THE ANTICHRIST by Frank Allnutt With today’s world in chaos, some are wondering if the "Restrainer" has set Satan free—for a short time—to give his power and throne and great authority to the man Bible prophecy calls the Antichrist. The Omen was released on June 6, 1976, at six o’clock.
Condensed and Updated—READ IT BELOW FOR FREE! IIt was hardly coincidence that Bob Munger and I had lunch on a particular day, back in 1976. Bob, a partner in a Hollywood advertising agency, and I had gotten together to talk over plans for producing a television special for Brother Andrew (aka "God's Smuggler")—but was that the only reason? No, there was more, much more. Because, as I learned over lunch that day, Bob had conceived the idea for the movie The Omen. Then he put together the development financing package for the film. Twentieth Century-Fox—one of three interested studios—produced it. Since the movie is based on prophecies in the Bible's Book of Revelation about the Antichrist, and since I had just published a book on the same subject (Kissinger: Man of Destiny?), we both knew that our meeting was more than coincidence. We were compelled to carry out the same mission: to warn the world about the coming of Antichrist: Only our approaches were different. Bob’s was to use the medium of film in telling a story of fiction about the Antichrist as a boy. Mine was to write a nonfiction book that probed the meaning of Bible prophecy of the Antichrist in light of current events and world conditions. The Omen was released on June 6, 1976, at six o’clock, and skyrocketed to become the nation’s leading box-office spectacle. II wrote a review of the film for the Christian magazine Logos Journal, but there was still a message swelling up inside me that had to be gotten out. I knew then what I had to do: I had to write another book—a scriptural “sequel,” if you will, to The Omen. Then came definite confirmation that meeting Bob Munger was no coincidence, but that a supernatural plan was unfolding. No sooner had I outlined my sequel to The Omen, than I met a certain publishing executive. That meeting, which was to discuss entirely different matters, led to the publishing of Antichrist: After The Omen by Fleming H. Revell Company, and soon afterwards by Bible Voice, Inc., with an all-new cover and the shortened title: After The Omen. My book begins where the movie left off. As you read this book, you will discover the amazing Bible prophecies about the Antichrist as a grown man, prophecies that might be fulfilled in your lifetime. This book underscores the urgency for everyone to know and heed the warnings of the ancient Hebrew prophets: “Prepare! Antichrist is coming!” There is a horrible fate awaiting those who do not prepare, but, as the Bible reveals, there are promises of incredible rewards for those who do. You may be one of the chosen ones who hears the warning. Will you listen? Will you prepare? You should know that it’s no coincidence that you are reading about the Antichrist. You are part of God's plan. Among today's many specious Bible prophecy "interpreters," there are various scenarios of the times leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. And, of course, the Antichrist in the midst of it all. History is replete with many foreshadowing antichrists of many stripes, yet none so far has been confirmed to be the real end-time Antichrist. More than any time I know, there is faulty interpretation of prophecies about the end-times, along with rampant speculation on the identity of the Antichrist. Back in 1976, when I wrote After The Omen, I had based my understanding of the Antichrist and the end-times mostly from the error-filled and speculative conventional teachings of that day. I had unwittingly become a false teacher. Among today’s many specious Bible prophecy “interpreters,” there are various scenarios of the times leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. And, of course, the Antichrist in the midst of it all. History is replete with many foreshadowing antichrists of many stripes, yet none so far has been confirmed to be the real end-time Antichrist. Now four decades later, this booklet helps set the record straight. Some say that Satan's "man of lawlessness" is in the world today and is about to reveal his true identity to the world—an Islamic Antichrist, a high-ranking Greek politician Antichrist, a European Union Antichrist, and even an Oval Office Antichrist. Among today’s many specious Bible prophecy “interpreters,” there are various scenarios of the times leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. And, of course, the Antichrist in the midst of it all History is replete with many foreshadowing antichrists of many stripes, yet none so far has been