Bible Prophecy Explained! The Antichrist, the Crisis and the Mark of the Beast. Part 3 - The Persecution of True Believers

 The Persecution of the Church.                 By Gaetan

Basic and common-sense commentaries on Bible prophecies and current events.

Many attempts have been made throughout history to identify the “man of lawlessness”, the “Antichrist” with other historical figures who had great power and brought havoc and devastation to people on the earth. The ancient Roman emperors Nero and Domitian, both of whom severely persecuted Christians, were thought by many to be the Antichrist. Many Roman emperors, including these two, claimed deity for themselves and demanded to be worshiped. In more recent times, Adolf Hitler was commonly thought to be the Antichrist, as was Joseph Stalin. On the other hand, many Protestants since the Reformation, especially those who were persecuted by the Catholic Church, have thought that one or another of the popes was the Antichrist. But all of these identifications have proved to be false, (or were just types and forerunners of the evil one who is to come, no doubt being intermediate fulfillments, as there have been many in history who have aspired to the office of "Antichrist.")  and it is likely that a yet worse man of lawlessness will arise on the world scene and bring unparalleled suffering and persecution, only to be destroyed by Jesus when He comes again.¹

According to the Bible, three main ingredients are mentioned in the book of Revelation chapter 13 in order to bring about his New World Order: 

n REV.13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Power will be given to the Beast over the whole world, which means a world government.

n REV.13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

In this verse, we see that all will worship the Antichrist, the Beast, which is a new world religion.

n REV.13:16-17 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

And here we see a global credit system, which is a new World financial system.

So then according to the Bible, a one world government, a one world religion and a one world credit system will give this Beast complete control. I believe the world is racing in that direction.

We’re continuing this series about this coming “man of sin” predicted in the Bible to see how current events fit with the Scriptures. In the first two chapters of this series, we have speculated that his forces would be working behind the scenes to prepare the world for their “Supreme Lord” and they have been doing it for a long time.

We have covered the role of the press and media,

the destructive educational system,

the new technologies bringing in a new credit system

with the necessary 5G speed

and they could very well take advantage of the Covid 19 situation, using fear to convince the masses to accept those changes.

In the midst of that somber agenda, we have also included the scriptures about the happy ending with Christ’s victorious return and victory over the Beast.

Now in part 3 we will focus on the actual religious situation and the soon to come worldwide persecution of all faiths.

Christianity - the situation now:

The goal of the Antichrist’s forces is global governance of the world and they can’t easily control people of faith and churches while believers are still submitting to their priests and pastors, as this works against their plan for their eventual Supreme Lord to be revealed. Thus, it is indispensable for them to undermine all faiths, tearing out of people’s minds the very principles of God and to replace it with so-called science, humanism and material pursuit.

For many decades, they have not lost a chance to discredit religion, particularly Christianity and its leadership. More and more, Christianity’s influence on the peoples of the world is diminishing and is greatly reduced. They seem to particularly want to defeat Christianity and it is under assault in many countries.  Free thinking and self-religion, with a strong emphasis on the spiritual authority of “the self” has been declared everywhere, replacing authority, tradition, revelation and dogma. Now, these antichrist forces, are getting closer to one of their goals: the complete ruin of the Christian religion, or so they think. 

 2TI.3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy… traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof...

As for other religions there may be less difficulty in dealing with them, and eventually the Antichrist (the Beast) will be the real "Pope," the father of the international church. Meanwhile, while they have been re-education youth in the new self-religions, they have not been openly attacking the existing churches, but they are fighting them through criticism via Hollywood movies, TV series, the press,and court cases. They use any available means at their disposal in order to lower Christianity's prestige and create division. They are exceeding deceitful.

Dan.8:25 Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule.

Rev.13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth. 

Here are some excerpts from: “Hollywood's Immoral Agenda, Entertainment Industry Accelerates Attack on Biblical Values.” BY CHARLES CHANDLER  

Hollywood’s gloves are off, and its war against Christianity and traditional values has become obnoxiously aggressive. “We’ve always heard that Hollywood is about making money, but I think it’s really about an immoral or amoral agenda to promote lifestyles, relativism, compromise and shades of gray with no black and white,” said Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga… There is a force in that community,” he added, “that says more important than making $100 million is to plant seeds in the minds of young people that will take them away from Judeo-Christian ethics.” Instead of wholesome family values, today’s secular offerings smack of smut, including network television series openly promoting homosexuality and polygamy. ² 

This is just one example of the social corrosion of the authority of the Bible. They have achieved the goal of making

the average person believe that the Bible is wrong and back-

wards about a number of things, so then the average person

concludes that the Bible cannot be trusted.  

