The Rise of the Antichrist

Rev. 13:1-8

Introduction:  In this chapter we are introduced to tow people.  One is the wild beast out of the sea which is a political power.  The second is the beast out of the earth is a religious leader.  They are classified as beasts.  There has been much disagreement over their identity and their prophetic significance.  The difficulties come because it is impossible to separate a king from his kingdom.  A careful examination of the passage may give us a hint to their identity. 

The Bible speaks about the Antichrist.  There are some who are so called because of their beliefs.  I John 2:28. The word anti means against or in the place of. 

There is also the spirit of the Antichrist which we must guard against. God is going to reveal these frightful prophecies.  The are two wild beasts which means they are out of control.

I. Restoration of Rome vv. 1-3

A. Its identification v. 1

1.  This refers back to Daniel

“And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.” (Daniel 7:3–7)

2.  This describes the 10 Gentile European nation which was dissolved at the time of the Roman Empire.

3. The seven heads refer to its political location as being Rome-the only place mentioned with seven hills.

4. Sand of the sea refers to coming out from among the people.

5. Antichrist has up to this point been:

a.  Peacemaker with Israel 6:2

b. Settled Arab/Israelite conflict by making a covenant Dan. 9:27

c. Permitted the rebuilding of the temple and reinstitution of the sacrifices Rev. 11:1

d. Now in the middle of the Tribulation Period he breaks the covenant here.

6.  The crowns are the diadem only used of Satan in chapter 12 and Beast in chapter 13-this means that beast is a visible representative of Satan.

7. Satan imitates the victors crown which belong completely to the Lord Jesus Christ.

8. This political kingdom will be blasphemous towards God and His Word.

B. Its description vv. 2-3

1.  The three animals described here goes back to the vision of Daniel 7-lion (Babylon), bear (Medo-Persia) and leopard (Greece)

2. This world empire revived will be rooted in the previous empires to unite in one their evil powers.

3. Satan will add to this power by his wicked power to enhance the strength.

4. The Antichrist (man) will be empowered and controlled by Satan himself v. 2

5. He has the body of a leopard which is covered with spots which describes the ferocious, wild, harmful, and immutable character.

6. Jesus is the spotless Lamb.

7. Bear walks with a waddle and unsteady leaving behind a trail of blood while the Lord Jesus walked cleanly through this world.

8. Fragments of the Roman Empire has never ceased to exist in separate kingdoms-now the healing refers to the restoration of its influence.

9. This wonder will be the wounding of the beast 17:9-11 seems to refer to the fact that it will be healed and brought back to life.

10. This is the battle of miracles-the two witnesses perform miracles in the power of God: smiting the earth and shutting up heaven, but here the beast which is out of the hell is restored to the reign of the Roman Empire.

II. Resurrection of the Antichrist vv. 4-10

A. His character vv. 4-6

1.  His pride v. 4

a.  The people began to worship the dragon-goes back to chapter 12-idolatry is worshipping Satan

“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:19–21)

b. The devil finally gets his worldwide attention-he wants all everyone to follow him-all the designs of Satan will point men to himself.

c. His program is to get man every pleasurable gratification to gain a following.

d. The beast will usher in at this time with great deception and present this time as a period of supposed peace-He will be regarded as invincible with his international policies and powers v. 4b

e. Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin were granted semi-deification as a result of clever use of publicity. 

2. His blasphemy vv. 5-6

a.  A mouth speaking great things means that he will have charisma and speak many things to woe the hearts fo the world-they will follow what he says and believe him.

b. Watch out for sweet talking people who promise you many things.

c. He cannot touch God nor His temple, but he will speak blasphemies against Christ-he will use his tongue to speak evil of Christ and persuade others to do likewise.

d. He will speak against anything that is holy and proper v. 6.

e. It best to note that his time is limited-42 months.

B. His plan vv. 7-10

1.  The beast will make war with the saints, not the church but those saved during the Tribulation Period v. 7.

2. The lines are being drawn very tightly so that the enemy of the Antichrist will be revealed (God’s people vv. 16-17) v. 7

3. He will not only make war but overcome them with his power v. 7

4. The beast will also be given power over all nations-this is the globalizing of the world here-one leader now in place v. 7-bothers God’s people to hear globalism.

5. This suffering of the saints is a great mystery but it will occur again-Jobe from Satan, John the Baptist from Herod, and Jesus from Pilate all suffered.

6. There are two kinds of people-those whose name are written in the Lamb’s book of life-saved-God knows and loves them-the other world who will be controlled by the Antichrist-they will follow his plan.

7. If we have an ear, hear-some won’t hear-this applies to every age-we must listen v. 9

8. Men will unite under a reincarnated Budha, Madhi (a figure in Islamic eschatology specifically a prophesied redeemer who will appear at the end of times of Islam, to rid the world of evil and establish a global Islamic kingdom),  A false Christ of the Bible-world styled religion-those who refuse to follow will be captured, tortured, and executed.

Conclusion:  We have the greatest future ahead for us.  May God help us to stand true and faithful.