6. The AntiChrist

A person empowered by Satan who is an enemy of Jesus and his church.

There are several chapters in the Bible that discuss this evil person who will arise during the end times. Daniel 2, 7, 8, 9, 11, Revelation 13, etc.

Outline

1. The Antichrist and his Predecessor

2. Who is the Antichrist?

In Daniel 8, the prophecy is amazing for its TWO future fulfilments. From our vantage point in the 21st century, one of those fulfilments already happened in remarkable detail. This is all the more reason to believe that the second fulfilment will certainly happen.

The first fulfilment was by Antiochus Epiphanes IV who seems to be a type of eschatological Antichrist. By examining the life of this ancient king, we can learn about the character and destiny of the future evil ruler. Many parallels exist between the two individuals: representing both kings as “little horns” support the idea that one king prefigures the other. Antiochus (Rev 8:9) and Antichrist (Rev 7:8).Since the relationship between the two tyrants is that of type-antitype, it should not be inferred that the Antichrist will be from the kingdom ruled by Antiochus IV—Syria, Palestine, Babylon, etc. Other passages in Daniel show clearly that the Antichrist will arise from the Revived Roman Federation.

The Antichrist and his Predecessor

Type – Antiochus IV	Fulfilled	Antitype - AntiChrist
From the Greek Empire		From the Roman Empire
Antiochus (Dan 8:9) was symbolized by horns that were “little” or “small” at the beginning.		Antichrist (Dan 7:8) is symbolized by horns that were “little” or “small” at the beginning.
He will be “a stern-faced king” (Dan 8:23), - implies cruelty and harshness		He will have an “imposing” look (Dan 7:20).
He will be “a master of intrigue” (Dan 8:23)		The brilliance of the Antichrist is suggested by the “eyes” of the horn (Dan 7:8, 20). Ability to offer solutions for complex problems, eg. Peace treaty.
He will have great power that is not his own (but from Satan) and he will destroy many including Jews (Dan 8:24)	2 Maccabees 5:11–14 While Antiochus was busy in Egypt, a rumor spread that he had been killed. In Judea, the deposed High Priest Jason gathered a force of 1000 soldiers and made a surprise attack on the city of Jerusalem. (2 Macc 5:5) He returned from Egypt in 168 BC and attacked Jerusalem executed many Jews. (Josephus, The Jewish War 1:1:1–2)	He will have greater power (Dan 11:39; 2 Thess 2:9; Rev 13:7–8). He will be energized by Satan (cf. 2 Thess 2:9; Rev 13:2), and this is one reason he will attack God’s people as well.
He will destroy thousands (Dan 8:24)		He will destroy more (Rev 13:15; 16:13–16).
He will "prosper" for a short while (Dan 8:24)		He will prosper for a brief time (Dan11:36 ; Rev 17:12).
He will persecute the saints (Dan 8:24)	He offered pagan sacrifices on the altar in the temple and killed those who abided by Jewish Law (1 Macc 1:54–64). He may have also declared himself a deity	He also will oppress believers (Dan 7:21, 25; Rev 13:7).
He will be a deceiver (Dan 8:25)		He will be the master deceiver (2 Thess 2:9; Rev 13:4, 14; 19:20).
He will be proud (Dan 8:25).	He called himself Epiphanes (“the illustrious one” or “God manifest”), although the Jews called him Epimanes (“madman”).	He will be one of the most arrogant individuals the world has ever known (Dan 7:8, 11, 20, 25; 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:5).
He will remove the daily sacrifice in the temple and install his image. (Dan 8:10-12).		He will install the abomination that causes desolation. Dan 9:27
He will blaspheme God (Dan 8:25)		He will blaspheme God (Dan 7:25; 11:36; 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:5–6).
He will not be killed by human hands (Dan 8:25)	2 Maccabees 9:5-9 (DRA) But the Lord the God of Israel..struck him with an incurable and an invisible plague. …a dreadful pain in his bowels came upon him, and bitter torments of the inner parts…. it happened as he was going with violence that he fell from the chariot, so that his limbs were much pained by a grievous bruising of the body. being cast down to the ground, was carried in a litter, bearing witness to the manifest power of God in himself: So that worms swarmed out of the body of this man, and whilst he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell off, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to the army.	He will not be killed by human hands (2 Thess 2:8; Rev 19:19–20).

Now that we looked at the Antichrist through the lens of his predecessor, we can look in detail at what the bible says about this future evil leader.

Who is the Antichrist?

Antichrist	Daniel 7, 9, 11	2 Thess 2	Revelation	Others
A political figure who becomes powerful and advances “not by his own power”	Dan 11:39	2 Thess 2:9	Rev 13:2, 7–8
He will reject whatever religion is practiced by his ancestors. If from the Roman empire, probably Christianity. He will likely be an atheist although he evidently will use religion to gain his position of power	Dan 11:36-37	2 Thess 2:4	Rev 13:6; Rev 17
He will spew out shockingly blasphemous words against Christ. He will deny the Father and the Son and refuse the incarnation of Jesus.	Dan 7:8, 11, 20, 25; Dan 11:36	2 Thess 2:4	Rev 13:5–6	1 Jn 2:22; 2 Jn 7
He will serve a god of military might and will spend lavishly to increase his military power and will engage in constant war	Dan 7:8, 24; Dan 11:38, 40-45		Rev 13:4; 16:13–16
He is not Satan but is influenced by him and will be a man of lawlessness		2 Thess 2:3, 9
He will be from the Roman Empire	Dan 7:24; Dan 9:26
He will defeat 3 kings of the Roman Empire and 7 kings will surrender to him	Dan 7:8, 20
He will make an agreement with Israel for 7y	Dan 9:26
He will speak boastfully against God and will lead a rebellion	Dan 7:8, 25	2 Thess 2:3
He will persecute the saints for 3.5 years	Dan 7:21, 25; Dan 11:31–37
He will claim to be God and desire to be worshipped. He will place an abomination of desolation in Jerusalem	Dan 9:27; Dan 11:37	2 Thess 2:3	Rev 13:12, 14–15
He will display his power with miracles to deceive people to discourage them from worshipping God		2 Thess 2:9–10		Deut 13; Matt 24:24; Mark 13:22
God’s wrath will be poured out upon Antichrist and the whole sinful world in the last days during the tribulation period	Dan 12:1		Rev 6–19	Matt 24:21–22, 29–31
An Arab bloc (with or led by Egypt) will attack the Antichrist and will be destroyed	Dan 11:40
He will invade Israel. Jordan will be spared, but Libya, Ethiopia, and Sudan will be subdued by the Antichrist	Dan 11:41, 43			Ezek 38:5
There will be a battle between the Antichrist and the armies of the east and the north.	Dan 11:44		Rev 9:13–19; 16:12	Ezek 38–39
He will meet these attacking forces in Palestine and make his headquarters on Mount Zion between the Mediterranean Sea on the west and the Dead Sea on the east.	Dan 11:45	2 Thess 2:4		Matt 24:15
The final war will be fought in Israel, in the valley of Megiddo, when the antichrist will be destroyed by the Lord.	Dan 7:11, 26-27; Dan 11:36, 45	2 Thess 2:3, 2:8	Rev 16:16; 19:20	Ezek 39:2–29; Joel 3:2–16; Zech 12:2–9; 14:1–21

Bibliography

1. Daniel I. Morrison, “Antichrist,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).2. L. L. Morris, “Antichrist,” ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996)3. Stephen R. Miller, Daniel, vol. 18, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994)

All scripture quoted from the The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011) unless otherwise quote

DRA – Douay-Rheims 1899 American edition