The Bible teaches the Antichrist has already existed on Earth and will come back again.
Revelation 17:10 And there 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. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
In these times we’re living in, one of the hottest topics in end-times prophecy is the Antichrist. This figure who will present himself as a false substitute of the True Christ, our Lord Jesus, and deceive the world into political and religious unification with him as the head (Revelation 13) and seek to establish a satanically empowered empire. But having read the whole book of Revelation, we know the Antichrist’s time will be short-lived as Jesus Christ, the Messiah will come and destroy the Antichrist, his partner the False Prophet and all their forces with the brightness of His Coming and establish a Kingdom of Righteousness. Amen. This has left many believers and the curious wondering…just who is the Antichrist?
While many theories abound as to who the Antichrist is (with ideas running from Obama, the Pope, Tony Blair..etc.), most of these ideas if not all of them fall apart under Biblical scrutiny (and I certainly don’t believe any of those men are). I wanted to kick off this series by sharing a very important and often overlooked passage regarding his identity. Living in what certainly feels like the end-times, there is a natural urge in the Christian to speculate on the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. And this is a good thing. Jesus Christ our Lord instructed us to “watch” and “be ready”! (Matthew 24:44-46) So we should be looking eagerly to His arrival when He comes in the clouds for His saints. But in our speculation we always have to rely on what the Scriptures say to inform our beliefs. And this passage in Revelation 17 is very telling.
The beauty of the book of Revelation is that for all of the startling imagery that often leaves readers very confused, the angels who accompany John The Revelator as he is being shown things which he “hast seen, and the things which are, and things which shall be hereafter”, take the time to explain the visions he witnesses and interpret them for him. This makes understanding Revelation much easier and we should take their explanations to heart as believers. In chapter 17 John has just seen an image of a woman riding a scarlet colored beast (this beast had been previously described in Revelation chapter 13 as The Beast or the Antichrist). Here is the description we see in chapter 17:
1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
So here we see the vivid description of Mystery Babylon the Great, who is drunk “with the blood of the martyrs” (a key to identifying mystery Babylon). But we are going to focus on the beast that she is riding. And the angel provides the explanation of who (or what) this beast is:
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
The angel clearly tells John that he is going explain “the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her.” So we do not need to go into speculation — the answer is here! In verse 8 the antichrist, referred to as “the beast” is first described as one that “was, and is not, and yet is.” This verse is very important as it makes a stark contrast to the description that Jesus Christ our Lord gives of Himself in Revelation Chapter 1:
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
The phrase “which is, and which was, and which is to come” is a demonstration that Jesus Christ is eternal. He voluntarily lowered Himself (Hebrews 2:) when He came to Earth and was born on this as the seed of a woman prophesied in Genesis 3:15 and all throughout all the Old Testament. And although He laid his life down on the cross, He conquered death and the grave in His Resurrection (Acts 2:24). And in His resurrected body He ascended to Heaven where He sits at the right hand of The Father. Therefore He has always existed.
The Beast, on the other hand, is described as one who “was, and is not, and yet is.” This indicates that he is not eternal. But it gives us a huge clue as to his identity – he has already existed in the past! But he died and did NOT conquer the grave. He is still dead at the time John is receiving the vision. So where is the Beast now? Verse 8 tells us. He is in “the bottomless pit.” So just what does that mean. This calls for examining the text. The Greek word for “bottomless pit” is abussos.
Strong’s concordance explains abussos as follows:
12 abussos {ab’-us-sos}
AV – bottomless pit 5, deep 2, bottomless 2; Total: 9
1) bottomless
2) unbounded
3) the abyss
3a) the pit
3b) the immeasurable depth
3c) of Orcus, a very deep gulf or chasm in the lowest parts of the earth used as the common receptacle of the dead and especially as the abode of demons.
Another term for abussos is “deep.” We see “the deep” referenced in Luke Chapter 8:
26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
So here we see the demons called Legion begging Jesus not be to be sent to “the deep.” This is the same term for “bottomless pit.” It is a place of punishment and detainment for demonic spirits or (those who have pledged allegiance to the adversary). This is the current location of the antichrist. The Angel makes this quite clear.
