Day 15 – The Villain of the Story is Revealed

Read Daniel 7: 15 – 28

Many people would agree that the year 2020 has been a terrible year, full of countless problems. Pandemics, stock market crashes, global warming, civil distress, racial protests, legislatures fighting, political issues, trade wars, wildfires, international tensions – the list of problematic issues seems endless and depressing. Every election year or international summit conference offers the hope that this year it will be different – a new group of leaders can really set aside their differences and develop effective solutions. The world is ripe for a leader who will come and command respect and the ability to solve our problems. The Bible tells us that just such a dynamic and charismatic leader will one day come on the scene and appear to be the effective leader that everyone has been waiting for.

In the latter part of Chapter 7 the text refers to a leader who will arise to seize control of the final kingdom. The Antichrist will be able to capture the attention of the world. He will have great oratorical power and Daniel 7: 8 says he has “a mouth speaking pompous words.” In a world obsessed with physical beauty, he will capture the attention of the masses (Daniel 7:20 says his “appearance was greater than his fellows”). The Antichrist will be a clever politician of high intellect and wisdom skilled at building coalitions and getting people to do his will.

The Antichrist will not just stick to the political arena. Daniel 7:25 says “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law.” He will start a new religion based on his own morality designed to take God out of the picture. Folks saved during the tribulation period will fall under the attack of the Antichrist as he attempts to obliterate them through starvation, persecution and martyrdom.

Q1. Read Luke 19:13 and Matthew 25:13. What two things are we to do while waiting for Jesus to come again? How do you personally achieve those things in your daily walk?

Q2. I John 4:3 give us something very significant about “the spirit of the Antichrist”. What specifically does it say? Do you think that spirit characterizes our society today? In what ways is that spirit on display?

Q3. Do you think that our country and our world would be susceptible and accept a leader like the Antichrist now? Why or why not?

Final thought: Some folks in our culture waste time in speculation as to who might be the Antichrist. No place in the Bible does it tell us to be looking for the Antichrist but rather we are to be looking for the return of Jesus. The Antichrist may possibly be alive today but that should not be our concern; our task should be to follow the directions of our commander and chief – to watch and wait for His return.