The aNTICHRIST
Who or what is the antichrist and why does it matter?
The antichrist has been a mystery ever since the books of the New Testament mentioned him. Many have speculated on various things concerning his person and work. This writer hopes that the Reader will find the Scriptures concerning him interesting and revealing.
Some, who have not been well-tutored in the Bible, may think of the devil, Satan, as the opposite of GOD, but although he opposes YHWH, he is not equal to GOD. The devil is a fallen angel, a created being, once endowed with great honor and beauty. He is also not the opposite of the LORD Jesus, Who is part of the Godhead and equal to the Father, nor has the devil ever had the level of power and authority which the Godhead possesses, which is omnipotent or all-powerful. Satan mistook the gentle kindness of his Creator for weakness and decided he wanted the seat of YHWH and thought he might obtain it.
The devil is in a state of continual disintegration of character and form. He may for a short time manifest as something like his old self, “an angel of light,” but he cannot sustain it. The LORD did not remove the gift of power when Satan fell which He bestowed upon this creature, but his power, although still mighty, slowly diminishes as the rest of his being degrades in perpetual corruption.
The devil, recognizing how well the LORD’s perfect kingdom operates, however, imitates everything YHWH does in a perverted way. So we see the antichrist establishing a “trinity” of evil, Satan as the head, the antichrist as his “son,” and the false prophet imitating the role of Holy Spirit. The devil has not yet understood that YHWH is always a thousand miles ahead him in all his schemes and GOD is never taken by surprise concerning any of the devil’s works.
The “antichrist” is not the opposite of YHWH, but stands against everything that GOD and His Christ is and does. According to John the Beloved, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 JHN 1:7). “Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son” (1 JHN 2:22). And also, “Every spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from GOD. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already” (1 JHN 4:3). Although there continues a procession of antichrists as John has described, this writing will direct itself to “the” antichrist and his work in the coming “end-times.”
With that introduction to the antichrist out of the way, let us take a look at the elements of the Key in the Apocalypse (found the author’s book UNVEILING THE APOCALPSE), revealed through the Seven Seals found in the scroll of the Lamb which correlate to the writings of the Old Testament prophets:
“And I saw when THE LAMB BROKE ONE OF THE SEVEN SEALS; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, ‘Come.’ 2 And I looked, and behold a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to conquer” (RVL 6:1-2).
Notice that the Lamb Himself opens the seal “behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and the seven seals” (RVL 5:5). The Lamb/Lion releases the judgments and no judgments take place unless released by the Savior, because “no one in Heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or to look into it” (RVL 5:3) but Him. We know by this that the trumpet and bowl judgments fall under the jurisdiction of the Savior, and must pertain to and encompass the seven seals.
One usually expects that the guy on the white horse saves the day and overcomes the forces of evil; but in this case, the antichrist, the most villainous man of all time, empowered by Satan himself, comes forth. The white horse represents his victories, not his virtues and the crown represents his authority. He conquers with a bow, a long-distance weapon. He will war safely from a distance at the first as in “cold” war, by intrigue.
We find in Nahum 1:11 his possible nativity, “From you, Nineveh (modern Mosul), has one come forth who plots evil against YHWH and devises wicked plans” (NIV), “a counselor of Beliya’al” (Hallelujah Scriptures). Also, “A bastard shall dwell in Ashdod” (ZCH 9:6 KJV), mentioning his possible abode. This Hebrew word for “bastard” may also refer to someone half-bred or mongrel, implying mixed origin, not necessarily illegitimate as translated in some versions. Considering many might fit that description, why mention this one? Certainly, because there remains some importance attached to the mention.
For many centuries, Mosul suffered a turbulent history; even now it remains in recovery from the ISIS crisis[1]. This ancient and historical city lies in the former Roman Assyrian territory, populated by diverse religious sects and ethnic groups of Arabs, Assyrians, Turks, Kurds, Sunni Islam, with even a portion of Christians and a Jewish diaspora, claiming as from the Davidic line[2]. In 1165, Benjamin of Tudela passing through Mosul; wrote that he found a small Jewish community estimated at 7,000 people in Mosul, led by Rabbi Zakkai, purportedly connected to the Davidic line. In 1288–89, the Exilarch, leader of the Jewish community in Persian Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), signed a supporting paper for Maimonides[3] to this effect.
