Friday, September 7, 2012

Counterfeit Trinity: Satan, Antichrist, & False Prophet



As we have seen in this series, God is a Triune Being encompassing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Satan, the great deceiver, will follow this template to convince those left behind at the Tribulation that he is the promised Messiah. His false trinity will consist of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet.

God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, wrapped in flesh to come to earth and to save mankind by being the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He paid our sin debt in full, so that whosoever believes in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-50) will have eternal life with Him in Heaven (John 3:16).

To copy this pattern, Satan will bring the Antichrist into the world, who will at first appear to be a savior in that he promises to end global famine and to bring world peace (Daniel 8:23-27; 9:25-27). The Antichrist will mimic the miracles of Jesus by performing signs and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9) But three and a half years after the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel, he will commit the “abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14),” desecrating the altar of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and proclaiming that he is god (Daniel 8:11-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

The Antichrist is referred to in Revelation 13 as the beast resembling a leopard, but with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion (v.2). His blasphemy against God has three targets: God’s Name, His tabernacle, and the saints in heaven (v.6), and he rises to power over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations (v.7). The Antichrist will parody the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus by suffering an apparently fatal wound, lying in a coma, and then miraculously returning to life (Revelation 13:3).  

John contrasts the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of God, with the spirit of antichrist. Any true believer in Christ is indwelled by the Holy Spirit and is not ashamed to proclaim that Jesus is God Who came to the earth in the form of human flesh (1 John 4:1-2). Conversely, any person indwelled by the spirit of antichrist will not admit that Christ is fully divine, yet fully human (1 John 4:3).

During the Tribulation, the False Prophet (Revelation 13:11-18) will play the dark counterpart to the Holy Spirit, drawing attention to the Antichrist just as the Holy Spirit leads hearts and minds to focus on Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14). The tools of his trade are speaking like a dragon, miraculous signs, and deception.

The False Prophet will appear to unite all remaining religions into a single, global, ecumenical system worshipping Antichrist as the false god (Revelation 17). He will lead many souls still alive in the Tribulation to be branded with the mark of the beast, or the Antichrist, namely “666” on their forehead or right hand. This number, composed of three sixes (the number of man) is described as the sum of three numbers: six hundred, threescore, and six (Revelation 13: 18).

People who accept the mark hail from three groups of men: small and great, rich and poor, free and bond (Revelation 13:16), Whoever refuses the mark of the beast cannot buy or sell in the new world order  (Revelation 13:16-18), but whoever accepts it is doomed forever – this is the point of no return regarding the possibility of salvation.

During the Tribulation, after the sixth angel dries up the river Euphrates, three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), and out of the mouth of the beast (Antichrist), and out of the mouth of the false prophet to deceive mighty kings to come against Israel at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-14).

After Christ’s return and His defeat of Satan and his armies at the Battle of Armageddon, Satan has three more destinations (Revelation 20): bound in the bottomless pit for 1000 years (v. 3), loosed to deceive the nations and fight a final losing battle (v. 7-9), then cast into the lake of fire and brimstone forever with the beast and the false prophet (v. 10).

Much speculation has been written about the possible identity of the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Based on current events and Bible prophecy (Matthew 24),  we may indeed be caught up in the last throes or birth pangs (Romans 8 :22) of the Church Age before the Rapture, when believers are caught up in the air to meet Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

These two tribulation villains (Antichrist and the False Prophet) may already be prowling the earth, being groomed by their evil father to come to prominence once the restraining influence of the Church and the Holy Spirit indwelling believers is removed at the Rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:2-11).

But as Christians, we should not be anxious about the identity of the Antiichrist, because during our lives, we will never find out who he is. Instead, we should be looking up (Luke 21:28) for the blessed hope (Titus 2:13) of Christ’s return!

© 2012 Laurie Collett


 



41 comments:

Wendy @ E-1-A said...

This is yet another wonderful post Laurie... praise God for giving you this gift and clarity in teaching His truth and praise Him also that you share it so freely for His glory.

joy said...

Thanks for sharing this reminder to us. God bless you more!

Nadwrażliwiec said...

I discussed the topic of beast and false prophet with seventh-day-adventists. They teach, that the beast is Roman Catholic Church, because of "seven hills" - and Rome is the city located on seven hills. But I don't think if only Roman Catholic Church is Babilon and beast. I think it is every church, which doesn't believe the Bible and instead of this believe more in people. Great post. Blessings and greetings for You :)

Frank E. Blasi said...

