The Coming Antichrist: A Biblical Warning from Revelation in Light of Today's World

Today we start a close look at the 21 judgments of Revelation. This has been a special interest and study of mine since before I accepted Christ over 50 years ago. I hope it will be informative and help you all prepare for what may be coming very soon, in my humble opinion.

Grace and peace be unto you from our Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming quickly to judge the living and the dead. In these perilous times, as we see the world hurtling toward the fulfillment of prophecy, it's crucial for us as Bible-believing Christians to delve deeply into God's Word. The Book of Revelation, penned by the Apostle John under divine inspiration, serves as a holy roadmap for the end times—a literal blueprint warning of trials, deceptions, and the ultimate triumph of our Savior. Today, I'm expanding on a message I have delivered in the past, focusing on key passages from Revelation 6:2, 11:7-8, and 13:1-17. We'll explore the figure of the Antichrist: who he will be, his characteristics, and the unmistakable signs pointing to his imminent arrival. As Christians committed to the inerrant Scriptures and a premillennial, pretribulational view, we must be vigilant, for the spirit of antichrist is already at work (1 John 4:3 KJV).

In this blog post, I'll expand the message with additional biblical insights, cross-references, and relevant research from current events. These developments aren't mere coincidences; they align eerily with prophecy, urging us to prepare our hearts and share the Gospel urgently. Remember, our hope is not in this world but in Christ's return. Maranatha!

The Rider on the White Horse: The Deceptive Conqueror (Revelation 6:2 KJV)

"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." (Revelation 6:2 KJV)

This verse opens the first seal of judgment in the Tribulation period, introducing a rider on a white horse. In fundamentalist eschatology, this is not our Lord Jesus Christ—who returns triumphantly on a white horse in Revelation 19:11 with a sharp sword from His mouth—but a counterfeit: the Antichrist himself. He mimics Christ to deceive the world, appearing as a peacemaker after the Rapture removes the true Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV). His bow (without arrows) symbolizes conquest through diplomacy and false peace, not immediate war. A crown (stephanos, a victor's wreath) is "given unto him," likely by Satan or world powers, contrasting the many diadems (royal crowns) of Christ.

Expanding on this, Daniel 8:25 KJV describes a similar figure: "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many." The Antichrist will initiate a seven-year covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27 KJV), ushering in a false golden age. But as the seals unfold, his true nature emerges: war (red horse), famine (black horse), and death (pale horse). This rider's arrival signals the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:8 KJV), a time when the world, devoid of the restraining Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV), embraces this impostor.

The Beast Slays the Witnesses: Desecration in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:7-8 KJV)

"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." (Revelation 11:7-8 KJV)

Midway through the Tribulation, God sends two witnesses—prophets in the spirit of Moses and Elijah (Revelation 11:3-6 KJV)—to testify for 1,260 days (three and a half years) in Jerusalem. They perform miracles: shutting heaven from rain, turning water to blood, and calling down fire. But "the beast" (the Antichrist, empowered by Satan from the abyss) kills them, leaving their bodies unburied as a public spectacle. Jerusalem, the "great city," is spiritually degraded to "Sodom" (immorality) and "Egypt" (bondage and idolatry), the site of Christ's crucifixion.

This event marks the Antichrist's "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15 KJV; Daniel 9:27 KJV), where he halts Temple sacrifices and declares himself God in the rebuilt Temple (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV: "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God... so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God"). The witnesses' resurrection after three and a half days (Revelation 11:11 KJV) foreshadows Christ's victory, but it underscores the Antichrist's hatred for God's truth. He is the "man of sin" and "son of perdition" (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV), a Judas-like betrayer rising from obscurity to global dominance.

The Beast from the Sea: Global Tyranny and the Mark (Revelation 13:1-17 KJV)

"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... 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." (Excerpts from Revelation 13:1,7 KJV)

This chapter provides the most detailed portrait of the Antichrist ("the beast from the sea") and his accomplice, the false prophet ("the beast from the earth"). The sea represents chaotic nations (Revelation 17:15 KJV), and the beast's seven heads and ten horns echo Daniel's visions of empires (Daniel 7:7-8 KJV), suggesting a revived Roman-like federation—perhaps a ten-nation alliance under his rule. He suffers a "deadly wound" that heals (Revelation 13:3 KJV), mimicking Christ's resurrection and deceiving the world into worship.

