Got Questions? - Week 7

Has the Devil Always Had an Antichrist Ready to Go?

1 John 4:3

The Antichrist has always been a figure that has piqued the interest of Christians and even non-Christians. For centuries people have speculated who the Antichrist is/was/or will be. Because he will be such a prominent figure in world history, it is no wonder why people have been so interested to know his identity over the years.

But an interesting question has arisen in recent years: Has the Devil always had an Antichrist picked out and ready to go throughout every generation?

To be honest, the Bible is silent on this question, so no one can truly be dogmatic about their opinion. However, we can come to a possible conclusion based on what the Bible DOES say about the Devil and the Antichrist

I. Who is the Antichrist?

The Bible tells us that the Antichrist is someone who will arise during the 7 year tribulation period after the rapture of the church. (2 Thess 2)

He will be a cunning and charming political leader who will rise to power and become the most powerful leader in the world. He will unite most of the world under his power. (Revelation 13)

He will be empowered by Satan himself (Revelation 13:4)

He will wreak havoc upon Israel and anyone who claims the name of Christ upon the earth (Daniel 7:21)

He will amass a large army to try and defeat Christ when He returns, but will ultimately fail (Revelation 19:11-20)

II. How Much Power Does Satan Possess?

Now that we know who Antichrist is and that Satan is the one who will empower him, that begs the question: how much power does Satan have?

He was once an Arch-angel who was cast out of heaven for rebellion (Isaiah 14:12-15)

With that, we know he has great power, but not power that exceeds God

Satan is a created being (Ezekiel 28:15) and because he is a created being, the following is also true...

He is NOT Omniscient = Satan does not know everything. He knows more than you or I, but he does not have all knowledge

He is NOT Omnipresent = Satan cannot be everywhere at once. While he does have the ability to travel between heaven and earth (Job 1:6), he does not have the ability to be in both places at the same time.

He is NOT Omnipotent = Satan is not all powerful. He certainly has great power, but not enough power to defeat God, who we know is Omnipotent.

The Devil knows Scripture (Matthew 4)

He already controls people in high places (Ephesians 6:12)

Satan answers to God and cannot do anything without God’s permission (Job 1)

III. So Has Satan Always Had an Antichrist Ready to Go?

Jesus said in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

So if no one except God knows when the events of the end times will occur, that would also include Satan.

1 John 4:3 also tells us that the spirit of Antichrist is already here and that it has been here since the beginning.

So since the Devil is not all knowing and therefore has no way of knowing when all the events of Revelation will occur, it is plausible to conclude that Satan has always had an individual picked out and ready to appoint as his Antichrist in every generation.

Antiochus Epiphanes who is mentioned in the book of Daniel is considered as a picture or foreshadowing of what the Antichrist will be like.

If you were alive during his reign of terror, you may have been convinced that he was in fact the Antichrist because of how accurately Daniel describes him.

IV. The Counter-Argument

It can also be argued that since the Antichrist will not immediately take power during the Tribulation, that Satan does not have to already have someone picked out, he can just choose from whoever is upon the earth during that time. (Ephesians 6:12)

Keep in mind that in all things, God is in control. He is the One orchestrating all of history, INCLUDING the end times. God already knows who he will be and it can be argued that Satan isnt the one “picking” his Antichrist anyway, it is God.

Conclusion

No matter what your opinion is, you cannot be dogmatic either way. At the end of the day, God is in control of all things and we know how it all will end.

This is not an issue that is essential and it is certainly not something that is worth breaking fellowship over. Study scripture for yourself and come to your own conclusion on this matter.