Basic Background
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Back to 1The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked!
The subject of the antichrist cannot be understood until first recognizing the difference between the Beast and the False Prophet. Again, the final False Prophet, along with the Beast, is often confused with the antichrist. He is certainly an antichrist, but he is not the antichrist. The misunderstanding that the Beast is synonymous with the human antichrist partly comes from the knowledge that the Beast is also the number of a man (Rev. 13:17-18).
Although the Beast of Revelation 13:1-18 is obviously not a human being, the one who leads the final resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire—the coming union of church and state cantered in Europe—will plainly represent the system that is the Beast. The embodiment—its representative—of the Revelation 13:1-18 Beast will be a single charismatic figure who arrives on the world scene shortly before Christ’s Return. This will of course be a human being.
We will later look more deeply into fascinating knowledge about different forms of antichrist. You will learn that the Bible defines several different ways that antichrist or the spirit of antichrist are manifested. But let’s first examine a little of what the Bible records about the Beast and the False Prophet. You will see that these different forms/ways set up how to know exactly where they come from—and this will prepare you to understand the rest of the booklet. You will not be ready to grasp what you will read without at least a rudimentary understanding of these two figures.
The Beast of Revelation 13
Chapter 13 of Revelation opens with a symbolic description of a “beast”—and a description of a second beast with “two horns.” Notice: “And I [the apostle John] stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority…” (Rev 13:1-2). And also, “I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast…” (Rev 13:11-12).
John’s description of the first Beast’s appearance leaves many questions. Perhaps the three biggest are: (1) Is his description that of a literal creature? (2) Does it represent a single individual—a kind of antichrist, superman, world dictator? (3) Or does it picture something else?
First, what creature on Earth could it be describing? And how could three known animals (a leopard, a bear and a lion) come together in the worship of a dragon, when there are no real dragons? Obviously, it must represent something other than a literal creature.
Second, regarding whether it is some kind of human being—superman or otherwise—similar questions arise. What kind of person looks like this? What man looks like a leopard, has feet like a bear and the mouth of a lion?—and has 7 heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns on the horns?—and comes out of the ocean? Again, the obvious answer is no one. This depiction cannot possibly refer to either a literal man or creature.
There is only one other possible explanation for the Beast. It must be SYMBOLIC. Many recognize this, so it has produced an endless stream of human interpretations for what the Beast, and many other descriptions in Revelation, represent. But it is useless to try to assign an arbitrary meaning to such graphic symbolism.
In summary, for now, the first beast of Revelation 13:1-18 represents the Roman Empire—a political kingdom.
The Beast of Revelation 17—and “Great Whore”
Now what about the “two-horned beast”? Again, for now, understand that this second beast represents the headquarters of a large, influential, false “woman” church—called a “great whore”—that rides and controls the first beast. Notice Revelation 17:1-18: “I will show unto you [John] the judgment of the great whore that sits upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication…and I saw a WOMAN sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns…And the woman which you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth” (Rev 17:1-3, 18).
The Revelation 17:1-18 woman is a large, powerful false church that rides the Beast with 7 heads and 10 horns. The Beast she is riding is the powerful Holy Roman Empire. Like one who rides a horse, camel or elephant, the “woman” directs, controls and guides the animal to go where she wants it to go and to do what she wants it to do.
For now, understand that this will be the seventh, and last, short-lived resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire—the Roman Empire under the “woman’s” direction—arising right now in the heart of Europe. It is crucial you understand that a United States of Europe is coming—and in fact it now lies just ahead. When it appears, the entire world will stand in shocked amazement! The Beast will be the civil leader of the political-religious-military-economic 10-nation (or groups of nations) power bloc (Dan. 2:42-44; Rev. 17:12).
The Mesmerizing False Prophet
The Revelation 17:1-18 Beast represents a political, not an ecclesiastical (or religious), system. The same with its leader. The False Prophet will be the civil leader’s religious counterpart. These two individuals will lead this religious-governmental system. Revelation 16:13-14 describes demons as having the power to “work miracles” through their system. The False Prophet will come from the universal system described as the “great whore” who rides the Beast.
Also, the charismatic, seductive False Prophet will lead the world to worship the Beast (read Revelation 13:12; 16:2 and 19:20)! Now notice II Thessalonians 2:3-4. These verses refer to one called “the man of sin” and “the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” Recognize that the False Prophet will profess that he is God.
Compare this with Ezekiel 28:2 and the reference there to the “prince of Tyrus”—a man. Ezekiel wrote that this “prince” says, “I am a God, I sit in the seat of God.” Second Thessalonians 2:8 also describes this “man of sin” as the “wicked [one]” who would “be revealed” for what he is when Christ returns and destroys him with the Beast in a lake of fire (see Revelation 19:20). Isaiah 14:4 refers to the False Prophet as the “king of Babylon.” This is the same man as the “prince of Tyrus,” in Ezekiel 28:1-26.
Continuing in II Thessalonians 2:9 makes a startling statement about the False Prophet. It says that his “coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” 2 Thes 2:10 shows that he is able to deceive everyone who does not “love the truth.” 2 Thes 2:11 reveals that God shall send “strong delusion” to all who willingly believe his lies. These miracles are so extraordinary—so mesmerizing—that they allow him to deceive the whole earth!
Of course, all of this describes a man who would truly be antichrist!
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