Is the Antichrist on the world stage?

The idea of “antichrist” conjures up fearful images of horned monsters, flaming comets impacting earth and extinction events. In popular culture, we’ve seen a series of books called Left Behind in the 1990s, which spawned some B-rated Christian movie attempts. Other movies that depict world-ending tragedies are more popular than ever – from Avengers Endgame to a recent jaw-droppingly poor acting but endlessly entertaining Moonfall (the moon is falling! And if that isn’t enough, it’s hollow, and aliens live in it!).

You have to ask what ingredients have contributed to this end, which was previously the stuff of fantasy novels?

When Conspiracy Theories are Real

The media and intelligentsia of the west decry those who would see behind these larger, broader movements a “conspiracy theory.” Conspiracy theorists are belittled, and there is an all-ought effort to marginalize and “ridiculize” them. (If you can’t answer their valid questions, just make fun of them and call them names.) On the other hand, conspiracy theories can foment and spread just as much fear and anxiety, hate and doubt because they are founded on speculation, attempting to sew disparate events and happenings together into a seamless tapestry of organized scheming.

Students of scripture and humble followers of God must believe in some conspiracy theories. There are documented conspiracies in the Bible (Mordecai schemed to kill the Jews; Herod schemed to eliminate Jesus). Most importantly, throughout scripture, beginning in the garden, we see the ultimate conspiracy theory. Satan wants to usurp God. When that becomes a non-starter, he determines to destroy man. Throughout history, his plans are to “steal, kill and destroy.” He uses both spiritual beings (demons) and human agents to accomplish his purposes. There is real evil in the world today, just as there has been since the world was created. Scriptures are consistent in describing and teaching about the intelligent, constant, behind-the-scenes deceit and planning of Satan.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

“For we are not ignorant of his (the devil’s) schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

One World Government

The last book in the New Testament – Revelation – describes a one-world government. For many years, we wondered how in the world that could ever come to pass with such strong nation-states, each having nationalistic fervor. World Wars I & II cemented those patriotic roots deep. And yet, 70 years later (the length of a biblical generation), those nationalistic ties have been loosed, and we are seeing a movement – even from among some in the U.S., which has internationally been known for its patriotism – toward globalism.

One of the main roles of the antichrist in the book of Revelation is to establish and preside over this one-world government. While this one-world government at one time seemed fanciful and many jeered at Christians who warned against it, now, however, it’s looming, dark reality. Simply go look at the The Great Reset website for a chilling wake up call about a global attempt to radically reset world cultures under unified authority. The last two years under COVID seem to have been a steroid for implementation.

Profoundly, we shouldn’t be surprised at a global attempt to create a one-world government. We can make it “make sense” in our heads. However, this humanistic effort is ultimately a repeat of the Tower of Babel (read Genesis 11). It’s man’s attempt to govern himself without God. It is a perversion of the ultimate kingdom of Christ. This one-world government is counterfeit in every way to what Jesus will ultimately lead and graciously rule over. This OWG is led by the anti-Christ, and it will rule with tactics of fear, deceit, power and brutality.

The Stunning Advance of Evil in the Last Two Years

Look around. Does it not seem supernaturally sobering to you that in the past two years, a spirit of fear has descended upon and enshrouded our world? It’s like the antichrist has stepped onto the world stage. While we can’t identify him, we sense his presence. We can blame COVID, partisan politics, contentious elections, recessions and vaccines but something more insidious is afoot.

“Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18)

In an astonishingly short amount of time have our world has been gripped by fear, darkness, and fallen prey to deception. Even the church has been divided and suffered.

In addition, there’s another stunning, hard-to-believe prophecy about the end times associated with the advent of the antichrist – a one-world financial system. In Revelation, the infamous “mark of the beast” is described as being something that everyone will be required to get. It will be required to buy/sell, travel and to live.

Do you see anything that has erupted on the world scene that is being forced upon populations? Which is being tied to jobs, commerce, education? Is there anything being proposed and wrapped up as absolutely necessary?

I am not saying the COVID vaccines are the mark of the beast. I AM saying that the strange, surreal and unsettling way that COVID vaccines have been implemented, enforced and protected against all criticism is alarming. And I AM saying that the stage is now set for the mark of beast to be implemented along a similar path. The glass ceiling has shattered. The precedent has been set. You will be made to feel guilty if you don’t get it. You will be forced, social-pressured, ridiculed, canceled and have your freedoms taken away (and maybe your resources, monies, children, etc) if you refuse to get it. The mark of the beast has its origin in “the beast” – the antichrist – who is a pawn of Satan himself.

Foundations Laid; Chess Pieces Moved

We are seeing foundations laid for his advent, if he is not already on the scene. Chess pieces are being moved to establish a one-world government and the mark of its leader.

How do you arrive at such a place? It doesn’t happen by accident or overnight. It happens by “schemes” and evil agents behind the scenes, over time, creating systems, weaving circumstances and events in such a way as to groom a global populace to suspend logic, to sideline their faith, and to embrace salvation in man’s solutions offered by the antichrist. It will be wrapped in pseudo-science, tainted technology and warped wisdom.

The Certainty of Sovereignty

All this could increase fear rather than inspire hope. That’s why Revelation was written. It was written to Christians in the first century who were undergoing extreme persecution for their faith and for Christians who had simply decided to give in and blend in with their culture. Their faith had ceased being flavored or distinctive. Their lives looked just like their secular neighbors.

Revelation is written to remind Christians that there is an end to all this. Better yet, it points us to the One who is the Beginning and End, the Alpha and Omega. Jesus is the One who will judge with perfect justice and righteousness. And Jesus is the One returning to reward those who have placed their faith in Him, to banish and destroy the devil and evil and make “all things new.”¹)

Our church is currently in a study of the book of Revelation in a series we’ve called The Certainty of Sovereignty (you can listen to the messages here). One thing we are seeing is that with the tsunami of evil in the end times, there is a bulwark of protection through faith in Christ Jesus. In Revelation chapters 4-5, we see God seated on His throne and the Lamb of God as having been slain.

First, God is seated. He is not pacing back and forth, wringing his hands anxiously, worried over coming events. He is in control, and coming events will be directed by Him as judgment against all those who have rejected Him. He’s seated. He’s sovereign. He’s in control. Second, Jesus is described as having been slain. Past tense. Jesus was crucified once for all. He rose from the dead, victorious, and His death and resurrection offer a way (HE is the way²) through the times of cataclysm that are coming.

Revelation is above all a book of hope for Christians. It definitively shows us a glorious, holy, loving Jesus who will come again for all those who profess and possess faith in Him. It assures us that He is reigning and will reign. The Antichrist, whoever he may be, has no chance to unseat, dethrone or displace King Jesus. Because our King is unshakeable and immovable, so are we.

1. “Then the one seated on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new.'” (Revelation 21:5[↩]
2. “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6[↩]