The Antichrist: His Role in the End-Times
I. THE ANTICHRIST AND THE TRIBULATION: THE CHURCH’S GREATEST HOUR
A. The two End-Time prophetic themes most emphasized in the Scripture are Jesus' return to establish His worldwide
Millennial Kingdom and the Antichrist’s counterfeit evil worldwide empire. This shows us how important these two themes
are to God and thus, to the Church.
B. The Church will be on earth during the Great Tribulation. It is the context in which God will bring the Church to our
greatest victory, purity and evangelism as we walk in the glory of God.
7 For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)
27 He might present her…a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle… (Ephesians 5:27)
2 I saw…those who have the victory over the Beast…standing on the sea of glass… (Revelation 15:2)
C. The Great Tribulation will also be a time when many fall away from the faith because they will be unprepared.
They will lack understanding and perseverance (2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-2).
21 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. 22 Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved (physically preserved); for the elect’s sakes
those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)
1 The Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith… (1 Timothy 4:1)
D. Approximately fifty million people died in six years during World War II (1939-45). This is unprecedented in history,
yet this will be far surpassed during the Tribulation (Revelation 6:8; 9:15).
8 Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword… (Revelation 6:8)
15The four angels… were released to kill a third of mankind. (Revelation 9:15)
II. UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURAL TERM “ANTICHRIST”
A. The word antichrist comes from combining two Greek words. The first Greek word “anti” is a preposition which can
mean either “to substitute” (to be in place of) or “in opposition of” (to be against). The second Greek word is “christos”
(Christ) which means the “anointed one”.
B. When put together, they form a new word, “antichrist” which describes people or religious systems that act as a
“counterfeit of” (substitute) and in “opposition to” Jesus, God’s anointed One. Jesus spoke of false christs (anointed ones)
coming (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).
C. In Scripture, there are two applications of the antichrist. First, it refers to people with a false anointing called the “spirit
of the antichrist” that works in every generation to rally and influence people against Jesus. Second, it refers to a literal
man in the End-Times called “THE” Antichrist.
D. All four specific references to the antichrist are by the Apostle John (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).
18 The Antichrist is coming even now many antichrists have come… (1 John 2:18)
3 Every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist
which… is now already in the world. (1 John 4:3)
22 He is Antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22)
E. John referred to many antichrists (1 John 2:18; 2 Jn. 7) who have operated throughout history. Examples of those
considered to be antichrists by Church history include the Roman Emperors, Popes and other political leaders, especially
Antiochus Epiphanes (175–164 BC), the Syrian king (Seleucid dynasty) who persecuted Israel in the days of Judas
Maccabaeus (Daniel 11:20-45). Other figures often quoted are Nero (54-68 A.D.) due to his persecution of the Church or
Titus Vespasian who led the Roman armies to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD.
F. Some see the fulfillment of what the Scripture says about the Antichrist in the lives of past religious or political
leaders. They limit their understanding of the Antichrist as referring only to the spirit of the antichrist. They do not believe
he will be a literal worldwide leader. John wrote of the Antichrist coming after the death of Antiochus (200 years) and Nero
(25 years).
G. The most significant historical manifestation of the spirit of the antichrist in modern times was in the leadership of
Adolf Hitler in Germany (1933-45) and in World War II (1939-45). What Hitler did gives us insight into the magnitude of
terror and evil that the Antichrist will accomplish.
III. THE ANTICHRIST AS A LITERAL MAN
A. The Antichrist is the final world ruler in this age. He will make war against God in oppressing Israel and the Church
(Revelation 11:7; 12:7, 17; 13:4, 7; 17:14; 19:11, 19; Daniel 7:21; 9:26).
19 The beast, the kings of the earth…gathered to make war against Him… (Revelation 19:19)
14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them. (Revelation 17:14)
B. The title of the Antichrist as the End-Time world leader is used only once in Scripture (1 John 2:18). However,
Scripture describes him in other ways, calling him the little horn (Daniel 7:8); a king (Daniel 8:23; 11:36); one who makes
desolate (Daniel 9:27) and the worthless shepherd (Zechariah 11:16-17).
C. The Antichrist’s most prominent name in Scripture is the Beast. He will reason like a wild beast and will be the most
cruel man in history. It will be impossible to negotiate with him for mercy. He is called the Beast 36 times in Revelation
(Revelation 11:7; 13:1; 14:9; 16:2; 17:3; 19:20; 20:10).
D. In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul used three titles for the Antichrist calling him the Man of sin (v. 3), the Son of Perdition
(v. 3) and the Lawless one (v. 8). He will sin to the fullest capacity possible for man.
