Chapter 13 The Anti-Christ and the False Prophet

Chapter 13 The Anti-Christ and the False Prophet Two major Characters in Chapter 13 1) Beast #1 – “Anti-Christ” vss. 1 -10 (2 Thess. 2) 2) Beast #2 – “The False Prophet” vss. 11 -18

As in Chapter 12 this chapter is interpreted both: Historical a) ____________ Prophetic b) ____________ Combination c) _____________

Roman Empire - Papacy a) _________________ Anti-Christ & False Prophet b) _________________ Combination c) _____________

Will the Anti-Christ arise from within the Church or within the State? I would contend that the Anti-Christ is a political entity not a spiritual one.

There can be little doubt that the revived Roman Empire (European Union) or the Catholic Church (headquartered in Rome) has a great deal to do with end times prophecies. Seven heads and 10 Horns

Description of Beast #1 • Compare to Daniel 7 • John seems to pull Daniel’s four beasts into one – This is likely Daniel’s fourth “terrible” Beast • Leopard – Bear – Lion • Given power by the Dragon (Satan) – Satan’s own power and throne (vs. 2) • Fatal wound healed (attention getter) – Resurrection (verse 14) • Whole world worships the beast & the dragon – “Who is as great as the beast? ” – “Who is able to fight against him? ”

Description of Beast #1 • • Exception – Those whose names are in the book of life 42 month reign – “to do whatever he wanted” • Blasphemes God – Slander’s God’s name and those who dwell in heaven • • Wages war against God’s people and conquers them (tribulation saints) Every tribe & people & language & nation

Verses 9 -10 • • Parentheses “Anyone who has ears to hear. . . – Recalls ending of letters to the seven churches in chapters 2 -3 Persecution of God’s people is inevitable Patient and Faithful Endurance called for

Two Trinities • The Holy Trinity – God the Father – Jesus (Son) – The Holy Spirit • The Unholy Trinity – Satan (Dragon) – Anti-Christ – False Prophet

Description of Beast #2 • Looked like a lamb but spoke with a voice like a dragon • Had same authority and power as Beast #1 • Required people to worship Beast #1 • Performed his own miracle (specifically causing fire to fall from heaven – Elijah) • Purpose was to deceive the people of the earth • Ordered a statue built of Beast #1 – Statue given power to speak – Anyone who doesn’t worship will be killed

Verses 16 -18 The Mark of the Beast • • Required of Everyone On Right hand or forehead – Interesting to note – You can live without your right hand but not without your head • • Required to buy or sell Represents the name of the Beast – 666 – Different names (started with 7 in verse 1 and ends up with 666)

How is MOB possible? 100 years ago it would have been virtually impossible, but. . Modern technology and monetary systems have made it completely possible at any time. Let’s track some interesting factoids.

• • The US dollar is no longer Gold based as it had been since 1944. (Bretton Woods Conference) • Gold Standard vs. Oil Standard • The US dollar, at the time, was considered better then gold for many reasons: – The strength of the US economy – The fixed relationship of the dollar to gold at $35. 00/ounce – The commitment of the US government to convert dollars to gold at that price – The dollar earned interest – The dollar was more flexible than gold

• 1971 the Nixon Shock – Nixon severed the connection between Gold and the US dollar without consulting other signatories or his own financial people. • This made the US dollar a flat, free floating currency based on the cost of oil allowing for the unlimited printing of paper money • All world currencies are currently free floating – Leads to massive inflation and the devaluing of currency – Greece’s economy has failed and several others are very close

• What led up to the Nixon Shock – Johnson’s War on Poverty and the Great Society of the 1960’s (welfare programs) Head Start Job Corps Food Stamps Medicaid Funded Education Job Training 4 million new welfare recipients immediately

• During the Nixon Administration these programs continued to expand grow – States required to provide Food stamps – Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Originally for the blind, disabled and aged Earned Income Credit Vietnam War – 500 billion dollars – and we lost Welfare rolls continue to expand are still doing so

US is no longer the world’s great superpower either militarily or economically

A new world order • Started with the founding of the UN • G H W Bush – Four stated objectives (9/11/90) – Immediate, unconditional and complete withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait – The restoration of the Emir of Kuwait to his throne – A permanent commitment to the security and stability of the Persian Gult – The protection of American citizens living abroad

• He would later add a 5 th objective: – "Out of these troubled times, our fifth objective – a new world order - can emerge. . . We are now in sight of a United Nations that performs as envisioned by its founders. " – Later he would make this comment to the UN General Assembly "The United Nations can help bring about a new day. . . a new world order, and a long era of peace. "

The Council on Foreign Relations and the Tri-lateral Commission • CFR – founded in July 1921 • Funded by the Rockerfeller Family starting in 1927 – Urged the US to cooperate with the League of Nations – something congress had rejected • Tri-lateral commission founded in 1973 Supposedly to deal with OPEC and the oil crisis of that year

The TLC • North America • Europe • Japan These areas hold the key to the industrial complex of the world.

Leading members of the TLC include names we all recognize • • • George H W Bush George W Bush Bill Clinton Henry Kissinger Casper Wineberger Paul Vokler and Allan Greenspan – Federal reserve chairmen • Many, many more

What does all this mean – the origins of a one world government and one currency. Both necessary for the MOB to become a reality

European Union • 28 Member Nations – Own legislature – Own court – Court of Justice of the EU – Even has its own flag, national anthem and motto – “United in Diversity” – One currency – Euro (legal tender in 19 of the 28 nations and can be used in all 28) – Eliminated passport requirements among member nations – Has representation at the UN

European Union • 500 million Citizens (7, 3% of world pop. ) • 26 of 28 countries have a high “Human Development Index” (3 Criteria) – 1) Life Expectancy – 2) Education – 3) Standard of Living • 2014 GDP of 18. 5 trillion US dollars making it the world’s largest economy • Awarded 2012 Nobel Peace Prize

"for over six decades [having] contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe"

TECHNOLOGY We have been subtly brought to the precipice of the MOB being possible without even realizing it. Cashless society

• • • Computers Checking Accounts Direct Deposit Credit Cards Debit Cards – Global Cash Card • Fingerprint or eye readers (biometrics) • Readily accessible Card readers • Smart Phones & other Electronics

You can buy or sell anything – product or service – that you desire TODAY in the U. S. without ever touching currency.