Today, not all of these people groups remain in Mosul because of war, genocide attempts and persecutions, but in former days, a varied culture occupied Mosul. Presume for a moment, the possibility of one with a Jewish mother, of Davidic heritage and a Gentile father, resulting in “the bastard,” born in Mosul, whether or not illegitimate makes no difference. Could such a one pass for an observant Jew, from the Davidic line? Might not wartime activity cause his evacuation to Ashdod or Bagdad? And could such a one install himself into the Israeli government? And when he exhibits fervor for the rebuilding of the temple and establishes a successful peace treaty with the surrounding nations, could such a one receive lauding as the Jewish Messiah? As a reminder, Hitler bore Jewish blood, but with all his strength and power, attempted the total annihilation of the entire population of Jews.
Orthodox Jews of our day largely believe that Messiah comes for only the establishment of Israel as the major power in the world and most remain ignorant of any coming judgments or a false messiah. This writer hears from Jews today that they anticipate no future destruction of Jerusalem and many express eagerness for returning to the holy city. The writer forwards these conjectures so that the Reader may understand the possibilities of how easily an antichrist might insinuate himself into a position of rule and power by peaceful means.
In a prophecy against the king of Tyre, (a type of antichrist) Ezekiel proclaims: “Because your heart is lifted up and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of ELOHIM, in the heart of the seas’; yet you are man and not ĔL, although you make your heart like the heart of ELOHIM —3 Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that is a match for you. 4 By your wisdom and understanding you have acquired riches for yourself, and have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries. 5 By your great wisdom, by your trade you have increased your riches—6 Therefore, thus says ADON YHWH, ‘because you have made your heart like the heart of ELOHIM, 8…They will bring you down to the pit’” (EZK 28:2-6,8).
In a prophecy against Pharaoh, another type of antichrist, Ezekiel records, “You compare yourself to a young lion of the nations, yet you are like a monster in the seas; and you burst forth in your rivers, and muddied the waters with your feet, and fouled their rivers” (EZK 32:2).
Isaiah also writes against the king of Babylon, comparing him to Satan, who also represents a type of the antichrist and will empower the antichrist, “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to Heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of ĔL, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit. 16 Those who see you will gaze at you, they will ponder over you saying, ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 17 who made the world like a wilderness and overthrew its cities, who did not allow his prisoners to go home?’” (ISH 14:13-17).
Another prophet declares, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time… 4 Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him... 5 Furthermore, wine betrays the haughty man, so that he does not stay home. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and he is like death, never satisfied. He also gathers to himself all nations and collects to himself all peoples…8 Because you have looted many nations, all the remainder of the peoples will loot you—because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land, to the town and all its inhabitants. 9 Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house to put his nest on high to be delivered from the hand of calamity! 10 You have devised a shameful thing for your house by cutting off many peoples; so you are sinning against yourself. 11 Surely the stone will cry out from the wall and the rafter will answer it from the framework. 12 Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and founds a town with violence! 13 Is it not indeed from YHWH of Hosts that people toil for fire, and nations grow weary for nothing? 14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of YHWH, as the waters cover the sea. 15 Woe to you who make your neighbors drink, who mix in your venom even to make them drunk so as to look on their nakedness! 16 You will be filled with disgrace rather than honor. Now you yourself drink and expose your own nakedness. The cup in YHWH’s right hand will come around to you, and utter disgrace will come upon your glory…17 because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land, to the town and all its inhabitants” (HBK 2:3-5, 8-17).
Habakkuk wrote about the Chaldean invasion, but his writing dually prophecies against and characterizes the work of the antichrist. Notice the writing in the singular form and the phrase, “appointed time” used often in the description of the end-time events. Also, “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of YHWH, as the waters cover the sea,” refers to the end-times when the LORD rules on earth.
“He does not stay home,” meaning he desires more than his own territory. The antichrist begins his regime by a peaceful takeover, possibly even an election, but those methods quickly change.
“He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and he is like death, never satisfied” speaks of him as possessing insatiable greed and a great desire for power. “Woe to him who gets evil gain”; he uses his cunning for amassing treasures for himself by evil means.
