The Antichrist And The False Prophet 

Memory Verse: “Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour” 1 John 2:18 – (NIV).

Text: Revelation 13:1-18. 

Scriptural Emphasis:  We are encouraged  as believers to understand what God through His mercies has redeemed us from. 

1. The Antichrist

• He will be a political leader with impressive charisma, astute knowledge and wisdom and an outstanding leadership quality –  2 Thess. 2:3-4; Daniel 7:25.
• The main purpose of the antichrist is to oppose Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God and to promote the authority and rule of the dragon (the devil) – Daniel 7:25; Dan. 11:36-37; 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:5-7
• The antichrist will do this through extraordinary display of political and economic power, prowess and duress. He will be able to captivate the interest and respect of people – Dan. 8:25; 2 Thess. 2:9-11.
• He will eventually be defeated by Jesus and cast into the lake of fire – Rev. 19:19-20; Rev. 20:1-3.

Question: What are the indications that the emergence of the antichrist is possible? 

2. The False Prophet

• He will be a highly respected and popular religious personality with significant political and economic influence – Rev.13:11-15
• The main purpose of the false prophet is to lend credence and support for both the antichrist and the dragon (the devil). Through falsehood and deception, he will succeed in securing the loyalty of people to the antichrist – Rev. 13:16-18.
• He will accomplish his purpose by convincing people that the antichrist and dragon are worthy of worship and make be the proponent of economic and social dependence on the authority and rule of the antichrist – Rev. 13:15
• He too will eventually be defeated and cast into the lake of fire by an angel –  Rev. 19:19-20; Rev. 20:1-3

Question: Why would it be possible for people to change their loyalty from God to the antichrist? 

Conclusion

It is clear that God does not intend for believers to go through the rulership of the antichrist. It then behooves us to make sure that we live in such a way not to be a partaker of this terrible time frame, whether we are alive or not. Let us heed the scriptures that encourage us to be prepared and ready for a place with God in eternity. Watch and pray and keep yourself immune from deception. 

Shalom!