From the time that he subdued three of the original 10 regions, and possibly even before, the Antichrist makes boastful claims about himself. These assertions continued during his struggle against the worldwide religious system allied with the 6 regions remaining outside his control. After the Antichrist’s resurrection, his claims gain legitimacy among the population and embolden him further. When the Antichrist, as the former 6th ruler, returns to power as the 8th ruler, his claims are enforced as unquestioned law. He will claim that he is the long-awaited one who “the many” anticipate, that he is the first man to conquer death, and that his resurrection is proof of his claims to be God. Everyone must submit themselves to the Antichrist and worship him or they will be subject to death. However, the Antichrist’s false claims have been anticipated and truth’s counter arguments prepared long ago. Only Jesus is the Messiah, the Lamb of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, truly man and truly God, and, therefore, the only man ever worthy of worship.
The first three references revealing the Antichrist’s death and new life are in Revelation 13. We examined them in Chapter Five. Their direct connection with the Antichrist’s death and resurrection was confirmed from their context in Revelation 13 (internal evidence) and by comparisons with key verses outside the chapter (external evidence).
The second three references are found in Revelation 17 and also contain internal and external confirmations that the Antichrist will die and be resurrected. We have already examined the internal evidence in Chapter Six. The external evidence will be examined in this final chapter. We will find that they take the form of contrasting the being, death, and life of the Antichrist as a man, with the being of the eternal creator God, who in the person of the Son of God lived, died willingly to secure humanity’s salvation, and who now lives forever. We will also find additional details about the Antichrist’s claims of divinity that are contrasted with the nature of the true God who cannot be confined by space or time.
Before the Antichrist was installed as the 8th supreme executive, before he was violently killed and resurrected from the dead, before he ruled as the 6th supreme executive, when he had subdued 3 other regions, the Antichrist began and continued to utter boastful, arrogant and blasphemous claims against God, the people of God, and those dwelling in heaven (Dan 7:8, 11, 20, 25; Rev 13:1, 5, 6; 17:3).
The word “blasphemy” is a transliteration, or ‘English-ized’ version of the Greek noun βλασφημία (blasfamia). When this Greek word is used of people it carries the meaning - “to revile, to slander, to defame, the use of abusive speech, to injure one’s reputation.” When such speech is used against God, it is a terrible sin. It is a blatant attempt to revile the character of the Omnipotent Holy Eternal God and is a rebellion against his rule. [ 57 ] The Antichrist’s words will constitute nothing less than complete and open rebellion against the Eternal God. From the very first description that Scripture presents of the Antichrist as the other horn, his boastful arrogant words are shocking and continual.
In the first of three presentations concerning the other horn in Daniel 7, we are exposed to the boastful words of the Antichrist both immediately before and after a dazzling vision of the Eternal God in heaven.
While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, ... and behold, this horn possessed ... a mouth uttering great boasts.
I kept looking
Until thrones were set up,
And the Ancient of Days took His seat;
His vesture was like white snow,
And the hair of His head like pure wool.
His throne was ablaze with flames,
Its wheels were a burning fire
A river of fire flowing
And coming out from before Him;
Thousands upon thousands were attending Him,
And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;
The court sat
And the books were opened.
Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking.
Daniel 7:8-11
In the middle of hearing the Antichrist’s shocking words, Daniel’s prophetic vision is interrupted to portray the majestic glory and splendor of the Eternal God on his throne in heaven. Then Daniel’s attention is snapped back from this heavenly scene of the Eternal God to the sound of the boasting coming from the other horn. By exposing the boastfulness of the other horn immediately before and after the scene of God’s splendor in heaven, we easily observe how pathetic all this boasting really is when the other horn is contrasted with the reality of the Eternal True God.
It seems clear that the purpose of the vision is to compare and contrast the reality of the “Ancient of Days,” with the claims of this other horn. The angel who interprets these visions clarifies what the Antichrist’s boasting was about when he tells Daniel, “And he will speak out against the Most High God.” (Dan 7:25).
The vision of the Apostle John in Revelation 13 seems to present a nearly identical picture with those of Daniel 7 regarding the claims made by the Antichrist.
And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
Revelation 13:5-6
In the three presentations of the Antichrist’s activities as the other horn in Daniel 7, the blasphemy of this other horn is shown to begin no later than the time he subdues 3 of the 10 regions. In Rev 13:5-6, the Antichrist has already been killed and resurrected. By combining the observations from Daniel 7 and Rev 13:5-6, we learn that the blasphemous speech of the Antichrist begins no later than the time he subdues 3 regions and continues up to his death, it is renewed after his resurrection and does not stop even when he is given 42 months of governing authority.
It should be noted that the Antichrist’s words may not seem blasphemous at the time to those on earth. The Apostle Paul reminded the believers in Thessalonica of what he had previously taught them. The claims of the Antichrist, the “man of lawlessness,” “the son of perdition” (2 Thes 2:3), will seem reasonable to the masses because,
God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12
The Antichrist’s sins eventually go much further than even blasphemy. As we carefully examine the scriptural accounts, the claims of the Antichrist grow even more insidious after his resurrection.
