The Beast and False Prophet are the two primary causes of persecution during The Great Tribulation. The Beast is sometimes called the Antichrist. In the Book of Daniel, he is referred to as a little horn. The Beast is both an individual and the coalition of 10 kings or rulers that will be under his authority. Daniel 7:7-11 describes a beastly kingdom in which several rulers are depicted as horns. One of these rulers (horns) excels the others and becomes the Beast. The False Prophet is an associate of the Beast.
The Great Tribulation begins when the Beast establishes The Abomination of Desolation. Prior to this time, the Beast will be advancing in position and power in preparation for his activities during the Great Tribulation. The Beast’s power and authority is granted to him by Satan (the dragon, Revelation 13:2-4).
Until the Abomination of Desolation, the Beast may not be readily identified for who he is. But when he sets up the Abomination of Desolation, his identity and purpose will be exposed to those who heed the Lord’s words warning to understand Daniel’s prophecy (Matthew. 24:15). At that time he will blaspheme the true God and declare that he (the Beast) is God. He will intensely persecute and kill those who oppose him fulfilling the prophesied Great Tribulation. During the reign of the Beast during the Great Tribulation, the False Prophet will perform signs and wonders to deceive
people (Revelation 13:13-14). He will also make an image of the Beast which he will bring to life. Those who refuse to worship the image of the Beast will be killed (Revelation 13:15).
The False Prophet will also institute a special mark often called the mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:16-18). People will not be able to buy or sell in the economies controlled by the Beast without the identifying mark in their hand or forehead. Apparently, this mark is only given to those who are willing to worship the Beast or his image. All who take the mark will suffer severe punishment during The Wrath of God (Revelation 14:9-11).
Some Christians and possibly some non-Christian nations will oppose the Beast (Daniel 11:32-35). Some who oppose him will be killed. Many nations, including Israel and Egypt, will be conquered by the Beast. Some, including Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon, will escape his efforts (Daniel 11:41-43).
The main purpose of the Beast will be the same as Satan’s—to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). His rantings and ravings against the true God and God’s people will be particularly intense during most of the Great Tribulation.
For the entire 3½ years of the Great Tribulation, things will seem to go well for the Beast. Many will believe that the Beast and Satan are unconquerable (Revelation 13:3-4). Suddenly, his reign will be brought to an end by the coming of the Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:8). At that time, the people of God will be gathered from the earth and the people left behind (i.e., those who do not belong to God) will mourn because of the coming Wrath of God (Matthew. 24:30-31; Revelation 6:15-17).
During the Wrath of God, the Beast will suffer along with the other people on earth (Revelation 16:10-11). Between the sixth and seventh trumpets, the Beast will attack and kill the two witnesses of God (Revelation 11:7-14). There will be much rejoicing over the death of the two witnesses. The people probably will think that the death of these two witnesses will bring an end to the severe plagues of God‘s wrath. Three and a half days after the two witnesses are killed, they will be brought back to life and called up to Heaven.
Also prior to the last plague of the Wrath of God, the Beast will gather the people of the earth together at Armageddon for battle against God (Revelation 16:14-21; 19:17-21; see When is the Battle of Armageddon). Apparently, it will not be much of a battle. After this, the final plague of the Wrath of God will fall (Revelation 11:14-19; 16:13-21). The Beast and False Prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire where they will remain forever (Revelation 19:20).
SUMMARY
Term Definition:
The Beast refers to the individual, to the spirit that will come out of the bottomless pit (Revelation 11:7; 13:1) and to the government that is empowered by Satan during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 13:1-8). The Beast (the individual) is also called the Antichrist (1 John 2:18; 4:3), the little horn (Daniel 7:8; 8:9-11), the lawless one, and the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8).
The False Prophet refers to an individual who assists the Beast, performs false signs, and demands that people worship an image he makes of the Beast (Revelation 13:11-17; 20:20). He is also called a beast and is demon possessed (Revelation 13:11; 16:13-14).
