12. Spirit of the Antichrist
Spirit of Anti-Christ
Manifestations: Denies the Deity of Christ, Denies Atonement, Against Christ and His Teaching, Humanism, Worldly Speech and Actions, Teachers of Heresies, Anti-Christian, Deceiver, Lawlessness
Scriptures: (1 John 2:18, 19; 4:3, 5; 2 John 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 3–12; Revelation 13:7)
Roots: "The Works of the Flesh," Galatians 5:19–21.
"By their fruits, you will know all men." Matthew 7:20. According to Matthew 6:10; 11:12; 12:29; 16:18; 18:18; 28:18 Bind: Spirit of Anti-Christ
Loose: Spirit of Truth, 1 John 4:6
Spirit of Error
Manifestations: Error, Unsubmissive, False Doctrines, Unteachable, Servant of Corruption, Contentions, Defensive/Argumentative
(Defend "God's revelations" to them personally), New-Age Movement Scriptures: (Proverbs 14:22; 1 John 4:6; 2 Peter 3:16–17; Proverbs
29:1; 1 Timothy 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 4:3,1-4; Titus 3:10; 1 John 4:1-6; Proverbs 10:17; 12:1; 13:18; 15:10,12,32; 2 Peter 2:19; James 3:16; 2 Thessalonians; 2 Peter 2:10)
Roots: "The Works of the Flesh," Galatians 5:19–21. "By their fruits you will know all men," Matthew 7:20.
According to Matthew 6:10; 11:12; 12:29; 16:18; 18:18; 28:18, Bind: Spirit of Error
Loose: Spirit of Truth, 1 John 4:6; Psalm 51:10
Overcoming the Spirit of the Antichrist Overcoming the Evil, Strong Men Overcoming evil spirits and demolishing strongholds of Satan, which fight against the soul of man
The spirit of the antichrist
Any person who doesn't believe that Jesus is the Christ, "the anointed one,” is antichrist. Also, whoever does not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is antichrist—such a person is a liar against the truth. Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:22–23 NIV
“The spirit of the antichrist” does not agree that Jesus came in the flesh. Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 2 John 7-8 NIV
We are now in “the last hour!”—‘the prophetic last hour.’ And the rise of many false Christs [false messengers] and false prophets makes us all the more certain that the end of the world is near. Already, many such persons have appeared on the 'world scene.' Dear children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard, 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
Verse 19 lets us know that most of the false ministers are people who had once known and preached the truth, or at least had had the gospel preached to them. They went away from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. NIV
These "against Christ" people used to be members of the church, but they never really belonged to Christ. They can’t abide in Him, or else they wouldn’t have become antagonistic to Him. When they left us, it proved that they were not of us at all.
“The antichrist” is the man who will oppose Christ in the guise of Christ. He will have a “deceptive outward appearance” [a false outward appearance], which means he will be a religious figure and a man who proclaims peace—but ultimately, his peace talks will oppose Jesus Christ, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. He will be against Christ, the Messiah. Who is such a liar as he who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)? He will do this because he is the antichrist—the antagonist of Christ. He will be raised by Satan to habitually, consistently deny, oppose, and refuse to acknowledge God the Father and God the Son. He will be an anti-messiah. But here is what the Bible says: This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and is already in the world. 1 John 4:2–3 NIV
It is “the spirit of the antichrist” that speaks against Christ. It never acknowledges Jesus Christ, who is already in the world. “The spirit of the antichrist” is a world-ruling evil supernatural force that rules and controls the minds of many people.
Our Lord Jesus made a very important statement about how this spirit will accomplish the interests of Satan against man and oppose God in a time of the greatest distress in the world. "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in the winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. Matt 24:15–22 NIV
In the continuing verses, He said: At that time, if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time." So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. Verses 23–26, NIV
And concerning His glorious coming, He said this: For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matt 24:27 NIV
Apostle John saw in a vision ‘a strange beast,’ that looked like a leopard, with feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. That’s “the beast out of the sea”—a multinational and conglomerate empire rising out of a multitude of people of diverse languages, races, and cultures.
And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority. Rev 13:1-2 NIV
In John’s vision, this beast came out of the sea, and yet, by the description of it, it would seem more likely to be a land monster, but the more monstrous thing about it is that it will set forth “the mystery of iniquity” and tyranny. This world-ruling empire will operate with a mixture of the styles of the ancient Greek Empire [leopard] (Dan. 7:6), the Medo-Persian Empire [bear] (Dan. 7:5), and the Babylonian Empire [lion] (Dan. 7:4). Ancient Babylon was known for fierceness like the lion; the Medes and Persia for strength like the bear; and Greece for swiftness like the leopard. The beast out of the sea has a constitution of all of them, just as presented in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
This beast, which is a sort of composition of those three, is a horrid and hideous monster with an allusion to Daniel's vision of four beasts, which represented the four historical world-ruling monarchies (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome). This beast had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns and on each head a blasphemous name. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God.