E. The most descriptive passages on the Antichrist in the NT are 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13 and Revelation
17. In the OT, they are Daniel 7-12 (Daniel 7:8, 18-27; 8:9-12, 23-26; 9:26-27; 11:20-45).
F. The Antichrist will be fully human yet fully demonized. He will be a counterfeit to Jesus who is fully human and fully
God. Satan will give him his authority (Revelation 13:2). He will supernaturally ascend from the bottomless pit as Jesus
2 The dragon (Satan) gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2)
7 The Beast (Antichrist) that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war… (Revelation 11:7)
8 The Beast…will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. (Revelation 17:8)
G. The Antichrist will claim to be God and will demand that the whole earth worship him as he seeks to be the King of
kings over all nations. He will have authority and worshippers in all nations yet will not totally dominate all as seen by those
who continually war against him (Daniel 11:40-45).
3 All the world marveled and followed the beast. (Revelation 13:3)
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him… (Revelation 13:8)
H. The counterfeit trinity consists of Satan, Antichrist and the False Prophet (Revelation 13:1-2, 11). The Dragon
(Satan) empowers the first beast (Antichrist) and the second beast (False Prophet).
I. The Antichrist’s political reign will last for at least seven years (Daniel 9:27). He will first bring world peace then in
his final 3½ years, he will turn on Israel and all who refuse to worship him.
J. The Antichrist's worldwide empire will include 4 main components: political authority to make set policy and laws to
kill his resistors (Revelation 13:1-2, 15; 17:16); military force (Revelation 13:4, 7); economic control in the nations to
establish monopolies and oppress nations (Revelation 13:2, 15-17) and religious control to establish a worldwide satanic
worship movement (Revelation 13:4, 8-14).
K. The Antichrist’s primary activities will include making political covenants with Israel and Middle East nations, setting
up the abomination of desolation (an image of himself in the Jerusalem Temple) that helps him raise up a worldwide
worship movement and to establish a worldwide economic network (based on 666). He will fiercely persecute Israel and
the Church (Daniel 7:21, 25; 8:24; 11:33-35; 12:7, 10; Revelation 6:9-11; 9:21; 11:7; 13:7, 15; 16:5-7; 17:6; 18:24; 19:2).
L. The Antichrist’s 10-nation confederation will provide him with the largest political, military and economic alliances
giving him the greatest power base of any man or empire in history. He will have the largest army, the largest political and
religious network and the most money of any in history and he will be the greatest criminal in history. The 10-nation
confederation (Daniel 2:40-44; 7:7; Revelation 17:12) will possibly headquarter in the European Union (revived Roman
Empire).
24 His power shall be mighty…he shall destroy the mighty… (Daniel 8:24)
M. The Antichrist will be helped by the loyal service of the False Prophet with his great miracles and the image of the
Beast which will be a statue of the Antichrist that is empowered by demons so that it will talk, breathe, and make laws
(Revelation 13:14-16).
N. Summary of the coming Antichrist as the most powerful evil political leader in history.
1. Military Genius (tactics/strategy) – Revelation 6:2; 13:2,16; Daniel 8:24, 25; 11:38-39
2. Oratorical Genius (moves masses of people) – Daniel 11:32, 36; 8:23
3. Political Genius (diplomacy) – Revelation 13:8, 12; 17:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Daniel 7:23
4. Commercial Genius (prosperity) – Daniel 11:36, 43; Revelation 13:16-17; Daniel 8:9, 24
5. Religious Genius (doctrines and history) – 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:4, 8, 12
6. Intellectual Genius (science, math, technology, languages, etc.) – Daniel 8:23; 7:25
7. Occult Genius (demonology, miracles, human sacrifice) – Daniel 8:24; 11:39; Revelation 13
IV. GOD RAISES UP THE ANTICHRIST
A. Scripture makes it clear that God raises up the Antichrist. Yes, Satan fully participates but in the end it is only by
God’s decree that the Antichrist has a reign of terror for 3½ years on the earth. The Antichrist will be given the same 3½
years as Jesus to show himself to Israel as their Messiah.
B. Jesus has all power and authority in heaven and over the nations on earth.
18 Jesus spoke saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18)
20 He (the Father)…seated Him (Jesus) at His right hand…21 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. 22 He put all things under His feet.
(Ephesians 1:20-22)
1 There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Romans 13:1)
C. Jesus shall raise up the Antichrist and grant him authority for 3½ years over the nations.
16 For indeed I will raise up a shepherd (Antichrist) in the land (Israel) who will not care for those who are cut off (killed)…
but he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces. 17 Woe to the worthless shepherd…his arm shall
completely wither… (Zechariah 11:16-17)
5 And he (Antichrist) was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue
for forty-two months….7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given
him over every tribe, tongue, and nation…15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast...