Significance of the Beast:
The Beast is the earthly source of the persecutions and problems of the Great Tribulation. His activities will produce great problems for God’s people on the earth.
Source of the Beast:
The Beast that comes out of the bottomless pit is the evil spirit that will indwell the man that is also called the Beast (Revelation 11:7; 13:1). His source of power is Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:2, 4; Revelation 16:13-14).
Length of the Beast’s Activity:
The Beast has authority to act with blasphemy for 42 months during the Great Tribulation (i.e., 3½ years, Revelation 13:5). The Beast is active before the beginning of the Great Tribulation as he maneuvers himself into a position of power and authority, but the total length of time is not specified (Daniel 11:21-31). He also suffers punishment after the Great Tribulation during the plagues of the Wrath of God (Revelation 16:10-11). Finally, the Beast and the False Prophet gather the people against the Lord for battle at Armageddon where they are defeated and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 16:13-16; 19:19-20).
Events Prior to the Beast’s Activity:
Since the Beast’s primary activity occurs during the Great Tribulation, all events that precede the Great Tribulation also precede his primary activity. Before the start of the Great Tribulation, the Beast will work to obtain a position of authority and power (Daniel 11:21-31). When the time is right, he will set up The Abomination of Desolation. This is the primary identifying event for the Beast and the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew. 24:15, 21).
Events Associated with the Beast:
The Great Tribulation is primarily a result of the persecutions, blasphemies, and wars of the Beast. A few events are associated with him during the Wrath of God, but that is a time when he is suffering from the plagues of God’s wrath rather than functioning from a position of power.
God During the Beast’s Activity:
God is not the source of the troubles during the Beast’s reign and the Great Tribulation. He will provide some assistance to those who are persecuted by the Beast during that time (Daniel 11:33-34; Revelation 12:6, 13-16). The Lord Jesus will rescue His people from the Beast and bring an end to the Beast’s reign when He cuts the Great Tribulation short by gathering His people (Matthew. 24:21-22, 29-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; 2:8).
Christians During the Beast’s Activity:
Christians will oppose the Beast and explain to many other people the meaning of certain end-time events (Daniel 11:32-35). Christians will suffer the worst persecution that has ever been launched against God’s people (Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:7). Some will lose their lives (Daniel 11:33-35; Revelation 13:7-8), yet many will find a place of protection provided by the Lord (Daniel 11:34; Revelation 12:6, 13-16).
Satan During the Beast’s Activity:
Satan is the primary source of power for the Beast (Revelation 13:2-4).
Non-Christians During the Beast’s Activity:
Some non-Christians will apparently falsely claim to be Christians in an attempt to join with the people of God (Daniel 11:34). Many people will worship Satan (the dragon) because of the great authority he gives the Beast (Revelation 13:4). They will be required to worship an image of the Beast and to take a mark in their hand or forehead (Revelation 13:15-18). Because of their lack of love for the truth they will be easily deceived by the Beast and False Prophet (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:14). The people of Edom, Moab, and Ammon will escape the attacks of the Beast (Daniel 11:41).
Events Following the Beast’s Activity:
Since the Beast’s primary activity occurs during the Great Tribulation, all events that follow the Great Tribulation also follow his primary activity. After the Great Tribulation, certain signs will be seen in the sun, moon, and stars (see Appendix D) and Jesus will return to gather the church (see The Coming of the Lord). After those events, the Wrath of God will be poured out on the Beast and all who followed him (Revelation 14:9-11; 16:10). Eventually, the Beast and False Prophet will be thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
Scripture references for the Beast and the False Prophet:
Matthew 24:15, 21; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 John 2:18, 22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7; Revelation 13:1-8, 11-18; Revelation 16:10-11; Revelation 17:3-14; Revelation 19:19-20; Revelation 20:20; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 11:7-14; Revelation 16:13-21; Daniel 7:7-8, 11, 19-27; Daniel 8:9-14, 23-26; Daniel 11:21-45.
