How to Recognize the Antichrist – Character and Actions

Antichrist character actions:  How can one recognize the Antichrist when he is revealed? Many people have made vain speculations of who the Antichrist is (e.g., political leaders, religious leaders, etc.). These vain speculations have always turned out to be a false prophecy. Many religious leaders have participated in this error. The correct way to be prepared to recognize the antichrist is to analyze the characteristics and actions of the various titles, symbols and types of the antichrist in the Bible:

  • Antichrist (1 John 2:18)
  • Man of Sin (2 Th 2:1-12)
  • Leopard Beast (Rev 13)
  • 7th Head of the Scarlet Beast (Rev 17)
  • King of Babylon (Dan 2, Isa 14)
  • Little Horn (Dan 7)
  • Little Horn (Dan 8)
  • King of the North (Dan 11)
  • Prince that shall come (Dan 9:26-27)
  • Prince of Tyre (Eze 28:1-10)
  • Gog, of the Land of Magog (Eze 38-39, Rev 20:7-9)

This study seeks to tabulate the character and actions of the above titles, symbols and types. These characteristics and actions can be classified into the following categories: Power, Position, Place, Pride and Plan of the Antichrist. Please view You Tube video below or continue to the study that follows.

character actions antichrist

Summary – Character / Actions of the Antichrist

Power of the Antichrist (Satanic)

Position of the Antichrist

Place of the Antichrist

Pride of the Antichrist

Plan of the Antichrist

Persecutes God’s People

Lies and Deception

Sin, Lawlessness, Unrighteousness

Abomination of Desolation (Satan’s Kingdom in False Christianity, Babylon)

Summary – Character / Actions of the Antichrist

 

Power of the Antichrist (Satanic)

  • The Antichrist’s power is based on Satan and His kingdom, which consists of the nations of this world. As a result, the Antichrist will control many peoples giving the Antichrist great worldly power. This power includes power over false Christianity (Babylon), which serves as a vessel for promoting deception and worldliness.

 

Position of the Antichrist

  • The Antichrist is a leader both in the world and in false Christianity (Babylon). The Antichrist is a ‘king’ and ‘prince’. Although the Antichrist is a ‘little horn’, the Antichrist has widespread influence and power. The Antichrist as Gog is tied to the nations of the world, and therefore, would not be of Israeli / Jewish roots.

 

Place of the Antichrist

  • The Antichrist is from the North and West. This symbolically points to having its roots in the Greco-Roman culture, which still exists today in the Western World.

 

Pride of the Antichrist

  • The Antichrist is fundamentally characterized by pride and seeks worship as god. As such, the Antichrist blasphemes (speaks evil) of God, by speaking ‘great’ things. The Antichrist seeks to magnify himself. His pride is based on earthly riches achieved by worldly wisdom.

 

Plan of the Antichrist

 

Persecutes God’s People

  • The Antichrist persecutes true Christians. The Antichrist, under the power of Satan, is a controlling influence with false Christianity (Babylon). This results in captivity, scattering and spiritual killing (hating and silencing) of God’s people by the sword (spiritual battle), famine (lack of truth of the Word of God), beasts (false ministers) and pestilence (lawlessness / sin) condoned in the false churches and parachurches.

 

Lies and Deception

  • Because the Antichrist is powered by Satan (who is the father of lies), deception and lies are a fundamental part of the Antichrist’s nature. This deception involves the perversion of the Word of God, the Bible. The purpose of the lies and deception is for the Antichrist to promote themselves to gain favor, adulation and worship. The lies and deception can occur through signs and wonders, the deceitfulness of riches and unrighteousness and the abomination of desolation (worldliness / worship of other gods and idols), which all detract from the truths of the Bible.

 

Sin, Lawlessness, Unrighteousness

  • The character of the Antichrist as well as false Christianity (Babylon) will be characterized by sin, lawlessness and unrighteousness. These actions will condoned by false Christianity as a result of the lack of church discipline and the existence of the Abomination of Desolation (worship of the other gods and idols / Satan’s kingdom) in the church.

