FromNowUntilForeverBook8.5x5.5 REV.indd

being and fallen angel, this destructive duo will be human be- ings. With that in mind, let’s move now to a discussion of the first of these, the Antichrist. Just the mention of the word begs the question of what or who this might be. In recent times, names such as Hitler, Stalin and Sadaam Hussein have been suggested.That said, we don’t know who the Antichrist is at this point, though he could be alive.Who knows? Even now, he could be an infant nursing at his mother’s breast or a young boy playing on a soccer field somewhere in Europe. The Bible has plenty to say about the nature of this mys- tery person. Daniel calls him a “master of intrigue” (Daniel 8:23). John confirms this by describing him as a “deceiver” (2 John 7). He later pictures him as “A beast coming up out of the sea” (Revelation 13:1), “Which typically in the Bible refers to the Gentile nations. He also has seven heads and ten horns, in- dicating his connection to and indwelling by Satan (Revelation 12:3). The ten horns indicate ten seats of world government that will provide power for the Antichrist.” 21 The seven heads represent the evil kingdoms Satan has and will use throughout history in an attempt to thwart God’s redemptive plan, five of which have come and gone – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece.The sixth, Rome, was still in power at the time of this prophecy. “The seventh kingdom, which is more fierce and cruel than the others, will be the final world kingdom that the Antichrist forms during the end times.” 22 In addition to his ruthlessness, the Antichrist will be a savvy political leader, impressing the pagan masses by forging a bogus treaty between Israel and its enemies. Paul confirms this charade, writing that the Antichrist “Is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs

39

Made with FlippingBook PDF to HTML5