Who Is The Antichrist? Answered.
By: Brandon T. Ward
Who is the Antichrist? This is an extremely important question for these end times. If you do not understand who the antichrist is, you are already setup for deception.
The antichrist (not the “type” as spoken of in John) will not be born in the flesh. The antichrist is a supernatural being who will be cast out of heaven onto earth by Michael the archangel. The antichrist will claim to be Jesus Christ. The antichrist is Satan himself.
Let us now remove the veil of darkness and confusion that has clouded this topic and shed the light of God’s Word onto it whereby we can remove all doubt.
Before we start our Bible study, let us ask our Father for wisdom and understanding of His Word, in Jesus Name amen.
First, let us take the word “antichrist.” “Anti” is word 473 in your Strong’s Concordance and it means “opposite” or “instead”. Instead of what? Instead of “Christ” (5547: anointed, the Messiah). So we need to understand Satan is the false messiah who appears first “instead” of Jesus Christ.
With that having been said please turn your Bible to,
Revelation 12:7
7 “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,”
This verse describes the powers of heaven being shaken (Matthew 24:29), which occurs when Michael and his angels fight against the Dragon and his angels. The Dragon mentioned here is Satan himself which we will document shortly. This is when Satan is cast out of heaven and will physically appear here on earth claiming to be Jesus Christ. Pay close attention here! Satan does not arrive alone, he is kicked out with his angels.
Revelation 12:8
8 “And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.”
Satan and his angels are officially cast from heaven onto earth. This is the start of the Tribulation, which is a time of trial, a test to see who will stand with God and against, “The Instead of Christ,” who is Satan.
Revelation 12:9
9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
This should make it very clear who we are talking about at this point. God gives us several of Satan’s names so we are not confused. Do not read over that verse, Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven. So not only will Satan who is supernatural be present on earth, but so shall his fallen angels who are supernatural as well. Their goal is to deceive the whole world, to make the inhabitants of the earth believe that Satan and his angels are Jesus Christ and His angels who have come to restore the Kingdom of Heaven. But it is a lie!
Revelation 13:1
1 “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
Now understand in the book of Revelation there are two different beasts described. Stick to God’s Word and it will make complete sense. This first Beast spoken of here is Satan’s Governmental Beast, the future One World Government (Note: The waters in this book are people, Revelation 17:15).
Revelation 13:11
11 “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”
We now have a second beast who is Satan, remember he is the Dragon of Revelation 12:9. We are told he has two horns like a lamb, but speaks as a Dragon. The Dragon gives the first Governmental Beast “his power, and his seat, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2).
Satan is coming as the antichrist, “The Instead of Christ” as we learned earlier. He possess supernatural powers and will be exceedingly convincing. So much so he will deceive the world making them believe he is the lamb as Jesus Christ is the Lamb that was slain on the cross for our sins.
We must comprehend the fact that Satan is an imitator, he has copied the majority of Christ’s names. Satan will be imitating Christ in order to deceive the whole world into believing that not only has God returned to the earth, but He has brought His Kingdom as well (Revelation 12:9, II Thessalonians 2:4). When in reality that kingdom (Governmental Beast) will be led by Satan (Dragon) and his fallen angels. As 2 Corinthians 11:14 documents, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” This word “transformed” is Strong’s word 3345 and it means “disguised”. Satan comes disguised as an angel of light, disguised as the very Lamb of God. Satan has always wanted to be God as we will document later in this study.
Satan is “deception” therefore he has many different names and titles. In the book of Daniel he is known as the “little horn” and the “vile one” to name a few. In Revelation he is known as the “beast”, “dragon” and the “false prophet” which we will finish documenting shortly.
Speaking of deception, do not be fooled into picturing Satan as a red colored beast with horns and a pitch fork. God’s Word describes Satan as perfect in beauty Ezekiel 28:12-19.
Revelation 13:12
12 “And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”
The Dragon accomplishes this through deception with his supernatural abilities, he is the one who heals the wound of the Beast Governmental System (Revelation 13:3-4).
Revelation 13:13
13 “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,”
Friends, no man can do this. If you are expecting a man claiming to be God you will be deceived. Not only will Satan act like Jesus, but he will exercise supernatural powers which are sure to make men bow before him due to their ignorance of God’s Word. Satan accomplishes these miracles IN THE SIGHT OF MEN. Not in secret, we all will witness these events.
Revelation 13:14
14 “And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”
Pay close attention here. God’s Word will document very easily Satan is the “false prophet”. How did the Dragon deceive the world? By the miracles that he had power to do in the sight of the beast. With that thought let us turn to,
Revelation 19:20
20 “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”
This is describing exactly what we just learned in Revelation 13:13-14, only we are given the role of Satan in this chapter rather than his name, the Dragon. These are in fact the same entities, they are just given different names for the different roles Satan plays. If you did not catch it, read it again, this is extremely important!