To further confirm that the antichrist is a person who has lived before, the Angel provides more explanation:
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10 And there 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. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
“Here is the mind that hath wisdom” is calling us to be wise in understanding what is about to be stated. The Angel explains that the seven heads are “seven mountains.” Symbolically, these mountains represent “seven kings.” Kings are real people. They are rulers. (Many Christians have interpreted these “kings” to mean nations, but it does not say this. It clearly says that they are kings.) And there is a historical sequence of these kings. Five are “fallen” meaning at the time of the writing of Revelation they were dead (most Biblical scholars agree Revelation was written sometime between 65 AD and 90 AD). “One is” means that one at that time was alive. “And the other is yet to come” meant that that the seventh king was coming some time after the writing of Revelation.
But the Beast is described as “the eighth, and is of the seven.” Again it is confirmed that the Antichrist has lived before! And that he is returning. He is one of those seven historic, “Mystery Kings” and he is going to return and go “into perdition.” This should significantly help us narrow down the field on who the Antichrist could be. There are only seven candidates and 6 of them lived at least 1,900 years ago. So who could these “Mystery Kings” possibly be? Stay tuned for the next part of the series.
Interesting article. I will have to study this idea more in depth. Right now I am studying the 10 kings of Revelation and Daniel 7. This has really been an intriguing study for me so far. What I have seen so far is that the 10 kings will rise before the AC does and they are the ones who destroy the whore aka Mystery Babylon.
“And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” Revelation 17:16
This caught my attention because most old time bible prophecy charts and timelines always place the destruction of Mystery Babylon at the end of the tribulation period. But how can this be when in the following verse the 10 kings are said to give their kingdom unto the beast.
“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.” Revelation 17:17
And besides all this we read in Daniel that 3 of the kings will be put down by the little horn when he rises.
“7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. ” Daniel 7:7-8
“23Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.” Daniel 7:23-24
So needless to say my current study has led me to re-examine my whole outlook on end time prophecy. I believe that the 10 kings play a much larger role than a lot of people have previously expressed. They are the ones who actually destroy Mystery Babylon which will give rise to the AC and his 4th beast empire. Mystery Babylon must be destroyed before the AC is revealed because Mystery Babylon is the only opposition to the AC taking over the whole world and treading it down.
What are your thoughts about this my friend?
ImGoing2heavenRU?(Quote)
Greetings and thank you very much for the comment and question. I agree with your comments 100%. I believe the 10 Kings of Revelation 17 are some of the most overlooked figures in Bible Prophecy. For those who think the antichrist is alive and in power today or could just pop up out of nowhere, we know that is not true. The Bible is clear that not only do the 10 Kings precede the Antichrist, they actually rule together for “an hour” (which is metaphorical language). Unfortunately, almost all articles or commentaries you will find allegorize these leaders into nations, which the Bible absolutely does not support. I think that these 10 rulers are the last form of government leadership before the Antichrist. Rev 17 makes this very clear. And they certainly are the ones responsible for destroying Mystery Babylon, ensuring full political and spiritual authority can be transferred to the antichrist as we see from the passage from Revelation that you cite, where we see that God puts it in their hearts to destroy the Mystery Babylon religious system.
So in short, I think you are dead on. Keep up the excellent Biblical exposition and study. God bless.
Beginning and End(Quote)
My thoughts exactly my friend. The dogma that is related to end-time prophecy is startling to say the least. I am in no way on a crusade to degrade or belittle the numerous outstanding bible scholars of times past, but much of the dogma that is related to end-time prophecies comes from outdated sources. We are now living in the literal end times, in which I believe this is the generation that will not pass until all things are fulfilled, but yet we (the body of Christ) are still relying on information that has dominated the church for over a 1,000 years.
Daniel 12:4 has a spiritual application to it besides the literal fulfillment that we of course see today.
“4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
God is unsealing previous concealed knowledge due to the fact that the last generation is now on the scene. And thus the diligent saints of God are going to and fro throughout the scriptures and knowledge is being increased. This increase of knowledge is of course related to eschatology.