“Surely the stone will cry out from the wall and the rafter will answer it from the framework” referring to the bloodshed in the gaining of those places crying out for justice as in Genesis and Hebrews 12:24, where we read of Abel’s blood crying out for justice. Also in the book of Zechariah, the scroll of judgment describes the word of the scroll which, “enters the house of the thief…and it will spend the night within that house and consume it with its timber and stones” (ZCH 5:4) and so will be the fate of the antichrist.
“All the remainder of the peoples will loot you,” refers to all the riches gathered by the antichrist eventually falling to those in the LORD who survive and inherit the world in the new Kingdom.
We see the proud and haughty antichrist himself addicted to wine/alcohol, but also using it as a tool in getting his desire from others. The text details the drinks offered as containing “venom,” meaning a spiked cocktail. The text also suggests homosexual activity and possibly blackmailing victims that they cooperate and participate in his work.
But the LORD promises him in Nahum 1, “Whatever you devise against YHWH, He will make a complete end of it. Distress will not rise up twice. 10 Like tangled thorns, and like those who are drunken with their drink, they are consumed as stubble completely withered…14 YHWH has issued a command concerning you: ‘Your name will not be perpetuated. I will cut off idol and image from the house of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible’” (NHM 1:9-10, 14). In context, verse 11 of this same chapter suggests the antichrist as coming from Nineveh, modern Mosul. Again, notice that this verse is directed in singular form.
The antichrist and the false prophet also practice the black arts, “And he (the false prophet) performs great signs, so that that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast (the antichrist), telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (RVL 13:13-15).
The “beast” here refers to the antichrist, who receives a fatal wound yet comes back to life, no doubt by the black arts. Whether at that time Satan enters him or before remains a mystery, but it seems quite plausible to this writer that his empowerment follows the assassination attempt against him and the following “resurrection,” after which the creation of the image takes place. This “image of the beast” is described as the “abomination of desolation;” although when the antichrist seats himself on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant; that speaks of the full abomination (2 THS 2:4).
Daniel prophesies in Chapter 11, a prophecy applicable to Antiochus Epiphanes, another type of antichrist, who persecuted the Jews of Judea and Samaria, and reigned as a Greek king at the time of the Maccabees. However truly the prophecy pertained to that time, it also reflects the actions of the antichrist and typifies him (as also Titus in his destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD). “And in his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue…23 And after an alliance is made with him he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power with a small force of people. 24 In a time of tranquility he will enter the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder, booty and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time” (DNL 11:21, 23-24). A. Epiphanes, true to his type, usurped the throne and also took the kingdom by intrigue.
From this text we gather the antichrist comes in “peace” and seizes the kingdom by intrigue and comes into power with only a small force behind him. This writer believes we may expect someone with a great amount of charisma and the ability of influencing people. In this case, the kingdom encompasses most, and probably the whole of the Middle East and possibly all the kingdoms of the earth, who believe the antichrist’s promises of solving the issues of the Middle East, the unrest in the world and the economic crisis of the time. He barters power and possessions in gaining a mighty force for his support and soon prepares for the violent enforcement of his will.
“He put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has violated his covenant. 21 His speech was smoother than butter, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords” (PSM 55:20-21).
And continuing in Daniel, “And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant (those who disobey and disregard the laws of GOD), but the people who know their ELOHIM will display strength and take action (shall be strong and do exploits– KJV)…36 Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and will speak monstrous things against the ĔL of gods (YHWH); and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. 37 And he will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. 38 But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures. 39 And he will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him, and he will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price” (DNL 11:32-39).
We see here the character of the antichrist unfolding as deceptive, ruthless, blasphemous, idolatrous, prideful, cunning, shrewd and corrupt. He abhors women, likely practices homosexuality, and exalts himself as god. He bribes favor with his booty and favors those who agree with his deeds and personal conduct. The god he honors represents power and strength.
The psalmist describes him, “His ways prosper at all times; Thy judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his adversaries, he snorts at them. 6 He says to himself, ‘I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not be in adversity.’ 7 His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and wickedness. 8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the hiding places he kills the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. 9 He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; he lurks to catch the afflicted when he draws him into his net. 10 He crouches, he bows down and the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones. 11 He says to himself, ‘ĔL has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see my deed’” (PSM 10:5-11).
