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                    THE BOOK OF REVELATION

CHAPTER.13.

THE UNHOLY TRINITY

Whereas Revelation 12 revealed Satan's agelong conflict with
Manchild and Israel, Revelation 13 tells of the methods Satan
uses to further his plans.

Revelation 13 does not develop the chronological order of the
book but rather is an interlude giving detailed information
about the methods which Satan uses in the end times.  It is
here that we are introduced to the `unholy trinity'.  This
trinity of evil is an imitation of the Holy Trinity.

In the Holy Trinity the First Person of the Godhead is God
the Father.  His imitation is seen in the great red dragon
who is Satan (12:9).  The Second Person of the Holy Trinity
is the Lord Jesus Christ.  His imitation is the first beast
of Revelation 13 who is the Antichrist (13:1-10).  The Third
Person of the Holy Trinity is the Holy Spirit.  His imitation
in the unholy trinity is the second beast of Revelation 13
who is known as the `false prophet' (13:11-18).

In this unholy, counterfeit trinity we see Satan's last and
greatest effort to deceive the people of the earth.  Most of
them will be deceived during the Tribulation.  Speaking of
the Antichrist, 2 Thess 2:9-10 says "Even him, whose coming
is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and
lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish, because they received not the love of
the truth, that they might be saved."  This unholy trinity is
the greatest conspiracy ever and the major portion of
humanity is swept along with it.

THE BEAST OUT OF THE SEA
Rev 13:1-6
The Composite Beast:

The apostle John then describes the beast for us in the
following words:  "And the beast which I saw was like unto a
leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his
mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his
power and his seat, and great authority".  (13:2).

This verse gives a further description of the coming wicked
kingdom and its ruler during the Tribulation.  The
description of this beast is a composite of the
characteristics of the other beasts mentioned in Daniel 7.
There the first three kingdoms are characterized as a lion (v
4), a bear, (v 5), and a leopard (v 6).  These animals
represented the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece.
The characteristics of these kingdoms are combined in the
last kingdom which will be the ten-kingdom Roman Empire.  The
Roman Empire in Daniel 7 was seen as indescribable because it
was `diverse from all the beasts that were before it' (v 7).

This empire, as seen in Revelation 13, will have all the
brilliance, culture and swiftness of a leopard - a reference
to the previous Grecian empire.  It will also have the
tremendous strength, tenacity of purpose, and brutality of a
bear - a reference to the Medo-Persian Empire.  Then too it
will have the autocratic and majestic power of a lion - a
reference to the Babylonian Empire.

This composite monster has great power because `the dragon
gave him his power, and his seat (throne), and great
authority' (v 2).  The dragon, of course, is Satan himself (
Rev 12:9).  In speaking of the Antichrist, the Apostle Paul
told us that he is one `whose coming is after the working of
Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders' (2 Thess
2:9).

The beast has reference to the rise of a kingdom, and
particularly the Antichrist, the earthly head of this
kingdom.  Also symbolized by the beast is a supernatural
spirit coming out of the abyss.

Beasts are sometimes used in Scriptures as symbols for
kingdoms or kings (Dan 2:38-39, 7:2-7 &17 &23), and also
for the controlling of supernatural powers of the kingdoms.

THE NATIONALITY OF THE ANTICHRIST

There is much interest and speculation as to the identity of
the Antichrist.  Many infamous political leaders of the past
have been though to be the Antichrist.  This unfounded
speculation has been harmful, as many people have become
skeptical of prophecy.  The positive identity of the
Antichrist will not be made until he personally makes a
covenant with Israel for seven years (Dan 9:27).
While we cannot know in advance who he will be, there are
indications regarding the area from which he will come.

There are two visions that cover the Gentile world powers
from Daniel's day to the second coming of Christ in Dan 2 and
7.  The image in Dan 2:32,35 & 38 with the head of gold.

The HEAD OF GOLD along with the LION, symbolize
Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom. (Dan 7:4, 12 & 17; Jer 15:4, 24:9,
25:12; 29:18).

The Medo-Persia is symbolized by the `breast and arms of
silver' on the image (Dan 2:32,35 & 39) and the bear, (Dan
7:5,12 &17).

The Old Grecian Empire of Alexander the Great followed the
Medo-Persian kingdom in the time of the Gentiles and is
symbolized by the `belly and things of brass' and the
`leopard' ( Dan 2:39; 7:6,12 & 17; 8:20-21; 11:1-4).

