FACT 2: THE ANTICHRIST WILL RISE TO POWER

According to Bible prophecy, the next event on the endtime calendar is the rise of a false Christ to world prominence. He is called the Antichrist.

The apostle John said that many false christs would appear (1 John 2: 18; 4:3). Claiming to be the Messiah, they will seek and attract many people. Some had already appeared while John was still alive. One day, however, the ultimate impostor will come. He will gather a huge following. He will deceive Israel into signing a false peace treaty (Dan. 9:27). And he will be the cause of untold suffering in the world, especially for the saints. Here is what the Bible tells us about Antichrist:

• He will receive power from Satan (Rev. 13:2)
• He will receive his throne from Satan (Rev. 13:2)
• He will receive his authority from Satan (Rev. 13:2)
• He will be a ruler (Rev. 6:2)
• His purpose will be conquest (Rev. 6:2)
• He will be guilty of terrible blasphemy (Rev. 13:5)
• He will make a peace treaty with Israel and then cruelly break it (Dan. 9:27)
• He will put himself above everything and everyone (Dan. 11:37)
• He will proclaim himself to be God (2 Th. 2:4)
• He will stage a miraculous “resurrection” (Rev. 13:3)
• He will make war with the saints (Rev. 13:7)
• He will have authority over the nations (Rev. 13:7)
• His number is 666 (Rev. 13:18)
• He will kill millions of believers (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-17)
• A false prophet will serve him (Rev. 19:20)
• He will demand his image be worshiped (Rev. 13:14).

The Antichrist is Satan’s counterfeit. As Jesus Christ was sent by the Father, so this false christ will be sent by Satan. The Antichrist is given various descriptive names in the Bible. For example, he is referred to as:

• The Little Horn (Dan. 7:7-28)
• The King of Fierce Countenance (Dan. 8:23-25)
• The Prince That Shall Come (Dan. 9:26-27)
• The Willful King (Dan. 11:16, 36-38)
• The Man of Sin (2 Th. 2:3-4)
• The Son of Perdition (2 Th. 2:3-4)
• The Beast (Rev. 13:1-10)