The beast with seven heads and ten horns, depicted on this page, is a symbolic picture of the world system of the Antichrist that will come into existence in the time of the end.
    
     There are actually two Beasts of Revelation: the "nation-beast" depicted here (Rev. 13:1-10), and the "man-beast," the Antichrist himself (Rev. 13:11-18).

     At some point in time, a child will be born who will become "the man of sin, the son of perdition" (II Thess. 2:3): the Antichrist.  If time is as short as many believe, it's quite possible that he's already on the earth. 
     No one will know for certain where he may be living - or who he may be - until the time comes that he's revealed (II Thess. 2:3).  But, since the church will be on earth until the end, it's important for us to be prepared for that time.

     At the present time, the Holy Spirit is holding back, or restraining, the power of evil from taking full effect.  Satan is limited in the scope of his power and authority.  But, in God's perfect timing, He will pull back His restraining power and allow the Antichrist to show himself for who he truly is.
     God will "let" the man of sin be revealed.  Paul says, "the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  And then shall that Wicked be revealed.  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan" (II Thess. 2:7-9).

     At the beginning of the seven last years leading up to the return of the Lord, also called the last week of years, Daniel the prophet says the Antichrist will "confirm (a) covenant with many for one week (seven years)" (Dan. 9:27).  It will be an agreement with both political and religious components.
     It's quite likely that we will not know when the covenant is confirmed, but in the "midst" of the seven last years, God will allow the Antichrist to be revealed.  But, he will be revealed only to those who know the Word of God; and who are alert and watching for the signs of the times.
     An economic crisis will come upon the world that will set the stage for the rise of the Antichrist; and he will break the covenant (Dan. 9:27).  He will set himself up in power in the Middle East with his headquarters in Jerusalem (Dan. 11:41,45).  His armies will remain there for the last 3 1/2 years (Luke 21:24, Rev. 11:2).  In his rise to power, he will "place the abomination of desolation in the holy place" (Matt. 24:15, Dan. 9:27, 11:31, 12:11); and he will establish the Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:16-18). 
     It is these acts on his part: breaking the covenant, placing the abomination of desolation, setting himself up in power, and establishing the Mark of the Beast that will reveal him as the man of sin.   

     He will offer a plan that we commonly call "the Mark of the Beast" as a solution to the world's problems.  When he establishes the Mark, there will be some that will refuse to go along with his plan.   They will not take the Mark; and will be persecuted for the last 3 1/2 years (Dan. 7:21, Rev. 13:5-7) while he is in power.
     The Antichrist will want to be worshipped (Rev. 13:4) just as Satan wants to be worshipped (Isa. 14:12-14); and he will issue a death sentence on those who refuse (Rev. 13:15) to take part in his plan.
     The act of taking the Mark is an act of worship.  Those who take the Mark will, in effect, be worshipping Satan - and the Antichrist - whether they see it as worship or not. 
     They will do the things that constitute worship. 
     They will see him as powerful; and will be in awe of him.  They will agree to abide by his will; and to live within the laws and regulations he sets forth.  They will depend on him, and his world system, for their livelihood, their sustenance, their protection, and their care. 
     They will do business with others within the system of the Beast.  They will "buy and sell" in accordance with the limitations that he sets forth.  They will do nothing outside his rule and dominion. 
     In effect, they will obey his commandments. 
     All of these are acts of worship!  He will be their god; and they will be his people.

     Scripture says the Antichrist will rise to power in the time of the end.  As we've said, we won't know exactly where he will come from; but scripture does give us some general guidelines about where to look.
     When he rises to power, he will have a mighty political and military system, symbolized by the beast with seven heads and ten horns, supporting his efforts (Dan. 11:31, Rev. 13:4). 
     No man could achieve world domination without such a world system. 
     It's possible he could rise up from within the European Economic Community, from within the United Nations, or from any number of other powerful nations on earth, including the United States.  Any, or all of these, could give him the power base he will need.
    

     The deceptiveness of Satan - and of the Antichrist - in these end times cannot be overstressed.  Things will not be what they seem to be!  We must look beyond the surface; and discern the truth of world events - and discern the spirit behind them.  We must consider everything that happens from a spiritual point-of-view.
     Let's stay alert to the signs of the times; and to the prophecies given us in the Word of God.  Let's not be deceived by the Antichrist who is truly a wolf in sheep's clothing.  He's described in the Revelation as having "two horns as a lamb;" but he "speaks as a dragon" (Rev. 13:11).  His true colors will come to be known by those who are alert and watching.
   
     When the seven last years are over, God will see to it that the Antichrist "shall come to his end" (Dan. 11:45).  Jesus will "destroy him with the brightness of his coming" (II Thess. 2:8).  "And the beast was taken (who) deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image (and he) was cast alive into the lake of fire" (Rev. 19:20).

     {In our book, "Revelation 7x7," available on this website, you will find more detailed information about the seven heads and ten horns; as well as a search for where the Antichrist will rise from.  You will also find information about the Antichrist in our booklet, "The Antichrist - His Rise, Reign, and Fall."  For a preview of these items, click on either "Books" or "Booklets" to the left; then on "To Order" for information about how to order it.}