Who is the Antichrist?
Question 10046
The Antichrist is a specific individual who will arise during the end times to lead the world in its final rebellion against God. He’s not a symbol or a system but an actual person who will deceive the nations, demand worship as God, and persecute believers with unprecedented cruelty. Understanding who the Antichrist is and what he will do helps us recognise the spiritual battle we’re in and the urgency of remaining faithful to Jesus.
The Biblical Titles
Scripture uses several names to describe this coming world leader, each revealing something about his character and role. Daniel calls him “the little horn” (Daniel 7:8) and describes him as a king who “shall speak words against the Most High” (Daniel 7:25). Paul refers to him as “the man of lawlessness” and “the son of destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3), emphasising his complete rejection of God’s authority and his destined fate. John calls him “the beast” in Revelation (Revelation 13:1-10), highlighting his bestial, inhuman nature.
The title “Antichrist” itself appears in John’s epistles. John wrote, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come” (1 John 2:18). The Greek prefix anti (ἀντί) can mean both “against” and “instead of”. The Antichrist will be both opposed to Jesus and a counterfeit christ, offering himself as an alternative saviour whilst actually leading people to destruction.
His Rise to Power
The Antichrist will emerge on the world stage during a time of chaos and crisis. Daniel prophesied that he would arise from a revived Roman Empire, represented by ten horns (ten nations or leaders) in Daniel 7:7-8. Revelation 13:1 similarly describes the beast rising from the sea with ten horns and seven heads, covered with blasphemous names. This revival of the Roman Empire may well be connected to the European Union or a similar confederation of nations in the Mediterranean region.
His initial appearance will be deceptive. Rather than revealing his true evil nature immediately, he will come as a peacemaker and problem-solver. Daniel 9:27 says, “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week.” This covenant, particularly with Israel, will make him appear to be the answer to the Middle East conflict. He will guarantee Israel’s security and permit them to rebuild their temple and resume sacrifices. The world will hail him as a brilliant diplomat and perhaps even a messianic figure.
Paul described his rise: “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Satan will empower him with supernatural abilities, allowing him to perform miracles that will deceive the masses. These aren’t tricks or illusions; they’re real displays of demonic power designed to convince people that he’s divine.
His Character and Actions
Daniel provides a detailed description of the Antichrist’s character: “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished” (Daniel 11:36). Pride and blasphemy are his defining characteristics. He won’t merely reject God; he will openly oppose Him and claim divinity for himself.
At the midpoint of the Tribulation, three and a half years into his seven-year covenant, the Antichrist will reveal his true nature. He’ll break his covenant with Israel, stop the temple sacrifices, and commit the “abomination of desolation” by entering the temple and declaring himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). From that moment, he will demand worship from all people on earth.
Revelation 13:5-7 describes his activities during the second half of the Tribulation: “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.” He will persecute believers with demonic fury, and many will be martyred for refusing to worship him.
The False Prophet
The Antichrist won’t work alone. Revelation 13:11-18 describes a second beast, often called the False Prophet, who will arise to promote the Antichrist’s worship. This religious figure will perform great signs, even making fire come down from heaven, and will deceive people into worshipping the first beast. He will set up an image of the Antichrist and, through some form of supernatural power or advanced technology, cause it to speak and demand worship. Anyone who refuses to worship the image will be killed.
The False Prophet will also implement the mark of the beast, requiring everyone to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead bearing the Antichrist’s name or number (666). Without this mark, no one can buy or sell. This economic control will force people to choose: worship the Antichrist and receive the mark, or refuse and face starvation and death.
The Number 666
Revelation 13:18 states, “This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” Throughout history, people have tried to identify the Antichrist by finding names that add up to 666 using various numerical systems. However, this misses the point. The number 666 represents the ultimate human achievement, falling short of divine perfection (represented by seven). The triple repetition of six emphasises complete human rebellion without divine approval.
We won’t need to calculate names to identify the Antichrist when he appears. His actions will make his identity obvious: claiming to be God, demanding worship, persecuting believers, and setting up the abomination in the temple. Those attempting to identify a current political figure as the Antichrist are looking in the wrong place, because the Antichrist cannot be revealed until after the rapture, when the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit through the Church is removed (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8).
His Destiny
The Antichrist’s reign will seem unstoppable, but it has a definite end. At the Battle of Armageddon, when the armies of the world gather to fight against Jerusalem, Jesus will return in glory. The battle will be over before it truly begins. Revelation 19:19-20 describes the outcome: “And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur.”
The Antichrist won’t merely be defeated; he’ll be the first human thrown into the lake of fire, joining Satan there a thousand years later after the millennium. His fate is sealed, his power broken, and his influence ended forever.
Conclusion
The Antichrist is a real person who will come in the future, empowered by Satan to deceive the world and lead humanity in its final rebellion against God. But his power is temporary, his deception will be exposed, and his destiny is destruction. For believers, understanding the Antichrist serves several purposes: it helps us recognise the reality of spiritual warfare, reminds us that evil will ultimately be defeated, and motivates us to remain faithful to Jesus no matter what pressure we face. The Antichrist may deceive the world, but he cannot deceive those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Our allegiance belongs to Jesus alone, and no counterfeit, no matter how convincing, can change that.
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Bibliography
- Walvoord, John F. The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Chicago: Moody Press, 1966.
- Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1958.
- Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G. The Footsteps of the Messiah. Rev. ed. Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003.
- Ryrie, Charles C. Revelation. Everyman’s Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1968.