 

Abomination of Desolation (Satan’s Kingdom in False Christianity, Babylon)

  • When the Antichrist is revealed, there will be a time of Great Tribulation in the church. This is symbolized by the placement of the Abomination of Desolation within false Christianity. The daily activity of Christians (prayer, Bible study and Christian service) will be removed. The activities will be replaced with the Abomination of Desolation, which is a symbol for Satan’s kingdom overrunning the church with worldliness (worship of other gods and idols).

 

Power of the Antichrist (Satanic)

 

Summary: The Antichrist’s power is based on Satan and His kingdom, which consists of the nations of this world. As a result, the Antichrist will control many peoples giving the Antichrist great worldly power. This power includes power over false Christianity (Babylon), which serves as a vessel for promoting deception and worldliness.

 

  • And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.  (Rev 13:2)
  • (One head wounded, but wound healed) – And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. (Rev 13:3)
  • And the ten horns which thou saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Rev 17:12-13)
  • Babylon sits on / carried by the Scarlet Beast (which is Satan’s kingdom) – Rev 17:3, Rev 17:7, Rev 17:9
  • And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.  (Dan 8:24)
  • Gog has a Large army
    • And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:  (Eze 38:4)
    • Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:  (Eze 38:5)
    • Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.  (Eze 38:6)
    • Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.  (Eze 38:7)
    • And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:  (Eze 38:15)
  • King of Babylon
    • That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon … How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations.  (Is 14:3,12)
  • Antichrist has discernment
  • Eyes like the eyes of a man – Dan 7:8, 20
  • Understanding dark sentences – Dan 8:23
  • Satan controls the Kingdoms of this World
    • In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.   (2Co 4:4)
    • Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And says unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.   (Mat 4:8-9)
  • Works in the unsaved person:
    • Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience (Eph 2:2)
  • A Leader in the Church (Temple of God)
    • Man of Sin / Son of Perdition:
    • Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  (2Th 2:4)
    • The Temple of God is the collection of true Christians (mixed with unsaved):
    • And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2Co 6:16)
    • And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. (Eph 2:20)
    • Many in church are unsaved – Mat 7:21-23, Lk 13:22-30, Mat 13:24-30, 36-43
  • Satan’s Spirit works in Children of disobedience
  • Eph 2:2 – You walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience
  • John 13:2 – Devil put betrayal into the heart of Judas Iscariot
  • Satan fills the heart of Annias to Lie
    • Acts 5:3 – Why has Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the land
  • Satan Indwelt Judas
  • Lk 22:3 – Satan entered into Judas Iscariot (then he went and communed with the chief priests and captains on how they might betray Jesus (Judas given money) – see Lk 22:4-6)
  • John 13:27 – After the sop, Satan entered into Judas and Jesus told him to do quickly what he would do.
  • John 6:70 – Jesus chose the twelve, but one [Judas] was a devil
  • John 14:30 – The prince of this world is coming and he hath nothing in me (referring to Judas Iscariot filled with Satan)
  • Peter Indwelt by Satan
  • Jesus rebuked Peter, get behind me Satan (Mat 16:23) since wanted to prevent the crucifixion
    • Mat 16:21-23 (Mk 8:33) – Peter said that Jesus will not suffer of the elders and priests, be killed and raised from the dead
    • But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Mat 16:23)
    • But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. (Mar 8:33)

 

Position of the Antichrist

 

Summary: The Antichrist is a leader both in the world and in false Christianity (Babylon). The Antichrist is a ‘king’ and ‘prince’. Although the Antichrist is a ‘little horn’, the Antichrist has widespread influence and power. The Antichrist as Gog is tied to the nations of the world, and therefore, would not be of Israeli / Jewish roots.

