The Antichrist is the final world leader in this age. He will wage war against God. He will have the greatest political authority, the most powerful army, the most money and the largest religious network confirmed by demonic miracles of any man in history (Rev. 13). The three main passages on the Antichrist in Scripture are Dan. 11; 2 Thes. 2; Rev. 13.
The Antichrist will be the most cruel man that ever lived. It will be impossible to negotiate with him for mercy because he will think like a beast. He is called the “Beast” 36 times in Revelation.
The Antichrist will have authority and worshipers in every nation (Rev. 13:8). However, he will not totally dominate each nation. He will be at war with some nations (Dan. 11:40-45).
The False Prophet will help him to conquer (Rev. 13:11-18) along with a 10-nation confederation that will provide him with the greatest power base in history (Rev. 17:12).
The Antichrist will magnify himself above the Harlot Babylon religion (Dan. 11:36). He will have a total anti-God policy because he will require all to worship him at the cost of their lives.
A king shall arise in the last days when transgression or sin reaches its greatest heights through the Harlot Babylon. At the first seal, the Antichrist will destroy the Harlot Babylon (v. 25).
The Antichrist will initially prosper by deceptive diplomacy that gains him peaceful conquests at the first seal. He will also use demonic signs to win influence over the nations.
Hitler gives us a picture from history of what “peaceful conquest” might look like. The Nazis took over the Rhineland (March 1936), annexed Austria (March 1938), occupied the Sudetenland or German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia (Sept. 1938), then all Czechoslovakia (March 1939).
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
First Seal: The Antichrist
The Antichrist riding a white horse is a counterfeit of Jesus riding a white horse (Rev. 19:11).
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Rev. 6:2)
White Horse: the horse speaks of speed and strength and white symbolizes righteousness. The Antichrist’s reign will initially appear righteous and helpful to the nations.
Crown: a symbol of authority over the nations. He will rise suddenly to a place of international authority. Satan and the Antichrist are both described as having crowns (Rev. 12:2; 13:1-2, 7).
Arrowless bow: the Antichrist’s authority will initially increase without any bloodshed. The arrow is an ancient symbol of war that speaks of striking ones enemies from a distance. This rider is pictured as ready to go to war with a bow in hand on a horse. However, since the bow does not have arrows it is understood as a ‘threat of war without war actually breaking out’.
Initially his conquests will be peaceful by using deceptive diplomacy without bloodshed. He will privately threaten international leaders with war while being seen publicly to accomplish his agenda by peaceful means. He uses a sword which strikes up close and causes bloodshed.
Conquering: the Antichrist will have a series of successful conquests unprecedented in history. He will initially conquer only in the political and economical arenas. It will escalate to military aggression that will result in a world war (second seal) leading to a devastating economic crisis and then worldwide famine (third seal). For 3½ years he will seem to be invincible (Rev. 13:4).
Given: his power is given to him. The Antichrist receives his authority first from God, then from Satan (Rev. 13:2) as well as kings who will voluntarily give their authority to him (Rev. 17:17). The phrase “is given” is used 22 times in Revelation. The Two Witnesses, the Antichrist, angels and demons are given authority from God (Rev. 6:11; 7:2; 8:2; 9:1, 3, 5; 11:2-3; 12:14; 13:1-18).
5 And he (Antichrist) was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months…7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation…15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast... (Rev. 13:5, 7, 15)
The Antichrist does not take God by surprise. He is part of the Father’s plan. It is by God’s decree that the Antichrist will be given a specific sphere to operate in for 3½ years to show himself to Israel as their Messiah as Jesus did. Jesus has all authority over all the nations. The Antichrist is God’s tool of judgment on apostate Israel and on wicked nations (Zech. 11:16-17).
18 Jesus spoke saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Mt. 28:18)
1 There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Rom. 13:1)
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Rev. 6:2)
White Horse: the horse speaks of speed and strength and white symbolizes righteousness. The Antichrist’s reign will initially appear righteous and helpful to the nations.
Crown: a symbol of authority over the nations. He will rise suddenly to a place of international authority. Satan and the Antichrist are both described as having crowns (Rev. 12:2; 13:1-2, 7).