Isaiah, in speaking of the king of Assyria, who also typifies the antichrist, “For he said by the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, for I have understanding; and I removed the boundaries of the peoples, and plundered their treasures, and like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants, 14 and my hand reached to the riches of peoples like a nest, and as one gathers abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth; and there was not one that flapped its wing or opened its beak or chirped” (ISH 10:13-14).
We see here that the antichrist gives no credit to GOD for his abilities, but even as Nebuchadnezzar declares, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence of my power and for the glory of my majesty” (DNL 4:30); he judges himself as great as GOD. Isaiah comments, “Is the axe to boast itself over the One Who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the One Who wields it? That would be like a club wielding those who lift it, or like a rod lifting Him Who is not wood” (ISH 10:15).
“Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of ĔL endures all day long. 2 Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit. 3 You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking what is right. 4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. 5 But ĔL will break you down forever; He will snatch you up, and tear you away from your tent and uproot you from the land of the living. 6 And the righteous will see and fear and will laugh at him saying, 7 ‘Behold, the man who would not make ELOHIM his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of riches and was strong in his evil desire’” (PSM 52:1-7).
In Daniel’s vision of the four beasts we read, “After this, I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different than all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great boasts” (DNL 7:7-8).
Daniel inquires of the angel who showed him the vision, “Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and mouth uttering great boasts, and which was larger in appearance than its associates…23 Thus he said, ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth. Which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings’” (DNL 7:19-20, 23-25).
The fourth beast or kingdom represents the Roman Empire from which the Neo-Roman Empire of the beast derives. The name “beast” represents both the antichrist and his kingdom. The Roman Empire, according to some, still persists in the form of its government, mindset and practices in many places of the world. Interestingly, the eagle, symbol of the Roman Empire, also symbolizes the United States, showing the lasting influence of that kingdom even into modern times.
Daniel in Chapter 2 also describes the fourth kingdom to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. 41 And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have in it the toughness of iron, inasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with common clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. 43 And in that you saw the iron mixed with common clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery” (DNL 2:40-43).
Although many speculate on this kingdom, we have clues from history on its nature. The fourth kingdom, the Roman Empire, persists in the regime of Hitler, “strong as iron,” perhaps best portraying the kingdom of the antichrist, with a despotic ruler with a ruthless hatred of all connected to GOD, particularly His people. With the ego of Nebuchadnezzar, he covets worship for himself and the end goal of all his conquests focuses on the “beast’s” desire for adoration.
Daniel also saw the three former beasts or kingdoms (DNL 7:4-6), the first represented the kingdom of Babylon, a winged lion, “made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind was also given to it” (DNL Ch 4:24-37). The second beast, a bear representing the Medo-Persian Empire, known for strength and fierceness in battle, held three ribs in its mouth, possibly representing the three fallen kings. The third beast, a leopard with four wings on its back, represented Alexander the Great known for his swift conquest of the known world, whose kingdom divided into four empires after his demise.
The fourth beast, dreadful and strong represented the Roman Empire which conquered the former Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. “Out of this kingdom, ten kings will arise,” represented by the ten toes of iron and clay in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision (DNL Ch 2). Revelation Chapter 13 expands on Daniel’s vision, “And he stood on the sand of the seashore. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority” (RVL 13:1-2).
Again, the ten horns or kingdoms linked to the rule of the Beast. Notice that the beast has the swiftness of conquest of Alexander the Great, represented by the leopard; the fierceness and power of the Medo-Persians (the bear); and the mouth of a lion (Babylon) by greatly devouring; and that it will “devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it” (DNL 7:23). The attributes of all four beasts, the expanse, the power and wisdom of Babylon, the strength and fierceness of the Medo-Persian Empire, the swiftness of conquest of Alexander the Great, the ruthless strength of the Romans, culminate into the final form of the kingdom. The Romans and Hitler pale in comparison to the violent destruction of this one. The blasphemous names on its head indicate its rebellion against the Most High. Note also that it wields great power and authority from the evil one and operates in complete wickedness.