 

  • Prince (Leader) – Dan 9:26
  • (Beast with 7 heads, names of blasphemy and 10 horns with crowns) – And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Rev 13:1)
  • (Power, ruler) – And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion … (Rev 13:2)
  • … behold a fourth beast (diverse), dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth and nails of brass … and it had ten horns (Dan 7:7, 19)
  • Beast … and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces (Dan 7:23b)
  • Little horn – Different king (dominion), which plucked up 3 horns – Dan 7:8, 20, 24, 26
  • Look more stout than his fellows – Dan 7:20
  • Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms (Dan 7:23)
  • Little horn (came out of 1 of the 4 horns of the he-goat, Greece) – Dan 8:9
  • King of fierce countenance – Dan 8:23 (fierce = strong – tied to lion in Jud 14:14)
  • Became very great toward the south, the east and toward the pleasant (glorious) land – Dan 8:9
  • Became great to the host of heaven … – Dan 8:10a
  • So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Rev 17:3)
  • The beast … and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Rev 17:8)
  • And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. (Rev 17:9)
  • (Antichrist) And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. (Rev 17:10)
  • (Satan) And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (Rev 17:11)
  • And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Rev 17:12)
  • These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Rev 17:13)
  • King of the locusts with scorpion stings in their tails (false gospels / false teaching) – Rev 9:11
  • King of kings (King of Babylon) with power, strength and glory – Dan 2:31, 37
  • 4 kingdoms together (Babylon, Medes / Persians, Greece, Roman) – Dan 2:37-40
  • 4th Kingdom as strong as iron – Dan 2:33, 40
  • Feet and toes – clay and iron (divided), stone (Christ) will smite on feet – Dan 2:33-34, 41
  • Toes – clay and iron – part strong / part brittle, mingled with seed of men (diverse, but will not cleave together) – Dan 2:42-43
  • End-time king of the North (Dan 11:29-45)
  • Gog, Chief Prince
    • Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,  And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:  (Eze 38:2-3)
    • Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:  (Eze 39:1)
  • King of Babylon
    • That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! (Isa 14:4)
    • Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 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. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (Isa 14:9-17)
    • Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. (Isa 14:20)
  • King of Tyre
  • Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and ever shalt thou be any more. (Ezekiel 28:11-19)

 

Place of the Antichrist

 

Summary: The Antichrist is from the North and West. This symbolically points to having its roots in the Greco-Roman culture, which still exists today in the Western World.

 

  • Greco-Roman Origin
    • Greco – Roman:
      • Politics, Philosophy, Culture, Architecture, Language continues today
      • The ‘Western World’ – Western Hemisphere, Europe, Russia, etc.
  • Grecian Origin
    • Daniel 8 Little Horn:
    • Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.  (Dan 8:8-9)
      • North and west origins
    • Daniel 11 – The King of the North (1 of 4 kingdoms from Greece)
      • Historically, Selucidae – controlled northern Syria / west Babylonia area including Tyre
    • … he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion … his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven … (Dan 11:2-4)
    • Antiochus Epiphanes of the 2nd Century B.C. – just an imperfect type of the Antichrist
  • King of the North – Dan 11
    • And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.  (Dan 11:40)
    • But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.  (Dan 11:44)
  • Babylon is also a King of the North
    • Babylon is referred to as from the North:
    • And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north. Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.  (Jer 1:13-15)
    • Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.  (Jer 4:6)
    • O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.  (Jer 6:1)
    • Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.  (Jer 6:22)
    • Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.  (Jer 10:22)
    • Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.  (Jer 25:9)
    • And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.  (Jer 25:26)
    • For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.  (Jer 46:10)
    • Thus saith the LORD; Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall be an overflowing flood, and shall overflow the land, and all that is therein; the city, and them that dwell therein: then the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall howl.  (Jer 47:2)
    • For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.  (Jer 50:3)
    • For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain.  (Jer 50:9)
    • Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.  (Jer 50:41)
    • Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon: for the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the LORD.  (Jer 51:48)
  • Roman Origin
    • Daniel 7 – Terrible Beast (4th Beast, Roman Kingdom)
    • … a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn … in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.  (Dan 7:7-8)
    • … The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth … shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. (Dan 7:23)
    • The Revelation 13 Beast is a resurgence of the Daniel 7 Terrible Beast
  • Daniel 7 Similar to Revelation 13 Beast
    • Description:
    • And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (Rev 13:1-2)
    • 7 heads, 10 horns, leopard, bear and lion all featured in Daniel 7
    • Revelation 13 Beast has elements of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Roman kingdoms
  • Gog, Chief Prince of the Land of Magog (from the North)
    • Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.  (Eze 38:6)
    • And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:  (Eze 38:15)
    • And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:  (Eze 39:2)

 

Pride of the Antichrist

 

Summary: The Antichrist is fundamentally characterized by pride and seeks worship as god. As such, the Antichrist blasphemes (speaks evil) of God, by speaking ‘great’ things. The Antichrist seeks to magnify himself. His pride is based on earthly riches achieved by worldly wisdom.

