Things the antichrist will do at about the time he rises to power or shortly thereafter He receives a deathblow from some would he assassin. And to the amazement of the whole world he recovers from what would otherwise be a mortal wound. While it is purely conjectural, some think that he actually is dead by all standards and is revived directly by Satan. This belief is why some also believe he will acquire the full spirit of the god of this world (Satan) at that very point, and will be fully possessed of the Devil. Others tend to think that whether this is true or not, that the entire event serves in some way to mock or re-create the resurrection of Christ. Revelation 13:3 He changes the time and the seasons as we have known them throughout history. Some think that means he will end marking time by BC and AD, and start a new era marked by the advent of his own rule. Echoes of this can be heard in Hitlers attempt to start a one thousand year period of the rule of the Third Reich. Daniel 7:25 He proposes, and enacts an all new worldwide economic system. It starts off with a big bang and is generally accepted by the world but unlike any other system before it, this one will be completely mandatory. He will tolerate those who resist his new system but for only a very brief time. Shortly after it is firmly established, he will put to death anyone who will not become part of this system. It is a complete system, with built in checks and securities that cannot be easily circumvented. Revelation 13:17 He will publicly kill Gods two special prophets, much to the joy of the whole world. These two have spent three and one half years preaching against him and his kingdom with impunity because they have special powers from God to subdue their enemies. His public display of savagery is applauded the world over but it is appendaged by the resurrection of both of these prophets before the eyes of the entire world. You might say that those who are still scoffing at the resurrection of Jesus get one final opportunity to see a resurrection that might lead them to repent before it is too late. Revelation 11:1f He starts the rapid removal of all his opponents, and those who will not receive the mark that identifies them as being in his economic system. Knowing his time is short he doesnt bother with prison camps and detention centers. His chosen means for the quick extermination of his detractors is the guillotine. Daniel 7:2 1. Revelation 20:4 He commits one final sin that is the capstone of his reign. It is called the abomination of desolation. Plainly put, that means the sin that makes God disgusted. It is the straw that breaks the camels back. It is his last major act of defiance before Christ steps in and allows his angels to pour out the wrath of God on his evil empire. Unlike Antiochus Epiphanes who before him poured the blood of a pig on the altar in the inner sanctuary of the Jewish temple or Titus who defiled the temple with the Roman Eagle this man does the unthinkable. He presents himself or an image of himself in the center of the sanctuary as God. Daniel 8:1 1-14, 12:11, Matthew 24:15. Mark 13:14.2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Things the antichrist will do or have done to him at the culmination of his reign and his final destruction. He leads the armies of the world to what is called the battle of Armageddon. The battle takes place in the vast plains of Esdraelon north of the city of Jerusalem. This battle is his last futile attempt to stop the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 16: 14-16 He is confronted directly by the descending Savior of the world and is removed to the lake of fire with the false prophet and Satan. Daniel 7:8-9, 8:25, Revelation 14:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:8 |