I firmly believe that it is paramount to re-examine long held traditions about eschatology. Because God said that if it were possible even the elect would be deceived in the end times. But not so for those who are studying to show themselves approved unto God.
I have tried to post my beliefs on a very prominent end time forum and I was banned for the ideas I brought forth. Why? Because the site administrators labeled me a heretic for the information that what we have just discussed. I was absolutely baffled by how much animosity I received for trying to communicate truth. But people are so stuck in their ways and beliefs that they refuse to re-examine their end time world view. Instead they rely on the saints of 100’s of years ago to give them information about events that are now taking place before our eyes. It’s startling.
“9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. ” Matthew 24:9-14
After my experience on that website the passage above really started to stick in my mind. These fellow believers treated me like I was an unbeliever. It felt literal hatred for what I was trying to communicate to who I thought were fellow brethren.
The church is in for a real rude awakening especially here in America. The church of laodecia is among us and I pray that I will be accounted worthy to escape all these things which will be shortly coming upon the earth.
I would like to get your thoughts about Jeremiah 50-51, Isaiah 13-14 & 47, and Revelation 17-18. Who do you believe God is describing in these passages of scriptures? Maybe you can do an article on here. I believe it is real clear, but many others refuse to see the writing on the wall because we sit a queen and believe that we shall see no sorrow. Tragic to say the least.
God bless you my brother in Christ.
ImGoing2heavenRU?(Quote)
Wow, good stuff brother. Clap clap
I noticed you refrained from saying these 10 kings arise out of the Roman Empire. Was that purposeful or do you think that is a given? If I am off base here, where do you see the Roman Empire in Daniel? Thanks.
Shalom,
TM
TM(Quote)
Where is part 2 of this article? Was it ever written? It has been almost 2 years since part 1 was written.
Jason(Quote)
What???? No second part. Say it ain’t so?
TM(Quote)
When the Antichrist does come, we won’t see him coming. He’ll look like a saint to the public. My theory is he’ll somehow bring about a near-global wipe of any resistance towards gay marriage and abortion, and thus, get almost everyone to worship him, thus bringing about his power. Only us few that know will see it. A young, up-and-coming politician, simply overnight, becoming a star. Imagine that. It’ll be too late by then to stop it.
ConservativeTeen(Quote)
Great Revelation. The Spirit of God indeed reveal all things. Glory to God in the Highest. Hallelujah! My faith is strengthened. I believe. The Lamb of God took all my sins and set me free. Jesus is Lord. The gates of hades shall be prevail. Shalom
Emmanuel(Quote)
I am waiting to next series of this article( it has been 6 years), God bless BE and all faboulus Jesus Christ follower who read this website.
Irene(Quote)
Dear BegginingandEnd
Here are some of my suggestions
1. Nebuchadnessar(mybe he repented)
2. Herode who killed thousands of babies trying to kill Jesus
3. Nimrode
4. Jerobowami the first king of the 10 tribes of Israel
5. Ahabi the son of Jesebel
You suggested on your previous articles that he might from the tribe of Dan. Who was the king in history who from the King of Dan.
Ernest Mbongeni Ngema(Quote)
I’m working on a Project for educational Purposes, I would like to Know if you hold the License of this image If yes Can I get permission to use it and How? If No where did you get this Picture of the beast?
Thanks
Juan Reyes(Quote)
Hi Juan – we do not have a license of that image. We are using it under the terms of the Fair Use provision of the U.S. Copyright code. As this is a news and educational site that does not charge money for its content, we fall under this exception.
https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/copyrightinfo/fairuse.html
Beginning and End(Quote)
Antiochus Epiphanes
Mike DeWitt(Quote)
Mountain as a Nation/Empire or Mountain as a King? They are one in the same. As so Christ is the head of the Body, so is the anti-christ the head of his body, It’s no mistake Mountains are used to describe the anti-christ, just think of it’s shape. Man was created on the 6th day, 6 is the number of man, 666 is man multiplied to the Nth degree.
Mike DeWitt(Quote)