 

  • Opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped (2 Thess 2:4)
  • So that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (2 Thess 2:4)
  • (Receives worship) – And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? … And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:4, 8)
  • (Arrogant mouth speaking great things and blasphemy) – And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Rev 13:5-6)
  • The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Rev 17:8)
  • Magnified himself even to the prince of the host (Christ) – Dan 8:11
  • Power is mighty, but not by his own power – Dan 8:24
  • Magnify in his heart – Dan 8:25
  • Will stand up against the Prince of princes – Dan 8:25
  • And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. (Dan 11:36-37)
  • I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Dan 7:8)
  • And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.  (Dan 7:20)
  • … and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast (Rev 17:8)
  • King of Babylon’s Pride
    • That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon … 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. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isa 14:4,13-15)
    • Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud … And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him … The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together: and all that took them captives held them fast; they refused to let them go.  (Jer 50:31-33)
  • Prince of Tyre’s Pride
    • … say unto the prince of Tyrus … Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches  (Eze 28:2-5)

 

Plan of the Antichrist

 

Persecutes God’s People

 

Summary: The Antichrist persecutes true Christians. The Antichrist, under the power of Satan, is a controlling influence with false Christianity (Babylon). This results in captivity, scattering and spiritual killing (hating and silencing) of God’s people by the sword (spiritual battle), famine (lack of truth of the Word of God), beasts (false ministers) and pestilence (lawlessness / sin) condoned in the false churches and parachurches.

 

  • Son of perdition (2 Th 2:3) – destruction
  • (Control of Church) – So that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (2 Thess 2:4)
  • Destroy city and sanctuary (place of God’s people – church) – Dan 9:26
    • Promotion of abominations (idolatry) – Dan 9:26
    • Results in desolation – Dan 9:26
    • Cause sacrifice and oblation to cease (normal Christian activities of Bible study and prayer removed) – Dan 9:26
  • Destroyer (literal meaning of Abaddon / Apollyon) – Rev 9:11 – 5 months – torment unsaved in church by false teaching / prophets / gospels – Rev 9:5
  • … and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion … (Rev 13:2)
  • (War with saints, power over diverse people) – And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Rev 13:7)
  • (Captivity of the saints) – He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Rev 13:10)
  • (Image of beast can speak and receives worship) – 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. (Rev 13:15)
  • (Mark of the beast – control of people’s buying and selling, which is a type of being in the marketplace of religion) – And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; 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.  (Rev 13:17)
  • (10 horns, not the 7th head) These shall make war with the Lamb, 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. (Rev 17:14)
  • … it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it … (Dan 7:7)
  • Subdues 3 kings (plucked up) – Dan 7:8, 24
  • … and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces (Dan 7:23b)
  • Wear out the saints (given into his hand for 3 ½ times) – Dan 7:21, 25
  • Became great to the host of heaven , cast down host and stars to the ground and stamped on them – Dan 8:10
  • Place of sanctuary cast down – Dan 8:11
  • Destroy wonderfully the mighty and holy people – Dan 8:24
  • Practiced and prospered – Dan 8:12, 24
  • Daily and transgression of desolation, sanctuary and host trodden to the ground 2300 days – Dan 8:13-14, 26
  • Will stand up against the Prince of princes – Dan 8:25
  • 4th kingdom subdues, breaks in pieces – Dan 2:40
  • …but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. (Dan 11:32-35)
  • Gog’s persecution of those living in safety (God’s people)
    • And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  (Rev 20:8)
    • And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.  (Rev 20:9)
    • After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.  (Eze 38:8)
    • Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.  (Eze 38:9)
    • Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:  (Eze 38:10)
    • And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,  (Eze 38:11)
    • To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.  (Eze 38:12)
    • Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?  (Eze 38:13)
    • Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?  (Eze 38:14)
    • And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:  (Eze 38:15)
    • And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.  (Eze 38:16)
    • Thus saith the Lord GOD; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?  (Eze 38:17)
    • And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.  (Eze 38:18)
    • And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:  (Eze 39:2)
  • Persecution / oppression
    • Beast – that which devours and scatters – Dan 7:7
    • Little horn – small, but with great strength (terrible / strong) – Dan 7:8, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:24, Dan 7:26
    • Dreadful – creates fear- Dan 7:7, Dan 7:19
    • Persecutes God’s people – Dan 7:7-8, Dan 7:21, Dan 7:23-25

