When considering life beyond this world, believers and nonbelievers alike have wondered if the world is soon coming to an end. There has been much talk and considerable fear of end times. Many have worried about worldwide disasters, nuclear holocausts, the end of the Mayan calendar, and the supposed rapture of the church.

Among these topics there is one that has drawn more speculation, worry, and fear than any others. It can be summed up in a name that is recognizable to the faithful and the faithless: Antichrist.

Most knowledge of the Antichrist is rooted in popular beliefs and folklore. In our southwestern culture many of us fondly remember traditional stories of La Cosa Mala, El Diablo or El Demonio that our tias and abuelas would use to entertain and scare us.

The Bible, however, treats the subject very differently. The descriptions in Scripture are written in such language that the simplest reader may understand: There is yet to appear an individual who will be the very incarnation of evil, of whom past opposers of God were faint examples.2 The Bible clearly intends to prepare the faithful for a time like no other. This is not an exaggeration. Jesus Himself, described the days of the Antichrist in the following way:

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (again).”3

These words provide more than enough reason for every believer to read and prepare for this inevitable moment in history. Many end time events described in the Bible have already come to pass in the last century. This makes it very likely that the Antichrist will soon be revealed.

WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?

Hollywood movies and popular culture have painted the Antichrist as an evil child that grows up to lead the world to its ruin. This is not what the Bible teaches.

The book of Isaiah describes a time in history when a powerful angel named Lucifer (Satan) rebelled against God. He wanted to become “like the Most High” and be worshipped as ‘God’.4 The Bible states that many of God’s children sided with him in this rebellion.5 When the revolt failed, God passed a judgment on Lucifer that will be executed at the end of the world.6

Ever since that verdict, Satan has continued in his attempts to duplicate his first rebellion through humans. He’s tried to rise up one universal ruler over mankind. His attempts can be seen in men such as Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Adolf Hitler, and many others. Satan will finally succeed in the person of the Antichrist. The Antichrist succeeds where others have failed because this individual will be none other than Satan himself.

The last book of the Bible (Revelation), describes God’s angels throwing Satan and his angels to earth. Shortly after this event, Satan makes his appearance as the Antichrist.

WHAT WILL THE ANTICHRIST LOOK LIKE?

The name, “Antichrist” translated in the original Biblical language means ‘instead of Christ’. The Bible describes him in the following way:

he will appear as “an angel of light”8
he will look like, “a lamb” (he will appear like ‘Christ’)9
he will have supernatural powers like ‘Christ’10

Antichrist is also described by many titles in Scripture. These titles provide insight into his character: From the serpent in the Garden of Eden to the dragon in Revelation every evil deed and every evil plan of Lucifer in the Bible is described by a particular name that he operates under:
The King of Babylon (confusion)11
The Assyrian12
Lucifer, Son of the Morning13
The Little Horn (small beginnings)14
The Prince that Shall Come15
The King of Fierce Countenance16
The Vile Person17
The Willful King18
The Man of Sin19
The Son of Perdition20
That Wicked (or Lawless) One21
The Beast with Ten Horns22

HIS AGENDA

Contrary to popular belief, the Antichrist will not begin his reign by war and terror. We must keep in mind this False Messiah is Satan himself. He was created as a superior angel; his intellect is far beyond any man. He will use it to introduce prosperity and tolerance for everything that makes man happy. It will seem like heaven on earth. The Bible describes how this false peace and security will lead to the destruction of many.23

Although his appearance and actions will make him acceptable to the world, he will be easily recognizable through his words. He will exalt himself as if he were God.24 The Bible tells us he will destroy wonderfully speaking in a way that will change times and seasons so that what was once considered evil will be considered good and what was once right will be considered evil.25

THE MARK OF THE BEAST - 666

Revelation informs us that Antichrist will cause all peoples to be marked in their forehead or in their hand.26 Man’s tradition exclaims people will be implanted with some sort of electronic chip or will be stamped with the numbers 666 on their hand or their forehead. However, the original Biblical language tells us the word ‘mark’ means to anoint. All people who believe the Antichrist is ‘Christ’ and willingly do his work, will be spiritually anointed. The mark in the head means you believe this is the true Messiah; the mark in the hand symbolizes active involvement in pursuing the False Messiah’s agenda.

