Summary of the Characteristics of the Anti-Christ

LESSON 11

A SUMMARY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ANTICHRIST POWER

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible Study Programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Final Events of Bible Prophecy. In this study, we are going to just summarize the characteristics of the antichrist power as we have studied from various passages in the Bible. This exercise is supposed to enable us to recap what we have studied so far, and place us on a better pedestal to identify the true antichrist power of Bible prophecy.

We are going to glean this summary from our previous studies on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Daniel 7:8-28, Daniel 8:1-27, Revelation 13:1-10 and Revelation 17:1-9, 18. The antichrist power is identified by several names in Scripture. From 2 Thessalonians 2, this power is referred to as man of sin, son of perdition and mystery of iniquity. From Daniel 7, the antichrist power is simply referred to as the little horn. From Daniel 8, this power is referred to as little horn and a king of fierce countenance. From Revelation 13, the same power is presented as a composite beast that rises from the sea. From Revelation 17, the apostle John refers to the antichrist as Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. Finally, from 1 John 2, the apostle simply refers to this power as antichrist. Now, since all these names refer to the same power, that is the antichrist of Bible prophecy, I will be using the various names above interchangeably in reference to the antichrist.

Friends, the term antichrist has two vital meanings. The first meaning of antichrist is "against Christ". In other words, this power wars against the pure religion of Christ and His saints. The second meaning of the term antichrist is "in place of Christ". This phrase means that the antichrist power tries to occupy the position or place of Christ in the church, as well as in the hearts of believers. In other words, this power tries to usurp the worship that is due only Christ. It is important for us to keep these two meanings of the word antichrist in our minds, as we seek to identify who, or what earthly power represents the antichrist. This exercise will help us to obtain a clearer understanding of the antichrist power when we finally identify it.

Beloved, the characteristics of the antichrist as outlined from the biblical passages we have considered so far are as follows:

1. The little horn (antichrist) received his power, seat, and authority from the dragon (Daniel 7:8; Daniel 8:9-12; Revelation 13:2).

2. The little horn arose among the ten horns (Daniel 7:8).

3. The little horn arose after the ten horns (Daniel 7:24).

4. The little horn became stouter than the other ten horns (Daniel 7:20).

5. The little horn plucked up three of the ten horns by their roots (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24).

6. The little horn had eyes like the eyes of a man (Daniel 7:8). In other words, this power is led by a powerful human leader who is described as a king who understands dark sentences (Daniel 8:23; see also Revelation 13:18).

7. The little horn was different from the other horns or powers that preceded it (Daniel 7:24; Revelation 17:2).

8. The antichrist power is an apostate religious system (Revelation 17:1).

9. The antichrist power will speak great words and blasphemy against God (Daniel 7:8, 25; Revelation 13:5, 6). He shall magnify himself in his heart (Daniel 8:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

10. The antichrist power will think to change God's times and laws (Daniel 7:25).

11. The antichrist power persecutes and kills the saints of God (Daniel 7:21, 25; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 17:6). From Daniel 8:24, we are told that this power shall destroy the mighty and holy people; and through his policy, he shall also cause craft to prosper in his hand (Daniel 8:25).

12. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power (Daniel 8:24). In other words, this king does not have a military muscle of his own. He relies on state powers to carry forward his evil purposes.

13. The antichrist power is a universal religious system (Revelation 17:1).

14. This power is described as the mother of all apostate churches (Revelation 17:5).

15. The antichrist power is decked with gold and precious stones and pearls. In other words, this power is an extremely rich organization (Revelation 17:4).

16. The antichrist power is clothed in purple and scarlet colour (Revelation 17:4).

17. The antichrist power sits on seven mountains (Revelation 17:9). She is that great city that reigns over the kings of the earth (Revelation 17:18).

18. The antichrist power was to reign for a thousand two hundred and sixty years (Daniel 7: 25; Revelation 13:5).

19. The antichrist power was to receive a deadly wound after his 1260 - year reign. However, this deadly wound will be healed, and the entire world will wonder at him (Revelation 13:3; Revelation 17:8).

20. The antichrist power shall utilize the vehicle of peace to destroy many (Daniel 8:25).

Friends, so far, these are the characteristics of the antichrist power we have identified from the Word of God. The million dollar question now is this: Which power in the world fulfils all these identifying characteristics? If we are able to answer this question, then we would have discovered the true antichrist of Bible Prophecy. For now, I will like to know your response on the question above; that is: who, or what power in the world today do you think fits all the identifying marks above; and thus represent the true antichrist of Bible prophecy?

HINT: Please note that whatever power, system, person or organization you submit as your answer must fulfil ALL the twenty characteristics above, and not just some of them. I wish you the best of luck as you begin this assignment. And please don't fail to send me your answer to this question.

Exhortation: Beloved, despite the haughty descriptions of the antichrist power as listed above, the Scripture encourages us that the people of God are going to be victorious in the end; for we are given the assurance that this power shall be broken without human hand (Daniel 8:25). From Daniel 7:26-27, we read the following in relation to the antichrist: "26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." In our next study, we will consider the topic: Exposing the mystery of iniquity: a Revelation of the True Antichrist. In this study, we are going to name the true antichrist of Bible prophecy. And we will see whether this power actually fulfils all the twenty characteristics we have outlined above or not. Fasten your seatbelts, friends; for we are about to fly into the high clouds of Bible prophecy.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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