Out of that kingdom comes the little horn which grows quickly and uproots three other horns, referring to the final fifth Gentile kingdom, which develops from the fourth kingdom. The three horns or kingdoms uprooted possibly appear in Daniel 11:43, “He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites (Ethiopians/Sudanites) in submission (NIV).” These kingdoms, though part of the ten, at some point rebel and receive retribution from the antichrist. This also suggests that the antichrist uses Israel in the chastisement of these kingdoms, since there appears no participation in the rebellion. Israel at that time would probably be the antichrist’s base. Interestingly, just as the Hebrew timetable has paused for two thousand years, so has the kingdom of the antichrist, awaiting the resuming of the clock as the final seven years begin.
The prophet Daniel also wrote about the antichrist’s abomination of desolation, “From one of these horns a little horn emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 And it removed the regular sacrifice from Him and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down…12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, ‘How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled?’ 14 And he said to me, ‘For 2300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored’” (DNL 8:9-14).
Notice this interesting comment, “For 2300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored.” We know that the antichrist was given 42 months of authority or 1260 days (RVL 13:5), but here the angel tells Daniel, that 2300 evenings and mornings pass until the holy place comes into full restoration. Almost three years after the authority of the antichrist ends. Daniel records in Chapter 11, “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1335 days!” (DNL 11:12). These verses could imply a time of rebuilding and re-establishing the purity of the site or perhaps count the time from when the antichrist is first appointed leader, much before the mid-tribulation events.
More explanation of the “abomination” appears in detail in Revelation, Chapter 13, “And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast (the antichrist), whose fatal wound was healed. 13 And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one should be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is the wisdom: let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six” (RVL 13:11-17).
The passage above explains several things:
1) “The beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life,” referring to the beast/antichrist receiving a fatal wound from which he seems resurrected from the dead, hence godlike. John also records, “And I saw one of its heads (the beast had seven, RVL 13:1) as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 and they worshipped the dragon (Satan) because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?’” (RVL 13:3-4).
Again, in RVL Chapter 17, “The beast was and is not, and is about to come out of the abyss and to go to destruction. And those who dwell on earth will wonder, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come” (RVL 17:8). That is, he was dead and is NOT, but is resurrected from the dead, coming again to power. “And is about to come out of the abyss and to go to destruction,” refers to the beast descending into the abyss at the time of his death, but resurrecting, only for a short time (perhaps a little less than three and a half years) until the LORD casts him into the lake of fire alive (RVL 19:20).
2) The second beast (the false prophet) appears with the nature of a lamb, peaceful, “he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon” (Satan), violent and blasphemous; “And there was given to him (the false prophet) a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against YHWH, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in Heaven” (RVL 13:5-6). If the establishment of the “abomination of desolation” takes place at the three and one-half year point of the Tribulation, then the authority for forty-two months (three and one-half years) takes us all the way through the end of the Tribulation to the return of the LORD.
3) The false lamb/false prophet displays many signs and wonders, “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth,” in order that all the unsaved, believe that the beast represents GOD on earth. Revelation 16:13-14 describe also, “And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan) and out of the mouth of the beast (the antichrist) and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; 14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the war of the great day of YHWH, ĔL SHADDAI (the Almighty)” referring to the final Day of the LORD.
The LORD warns, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance, 26 if therefore they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go forth, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be” (MTH 24:24-27). The elect cannot be deceived, and those who know the scriptures should not be deceived.
This writer must stop here and add that Holy Spirit moves in miracles, signs and wonders, yesterday, today and forever and especially in the end-times when great necessity arises for them. These passages express not that GOD withholds miracles, signs and wonders, but that those from the beast and the false prophet convince the ignorant and godless into believing false things. GOD ceases not in any of His divine work, including miracles, signs and wonders and during times of great oppression we should expect great things from GOD.
During the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine, when Christianity became the national religion and a sudden influx of pagans (unsaved, but with commanded attendance) entered into fellowship with believers, the body suffered greatly. With his edict meant for good, many pagan practices flowed into “churches,” not only changing Judaic orthodox practices, but adding pagan rituals to the mix and dropping the feasts of the LORD or disguising them in pagan dressing, thereby, making “Christianity” acceptable to all.
These things resulted in an impure church, largely unbelieving, through which the works of Holy Spirit lacked expression because of dead ritual and idolatrous pagan influence. However, throughout the centuries, from that time on, miracles, signs and wonders regularly occurred as certain ones dedicated their hearts and lives to Christ and walked in holiness and faith. Admittedly, not all miracles, signs and wonders, came from GOD, but many show the LORD’s handiwork. For this reason, we “test the spirits to see whether they are from ELOHIM; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1JHN 4:1). Read through the entire chapter of 1 John for more detail concerning testing spirits, also remember, whoever gets the glory often reveals the source of the miracle.
