A Five-Part Prophetic Series

Key Scriptures: Daniel 7:7–8, 23–25; Daniel 9:26–27; Daniel 11:36–45; Matthew 24:15–25; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12; 1 John 2:18; Revelation 13:1–18; Revelation 19:19–20

The Bible teaches that history is moving toward the return and reign of Jesus Christ. Before Christ’s final victory, Scripture describes a powerful opponent who will exalt himself against God, deceive many, persecute God’s people, and exercise extraordinary political and religious influence.

Apostle John calls him “the Antichrist.”

Apostle Paul describes him as “the man of sin” and “the son of perdition.”

Daniel describes a ruler who “shall speak pompous words against the Most High.”

Revelation presents him symbolically as the Beast.

The Antichrist will appear powerful, but his power will be temporary.

Lord Jesus Christ will have the final word.

PART I — WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?

“The Man Who Exalts Himself Against God”

1 John 2:18

“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come…”

The word antichrist carries the idea of being against Christ and can also convey the idea of presenting a counterfeit in opposition to Christ.

John tells us two things.

There is already an antichrist spirit operating in the world, but there is also an anticipated figure whom John calls “the Antichrist.”

1. HE IS NOT SATAN HIMSELF

This distinction is important.

Revelation 13 presents three figures:

The Dragon — Satan
The Beast from the sea — commonly identified with the Antichrist and his kingdom
The Beast from the earth — later called the False Prophet

Revelation 13:2 says:

“The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.”

The Antichrist therefore is not Satan himself.

Satan empowers him.

This creates a counterfeit pattern.

God sends His Son.

Satan promotes his counterfeit ruler.

The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ.

The False Prophet directs worship toward the Beast.

The kingdom of God has Christ at its center; the satanic counterfeit has the Beast at its center.

2. HE WILL EXALT HIMSELF

Paul writes:

“…the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God…” — 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4

His defining characteristic is rebellion.

He will not merely reject God privately.

He will exalt himself publicly.

Daniel 11:36 similarly says:

“Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god…”

Human pride reaches an extraordinary climax in this ruler.

3. HE WILL BE A MASTER OF DECEPTION

The Antichrist will not initially need to appear terrifying.

Deception works best when evil looks desirable.

Jesus warned:

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive…” — Matthew 24:24

The greatest danger may therefore not be that people immediately recognize him as evil.

The danger is that many will believe his claims.

4. HE WILL EVENTUALLY DEMAND WORSHIP

Revelation 13:8 says:

“All who dwell on the earth will worship him…”

Political authority ultimately becomes religious allegiance.

This is why the Antichrist is more than merely another hostile ruler.

His rebellion is directed toward the throne of God.

APPLICATION

The spirit of antichrist is already opposed to the truth about Jesus Christ.

John writes:

“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” — 1 John 2:22

Therefore, the Christian’s primary preparation is not trying to identify every suspicious world leader.

It is knowing the true Christ.

If you know the voice of the Shepherd, you will be better prepared to recognize the voice of the counterfeit.

CLOSING DECLARATION

The Antichrist may rise.

The Beast may receive authority.

The world may marvel.

But there is only one King of kings.

There is only one Lord of lords.

His name is Jesus Christ!

“Maranatha! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Bible Facts Of The Day, September 18, 2026 “THE ANTICHRIST – Part I”

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