Antichrist

In Christian eschatology, the Antichrist has come to mean a person or other entity that is the embodiment of evil and utterly opposed to truth.

Characteristics of the Antichrist

Based on the interpretations of the specific passages from the books of Daniel and Revelation, the Antichrist is commonly expected to meet certain characteristics. The Bible describes a beast-like creature, but over the years these characteristics have been interpreted as being metaphorical, or symbolic as the book itself indicates, since in Daniel 8:3 we are told of a ram like beast, and then Daniel 8:20 explains that "the ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia." Also in Daniel 8:5 we are told of a goat like beast with a "notable horn" and in Dan 8:21 we are told "the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king." So a beast represents a kingdom and the horns or heads represent some aspect of its political leadership. So the antichrist is a religious kingdom and its heads represent its political leadership which Revelation 17:10 tells us that the seven heads "...are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space."

Related Topics:
Daniel - Metaphor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For example, the beast is supposed to have "ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns upon its horns" (Revelation 13:1–2) which is sometimes interpreted to mean the Antichrist will lead 27 or 17 countries. They will follow in his battles that he will declare boldly and without humility are for a purpose which is untrue. Likewise the fact that the beast is described as being "worshipped" is taken as a sign that the Antichrist will be a popular figure among those who are deceived by him. According to the book of Revelation the Antichrist can be identified by the number of the Beast.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The most common interpretations continue to be that the Antichrist will be some sort of high-ranking political leader, who will initially do very good, popular things, which will win him many followers. In the end, however he is supposed to get increasingly totalitarian and elicit more and more sacrifices from his followers until eventually his evil ways become known, and the era of "trials and tribulations" begins.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~