PROPHECY

Since the early days of the “Church Age,” many have wondered who the man known as the “Antichrist” might be. This man, according to the Holy Bible, will not only persecute Christians and Jews during the seven years [2520 days] that precede the “Second Coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth, but rule over the political, economical, and religious systems of the world. The answers to the questions to help correctly identify this man, are to be found only in the Holy Bible, which is the sole source of truth in the world!

1. Is the Antichrist a Jew or a Gentile?

The apostle John wrote, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea. . . ” (Rev. 13:1). Whenever the Holy Bible, symbolically, uses the word “sea,” it usually refers to “Gentile” nations (Isa. 57:20; Rev. 4:6; 15:2; 17:1, 15). This “beast,” that rises up out of the “sea” [Gentile nations], is known to be the Antichrist (Rev. 13:2-8). Therefore, the Antichrist MUST be a “Gentile.” He cannot be a Jewish man!

2. What nation will the Antichrist be from?

Daniel 9:26-27 records that AFTER the “Messiah” [the Lord Jesus Christ] has been killed, “. . . the people [Romans] of the prince [leader – Antichrist] that shall come [future] shall destroy the city [Jerusalem] and the sanctuary [Temple]. . . And he [Antichrist] shall confirm [sign] the covenant [defense treaty] with many [Israel’s leadership] for one week [seven years]. . . .” [The words that are in brackets provide the meaning of those words that precede them.]

Both the Hebrew word “Messiah” and the English word “Christ” mean the “anointed one” (Dan. 9:25; Mt. 16:16, 20; Jn. 1:41; 4:25; 6:66-69; Acts 4:23-28; 10:34-43). The Lord Jesus Christ, known in the Hebrew language as “Yeshua of Nazareth,” being the “anointed one,” was sacrificed [killed] in 30 A.D. The city of Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed in 70 A.D. by four Roman legions, under the leadership of Titus, a Roman General, with orders from Vespasian, the Roman emperor, living in Rome [Josephus, Flavius: The Wars of the Jews]. Thus, the “prince” [leader – Antichrist] who is to come, must be a Roman, or what today is called an Italian, since it is his ancestors who are responsible for the destruction of both Jerusalem and the Temple!

The holy Scriptures are specific in reference to the role of the city of Rome and the religion whose hierarchy is headquartered there. This religion will lead an apostate form of “Christianity,” during the first half of the seven year [2520 days] treaty signed between the President of the European Union and the leadership of Israel. This is why many Christians, in the past, have believed the Antichrist would be a Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The Holy Bible testifies that the city of Rome, and all who live within her, will be judged and destroyed by God, 1260 days prior to the “2nd Advent” of the Lord Jesus Christ (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 17:1-6, 9, 18; 18:1-24).

3. What is the biblical name of the Antichrist?

There are many names given to this man in the Holy Bible that describe his thoughts, words and deeds. The three biblical names this man is best known by are:

[a]. the Roman prince [leader] (Dan. 9:26; Rev. 6:2). In Daniel 9:27 we are told that this man, who must be from Italy, will sign a “defense treaty” with “many” for “one week.” The “many” is in reference to the leadership of Israel, since Daniel is writing of his people, the Jews and their holy city of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:24). The “one week” is a term meaning “seven years” (Gen. 29:26-28, 30). This man, as President of the European Union, will promise, by way of a seven year “defense treaty,” to defend Israel against any foreign aggression against her. Thus, Israel will trust this man for her safety and not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is ironic that this man who will revile God and those taken in the “Rapture” (Rev. 13:6), and is viewed as a “beast” by God, is also described as a “minister” [laborer] of God (Rom. 13:1-4). This man will also lead the nations of the world in rebellion against God and His people (Rev. 13:7-8; 17:14-17; 19:19).

[b]. the Antichrist (1 Jn. 2:18). The Greek preposition, “anti,” can mean either “against,” or, “in place of,” e.g. “against Christ” or, “in place of Christ.” This man will declare himself to be “God” in a new, rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; 2 Th. 2:3-4).

[c]. the beast (Rev. 11:7; 13:1-8, 18; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2, 10, 13; 17:11-13; 19:19-20; 20:4, 10). This is the only name used for this man in the “Book of the Revelation,” since God views him as though he were a wild animal. What this man thinks, says and does, during the 2520 days that precede the “2nd Advent” of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth is the reason why (Rev. 13:5-6)!

4. What is the rank of the Antichrist?

His rank is world dictator (Rev. 13:7). He will have authority over all nations and their citizens!

5. What is the Serial Number of the Antichrist?

God has assigned the number “666” to this man (Rev. 13:18). God used this number to further describe this man called the Antichrist. According to F. W. Grant, the author of “The Numerical Bible” (Loizeaux Brothers, 1903, eighth printing 1974, p.14, 17), the fundamental thought for the number “three” is, “Fullness” or “Completeness” and the fundamental thought for the number “six” is, “Manifestation of Evil” when they are used in the Holy Bible. Thus, the meaning of the number “six hundred threescore and six” or “666”  is, “Complete Manifestation of Evil!”

CONCLUSION: “. . .Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day [the Rapture] shall not come, except there come [the] falling away first [this refers to the great numbers of “professing” Christians who have renounced the fundamental doctrines of biblical Christianity], and that man of sin be revealed [the Antichrist], the son of perdition [loss], Who opposeth…God” (2 Th. 2:1-4). Thus, the identity of the Antichrist will be known, prior to the “Rapture!” It will be after the “Rapture” and World War III (Ezek. 38 and 39), when he will attain his position of power over the nations in the world, as President of the European Union (2 Th. 2:6-8; Rev. 19:19-20; 20:10).