In the last 100 years or so, as consecrated men and women sought GOD, Holy Spirit revived believers with the reappearance of His power and His various manifestations in local churches and does so right up until this day. The move toward walking in holiness and commitment to the LORD, the emphasis on worship and prayer, the forsaking of unbiblical doctrine and traditions and dead rituals, allows freely the manifestation of the power of Holy Spirit, much desired by GOD. The “cessation theory” only proves that when holiness becomes neglected and false doctrine and the ungodly practices of tradition enter the “church,” they stifle miracles, signs and wonders which GOD earnestly desires we experience for healing and deliverance (the children’s bread—MRK 7:26) and signs and wonders to the lost.
4) The false prophet also promotes the establishment of the idolatrous image of the beast in the temple (also called the abomination of desolation), “telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.” The false prophet encourages worshipping the beast, and Satan, through his idol. “And forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation…6 And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, ‘How long will it be until the end of these wonders?’ 7 And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward Heaven and swore by Him Who lives forever that it would be for a time, times and half a time (three and a half years); and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed…11 And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1290 days. 12 How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1335 days!” (DNL11:31, 12:6-7, 11-12).
Remember, the beast in the Revelation of John received authority for three and a half years, 42 months or 1260 days, but according to this verse, an extra month seems added to the length of time as the interim of a month passes either between the disruption of the regular sacrifice and the time the abomination of desolation abides in the temple, or extending the extra month to the end, referring to a time of purification and the dismantling and removal of the idol and other necessary purifications. The idol may stand quite massively so that many may observe it from a distance. Also, the blessing over those who attain the 1335th day, implies a 45-day interim that extends into the Millennial Kingdom.
5) The false prophet enforces or “exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast,” the antichrist. “In his presence,” indicates the source of his power (Satan). We read also in Daniel, speaking of the beast (the antichrist) as “the little horn,” “And his power will be mighty, but not by his own power, and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will and destroy mighty men and the holy people” (DNL 8:24). This verse suggests many saints, Friends, Brides and others, may become martyrs.
6) “And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” The image/idol appears as though living and breathing, capable of speech and power for killing those who do not worship it; which suggests some type of laser or fire projected from the idol, naturally or supernaturally and possibly other weaponry. This no doubt results from the practice of the black arts and the empowerment of Satan, but also possibly some AI robotic assistance and second heaven technology for a more effectual manifestation.
The prophet Habakkuk warns, “What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it or an image, a teacher of falsehood? for its maker trusts in his own handiwork when he fashions speechless idols. 19 Woe to him who says to a piece of wood; ‘Awake!’ to a dumb stone; ‘Arise!’ And that is your teacher? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver and there is no breath at all inside it” (HBK 2:18-19). Even though the idol set up by the antichrist and the false prophet speaks and seems that it possesses life, nonetheless, its abilities derive from magic, demonic possession and technology and therefore, it deserves no worship for it classifies as a simple “parlor trick” used for deceiving the masses who do not understand.
“There is nothing new under the sun” (ECC 1:9), if we turn back to Daniel for a moment, we read part of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abedneggo in a similar situation and an illustration very like unto that which the antichrist establishes, “Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold; the height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits (nearly 120 feet tall and about twelve feet wide); he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, and the judges, the magistrates and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image (very likely an image of himself) that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up…4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed: ‘To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language, 5 that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. 6 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire’” (DNL 3:1-6). This pictures the abomination of desolation and the choice everyone must make although the method of dispatch may be different in those days.
And finally, 7) “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead.” Many speculate on the nature of this mark, but the scriptures advise us on its administration, “on their right hand, or on their forehead.” Whether a tattoo, containing nano-bots, or a living chip or something different, it appears either on the forehead or the right hand. Some speculate the administration of an implant with the ability of changing DNA, possibly with the promise of extended life and resistance to disease or increased intelligence, very tempting to some.
