Lesson 12: The Beast, the False Prophet and the Antichrist
What or who is the end-time Beast? What or who is the Antichrist? What will the international geopolitics be like in the end time? With this lesson, we'll get an overview of these issues.
Following is the important story (a short history) of how "Christianity"
became a state-sponsored religion. It will set the stage for you to understand
the prophesied end-time revival of the Roman Empire.
In His Olivet Prophecy, the first thing Jesus warned about was counterfeit
Christianity (Matthew 24:4-5). Almost from the start, deceivers began
trying to influence and infiltrate the New Testament Church.
Before long, there were several branches of Christianity—one trying to
stay faithful to the pure truth of the Bible and Christ's teachings, and
others blending the Bible with other beliefs and philosophies. This blending
is called syncretism, and many of the popular pagan Roman beliefs
that were added to Christianity actually originated with the ancient Babylonian
mystery religion.
Roman emperor Constantine decided to make Christianity the official
state religion to further unify and strengthen his empire. (The history
of this turning point is described in "Europe
and the Church, Part 4: Union of Church and State" from the
August 2008 issue of World News and Prophecy.)
He used his power to bring different factions of Christianity together,
and the result was official recognition of various beliefs that were similar
in many ways to the popular pagan Roman sun worship. For example, by this
time the visible majority church had adopted pagan Sunday observance in
place of biblical Sabbath-keeping.
This state-sponsored church further evolved and grew in power and became
known as the Roman Catholic Church. At times, the bishop of Rome, or pope,
has had such great political as well as religious authority that he could
enthrone and depose emperors. Because of the intimate relationship between
church and state, for several centuries the empire was called the Holy Roman
Empire. The combined church/state persecution of other Christians became
especially intense during that time.
The Roman Catholic Church adopted a governmental structure that is
strikingly similar to the governmental structure of the old Roman Empire.
That is why historians have remarked upon the Roman Catholic Church
being a mirror
"image" of the Roman Empire. This is explained more thoroughly
in "Europe
and the Church, Part 5: The Identity of the Little Horn" from
the September/October 2008 issue of World
News and Prophecy.
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Getting Clarity Instead of Confusion Concerning "Antichrist"
In the Bible, "antichrist" is mentioned in only four verses, all in John's
epistles: 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7. John clearly established what he
meant by "antichrist"—meaning "against Christ" or "enemy of Christ." All
teachings are antichrist that contradict Christ's identity or teaching.
Most people who are interested in Bible prophecy believe there will be one
evil leader in the end time who will fulfill the role of the Antichrist. But
the Bible actually talks about two evil leaders—called "the beast"
and "the false prophet" (Revelation 19:20). Which one will be the Antichrist?
Or will both together be the Antichrist? Or does the Bible not refer to either
one as the Antichrist?
To obtain a thorough understanding of what the Bible says—and does not say—about
"antichrist," please read "What
Does the Bible Say and Not Say About Antichrist?"
Most of this lesson will focus on what the Bible tells us about the Beast and the
False Prophet. Then we will come back to the subject of the Antichrist.
What four great world-ruling empires are illustrated by the image
in Daniel 2 and the beasts in Daniel 7 and Daniel 8?
At the time of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2, several great empires
had already fallen, including Egypt and Assyria. This dream image represented
the entire future from Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian Empire (the "head of gold")
until "the latter days" when Jesus Christ will return to set up the Kingdom
of God (Daniel 2:28, 38, 44-45).
It is obvious from history that the next three empires were the Medo-Persian,
the Greek and the Roman empires. Daniel's vision in chapter 8 confirms that
Babylon was followed by "the kings of Media and Persia" and then "the kingdom
of Greece" (Daniel 8:20-21). Most Bible students also agree that the four
beasts of Daniel 7:3-7 represent the same four empires mentioned in Daniel
2. Both Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 tell us that the final empire extends to the
end of the age. It will not end until it is crushed by Jesus Christ at
His return (Daniel 2:35, 44; 7:9, 13, 21-22).
What are the various "beasts" referred to in Daniel and Revelation?
In prophecy, the word "beast" (a wild, dangerous animal) can refer to a gentile
(non-Israelite) kingdom, a false church or a dictatorial leader of a kingdom
or church. Following are the several prophetic "beasts":
1. Successive gentile empires are pictured in
Daniel 7 as "four great beasts": a lion, a bear, a leopard and "a fourth beast, dreadful
and terrible" (Daniel 7:3-7, 17). These four correspond to the four
parts of the image in Daniel 2, representing the Babylonian, Medo-Persian,
Greek and Roman empires.
2. In Revelation 13:1-4 and in Revelation 17, "the beast"
is the Roman Empire, especially the last revival of the Roman Empire before
Christ returns.
3. Revelation 13 transitions from speaking of the revived
Roman Empire as a "beast" to speaking of the political and military dictator of
that empire as being the "beast" (verses 4-8). This dictator is
also referred to in Revelation 17:12-13. Many people think that he is the future Antichrist.