The old Roman Empire follows the Grecian Empire and its four
divisions.  It is symbolized by the `legs of iron' on the
image ( Dan 2:33-35 & 40), and the nondescript beast of Dan
7:7,18, 19-27 ), and it continues the persecution of Israel
(Dan 2:40; 7:23-25; 9:25; Luke 2:1; Jn 11:48; Matt 24:1-2;
Luke 21:20-24; Acts 16:21; 22:25-29).

There will be ten kings who will head ten separate
governments from ten separate capital inside the Roman Empire
in the days of the second coming of Christ, and they are
symbolized by the `feet and toes' of iron and clay on the
image and `the  ten horns' on the nondescript beast. (Dan
2:31-44; 7:23 & 24; Rev 12:3; 13:1-4; 17:8-17).

The ten kingdoms will be the "Revised Roman Empire" and they
will be formed inside the old Roman territory.  There will be
ten kingdoms instead of one empire, and it will not be the
"Revived" Roman Empire as some teach (Dan 2:44; 7:23&24; Rev
8:17).

Daniel saw a `little horn' growing out of the ten horns (Dan
7).  This horn plucked up three of the horns (Dan 7:7-8).
The kingdoms from Daniel's day on are: Babylon, Medo-Persia,
Greece, and the old Roman Empire.  It is stated in Dan
7:23-24, that the "fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom
upon the earth, which shall be diverse from all
kingdoms...and the ten horns out of their kingdom are ten
kings that shall rise..."  Four of the ten kings will be
committed to the Antichrist, and then the other six will also
agree to give their power to this `little horn'.

This `little horn' arises after the ten kingdoms are in
existence (Dan 7:8, Rev 17:9-11).  This is all future.

In the vision in Dan 8, we see a symbolic ram and the `he-
goat', the ram being Medo-Persia and the `he-goat'
symbolizing the Grecian Empire.  The `he-goat' had his horn
broken off and in its place grew four horns.  This relates to
the death of Alexander the Great, who founded the old Grecian
Empire.  After his death, four men took over.

Any study of ancient history will reveal the division of
Greece after Alexander the Great died.  Each one of his four
generals took and ruled one area.  Cassander took Greece and
Macedon.  Lysimachus got Asia Minor, which is the present
Turkey, and Thrace.  Seleucus ruled Syria and Babyloniz.
Ptolemy took Egypt.  These four divisions are today's Greece,
Turkey, Syria and Egypt.  The Antichrist (`little horn') will
come out of one of these four horns.  The  purpose of Dan 7
and 8 is to narrow the geographical boundaries of the coming
of the Antichrist.  And, according to Dan 8, he will come
from Greece, Turkey, Syria or Egypt and not from the Vatican,
Italy, Germany, Russia or some other such place.

Dan 11 gives us a vision of wars between two of the four
concerned areas of the Grecian Empire, Syria and Egypt.
These wars covered approximately 150 years and ended with the
reign of Antiocus Epiphanes, who ruled about 165 B.C.
Reference is then made to the end time, picturing war between
Syria and Egypt.  Syria is `the king of the north' in this
vision and Egypt is called `king of the south'.  Dan 11:36-45
identifies the Antichrist as the `king of the north' which is
Syria.

The `king of the north', the `little horn' Dan 7 and 8, `the
prince that shall come' Dan 9:26-27, `the son of perdition',
`man of sin', 1 Thess 2:1-12, and the `beast' Rev 13; all
refer to the Antichrist.  Their characteristics are all
correspondent, and we conclude that the many references
involved pertain to the Antichrist, who will eventually come
from Syria.

THE ANTICHRIST!

The Antichrist will be a real person.  He will have
outstanding natural gifts and attract much interest and
response.

Even though the person of the Antichrist has not yet appeared
on the scene, the spirit of antichrist has.  John reminded
the new Christians of his day: "Little children, it is the
last time: and as ye have heard the antichrist shall come,
even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it
is the last time" ( 1 John 2:18).  Recorded in the same
chapter is the sobering statement, "who is a liar but he that
denieth that Jesus is the Christ?  He is antichrist, that
denieth the Father and the Son" (v22).  The Apostle John
emphasized that the spirit of antichrist was present even
in his day when he wrote, "And every spirit that confesseth
not the Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and
this is the spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that
it should come, and even now already is it is the world".
(4:3)

In our study of the Book of the Revelation, we have seen that
activities of the Antichrist since Revelation 6.  Now he is
described to us as the first beast of Revelation 13.