Why change the DNA? When we receive salvation, we become “new creatures” in Christ (2 COR 5:17), meaning, our spiritual DNA changes; our very character changes. In the case of a change in the DNA through the mark, possibly one receives a deposit of something of the beast as a demonic nature for making one more pliable to the agenda of the beast, again, some speculate. This writer leaves it to the Reader’s imagination.
Note that in Revelation Chapter 14:9-11, an angel declares, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of YHWH, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and his image and whoever receives the mark of his name.” This portrays a very severe judgment.
The phrase, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand” seems indicative that at the administration of the mark, the recipient fulfills an enforced mandate of required worship and/or allegiance to the beast/Satan before he leaves the site so that receiving the mark means entirely rejecting the living GOD, probably in an oath. Also, if the implant contains anything to do with the demonic nature, the one receiving it may no longer possess the ability of repenting.
“And he provides that no one should be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” Imagine not having the ability of buying groceries, or fuel, or even visiting a doctor or hospital in an emergency, not to mention limited travel. Participation in normal society becomes impossible for those without the mark. They must hide away as criminals on the run. The scripture describes the mark as bearing either the beast’s name or the number of his name, “and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”
As the Hebrew language possesses no numerical symbols, numbers appear in written form, not as numerical symbols, but such as when we write out “one.” However, later Kabbalistic Jews use gematria, where the letters of the Hebrew alphabet substitute with the corresponding numbers, Aleph (A) equals one, etc. This practice yields various ways of adding and manipulating numbers to their attached meanings, depending on the system used. Therefore, we only know that the name adds up to 666. Throughout history, many have used this system applied to Hitler and others for determining the appearance of the antichrist. When the antichrist first appears, he may seem heroic and as possessing solutions to all the ills of the world, but as his character quickly unfolds, the honeymoon ends and peace abruptly changes into chaos and a reign of terror. As the antichrist gains more following, he builds an army for his evil work and before anyone understands what goes on, the nature of the beast completely changes and it becomes too late for any attempts of stopping him. This writer suggests if the other characteristics and actions fit the description, beware, and alert, but mostly likely, the antichrist would not reveal his character until he positions himself firmly secure and in a time where intervention or prevention of his tactics becomes impossible.
Again, we read in Zechariah, “Then the angel who was speaking with me went out, and said to me, ‘Lift up now your eyes, and see what is going forth.’ 6 And I (Zechariah) said, ‘What is it?’ ‘This is the ephah (a basket) going forth.’ Again he said, ‘This is their appearance in all the land’ 7 (and behold, a lead cover was lifted up); ‘and this is a woman sitting inside the ephah.’ 8 Then he said, ‘This is Wickedness!’ And threw her down into the middle of the ephah and cast the lead weight on its opening. 9 Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and there two women were coming out with the wind in their wings; and they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heavens. 10 And I said to the angel who was speaking with me, ‘Where are they taking the ephah?’ 11 Then he said to me, ‘To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar (Babylon or modern Bagdad); and when it is prepared, she will be set there upon her own pedestal’” (ZCH 5:5-11).
“This is their appearance in all the land,” compares wickedness with the form of a woman, consistent with the female goddesses worshipped throughout the Middle East and Asia. Dr. Charles Ryrie interestingly connects this passage to Revelation 17:3-5, “Babylon the Great,” the scarlet woman on the scarlet beast, full of abominations and blasphemies. This writer understands the two “women with wings” as demonic creatures who establish Bagdad as a base for the antichrist at some point in his career even though Jerusalem remains his ultimate destination. Modern Bagdad boasts of various temples and the region of Mesopotamia birthed several female goddesses throughout the centuries.
Revelation Chapter 11 contains the account of the two witnesses who stand against the antichrist, “And there was given me (John) a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, ‘Rise up and measure the temple of ELOHIM, and the altar and those who worship in it. 2 And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread underfoot the holy city for forty-two months (three and one-half years); 3 And I will grant authority to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days (again, three and one-half years), clothed in sackcloth.’ 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the ELOHIM of the earth. 5 And if anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if anyone would desire to harm them, in this manner he must be killed. 6 These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with every plague as often as they desire. 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called “Sodom and Egypt,” where also their ADON was crucified. 9 And those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 And after three and one-half days the breath of the life from ELOHIM came into them, and they stood on their feet; and a great fear fell on those who were beholding them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from Heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’ And they went up into Heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them. 13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake…14 The Second Woe is past; behold, the Third Woe is coming quickly” (RVL 11:1-14).