2TH.2:10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

DAN.7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.

DAN.7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High…until a time and times and the dividing of time.

The prophet Daniel saw to his horror that the Antichrist persecutes and makes war against the saints, the people of God, for “a time and times, and the dividing of time.” We are also told of this war and persecution in the book of Revelation lasting forty-two months (Rev.13:5–7) and so it can be understood as three and a half years. This coming Antichrist regime will be an absolute dictatorship, literally having the same spirit as the old Roman Empire, in that it will persecute Christians and fight the Saints, just like ancient Rome did! The length of this period is repeated a number of times throughout the Scriptures, and it covers the time known to us as the Great Tribulation, the second half of the Antichrist’s reign that immediately precedes Jesus’ second coming. It is not a pleasant time on Earth. In a later message given by an angel to Daniel it is described as “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time”:

DAN.12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation…: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Mk.13:20 except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elects’ sake (or the saints), whom he hath chosen, He hath shortened the days.

The persecuted but victorious church during the Great Tribulation:

DAN.7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.

DAN.7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High…until a time and times and the dividing of time.

The prophet Daniel saw to his horror that the Antichrist persecutes and makes war against the saints, the people of God, for “a time and times, and the dividing of time.” We are also told of this war and persecution in the book of Revelation lasting forty-two months (Rev.13:5–7) and so it can be understood as three and a half years. This coming Antichrist regime will be an absolute dictatorship, literally having the same spirit as the old Roman Empire, in that it will persecute Christians and fight the Saints, just like ancient Rome did! The length of this period is repeated a number of times throughout the Scriptures, and it covers the time known to us as the Great Tribulation, the second half of the Antichrist’s reign that immediately precedes Jesus’ second coming. It is not a pleasant time on Earth. In a later message given by an angel to Daniel it is described as “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time”:

DAN.12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation…: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Mk.13:20 except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elects’ sake (or the saints), whom he hath chosen, He hath shortened the days.

This man has an agenda. He hates God.  He will change the very laws of mankind in an attempt to legislate God right out of our midst.  The dream of the atheists will seem, for a time, to come true.  It will also become illegal to worship God, and the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.  Those who attempt to worship Him will be persecuted mercilessly. He will not introduce himself to the world, as "Good day, people of the world, I am the Antichrist."  He will not be upfront in the beginning.  There are, by the way, actually two meanings of "antichrist" - one is "against Christ" and the other is to "IMITATE Christ."  He is not only against our Lord, but he also pretends initially to be a "good leader" - This is the real wolf in sheep’s clothing. ³   

Dan.8:24 He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.

DAN.12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen… and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

   

The Antichrist not only makes war, but it looks to Daniel as though 

he is winning the war, prevailing against God's people. The beast is 

going to overcome the church, as far as its temporal power is 

concerned-- its buildings, organizations and money, (Daniel 7:21/25).

 It doesn't say he's going to destroy the holy people, there's a definite 

distinction there, but he's going to destroy their power! And It doesn't

necessarily say completely destroy it even, but scatter it, (Dan.12:7)

in other words, weaken it and scatter it, so that they no longer have

much power or influence in the World, in politics and governments,

etc., then he'll be able to take over. We know he can't destroy all the 

holy people, because in verse 18, 22 and 27 of Daniel chapter seven, 

it mentions that the saints “shall take…and possess the kingdom, it 

will be given to them.”

DAN.7:18, 22, 27 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever… Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

DAN.11:32-35 …but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help… and some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end….

As you can see from those verses,  in spite of all the antichrist opposition, those who know God are going to be strong and do exploits. Those who have studied God’s Word and are spiritually prepared will understand the whys and wherefores of what is happening, and therefore they will instruct those who don’t understand what’s going on. But some will be killed by sword and fire, and some will be captured and their 

goods plundered. But even this “fall” has benefits,

because it will refine and purify those who know and 

love God.

