Question: What does the Bible say about the Antichrist? Could he be one of our world leaders today?
Answer: The term anti-christ is used for a person who is against or anti-Jesus Christ; he will be the opposite of every good thing that Jesus is and promises. The Bible predicted that many antichrists (note the lower-case letter a) or evil rulers would lead nations over the course of history, but only one would eventually rule the world and demand that people worship him as a god. During World War II, many Christians feared that Adolf Hitler was the final antichrist. But he was not “the” Antichrist warned of in the scriptures.
“For false christs (saviors) and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders that deceive many…” Jesus in Matthew 24:21, 2 John 7
Also called “the son of perdition” and “the lawless one”, the Antichrist will be the world’s political dictator of the last days of the earth right before Jesus returns to set up His kingdom. It is believed from scriptural references that he will be a man, a Gentile (non-Jew), not a god, who will arise from and rule over the revived Roman empire of at least ten nations (Revelation 17:1, Daniel 7:1-8, 23-26). He will make his debut on the political scene and appear to have the authority to make peace between nations, as he will broker a deal to bring stability and protect Israel from its adversaries. The scriptures tell us he will sign a peace agreement with Israel to guarantee his support to the plan but then break it after three and a half years (Daniel 9:27). The supremacy of this ruthless ruler will spread across the planet; the Bible says Satan will empower him and eventually indwell him. He will demonstrate his power through signs and wonders and will be able to come back to life again after he is killed: “…and power was given him over all kindred, and tongues, and nations.” John in Revelation 13:1-7
“The man of sin, the son of perdition will be revealed, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God and worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, pretending to be God…whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming…the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power, signs, and lying wonders…and since people did not receive the love of the truth from God to be saved, for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie and may be condemned who did not believe the truth and had pleasure in unrighteousness.” The Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians 2:3-12
God has not revealed who this man will be, the country he’ll come from, or the year he will come to power. Thankfully, the Bible does, indeed, assure believers that Jesus Christ will declare victory over him and his evil administration when He returns to the earth!
From Revelation 19:11-21:
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war… And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses … He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS… Then the beast (Antichrist) was captured and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived many … These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse…”
The Bible says that those who ruled with the Antichrist and his followers will be removed, and that Jesus will begin His reign of 1,000 years on the earth with those who loved Him, both those still alive and from heaven. Following those years, believers will continue to live with Jesus on the earth He then recreates. In Revelation, the final book of the Bible, read chapters 20-22 to see all that Christians can look forward to, forever!
