The Coming Christ and Antichrist
By George Stroh
November 10, 2011
Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice of thunder, "Come". I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat upon it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1,2)
This conqueror riding a white horse is none other than the man known as the "Antichrist". He has many other names in the Bible that reveal his evil character and motivations. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, he is called "the man of lawlessness". In Daniel, he is known as "the little horn" and "the willful king". In the Psalms, the Antichrist is called "the man of bloodshed and deceit", "the wicked one", "the man of the earth" and "the adversary".
The name "Antichrist" can mean either one who is opposed to or anti to Christ or it can also mean one who is instead of Christ. Maybe the most descriptive name for this counterfeit Christ or Messiah is found in Revelation where he is called "the beast". He will be a very charismatic and attractive man in every respect with all the human attributes people admire. At first he seems to be the savior of the world who finally brings peace and prosperity. But soon his true character is revealed, the beast who rules ruthlessly, claims to be a god and demands that everyone in the world worship him alone.
According to the book of Daniel, the Antichrist's initial political and military power base will come from the revived Roman empire made up of a ten nation European confederacy. We can't know for sure, but the current so called European Union comprised of the troubled Eurozone countries may very well be the nucleus of the coming Antichrist's empire. Before quickly conquering one nation after another, this man will be a rather minor political figure with little influence. But with the supernatural power and cunning of Satan, this "little Horn" will burst upon the world scene and with little resistance, he will quickly consolidate his powerful kingdom.
I am convinced that the rapture of the Church, the seven year tribulation period, including the coming Antichrist, is very close. If so, this man is alive somewhere today on earth. The good news is that we Christians will be caught up together (raptured) with the Lord Jesus Christ before the Antichrist is revealed and the seven years of tribulation on the earth begins.
The Apostle Paul wrote to encourage the Church at Thessalonica who was suffering much persecution and thought that they had missed the coming of the Lord; "Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy (the leaving or rapture) comes first, and the man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)
The Antichrist is coming, and with him, great tribulation, suffering, death and mass destruction on earth. But first the Lord Jesus Chirst is coming for His Church. Only those who know Him as their Lord and Savior will escape God's wrath at the rapture of the Church. Based upon all that is happening around the world today, we believe that the rapture and the day of the Lord is near. Are you ready for Him? Maranatha!
