Question: Are the Antichrist and false prophet real people? When will the two witnesses come and challenge the beast?
The Antichrist
The Antichrist represents an entity that appears to be like Christ but in reality opposes what Christ stands for. According to the identifying points given to us in Revelation 13 and Daniel 7, the first beast or antichrist is the papacy. This system is called Antichrist because it has usurped Jesus’ authority and attempted to change His law (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13). https://bibleask.org/who-is-the-beast-of-revelation-13/
Every Reformer, without exception, spoke of the papacy as Antichrist (R. Allen Anderson, Unfolding the Revelation, p. 137). Although, the Antichrist is an organization or a system, Revelation 13:18 speaks of man with a number being involved. The pope in office is its representative. Further, Satan will one day appear to impersonate Christ, literally before the second coming (2 Corinthians 11:14; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).
The False Prophet
The false prophet represents apostate Protestantism that follows the Antichrist. “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:20).
The Two Witnesses
The allusions of Revelation 11: 5, 6 have led some to identify these witnesses as Elijah and Moses (verses 5, 6), but the significance of these “two witnesses” goes beyond the ministry of these two prophets and to a greater work. In verse 4 they are identified as “two olive trees” and “two candlesticks,” symbols drawn from Zechariah 4:1–6, 11–14. The two witnesses are said to represent “the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth” (verse 14). As the olive branches are portrayed furnishing oil for the lamps of the sanctuary (verse 12), so from these two witnesses before the throne of God the Holy Spirit is imparted to men (Zechariah 4:6, 14).
Therefore, because of the Holy Spirit’s manifestation to men is contained in the Scriptures of the Old Testament and the New Testament, they are considered to be the two witnesses (John 5:39). For concerning the Word of God, the psalmist declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”; and “the entrance of thy words giveth light” (Psalms 119:105, 130; Proverbs 6:23).
Especially at the end of time, the Old Testament and the New Testament (through the Spirit of God) will nevertheless bear His witness against the Antichrist and the false prophet in spite of the dominance of evil, to all who would receive God’s Word.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
Disclaimer:
The contents of this article and website are not intended to be against any individual. There are many priests and faithful believers in Roman Catholicism who serve God to the best of their knowledge and are seen by God as His children. The information contained herein is directed only towards the Roman Catholic religio-political system which has reigned in varying degrees of power for nearly two millennia. This system has established an increasing number of doctrines and statements that directly go against the Bible.
It is our purpose to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, to decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. If you find anything here contrary to the Bible, do not accept it. But if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality and feel that the Holy Spirit is revealing Truth to you, please make all haste to accept it.