(Revelation 13:5, 7, 15)
25 He (Antichrist) shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High…then
the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time (3½ years). 26 The court shall be seated, and
they shall take away his dominion…27 Then the kingdom…shall be given to…the saints of the Most High. (Daniel 7:25-27)
D. The Devil also gives the Antichrist his power and authority.
2 The dragon (Satan) gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2)
E. Satan's two main purposes in giving the Antichrist power is to lead a global worship movement (Revelation 13:4, 8)
and to exterminate the Jewish people (Zechariah 13:8-9; Revelation 12:12-17) so a believing remnant cannot invite Jesus
back to Jerusalem to rule Israel as their King (Matthew 23:37-39).
F. Pressure in the Great Tribulation will come from four sources. God’s wrath (Revelation 15:7) against the Antichrist’s
kingdom, Satan’s rage against the saints (Revelation 12:12), man’s sin as seen in evil acts against one another
(Revelation 9:21) and convulsions in nature (earthquakes, etc.). The main emphasis of the Tribulation will be God’s
judgment (tribulation) against the Antichrist’s empire as seen in the Book of Revelation (7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls).
It is NOT against the saints. The Antichrist’s persecution against God’s people is a secondary emphasis of the Tribulation.
9 God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through…Jesus… (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
V. WHY WILL GOD RAISE UP THE ANTICHRIST?
A. The Church needs an adversary to resist as part of the process of becoming wholehearted. The combination
of the Antichrist and God’s End-Time judgments on his empires provides the optimum context of spiritual resistance and
warfare necessary to prepare the Church in glory.
33 The people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall (die) by sword and flame, by
captivity...35 Some of those of understanding shall fall (die), to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the
time of the end. (Daniel 11:33-35)
10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall
understand, but the wise shall understand. (Daniel 12:10)
B. The Tribulation provides the optimum context to bring in the Great Harvest (including Israel).
9 A great multitude which no one could number, of all nations…standing before the Throne…14 These are the ones who
come out of the great tribulation… (Revelation 7:9, 14)
C. Summary: God will use the Tribulation to purify His Church as a Bride (Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 19:7), to usher
in a great Ingathering of souls and Israel’s salvation (Romans 11:26; Revelation 7:9-14), to expose false believers within
the Church (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-2) and to cleanse the earth from sin before the Millennial Kingdom
(Isaiah 24:1-6; Zechariah 13:1-2). For more details see God’s 7-fold purpose in allowing the Great Tribulation (part of
session 3 in this course).
VI. WHY WE MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS ABOUT THE ANTICHRIST
A. Daniel prophesied that the wise would understand in the End-Times (Daniel 12:10). They will not be lost at sea
in the coming storm but will have a reliable “compass” in the storm. Understanding will be an issue of life and death. It will
give us right expectations so we are adequately braced for what is coming and thus prepared to walk in God’s glory and
to endure great pressures.
B. Those with understanding will have discernment to know what to avoid or what not to do. For example, they will
refuse the “convincing persuasions” to take the mark of the Beast, or to participate in the prosperous economic and
religious enterprises of Babylon the Great Harlot.
C. Those with understanding will be in peace instead of fear and offense towards God. They will have confidence that
God is fully in control of the End-Time crisis and is never surprised. We must make decisions in peace. No one can see
clearly with the “smoke of fear” in our eyes.
10 The day of the Lord will come as a thief…both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up…14 Therefore…
be diligent to be found by Him in peace… (2 Peter 3:10, 14)
D. Those with understanding of the End-Time Scriptures will intercede in a way that minimizes evil and increases
victory in specific areas (Joel 2:12-18). Our prayers will change history and lead many to salvation and protection. Moses’
prayers released and stopped judgment (Exodus 7-12).
E. Those with understanding about the inevitability of the rise of the Antichrist’s reign of terror will urgently cultivate
spiritual depth in God now before the time when the pressure fully escalates.
F. Paul taught that the End-Time destruction will come suddenly taking most people by surprise.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace
and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not
escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)
G. The Church has a spirit of blindness related to the Antichrist and the coming conflict. Satan works to blind the mind
of people (2 Corinthians 4:4).
9 The coming of the lawless one (Antichrist) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10 and with all unrighteous deception… (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
H. We must have understanding about the Antichrist so we are not deceived into worshipping him.
9 If anyone worships the Beast (Antichrist) and his image…10 he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the
presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 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)
I. The Antichrist, the False Prophet and their armies will surely be defeated by Jesus (Revelation 16:16; 19:11-21;
Daniel 7:11-14, 22, 26-27). They will be captured and thrown alive in the Lake of Fire.
19 I saw the Beast (Antichrist), the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him
(Jesus)...20 Then the Beast (Antichrist) was captured, and with him the False Prophet...These two were cast alive into the
lake of fire. (Revelation 19:19-20)