
The Antichrist Will:
Following is an introduction to the subject of the Antichrist. Who is he? How will we recognize him when he appears on earth? How soon can we expect him to set up his evil rule over all the world?
These are questions most of us have asked ourselves at one time or another.
Let's consider first the character of the Antichrist. What kind of being or entity is he?
The Antichrist will be:
1. A person [not merely an abstraction or an evil system]
2. He will be evil incarnate
3. He will be part of the unholy trinity [Satan, the Beast, the False Prophet]
4. He will be a Jew [though there is debate over this]
5. He will rule over the entire world
6. He will insist on being worshipped by all the earth
7. He will be destroyed by Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation
Let's deal with each of these points in order to get a better understanding of the character and role of the Antichrist. If the Antichrist is soon to enter upon the stage of human events - as we believe he is - it is imperative that we familiarize ourselves with this personage. We do not want to be taken by surprise with his sudden appearance!
First, let's note that the Antichrist is a "person" - not merely an abstraction or symbol or a system of evil. Why is this important? Let's pause to read a passage of Scripture dealing with the Antichrist - 2 Thess. 2:1-4
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
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; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
Notice that this passage of Scripture sharply contrasts the true Christ with the false christ. Jesus was the Son of God; the Antichrist will be the Son of Perdition. If Christ was a real Person, the Antichrist will be a real person. We may ask, further, what sense is there in saying that an "evil system" or an "evil abstraction" is the "son" of anyone? No! Just as Jesus was truly the Son of God [and not merely symbolic of good], likewise the Antichrist will be the human embodiment of Satan.
Also we note that the Antichrist insists on being worshipped - just as Christ insists on being worshipped. In what sense can we say that an "evil system" or a symbolic metaphor insists on being worshipped? Again, no! We are dealing with a real person, not an abstraction.
Secondly, we would point out that the Antichrist is evil incarnate. As already mentioned, the Antichrist is the Son of Satan [or Son of Perdition]. There is a sense in which he is both human and superhuman - just as Christ was truly man and yet, at the same time, truly God. Read 2 Thess. 2:9 -
"Even him [the Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders."
Obviously, the Antichrist will possess supernatural powers. Nor is there any reason to believe that he only has the power to trick people into thinking he can work miracles. No! This Scripture makes it abundantly clear that the Antichrist will be able to deceive people with real signs and wonders! He will get this supernatural power from his father, Satan.
Incidentally, the apparent working of miracles or "healing" does not guarantee that the person who is supposedly performing these miracles and "cures" is a true servant of God. Of course, we are not saying that God does not heal today as in the days of long ago. Thank God - He indeed does heal! Nevertheless, we are wary of some so-called "faith healers" which abound in the world today.
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