To understand who the antichrist is, we need also to understand who the ‘dragon and the beast’ are. These three (3) are a tri-unity of evil that have taken center stage during the ‘End Times’ that we are experiencing; their primary goal being to thwart the purposes of God, and the efforts of His children. And what are their purposes and goals for the ‘End-times’? In Revelation chapter 13: John explains… ‘as the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore, I saw a beast come up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems; (a diadem is a crown) projecting blasphemous names; (God never uses that sort of language). Apparently, the dragon gives the beast his power, his throne, and great authority to govern. John continues… I noticed that one of the heads of the beast had been slain, but his fatal wound was now healed; the whole earth is amazed and followed after the beast; they worshipped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him. For this discussion, it’s clear that the dragon and the beast are satan’s primary agents; charged with doing satan’s will.

The major characteristics associated with this trio of mayhem, are to oppose the efforts of God and Christ at every opportunity. Satan and all of his henchmen are the antitheses of God and His Son Jesus. They represent pure evil, while God and Jesus Christ are pure light; there is no evil found within them. It should be noted that Jesus always obeys His Father’s commands, while satan follows a path that focuses on disruption and discontent; as he tries to turn God’s children away from righteousness, and into the world of sin and destruction. Satan and his band of merry minions continually seek out opportunities to discourage us from living Christ-Centered Lives’. In contrast, God and Jesus are Holy; they always tell the truth, and guide us on the narrow path that leads to the small gate; in contrast to walking the ‘Wide Path’ that leads to destruction. Jesus is the ‘Lamb-of-God’; practicing Mercy and Forgiveness in all that He does; He is gentle and encourages believers and sinners to worship Him and His Father. In contrast, satan, the epidemy of evil; is brutal, bloody, uncontrolled; his desire is to be a maniacal dictator. But not to worry, God is the ‘safety valve’ of the universe, that ultimately will curtail all of satan’s plans. 

As we study the text of Daniel 7, we notice that the antichrist will come from ten kingdoms that are re-constituted as the revived Roman Empire; a final collection of powers that become prominent before Christ returns; An interesting note that supports Rome as their leader: As mentioned in Scripture, Rome is built on 7 hills; no other city is represented by the same geographic characteristics. I believe that God wanted us to understand that Rome and its power over the past 2000 years, would play a major role during ‘End-time’ Events. In Part II of this discussion, we will discover who the ‘Great Army’ is, and how ‘Medo-Persia’ plays a big part during the ‘End-times’.