The Rise Of The Antichrist (Parts 1 & 2) Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

View These Messages at:

Part 1: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/145299

Part 2: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/149278

1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” 5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:1–10 ESV)

We have come to the 13th Chapter of Revelation and we will be taking a look at an unholy trinity that includes: The Dragon (Satan), The Beast (the Antichrist), and the False Prophet. Verses 1-10 describe the Antichrist and we will break those verses down today.

Before we do that, we should understand that the person of the antichrist is not unique to Revelation or apocalyptic Scripture. He appears in the Old Testament, New Testament, the Gospels, and Epistles. It is therefore important for us to understand who this person is and what he is going to do. Those that diminish and dismiss the study of prophecy and end times are subscribing to and presenting a false or incomplete gospel.

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:3)

We see the signs of the times throughout our world and one of the more obvious foreshadows of the tribulation period is in the next several chapters describing the antichrist’s political, economic, and religious global dominion. In fact these signs were emerging at the time of Christ and continue to grow in intensity as the time of Christ’s return grows closer as a testimony to God’s eternal and victorious plan.

Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. (Mark 13:6–8)

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18) Even before Revelation was written they knew the antichrist was coming

As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. 23 “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:21–25)