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Does The Antichrist Rule the Entire World?
The Antichrist is seen riding the White Horse during the first 3½ years of the seven-year tribulation, but he does not receive his power and authority over the earth until the last 3½ Years. Rev.13:2&5 The dragon [Satan] gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority ... to continue forty and two months.
Revelation 6:1-2
1 And I [John] saw when the Lamb [Jesus] opened One of the Seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts [Seraphims] saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a White Horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto Him: and He went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Daniel 11:21 "He (the Antichrist) shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."
The Antichrist has a bow but no arrows, indicating that although he is militarily strong, in the beginning he does his conquering by diplomacy. He will rise to power on a political platform of strength, prosperity, peace, and security. He will appear to be a peaceful world leader during the first 3½ years of the seven-year Tribulation.
A Crown was given to him which shows that he is successful in his efforts and through deceit and clever maneuvering he will bring a temporary peace to the World. His charisma and fascinating but deluding powers will cause the people of the world, to follow him unquestioningly. In modern times, the Antichrist will be one of the world's most powerful political figures and the leader of a World Superpower.
Matthew 24:24 “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch (to such an extent that), if it were possible, they (the Antichrist and False Prophet) shall deceive the very elect. (God's People)”
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God…”
God’s people need to be knowledgeable in His Word, so they will not follow blindly after a man who during the first 3½ years of the seven years will appear to be a wonderful person doing great things for all humanity.
It was Christ Himself who used the phrase "Great Tribulation" in reference to the last 3½ years of the Tribulation. In Matthew 24:21-22 Jesus says, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
The last 3½ years refers to a period of intense suffering, persecution, and judgment. According to biblical prophecy, the Great Tribulation will be unparalleled in human history. It will then culminate in the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His millennial reign.
Revelation 13:2-9 The dragon [Satan] gave him [the Antichrist] his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast [Antichrist]. And they worshipped the dragon [Satan] which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast [Antichrist], saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him [Antichrist] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him [the Antichrist] to continue forty and two months (which is the last 3½ years). And he [the Antichrist] opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the Antichrist], whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man has an ear, let him hear.
During the last half of the Tribulation the Antichrist’s kingdom is primarily a ten-nation confederacy as shown in different places in Scripture.
Daniel 2:41-44 shows that the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream has ten toes. The ten toes are said to be ten kings that are overthrown at Christ’s second coming. The ten kings make a return in Daniel 7:7-8, 20-24. In this chapter, the ten kings, called ten horns, are said to come from the fourth kingdom. Out from among the ten kings comes an eleventh, who is the Antichrist.
The ten horns return in Revelation 13:1 & 17:12-14. They give their authority and power to the beast. These passages indicate that the backbone of the Antichrist’s power will come from these ten nations. This does not mean that only ten nations will fight for the Antichrist. These ten nations will be the most powerful of his allies and will form the foundation for his conquests.
Daniel 11:41 says that the Antichrist will invade Israel. Verses 40-43 tell that Edom, Moab, and Amman (which are modern-day Jordan) are delivered from his hand. However, he does invade and conquer Egypt, Nubia (Sudan), and Libya. It also says that he will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood (indicating that these invasions are sudden and swift).
Daniel 11:44 says that the Antichrist will hear of news and "rumors from the north and east" that will alarm him. This may be a military response against the Antichrist.
Daniel 9:26 teaches that there will be war "until the end" (the Second Coming of Christ). There could not be war until the end if the Antichrist was ruling over every single nation. It is possible that this verse may only indicate that there will be war against Israel until the end. Although this is possible, remember the “rumors from the north and east”. A king with absolute, universal authority is not at war. The presence of wars establishes the fact that the Antichrist does not control every nation, but that there are resisting governments.
Revelation 17:15-18 states that it is the ten kings that are with Antichrist who hate and destroy Babylon (America) with fire. It is the Antichrist regime carrying out God’s purposes that destroys Babylon.
(The destruction of America will happen sometime close to the end of the tribulation.)
The Whole Earth
Many look at Daniel 7:23 as proof that the Antichrist will rule the whole world. The phrase “the whole earth” here is referring to a large, but limited area. These phrases are written in the language of synecdoche – a "figure of speech" that is controlled by corresponding Scriptural context. The whole earth refers, not to all known parts of the inhabited earth, but rather to the territory of the Near and Middle East that in any way relates to the Holy Land. This – depending on context – might mean a single country or a larger geographical territory or region.
Daniel 7:23 "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces."
This Scripture leads many Christians to believe the Antichrist will rule a one-world government.
Revelation 13:7-8 “Power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
"Power" was given to him over all nations, it does not say he will "Rule" all nations.
There are many places in Scripture where “the whole earth” is used for pagan empires. For example, Daniel 2:39 says that Alexander the Great’s empire would “rule over all the earth”. Obviously, Alexander did not conquer the entire globe. He did not rule or conquer all of India, Central Asia, Europe, North Africa (except Egypt), Arabia, or Africa south of Egypt. And all of these places were well known during the life of Alexander. Daniel 8:5 also refers to Alexander the Great. In this chapter, Greece is symbolized as a goat that crossed “the whole earth” in order to conquer Persia. Alexander only crossed the Middle East to get his hands on Persia.
A couple of other passages referring to the whole world include:
Luke 2:1 says, “It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” (But, Rome did not rule over the entire world or even the known world.)
Ezra 1:2 records Cyrus, king of Persia as saying, “The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth.” (But, Cyrus did not conquer or rule over every kingdom.)
We must remember that there will be wars and resisting nations. So, how does one reconcile Revelation 13:7-8 with everything else that we know? Daniel 5:19 is a good place to look. It says concerning Nebuchadnezzar that “All people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him.” Daniel and Revelation are conveying the same idea using the same words.
From Daniel’s passage it appears that King Nebuchadnezzar was literally feared by every human on the earth. But he was not even heard of by every single person in every part of the entire planet, let alone greatly feared by them.
So based on our knowledge of history and common sense, we acknowledge that likewise, Revelation 13:7-8 does not mean every person on the earth worships the beast, but a multitude from numerous nations and people groups.
Final Thoughts
Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
It's unfortunate for a person to believe they don't need a Savior, and they have no need to ask forgiveness for anything. When they have a problem, they never ask for God's help, they just work at it until they fix things themselves. Such pride and arrogance leave an open door for Satan to enter into their Spirit.
Believers, pay close attention to Revelation 13:8-9 "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the Antichrist], whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man has an ear, let him hear." If millions on the earth are worshiping him, then this verse clearly shows that in the beginning, he was an extremely likeable person.
Daniel 11:21 "He shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."
Also, take notice of the person who confirms a seven-year Covenant with Israel, and who has a hand in getting their third Temple built. This person will be the Antichrist and will break the Covenant in the middle of the tribulation, then will set up his throne in the temple and will claim to be God. The signing of the seven-year treaty will began the seven-year tribulation.
God's Calendar during the Tribulation will be 30 days for each Month making 360 Days for each Year.