Arrowless bow: the Antichrist’s authority will initially increase without any bloodshed. The arrow is an ancient symbol of war that speaks of striking ones enemies from a distance. This rider is pictured as ready to go to war with a bow in hand on a horse. However, since the bow does not have arrows it is understood as a ‘threat of war without war actually breaking out’.
Initially his conquests will be peaceful by using deceptive diplomacy without bloodshed. He will privately threaten international leaders with war while being seen publicly to accomplish his agenda by peaceful means. He uses a sword which strikes up close and causes bloodshed.
Conquering: the Antichrist will have a series of successful conquests unprecedented in history. He will initially conquer only in the political and economical arenas. It will escalate to military aggression that will result in a world war (second seal) leading to a devastating economic crisis and then worldwide famine (third seal). For 3½ years he will seem to be invincible (Rev. 13:4).
Given: his power is given to him. The Antichrist receives his authority first from God, then from Satan (Rev. 13:2) as well as kings who will voluntarily give their authority to him (Rev. 17:17). The phrase “is given” is used 22 times in Revelation. The Two Witnesses, the Antichrist, angels and demons are given authority from God (Rev. 6:11; 7:2; 8:2; 9:1, 3, 5; 11:2-3; 12:14; 13:1-18).
5 And he (Antichrist) was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months…7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation…15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast... (Rev. 13:5, 7, 15)
The Antichrist does not take God by surprise. He is part of the Father’s plan. It is by God’s decree that the Antichrist will be given a specific sphere to operate in for 3½ years to show himself to Israel as their Messiah as Jesus did. Jesus has all authority over all the nations. The Antichrist is God’s tool of judgment on apostate Israel and on wicked nations (Zech. 11:16-17).
18 Jesus spoke saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Mt. 28:18)
1 There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (Rom. 13:1)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Seven Bowls of God's Wrath
The seven bowls of wrath are the third and final numbered series of judgments (Rev. 16).
First bowl (sores): painful sores on those who worship the Antichrist (Rev. 16:1-2)
Second bowl (food supply): destroying the sea with blood and killing all in it (Rev. 16:3)
Third bowl (water supply): poisoning the earth’s fresh water with blood (Rev. 16:4-7)
Fourth bowl (torment): scorching heat and fire from the sun (Rev. 16:8-9)
Fifth bowl (destruction): darkness on the Antichrist's global empire (Rev. 16:10-11)
Sixth bowl (global guilt): deceiving the nations to come to Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16)
Seventh bowl (annihilation): shaking by earthquakes and hail stones (Rev. 16:17-21)
They will destroy social infrastructures in the Antichrist’s empire.
I (Father) will give You (Jesus) the nations for Your inheritance…You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel. (Ps. 2:8–9)
D.
Jesus will release the seven bowls in a way that parallels Moses releasing the ten plagues of Egypt against Pharaoh (Ex. 12). He will come as the “Greater Moses”. The seven bowls are intentionally similar to the plagues of Egypt. The miracles seen in Egypt will occur in the End-Times (Mic. 7:15; Isa. 10:22-25; 11:12-16; 30:30; Jer. 16:14-15; 23:7-8; Ezek. 38:22; Joel 2:30).
All the bowls will be poured out over a thirty-day period as Jesus marches up through Edom (modern day Jordan) to fight the final battle of the Armageddon campaign in Jerusalem, and to rescue the unsaved remnant of Israel (Zech. 12:1-9; 14:1-5; Isa. 63:1-6; Hab. 3:3-16).
Jesus will march through the city of Bozrah in Edom (Jordan) and Teman killing His enemies on His way to Jerusalem. Their blood will be sprinkled on His robes.
First bowl (sores): painful sores on those who worship the Antichrist (Rev. 16:1-2)
Second bowl (food supply): destroying the sea with blood and killing all in it (Rev. 16:3)
Third bowl (water supply): poisoning the earth’s fresh water with blood (Rev. 16:4-7)
Fourth bowl (torment): scorching heat and fire from the sun (Rev. 16:8-9)
Fifth bowl (destruction): darkness on the Antichrist's global empire (Rev. 16:10-11)
Sixth bowl (global guilt): deceiving the nations to come to Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16)
Seventh bowl (annihilation): shaking by earthquakes and hail stones (Rev. 16:17-21)
They will destroy social infrastructures in the Antichrist’s empire.
