His Persona, Characteristics & Actions
Things to watch as the End Times Approach:
1) Is the world moving towards a global government?
Does the global government have ten divisions?
2) Is the world moving towards a global economic system,
that would connect everyone on the planet?
3) Is there a way being proposed that commerce will be done through
some type of ‘mark’ in the right hand or forehead?
4) Is there a treaty in the works with Israel that is seven years in duration,
and likely has some provision to re-build the Jewish Temple?
5) Is antisemitism growing in the world?
Outline
• God’s Choice of Israel and Historical Antisemitism
- The Successive Occupying Empires
- Rome Revived
• God’s Timing
• Global Government
• The Seven Year Agreement
- Three and a Half Years
- The Abomination of Desolation and Antisemitism
• His Character
• What Does This Mean For Me?
God’s Choice of Israel and Historical Antisemitism
When Daniel first spoke of this evil figure who would rise at the end of the ages, he spoke of him as someone who came out of a long line of Empires which controlled or occupied Israel, and ultimately, the whole world. There is a reason that the Antichrist, and Satan who motivates him, are so rooted in hatred for Israel.
Long before Daniel existed (roughly 500-600BC), and the nation of Israel existed, God chose Abraham (roughly 2000 BC). And God gave Abraham many promises that are detailed in Genesis 12, 15, 17 and 22. God promised Abraham a land, a seed - numerous descendants, but also a blessing for all families, all nations of the world through one of his offspring. That person who was promised was his descendant Jesus Christ. “Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” Genesis 12:1-3. Through Jesus Christ, salvation from sin, forgiveness and eternal life was, and is, offered to every human who ever lived. Jesus Christ is God, and because God created us and humbled Himself to die for us, He deserves our worship. The Antichrist, who will someday come, and Satan who directs him, want this worship for themselves.
Satan has tried at every turn to defeat God. He tried to keep Jesus from ever being born by trying to destroy God’s promises to Abraham. If he could kill off Abraham’s descendants, the Jews, then he could stop the Savior from ever being born. So he tried on several occasions to use other nations to occupy Israel, war against them, and carry them off into exile. And God allowed this because He had promised them that they would be removed from their lands if they did not live good and just lives (Deuteronomy 28). But He also promised that in the end, all of His promises to them would come to pass, and they would never be destroyed as a nation.
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:7-8
“Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God drives you, and you return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.” Deuteronomy 30:1-3
The Successive Occupying Empires
In the book of Daniel, the people had failed to follow God, so God allowed the Babylonians to invade and carry them off to Babylon. While reading the prophecies of Jeremiah, Daniel realized that this is what happened, and prayed mournfully to God in Chapter 9:1-23. “...in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.” Daniel 9:2. Jeremiah (626 BC) even prophesied in advance that it would be a 70 year discipline that would come from Babylon. “And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.” Jeremiah 25:11. While in Babylon, the Medo-Persians conquered in a sneak attack, and Israel was then taken over by this nation (Daniel 5) (October 13, 539 BC). Eventually, Artaxerxes allowed Nehemiah to return to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25) (444 BC), and many of the people returned, but they were still vassals under the control of the Persians, then the Greeks, then the Romans.
But the book of Daniel foretells all of these occupations (Daniel 2, 7). Israel was under judgment from all these foreign nations because they had not followed God, but they were never wiped out as a nation. Even though the rulers who were a part of all of these nations were cruel, the Jewish people still remained. And even though Satan tried to kill Jesus when he was a child using Herod’s edict (Matthew 2), and tried to tempt Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus death happened in the timing that God wanted, and for the purposes that God designated. “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:4-7. Even though it seemed like Satan had won, God raised Jesus from the dead.
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:13-22
Satan hates Israel and continues to try to destroy it, because God made promises to it, because Jesus came from Israel, and because Jesus is going to return to rescue Israel from the Antichrist.
There is a strange hatred for Israel that has always existed. The ‘religious’ Spanish Inquisition tried to stamp out Jews. The Third Reich tried to eliminate them from the earth. And some in religion today considers Israel to be one of its top enemies, and their goal is to wipe them off the map. All of this hatred for one people group doesn’t simply pop up out of nowhere. This sentiment is propagated behind the spiritual scenes by Satan himself. And during the final Seven Years, he will use the Antichrist in a final attempt to cancel out the Jewish people from the world.
