders"
(2 Thessalonians 2:7-9)
"He who now restrains" . . . The Rapture of the Church
We are told that all who believe Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) died for their sins, was buried, then raised from the dead, and accept Him as their Lord and Savior (who saves us from Hell) are "born again," and are then indwelt by the Holy Spirit. According to the Bible, you cannot separate the Holy Spirit from the believing Christian. This is God’s promise. So, in order to remove "He who now restrains" (the Holy Spirit), God must also remove the body of believers who are alive at that time. This is why many believe the man some call the 'Antichrist' cannot be revealed until after the Rapture of the Church (admittedly a pretty 'hard to comprehend' prophecy) . . . so we don't spend too much time trying to figure out who this guy is. Also, since there doesn't appear to be any obvious prophecies concerning America specifically during the Tribulation period, some feel the U.S. may be "neutralized" as an international restraining force at or around this same time . . . however, some in more modern times of prophetic interpretation feel that Daniel 7:24 & 25 seem to be talking more about the Antichrist's platform then the actual antichrist himself. If this is correct then the ten horns most definitely would be the ten existing nations of Europe that are the remnants of the Roman Empire. The Kingdom it speaks of would be the European Economic Union EEU. The other "Who shall rise from this kingdom..." would be the United States of America.
The three that will be subdued by the one raised up from the EEU would be, looking back, Spain, France and Great Britain. The USA actually came out of the modern day Roman Empire and defeated the three countries who had colonized the new Americus. The prophecy of verse 25 c. is being fulfilled in the 21st Century. The platform thus will be the political, military, and leadership power that the Antichrist will need to rule the world. As Jerusalem is the Seat of the Messiah, Babylon will be the seat of the false messiah. Whether Babylon will be the actual city of Babylon resurrected by Saddam Hussein or religious Babylon represented by the city of Rome is not as clear.
The Beast: The Rise of Satan's Antichrist . . .
So, the world will soon get the leader it seems to be longing and waiting for. A powerful leader who will be popular, attractive, charismatic, and a great talker whose many words will not be chosen for truth, but for lies and deception. A leader who will kill many Christians and Jews . . .
"Then I stood on the sand of the sea.
And I saw a beast (Satan’s Antichrist)
rising up out of the sea,
having seven heads and ten horns,
and on his horns ten crowns,
(The book of Daniel explains these represent 10 nations he will rule)
and on his heads a blasphemous name . . .
The dragon (Satan) gave him his power,
his throne, and great authority."
(Revelation 13:1,2)
"The coming of the lawless one (the coming 'Antichrist')
is according to the working of Satan,
with all power, signs (miracles), and lying wonders"
(2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
"It was granted to him to make war with the saints
and to overcome them (he will slaughter millions).
And authority was given him
over every tribe, tongue, and nation."
(This "leader" will dominate "World" governments)
(Revelation 13:7)
"Then the king (Antichrist) shall do according to his own will:
he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god,
shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods,
and shall prosper until the Wrath (God's wrath) has been accomplished;
for what has been determined SHALL be done. (The coming "Apocalypse"...)
He shall regard neither the God of his fathers
NOR the desire of women, (he may aggressively promote the "homosexual" agenda ...)
nor regard any god;
for he shall exalt himself above them all."
(Daniel 11:36-37)
"Woe to the worthless shepherd,
who leaves the flock! (Jewish? Christian?)
A sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye;
his (the Antichrist’s) arm shall completely wither,
and his right eye shall be totally blinded."
(This may happen when he receives his mortal "head wound")
(Zechariah 11:17)
As previously stated, this man whom we call the Antichrist has been given many different titles in the Bible. The most well known term "Antichrist" is unfortunate, because it is misleading. Misleading because, although this man will be against Christ (the Messiah), the world will see him as a "pseudo-christ." This man will not be ugly or scary looking. This future world leader will be Satan’s counterfeit Christ (Messiah.) This coming leader will be very, very popular in the eyes of the world. The world will love him. The world will see him as a great leader, a man of "peace," and as a "messiah." While God sees this man as a lying, evil, vicious, and bloodthirsty . . . "Beast." We are told quite a bit about this coming world leader, Satan’s counterfeit messiah, who will someday soon rise in
power ....