4. In Revelation 13:11, there is "another beast" who "had
two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon." A lamb is a biblical
symbol of Jesus Christ and a dragon is a biblical symbol for Satan the devil.
Therefore he is a powerful religious authority claiming to represent
Christ but, in reality, he is a tool of Satan. He "deceives those who dwell on the
earth by those signs [miracles]"—he uses them to gain worldwide allegiance
(verses 13-14). And many people think that he is the future Antichrist.
5. And Satan himself can be called a beast. After
all, he is called a "dragon" and "serpent" in Revelation 12:9. He "deceives
the whole world," and he has many "angels" (demons) who follow
him.
Does the Roman Empire fall and then experience 10 revivals, seven
of which are "ridden by the great harlot"?
Daniel 7:7
"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast,
dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was
devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet.
It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten
horns."
Revelation 13:1, 3
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the
sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and
on his heads a blasphemous name...
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly
wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
Revelation 17:1-3
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with
me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great
harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed
fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine
of her fornication."
So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman
sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven
heads and ten horns.
The "deadly wound" refers to the fall of the Roman Empire in A.D. 476, but
the empire has been "healed" through successive revivals (Revelation 13:3).
By the time Christ returns, the empire will have experienced 10 revivals,
represented by the 10 horns of the fourth beast in Daniel 7 and the 10 horns
of the beast in Revelation 13. The "little horn" of Daniel 7:8, 20 is a powerful
church whose leader speaks "pompous words"—makes authoritative pronouncements
that are claimed to be infallible. Three horns "fell" before this
"little horn," meaning the church did not enter into a relationship with the
first three revivals of the empire (7:8, 20, 24).
The seven heads of the beast in Revelation 17:3 represent the last seven
revivals of the Roman Empire—the seven that are "ridden" by the "great harlot."
In prophecy, a woman can be symbolic of a religion or church. In this chapter,
a powerful church (and her leader) attempts to steer the "beast" (the empire)
from which she gets support. For a further explanation, see "The
Two Women of Revelation."
What forces will bring about another revival of the Roman Empire?
Revelation 13:11-13
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and 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, whose
deadly wound was healed.
He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven
on the earth in the sight of men.
Until several decades ago, many people were skeptical that another restoration
of the Roman Empire could or would ever happen. But since the two Treaties
of Rome were signed in 1957, Europe has continued to make progress toward
unification. Today, the idea of a United States of Europe doesn't seem far-fetched
at all. The impetus toward unity is driven by the perceived commercial, financial,
political and military advantages, such as are portrayed in Revelation 18.
However, the greatest unifying force in the future will likely be submission
to one common religion (which may have become more powerful as a result of
an ecumenical movement). Once the religious leader (the second beast) "performs
great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth
in the sight of men," most people will eagerly submit (Revelation 13:13).
Will the final revival be composed of "10 kings" under one "beast"
(dictator)?
Daniel 2:34-35, 44
"You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck
the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
"Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were
crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors;
the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone
that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth...
"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom
which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other
people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it
shall stand forever."
Revelation 17:3, 12-14
So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman
sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having
seven heads and ten horns...
"The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom
as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
"These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority
to the beast.
"These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them,
for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are
called, chosen, and faithful."
The 10 toes of the image in Daniel 2 represent 10 political entities—nations
or power blocs—that will voluntarily submit to the supreme power of a world
dictator. This must take place shortly before Christ returns, because the
prophecy tells us that the two feet and 10 toes will be broken by the great
"stone" that represents Christ returning to establish the Kingdom of God on
earth (Daniel 2:34-35, 44).
The 10 political powers are also represented by the "ten horns" of Revelation
17:3. "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom
as yet, but they receive authority for one hour [for a short time] as kings
with the beast. These are of one mind [in agreement], and they will give their
power and authority to the beast" (verses 12-13). The next verse proves that
this takes place shortly before Christ returns because "these will make war
with the Lamb [Christ], and the Lamb will overcome them" (verse 14).
What is revealed about "the great harlot" in Revelation 17?
Revelation 17:1-6, 15, 18
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with
me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great
harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed
fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine
of her fornication."
So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman
sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven
heads and ten horns.
The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious
stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and
the filthiness of her fornication.
And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER
OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of
the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement...
Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits,
are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues...
"And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the
kings of the earth."
- She has powerful influence worldwide—over "peoples, multitudes, nations,
and tongues" (verses 1, 15; see also 18:3).
- She commits "fornication" with the world's political leaders—compromising
principles and exchanging favors (verse 2).
- In her history, she has embraced "blasphemy" and "filthiness" (verses
3-4).
- Many of her teachings originated in the ancient Babylonian mystery religion
(verse 5).
- She is considered the "mother" church of many other churches (verse 5).
- She has been responsible for the persecution and martyrdom of many true
Christians (verse 6).
- The "woman" is headquartered in "that great city" (verse 18).
