Today I am going to concentrate on the antichrist and what he will try to accomplish.   

If you are a regular reader of mine you know that I do not believe that satan knows the day he is living in.  As far as he is concerned this next attempt to bring about his kingdom is just that…his next attempt.  I believe he has been trying for centuries to bring his antichrist into power, but has been held back by the power of the Holy Spirit (II Thessalonians 2:6-8).  But soon that will all end.  When the rapture takes place, the Holy Spirit, who resides in every Christian, will leave this world.  God has timed this with satan’s next attempt to bring in his kingdom.  I believe that time is fast approaching. 

When the rapture does take place, satan will raise up his antichrist.  He may have a person already picked out or he may just pick someone.  He may already be grooming someone for the job, but it’s not because he knows the future.  Satan maybe preparing for what he believes is his future but only God knows the future.   

When the rapture occurs, there will be great shock around the world.  Many believe that a great deception will have to follow the rapture for the world to go on.  Something such as UFO abductions, that will explain away the millions that will suddenly disappear.   

But truthfully, I don’t believe God cares what the world thinks nor will He try to deceive them.  This event will happen, it will cause shock as 911 did, and the world will get over it in time.  How much time I don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter, whatever God has planned will go on as scheduled. 

I also believe there will be a gap of time between the rapture and the start of the tribulation period.  How much time is up to debate, but it could range from a day to several years.  This time will be used to bring about satan’s kingdom, the rise of the antichrist and the great falling away (II Thessalonians 2:3).   

When the antichrist comes on the scene he will unknowingly start the seven-year tribulation period by confirming a peace agreement with many for which Israel will be included.  At the same time, God will send the Holy Spirit to indwell 144,000 witnesses to preach the Gospel to the world.  He will also raise up two special witnesses that will preach the Gospel in Jerusalem.  They will not be able to be harmed and will wreak havoc on the world for three and one-half years. 

Many will be saved during this time, but it may cost them their life.  The Fifth Seal reveals a multitude before the throne that came out of great tribulation (Revelation 6:9-11).  These martyrs will probably be killed following the great war (Fourth Seal). 

Many Bible scholars and teachers (including myself) believe the antichrist will rise up out of the European Union.  This is believed to be the location of the New Roman Empire, which will rule the world in the last days.   

At this time, the E.U. has a six-month rotating presidency, but plan on electing at some point a more permanent leader.  This will happen once their constitution is approved and he will probably hold the office for a two to four year period.  But the way things are moving prophetically I’m not sure that day will come.   

I’m not sure what position the antichrist will hold at the time of the signing of the peace accord.  He may rise up out of the present rotating system or be one of the future permanent presidents. Whoever he turns out to be he will bring world recognition and stability to Israel.  He will also become a respected world leader.   

But just when things are going well a major world war will break out and one-quarter of the world’s population will die.  Many will die instantly, but many more will suffer a slow painful death from disease and starvation.  This will be a horrible time and very chaotic.   

It’s hard to say how this war will start.  It could simply be the Lord stirring up a world leader to attack another nation or several nations.  It could be as simple as miscommunication.  A preemptive strike may set it off and induce many other preemptive or counterstrikes.   

Terrorism is also in the back of my mind.  If a nuclear terrorist strike occurs, that nation may strike back at the nation or nations they feel are harboring the terrorist group.  They may take a strike first and ask questions later approach. 

The Lord may also allow satan to impose his will upon the world.  This great war may be in reaction to the antichrist declaring himself to be God.  Even though the world will not want to retain the knowledge of God they will oppose someone who claims to be a god.  The free world will see this as another Hitler rising up and will band against him, but in the end they will be defeated.  Not only will three nations in his own kingdom fall (Daniel 7:24), but also the entire world will be crushed. 

However it starts, when the dust clears, the antichrist will destroy anyone who stands in his way.  He will put down all democracies and force the world to take his mark and worship him.

He will then march into the temple in Jerusalem and blaspheme Holy God.  At some point following his abomination, I believe the antichrist will be assassinated.  But miraculously satan will be given the power (by God) to cause him to rise again.   

The whole world will look on him in awe thus duplicating what Christ did over two thousand years ago.  This will give birth to the unholy trinity - (the father) satan, (the son) antichrist, and (the spirit) false prophet.   

These three will demand worldwide worship and blaspheme the very God of gods.  At some point, satan will gather his demoniac army and storm the gates of heaven only to be soundly defeated.   

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  (Revelation 12:9)” 

Pastor Malone