Satan wrought these miracles before the entire world and deceived the inhabitants of the earth by these miracles. This account in Revelation 19:20 occurs right after the Tribulation when Christ is present on earth. The “Beast” (Satan’s One World Governmental System) and the “false prophet” (Satan’s Antichrist role) are now cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:10
10 “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
This verse transpires after the 1000 year millennium with Christ when Satan will be loosened from the pit for the last time. However, he cannot use the Beast (Governmental System) role or the “False Prophet” role . Why? We will all know Jesus Christ during the millennium and we will behold Satan bound in the pit with a seal upon him (Revelation. 20:1-3). Those roles will be useless to him as everyone will know exactly who he is. Those roles only serve as a way to deceive the nations of the world. During the time of the millennium there will be no deception.
To further our study, let us turn to II Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 1…
II Thessalonians 2:1
1 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,”
Our topic here is the return of Jesus Christ and our gathering back unto Him.
II Thessalonians 2:2
2 “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”
Paul is explaining here, do not be confused by our previous letter to you (I Thessalonians) concerning the return of the Lord.
II Thessalonians 2:3
3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”
What day shall not come? The day of the Lord, His return, shall not happen until there is a falling away and the “man of sin”, the “son of perdition” is revealed. Let us analyze this.
What is this falling away? “Falling away” is Strong’s word 646 and it means “defection from truth.” Now who is this “son of perdition”? It is none other than Satan himself! “Perdition” means to “perish”, to “die”. Satan is the only entity that has been condemned to death by name, Ezekiel 28:18-19, Revelation 17:8 and Revelation 20:10. Who is the “man of sin”? It is Satan, why would he be called this?
Isaiah 14:12-13
12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”
13 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:”
The stars of God are God’s children (Job 38:7). Satan will proceed to setup his throne over God’s children and rule over them during the Tribulation.
Isaiah 14:14
14 “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.“
Satan will disguise himself as God as we learned in 2 Corinthians 11:14.
Isaiah 14:15-16
15 “Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”
16 “They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;”
This verse occurs during the millennium when Satan is locked in the bottomless pit and no longer has influence over anyone.
Satan’s sin was that he wanted to be God. He was not content enough protecting the very Mercy Seat (Ezekiel 28:14-17) he wanted more, he wanted to sit on the throne of God, to be God. He will NEVER be God, but he will come claiming to be God and exhibit supernatural powers.
As you can see from verse 16, God Himself stated, “is this the man” with reference to Lucifer who is Satan. So there is no reason for us to further translate what God has said. It should no longer be a mystery to you as to whom the “man of sin” truly is. Remember, Satan has many names, it is up to you, the student of the Bible to seek them out so you will not be spun into his web of deception.
With that said, Jesus will not return until there is a “falling away from truth” and Satan arrives claiming to be Christ. Why would there be a falling away from truth? When Satan is cast to earth he will play Jesus, many will buy into his deception and think he really is Christ!
Let us continue…
II Thessalonians 2:4
4 “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
This truly should nail it for you! Who are we talking about here? The “man of sin” the “son of perdition” who is none other than Satan. He is acting as Jesus Christ, he claims to be God himself! We just learned from Isaiah 14 that Satan wanted to be like God. Soon he will imitate God, playing his role as Christ on earth showing “signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the Elect” (Mark 13:22).
The “abomination of desolation” as spoken by Daniel the prophet will be reality at this time. Daniel also proclaimed that Satan comes in peaceably and prosperously, not by war, but by “peace he shall destroy many” (Daniel 8:24-25, 11:21). If you are expecting war when Satan touches the earth you will be deceived. Remember, he is playing Christ.
II Thessalonians 2:5
5 “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”
Paul is saying I told you all of this already, remember?
II Thessalonians 2:6
6 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.”
Who might be revealed? Satan.
II Thessalonians 2:7
7 “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”
The mystery of iniquity abounded in Paul’s time which was 2,000 years ago. Just look around today and see how it has grown and encompassed the entire world with deception. In essence the mark of the beast is already in effect. Satan was crowned as prince of this world centuries ago, now he is about to be crowned king and god of this world (John 12:31).
The subject in this verse is still Satan. As we learned from Revelation 12:7, Michael holds Satan in heaven and he will be the one who casts him out. That is what we are talking about here. He who letteth, (he who holds Satan) will let (will continue to hold Satan) until he (Michael) steps back and lets Satan loose.
II Thessalonians 2:8
8 “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:”
That Wicked one, Satan, will be revealed to the Saints immediately when he is cast from heaven by Michael. The rest of the world who has been deceived will not recognize him as the false messiah until the end of the Tribulation.
II Thessalonians 2:9
9 “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”
Paul just connected the dots of verse three for you where it refers to the “man of sin”, the “son of perdition” which is in fact Satan who will show himself that he is God as verse four states.
The verses from Isaiah connect the dots that Satan is the Antichrist which simply means, “The Instead of Christ”. He has always wanted to be God and he will get his opportunity to play God for a short season “with all signs and lying wonders”. Take note, Jesus does not appear in any form whatsoever until AFTER Satan has come here to deceive. Who is the antichrist? It should be clear to you by now, Satan is in fact, the Antichrist. Satan is not a man, he was never born in the flesh and never will be.
In closing, if we read from God’s Word with understanding we can come to understand all things. When we are told of a Biblical “truth,” we need to take it and see if it holds true in God’s Word before we tuck it into our minds as fact.
