Wednesday Bible Study Fellowship, September 17, 2008
What Do We Know About The Antichrist?
Introduction: We have just finished the book of Daniel. Daniel has been described as “the backbone of prophecy.” With all of your knowledge from the book of Daniel you are better able “…to interpret the signs of the times” (Matt.16:3). As we look forward to the coming of Jesus to rapture His saints we need to have a conscience look at the antichrist. What do we know about him in order that we can interpret the signs of the times?
1) We know that before the second coming of Christ (not the rapture) there will be a ten nation confederacy of nations that will comprise some of the geographic boundaries of the ancient Roman Empire (Dan.7:24)
A. Four kingdoms (7:17)
1. Babylon (lion) [vs. 4]
2. Medio/Persia (bear) [5]
3. Greece (leopard) [6]
4. Rome (beast) [7]
B. The antichrist is the little horn (7:8, 24) “This seems to be the first biblical reference to the individual later described in the Bible as the antichrist” (Boice, pg.83)
C. I believe the antichrist will come from this geographical region of the world.
2) The Bible tells us that “Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea” (3). Since the sea represents “Gentile nations” I believe the antichrist will be a Gentile.
3) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will “…speak against the most High” (25). This is another reason I believe he will be a Gentile, not a Jew.
4) The Bible tells us that he will “…oppress His saints” (25). The antichrist will be a persecutor of Christians. He will compel that all commerce be done by only those who have “the mark of the beast” (Rev.13:16-18).
5) The Bible tells us that he will “…try to change the set times and the laws” (25). “…that is, to change times of religious observances and religious traditions such as characterize those who worship God.” (Walvoord, 175). “…the little horn will change customs and laws” (McGee, 128).
6) The Bible tells us that the saints will be persecuted by the antichrist for 3 ½ years. (Time = 1 year, Times = 2 years, ½ time = ½ year) (25). This will be the last three years of the 7 year tribulation. This is also known as the Great Tribulation. (25) [Rev.13:5-8]
7) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will be stopped at the second coming of Christ (not the rapture). (Daniel 7:9-13, 26-28)
8) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will be a “stern-faced king” (8:23). The KJV has “a king of fierce countenance”. Fierce (Hebrew az) means “strong, vehement, harsh”. Countenance (Hebrew paniym) means “face”. Unlike Christ who is full of glory and grace, the antichrist will be harsh, stern, vehement. Plus, the KJV has “fierce countenance and understanding”. Understanding (Hebrew biyn) means “to separate mentally, to be cunning, to distinguish”.
9) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will be “…a master of intrigue” (23). The KJV has “dark sentences.” This is the Hebrew chiydh meaning “a puzzle”. He will be able to trick people with proverbs, riddles and the like. In other words he will be a slick talker.
10) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will become “very strong” but it won’t be by his power. This is Satan’s man! (24)
11) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will not only cause astounding devastation but that he will “…succeed in whatever he does” (24).
12) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will cause deceit [KJV has craft (Hebrew mirmah) which means “deceiving, fraud, treachery”] to prosper. Prosper is tsalach meaning “to push forward” (25). Through his deceitfulness he will sign a peace treaty with Israel ending the Middle East Crisis.
13) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will consider himself superior (25). The KJV has that he will “magnify himself” in his heart! Magnify is the Hebrew gadal meaning “to make large”.
14) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will develop a covenant with the Middle East. This will last for 3 ½ years. At that time he will turn his rage against Israel, destroy Jerusalem and the sanctuary and commit the abomination of desolation (9:26-27). Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 24:15. He will be very deceitful 925) and a great talker (23).
15) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will show no regard for “…the gods of his fathers” (11:37). Many believe this shows the antichrist to be Jewish since the phrase ‘the God of his fathers’ is a Jewish phrase. But the word for God is Elohim, the name for God in general. If this were an indication that the antichrist was Jewish, the word for God would probably have been ‘Jehovah’. The antichrist is godless.
16) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will show no regard for “…the one desired by women” (37). This is probably a reference to Jesus. Women prior to Christ had one desire which was to be the mother of the Messiah. The antichrist will hate the Christ!
17) The Bible tells us that the antichrist will honor the god of fortresses (37). He is completely committed to military might and power through wealth. “In other words, he is a complete materialist…” (Walvoord, 276)