- He will be indwelt and empowered by Satan
- He or his platform will rise to power first over 3 and then 10
nations (from the old Roman Empire ... Europe?!)
- He will somehow be 'diverse from the rest'
- He will bring 'peace', yet conquer through treaties and war
- He will be very, very popular around the world
- He will speak blasphemies against the God of gods
- He will not regard "the desire of women"
- He will be a great talker and speech maker
- He will likely be charismatic and physically attractive ... like King
Saul
- He will receive what appears to be a fatal wound to the head
- He will appear to be resurrected from the dead
- His right eye may be blinded and his arm completely withered
- He will enforce a "peace" plan or resolution (covenant) upon
nation Israel (It doesn’t say he signs this treaty, but he enforces
some coming 'peace plan' or resolution)
- He may help to get the new Jewish Temple built in Jerusalem
- He will appear to perform miracles ("lying signs and wonders")
- He will require that everybody on Earth receive a mark or
identification on their forehead or hand and nobody will legally
be able to buy or sell without it
- He will stand in a new Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and declare he
is "God"
- Unspeakable terror and war will then engulf Earth for exactly 3½
years (1260 days)
- He will direct the slaughter of millions of Christians and Jews who
come to know the Lord resulting from a great revival after the
Rapture.
- He will lead the armies of the world into Israel . . . Armageddon.
A SECOND Beast will Rise.
The coming Antichrist will have a religious partner . . .
"Then I saw ANOTHER beast coming up out of the Earth,
and he had two horns like a lamb
and spoke like a dragon.
And he exercises all the authority
of the first beast (the Antichrist) in his presence,
and causes the Earth and those who dwell in it
to worship the first beast (the Antichrist),
whose deadly (head) wound was healed."
(Revelation 13:11-12) (The Antichrist will appear to be resurrected from a wound)
The coming Antichrist will not be alone. Another man, also empowered by Satan, will rule with the Antichrist. This powerful religious leader or "beast" (as God sees him) will rise to power with the Antichrist. In this prophecy God reveals some important information and details concerning this coming "religious" man of power ...
"Two horns like a lamb," tells us he will emerge with Christian credentials or doctrine, but "spoke like a dragon" tells us he will be controlled and directed by Satan. There are hints this man might even have Jewish blood. This person, along with the coming "one-world" (global) religious system he will lead, is referred to as "The Woman Who Rides the Beast" in the book of Revelation. This evil, blood-thirsty "one-world" religion appears to rise out of Rome.
The "IMAGE of the Beast" . . .
"He was granted power to give breath to the image of the Beast, (the coming Antichrist)
that the image of the Beast should both speak
AND cause as many as would not worship
the image of the Beast to be killed."
(Revelation 13:15)
This religious leader will create some sort of an interactive "image" representing the Antichrist. All those who refuse to worship it will be executed. It may be something very miraculous, or it may be two-thousand year old vocabulary trying to describe some future technology such as robotics, animatronics, or 3D virtual reality ...
God describes these men as "beasts" because these "beasts" will slaughter and devour millions of believing Christians and Jews who will come to know Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) after the coming "Rapture."
The "MARK of the Beast" . . .
"He causes ALL,
both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave,
to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
and that no one may buy or sell (or get health care)
except one who has the mark,
or the name of the Beast,
or the number of his name."
(Revelation 13:16-17)
This prophecy is very crucial for those who have not accepted Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) as their Lord and will be alive when this law is enacted and enforced. This "mark" may be some kind of tattoo, or implanted microchip with all of your credit card and banking information, we really don’t know right now. It will not be easy to refuse this mark, whatever it is, for many will have families and children that will need to be fed. But, please be warned . . . by taking this mark, you will have sealed your eternal fate in Hell. In God’s eyes it identifies you with the Antichrist. There will be no turning back for any who take the "mark, the name of the Beast, or the number of his name." The utter darkness, loneliness, and torments of Hell will be their fate. Blessings are promised in Heaven to all those who refuse to take the "mark" and refuse to bow down to this coming world leader . . . and die in their faith for doing so. The Lord will take the sting out of death.
An enigma . . . 666
"Here is wisdom.
Let him who has understanding
calculate the number of the beast (the coming Antichrist),
for it is the number of a man:
His number is 666."
(Revelation 13:18)
Used by permission only:
Dr. M. Dennis Ellis - Founder & Director of Open Light Ministries.