confirmed to be the real end-time Antichrist. Sadly, that is exactly the opposite of the intended purpose of Bible prophecy. I hope you have not let all the speculation disarm you, because Christians should be watchful and not caught sleeping when this evil man who would be God appears on the world scene. What’s in a name? But what does the Bible actually tell us about the Antichrist? The name Antichrist (Greek antichristos) refers to a person who opposes Christ. The word “Christ” is a technical Bible term translated from New Testament Greek into English. It literally means “anointed one” (of God). In the Old Testament the English translation of the Hebrew word for “anointed one” is Messiah. So, both Christ and Messiah have the same meaning; both refer to Jesus as the anointed one of God. Jesus prophesied that there would appear many “false Christs” and “false prophets.” They will appear to show “great signs and wonders,” He said, “so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (see Matthew 24:24) Contrasts Between Antichrist and Jesus Christ Antichrist   Jesus Christ Rev. 11:7: Comes out of the bottomless pit   John 6:38: Of heaven Daniel 9:27; Rev. 13:2: Is the mediator of Satan's covenant   Hebrews 8:6: Is the mediator of God's, new, everlasting covenant John 5:43: Comes in his own name   John 5:43: Came in His Father's name 2 Thess. 2:4: Exalts himself   Phil. 2:8: Humbled Himself Rev. 13:13-14: Will be admired and worshiped by the world   Isa. 53:3; Luke 23:18: Was despised and rejected of men Dan. 11:36: Will do his own will   John 6:38: Came to do His Father's will Dan. 8:24: Comes to destroy   Luke 19:10: Came to seek and to save Zech. 11:16-17: Is the idle shepherd   John 10:11: Is the Good Shepherd Rev. 14:18-19: Is the vine of the earth   John 15:1: Is the true vine 2 Thess. 2:11; John 8:44: Is the liar   John 8:32; 14:6: Is the truth that makes men free 2 Thess. 2:8: Is the lawless one   Mark 1:24: Is the holy one of God 2 Thess. 2:3: Is the man of sin   Heb. 4:15: Knew no sin 2 Thess. 2:8: Is the son of perdition   Luke 1:35: Is the only begotten Son of God 2 Thess. 2:7: Is the mystery of iniquity   1 Tim. 3:16: Is the mystery of godliness Rev. 19:20: Will be brought down to hell   Phil. 2:9-11: Will be exalted IIsaiah. 14:15; Rev. 20:10: Will be cast into the lake of burning fire   Rev. 21:1-3: Will abide with His elect in an everlasting new heaven The Spirit of Antichrist The word antichrist is found in the Bible only in 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; and 2 John 7. It can refer to the spirit of antichrist which is in the world right now, to a class of people who are against Jesus Christ (I identify with a lower case "a" in antichrist), and to the end-time person of the Antichrist (who I distinguish from the others with an upper case "A" in Antichrist). The Apostle John wrote: “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). Elsewhere, John wrote: “This is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world” (1 John 4:3). The spirit of antichrist is in everyone who speaks against the Lord Jesus Christ. People who lie about Jesus have the spirit of antichrist. “Who is the liar,” asks John, “but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). "And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist. ... ” (1 John 4:3). Such people are dangerous deceivers: “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 7). While there are many antichrists in the world today, the Bible is clear that there will be one man in the end-times who will be the worst of all—the Antichrist. The Antichrist is called by many names in Scripture. The Old Testament prophet Daniel saw him symbolically as a “little horn” in Daniel 7:8. In Daniel 8:23, he is described as an “insolent king.” He is seen as the “prince who is to come” in Daniel 9:26-27. In verse 27, he also is described as the “one who makes desolate. Jesus referred to the “abomination that causes desolation” in Matthew 24:15 in listing the major signs that will appear to alert believers that His Second Coming is near. In Daniel 11:21, the Antichrist is called a “despicable person.” The prophet Zechariah had the Antichrist in view when he wrote about the “worthless shepherd”—a counterfeit of the Good Shepherd who is Jesus Christ (see Zechariah 11:16). The New Testament prophets also refer to the Antichrist in symbolic and descriptive terms. Paul calls him the “man of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). John pictured him as a “beast” in Revelation 13:1; 17:3; 19:20. The Person and Origin of Antichrist Following is a collection of statements that can be made about the Antichrist, based on the Bible verses indicated: The Antichrist’s appearance (the "abomination of