The Antichrist and End Times: A Call to Faithfulness

Thank you, Birkmont Baptist Church, for your flexibility and servant hearts as we’ve hosted so many events this past week. It’s a joy to see the church alive and active, and I’m especially grateful for the 20 souls who have come to faith in Christ—what a testimony to God’s saving power! As we turn to Revelation 13, we’re confronted with the sobering reality of the Antichrist, the great counterfeiter, who will rise to power during the tribulation. This figure is described in vivid, symbolic language: ten horns for power, seven heads for intelligence and ferocity, and ten crowns for authority and political influence. The Antichrist will emerge from the nations, most likely a Gentile, and will be empowered by Satan himself—yet even Satan’s power is only permitted by God, who remains sovereign over all.

The Antichrist’s rise is marked by a counterfeit death and resurrection, mimicking Christ’s own victory over death. This deception will amaze the world, leading many to worship both the Antichrist and Satan. Yet, no matter how convincing the imitation, no one can rival the Lord. The Psalms remind us: “Who is like you, O Lord?”—a truth that stands firm even as evil seems to triumph for a season.

God allows the Antichrist to blaspheme, to persecute the saints, and to exercise authority for a limited time—three and a half years. This is not a sign of God’s absence, but of His ultimate control and purpose, even in judgment. The saints during the tribulation will endure severe persecution, and many will be martyred for their faith. Yet, their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, secure because of Christ’s finished work.

For those of us who belong to Christ, we are called to readiness, discernment, and endurance. We must not take for granted the privilege of gathering, learning, and being equipped for mission. The urgency of the gospel is clear: now is the time to share Christ, so that others may escape the coming judgment. And for anyone unsure if their name is written in the Book of Life, today is the day of salvation—admit your sin, repent, and trust in Jesus.

Let us live in expectation of Christ’s return, longing for the blessed hope, and standing firm in faith, knowing that our God is sovereign, mighty, and utterly unrivaled.

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Sovereignty Over Evil: Even as the Antichrist rises to power and Satan appears to have free reign, Scripture makes it clear that all authority is ultimately permitted by God. Satan is powerful, but he is not all-powerful; only God holds absolute sovereignty. This truth anchors us in times of chaos and reminds us that nothing escapes God’s control or purpose. [42:42]
• 2. The Antichrist as the Great Counterfeiter: The Antichrist’s actions—his rise, his counterfeit death and resurrection, and his global influence—are all imitations of Christ’s true work. Satan’s strategy is always to mimic and distort what God has done, but his imitations can never save or bring true life. Recognizing the difference between the genuine and the counterfeit is essential for spiritual discernment. [47:06]
• 3. The Unrivaled Majesty of God: No matter how impressive or powerful evil may appear, no one can rival the Lord. The Psalms declare, “Who is like you, O Lord?”—a rhetorical question that points us to God’s unique holiness, strength, and faithfulness. Our worship and allegiance belong to Him alone, and we must never be deceived by lesser powers. [49:40]
• 4. Endurance and Faithfulness in Persecution: The saints during the tribulation—and even believers today—are called to endure suffering and remain faithful, even unto death. Persecution is not a sign of God’s abandonment, but an opportunity to testify to His worth. Our security is not in earthly safety, but in the unshakeable promise that our souls are held in Christ’s hands. [60:54]
• 5. The Urgency of Salvation and Mission: The reality of coming judgment and the deception of the Antichrist should stir us to urgent gospel witness. Now is the time to ensure our own salvation and to share Christ with others, so that their names may be written in the Book of Life. We are called to live in expectation of Christ’s return, ready and discerning, and to make the most of every opportunity for the sake of eternity. [64:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [28:38] - Church Gratitude and Flexibility
• [29:21] - Prayer for Judgment House and God’s Sovereignty
• [29:39] - Reading Revelation 12:18–13:10
• [31:24] - Praising God’s Names and Attributes
• [32:41] - Celebrating Salvation and the Church’s Mission
• [33:32] - Introduction to the Antichrist: The Great Counterfeiter
• [35:15] - Contrasts Between Christ and Antichrist
• [37:05] - The Antichrist’s Appearance and Symbolism
• [39:29] - Daniel’s Prophecy and Historical Empires
• [42:16] - Satan’s Limited Power and God’s Ultimate Authority
• [43:25] - The Antichrist’s Counterfeit Resurrection
• [47:23] - The World’s Amazement and False Worship
• [49:40] - The Unrivaled Strength of God
• [51:52] - The Antichrist’s Blasphemy and God’s Allowance
• [55:12] - Persecution of the Saints and the Book of Life
• [58:35] - Endurance and Readiness for Believers
• [60:54] - Persecution: Past, Present, and Future
• [63:12] - Longing for Christ’s Return and the Urgency of Salvation
• [65:41] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
• [71:42] - Announcements and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Revelation 12:18–13:10 (ESV) — > 18 And the dragon stood on the sand of the sea.
> 1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.
> 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.
> 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.
> 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
> 5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.
> 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
> 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,
> 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
> 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
> 10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

Observation Questions

1. What are some of the key features and symbols used to describe the Antichrist in Revelation 13:1-2?
2. According to the passage, who gives the Antichrist his power and authority?
3. What is the world’s reaction to the Antichrist’s apparent death and resurrection? ([47:23])
4. What does the passage say about those whose names are written in the Book of Life? ([56:21])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon described the Antichrist as a “great counterfeiter” who mimics Christ’s death and resurrection. Why do you think Satan uses imitation as a strategy, and how can believers recognize the difference between the genuine and the counterfeit? ([47:06])
2. The text says the Antichrist is “allowed” to exercise authority and even to persecute the saints. What does this teach us about God’s sovereignty, even in times of evil or suffering? ([42:42])
3. The world is amazed and worships the Antichrist, but the Psalms declare, “Who is like you, O Lord?” Why is it important for believers to remember God’s unrivaled majesty, especially when evil seems to be winning? ([49:40])
4. The saints are called to endurance and faithfulness during persecution. What does true endurance look like for believers today, and how is it different from simply “hanging on”? ([58:35])

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that Satan’s power is real but limited, and that God is always in control. When you face situations that seem chaotic or evil, what helps you remember God’s sovereignty? Is there a specific situation right now where you need to trust God’s control more? ([42:42])
2. The Antichrist’s main tactic is to imitate and distort what God has done. Are there “counterfeits” in your own life—things that look good or powerful but are actually distractions from Christ? How can you grow in discernment to spot these imitations? ([47:06])
3. The saints’ names are written in the Book of Life, not because of anything they’ve done, but because of Christ’s finished work. Do you struggle with assurance of your salvation? What would it look like to rest in the security Christ provides? ([56:21])
4. The sermon called us to readiness, discernment, and endurance. What are some practical ways you can be more spiritually “ready” and discerning in your daily life? Is there a habit or practice you want to start or strengthen? ([58:43])
5. The urgency of the gospel was highlighted—now is the time to share Christ so others may escape coming judgment. Who is one person in your life you feel burdened to pray for or share the gospel with? What is one step you can take this week to reach out to them? ([48:18])
6. The saints in the tribulation endure severe persecution, but even today, believers around the world face suffering for their faith. How can you support persecuted Christians, and what can you learn from their example of endurance? ([01:00:54])
7. The sermon ended with a call to live in expectation of Christ’s return. How does living with this “blessed hope” change your priorities or the way you approach each day? ([01:03:12])