In Daniel 2 and Daniel 7, two dreams to foretell the nations that would have successive control over Israel. The statute that Nebuchadnezzar sees has divisions that represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and then the final Beast kingdom that extends out of Rome. Daniel also saw several beasts that represent each of these kingdoms as well. In the vision of the statue, the legs represented the Roman empire that split into the east and the west and then extends out to what it is today. The Beast (Antichrist) Empire comes out of this fractured Roman Empire. The 10 toes extend from the two legs, and correspond with the 10 horns that come out of the Beast’s head in the Daniel 7 and Revelation 17 imagery. The Holy Roman Empire split into its Eastern and Western divisions, that then extended into the world through the Catholic Church, Roman Government and Law, (and some would argue Islam), even into today. Many see a connection between the old Roman Empire with the European Union, the United States and the United Nations. And it has been noted that the United Nations divides the world into ten regions.
Rome Revived
Because of the connections with the old Roman Empire, many have thought the Antichrist would be European, Italian, a Pope or perhaps from the United States.
In some translations of Daniel 9, it says that after Jesus’ murder, the world ruler would destroy the city and sanctuary with the ‘people’ of the prince (Antichrist) who is to come. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman armies in 70AD. Some have taken this to mean that the Antichrist would be of Italian descent. Others however have noted that Rome used soldiers from the local areas it was occupying, and that the Roman armies in Israel at the time were actually Syrian. This would also still follow the idea that the Eastern leg of the statue that represented the Roman Empire was actually in Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey. The people who are a part of this leg are peoples of middle-eastern descent. For this reason, and because of a couple of interesting references to ‘the Assyrian’ in Hebrew prophecies, some have put forth the possibility that the Antichrist could be of middle-eastern descent, and possibly even a Muslim.
One challenge with these views are that the political climate and chaos of the world when the Antichrist appears, lend to the idea that Jewish people will be looking for a Savior. The world will be in turmoil. And many more conservative Jews believe that the coming Messiah is a person. And if He is Israel’s Messiah, then he would likely need to be Jewish. Along with creating a one-world government and a one-world economic system, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will also create a one-world religion. The world today is moving more and more into the idea that all religions are equal, and all roads lead to the same god. So it is possible that many of the secular Jews at the time of Antichrist will not be as concerned that the one who promises to save them, might not end up being Jewish.
God’s Timing
The identity of the coming evil world leader, (that some also call the Antichrist), can often become a subject of conversation and speculation, especially when times in the world get tough. Many have tried to link him to world leaders in their time and have gone through an astounding amount of numerological gymnastics trying to figure out how 666 can be used to spell out different names. “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” Revelation 13:16-18. The truth is, that when using differently types of numerology, ‘the number of his name’ can add up to many different names or variations of names. Numerous Emperors of ancient Rome, insidious figures such as Hitler, American presidents and other world leaders from the last several decades have been suspects for this reason, not to mention their evil, (or perceived evil), traits. One of the simplest explanations is that in the Bible 6 is the number of a man, and 3 is the number of the Trinity. The Antichrist is only a man, and will never be a match for Jesus Christ, who is God. In Revelation 13, it is seen that Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet combine to create a false evil trinity, both in mockery, and attempted reflection, of the true God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Bible seems pretty clear that this person will come on the scene and be revealed to the world only when God’s appointed time has arrived, and he fulfills the actions he is foretold to fulfill. “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the departure 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 worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8.
He will be known by his characteristics and by his activities - some of which are pretty specific. So though it may be interesting to speculate, when he is revealed, there will be no guessing needed for those who are aware of how the Bible has described him. And, in fact, he rises from obscurity it seems, so he’s unlikely to been one in the spotlight in the time leading up to his appearance. It is also challenging to peg the title on anyone who is well known at any given moment because he is one who will (seemingly miraculously) be able to bring the whole world together. And who on the world stage, down through history and into our present day, is able to pull off that feat? No one. Both the impossible nature of the circumstances at the time, as well as the Satanic power he has behind him, will combine to create the perfect storm that can make this possible. “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 the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie...” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11.
Global Government
He will rise up within a global government made up of ten parts. This imagery is given in Daniel Chapters 2 and 7 and Revelation 13. Daniel and Revelation give visions of the kingdoms of the world that would rule over Israel. There are several successive kingdoms that end with this final ten part kingdom. They are described as the ten toes and the ten horns in Daniel.
“Whereas you saw the feet and toes [ten], partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom [Jesus’ kingdom] which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people [It will forever belong to the Jews]; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Daniel 2:41-43.
‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces [Global control]. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he [Antichrist] shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time [3.5 years]. But the court shall be seated [the heavenly court], and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people [Israel], the saints of the Most High. His [Jesus] kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’” Daniel 7:23-27
A little horn with eyes that speaks blasphemies comes up from the other horns and uproots three in the process. The Antichrist will come out of the final ten part world government. But during his ascent from obscurity to power, he will overthrow or supplant three of the ten divisions and their rulers.
Revelation talks about the first three and a half years, as the time when the Antichrist will go through the world gaining power. In fact, it is the second event in the seven years, after the treaty is made, is when Jesus receives the title deed to the earth, and begins to open the seal judgments. “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer” Revelation 6:1-2. These judgments during this period are described as the beginning of birth pangs when things get worse and worse in waves, like a woman in labor. The Antichrist starts to rise and conquer. World war breaks out. Disease and famine spread, and large numbers of people begin to die (Revelation 6:3-8).
The Seven Year Agreement
The first action of the Antichrist will be to confirm a covenant with many for one shebua. A shebua is a Hebrew term for a time period of seven. Because of the context, this shebua, or period seven, is what some call a ‘week of seven years’ or Daniel’s 70th Week. “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” Daniel 9:27. Take a look at the post about the Seven Years for more information on this prophecy. So this evil man will ‘confirm’ a covenant, or an agreement, or treaty for seven years. Because the world ‘confirm’ is used, it may be that he puts an agreement in motion that was already created in the past.
The agreement is made with ‘many’, and it must be that Israel is part of the many, for a couple of reasons. First, the total 490 year prophecy, (which contains Seven Year prophecy), centers on Israel. Secondly, the leader also breaks the treaty in the middle by setting up what is called the ‘abomination of desolation’ in the Jewish Temple. These things show that Israel, and possibly the re-building of the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, is a part of the agreement. Because the agreement is made with the ‘many’, it would seem that other nations or parties are involved as well. Some think the Palestinian Authority, the United Nations, Arab Nations and even the Pope could compose, the ‘many.’
Three and a Half Years
The book of Revelation mentions a 3.5 year time period many times in it’s descriptions. The events of the first half of the 7 years are not specifically defined in Daniel’s prophecy, other than to give the midpoint of the 7 years when the treaty is broken. The second half of the Seven Years, the second 3.5 years, is a time called the Great Tribulation, or the Time of Jacob’s (Israel’s) trouble. This second half is underscored with mention of the same time frame with several different designations. It is as if God really wanted to underscore this specific time period in human history, by describing its length in several ways. Three and a half years is also enumerated by 42 months, 1,260 days and ‘times, time and half a time’. It is in this second half of the Seven Years, that the Antichrist rises to full power and is shown to be the true evil that he really is.
“Now these are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah. “For thus says the Lord: ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. ‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from your neck, and will burst your bonds; foreigners shall no more enslave them. But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord, ‘Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, and no one shall make him afraid.” Jeremiah 30:4-10
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:15-22
The Abomination of Desolation and Antisemitism
The books of Daniel, Matthew, Thessalonians and Revelation reference the moment when this leader sets up an image of himself in the Jewish Temple to be worshiped. He places it in the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the Temple where the One True God would dwell. By doing this, the Antichrist is making himself equal to God. In fact, the term, ‘Antichrist’ doesn’t not mean ‘against’ Christ, as much as it means ‘in place of Christ.’ By doing this, he is performing the greatest offense to the Jewish people, breaking the First of the Ten Commandments given to Moses, and blaspheming God in the worst possible way.
“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:3-6
Revelation 13 gives more details about the ‘abomination of desolation’ when it mentions the False Prophet, (a sort of religious side-kick of the Antichrist), who will give power to the statue, (the abomination), so that it can speak and do miracles. He does this with the power of Satan in the presence of the Antichrist so that it causes the people of the earth to marvel and worship the Antichrist. Note that in the symbolism of Revelation 13, Satan is the “Dragon”, the Antichrist is called the “Beast out of the Sea” and the False Prophet is the “Beast out of the Earth.” “And he [False Prophet] deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast [Antichrist], telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed” Revelation 13:14-15.
As mentioned before, the second 3.5 years are described by other measures in Revelation when discussing other events that will happen during this time. After the Antichrist shows who he truly is and sets up his statue, he will then chase after the Jews to murder them. In Matthew 24, Jesus reminds the Jewish people that as soon as they see this happen, they need to immediately escape Jerusalem and hide somewhere in the mountains. “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains...” Matthew 24:15-16. Many people think that the Jews will run to Petra (the ancient site used as the doorway to the Temple of Doom in Indiana Jones).
