The AntiChrist

Revelation 13:1-2 And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
 
REVELATION 12 gave us great hope as it assures us the Father prevents Satan from destroying Jesus and his church. But the violent devil will not quit. In this chapter Jesus shows us how the devil creates two more violent helpers to wage war on the church.
   The first is a new beast from the sea. It has ten horns and seven heads with ten crowns on his horns. A blasphemous name – one opposing God – is on each head. It resembled a leopard with bear’s feet and lion’s mouth.
   As we’ve mentioned, some of Revelation’s visions are first seen in the Old Testament. In  this case, the leopard is a combination of a vision from Daniel that describes four world powers. In a like manner, this leopard is the image of one who will have political power to rule part or all of the world.
   This new beast then is an “antichrist”. Although there have been and are many antichrists throughout the centuries, the common understanding of this vision is that there will be one worldwide antichrist to initiate a great war on the church until Christ comes again. “Who is the antichrist?” people want to know? There is no way to know until he assumes power.
   And perhaps another way to view this vision is to understand the prevailing influence of antichrists throughout the centuries. “Antichrist” can be defined in three ways. First, it is anyone who denies Jesus is Christ. Second, the spirit of the antichrist has been revealed through many powerful rulers who have opposed Jesus’ teachings. Third it can be one final antichrist who will rule over the world before the Lord Jesus returns.
   Remember, Revelation is a vision to the church. God is telling us that 1) Satan has devised many schemes to turn us away from Jesus. 2) Leaders of great political power will war against the church. This is God’s judgment of mankind who live against the Lord Jesus Christ. This is God’s testing of his church to follow the true Christ. Is your church, are you prepared to stand against rulers who are anti Christ?
 
Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, keep us alert to stand against those who oppose you. Bring your church into unity to stand together for Jesus Christ. Amen.