 

Lies and Deception

 

Summary: Because the Antichrist is powered by Satan (who is the father of lies), deception and lies are a fundamental part of the Antichrist’s nature. This deception involves the perversion of the Word of God, the Bible. The purpose of the lies and deception is for the Antichrist to promote themselves to gain favor, adulation and worship. The lies and deception can occur through signs and wonders, the deceitfulness of riches and unrighteousness and the abomination of desolation (worldliness / worship of other gods and idols), which all detract from the truths of the Bible.

 

  • Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son.  (1Jn 2:22)
  • Power, signs and wonders
    • Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  (2Th 2:9)
    • For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  (Mat 24:5)
    • And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  (Mat 24:11)
    • For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (Mat 24:24)
    • For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.  (Mar 13:22)
    • And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Rev 13:13-14)
  • Deception (lies) of unrighteousness (worldly pleasures)
    • And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  (2Th 2:10-12)
    • And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Rev 13:12-14)
  • (Deception / sin) – With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish (Thess 2:10)
  • Destroyer (literal meaning of Abaddon / Apollyon) – Rev 9:11 – 5 months – torment unsaved in church by false teaching / prophets / gospels – Rev 9:5
  • Cause sacrifice and oblation to cease (normal Christian activities of Bible study and prayer removed) – Dan 9:26
  • Deception (stings in tails, lions’ teeth, women, gold crowns) – Rev 9:7-10 – Uses false teaching in the church
  • (Mark of the beast – control of people’s buying and selling, which is a type of being in the marketplace of religion) – And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; 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.  (Rev 13:17)
  • Mouth speaking great words against the Most High – Dan 7:8, 11, 20, 25
  • Think to change times and laws – Dan 7:25
  • Daily taken away – Dan 8:11
  • Host given to him against the daily – Dan 8:12
  • By transgression, cast truth to the ground – Dan 8:12
  • Daily and transgression of desolation, sanctuary and host trodden to the ground 2300 days – Dan 8:13-14, 26
  • Though his policy, cause crafty (deceit) to prosper – Dan 8:25
  • By peace, destroy many – Dan 8:25
  • …his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits … he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. (Dan 11:28-30)
  • And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Dan 11:31)
  • And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries…but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. (Dan 11:32, 34)
  • Gog’s deception of the nations:
  • And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  (Rev 20:8)
  • Deception
    • Diverse (changes time and laws) – deception – Dan 7:23, Dan 7:25
    • Eyes like a man – great understanding, but deceptive – Dan 7:8, Dan 7:20
    • Speaking great things against God – blasphemy – Dan 7:8, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:25
  • Prince of Tyre – Worldly wisdom and riches
  • Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:  (Eze 28:3)
  • With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:  (Eze 28:4)
    • By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:  (Eze 28:5)

 

Sin, Lawlessness, Unrighteousness

 

Summary: The character of the Antichrist as well as false Christianity (Babylon) will be characterized by sin, lawlessness and unrighteousness. These actions will condoned by false Christianity as a result of the lack of church discipline and the existence of the Abomination of Desolation (worship of the other gods and idols / Satan’s kingdom) in the church.

 

  • Pride – see above
  • Persecution of the righteous – above
  • Deception – see above
  • Spiritual fornication – see below on ‘worship of other gods and idols
  • Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition (2Th 2:3)
  • And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth … (2Th 2:8)
  • With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish (Thess 2:10)

 

Abomination of Desolation (Satan’s Kingdom in False Christianity, Babylon)

 

Summary: When the Antichrist is revealed, there will be a time of Great Tribulation in the church. This is symbolized by the placement of the Abomination of Desolation within false Christianity. The daily activity of Christians (prayer, Bible study and Christian service) will be removed. The activities will be replaced with the Abomination of Desolation, which is a symbol for Satan’s kingdom overrunning the church with worldliness (worship of other gods and idols).