Using symbols, Revelation 12 talks about how the ‘Woman’ (Israel) will run and hide from the Dragon (Satan) who will chase her but not catch her. She will hide in the wilderness for 1,260 days (3.5 years). “And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days” Revelation 12:4-6. A few verses later, the same chapter also speaks of Israel hiding for ‘time, times and half a time’ or in other words x+2x+1/2x (3.5). “But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent” Revelation 12:14.
At the end of the second 3.5 years when the Antichrist is chasing the Jews and persecuting and murdering everyone who will not worship him, Jesus returns. He will come back in His glory and as a judge of the Antichrist and all who follow him doing evil on the earth. Jesus will go rescue the Jews in hiding, and will lead them out of Edom/Bozrah (Jordan) when He returns. This is the same area of Petra. “Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, this One who is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength?—“I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, and trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, and I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, and the year of My redeemed has come... As a beast goes down into the valley, and the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest, so You lead Your people, to make Yourself a glorious name” Isaiah 63:1-4, 14.
Returning to the symbolic description of the Antichrist’s tyranny in Revelation 12, the prophecy goes on to say that because the dragon cannot overcome the woman, he will go after “her other offspring.” This could be a reference to the other Jews who live in places other than Jerusalem. The prophecy about those who run, is referring specifically to the people who see the statue go up in the Temple. But there will be other Jews living in other parts of the world, that he will terrorize as well. The Antichrist will persecute and kill anyone - Jew or non-Jew who will not take the mark. So this reference could also include people who have trusted in Jesus but are not Jewish. Satan the Dragon, through the Antichrist, will chase down and persecute these people for 42 months (3.5 years). These people will be the people who refuse to worship the miraculous talking statue, the Antichrist or take his ‘mark’ of allegiance in their hand or forehead.
His Character
From these descriptions of events, it is seen that the Antichrist will be very deceptive, evil, tyrannical, a liar, murderer, very egotistical, considers himself to be God and deserving of worship. He will be a man of war, he will be someone who wants the control of everyone and everything. And he will be extremely persuasive and convince most of the world to follow him. He will be empowered by Satan to do evil actions and miracles, but because Satan is the chief of all liars, it is Satan’s influence, and even possession, that will cause the world to follow and worship the Antichrist. For those who take his ‘mark’, he will be their savior and will provide for their needs. For those who don’t give him allegiance, he will be their biggest enemy and persecutor. He is described as the ‘man of sin’, ‘the man of lawlessness,’ ‘the willful king’ and the ‘son of perdition (eternal damnation)’. Those who align themselves with him, will share his fate in the lake of fire.
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11
After the final 3.5 years, Jesus will return to earth and will battle with all the nations of the earth that will come against him. These nations will be led by the Antichrist, and he, the False Prophet, and their followers will all be thrown into the lake of fire. God did not create this place for humanity, but unfortunately had to send people away from His presence who don’t want to be with Him.
“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19:19-21
What Does This Mean For Me?
If you find yourself alive during the Seven Years, you will see that lines will be drawn between good and evil. It won’t necessarily be obvious at first who is who - unless you know the Bible. Many many will be deluded into following the man who stands up to solve the world’s problems. He will offer to feed you and your family, and take care of your needs, if you just join his system and take his ‘mark.’ Many think this mark will be a digital chip or tattoo that will be scan-able. No more credit cards needed. All your banking, shopping and bill paying will be done with the swipe of your hand, or scan of your forehead.
It’s important to understand that just because this technology is already being used around the world, this doesn’t mean that the chips people are using are the mark. Revelation 13 is clear that taking the specific ‘mark’ that the Antichrist will offer, will also be in allegiance to him, and his name and or number will be incorporated into the mark somehow. There are some things in the pipeline coming at us that look like they could be developed into this however, and it’s important to research this while there is time.
The very first thing you must do, however is place your trust in Jesus Christ. Believe He is God, He’s died for you, and ask His forgiveness. He will forgive you, and grant you eternal life. Realize at this point, that your allegiance is to Jesus, and from what the Bible says, those who don’t take the ‘mark’ will be killed. Those who take the mark will live on for a few years, but when Jesus returns, they will die and spend eternity in hell with the Antichrist that they served. Those who follow Jesus, and don’t take the mark, will die, but they will go to heaven and will spend eternity with Jesus in light and love and peace.