The antichrist will carry out his evil work through his false prophet. Then I saw another beast coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honour of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given the power to give breath to the image of the first beast so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666. Rev 13:11–18 NIV
In this chapter, “the false prophet of the antichrist” [the beast coming up out of the earth] is portrayed as a second'strange animal’ with two little horns like those of a lamb but with a fearsome voice—like the voice of the dragon—like the voice of Satan. He will exercise all the power—spiritual and political—of the first beast before him. “The false prophet” will exercise satanic authority passed on by “the antichrist.” He will operate his power on his behalf and will dominate and control the national armies of most world countries. “The false prophet” will be the deputy of the antichrist; as his agent and representative, he will act on his behalf. “The false prophet” will also appear on the religious scene in the world. That’s why the second beast [the beast out of the earth] had two horns like a lamb—‘humble like a lamb but with oratory like Satan the ancient dragon (v. 11).He will unify the religions of the world into a “global religion” and force people everywhere to worship the beast [the antichrist].
He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed (v. 12).
He will cause the inhabitants of the earth to deify and worship the first beast—“the false prophet” will idolise “the antichrist.” “The antichrist” will put an end to sacrifice and offering by the Jews and will set up an abomination that causes desolation through his false prophet—he will erect a statue (an image) in honour of the beast. This enemy of God shall utterly defile the sanctuary of God, and this will be ‘the climax of idols.’ He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple], he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." Dan 9:27 NIV
God warned the people of Israel against the prophets who led them into idolatry and stated to them the punishment of apostates and false prophets (read Deut 13:1–5).
With satanic power, “the false prophet of the antichrist” will perform signs, miracles, and great wonders—by which he will deceive many people on the earth.
Note that our adversary, the devil—“the dragon,” devised his “satanic trinity"—Satan himself is the head of it, and next in line is the antichrist, and then his false prophet. The antichrist receives Satan’s authority, throne, and power (see Rev. 13:2), and he delegates this power to his false prophet (v. 12). The authority and power of Satan, ‘the dragon', will be activated in the personality of “the false prophet of the antichrist"—the man who will exercise ‘the authority of the beast’ on his behalf. This is the means by which Satan will unleash his wrath upon the earth. In verse 15, “he had the power to give life to the image of the beast.” Notice that [he] was used in this verse, referring to “the false prophet” [the beast out of the earth], and [it] for “the image of the beast.” The "image,” which was revived by “the beast out of the earth,” will then speak for itself.
To unmask “the beast,” we must identify what this “image” is!
In Daniel 3:1–5, people of every nation and tongue were commanded to worship ‘the image of gold’ set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. Now, remember that, because of the signs (miracles) that the second beast was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived those who inhabit the earth, commanding them to erect a statue (an image) in the likeness of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. In 2 Corinthians 4:4-5, we see that the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. NIV
Jesus Christ is the image of God. And because the devil tries to copy everything God does, he copies it only for an evil purpose. Therefore, the “image” that decrees the death sentence in Revelation 13:15 is “the antichrist,” who is “the image of the dragon.” "... and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed” (v. 12b).
The second beast made the inhabitants of the earth worship the first beast [the antichrist]. The antichrist is the incarnate of Satan. When this man comes on the world scene, he will be a'representation of the dragon’; ‘a type of satan’ who is yet another conspicuous example of the appearance of satan—that may be called ‘the exact carbon copy’ of his god and father—satan, the devil, so that he becomes “the man of sin.”
God created man in His own image (Gen. 1:27). The devil will fashion this “man of sin” after his own likeness, having all the characteristics of sin, wickedness, and evil in him. The antichrist will be the ancient dragon personified—Satan in the flesh, made flesh, in a man. Remember that Satan copies the reality of God’s kingdom and makes an imitation of it for evil. All who do not belong to Christ will worship the beast, just as Revelation 13:8 says: 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. NIV
In verse 4, they also worshipped the dragon as they worshipped the beast. Men worshipped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshipped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" NIV
“The false prophet” will command people all over the world—of all race and country, gender and age, rich and poor [small or great], the educated and the uneducated, free and slave (even prisoners)—to receive “the mark of the beast” in verse 16. Just as Caesar Augustus ordered a census throughout the ancient Roman world at the time of Jesus birth, And everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for (Luke 2:1–5)—so, in this latter time, the world over, people will be ordered to undergo a personal identification process. Through this process, people will be coerced into receiving a mysterious but diabolical mark—‘the mark of the beast.’
It is also an “economic mark,” so that no one could, for instance, get a job or even buy something in any store without the permit of that mark, which is the code number of his name. The numerical values of the letters in his name add up to 666!
“The beast out of the earth” [the false prophet of the antichrist] will influence and control electronic commerce and physical enterprises around the world. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. Rev 13:16–17 NIV
In Genesis 11, when the whole world had one language and a common speech, men built a city with a tower that reached to the heavens. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth" (v. 4).