desolation") will be the first major sign to Christians that God has started the countdown which will culminate at the end of the age in the personal return to earth of Jesus Christ (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15). The Antichrist will come "up out of the sea" (Revelation 13:1). This is a rather vague reference to his background, as the word "sea" is symbolic of mixed multitudes of people. Perhaps he is emblematic of Babylon's mixed races, nationalities, cultures, and religions. The Antichrist will rise to world political prominence in an unconventional way through the government of the mightiest, most blessed Gentile nation in history (Revelation 13:1; 17:3, 9-13). The Antichrist's name or the number of his name (his "mark") will be taken by those who consider him to be God, or at least subject themselves to his lordship. The number of his name will be calculated to total 666 (Revelation 13:18). However, his name may have changed from his birth name to a new name or unique title. According to Strong’s, “mark” in this passage is from the Greek charagma, which, translated into English, means: engraving, stamp, impression, formed image, mark. While many speculations have been raised over the precise meaning of the mark, the actual meanings of the term curiously draw us to Revelation 13:17: "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." The Antichrist will be proud and arrogant (Daniel 8:11, 23; 11:36; Revelation 13:5). The Antichrist will deal in secrecy whenever possible (Daniel 8:23). The Antichrist will be skilled in ambiguous speech (Daniel 8:23). The Antichrist will be a brilliant intellectual (Daniel 8:25). The Antichrist will possess supernatural power (Daniel 8:24; Revelation 13:2; 17:8).The Antichrist will be politically powerful (Daniel 8:24; 11:36; Revelation 6:2, 4; 13:2; 17:I3). The Antichrist will rule the last in a succession of spiritually corrupt empires: the seventh (a nation) that becomes an eighth (imperial or global). Both, along with the ancient Roman Empire, are characterized by ancient Babylon, and the last two are identified by the symbolic name, "Babylon the Great" (Daniel 8:8, 11; 1 Peter 5:13; Revelation 13:1-3; 17; 18). The Antichrist will deceive many people with his empty words of peace (Daniel 9:27; 11:21; Matthew 24:4, 11; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 6:2). The Antichrist will be destroyed by Christ at His Second Coming (Daniel 7:11; 8:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 17:14; 19:20). The Authority of Antichrist The Antichrist will receive Satan's authority, power, and throne (Daniel 8:24; 11:38; Revelation 13:2). As we read in Job, Satan could not go against Job without God's permission. In the same way, the Antichrist will not be revealed until God authorizes Satan to give the Antichrist his authority, power, and throne. Satan, as an agent of God, is "he who now restrains" the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7); "what restrains him now" (2 Thessalonians 2:6) is his lack of Satan's authority, power, and throne. Jesus surely will not return until the last chosen one named in the book of life is grafted into the tree of life (i.e, conceived). And that will occur near the end of the figurative "1000-years-long" so-called "millennium" or Church Age—sometime in the last 3.5 years of the coinciding Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9). (See the chart further on.) Therefore, God will lift restraints against Satan, allowing him to give his authority, power, and throne to the Antichrist (Revelation 3:2; 20), whom Jesus sees as the "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15). That will inaugurate the last half of Daniel's 70th week (about 3.5 years), during which time Antichrist will rule and the last lost sheep will be brought into God's kingdom. The 3.5 years will be shortened for the sake of the elect (Matthew 24:22) by the Second Coming of Christ Jesus. The Antichrist will reign with Satanic power over the the fallen world (Revelation 13:7; 17:8). The Antichrist will be allowed by God, as part of God’s plan for the world, to become a mighty political ruler (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8; Revelation 17:11, 13, 17). The Antichrist will become "King" over Babylon the Great as the result of a conspiracy by a group of ten “kings”—literally, "foundations of power" (Revelation 17:12-13). Babylon the Great will be comprised of national Babylon, the seventh kingdom, and global Babylon, the eighth kingdom (Revelation 17:11). The Antichrist will force three of the ten kings into supporting him in the conspiracy (Daniel 7:24). Antichrist’s Reign Over Babylon The Antichrist will seize total control over the nation of