The Antichrist Is Coming Soon, and It’s Before the Coming of Christ

Vile Ruler Coming Soon

The most wicked, vile, evil man who ever lived will soon be ruling over this world.

This man is the Antichrist, also called the Beast, the man of lawlessness, and the little horn. He will hate God and Jesus Christ with a devilish passion, and therefore hate His people, both Jews and Christians. I'm not here to scare you; I just want you to know the truth.

Because the Jewish people are back in their land, we know we're living in the End Times. Furthermore, we are getting close to the time period Matthew 24:8 calls the beginning of sorrows. Other versions of the Bible refer to it as the beginning of birth pains.

Characteristic of this time period is: wars, earthquakes, famines, and economic problems occurring throughout the world. But these are only at the beginning stage, which means they will get far worse.

What comes next? Matthew 24:9 says: Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. This is why I say Antichrist is coming soon, because this great tribulation – which will be instigated and directed by the Antichrist – clearly comes right after the beginning of birth pains.

Framing the 70th Week

Some of you may not want to hear or believe this, for you don't even want to think about the possibility that you and your family may be alive when the Antichrist rules Earth. But as a Christian, you need to know what God wants you to know. And what does the Bible say about the Antichrist?

We turn to Daniel 9:24-27 – Daniel's 70th Wek – the final seven years of this age of human history – to help frame this End Times' picture of the Antichrist and his evil work.

At the very beginning of the 70th Week, there will be the signing, or confirming, of a peace agreement involving the Jewish people and the Antichrist. During the first half of the 70th Week, these birth pains will increase in intensity and frequency. People will be so distraught with these worsening world conditions they will be desperate for a strong leader to rise up and save them. During this time, this future Antichrist will be growing in popularity, power and influence, eventually gaining control over 10 countries, or areas.

When we come to the 3¬Ω-year mark, or midpoint of Daniel's 70th Week, we are told in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9 that the Antichrist will be in Jerusalem and break his peace agreement with the Jewish people, for he 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 (v. 4).

The Jewish people will have reinstituted animal sacrifices in their newly rebuilt temple, but then they will suddenly cease. There will occur an abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:5), which will be the sure proof on the Antichrist's identity.

Happy Days for Unbelievers

At the midpoint of Daniel's 70th Week, unbelievers will rejoice because the Antichrist – the supposed answer to all their problems – will begin ruling the world. He will be in charge of the military, the economy, and religion, and he will be their god. This charismatic leader will bring a pseudo peace to this planet.

Satan, too, will rejoice, for both he and the Antichrist will be worshiped: And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast (Satan) … and they worshiped the beast (Revelation 13:3-4).

The Antichrist will be charge, but it will be his evil partner – the false prophet (the beast out of the earth, Revelation 13:11), who will implement his program. By doing great signs and wonders, this second beast will further deceive the masses and gain their allegiance.

He will then make people worship an image of the Antichrist, and if they don't, they will be killed. The Antichrist will force people to take his mark on their right hand or forehead, and if they don't, they won't be able to buy or sell.

What About Believers?

What will happen to the Christians? Revelation 13:7 says: And it was given unto him [the Antichrist] to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. This is what is called the Great Tribulation.

Matthew 24:9, 15-26 and Revelation 12:13-17 describe how the Antichrist will first seek to destroy the Jews in Israel, but a remnant of them will escape and be protected. However, the Antichrist will then seek to destroy the Christians. Many Christians will be martyred for their faith (Revelation 6:9-11), but a great many will persevere and endure to the end, and then be raptured at the coming of Christ (Matthew 24:9-14).

Serve God Faithfully!

That the devil's man – the Antichrist – will soon be ruling the world is a sobering reality, but this is God's plan, and we must trust Him. Isn't it also true that many of our Christian forefathers had the privilege of suffering for the Lord?

This is now our time, and we should be faithfully serving our Lord in this great battle for the truth – right up to the end of this age. Let us be singing, Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Remember, God is God, and He will lead you, encourage you, and use you for His purposes; and one day – whether by death or by rapture – He will bring you home to Heaven!

Steven J. Hogan has been a pastor-teacher for more than 25 years and at Hope Bible Church of Tampa since 2003.