 

  • Promotion of abominations (idolatry) – Dan 9:26
  • Daily and transgression of desolation, sanctuary and host trodden to the ground 2300 days – Dan 8:13-14, 26
  • But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strongholds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. (Dan 11:38-39)
  • And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Dan 11:31)
  • Gog’s pollution of God’s name (Worship of other gods and idols):
  • So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.  (Eze 39:7)
    • Pollute – tied to idolatry (Eze 20:9, Eze 20:14, Eze 20:39, Eze 36:20-21, Eze 36:36; Exo 20:7; Lev 18:21)

Abomination of Desolation – Summary (see separate Abomination of Desolation page):

  • Related to the Prince to Come (Dan 9:24-27), Little Horn of Dan 8 and King of the North of Dan 11 (see below)
  • Sets up the abomination of desolation in the Holy Place
  • Removal of the Daily
    • Removal of the Christian’s daily service of Bible study, prayer and fellowship / suffering in the Gospel – truth is cast to the ground
  • Abomination
    • The worship of Satan’s Kingdom (through the worship of false gods and idols) condoned and encouraged by the end-time ‘worldly’ church (a.k.a., Babylon)
  • Desolation of the Holy Place (church) by:
    • Captivity – Churches led by false ministers
    • Scattered – Church divisions, splits, disunity, people leaving the church
    • Spiritually ‘killed’ – True Christians hated, persecuted and silenced in an environment of a sin-sick church controlled by Satan and his ministers that do not proclaim the truth of the Bible
  • Olivet Discourse Prophecy
  • When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand) … For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Mat 24:15, 21)
  • Abomination of Desolation in Holy Place marks transition from the apostasy to the Great Tribulation
  • Daniel Passages
  • And out of one of them came forth a little horn … and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression … (Dan 8:9,11-12)
  • … And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate … (Dan 9:27)
  • And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate … (Dan 11:31-32)
  • Destroy city and sanctuary (place of God’s people – church) – Dan 9:26
    • Promotion of abominations (idolatry)
    • Results in desolation
    • Cause sacrifice and oblation to cease (normal Christian activities of Bible study and prayer removed)
  • Prince of Tyre – Riches
  • Increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:  (Eze 28:5)
  • 7th Head of Scarlet Beast with Babylon (Rev 17-18) – character and actions include:
  • Summary of Babylon’s actions (Rev 17-19):
  • The great harlot Babylon typifies confused, false Christianity found in churches and faith-based parachurch organizations.  As a queen, Babylon exerts influence and control over both leaders (politics) and the people of the world. This influence and control is achieved by making people spiritually drunken through the worship of false gods and idols, which includes but is not limited to greed, riches, worldly and new age wisdom, mighty works (such as military, political, sports, business conquests, etc.), false teaching and false gospels, materialism and all sorts of worldly pleasures.   Outwardly, she appears to be beautifully adorned with well-meaning religious people (some of who are genuine Christians), but inwardly, she is the habitation of demons, false ministers and unsaved persons. The majority of people in Babylon are unsaved (many are called, but few chosen).  Babylon has great ministers who spread Babylon’s false religion locally as well as worldwide through churches and faith-based, parachurch organizations.  Great Babylon has a wide range of spiritual ‘merchandise’ that deceive seekers of God that they have become spiritually rich by joining a church, being involved with faith-based, parachurch organizations and adhering to a set of doctrines or norms within Babylon. But in reality, they are spiritually desolate.  The sorcery of deception is achieved particularly through music, church growth involving allowance for worshiping earthly god and idols of all sorts, false teaching and evangelizing a false gospel.  This abominable, confused world religious system glorifies itself and spiritually and / or physically persecutes genuine Christians, who individually or in groups are those who believe that Jesus is the Christ and trust in God’s grace (loving-kindness), judgment and righteousness. Christians, whether individually or in groups who are in spiritual Babylon are exhorted to come out of Babylon and not be partakers of her sins, but some may linger and not come out until the Last Day when Babylon will be judged for her egregious sins.