Babylon which, in its past, selected its leaders by conferring upon them the title of leader (Daniel 11:21). The Antichrist will greatly alter the political, economic, social, and religious customs and laws of the nation of Babylon, as a stepping-stone to intended world (“sea”) domination (Daniel 7:2, 4; 11:21-45; Revelation 13:17). The Antichrist and his group of conspirators will exploit the wealth and treasures of national Babylon, with the intent of eventually controlling the wealth of the world (Daniel 11:24, 30-43: Revelation 13:16-17). The Antichrist and his group of conspirators, in their greed, will bring about the economic ruin of national Babylon (Revelation 17:16). The Antichrist will reveal himself to be the “abomination of desolation” (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15) when he is given Satan’s “power, throne, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2), literally over the most powerful nation on earth, symbolically called “Babylon the Great.” His appearance will commence the 3.5-year (42 months) second half of Daniel’s 70th Week. The first half corresponds to the 3.5 years of Christ’s ministry, from its start to his crucifixion. The second half will commence with the appearance of the Antichrist and conclude with the second coming of Christ Jesus at the end of the age (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Daniel 12:10-12; Revelation 13:5). The chart below reveals that “Messiah the Prince” will be “cut off” (crucified) at the end of His 3.5-year ministry, which coincides with the end of the Old Covenant, from God’s perspective, at the conclusion of the 69th week. Jesus replaced it with the Everlasting New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:33-34; 32:38, 40; Ezekiel 36:26-27; 37:26). The crucifixion of Messiah the Prince “put a stop to sacrifices and grain offerings” (Daniel 9:27) when, through the cross, He inaugurated the Everlasting New Covenant. Daniel 9:27 discloses: “he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week” [70th Week of Years]. “He” is “Messiah the Prince” (verse 25) the antecedent of “he” (verse 27). Some see “he” to be the “prince who is to come” (verse 26)—the Antichrist, but they overlook that the subject here is “the people of the prince who is to come.” People is a plural word which would require the plural pronoun “they,” not the singular “he” that appears in verse 27. As for “of the prince who is to come,” this “prince” is not the subject but a modifying phrase that gives identity to the “people.” Those “people” in verse 26 turned out to be Roman legions who occupied Jerusalem. Titus, who later became the Roman Emperor, at the time held jurisdiction over Jerusalem. When the Jewish Zealots rebelled in 70 A.D., Titus sent Josephus to negotiate a truce, but the Zealots rejected this and continued their revolt. So, there was no “firm covenant” by Titus, and there is no collaborative Scripture to see a “dual fulfillment” in which the coming prince is both Titus and the Antichrist. Therefore, an Antichrist-brokered “seven-year peace treaty” is not Scriptural but speculative. In fact, Titus and his Roman soldiers did the opposite of fomenting even a fraudulent peace with Israel: they lay siege against Jerusalem, and the city and its second temple were reduced to ruins (see verse 25). And since Titus destroyed the temple then, according to the concept of a dual fulfillment, we could expect the Antichrist to likewise destroy a future third temple. But if he were to destroy that temple then how, as the faulty theology holds, could he take his throne in a temple that no longer exists? Nowhere in Scripture is the Antichrist said to make a peace treaty with Israel. And nowhere in Scripture is the Antichrist said to occupy a literal throne in a future third temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. However, some Jews and Christians envision a future third temple. The concept is based on the wrongful literal interpretation of temple prophecies in Revelation 11 and Ezekiel beginning with chapter 40. Both are visions of the “temple of God” in a then coming age in which God will “dwell among the sons of Israel forever” (Ezekiel 43:7). Actually, the new temple appeared when Christ inaugurated the Everlasting New Covenant. The Apostle Paul also wrote of it—a new temple in which Christians are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)—more precisely that the spiritual heart is the dwelling place of God’s Spirit (Ephesians 3:16-17). The coming Antichrist has several names and is in view in many passages of Scripture, including Daniel 9:27. He is see as the “one who makes desolate,” and he will undergo “complete destruction” when “one who is decreed” (Messiah the