Mankind’s propensity to disobey God has been evident throughout history and is becoming prevalent in today’s secular society. In what seems to be a steady decline towards greater and more widespread depravity, today’s culture has lost its sense of direction and is ripe for deception on a global scale. In what is best described as systemic subterfuge, the father of lies has methodically undermined the foundation of civilization and corrupted the very heart of mankind.
Not only has civilization lost the common sense to uphold a standardized moral code, the inability to discern truth and even the denial that truth exists have become the hallmark of a culture that is already the victim of deception. A society that has lost its way will eventually embrace leadership that champions the values that it perceives to be relevant to its own preservation. In essence, humanity will embrace a “savior” that will mirror its own precepts.
Students of eschatology recognize that the present societal inclination to follow leadership that appeases human self-approbation is a significant indication that the antichrist will soon appear on the world stage. The Bible clearly states that antichrist, while being a spirit of lawlessness will ultimately be manifested as a man.
The apostle Paul states in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, that this man will be identifiable by his attributes and actions. “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
Paul is referencing the words of the prophet Daniel recorded in Daniel 9:27. It is evident from these passages that the antichrist is much more than a mere “essence” or “movement” opposing God. He is an individual with personal attributes and a personal agenda that will deceive the entire world.
The Beast Vs The Lamb
Revelation 13 depicts him as a beast. While the symbolism is convoluted, the scripture maintains the antichrist’s identity as a man, as evidenced by the referral to the beast as “him” in Revelation 13:1. Furthermore, the narrative goes on to say, “Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” (Revelation 13:4b).
Verses 6-8 then elaborate, “He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander His name and His dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”
This description implicates the counterfeit attributes of the beast in correlation to Daniel’s vision of the “Son of Man” in Daniel chapter seven, where the prophet states, “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14).
Jesus associated Himself with this prophecy when He stood before Caiaphas the High Priest (Mark 14:62), and declared, “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
The antichrist is an imitation of Christ. And just as Christ is depicted as the Lamb, the antichrist is depicted as a beast. These illustrations reveal the inward nature of these two men. Jesus was gentle and pure of heart, while the antichrist is arrogant, manipulative and deceptive. Jesus gave up everything worldly to attain His eternal kingdom, however, the antichrist will forfeit eternal integrity by establishing a worldly empire.
The world will welcome him as the great liberator of humanity. He will bring about world peace, economic stability, cultural reconciliation and religious equality. However this utopian political climate will be short lived (Revelation 13:5; Daniel 9:27).
Geopolitical Susceptibility
Civilization is on the precipice of the climax of all world kingdoms in one global government headed by the antichrist. From the ancient Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires to the present day – kingdoms have been increasing in size. The current trend towards globalism is setting the stage for the antichrist to surpass all previous empires. Technological, cultural, political and environmental conditions have created a degree of geopolitical susceptibility that will facilitate the antichrist’s infiltration and domination of world power.
His influence will transcend geographic, social, economic, political and religious barriers to ultimately control the very fabric of society. Dissent and defiance will be crushed and all inhabitants of the earth will be subjugated to his rule. That authority will be enforced by his “mark” on every person, and will enable or prevent all financial transactions.
Antichrist is much more than a collaborative effort to forward the self-serving intent of rogue states and alliances. It is the global, totalitarian ambition of a singular evil that demands the complete surrender of every man woman and child and extends to the spiritual allegiance of all souls. The rapture of believers and the removal of the Holy Spirit from the earth will facilitate this unbridled and unprecedented wickedness.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 discloses this truth. “And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and the splendor of His coming.”
This unimaginable tyrannical chaos will culminate in the audacity of humanity to wage war against the powers of heaven in the battle of Armageddon, in profound defiance of our Creator. A final, brazen attempt to overthrow God will culminate in the return of Jesus Christ and the destruction of His enemies (Revelation 19:11-21).
A civilization that is preoccupied with self-indulgence will be oblivious to the subliminal expropriation of its rights and freedoms until it is too late to circumvent it. The deception will be complete and the deceived will be doomed. Sadly, anyone who receives the mark of the beast will be condemned.
Revelation 14:9-11 warns us: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”
Satan’s systemic subterfuge of society has created a vulnerability that is so deeply engrained in humanity that it seems more difficult to live by faith in God than to simply succumb to “the lie.” The potential risk vs reward has never been more vital. The Bible tells us that the righteous will live by faith (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11), so believers must cling to their faith with all of their strength in the face of overwhelming adversity.
As Christians, we must be spiritually awake and possess situational awareness. Paul warns in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4, “Now, brothers, about the times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” Revelation 9:12 advises, “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” And finally, the writer of Hebrews offers these encouraging words: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23).
