The Final Antichrist
Throughout history, there have been many Antichrists. From Nero to Hitler, these humans have risen up in opposition to the true Christ and have demanded worship. They deceived humanity into believing they are the messiah. We even see Antichrists today who desire to be god-like figures. Related to the Bible, Matthew talks about false messiahs and false prophets appearing in the last days:
Matthew 24:23-25
New International Version
At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.
To give you some background information on the terms used surrounding the Antichrist in the book of Revelation:
The “Unholy Trinity” or “Satanic Trinity” is the Devil (associated with the dragon), the first beast (Antichrist), and the second beast known as the False Prophet.
During these times of great deception, the final Antichrist—the first beast—will rise up and sign the one-week covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27). God will send a strong delusion upon those who reject the truth of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). These people will be deceived by the “man of sin.” He will establish a sense of false peace, which is the first seal of the Tribulation.
Half-way through (3.5 years into the Tribulation), he will gather his troops and break the covenant by putting an end to the sacrifices and offerings in the temple. He will then desecrate the temple by setting up a sacrilegious object (such as an image or idol). This is referred to as the “abomination that causes desolation.” The desecration of the temple will continue for 1,290 days (“What Is the Abomination of Desolation?”).
Throughout the short-lived power of the Antichrist, there will be miracles such as the False Prophet calling down fire from heaven (Revelation 13:13). The Antichrist may be resurrected or appear to be resurrected after a fatal wound, which mimics Christ’s resurrection (Revelation 13:3, 12, 14); specifically:
Revelation 13:1-4
New International Version
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. 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. 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. 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?”
Also and similar to what is previously mentioned, the image of the beast will be brought to life by the False Prophet (Revelation 13:14-15) (Kinley 128-129).
To get a better understanding of the characteristics of the Antichrist, “John Phillips paints one of the most vivid portraits of the Antichrist I’ve ever read” according to Dr. David Jeremiah:
The Antichrist will be an attractive and charismatic figure, a genius, a demon-controlled, devil-taught charmer of men. He will have answers to the horrendous problems of mankind. He will be all things to all men: a political statesman, a social lion, a financial wizard, an intellectual giant, a religious deceiver, a masterful orator, a gifted organizer. He will be Satan’s masterpiece of deception, the world’s false messiah. With boundless enthusiasm the masses will follow him and readily enthrone him in their hearts as the world’s savior and god. (78-79)
He will be in diametric opposition to Jesus Christ. Halfway through the Tribulation is when his real identity will be revealed, and people will be forced to worship him. If they don’t, Scripture says they will be killed. At this halfway point in the Tribulation is also when the “Mark of the Beast” will take place:
Revelation 13:15-17
New International Version
“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. 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, 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.”
As with other Antichrists, their downfall is horrendous. At “The Battle of Armageddon,” the Antichrist and the False Prophet are captured, and thrown into the Lake of Fire:
Revelation 19:19-20
New International Version
“Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
The final Antichrist could very well already be out there readying himself for his End Times role in world domination. He will be given power for forty-two months to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. After that, he will be tormented forever and ever.
Works Cited
Jeremiah, David. After the Rapture: An End Times Guide to Survival. Thomas Nelson, 2022.
Kinley, Jeff. The End of the World According to Jesus of Nazareth. Harvest Prophecy, 2024.
“What Is the Abomination of Desolation?” Gotquestions.Org, 29 Aug. 2004, www.gotquestions.org/abomination-desolation.html.