Unleashing the Beast

18 / U NLEASHING THE B EAST

Revelation 13:4). Those who do not convert to his religion will be beheaded and others forced into starvation (see Revelation 13:15-17 and 20:4). Before thinking this is mere prophetic fiction, take a journey with me into the Scriptures for a clearer picture of the Antichrist of Biblical prophecy. T HE W ORD A NTICHRIST IN S CRIPTURE The word antichrist was coined by the Apostle John, who authored St. John's Gospel, I, II and III John, and the Book of Revelation. The word antichrist is found only in John's Epistles. It can mean "against Christ" or "instead of Christ." W.E. Vines' Greek dictionary comments on this word: "By combining the two words anti and Christ , it can mean one who assumes the guise of Christ, or opposes Christ. " Thus the Antichrist is one who is against Christ. In approximately 90 A.D., John wrote the Epistles of 1, 2 and 3 John. He used the word antichrist in four passages: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrist; whereby we know that it is the last time (I John 2:18). Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the son (v. 22). And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is