But when God came down to see the city and the tower mankind was making, He said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do, and now nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible for them” (see verses 5 and 6).
The mark, the name, and the number of the beast are like puzzles. His number can be counted, but wisdom is needed to do this. You must discern and interpret it! The code of the beast can only be calculated with wisdom. Daniel had such wisdom. It can only be decoded with insight and knowledge. It is the number of a certain man, and his number is 666 [six hundred threescore and six] as written in the King James Version.
The Great Tribulation would be a time of distress, persecution, and trouble in the whole world. A time of the greatest distress that the world has ever known, because the antichrist will hold sway over the whole world politically, religiously, and economically in 3 ½ years or forty-two months shortly after the Rapture.
Apostle John saw in vision three evil spirits that looked like frogs come out of the mouths of Satan: the dragon, the beast [the antichrist], and the false prophet. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Rev 16:13 NIV
How to overcome the spirit of the antichrist
We are warned in II John to not receive people who are disloyal to the teachings of Jesus. If anyone comes to you and does not bring the doctrine of Christ, do not receive him [do not accept him; do not welcome or admit him into your house] nor give him any encouragement. Whoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He who abideth in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, nor bid him God speed; for he that bids him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 John 9-11 KJV
Anybody who wishes such a success and who encourages him, wishing him a safe trip or successful endeavour, is a partaker in his evil doings. “The spirit of the antichrist” already operates in many of today’s churches. Beware! They do not have the Father and the Son!
Remember, if anyone comes to teach you and he doesn't believe what Christ taught, don't even invite him into your home. Don't encourage him in any way. If you do, you will be a partner with him in his wickedness.
The Bible informs us that the antichrist will come up out of the bottomless pit and ascend to earth to deceive many people. The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life since the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. Revelation 17:8 NIV
In Revelation 17:18, Mystery Babylon is illustrated as “a woman”—“a prostitute"—and “the great city” that rules over the kings of the earth. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth." NIV
And, in earlier verse 15, this prostitute is seen seated over nations, people, and languages. Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. NIV
This same city—“a mystical kingdom of iniquity"—was given power to defeat “the tribulation aints." He was given the power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. Revelation 13:7 NIV
And "the mark of the beast" is a mysterious but diabolical code number for “Mystery Babylon.”
The only way to not take “the mark of the beast” is to receive “the mark of Christ.” Apostle Paul said, “Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." Gal 6:17 NIV
The people who truly, in their lifetime, served God faithfully on earth shall be welcomed into His eternal dwellings, and they shall behold His face, and His name shall be written on their foreheads. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Rev 22:4 NIV
But all those who take “the mark of the beast” on their forehead or on their right hand will not, and they cannot receive the name of the LORD on their foreheads, nor will they be sealed with “the mark of Christ.” The name of the Lord and "the mark of Christ" are only for those who are born of God. This is the victory that overcomes the world: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the Victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. I John 5:4 KJV
Christ Jesus has promised that His saints who keep His word—those who keep His command to endure patiently—will keep from “the hour of trial” that is coming on the whole world." Because you have patiently obeyed Me despite the persecution, therefore, I will protect you from the time of great tribulation and temptation, which will come upon the world to test everyone alive. Rev 3:10–11 TLB
Here, The Lord speaks of "the Rapture saints,"—"the Bride of Christ." He will protect His 'Called-Out Church'—'the sheep of His pasture,’ from the greatest distress in the world. He will do this because she patiently obeyed Him despite the persecution in the Church Era.
But, on the other hand, "the tribulation saints" are those who will go through the Great Tribulation and be victorious. The tribulation saints were recorded to be victorious over: 1.) the beast; 2.) his image; 3.) his mark; 4.) the number of his name. See Revelation 15:2.
“Those destined to go into captivity” will worship the beast in the time of “the Great Tribulation.” “The tribulation saints” left behind, will endure, and be patient, and faithful to suffer it. 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.
Whoever has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patience, endurance, and faithfulness on the part of the saints. Rev 13:8-10 NIV
The fall of Babylon was revealed to John, and he accurately recorded it: After this, I saw another angel coming down from heaven.He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice, he shouted, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons, a haunt for every evil spirit, and a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. All the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."
Then I heard another voice from Heaven say: "Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to Heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself.
In her heart, she boasts, 'I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.'
Therefore, one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning, and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. Revelation 18:1–8 NIV
"When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour, your doom has come!' Revelation 18:9–10, NIV
So, this very "prophetic hour" GOD is to His Church: And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Her sins have reached heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Rev 18:4-5 KJV
Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath, reserved for those who worship the beast and take the diabolical mark of his name, are foretold in Revelation 16.
The beast [the antichrist] and his false prophet will be cast into “the lake of fire.” But the beast was captured, and with him was the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs, he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Rev 19:20 NIV
Also, Satan the dragon will be thrown into “the lake of fire” [the lake of burning sulfur]. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:10 NIV