This podcast explores the personal character and rise of the Antichrist. It identifies his initial move to take power and concludes with a discussion his famous seven-year covenant.

 

—
Transcript
—

 

The Future of the Teachings of Jesus

41. The Antichrist-Part 4 (Ep. 60)

The Character and Rise of the Antichrist

 

December 2025 

 

The antichrist in prophecy. The term “antichrist” was first coined by the apostle John in two of his “letters.”  In them he identified the “antichrist” as a deceiver (2 Jn 1:7), who denies Jesus and the Father (1 Jn 2:22) and appears at the time of the end of our present world order (1 Jn 2:18). The term “antichrist” is used nowhere else in the Bible, but the figure this term denotes is referred to in many other Biblical passages and is symbolized in a variety of ways. These include: a “little horn” (Dan 7:8; 8:9), “the prince who is to come” (Dan 9:26), “the desolator” (Dan 9:27), “the king of the North” (Dan 11:40), “Gog of the land of Magog” (Ezek 38:1), the “man of lawlessness” (2 Th 2:3), the “son of perdition” (2 Th 2:3), the rider on a white horse (Rev 6:2), the head with a mortal wound that was healed (Rev 13:3), and the “beast” (Rev 13:3).

Origin of the antichrist. The prophecies of Daniel predict that the antichrist will arise out of the territory of the original Roman empire (Dan 7:7). His actual country of origin is difficult to discern but various references point to Turkey as the  most likely candidate (Dan 7:7; 8:9; See Ep. 58). The disintegration and breakup of the European Union will provide the ideal conditions for his rise to power (Dan 2:43; see Ep. 59) and we may look to this fragmentation and breakup of the EU as the precursor to his appearance on the world stage.

Personal Characteristics. The antichrist will be a great speaker (Dan 7:8,11, 20), be bold and courageous (Dan 8:23), and seem greater than other leaders (Dan 7:20). He will be intelligent, understand riddles (Dan 8:23), prosper, and gain many followers through his cunning (Dan 8:25). In a world dominated by godless secularism many will fall prey to delusion, forsake truth, and be led to believe his deceptive teachings (2 Th 2:11-12).

 Rise to power. The antichrist will be small at first but will rise to power through his deceptive and persuasive rhetoric (Dan 7:8). He will come in promising peace to a world in dissolution and disarray. He first move towards political power will be the overcoming of three European leaders (Dan 7:8). He will become the head of a ten-nation confederation of European nations (Rev 17:12-14) and develop them into a mighty military force.

The seven-year covenant and the occupation of Israel. The antichrist will make a strong seven-year covenant with many (Dan 9:27), perhaps guaranteeing the peace and protection of Israel. Biblical prophecy offers very few details on this covenant other than it will be for seven years and that the antichrist will break it after three-and one-half years (Dan 9:27). This will take place when the antichrist responds to an attack by Egypt. He will march south through Israel to counterattack Egypt (Dan 11:40-41). At this time, he will break his covenant of peace with Israel and occupy it (Dan 11:40-41). Daniel describes the occupation of Israel in this way: “[The antichrist] grew exceedingly great toward the south,,,and toward the glorious land” (Dan 8:9). “He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall” (Dan 11:41). Dan 7:25 tells us that “[the antichrist] shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and they shall be given into his hand.” This prophecy is repeated in Rev 13:7 which states that “[the antichrist-beast] was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.”

The worship of the antichrist beast.  In a dark and confused world that has abandoned religious beliefs and values in favor of a secular outlook on life the antichrist will succeed in deceiving the masses to the point that he will even be worshiped (Rev 13:8). Revelation tells us that: “Men worshiped the dragon, [who represents Lucifer, Satan, and their followers] for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it” (Rev 13:4; my italics)? Those who refuse to worship the beast will be slain (Rev 13:12,15).

Blasphemy and self-exaltation. The antichrist will speak “haughty and blasphemous words” (Rev 13:5) and “astonishing things against the God of gods” (Dan 11:36). He will blaspheme God’s name and the heavenly hosts (Rev 13:6). “In his own mind he shall magnify himself” (Dan 8:25) “even up to the Prince of the host [that is Jesus]” (Dan 8:11). In fact, he will exalt himself above all gods (Dan 11:36,37; 2 Th 2:4), and proclaim himself to be God.

“The abomination that makes desolate.” He will overthrow the temple at Jerusalem and take away the continual burnt offering (Dan 8:11-12). In its place he will set up “the abomination that makes desolate” (Dan 12:11). It is here at the sanctuary in Jerusalem that he will proclaim himself to be God (2 Th 2:4).

The conquest of Egypt. After overcoming Israel, he will continue south to attack Egypt. He will succeed in his plans and become “ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt” (Dan 11:43). In this effort he will be allied with the Libyans and the Ethiopians (Dan 11:43).

“Tidings from the east and the north.” Following his conquest of Egypt, he will receive alarming news from the east and the north (Dan 11:44). He will “go forth with great fury to exterminate and utterly destroy many” (Dan 11:44). He will make occupied Jerusalem his capital and station his army between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean Sea (Dan 11:45).

Conclusion. This concludes Episode 60. Episode 61 will continue the story of the career and rule of the antichrist.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download