Bible Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Memory Verse (1 John 2:22): “Who is a liar but he that denied that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denied the Father and the Son.”
Outline:
- His Other Names
- His Mission And End
Introduction
Antichrist implies opposition to Christ. The Bible does not say anything specific about where the Antichrist will come from. Many Bible scholars speculate that he will come from a confederacy of ten nations and/or a reborn Roman empire (Daniel 7:24-25; Revelation 17:7). Others see him as having to be a Jew to claim to be the Messiah. All of these are just speculations since the Bible does not specifically say where the Antichrist will come from or what ethnicity he will be. However, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 tells us how we will recognise the Antichrist. His appearance is one of the eschatological events.
His Other Names
There are many speculations about who the Antichrist is/would be: some people think he is currently one of the popular world leaders, and some even believe he is/would be one of the world’s richest men. The Bible has names for him as stated: The little horn (Daniel 7:8); Man of Sin and son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3); The Beast (Revelation 13:2-8); The king who sets up the abomination of desolation (Mark 13:14; Daniel 9:27); The man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12); The rider on a white horse – representing his claim to be a man of peace (Revelation 6:2); Vile Person (Daniel 11:21); The Wicked (2 Thessalonians 2:8).
His Mission and End
The antichrist will be empowered to rule the world (Daniel 7:25-26). He will work great miracles to deceive people (Revelation 13:11-13). He will position his images in strategic and holy places and force people to worship them (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15). He will speak great things and blasphemies (Revelation 13:5). He will make war with the saints (Revelation 13:7). He will speak and prophesy lies to confuse people (Daniel 11:21). He will persecute the remnant that will be faithful to God (Revelation 12:17). He will take control of both the political and economic powers of the world (Revelation 13:16-17). He will give an identification number to those who will accept him. The number is ‘666’ – this number will allow people to buy and sell. Those who reject the number will be killed.
At His second coming, Christ will bind the antichrist and cast him alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Revelation 19:20). Those that accept the mark of the beast (the antichrist) will be “…slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse…” and their corpse fed to the birds (Revelation 19:21). The Ancient of Days will take away the kingdom from the antichrist and establish His Holy Kingdom forever (Daniel 7:26-27).
Conclusion: Believers must be watchful to avoid missing the rapture and thus, fall prey to the antichrist.
Questions
- Mention five names/titles of the Antichrist.
- Describe in one sentence the end of the Antichrist.
Further Readings:
- SUN: Daniel 7:24-27
- MON: Matthew 24:24
- TUE: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12
- WED: 1 John 2:18-22
- THUR: 2 John 7
- FRI: Revelation 13:1-10
- SAT: 1 John 4:3.
Assignment: Search the Bible and write out five major activities of the Antichrist after the rapture with reference each (2×5=10 Marks).
| S/N | FIVE MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE ANTICHRIST AFTER THE RAPTURE |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 |
Let’s Study Together…
Beloved, today we are diving into a serious and sobering topic—the Antichrist. This isn’t just a figure from prophecy, but a real person who will rise in the last days to oppose everything that is holy, true, and of Christ.
The word “Antichrist” means one who stands against Christ or one who pretends to be Christ. He will be the exact opposite of our loving Saviour. While Jesus came to save and bring peace, the Antichrist will come to deceive, destroy, and lead people to eternal ruin.
Let us open our Bibles to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, where Apostle Paul gives us a warning. The Word says:
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God…”
We are in the last days, and it is important to study and be alert. Let’s break this lesson into two parts:
1. His Other Names
Now, church, just like Jesus has many beautiful names—Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor—the Antichrist also has several names in Scripture. These names help us understand his nature and how he will operate.
Here are five names or titles the Bible uses for him:
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The Little Horn – Daniel 7:8: He will rise with a small beginning but become powerful.
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The Man of Sin / Son of Perdition – 2 Thessalonians 2:3: He will be wicked and destined for destruction.
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The Beast – Revelation 13:2-8: He is fierce, wild, and destructive.
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The Rider on a White Horse – Revelation 6:2: He will come pretending to bring peace.
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The Vile Person – Daniel 11:21: He is corrupt, dishonorable, and full of deception.
These names are not random—they show us that he is a counterfeit of Jesus. He wants the worship and glory that belong only to God.
2. His Mission and End
Now, what exactly will the Antichrist do? What is his mission?
Let me put it simply: his mission is to deceive, dominate, and destroy. He will appear after the rapture, when the true Church has been taken up into heaven. The world will be in chaos, and that’s when he will rise.
Here are some of the key activities he will carry out:
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He will rule the world with political and spiritual authority (Daniel 7:25–26).
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He will perform lying wonders and miracles to deceive many (Revelation 13:11-13).
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He will demand worship by setting up his image in holy places (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15).
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He will persecute the saints who turn to Christ after the rapture (Revelation 13:7; Revelation 12:17).
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He will force people to take his mark – 666, without which no one can buy or sell (Revelation 13:16-17).
But glory to God! His end is already written. Jesus wins! When Christ returns at His second coming, the Antichrist will be:
“…cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:20)
The devil doesn’t win, hallelujah! Jesus will reign forever, and the kingdom of God will be established with glory!
Memory Verse – 1 John 2:22
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”
Let’s memorize this, children of God. The spirit of antichrist is already at work today in any teaching or belief system that denies the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Let’s not be deceived.
Conclusion
Dear believer, this is not a topic to fear, but a call to be watchful and ready. The rapture can happen at any moment. Anyone who misses the rapture will face the terror of the Antichrist’s reign. Let’s stay close to Jesus, live holy, and spread the gospel now more than ever.
Let us pray together:
“Lord Jesus, help me to remain faithful. Keep me watchful. Help me never to deny You. Keep me rapture-ready, and may I never fall prey to the Antichrist. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Questions
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Mention five names/titles of the Antichrist.
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The Little Horn
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Man of Sin / Son of Perdition
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The Beast
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The Rider on the White Horse
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The Vile Person
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Describe in one sentence the end of the Antichrist.
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At the second coming of Christ, the Antichrist will be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
-
Assignment: Search the Bible and write out five major activities of the Antichrist after the rapture with references.
| S/N | FIVE MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE ANTICHRIST AFTER THE RAPTURE | BIBLE REFERENCE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Performs great signs and lying wonders to deceive | Revelation 13:13 |
| 2 | Sets up his image for worship in holy places | 2 Thessalonians 2:4 |
| 3 | Makes war with the saints | Revelation 13:7 |
| 4 | Enforces the mark of the beast (666) for trade | Revelation 13:16-17 |
| 5 | Speaks blasphemies against God | Revelation 13:5 |
Further Readings for the Week
- Sunday: Daniel 7:24-27
- Monday: Matthew 24:24
- Tuesday: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12
- Wednesday: 1 John 2:18-22
- Thursday: 2 John 7
- Friday: Revelation 13:1-10
- Saturday: 1 John 4:3
Remain blessed, stay in the Word, and may the Lord preserve you till His glorious appearing!