The Bible teaches us of a coming event known as the Tribulation Period. By definition, the word ‘tribulation’ means – {distress, suffering or a trying experience}. Concerning this terrible time period our Lord said, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matt 24:21 NKJV) But though the Tribulation Period will become a time of great distress and suffering, it will begin in peace.
Revelation 6:1 As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory. NLT
Who is this mysterious rider of the white horse? It’s the man known as the Antichrist.
The white horse is a symbol of how the Antichrist will begin his reign as an agent of peace. Years ago in the movies the hero always rode a white horse. The Antichrist will come upon the world’s stage as mankind’s long awaited hero. Consider just some of this mysterious man’s amazing abilities that will help him win the world’s confidence.
1. He Will Be an Oratorical Genius (Dan 7:8; 11:36)
The Antichrist will mesmerize the world through his ability to make speeches. No doubt when he says something, every camera in the world will be focused upon him.
2. He Will Be an Intellectual Genius (Dan 8:23)
He will possess the ability to offer solutions to many of the world’s problems.
3. He Will Be a Political Genius (Rev 17:11-12)
The Antichrist will unify the nations of the world in order to form a global government under his leadership. In addition, he will establish a seven-year peace treaty with the nation of Israel that will enable them to rebuild their Temple. (see Dan 9:27)
Scripture teaches us that during the first 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation, the nation of Israel will prosper in a way not known since the days of King David. It is possible that many in Israel will begin to wonder if perhaps this man is their long awaited Messiah.
4. He Will Be a Commercial Genius (Rev 13:16-17)
Through his political and commercial abilities, he will save the world from an economic collapse.
5. He Will Be a Military Genius (Rev 13:4)
During his reign he will form a massive army that in the end will fight against the Lord Jesus Christ at the Battle of Armageddon.
6. He Will Be a Religious Genius (Rev 13:8)
Revelation 13:11 Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. 14 And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. 15 He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die. NLT
In addition to the Antichrist, there will be another individual scripture calls the ‘False Prophet.’ It will be the purpose of this evil man to lead a false religion that will worship the Antichrist as god.
It all likelihood the world will be in a state of great turmoil just before the Antichrist is revealed and thus this deceiver’s solutions will seem like miracles. Overnight he will rise to a position of world prominence. Yet his solutions are not solutions at all, but rather a part of Satan’s scheme to try to rule the world.
Jesus said:
Matthew 24:23 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 25 See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. NLT
"Seeds of Faith" 