Who is "the false prophet"?
Revelation 19:20
Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs
in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the
beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into
the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
John was seeing in vision a powerful religious leader who "worked signs [miracles]" in
the presence of the beast or on behalf of the beast. The False
Prophet is the same as the one called "another beast" who performs miraculous
"signs" in Revelation 13:11. He is also the leader of the false church ("the
harlot") in Revelation 17:1-5.
He is the same as "the man of sin" and "the son of perdition" who uses "power,
signs, and lying wonders" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and 9. He is also referred
to as "another horn" who will "persecute the saints of the Most High, and
shall intend to change times and law" in Daniel 7:8, 20-22, 24-25.
Will the end-time "beast" virtually rule the entire world?
Daniel 7:23
"Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,
which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole
earth, trample it and break it in pieces.'"
Revelation 13:3-8
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly
wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped
the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war
with him?"
And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was
given authority to continue for forty-two months.
Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name,
His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
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.
Revelation 18:9-11
"The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously
with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning,
standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that
great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has
come.'
"And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no
one buys their merchandise anymore..."
The end-time kingdom "shall devour the whole earth" (Daniel 7:23). The "dragon"
will give the Beast "authority to continue for forty-two months [3½ years]…over
every tribe, tongue, and nation" (Revelation 13:4-7). The other "beast"—the
religious leader—causes all "to worship the first beast" (Revelation 13:12).
He also causes all "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 [666]" (Revelation 13:16-18). Thus there
will be huge financial pressure on everyone to submit to the authority of
the Beast.
Together with the False Prophet, the Beast will rule over "Babylon"—an evil
worldwide system that entangles everything—spiritually, commercially and culturally.
(The term Babylon represents this system that goes all the way back
to Babel and in John's day seems to have been a code word for Rome.) When
Christ sends down plagues and overthrows the greedy and evil empire, "the
merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their
merchandise anymore" (Revelation 18:11).
Who and what will people be required to worship under the end-time
Roman Empire called "Babylon"?
- The False Prophet will demand to be worshipped. He is described
in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 as "the man of sin…the son of perdition,
who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is
worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself
that he is God [despicably antichrist!]" In Daniel 7:20, 25, we read that the
"other horn…shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall
persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times
and law."
- The Beast—the evil dictator—will be worshipped because Satan
will exalt and empower him (Revelation 13:4). "All who dwell on the earth
will worship him" (verse 8). And the other beast (the False Prophet) "causes
the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast"—much like
the worship of the Roman emperors of old (verses 11-12). Both the Beast
and the False Prophet will be possessed by the spirit of "the dragon [Satan
the devil]," which explains why they will have amazing power and
charisma (Revelation 16:13; 12:9).
- The "image of the beast"—primarily a powerful church
organization—will be worshipped (Revelation 13:14-15). Evidently it is
a powerful church organization that is structured like the early Roman
Empire ("the beast who was wounded
by the sword and lived"—verses 3, 14). It is led by "another beast"—the
powerful religious leader who "performs great signs" (verse
13). The religious leader demands worship of the image and those who refuse
to worship it will be killed (verse 15).
- Babylon the great of Revelation 17 and 18. Today,
we might call this "the new world order"—a worldwide commercial and cultural
system with a one-world religion as a unifying foundation. "She says in
her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow'" (Revelation
18:7). The merchants of the earth especially will mourn her fall, "saying,
‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and
scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls'" (verses
15-16). "By your sorcery all the nations were deceived" (verse
23).
Who should we regard as the end-time Antichrist—the Beast or the
False Prophet?
The False Prophet is most often associated with the Antichrist. But it is
the Beast who will lead the armies of the earth to make war against Christ
(Revelation 19:19). Since both men will be enemies of Christ—both will demand
to be worshipped, both will persecute the saints, and they will be working
together like a partnership—it is probably accurate to refer to them both
as antichrists. They will receive the same ignominious punishment at
the same time. Right after Christ returns, John sees in vision that "these
two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Revelation
19:20).
When Christ returns, all antichrists will be removed! And the ultimate
Antichrist, Satan the devil, will be bound and put away (Revelation 20:1-3).
When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, there will be loud voices in heaven,
saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and
of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15).
Apply Now
One of the highly informative monthly publications of United Church of
God is World News and Prophecy.
We heartily recommend that you subscribe to it. We ran a fascinating series
of articles on "Europe
and the Church." As part of this series, "A
Partial Chart of Prophecies of World Empires" appears in the September/October
2008 issue. Please take time to study that chart, as it will make many of
the prophecies of this lesson more clear.
Next Lesson: Armageddon and the Day of the Lord
Questions about this lesson? Feedback about
this lesson?
Related Resources:
The Book of Revelation Unveiled
The Perfect Prophetic Storm
Many False Prophets Will Arise and Deceive Many
The Rising European Superpower: Prophesied in the Bible?
The Mark and Number of the Beast
Is There Really a Devil?
