Who is the Beast?
aka Antichrist
From BibleTrack
 Excerpt taken from
"Things To Come"
by J. Dwight Pentecost
pages 332-334

Perhaps the most well-respected authority on prophecy is J. Dwight Pentecost. Written in 1958, his book entitled, "Things To Come" is still regarded by many to be the best scriptural work on the subject of prophecy. For those who want to know more, Dr. Pentecost provides these 29 scriptural observations about the Beast of Revelation 13:1-10.
  1. He will appear on the scene in the "latter times" of Israel's history (Daniel 8:23).
  2. He will not appear until the Day of the Lord has begun (II Thessalonians 2:2).
  3. His manifestation is being hindered by the Restrainer (II Thessalonians 2:6-7).
  4. This appearance will be preceded by a departure (II Thessalonians 2:3) which may be interpreted either as a departure from the faith or a departure of the saints to be with the Lord (II Thessalonians 2:1).
  5. He is a Gentile, since he arises from the sea (Revelation 13:1). Since the sea depicts the Gentile nations (Revelation 17:15), he must be of Gentile origin.
  6. He rises from the Roman empire, since he is a ruler of the people who destroyed Jerusalem (Daniel 9:26).
  7. He is the head of the last form of Gentile world dominion, for he is like a leopard, a bear, and a lion (Revelation 13:1). Cross reference also Daniel 7:7-8; 20-24; Revelation 17:9-11. As such he is a political leader. the seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 13:1; 17:12) are federated under his authority.
  8. His influence is world wide, for he rules over all nations (Revelation 13:8). This influence comes through the alliance which he makes with other nations (Daniel 8:24; Revelation 17:12).
  9. He has eliminated three rulers in his rise to power (Daniel 7:8, 24). One of the kingdoms over which he has authority has been revived, for one of the heads, representing a kingdom or king (Revelation 17:10), has been healed (Revelation 13:3).
  10. His rise comes through his peace program (Daniel 8:25).
  11. He personally is marked by his intelligence and persuasiveness (Daniel 7:8, 20; 8:23) and also by his subtlety and craft (Ezekiel 28:6), so that his position over the nations is by their own consent (Revelation 17:13).
  12. He rules over the nations in his federation with absolute authority (Daniel 11:36), where he is depicted as doing his own will. This authority is manifested through the change in laws and customs (Daniel 7:25).
  13. His chief interest is in might and power (Daniel 11:38).
  14. As the head of the federated empire he makes a seven year covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27, which is broken after three and one-half years (Daniel 9:27).
  15. He introduces an idolatrous worship (Daniel 9:27) in which he sets himself up as god (Daniel 11:36-37; II Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:5).
  16. He bears the characterization of a blasphemer because of the assumption of deity (Ezekiel 28:2; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:1, 5-6).
  17. This one is energized by Satan (Ezekiel 28:9-12; Revelation 13:4, receives his authority from him, and is controlled by the pride of the devil (Ezekiel 28:2; Daniel 8:25).
  18. He is the head of Satan's lawless system (II Thessalonians 2:3) and his claim to power and to deity is proved by signs wrought through satanic power (II Thessalonians 2:9-19).
  19. He is received as God and as ruler because of the blindness of the people (II Thessalonians 2:11).
  20. This ruler becomes the great adversary of Israel (Daniel 7:21, 25; 8:24; Revelation 13:7).
  21. There will come an alliance against him (Ezekiel 28:7; Daniel 11:40, 42) which will contest his authority.
  22. In the ensuing conflict he will gain control over Palestine and adjacent territory (Daniel 11:42), and will make his headquarters in Jerusalem (Daniel 11:45).
  23. This ruler, at the time of his rise to power, is elevated through the instrumentality of the harlot, the corrupt religious system, which consequently seeks to dominate him (Revelation 17:3).
  24. This system is destroyed by the ruler so that he may rule unhindered (Revelation 17:16-17).
  25. He becomes the special adversary of the Prince of Princes (Daniel 8:25). His program (II Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 17:14), and his people (Daniel 7:21, 25; 8:24; Revelation 13:7).
  26. While he continues in power for seven years (Daniel 9:27, his satanic activity is confined to the last half of the tribulation period (Daniel 7:25; 9:27; 11:36; Revelation 13:5).
  27. His rule will be terminated by a direct judgment from God (Ezekiel 28:6; Daniel 7:22, 26; 8:25; 9:27; 11:45; Revelation 19:19-20). This judgment will take place as he is engaged in a military campaign in Palestine (Ezekiel 28:8-9; Revelation 19:19), and he will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20; Ezekiel 28:10).
  28. This judgment will take place at the second advent of Christ (II Thessalonians 2:8; Daniel 7:22) and will constitute a manifestation of His Messianic authority (Revelation 11:15).
  29. The kingdom over which he ruled will pass to the authority of the Messiah and will become the kingdom of the saints (Daniel 7:27).