I (Father) will give You (Jesus) the nations for Your inheritance…You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel. (Ps. 2:8–9)
D.
Jesus will release the seven bowls in a way that parallels Moses releasing the ten plagues of Egypt against Pharaoh (Ex. 12). He will come as the “Greater Moses”. The seven bowls are intentionally similar to the plagues of Egypt. The miracles seen in Egypt will occur in the End-Times (Mic. 7:15; Isa. 10:22-25; 11:12-16; 30:30; Jer. 16:14-15; 23:7-8; Ezek. 38:22; Joel 2:30).
All the bowls will be poured out over a thirty-day period as Jesus marches up through Edom (modern day Jordan) to fight the final battle of the Armageddon campaign in Jerusalem, and to rescue the unsaved remnant of Israel (Zech. 12:1-9; 14:1-5; Isa. 63:1-6; Hab. 3:3-16).
Jesus will march through the city of Bozrah in Edom (Jordan) and Teman killing His enemies on His way to Jerusalem. Their blood will be sprinkled on His robes.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Seven Trumpets
The seven trumpet judgments are supernatural acts not merely natural or historical acts portrayed in symbolic language. They destroy the Antichrist’s resources and people. The trumpet judgments display the Antichrist’s power as inferior to Jesus’ power. They are supernatural acts of God through nature (the first four) and demons (fifth and sixth ones).
First trumpet (food supply): burning 1/3 of the earth's vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
Second trumpet (food supply): destroying 1/3 of the sea (Rev. 8:8-9)
Third trumpet (water supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth's fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
Fourth trumpet (light, energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
Fifth trumpet (torment): releasing demonic locusts that torment for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12)
Sixth trumpet (death): releasing demonic horsemen that kill 1/3 of the earth (Rev. 9:13-21)
Seventh trumpet (defeat): beginning of Jesus’ Second Coming procession (Rev. 11:15-19).
The first 4 trumpets will release God’s judgment on nature to destroy the natural resources of the Antichrist’s empire (Rev. 8:7-12). Each trumpet destroys a different area, i.e., food (vegetation, meat, fish), sea trade, water supply and the environment: light and heat (sun, moon, stars). The last 2 trumpets release demons on the Antichrist’s kingdom to torment and kill his followers.
The trumpet judgments have a 3-fold purpose (Num. 10): judgment on the Antichrist’s empire, to warn the lost to receive salvation and to signal the certain victory that is soon to come for God’s people (like the trumpets did for Joshua).
The limitation of the trumpets to a partial (1/3) judgment gives opportunity for repentance (1/3 is used 14 times in Rev. 8:2–9:21 (Rev. 8:7[2x], 9[3x], 10, 11, 12[5x]; 9:15, 18).
First trumpet (food supply): burning 1/3 of the earth's vegetation (Rev. 8:7)
Second trumpet (food supply): destroying 1/3 of the sea (Rev. 8:8-9)
Third trumpet (water supply): poisoning 1/3 of the earth's fresh water (Rev. 8:10-11)
Fourth trumpet (light, energy): darkening 1/3 of the earth’s light (Rev. 8:12)
Fifth trumpet (torment): releasing demonic locusts that torment for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-12)
Sixth trumpet (death): releasing demonic horsemen that kill 1/3 of the earth (Rev. 9:13-21)
Seventh trumpet (defeat): beginning of Jesus’ Second Coming procession (Rev. 11:15-19).
The first 4 trumpets will release God’s judgment on nature to destroy the natural resources of the Antichrist’s empire (Rev. 8:7-12). Each trumpet destroys a different area, i.e., food (vegetation, meat, fish), sea trade, water supply and the environment: light and heat (sun, moon, stars). The last 2 trumpets release demons on the Antichrist’s kingdom to torment and kill his followers.
The trumpet judgments have a 3-fold purpose (Num. 10): judgment on the Antichrist’s empire, to warn the lost to receive salvation and to signal the certain victory that is soon to come for God’s people (like the trumpets did for Joshua).
The limitation of the trumpets to a partial (1/3) judgment gives opportunity for repentance (1/3 is used 14 times in Rev. 8:2–9:21 (Rev. 8:7[2x], 9[3x], 10, 11, 12[5x]; 9:15, 18).
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