The Antichrist, 2 of 2

The beast I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear's, and his mouth was like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. One of his heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but his fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast. They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against him?" - Revelation 13:2-4 HCSB

This powerful man will achieve tremendous military victories and will, by force, establish a seven-year peace treaty in the Middle East.[1] However, his underlying intent to achieve complete domination will be demonstrated first, by his betrayal of Babylon; secondly, by his betrayal of three of the ten “landless kings”; and third, by his breaking of the peace treaty with Israel.

According to Daniel,[2] a southern king and a northern king will attempt to catch the Beast in a pincher movement with the northern king attempting an attack from both land and sea. The Antichrist’s winning streak will not be quite over yet, and he will successfully invade various lands. He will overrun Israel, leaving Jordan alone.

He will continue down the coast into Egypt. Egypt’s mighty armies will fall and the Beast will proceed to loot that ancient land. Ethiopia and Lybia, seeing the writing on the wall, will simply submit to his authority.

Then bad news from the east and the north will arrive which will anger him. He will wheel his conquering armies around and hurry back up the coast, halting at a place famous for its tremendously historic battles between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean Sea – the valley of Armageddon.[3] There, at what will seem to him to be the peak of his power and glory, his time will suddenly run out, and there will be no one to help him.

He will face off with the remaining kings in an epic battle. As the last of the population of the world looks on, the battle will rage until the warring angel Michael[4] rises to his task. The slaughter will be the most awful the nations will have ever seen.[5] The people of Israel will despair as their country is ravaged[6] but this battle will coincide with our Master’s glorious return along with the hosts of heaven. At that time, many of the dead will rise, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.[7]

How ephemeral is even the most complete human power! All told, this entire horrifying affair will only last approximately 3 ½ years. From the time the Beast breaks his vow to Israel and establishes himself as god there will be 1,290 days. Blessed are those who wait and remain to the end of the 1,335 days![8]

[1] Daniel 9:27
[2] Daniel 11:40-45
[3] Revelation 16:13-16
[4] Daniel 12:1 cp 10:13
[5] Daniel 12:1 cp Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21; Revelation 16:18
[6] Daniel 8:24; Zechariah 14:1-2
[7] Daniel 12:2 cp John 5:24-30
[8] Daniel 12:11-12 After the Second Coming that ends the Tribulation period, seventy-five days will transpire before the Millennium begins. (Rev. 12:6 says the Great Tribulation will be 1, 260 days. Dan. 12:11-12 speaks of 1, 290 days – an extra thirty days – and 1, 335 days – forty five extra days – from the beginning of the Tribulation to a future point that can be seen as the beginning of the Millennium. Therefore we have seventy-five days between the Second Coming and the beginning of the Millennium. (Cf. Dan.12:7; Rev. 11:2). Perhaps this is where the rewarding of all the resurrected believers will take place (Lk. 14:14; 2 Cor. 5:10).