And I saw one of his heads as if comparable to having been violently slain into death, and his wound unto death was healed. And the whole earth marveled after him, and they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”
Revelation 13:3-4 [*]
Following his resurrection, there are outbursts of spontaneous worship for the Antichrist himself. The astonishment and marveling over the Antichrist, who had continually reviled and defamed the True God, leads to the worship of the Antichrist as a god himself. The Antichrist does not seem to discourage this worship, but rather accepts them as legitimate and appropriate. The Antichrist’s rebellion against God grows more bold. He has progressed from defaming God to receiving worship without complaint. The Antichrist will claim to be the Christ or “Anointed One,” God in human form, denying that Jesus is Christ. He will claim that he is the long-awaited savior, using his resurrection as proof of his claims. Paul says that humanity will want to believe these claims because it is preferable to the truth. This tendency will be magnified in the days of the claims and false wonders of the Antichrist.
The one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
These claims of divinity move quickly from quiet acceptance to bold aggressive enforcement of worship. All are required to treat him as alone being worthy of worship.
And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them; and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.
Revelation 13:5-8
We should note the progression of events in these verses. After the Antichrist is resurrected, he accepts the spontaneous outbursts of worship. He resumes his continual denunciations of God. Then the Antichrist is given 42 months of authority to act. This 42 month period corresponds to his installation as the 8th supreme executive. That the Antichrist is killed and resurrected before he is installed as the 8th supreme executive is confirmed by the flow of events in Rev 13:1-10. Upon entering the supreme executive position for the 8th rotation, the Antichrist begins a campaign to kill all who follow after the Lamb of God - those who stubbornly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that his death made salvation available to mankind, that he rose from the dead as the first fruit of the grave. Those who refuse to submit to the Antichrist as messiah are considered unbelievers and made enemies of the new religious order. As he uses the authority of his office to hunt down and make war upon the followers of Jesus Christ, it becomes clear that everyone’s personal survival will be at stake should anyone refuse to worship the Antichrist, and only the Antichrist.
Thus, we can observe that the Antichrist’s blasphemous language before his death and resurrection were not idle words. When he is given new life, the Antichrist uses the authority of his newly gained office to institute wholesale enforcement of worship exclusive to himself as Christ and God. All who refuse to submit will be faced with the possibility of execution. The penalty for not worshiping the Antichrist is seen in the false ministry of the False Prophet.
And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, ... and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
Revelation 13:12b, 15b-18
This False Prophet will promote and enforce the worship of the Antichrist. The worship that was once the spontaneous response by some to the Antichrist’s resurrection is now mandatory.
The exclusive worship of the Antichrist is enforced through access to commerce. When an individual pledges himself to worship the Antichrist, who is now the beast, that decision is sealed by a mark upon a visible part of the body. This mark will be either the name of the Antichrist, or the number which will be closely associated with him. Either or both of these marks are placed upon the forehead or right hand of everyone pledging to worship the Antichrist. A quick glance at someone’s face or hand will reveal who has sworn allegiance to the Antichrist as ruler and God, and who has not. This ‘tagging’ of the Antichrist’s followers makes it easier to identify and exclude those who are not. To ensure broad compliance, those who do not have the mark of the Antichrist are excluded from buying and selling. Those without the mark may be excluded from the banking system and other avenues of commerce, which could include all types of employment. As those who have not pledged allegiance to the Antichrist are marginalized, they become more exposed and thus more easily identified for execution.
It might seem foolish to anyone living in this time and experiencing these events to refuse to receive the Antichrist’s mark, or refuse to worship him exclusively. No doubt many during this time will ask themselves, “Why not? I might as well get the mark and stay alive.” We should also remember that the Antichrist will display power, signs, and false wonders that seem to authenticate his claim to be the Christ. Not preferring the truth, many people will be predisposed to believe him.
The one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false,
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11
So, will people in the future really be free to not believe the Antichrist’s false claims? Yes, multitudes will not believe, will not worship the Antichrist, and they will be punished for it. What about those who choose to worship the Antichrist and receive his mark, can they later choose to believe the truth and reject the Antichrist? This is not as clear. It may not be possible to recognize the falseness of the Antichrist’s claims once people surrender themselves to him. Their choice to not “love” truth may put them on a path from which they can no longer escape. Once they are deceived, they may not be able to recognize truth.
By not desiring the truth, many people will become susceptible to the “deluding influence” and the Antichrist’s “false wonders.” Not loving or caring about truth will affect a person’s eternal destiny. There is a terrible price to be paid by any who casually or rebelliously pledge their worship to anyone but the Omnipotent Eternal Creator.
If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.
Revelation 14:9b-11
To go along with the rest of the world in receiving the mark of the Antichrist means personally identifying oneself with his claims, blasphemies, and defaming of God. It is agreeing that the Antichrist alone is worthy of worship, and sharing in the responsibility for the persecution and martyrdom of multitudes who refuse to submit to his demands. It is to support humanity’s open rebellion against their Maker.