The ministries of these witnesses seemingly echo the ministries of Moses and Elijah, “fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies” and “These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying (1 KNG 17:1; 2 KNG 1:9-14); and they have power over the waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with every plague as often as they desire” (EXD 5-11). These fourteen verses in Revelation 11 represent the three and one-half years of ministry told in the form of an overview, so the events listed unfold in that length of time. In other words, when the antichrist comes back to life and sets up the abomination, he wars with the Two Witnesses who oppose him for the length of their ministry until he finally kills them after three and one-half years, “when they have finished their testimony.” “The beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome and kill them.” Again, this passage summarizes the events of the forty-two months, this beast’s identity in more detail appears in Revelation 17:8, “The beast was and is not, and is about to come out of the abyss and to go to destruction,” in other words, the antichrist, formerly wounded and resurrected, now empowered by Satan.
We know from this verse, “they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days,” and we also know when they die and come back to life, “in that hour there was a great earthquake” and that “The Second Woe is past; behold, the Third Woe is coming quickly.” Later, as we look at the trumpet judgments, we see that the Seventh Trumpet signifies the Third, and final Woe, so the death of the two witnesses occurs at the end of the Second Woe, very near to the end of judgment. Toward the end, things happen very much rapidly, but on how quickly, the scriptures remain silent for the most part.
“And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread underfoot the holy city for forty-two months” (three and one-half years or 1260 days); the same amount of time given for the authority of the beast over Jerusalem which, “mystically is called ‘Sodom and Egypt.’” Since the antichrist holds the control of the temple, the two witnesses must station themselves somewhere which inconveniences him, and at the same time, declaring the truth about him and the truth from Scripture, interfering with the idolatrous worship established by him. This writer suggests they may set themselves up in or before the Holy of Holies and that none of the text about the abomination of desolation precludes that from happening, but rather suggests that the Holy of Holies is protected for a time.
Notice that the Gentiles/nations have no authority over the whole temple. John receives instruction to measure “the altar and those who worship in it (possibly where the two witnesses install themselves). 2 And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations.” Desecration of the temple would occur with any of the following: the offering of a profane sacrifice, the entrance of unbelievers, or the placement of an idol anywhere in the temple, even the outer court. We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, “so that he (the antichrist) takes his seat in the temple of ELOHIM, displaying himself as being ELOHIM.” The scriptures tell us that the antichrist does this, but not exactly when.
A possible scenario follows: the antichrist takes over Jerusalem with Martial Law and great slaughter, enters the temple and sets up an image of himself in the outer court, for which he demands worship, but the presence of the two witnesses keep him from entering the Holy of Holies, his goal. Possibly, the two witnesses are temple priests. After a three and one-half year battle, and the conclusion of the witnesses’ testimony, he finally kills them and takes his seat as GOD in the Holy of Holies on the Ark of the Covenant (the LORD’s throne in the tabernacle of the wilderness), the only “seat” in the holy place. After this indignation, the LORD steps in and removes the Ark (RVL 11:19) when the antichrist sets out with his army to Armageddon and to his destruction.
In the battle of Armageddon, when the LORD returns to claim His throne, the antichrist’s army of 200 million is slaughtered by the LORD (RVL 19:15), “And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21 And the rest (the beast’s army) were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him Who sat upon the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh” (RVL 19:20-21).
“Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour…22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son” (1JHN 2:18, 22).
______________________________________________________________________________________
Word from the LORD:
Appearance of peace at the start, then violence increases with the establishment of martial law in many places and abuses of power. Regions are parceled out for price and run by despotic rulers under the antichrist, who rule according to their whims.
[1] Coker, Margaret (2017-12-10). “After Fall of ISIS, Iraq’s Second-Largest City Picks Up the Pieces” The New York Times ISSN 0362-4331
[2] עזרא לניאדו, יהודי מוצל, מגלות שומרון עד מבצע עזרא ונחמיה,
המכון לחקר יהדות מוצל, טירת-כרמל: ה’תשמ”א.
[3] Davidson, Herbert A. (2005). Moses Maimonides: The Man and His Works. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 560. ISBN 0-19-517321-X.