The Rise of The Antichrist!

Revelation Chapter 6

The events beginning in chapter six described the time we know as the tribulation period. Before I begin with this chapter, let me first say this about the placement of signs. Many confuse the signs relating to the “revelation” with signs for the “rapture”. Most notably they believe that the signs given in Matthew 24 refer to the rapture of the church. This is not true, for the rapture of the church is a signless event that could happen at any moment. The rapture of the believers is simply an evacuation before the tribulation begins upon the earth.

The rapture is a meeting in the air. Since the Lord came to the earth the first time He came. He will also return to the earth the second time. This is not the rapture of the church. When this chapter begins we (the church) are gone. Therefore these signs are fulfilled after the church is raptured out of this world, but before the Lord returns again at His revelation upon earth.

In chapter five we watched as the “Lamb” came forth and took the seven sealed book. In this chapter the seals begin to be opened. Beginning in verse one we have a command. At this command the apostle sees the one who is worthy to open the book and begin the work of judgment. At this very moment John hears the sound of thunder, which is the sound of impeding judgment. Also at this time one of the four beasts speaks, the lion like creature, and says come and see.

This phrase proclaimed by the beast is a command to the rider upon the white horse the infamous Antichrist. The command literally is “COME.” His time has arrived.

The rider on the white horse seen upon the opening of the first seal is not Christ, but rather an imposter posing as Christ. Satan always has a counterfeit for the work of God. You will remember that in the days of Moses, the demon possessed magicians, were able to accomplish many of the miracles that Moses and Aaron did. This has always been the work of Satan, to copy God. God is the creator. Satan does not create however, so he simply tries to copy the works of God.

This is Satan’s imitation of the Lords return in chapter 19 when the Lord returns on a white horse. While I do not believe that the antichrist will actually come to the earth riding upon a white horse he is pictured this way to implicate that he is a counterfeit. I do not believe he will do this because in so doing he would be immediately proclaiming himself as God. This is something that he will not do until 3 ½ years into the tribulation.

Antichrist comes to power through an international peace treaty. Thus the mention of a bow, but no arrow.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:”  Daniel 9:27a

While he does not come to make war at first, make no mistake he is coming to conquer the nations as pictured in the crown that he wears. Instead of taking the nations by military force he will dazzle the world with his voice and message, and will rise through the rank until he is given a crown. No doubt he will rise to a place of authority in his own nation, then eventually the entire world.

“And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceable, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”  Daniel 11:21

“He shall enter peaceable even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.”  Daniel 11:24

The Antichrist will take control of the nation via a world government and power will be given to him over all kindred, tongues and nations according to Revelation 13:7. And be assured that when he comes the world will be ready for him. In fact they will accept him with open arms. In addition God will send them strong delusions and they will believe his lies according to 2 Thessalonians 2.

Three additional riders will soon follow the Antichrist. These four horsemen will bring havoc on the world, as it has never seen.

As the Antichrist ascends to the world leadership position this signals the next twenty judgments to come forth. The peace that is made by this first rider will quickly be taken away by the second rider. This all however is in the plan of the Antichrist.

In Daniel 9:27 this is plainly laid out for us.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”  Daniel 9:27

We are told that he will make a covenant with the Jew for one week, or 7 years. This covenant will probably be that the Jew can return to Palestine, rebuild the temple and again offer sacrifices. This will be a miracle in itself. For the Jew to rebuild the temple the Muslims would have to be willing to move the Dome of the Rock.

Many believe that the revealing of Antichrist will begin the seven years of tribulation, but according to Daniel 9 this is not the case. The signing of this peace covenant is what issues in the tribulation. I’m not sure how long it will take antichrist to rise into a place of power. It could be that he is working his way to power today.

By the help of Satan he will convince all the nations of the world to come together in peace, maybe to disarm and destroy their weapons. Most world conflicts have arisen because of one of two problems. Most nations fight over religion and money. Antichrist will solve both of these problems. He will propose a one world religion in which all the nations of the earth can come together. He will also propose a one world currency.

With the signing of this peace treaty the tribulation begins. Of course in exchange for the protection of Israel he will want the help of the Jewish bankers to establish his proposed worldwide commerce, and help to rebuild Babylon.  We are told in Daniel 8:23-25 that he will cause craft or manufacturing to prosper in his hands.

“And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practices, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”   Daniel 8:23-25

With manufacturing booming again he will eventually put in place this one world currency. Even to the extent that no man can buy or sell without the mark of the beast. This will be a mark in your right hand or forehead.

The one world religion will also be a success as pictured by the drunken woman who rides upon the beast for three and a half years.

Daniel goes on to say that in the middle of the week, or 3 ½ years, he will break his covenant and cause the oblation and sacrifices to cease. This takes place in chapter 13. At this time he will be referred to as the “Beast”. Satan will incarnate this man and he will assume the position of God. Men will be commanded to worship him and Satan gives all of this to him. Currency will be replaced with a mark, and the one world religion will be replaced by the worship of antichrist and his image.

In my next blog we will talk about the opening of the second seal. The rise of Antichrist will not be happily accepted by all nations. Soon after the rise of the one world government of Antichrist, nations will rebel and war will break forth. We will discuss this soon.