The Beast and the Antichrist [Pamphlet]

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When the beast arrives he will have no such name by men! He will be the great man of efficiency and power....We as heavenly people have nothing to do with the beast or antichrist. They will not be revealed while we are here.

Eschatology is occupied with the end times. These are important teachings, and this pamphlet will be devoted to a specific aspect of it. Nevertheless, there is also an unhealthy occupation with the subject. The future of this world holds a very natural, and all too human fascination. As Christians, we are only interested in what the Word of God has to say on such matters, and, more importantly, why it tells us of these things. In this pamphlet, I wish to consider two individuals—the Beast and the Antichrist—whose identities are frequently misrepresented and confused. One hears, for example, these titles used interchangeably. They are, however, separate, and distinct persons with diverse backgrounds. I wish to examine, in the light of Scripture, the appearance of these individuals and the role they will play.

Excerpt: John in his gospel says: “I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth” (John 15:15). The Revelation, however, rather strikingly uses servants, or bondmen, of Jesus Christ. “To shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:1). This distance may be noted throughout the book. The title Almighty, by which God made Himself known to the patriarchs (Gen. 17:1), occurs nine times. Why is this? We must ever keep in mind that we, the church, are not the subject of prophecy. The book of Revelation addresses itself to a larger audience. Even though chapters two and three take up the church, it is in her outward profession and testimony here on earth. After the rapture, the book of Revelation will be of immense interest to God’s elect, the Jewish remnant. In that day they will preach the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 14:14) and the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6) to Jew and gentile respectively. Today, we preach the gospel of the grace of God in all its fullness; it is our present testimony concerning Jesus Christ; grace characterizes this day. “As sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:21). Knowing the things we do, it should motivate us to preach the gospel. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Paul could say: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11). Paul certainly reasoned of coming judgment, but it was the love of Christ which compelled him. As ambassadors for Christ, our message is one of reconciliation to God: “We entreat for Christ, Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20 JND).

In the 1980’s I recall reading Christian literature which promoted Henry Kissinger as the Beast/Antichrist;29 later it was Mikhail Gorbachev—many have been put forward as candidates. In the 1960’s credit cards made the leap from the wallets of the rich and famous to the ordinary consumer. In 1974 the Bankcard was introduced in Australia and New Zealand as a general merchant credit card for the masses. Its symbol was a stylized “b” written in three colors—its similarity to 666, the mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:16-18), caught the attention of some. Soon it was pronounced that we would not be able to buy or sell without a bankcard. Today, whether for good or bad, many Christians carry credit cards. These types of speculation, especially when carried out in the public arena, do nothing to further the gospel. Every false alarm is counterproductive and will, undoubtably, be used to advance the agenda of Satan in a coming day. The rapture occurs before the general apostasy and the revelation of the Antichrist, and the Beast does not assume despotic power until the middle of Daniel’s last week—minimally three and a half years after the rapture. Although the Beast and Antichrist may be alive today, they will not be revealed, nor will they assume their satanic roles, until we are gone. Consequently, we, as Christians, need not fear the mark of the Beast, nor the events associated with the great tribulation. Likewise, whatever technology may be employed to implement the mark of the Beast—which may or may not presently exist—is not our concern.

Even though Satan is the prince of the power of the air, and man has yielded to him authority, both political and religious as the prince and god of this world (John 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4),30 it is important that we understand that Satan does not presently dwell on this earth. He will be cast out of heaven into this earth in the middle of Daniel’s final week (Rev. 12:9-14). Knowing that his time is short, he will wreak havoc. Meanwhile, God is very much on His throne ordering all the affairs of men, setting up rulers and deposing them as He sees fit. This we can safely leave in His hands. Whatever freedoms we presently enjoy are through His mercies alone; they are not safeguarded by men—and when men act contrary to the ways of God, it should neither surprise nor alarm us.

As the world descends into an ever-growing darkness, we can be reassured by the presence of the morning star. The rising of that star in our hearts should be reflected in our outlook and walk—it is Christ as our object in a character suited to the times. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19). “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come  ... He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (Rev. 22:16-17, 20-21).