The term ‘Antichrist’ comes from the Bible of the Christian religion. Therefore, it makes sense that the Bible alone can truly identify the Antichrist. Naming the names of certain people we judge ‘evil’, only causes confusion as each one of us can have a different opinion depending on our definition of ‘evil’, and on whom we like or don’t like. So, it is wise to go to the Bible itself to determine who the Antichrist is and where he will come from.
The Bible was written to record the origins of mankind, its fall into rebellion, humanity’s lost and hopeless condition, the coming of a Saviour, and His loving invitation to forgive and cleanse all who come to Him in repentance (1 John 1:9). The Bible points us back to God and shows us the way of salvation.
The Bible also records the dark side of humanity’s existence. It reveals who is the original Antichrist, that great enemy of mankind and rebel against the government of God, Satan himself. It records the history of God’s people, their faithfulness, and their unfaithfulness. It reveals that most of those who profess to follow Christ are unfaithful to God and His law. They end up falling under the influence and power of Satan and are responsible for persecuting and destroying those who remain loyal to God. Of the great masses of mankind, only a remnant will remain faithful in the end.
The term ‘Antichrist’ literally means ‘instead of Christ’ or ‘in place of Christ’. It refers to any individual or system that strives to usurp the position of Christ and to take for itself the prerogatives that rightfully belong only to God. So, the first thing to keep in mind when trying to determine who the Antichrist is and where he comes from is that it is a religious power that wields political clout.
The apostle Paul, back in his day, clearly reveals the nature of this anti-Christian power. He warns:
“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day (the 2nd coming of Christ), will not come unless the falling away (apostasy) comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple (church) of God, showing himself that he is God . . . The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive a love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10).
The end-time Antichrist will be a federation of apostate Christian churches headed by a figure called the “man of sin,” the “son of perdition”, or the “lawless one.” This organisation will perform powerful signs and “lying wonders” to deceive the whole world into following it. The Antichrist is powerfully depicted in Revelation 13 as a beast (a political-religious power) rising from the sea (“people, multitudes, nations and tongues”, Revelation 17:15) and as a great, miracle-working “false prophet” (Revelation 13:13-14; 16:13-14).
In Revelation chapter 13, the medieval origins of the Antichrist are described. Also described is its end-time alliance with a nation which will give it the political power it needs to enforce the mark of the beast, and “cause as many as would not worship the image to the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:15).
The future Antichrist system will refuse people the right to “buy or sell” unless they receive “the mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:16-17). This constitutes an economic boycott and is only possible if this political-religious power has control of the world’s currency (Daniel 11:43).
In Revelation 17, the Antichrist federation is called Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots which commits fornication with the kings of the world (Revelation 17:2, 5). To commit spiritual fornication, or adultery, is for a Christian church which professes to have Jesus Christ as its ‘husband’ and sustainer, to form an illegal union with the power of the state to enforce its dogmas. God calls this an ‘abomination’ (Daniel 11:31) that causes ‘desolation’.
Antichrist’s greatest triumph comes about when it can combine the emotional and spiritual appeal of religion with the power of the state. By using state power, he endeavours to force his own religious agenda upon people and to take away the freedom of the individual to worship God according to his conscience. The greatest experiment ever carried out to control the consciences of men and women by using fear and force occurred during the Dark Ages, from 538 to 1798. For over 1,000 years, a form of apostate Christianity ruled the nations of Europe and devastated the economy and society. Millions were cruelly put to death because they clung conscientiously to the teachings of the Bible and refused to abide by the unbiblical dictates of the church. Here, indeed, is the Antichrist in action. To quote one Christian author – “Compelling power is found only under Satan’s government”.
Though ‘wounded’ for a time (Revelation 13:3), the Medieval Antichrist is back, just waiting for the opportunity to spring once again into active despotism.
The Bible describes the Antichrist using various symbols:
- As “a Little Horn” power. See Daniel 7:19-25 and Daniel 8:9-12, 23-25 for a description of the Antichrist in action during the Middle Ages. It is called ‘little’ because its home territory is very small, and it is called ‘a horn’ or kingdom, because its political and religious influence, by contrast, is exceedingly great.
- As “The Man of Sin”, “the Son of Perdition”, and “the Lawless One” – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. The term ‘son of perdition’ was also given to Judas, the betrayer of Christ.
- As a “beast” or kingdom, “rising out of the sea” in Revelation 13:1-8; and as “Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots” in Revelation 17:1-6.
- As “the abomination of desolation” – Daniel 11:31. Daniel refers to the enforcement of religious laws by the Antichrist as an abomination that causes desolation.
Jesus referred to the setting up of the “abomination of desolation”, or siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies, as a sign for the Judean Christians to flee to the mountains for safety (Matthew 24:15-16).
Religious laws that restrict a person’s ability to think and do for him or herself, is like a siege. A siege takes away freedom of movement, the ability to earn a living, to buy and sell freely, and eventually it starves a population into submission. In heaven’s eyes such a restriction of freedom, a gift given by our Creator, is an abomination that desolates the soul. The day of reckoning will surely come.
At the end of time, the Bible tells us that “the dragon” (Satan) will be enraged with the woman (the pure church, Revelation 12:1) and will make war upon “the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17).
Satan is enraged because he cannot compel the remnant to submit to his government and join his rebellion against God. He makes war against God’s faithful people by using apostate Christian churches. The attack comes not from without but from within. A most effective strategy.
But as the war draws to a close, Satan and his confederation of apostate churches are finally and eternally defeated. God triumphantly proclaims over the remnant – “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). The next event on God’s calendar is the reaping of the harvest of the earth, the separation of the saved from the unsaved (Revelation 14:14-20). This is followed swiftly by the second coming of Christ and the deliverance of the saints.
Where will the Antichrist come from? He is here. Our best defence against this anti-Christian, yet pretending to be Christian, power, is the Bible. Read its warnings, particularly those in Daniel and Revelation, obey its teachings, and when the Antichrist comes, you will know exactly who he is.
Jesus Himself warned, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4–5).