Those who refuse to worship the Antichrist may very well lose their lives. In this future time of worldwide rebellion against God, clinging to the truth will carry severe penalties. But for those who fear God’s judgment more than the Antichrist’s anger, Scripture goes on to say:
Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.”
Revelation 14:12-13
As observant readers of Revelation, we can learn much about the specific future claims of the Antichrist. Descriptions of the True God are presented in especially striking and evocative visions. These descriptions and strong statements are meant to be compared with the false claims of God’s future antagonist. Through careful observation, we can detect the nature of the Antichrist’s blasphemous claims. The Antichrist will seek to undermine certain key truths that the Lamb’s followers in every generation have held as sacred. The affirmative statements about the eternal nature of God and of the effective acts of the Son of God in securing salvation are pre-positioned reinforcements of these truths which the Antichrist will seek to destroy.
After his resurrection, the Antichrist will claim to be the awaited one that so many have anticipated. He will specifically claim that, while a good man and possibly even a prophet in some sense, Jesus was never divine. Standing before the world in a transformed resurrected body, the Antichrist will claim that since Jesus was not divine, he did not rise from the dead and will certainly not be coming again. In contrast, the Antichrist claims all three of these distinctions to be true of himself, while declaring that he is God, perhaps with a different understanding of what being God means.
These blasphemous claims can be anticipated by examining which truths about the nature of God are stressed or emphasized with extra force in the book of Revelation. These truths will be the unchanging bulwark for the faithful in that time of great faithlessness, and a guide to which truths of the eternal God will be assailed in the Antichrist’s efforts to supersede every notion of God in the hearts of humanity.
The three presentations in Revelation 17 concerning the death and resurrection of the Antichrist demonstrate great skill and eloquence. These three elegant literary presentations describe the interaction of two sets of events that will be intertwined in their future history. The personal set of events involves the death and resurrection of the Antichrist. The political set of events is concerned with the Antichrist’s ascent to complete control over the world’s political and religious bureaucracies. The structure of these three skillfully prepared literary presentations about the Antichrist is actually based upon three previous eloquent literary presentations that describe the true eternal God.
These three original literary presentations describing the true God are given in a format which the angel uses later in Revelation 17 to describe the Antichrist. The same basic template is used for the three presentations of both the true God and the Antichrist so that, as observant readers, we can more easily contrast the truths of God’s divine essence with the false god’s personal, political, and religious claims.
Our next step is to examine these three original presentations about the true God to discover the intended contrasts. The three original presentations cannot be separated from their literary contexts without losing much of their potency as vehicles of contrast. Consequently, we will examine these presentations along with the contexts in which they are intertwined.
By now we recognize the format of the three skillfully crafted literary presentations of Rev 17:8 & 11 that describe the Antichrist:
The Antichrist
was alive
is not now alive
will be alive again
and will go to destruction
Another way of stating the motif of Revelation 17 is that:
The Antichrist
was present in life
is now absent from life
will come again to life
and will ultimately be absent in destruction
The angel’s literary patterns in Rev 17:8a, 17:8c, and 17:11 contain slight but crucial differences from the original literary presentations in Revelation 1 & 4. Those original literary templates present the eternal essence of the true God with great clarity and power, yet with simple words and style. In choosing this original template as the model for his own literary presentations, the angel in Rev 17:8-11 seems to be mocking the bold assertions of a man, who does for a time conquer the first death, but whose ultimate destiny is the second death. [ 58 ]
In the first three verses of the book, we read that God gave the Revelation “through His angel to His servant John.” After impressing the divine origin of the things to follow firmly upon the reader, John begins the salutation (Rev 1:4 - 1:8). This salutation, or greeting, opens and closes with two of the three original literary templates whose format is adopted by the angel in Revelation 17. The verses in and around these original literary templates form an integral unit and, therefore, must be examined together.
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia,
Grace to you and peace from
the one who is existing
and the one who was existing
and the one who is coming,
Revelation 1:4 [*]
The Apostle identifies himself, his intended readers, and gives the traditional blessing or Christian greeting. This Christian greeting is presented as originating from all three persons of the Godhead.
The blessing from God the Father is presented first and is the first of three original literary templates adapted for Revelation 17.
from the one who is existing
and the one who was existing
and the one who is coming
Revelation 1:4 [*]
The blessing is also from the Holy Spirit of God and is presented second in order.
and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne
Revelation 1:4
The blessing is also from the Son of God and is presented third using a present time, past time, and future time format.
There is a noticeable present, past, and future time component to the description of the Son of God. Immediately following this present, past, and future presentation, we find the second original literary pattern in Rev 1:8b. The salutation from God the Son is more expansive than from either the Father or the Holy Spirit. First, are three truths about Christ which apply to the present time. Next, are three descriptions concerning Christ’s past actions for which he is praised. Finally, there are four statements about the process of Christ’s future coming. The blessing from the Son of God, therefore, contains ten truths to be contrasted with the claims of the Antichrist.
Three present truths about Christ are placed before the reader.
And from Jesus Christ,
the faithful witness,
the firstborn out of the dead
and the ruler of the kings of the earth
Revelation 1:5 [*]
As will be examined in detail lat