DAN.11:36 and the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation (wrath) be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

2TH.2:4 who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Daniel and Paul both wrote and prophesied about the same “man of sin”. Paul said clearly that the Antichrist will exalt himself above all gods and will tell the World to worship him as God. And John tells us the same thing in Revelation the 13th Chapter, that he sets up his idol there in the holy place and commands everybody to worship him and his image; everybody who refuses to worship him as God is to be killed. (Rev.13:15) --So that he as God will sit in this new rebuilt Temple of the Jews in Jerusalem.

 REV.13:5-6 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

The end of this age is going to see a worldwide propaganda of deceit, and it will deceive millions. The Revelation indicates that the period in which this deceit will be at its zenith will be a short period. This description of the Antichrist’s big mouth was also used by Daniel in his various descriptions of the Antichrist.      ( Dan. 7:8, 11, 20, 25 ;  11:36 ) He's going to have a very BIG mouth!

REV.13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

What?!—You mean to say this Antichrist prevails against the Saints?—He wins? Well, during the cold war, didn’t it look like the Communists won, and had actually prevailed against the Church in Russia and the East Bloc? Doesn’t it look like the Communists have prevailed against the Church in China? Does this mean the Church is absolutely dead and gone there?--No! Only the temporal power had been destroyed! Only the political and economic power had been destroyed! But it's been good for them because it strengthened them spiritually and brought revival, and this is why the Lord allowed it to happen! China has millions of Christians in house churches in spite of all the persecutions of the past 70 years. Even though the Antichrist will be allowed to overcome us physically, obviously destroying the organised temporal power of the Church, he will not and cannot overcome us spiritually!

 

REV.11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Jesus is Lord

When that image of the horrible beast, the Antichrist, is set up there in the temple at Jerusalem, in the midst of that seven-year covenant period, then will begin the Great Tribulation period for which His Word gives us the exact 3-1/2 years length over and over again in so many different ways that you cannot possibly misunderstand it! 3-1/2 years (Dan.7:25; 9:27; 12:7; Rev.12:14), 42 months (Rev.11:2; 13:5), 1,260 days (Rev.11:3; 12:6). It is repeated so many times in so many different ways--days, months and years--so that you will know exactly how long it's going to last!

Why do you think the Lord was so clear on that? Because it's going to be such a terrible time that we're going to be counting the days! That's one thing that will help keep you going, to know that it is not going to last much longer! The fact that you're able to count the days is going to encourage you tremendously! "Just one more day, one more day, one more day!" If you were lost on a desert island and didn’t know whether you were ever going to get rescued, it would be pretty hard to endure. But if you knew exactly what day, or at least mighty close to it, that you were going to be rescued, you'd fight to live and survive until that day! Well, those last days of the Antichrist's reign during the Great Tribulation are going to be so rough, the Lord wanted us to know the exact times so that we wouldn't give up. “Look up!" He says, "for your redemption draweth nigh!" (Lk.21:28.) What a wonderful encouragement!

These two great witnesses, probably right there in the Holy City, will be witnessing against the Antichrist, the Beast, against his unholy image and against his claims to be God, his blasphemy against God! It could also mean that those two prophets won’t be alone witnessing but that the churches, or bodies of believers, will also play a similar role.

REV.11:7 and when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

When they have finished their testimony, not a moment before! they will be able to testify and witness the full 1,260 days, forty-two months, three-and-a-half years of the total Tribulation period and nobody will be able to stop them. No matter what the Devil, all his henchman, all his cohorts, conspirators and cruel wicked followers of the Beast, of Satan--no matter what they try to do they cannot even touch them until they've finished their testimony! They will have tremendous God-given power over the elements and tremendous protection from their enemies, but finally they are killed. But a few days later, they are resurrected:

REV.11:11, 12 And after three days and a half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them; and they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

This happens at the very end of the Tribulation, obviously, because they prophesy, it says specifically in the third verse, for 3-1/2 years. What's happening?! They're being resurrected! Suddenly those bodies come to life before they've been buried! Why? Jesus is coming in the sky and all the dead in Christ are rising to meet Him in the air! Including these Two Witnesses! So, it seems that their resurrection and rapture could occur at the same time as everybody else's: at the end of the Great Tribulation when Jesus returns!

