Publisher's Synopsis
Whereas Revelation 13, like many passages in Scripture, primarily describe the Antichrist from the perspective of an individual, Revelation 17-18 provide a parallel description of him as a kingdom. As it turns out, this dual designation has been present in Scripture from the very first revelation of the anti-king. The biblical mandate where this figure is concerned is actually a two-sided coin where it is just as important to recognize him as an individual man as well as the embodiment of a kingdom. There are many historical and scriptural figures who are "antichrist" in nature, but only a specific set of conditions accompanies the ultimate, final fulfillment. While there are previous portions of God's prophetic Word which we now understand further illuminate and expand upon the initial vision of this figure provided in Daniel 2, in that first overt picture of the final ruler of the world we are provided a parallel image not just of an individual man as represented by the overall monument, but the fact that he is also a kingdom as represented by the various parts so assigned by the explanation of the vision. From this point on in Scripture God will continue to expand on both of these aspects. He is not just to be understood as a king, but a kingdom. This is the ultimate goal which God's Word is trying to teach where the Antichrist is concerned; he is not just an individual counterfeit of Christ, but of the Body of Christ. And, ultimately, the anti-kingdom will literally form from a confederation of ten earthly kings/kingdoms with a heritage and character derived from this overall monument to earthly empires, but especially beholden to the nature of the Roman Empire, although as individually unique as each previous empire.Just as we in the Body of Christ work to make ourselves individually, and the whole Bride of Christ collectively, more and more into the likeness of our Master by the exclusive working of His Word, so the followers of Antichrist mimic him. One brings us into eternal union with the Godhead, the other into eternal separation and damnation in the Lake of Fire. In the end, each is a direct reflection of the other.For those who accept and practice His Word, this final series of events we collectively label as the Last Days is not as much of a mystery as many would like for us to believe. The truth for the practicing Christian is that everything God has provided in His Word will either be understood in advance or as it takes place and through Christ, as our Wisdom, it is only through Him that we comprehend the difference. But apart from Christ, nothing will be known until it is too late. In the meantime, we have an assignment to carry out which involves not just a king, but a kingdom.