Thankyou for posting this.
I have done some study of this subject, particularly with Revelation 12. The beast here has seven heads and ten horns, and is staring intently at the woman about to give birth. The secret is easily unlocked if the key to open this mystery is Israel.
God's people, the Jews, have suffered subjection to six gentile empires in the past, and one still to come in the future. The past empires were Egypt, Assyrian, Babylon, Mede/Persian, Greek and Roman. The future one will be Antichrist's kingdom, divided into ten provinces, each with its own governor, symbolised by each of the ten horns. The creature stares intently at the woman, who we know as Israel herself, because she wears a sun as her body garment, a moon on her feet and has a crown of twelve stars. These symbols are identified (Genesis 37:9-10)as the sun being Jacob, the moon Rachael and the twelve stars as the twelve sons of Jacob, i.e. Israel. The woman gives birth to s man-child who is taken up to heaven before the creature can do any harm. No doubt the child is Jesus Christ, most likely resurrected and ascended to heaven.
A great post. Please pardon my rather long comment!

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you, Wendy! Your encouragement is such a blessing to me!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Joy! May you have a blessed week in Him,
Laurie

Charlotte said...

I think all the signs are pointing to the fact that these things are not far off. Thank you for sharing this.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Zim, for your comment. As the apostle John explained, the spirit of antichrist is to deny that Jesus is God in human form. That would include all the cults, false religions, New Age philosophy, and humanism. In the Tribulation, I believe all of these will be united into one false religion, which may well be under the Catholic church and/or centered in Rome.
God bless you!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Frank, for your thorough and well-researched comment. I appreciate the Scripture-based explanation.
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Charlotte! I agree that we appear to be in the End Times, and am looking up for His imminent return!
Love in Him,
Laurie

Denise said...

Awesome post.

betty-NZ said...

I want to understand these prophecies, but my mind won't wrap around them. It's good to know that God has it all under control so I don't have to worry!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Denise, & God bless!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Bettyl! God is still on His throne, and all will unfold according to His perfect plan and timing.
Blessings to you,
Laurie

Donald Fishgrab said...

I find it interesting that for two thousand years, Satan has had to keep a potential Antichrist and false prophet waiting in the wings because he doesn't know when the Lord is coming either. He'd probably appreciate it if some expert could give him a valid date and let him relax a little. It just reminds us again how great our God is.

Laurie Collett said...

Great point, dfish! Jesus was quite clear that no One knew the date except the Father, so certainly that leaves Satan out!
God bless,
Laurie

GypsyDi said...

Great post! Found you on the IMM blog hop
You may find my God Speaks series interesting...
Diane
treasuringgrace.blogspot.com

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Diane, for your visit and comment! I'll check out your blog now!
God bless,
Laurie

Leslie Monroe said...

Excellent post thank you for sharing and linking up. My grandfather always said "keep looking up." :)

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Leslie! Amen to your grandfather -- keep looking up, for our redemption may come at any moment!
Blessings,
Laurie

mail4rosey said...

I didn't realize we won't have a knowledge of the anti-Christ. This was a great post.

Ms. Kathleen said...

A most interesting post! Keeping my eyes on the Heavenly prize :) Bless You! http://thejoyfulservant.com

Joan Hall said...

Laurie - you are such a gifted teacher. Thank you for always being faithful to link with The Grace Cafe. I look foward to seeing your future posts.

Blessings,
Joan

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, mail4rosey, for your visit and kind comment!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Ms. Kathleen! May we keep focused on Him! Blessings to you!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Thank you so much, Joan, for being such a wonderful encourager! You are a great blessing. I will truly miss the Grace Cafe and hope you won't be a stranger!
May God bless and guide you in this new season,
Laurie

Unknown said...

That old deceiver does try to mimic God but we catch him at his tricks! I worship the Holy Three in One Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Robert! There is no substitute for our Sovereign, Triune God!
Blessings to you,
Laurie

Unknown said...

Your final words sum it all up...no matter what your eschatological beliefs, this one truth remains: Keep you eyes on God. Thanks for linking up with WIP!

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Mary Beth -- let's keep our eyes fixed on His face!
Thanks for hosting WIP, & God bless!
Laurie

Naomi said...

Laurie...Yet another thought provoking post. I am always blessed when I stop by. This week you are the reader's choice at WJIM's Monday's Musings. Thank you for sharing this and I am excited to to feature you. Blessings.

Angell said...

Just letting you know that this post was among the top 3 most viewed linkups from last week's linky party! I will be featuring you this Thursday! Come grab your featured button!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Katherine for your comment & for hosting Thursday Favorite Things! Praying that you will feel better very soon!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Wow, Naomi -- that is a great blessing! Thanks so much for the feature and for your kind comment! I have added the featured button above. May the Lord bless you you for all you do to His glory!
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Angell, that is awesome! I am blessed and honored! Thank you so much for the feature & for letting me -- I'll stop by on Thursday! God bless,
Laurie

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