Several prophecies contained in the Bible predict the rise of a great dictator who will literally rule the world. Several aspects of these prophecies were very perplexing to ancient and medieval Bible scholars but in our own day we see that modern technology makes possible a literal fulfillment of these bizarre aspects of prophecy.

The Bible often refers to the future antichrist as "the beast." In The last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, it states no less than 3 times that this future world leader would have a deadly wound to the head that would be healed (see Rev, 13:3, 12 & 14). It says in Revelation 13:5&6 that he will speak blasphemy against God. Revelation 13:7 says that he will make war against God's people and overcome them. The same verse says he will have power over all the world's people. Revelation 13:4 & 8 predicts that people will worship him. Revelation 13:5 predicts that he will exercise this power for 42 months.

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians also contains predictive prophecy concerning the antichrist. Second Thessalonians 2:3 states that there will be "a falling away first." This falling away is the centuries long catastrophic falling away from Bible based faith in God. Western civilization, indeed the whole world, has been seduced by Darwinism, atheism and existentialism. This passage in 2nd Thessalonians goes on to describe the antichrist as the "man of sin" and "son of perdition." Second Thes. 2:9 predicts that the antichrist will come "after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." This indicates that the antichrist will gain sway over people by demonstration of occultic power. Space doesn't permit me to discuss the prophecies of the antichrist contained in the book of Daniel and other Old Testament passages.

Finally in Revelation 13:16-18 it predicts that the antichrist will cause people to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead and that no one will be allowed to buy or sell without this mark. This passage was puzzling to ancient Bible scholars. Today, with the rise of microchip technology and implantable chips to act as credit cards that can't be stolen we see the stage being set for the fulfillment of this predictive prophecy. People can be controlled by an iron grasp in a cashless economic system.

In Western Civilization and throughout the world we have seen atheistic existentialism act as a wrecking ball to demolish the Judeo-Christian worldview in the minds of many people. In its place has risen moral relativism (no real right or wrong), nihilism (no real purpose to human existence) and narcissism (self-love to the point of self-absorption). This relativistic, nihilistic, narcissism is collapsing because the human soul thirsts for meaning, direction and purpose.

Moral relativism is as unstable as it is impractical and people are looking for a new absolute. They look for a new absolute that defines right and wrong and promises a just and prosperous society. This is fertile ground for the rise of a leader who trivializes democracy yet delivers fabulous economic results. Mussolini destroyed Italian democracy but made the trains run on time.

The new absolute taking shape in the US is benignly called "political correctness." It claims to be broadminded and tolerant but unborn babies are approvingly mass murdered and qualified Christians are often denied tenure or denied appointment to judgeships. In an economic collapse or other worldwide crisis, power could quickly be concentrated in the hands of a few elitists. Political correctness could quickly morph into something more absolutist and hostile to God.

Christians will resist and reject the new anti-God absolute and will refuse to worship the powerful world leader who is attested by occultic miracles. Aided by high technology, the antichrist takes steps to force Christians to bend to his will. We will be forbidden to buy or sell because we will refuse his mark. Yet God will provide for us.

The Bible also prophesies the downfall of the antichrist.

The time to decide is now. Who will you choose to follow -- Christ or antichrist?   

The Bible is scientifically accurate! Find the evidence at www.icr.org.  

Steps to salvation: Jesus said "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)

1. Believe that God created you and loves you and sent the Messiah (Messiah is Hebrew for Christ) to redeem you.
2. Believe that Jesus the Messiah came in fulfillment of over 300 Bible prophecies to die for you to take upon Himself the penalty for your sins. (Isaiah 53:5-6, John 6:29, Romans 4:5, First Peter 3:18)
3. Turn from sin and call on the name of Jesus to receive forgiveness. (Romans 10:13)
4. Receive Jesus as Savior and experience the new birth. (John 1:12, Acts 2:38)
5. Follow Him as Lord. (John 14:21)

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)

To receive the salvation that Jesus purchased for us at the terrible cost of His suffering and death on our behalf I invite you to pray this simple prayer:

"Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus, the promised Messiah, to die for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit to empower me to serve you under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Amen."

If you prayed that prayer in the humble sincerity of your heart then you have received everlasting life, which includes power to live right in this life and entrance into heaven in the afterlife!

Bill Nugent, Overcomer Ministries of West Harrison, New York, USA

(C) 2010 William P. Nugent, permission granted to email or republish if credit given

DEFENDING THE FAITH APOLOGETIC ARTICLES Bill Nugent currently writes a series of articles called "Defending the Faith" which, as the title suggests, defend the Christian faith from the many attacks leveled against it in our postmodern world. The articles deal with such topics as evolution, UFOs, cults, modern/postmodern philosophy, liberal theology and popular culture. At the end of each article is an invitation to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. These articles are sent out over the Internet to several opt-in email lists. People who receive these articles are encouraged to resend them to their own lists and in this way reach their own unsaved relatives and friends with the Gospel. All Defending the Faith articles are © 2009 William P. Nugent, permission is granted to email or republish if credit given. To receive these articles which are sent out once per month fill in your email address below and click the SUBMIT button. *Security: Write the characters in the image above (Case sensitive)