The End Times

The Antichrist and the False Prophet in the Book of Revelation

The first beast in chapter 13, rising up out of the sea, is the Antichrist. The dragon (Satan, the devil) will give his power and great authority to the beast. "And he (Antichrist) was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months (the last 3½ years). Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven (Father, Jesus, the church, and angels). It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear" (Revelation 13:5-9).

The Antichrist is a charismatic man that will be greatly supported by many people and nations; that is why he comes from the sea (see vs. 17:15). 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 9-10 adds a little more about who the Antichrist is. He will be a man possessed by demons (vss. 16:13-14).

The second beast in chapter 13, coming up out of the earth, is the false prophet (the Anti-Spirit). "He had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast...He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or 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 it is the number of a man: his number is 666" (vss. 13:11-12, 16-18). This beast will make an image in honor of the Antichrist, to be worshiped by all people, and cause as many as will not worship the image to be killed. He is the one to establish the mark of the beast, the number 666, to all people of the earth. This man will act as the "Holy Spirit," exalting the Antichrist (see John 16:14-15).

The three beasts of Revelation try to imitate the trinity of God: the dragon as the Father, the Antichrist as Christ and the false prophet as the Holy Spirit.

Next: The Great Harlot in the Book of Revelation