The number 666 also signifies the moment in history when the Antichrist appears. Revelation uses 7 trumpets, 7 seals and 7 vials to mark and describe the events at the end of the world. The Antichrist makes his appearance when the 6th seal is opened, the 6th trumpet is sounded and the 6th vial is poured upon the earth.27

THE WORLD REACTS

One of the most distressing prophecies in the Bible is the fact that the whole world will believe he is ‘Christ’. People will literally be telling others that the Messiah is here on earth and they will openly worship him. The book of Matthew and Revelation forewarns of this horrific scene in the Scriptures below:

“if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.

…if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.”28

“ALL that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”29

It is clear from all the descriptors in this article that everything is combined in the Antichrist to make him not only acceptable to the world, but to call forth their wonder, admiration and praise.30

He will in no way be a terror to men, but will be filled with attractions and allurements that will be put forth in the interests of human greatness and happiness. It will be Satan’s brief triumph, in which mankind will, by every art and deception, be made happy. It will be a time of false peace and prosperity for the whole world.

Great secrets of nature will be discovered; evil angels will be the teachers, and deceiving demons the guides of mankind.31 Great inventions and discoveries will be made, and used for the greatest benefits of mankind. Kindness, generosity and tolerance will be the governing principle of the world.

Men will delight in Antichrist and regard him as the greatest benefactor the world has ever known. All peoples will gladly give him their allegiance; and behind all will be Satan himself, swaying the hearts, tongues and energies of millions of willing agents.

HOW DO I PREPARE?

When speaking of the end times Jesus assured His followers with these words:

“…I have told you all things beforehand.”32

Everything that God has told us can be found in His letter to us, the Bible. It explains how we are to live and prepare for things to come. Many people, however, don’t read the Bible because they believe it is written by man. Christians know God is the Author, and His Holy Spirit inspires the writers of the Bible. Prophecy sets the Bible apart from ALL other religious books. Many prophecies written in Scripture have been fulfilled—no other religious book on this Earth can ever make this claim. One prophetic example was the reestablishment of the nation of Israel in 1948. We can therefore look forward to the remaining prophecies in the Bible, including those about the Antichrist, to be fulfilled–very possible in our lifetime!

It is, therefore, in our best interest to follow the encouragement written by the Apostle Paul:

“STUDY to show yourself approved unto God…”33

1 The modern day belief that the church and its true believers will somehow be taken in a “rapture” and do not need to ready themselves for any type of tribulation is one of the most arresting signs of Biblical ignorance and a cause for profound concern. Believers of this mindset are not prepared for things to come as the Lord Himself warned in John 16:33; 17:15 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4.2
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
3 The Gospel of Matthew 23:21
4 Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:11-19
5 Revelation 12:3-4
6 Ezekiel 28:18
7 Revelation 12:7-12
8 2 Corinthians 11:14
9 Revelation 13:11
10 Revelation 13:13
11 Isaiah 14:4
12 Isaiah 14:25
13 Isaiah 14:12
14 Daniel 7:8; 8:9
15 Daniel 9:26
16 Daniel 8:23
17 Daniel 11:21
18 Daniel 11:36
19 2 Thessalonians 2:3
20 2 Thessalonians 2:3
21 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 13:18
22 Revelation 13:1
23 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
24 Revelation 13:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:4
25 Daniel 8:9
26 Revelation 13:16-17
27 Revelation 12:7-9; 13:1-4
28 The Gospel of Matthew 2:23-25
29 Revelation 13:8
30 A paraphrase of E.W. Bullinger’s work, “Commentary on Revelation”
31 2 Corinthians 11:15; Revelation 16:13-14
32 The Gospel of Mark 13:23
33 2 Timothy 2:15