Can we know who is the Antichrist?

By Michael D. Duty

The name “Antichrist” conjures images of evil dictators and even brings to mind names like Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. Eager eschatologists have from time to time (falsely) “identified” US presidents and presidential candidates as the Antichrist. However, it is possible to know the identity of the Antichrist. Although the world has had its share of evil dictators none have yet proven to be the Antichrist. Just as the Old Testament pointed to the coming of the real Christ, and the New Testament gives us the promise of His return. The scriptures also identify the Antichrist so that watchers may discern his identity.

Dictators will come and go. That is almost certain. But to qualify as Antichrist, the person must meet certain criteria. First, he must appear in a specific historical context. Second, the Antichrist will have certain personal characteristics, which will define him. Third, he will during his rule, perform certain acts, which will identify him as the Antichrist of the Bible.

Historical context

The Bible paints a picture of the end-times world as being under a unified empire. We see this theme in Daniel’s vision (Daniel 7:17; 7:23) and also in Revelation 13:3 and 13:7. The last-days earth will be under one solitary political, religious, and economic system. This is another reason why Hitler and others of the past century have not filled the requirement. Although Hitler had conquered most of Europe, there was still much of the world opposing him. Revelation depicts the ride of the four horsemen starting with the first one who went out “conquering and to conquer”. He had a bow and a crown was given to him (Rev 6:2). This is very important. Though the bow signifies military strength, the crown signifies success. In Greco-Roman culture, crowns were given to those athletes who won in a competition ¹. In his writing, Paul refers to many crowns that believers will receive in the LORD’s kingdom. A crown signifies success. Notice also that although the first horseman has a bow, there is no mention of arrows. It’s as if he conquers without ever firing a shot. This has been done throughout history. Many dictators like Julius Caesar and Adolph Hitler have achieved power by talking their way to the top. Finally, in the ride of the horsemen, there is no mention of war until the last horseman rides. The conqueror rides first and after pestilence and famine, and then comes war. This war could indicate a possible rebellion by some against the one-world government.

There is another significant point of historical context to consider. This one is probably well known, but the Temple of Solomon will have to be rebuilt in Jerusalem sometime prior to the halfway point of the Antichrist’s reign.

Jesus referred to the Temple when he said, “when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel “ (Matt 24:15-16). And Daniel wrote of the “Abomination of Desolation” which, although it was prophecy for Daniel, had already come once by the time Jesus was born.

The Abomination of Desolation prophecy of Daniel is referred to as a “duality”, in that it can be fulfilled more than once and in more than one way. Daniel is told that the desecrations will continue for 2,300 “mornings and evenings”. (There were morning and evening services held at the temple daily)

The first Abomination of Desolation happened when Antiochus Epiphanes outlawed the particular practices of individual nations, including Judaism. When the Jews continued to worship the LORD, Antiochus set up an image of the god Jupiter in the temple and sacrificed a pig to it. This first abomination lasted for 1,150 days until Judas Maccabeus cleansed and rededicated the temple and then began the sacrifices again ².

Jesus’ prophecy on the Mount of Olives also contains a duality. He said in Luke 19:43-44, that “the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you and your children within you to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another“. Further, He says in Luke 21:20 that “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know that its desolation is near”.

This prophecy was partially fulfilled the first time in 70 AD when Vespasian totally destroyed the temple. And it has not yet been rebuilt since. In order for the Abomination of Desolation to come again, the temple will have to be standing. The Bible says that the Abomination of Desolation will come three and a half years into the Antichrist’s reign. Whether he himself is the one to rebuild the temple is not entirely clear. But, several things are clear. Sacrifices will be reintroduced in the temple. A political and religious figure, who claims to be God, will desecrate the temple. And armies again will be amassing around Israel and Jerusalem. ²

Personal Characteristics

Like most dictators that have come before him, the Antichrist will be charismatic, egotistical, narcissistic, and probably paranoid. 2 Thessalonians 2 calls him “the son of destruction” and the “man of lawlessness”. But many people could be labeled under those terms. What will really set the Antichrist apart? For one thing, we can know him by the company he keeps. Remember that Satan is a counterfeiter, who likes to use half-truths and counterfeit miracles. Satan often imitates God in a perverse way. Just as Jesus had “an Elijah figure” (e.g. John the Baptist), the antichrist will be heralded by a false prophet. There will be someone who points to the Antichrist as “the one who can solve all of our problems”. The false prophet will be in charge of setting up the false religion and the Antichrist will be the object of worship. The Antichrist will also declare himself God and place himself above all things that are called “god”.(2 Thess 2:3-4)

His Actions

Above and beyond anything else, it will be what the Antichrist does that will show his true identity. These actions will also signal that the end of days is at hand. The Antichrist will attack God’s prophets, he will slay them publicly. Then, three days later just as publicly they will rise from the dead and ascend to Heaven. (Rev 11:1-12) The Antichrist himself will appear to die and then miraculously rise from the dead (Rev 13:3.) He will declare himself God and desecrate the holy Temple (Matt 24:15-16 Dan 9:27.) He will cause everyone to have to take his mark in order to buy, sell or trade (Rev 13:16.) He will make war with the saints (Rev 13:7.)

Conclusion

This is by no means an exhaustive analysis of the person or the deeds of the Antichrist. This is however a concise look at the major defining aspects that will identify the evil one when he comes. There are certain things that only the Antichrist can and will do. Until then, we can watch, study and be prepared.

Extra biblical references

1 Are We Living In the End Times? Lahaye, Tim and Jerry B. Jenkins p 179 Tyndale 1999

2 http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn24/abomination.htm