For 42 months (three and a half years), he blasphemes God and persecutes believers (Revelation 13:5-7 KJV). The false prophet performs miracles, like fire from heaven (Revelation 13:13 KJV), and erects a speaking image of the beast that kills refusers (Revelation 13:15 KJV). The infamous mark: "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name... and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." (Revelation 13:16-18 KJV)

This "666" system enforces total economic control—worship or starve. It's not just a tattoo; it's allegiance to the beast, sealing eternal doom (Revelation 14:9-11 KJV). Cross-referencing, Daniel 7:25 KJV says he "shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints... and think to change times and laws."

Who Will the Antichrist Be?

Scripture doesn't name him—that revelation comes post-Rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 KJV)—but describes him vividly. He is a man (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV), indwelt by Satan (Revelation 13:2 KJV), of fierce countenance and cunning (Daniel 8:23 KJV). Likely charismatic, intellectual, and politically astute, he unites the world under a one-world government, religion, and economy (Revelation 13:8 KJV). Origins? Possibly European (from the "people of the prince that shall come," Daniel 9:26 KJV, tied to Rome) or Middle Eastern, but his spirit works now in lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV; 1 John 2:18 KJV: "even now are there many antichrists").

He opposes Christ ("anti" means against and instead of), exalting himself as god. His end? Cast into the lake of fire at Christ's return (Revelation 19:20 KJV).

Signs Pointing to His Arrival: Prophecy Unfolding Today

The homily noted signs like globalism, cashless societies, and Temple rebuilding. Let's expand with current insights, showing how close we are.

First, the Temple must be rebuilt for the abomination (2 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV). The Temple Institute in Jerusalem is actively preparing: training priests, crafting vessels, and even sourcing red heifers for purification (Numbers 19 KJV). Templeinstitute.org Recent developments include approvals for "perfect" red heifers, with sacrifices potentially imminent, stirring global tensions. YouTube.com  mycharisma.com Stones and plans are ready, with discussions of laying the first stone soon. middleeasteye.net Watch Israel—the fig tree budding (Matthew 24:32 KJV).

Globalism accelerates toward one-world rule. Initiatives like the UN's Pact for the Future (adopted in 2024) promote global cooperation on AI, climate, and governance. Un.org The World Governments Summit 2025 gathers leaders to address "humanity's pressing challenges," echoing a unified system.  worldgovernmentssummit.org Reports on global governance innovation highlight tools for a interconnected world. stimson.org

Cashless societies foreshadow the mark: By 2025, 84% of U.S. payments are digital, with Europe at 75% cashless transactions. tech.co  coinlaw.io  Digital wallets and open banking surge, with Asia leading but North America catching up. silkpay.us Yet, cash persists in some cultures, delaying full transition—but the trend is clear.  volumatic.com

Microchip implants for payments? Over 50,000 people have them globally, enabling contactless transactions via hand chips.youtube.com  bbc.com Companies offer them to employees for access and purchases, though 13 U.S. states ban mandatory implants. govtech.com The market grows to $3.15 billion by 2032. coherentmarketinsights.com

AI surveillance enables beast-like control: By 2025, over 83% of businesses use cloud-based AI surveillance for real-time threat detection. vortexcloud.com Trends include facial recognition, autonomous drones, and integrated ecosystems monitoring globally. spottersecurity.com crvsurveillance.com  Privacy laws evolve, but AI reshapes security, potentially enforcing the mark. cloudsecurityalliance.org

Wars, moral decay (like Sodom), and persecution align with Matthew 24:6-12 KJV. The alignment is undeniable—the stage is set.

Conclusion: Watch, Pray, and Endure

Beloved, as fundamentalist Christians, we're called to "watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matthew 24:42 KJV). The Antichrist's seven-year reign will be horrific, but short—ending in Christ's millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4 KJV). If saved by faith in Jesus' blood, we may escape via Rapture. For those in Tribulation: Reject the mark! Endure, for "he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, open eyes to these truths. Empower us to live holy, evangelize boldly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Share this post, saints. The Lord cometh soon!

DMMC 8-19-25