Who is the Antichrist?
Is it a current world leader who will lead the the masses into a great tribulation?
Is it a computer chip to be inserted under the skin? A code needed for buying and selling? A wolf in sheep's clothing? A political movement?
Perhaps someone about to appear on the world stage as the solver of earth's innumerable problems?
Could it be an angel of light who declares that God suddenly has an urgent, new message for those on earth?
Will it be one who forces an ideology on the whole of society in the name of climate change, religion, or saving the planet?
There is a clear identification of the Antichrist in the Bible. God's Word says that soon this power will call for the enforcement of worship.
Why will people agree to laws enforcing worship? It is because innumerable problems face us, and people are in fear. What is happening to our world?
The world is in great turmoil, and people are in fear. Crime is increasing, and natural disasters are everywhere.
Severe storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes are increasing, affecting millions.
Fires are wiping out entire communities.
Nature seems out of control.
Droughts are causing famines in many areas and high food prices in other areas.
Droughts so severe they are threatening water and energy supplies.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other severe storms are upending the lives of millions.
Cities are in dire straits.
Cities are reeling from the pandemic resulting in severe economic losses with simultaneous demands for increased services.
Public anger is increasing at the lack of solutions to rampant violent crime, inequalities, hunger, corruption, loss of freedoms, and more.
Pollution is causing atrocities in nature, wildlife, and humans. Diseases and pestilences are becoming more common and more deadly.
Stress is increasing at an alarming rate.
Immorality is rampant.
With the world in great turmoil, who can be trusted to lead?
What is the origin of the word, Antichrist?
The witnesses of Christ recorded what they saw and heard as they spent three and a half years in the Messiah's presence. John wrote that others would come who would deny that Jesus is the Christ, describing them as antichrist. (1 John 2:22)
Antichrist is a deceiver who denies that Jesus is come in the flesh. (2 John 1:7)
God warns us that many will come who will deny that Jesus came in the flesh which is of the spirit of antichrist. (1 John 4:3)
Antichrist means opposition to Christ or in place of Christ.
Antichrist is a substitution for Christ or in place of Christ. Can a mere man replace Christ on earth?
What are the characteristics of this power?
God describes a power that will deceive the world before the return of Christ. He spoke through His prophet, Daniel, hundreds of years before the birth of Christ.
The beast power, foretold in God's Word through prophets.
It would be a tiny kingdom. (Dan 7:8)
It would be diverse from others. (Dan 7:7)
It would arise among many people, nations, and tongues in the area of the Roman Empire. (Dan 7:8)
It would be one of 10 kingdoms and would pluck up three of them. (Dan 7:8, 20, 24)
It would be built on seven hills. (Rev 17:9)
Its identifying number of its leader would be 666. (Rev 13:18)
It would receive a deadly wound and later be healed. (Rev 13:3)
It would have a man at its head. (Dan 7:8)
It would persecute God's people. (Dan 7:21; 8:10)
It would speak against the Most High. (Dan 7:20, 25)
It would rule for 1260 years. (Dan: 7:25; 12:7; Rev 12:14)
It would not regard the desire of women. (Dan 11:37)
It would think to change times and laws. (Dan 7:25)
Its colors would be purple and scarlet. (Rev 17:4)
It would utilize a golden cup in its services. (Rev 17:4)
It would be a wealthy and powerful entity. (Rev 17:4)
The beast power, the Papacy, received a deadly wound that would be healed. In 1798 the Papacy ended, and in the early 1900's, it returned.
During Daniel's day, more than 500 years before Christ, the government tried to force all to bow down and worship a golden image.
Government controlling religion will soon reoccur on a worldwide scale. The world's most powerful nation will join forces with the first beast.
A second beast will add weight to the first beast's call for worship. Laws will be passed with penalties for those who refuse.
The most powerful religious and civil entities will unite in forcing people to go against God's Commandments.
Worship will be proclaimed as the way back to God in these perilous times. Refusal will result in economic sanctions.