Prince) “is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” The Antichrist is the “abomination of desolation” who will be seen “standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),” Jesus prophesied (Matthew 24:15). Yes! “[L]et the reader understand” that the “holy place” is in their heart, not some man-made building (see Acts 7:49-50). Also, Paul wrote of the “man of lawlessness who takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4; see 1 Corinthians 6:19). The Antichrist will do this by planting his lies in the minds of the souls of the hearts of deceived Christians (1 Corinthians 3:16-19; Matthew 24:24). Actually, this has been taking place throughout the Church age through the “spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3) and the “spirit of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:7). The Antichrist will be given Satan’s worldly throne, authority and power (Revelation 13:2). That throne will be over the seventh world empire of national Babylon, and the eighth, which is the emerging global Babylon (Revelation 17:9-11). The Antichrist’s 3.5-year reign will end when Jesus Christ returns at the end of Daniel’s 70th Week (Daniel 2:44; 7:9-14; Revelation 16:19; 17:14; 18). It is Messiah the Prince, the mediator of the Everlasting New Covenant who will fulfill the purpose of the 70 Weeks: “to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make the atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness” (Daniel 9:24). Such fulfillment will not come by way of an Antichrist-brokered seven-year peace treaty with Israel. Antichrist’s Quest for World Domination The Antichrist will establish his Satan-given throne in the world, as the world leader (Revelation 13:2; in context of entire chapter). The Antichrist will lead his Middle Eastern forces in a triumph over an invasion from the north of Jerusalem (Daniel 11:40). The Antichrist will repel an Egyptian invasion; then, with his own forces, invade and overthrow Egypt (Daniel 11:40, 43). The Antichrist will besiege much of the Middle East, overthrowing many countries, but excluding Jordan (Daniel 11:41). The Antichrist will attract as allies the nations whose biblical names are Libya and Ethiopia (Daniel 11:43). The Antichrist will gather the armies of north and the east at Armageddon to wage war against Jesus Christ at His Second Coming (Revelation 16:16). Antichrist’s Persecution of Christians The Antichrist will be against Jesus Christ (Daniel 8:25; Revelation. 17:14). The Antichrist will persecute and murder many Christians (Revelation 11:7; 13:7, 10, 15). The Antichrist will blaspheme God (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:1-7). The Antichrist will worship Satan and call himself God, and will require everyone to worship himself and bear his "mark"—his name or number (Daniel 11:36-38; Revelation 13:3-8, 13-16). The Antichrist will be supported in his political and religious exploits by the False Prophet (Revelation 13:11-17). The Antichrist will be a false Christ who will declare himself God and cause all to worship him (Revelation 13). The Antichrist will take his seat, figuratively, in the spiritual temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:4), which refers to the hearts of Christians (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 3:16,-7). He will do so through His lies and deceptions that will occupy the minds, emotions, and will of fleshly souls in the divided hearts of some Christians. Jesus said: "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24). The Antichrist's image will be seen by the whole world. He will be proclaimed God, and will require everyone to worship his image (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:2, 14, 15). The Antichrist will attempt to kill everyone who does not worship his image (Revelation 13:15). The Antichrist will muster together the armies of the world to Armageddon to battle against the returning Jesus Christ and His saints (Revelation 19). The Antichrist will kill the last Christian destined by God to be martyred, thus consummating the end of the age and ushering in the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God (Revelation 6:9-11). Perilous Times Prophesied by Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:15-28) 15 [Jesus]: “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather." Jesus Describes His Glorious Return 29 [Jesus]: “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other." _______________ This article is © 2015, 2021 by Franklin Allnutt. All rights reserved. Content herein may be quoted, subject to the "fair use" doctrine of U.S. Copyright Law, and inclusion of the preceding copyright notice. 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