Is The Antichrist Alive Today?
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2- And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
3- And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
4- And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5- And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6- And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7- And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”- Rev 13:1-7 (KJV)
I believe the answer to this question is a resounding yes. Why? The last days are upon us and I believe prophetic events will start to ramp up very quickly. Jesus said in Matt 24:33 (KJV) – “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” We are at the door folks; the events stated in scripture are converging for the first time since Jesus said these things. If the Psa 83, Isa 17, Eze 38 conflict/war prophecies kick off the Tribulation is next. (Note: I will leave the discussion of the rapture for another time). But now I believe that the rider on the White horse (Rev 6:1-2) is riding and in the background making progress conquering via ‘diplomatic’ strides. This IMO, is the Antichrist although his true identify will not be known until sometime just before the midpoint of the Tribulation – Matt 24:15, 2 Th 2:3-4.
In order to understand Bible Prophecy you must study and understand the book of Daniel found in the OT. This book is the key that unlocks many of the prophecies found in the Book of Revelation. Daniel chapter 11 describes historically the 400 year saga between the testaments and of an evil king named Antiochus Epiphanes IV (AE-IV), his rise to power and his actions as the king of the North or the Seleucid (Syrian) empire. AE- IV was a epitome or presage of the Man of Sin or Son of Perdition as described in 2 Th 2:3. This is the Antichrist. AE-IV, or the King of Syria, who reigned from 175-164 BC, set up an abomination of desolation in the Jewish Temple; he defiled it by offering abominable things on the altar and set up a statue of a pagan god -Olympian Zeus.
“But not long after the king sent a certain old man of Antioch, to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and of God: 2-And to defile the temple that was in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius: and that in Gazarim of Jupiter Hospitalis, according as they were that inhabited the place.3- And very bad was this invasion of evils and grievous to all. 4- For the temple was full of the riot and revellings of the Gentiles: and of men lying with lewd women. And women thrust themselves of their accord into the holy places, and brought in things that were not lawful. 5-The altar also was filled with unlawful things, which were forbidden by the laws.6- And neither were the sabbaths kept, nor the solemn days of the fathers observed, neither did any man plainly profess himself to be a Jew. 7- But they were led by bitter constraint on the king’s birthday to the sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they were compelled to go about crowned with ivy in honour of Bacchus. 8- And there went out a decree into the neighbouring cities of the Gentiles, by the suggestion of the Ptolemeans, that they also should act in like manner against the Jews, to oblige them to sacrifice: 9- And whosoever would not conform themselves to the ways of the Gentiles, should be put to death: then was misery to be seen. 10-For two women were accused to have circumcised their children: whom, when they had openly led about through the city with the infants hanging at their breasts, they threw down headlong from the walls. 11- And others that had met together in caves that were near, and were keeping the sabbath day privately, being discovered by Philip, were burnt with fire, because they made a conscience to help themselves with their hands, by reason of the religious observance of the day.” -2 Mac 6:1-11 (Douay-Rheims 1899)
The calling card, if you will, of this vile king – AE-IV, was that of flattery – Dan 11:21, 32, 34. He spoke by flatteries and with intrigue. He did as he pleased or willed (Dan 11:36) and he exalted himself above all other gods and said nasty things against the God of gods. He was very successful in his actions. This described his character and behavior once he started his rise to ultimate power. Since AE-IV is a prototype or forerunner of the real Antichrist (Rev 13), we should be on the lookout for someone with similar characteristics in their actions, words and conduct. The real Antichrist will come from an area, prophesied to be of Roman descent – Dan 9:26 – and take control by fancy and intriguing talk. Initially, he shall obtain his power without big military conquests but instead by diplomatic means. This man will attack with diplomacy and speeches many of his adversaries and/or opponents yet will stand his ground. Others will almost seem afraid of him although his intentions are veiled with ‘appropriate’ words. This Man of Sin or the Antichrist will be very cunning and worldly wise, many will flock to him and he will be in control. After a time, he will turn nasty, devilish, wicked and kill many that don’t follow him.
Be on the lookout for the Antichrist’s rise to power! He is alive today and among us; be wise folks and know your Bible. Being prepared can be the best defense. Many harsh and terrible days lie ahead – please pay attention to what is happening in the world and to Bible Prophecy! Woe unto those leaders who scoff, refute or who don’t teach, preach or condone Bible Prophecy; there will come a day when people will ask, “Why didn’t you tell me this was coming? What do I do now?“, as their faith is perhaps severely challenged or they fall away from the faith – Matt 24:10, 2 Th 2:3, 1 Tim 4:1.
Rev 19:10 (KJV) – “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.“
-BPWatcher
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”
– 2 Peter 3:11-12
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