REV.12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

This verse proves that this woman, the Church, is living in the End time. Just as specifically as it could possibly be, there is your three-and-a-half years of Tribulation again. There she will be miraculously fed and cared for in places of refuge for that entire 3-1/2 years! Others of His children will boldly witness and openly preach and prophesy against the Antichrist, miraculously empowered and protected by God!

 REV.12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

REV.12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

So, although this evil Antichrist commands that no one can buy or sell without his mark and that anyone who refuses to worship his Image should be killed, we will refuse! We will refuse both the Mark and the worship of the Image; therefore, we will not be able to buy nor sell food or clothing or shelter or the necessities of life and they will try to kill us. God's Word says that many of us will "flee into the wilderness" for survival, to prevent our being killed for not worshipping the Image of the Beast, and to survive without being able to buy or sell. But God is going to take care of us!

This tribulation period will be the end of any kind of association with the systems of this world whatsoever, for true Christians. It will be impossible to survive except by miracles of God and faith, living by faith, totally and entirely independent from the Antichrist System, without its Mark, its approval and without its benefits. Many of us will have to go completely underground and do the best we can to survive and continue to witness, much like the early Christians did from the catacombs during the Roman persecutions.

"Where iniquity doth abound, grace doth much more abound" (Rom.5:20) In those last, worst, most awful days of all, those two witnesses as well as the body of believers are going to be the most powerful witnesses we have ever been!  The more the antichrist tries to suppress us and beat us down and kill us off, the more miraculous our survival will be and the more publicity the Message will get, the more he tries to fight it! And with all his power, all his signs, wonders, all his deviltry and all his Satanic majesty, he cannot conquer us, he cannot wipe us out, he cannot stop us any more than he can right now! He won't be able to do it any more in the Tribulation than he can now! It is not going to be a time of defeat and total destruction, it's going to be a time of tremendous battles and persecution, but as a result, great victories and great miracles!

So, don’t worry about a time of oppression, defeat, and total subjugation. God's Word says that "they that do know their God shall do exploits, and they which understand amongst the people shall instruct many!" (Da.11:32,33.) We are going to do the greatest work we have ever done, preach the greatest Gospel and be the greatest witnesses we have ever been!

 

ROM.8:31, 35-37 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

What have we learned so far: this man will appear in the time of the end, he will have a big Hitler type of mouth, he will be a master of deceit, his power will be given to him by the devil himself, he will be revealed officially at one point, will have a global reach and government, will exalt himself above God, will persecute the believers, will set up an image of himself as well as enforce a new financial system, the famous mark of the beast. In the end, he will even try to fight God but then will lose at the coming of the Lord and be thrown down into the lake of fire.

In part 4 of this series, we will continue to focus on how the world in which we live today is being transformed and prepared for his entrance onto the global world stage.

Are you ready? Are you one of the believers in Jesus? Are you a part of His great Bride? Are you the Wife of Christ? Have you accepted Him as your Husband, your Bridegroom and your Saviour? Then you don't have to worry! He'll take care of you right on through the Tribulation, even if He has to give you wings! He'll hide you in the wilderness if He has to make you disappear! He'll feed you there and take care of you just like He says here, all the way through that 1260 days or three-and-a-half years of Great Tribulation! So that the devil can’t lay a claw or a fang on you, he can't inundate you or drown you with his lies because you don't believe him, you just believe the Word of God! And you will be saved and brought through and live and survive till Jesus' coming!

Please pray this simple prayer:

"Dear Jesus, I want to know You personally. Please forgive all my faults. I accept that You are the Son of God and that You died for me. I invite You into my heart and life. Thank you for your gift of eternal life and please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to read and understand Your Word. Amen"

Designed and produced by Gaetan.  You’re always welcome to write me for any additional info:   writegaetan@yahoo.com

Authors and publications frequently consulted

 

¹ Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology p.1351

² https://decisionmagazine.com/hollywoods-immoral-agenda/

³ http://fridaystudy.org/html/daniel/daniel7.htm

 

Lennox, John C. Against the Flow. Monarch Books. Kindle Edition.

MacGregor, Scott, The Rise and Fall of the Antichrist.  Published on May 5, 2006

MacGregor, Scott, The Future Foretold. Published on February 1, 2009

To go to Part 1 click HERE.  To go to Part 2 click HERE.