Speculation as to the identity of the Antichrist often appears in writings or talks given by experts in the field of eschatology. Eschatology is the technical name for the study of End Times Bible prophecy. Just about everyone thinks that the Antichrist is a human being who will rise to power and take control of the world by political means. Some scholars believe this man will emerge as the leader of the European Union (EU). Others say he will come from the combined forces of the United Nations (UN). I have even heard a noted prophecy teacher name a particular Arab leader and states with certainty that this is the man who indeed will be the Antichrist.
I am going to approach this from a totally different angle with what you might call, lateral thinking. I am going to go to certain passages in the Bible which speak of this man and I am going to take a literal interpretation of their meaning. Where it is obvious that the language is figurative or symbolic, we will endeavour to point this out and derive the correct interpretation. For, as was earlier stated, even parables have a literal meaning.
This is not an easy task and as I write, I am aware of how little I know regarding many of the prophecies still hidden in the Book of Revelation and elsewhere. I do not have all the answers and neither do any other writer who teaches and studies this subject. The last man to have all the answers got out of here 2000 years ago and hasn't come back yet. Now we see through a glass darkly. But when He returns, then we will know and understand. But until then…
So, the first verse I want to quote in regard to discovering who the Antichrist is and where he comes from is Revelation 11:7. Speaking of two prophets who are called the two witnesses and are to come and speak on behalf of God in the coming Apocalypse, it says;
“Now when they had finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city…where also their Lord was crucified.”
These two witness will preach the Word of God and will be a thorn in the side of the Antichrist and his administration. Some say that these two prophets will be Moses and Elijah. Others propose they will be someone else. But they are not named so we shall not speculate here as to who they are. They have the power of God and they perform miracles such as shutting up heaven so that no rain fails. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours them (Rev 11:5).
However, the Antichrist, aka the beast from the Abyss, overcomes them and kills them. For three and a half days the people from all nations will gaze on their bodies and rejoice that these two prophets are dead. This is interesting in that in order for people from different countries to see these dead bodies in the streets of Jerusalem, they would need to be watching CNN or SKY News or some other global network. Amazing that this prophecy was written almost 2000 years ago and yet is a reality in our day.
But I digress. Regarding the Antichrist, it is stated that “the beast that comes up from the Abyss” kills them. Again, most scholars gloss over this phrase or suppose it to be symbolic. But is there more information in scripture regarding an actual location somewhere called “the Abyss?”
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