But in all reality, you need to trust in Jesus today. Even without the Seven Years, life is full of many tragedies, and none of us know how much time we have. Today is the day. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 tells us that this life is so incredibly short compared to eternity. Whatever decisions we have to make in life, we need to follow Jesus, because He is the one who will give us eternal peace and rest and joy.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
After putting your faith in Jesus, the next step is to find a community of believers in Him. In our current world, it might not be a church. It might be a meeting with your neighbors who also know Jesus. Pray and read the Bible daily and ask Jesus to lead you through whatever decisions you need to make. He promised to never leave or forsake us. And He promised to give us peace no matter what is going on in the world around us.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Scriptures
• Antichrist (Pseudo-Christ)
- 1 John 2:22
Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.
• Astoundingly Intelligent
- Daniel 7:20
I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
- Daniel 8:23
In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise.
• “Beast“
- Revelation 11:7
Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.
- Revelation 13:5-8
The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
• Boasting, Arrogant
- Daniel 7:8, 11
While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully...11 Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire...
- Daniel 11:36
The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:4
He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
• Connected with Roman Empire
& Old Assyrian Empire
- People of prince that will come:
- Daniel 9:26
After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the prince who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary (Roman legions in 70AD). The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.
- Roman legions not necessarily European:
Chuck Missler - Daniel Session 10 (9B) - The 69 Weeks
- Tenth Legion: Cohort & Axillaries
- Tracum Syriaca (Assyrians)
- Syria Ulpia Petraeorum-Petra (Edom)(Assyrians)
- Syria (Assyrians)
- Assyrian
- Isaiah 10:24-25
Therefore this is what the Lord, the Lord Almighty, says: “My people who live in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians, who beat you with a rod and lift up a club against you, as Egypt did. 25 Very soon my anger against you will end and my wrath will be directed to their destruction.”
- Isaiah 14:25-26
I will crush the Assyrian in my land; on my mountains I will trample him down. His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders.” 26 This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations.
- Isaiah 30:30-31
The Lord will cause people to hear his majestic voice and will make them see his arm coming down with raging anger and consuming fire, with cloudburst, thunderstorm and hail. 31 The voice of the Lord will shatter Assyria; with his rod he will strike them down.
- Micah 5:5-6
And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders, 6 who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders.
- Tyre
- Ezekiel 28:2-10
Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. 3 Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? 4 By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. 5 By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. 6 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, 7 I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. 8 They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas. 9 Will you then say, “I am a god,” in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a mortal, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you. 10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
• Creates One-World Economic System,
Financial Genius
- Ezekiel 28:4,5
By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.
- Daniel 8:25
He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
- Daniel 11:38-43
Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his ancestors he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price. 40 “At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. 41 He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. 42 He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. 43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Cushites in submission.
- Revelation 13:17
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
• god of a One-World Religion
- 2 Thessalonians 2:4
He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
- Revelation 13:3, 14-15
One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast... 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
• Influential Speaker
- Daniel 7:20
I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.
- Revelation 13:2
The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
• Lawless One
- 2 Thessalonians 2:8
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
• Little Horn
- Daniel 7:8-11, 21-26
While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 9 “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. 11 “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.... 21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. 23 “He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time. 26 “‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.
- Daniel 8:9-12, 23-25
Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down. 12 Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground....23 “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
• Man of Sin
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3
Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of sin is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
• One come in his own name
- John 5:43
I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.
• Political Salesman
- Daniel 8:25
He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
- Daniel 11:21
He will be succeeded by a contemptible person who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue.
• Powerful Military Leader
- Daniel 8:24
He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people.
- Revelation 6:2
I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
Revelation 13:4
People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”
• Prince that Shall Come
- Daniel 9:26
After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the prince who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.
• Received by Israel
- Ezekiel 21:25-27
You profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax, 26 this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. 27 A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.
- Daniel 9:27
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week. He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
- John 5:43
I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.
• Supernatural Power,
Technological Control & Allegiance
- Revelation 13
The Dragon & The Beast out of the Sea
The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.
The Beast out of the Earth
Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man That number is 666.
• Ruler of One-World Organization & Government
- Revelation 13:1-3
The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.
- Revelation 17:17
For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled.
• Seed of the Serpent/Son of Satan
- Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between you (serpent/Satan in the garden of Eden) and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
- Ezekiel 28:12-19
Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. 14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. 17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. 18 By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. 19 All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.
- Isaiah 27:1
In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword—his fierce, great and powerful sword—Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.
- Revelation 13:1-3
The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
• Son of Perdition
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
• Willful King
- Daniel 11:36
The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.
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