From time to time, certain world events cause Christians to re-ask “Who is the Antichrist,” as symbolized in Revelation 13? This question has surfaced once again when the Pope (July 7, 09)—at the onset of the G-8 meeting, and only days before meeting with the President of the United States—called for a “God-centered” global economy, to be led by a “world political authority.” Not surprisingly, those Bible prophecy students who are aware of the fact that the Roman Papacy was identified as the Antichrist by the Protestant Reformers believe that the Pope’s world-wide appeal moves the world one step closer to the end-time union of political and religious powers (see Rev. 13:11-17).
Regardless, it is only natural for Christians to ask, “What does Revelation say about the Antichrist?” So let’s turn to God’s Word and find out.
At the center or heart of the book of Revelation, John describes three demonic figures which captivate the world’s attention—the dragon, the sea beast and the land beast (12:3, 9; 13:1-3, 11-13). The content suggests that these figures rise up in succession during the Christian age, between the birth of Jesus (12:4-5) and the end (13:16-17).
There are two key points that stand out about the beasts. First, the central issue here is WORSHIP; the word “worship” is repeated six times for emphasis! Thus, the key question is, “Who will you worship?” The second key point regards the relationship between the dragon and his two beastly allies—together they form a COUNTERFIET TRINITY:
-dragon (like God the Father)
-sea beast (like Christ the Son)
-land beast (like the Holy Spirit)
Let’s examine this unholy trinity more closely.
DRAGON. This creature is the head, the “father” figure of the three. It empowers the allies. It is ultimately the dragon, or Devil, that seeks the world’s adoration and worship (13:4).
SEA BEAST. This beast is a parody of Jesus Christ. After a 3 ½ year prophetic ministry, it rises back up from a “deadly wound” and gains the wonder of those who live on the earth. Of the three, this creature is the “anti-Christ” in the strictest sense.
LAND BEAST. The third beast mimics the activity of the Holy Spirit. First, it acts on behalf of the Christ-like sea beast. And second, it is associated with fire and miracles, which is reminiscent of Pentecost, when heaven poured out the Holy Spirit in full measure in order to promote the gospel (Acts 2:3, 18-19, 43).
But here is an important, though often overlooked, question: “What did this vision mean to John’s first century audience?” (Rev. 1:4) After all, the early Christians knew nothing of a Vatican or an American President. Well, we can be certain that they too recognized the counterfeit trinity in this passage. And here is the underlying issue: Don’t fall for the unholy trinity’s false gospel, which leads to false worship!
The vision goes on to explain that God responds to the false trinity’s activity by releasing three angels with end-time world-wide messages (we will only note the first angel’s activity). John writes, “And I saw [the first] angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the EVERLASTING GOSPEL to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people; Saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and WORSHIP HIM THAT MADE heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters’” (14:6-7). Notice that the GOSPEL, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, is connected to WORSHIP. That’s to say, we worship God precisely because He created and saved us, because He’s our Creator and Redeemer.
The point is this. The Serpent (Rev. 12:9) has been peddling his “snake oil” for some 6000 years now. And his so-called “good news” goes something like this: “You can sin, and you won’t die! You don’t have to walk the path of selflessness, as Jesus did! I can offer you the power you desire, without sacrificing a thing! You are special—you’re just like God!” His lies worked in the Garden (Gen. 2:17) and they still work today! “Just beLIEve me!” he says, with a deadly LIE concealed in his hissing words!
God’s Word is forcefully clear: any message that evades Christ and the Cross is a “different gospel—which is really no gospel at all…[but is] trying to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6, 7; NIV). Yet, many Christians are still falling for Satan’s deceptive teachings, yielding to his lies (see the seven letters in Revelation 2 and 3).
Let’s be honest. We don’t know which religious or political persons will fall into Satan’s trap in the final showdown of this cosmic battle. They may not even be alive yet! But we do know that the Devil’s package of goods and promises are transitory and doomed already! According to the first angel, this world, Satan’s turf, has reached “the hour of God’s judgment” and its probation is about to slam shut with a quick end!
On the other hand, the good news—which is found only in Jesus Christ—is “everlasting.” And this is why He can promise “a place” for us in the heavenly city (John 14:2), the capital of the eternal new earth (Rev. 21:1-2).