The antichrist will not become prominent in world affairs
until after the formation of the ten kingdoms.  He will arise
and attain the whole ten in the  first half of the Great
Tribulation.  He will be recognized as the beast of Rev 13 by
the middle of the Week.  He will come out of seclusion and
rise to power quickly (Dan 7:7,8, 19-24).

Titles Of Antichrist.

Many titles are given to antichrist in the Scriptures - at
least 20 in number.  Some are given below as examples:

     Isaiah 14:4  - `king of Babylon'
     Daniel  7:8  - `little horn'
     Daniel  8:23 - `a king of fierce countenance'
     Daniel  9:26 - `the prince that shall come'
     Daniel 11:36 - `the wilful king'
    2 Thess  2:3-8- `That man of sin'  `the son of perdition'
                    `that wicked one'
     1 John  2:18 - `antichrist'
     Rev    13:1  - `a beast'

Of all the titles given to him, the one used by the apostle
Paul in 2 Thess 2:3 `man of sin' is the most descriptive.
As `the man of sin' he will come on the scene in the last
days as the embodiment of all the sinful men who have ever
lived.  2 Thess 2:4 offers an appropriate description of his
conduct:  "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that
is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he, as God,
sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is
God."

A Contrast To Jesus Christ

     1.  Christ came from above              - John 6:38.
         Antichrist will ascend from the pit - Rev 11:7.

     2.  Christ came in His Fathers name      - John 5:43.
         Antichrist will come in his own name - John 5:43.

     3.  Christ humbles Himself               - Phil 2:8.
         Antichrist will exalt himself        - 2 Thess 2:4.

     4.  Christ was despised                  - Is 53:3.
                                              - Luke 23:18.
         Antichrist will be admired           - Rev 13:3 & 4.

     5.  Christ will be exalted              - Phil 2:9
         Antichrist will be cast down to hell- Is 14:4
                                               Rev 19:20

     6.  Christ came to do His Fathers will  - John 6:38
         Antichrist came to do his own will  - Dan 11:36

     7.  Christ came to save                 - Luke 19:10
         Antichrist will come to destroy     - Dan 8:24

     8.  Christ is the Good Shepherd         - John 10:1-15
         Antichrist is the idol (evil) shepherd-Zech 11:16&17

     9.  Christ is the true vine             - John 15:1
         Antichrist is the vine of the earth -Rev 14:18

    10.  Christ is the truth                 - John 14:6
         Antichrist is the lie               - 2 Thess 2:11
                                                       (ASV)

    11.  Christ is the Holy one              - Mark 1:24
         Antichrist is the lawless one       - 2 Thess 2:8
                                                      (ASV)

    12.  Christ is the man of sorrows        - Is 53:3
         Antichrist is the man of sin        - 2 Thess 2:3

    13.  Christ is the Son of God            - Luke 1:35
         Antichrist is the son of perdition  - 2 Thess 2:3

    14.  Christ is the mystery of godliness:
         God....manifest in the flesh        - 1 Tim 3:16
         Antichrist will be the mystery of iniquity:
         Satan manifest in the flesh         - 2 Thess 2:7



Future Activities of Antichrist

There is ample description of the work of antichrist in Rev
13 to warn the entire world of this awful personage who will
come upon the earth to assume control.  With characteristic
biblical inspiration, these principles harmonize with other
teachings in the Word concerning this person.  We shall
consider these teachings particularly in the light of the
following seven events.

A.  His Rise To Power.  As already seen Rev 6:2, the
antichrist will come on the scene in the `latter times' and
assume power by stealth, convincing world leaders of the
idea that he can offer peace, and by gaining enough support
from each of the ten kings of the earth.  Eventually he will
end up with control of all of them.  This subtle method of
diplomacy is confirmed by an examination of Dan 8:25.  "And
through his policy also he shall cause deceit to prosper in
his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by
peace shall destroy many; he shall also stand up against the
Prince of princes, but he shall be broken without hand".

B.  His Government.  This government is predicted in the
image of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 2).  The ten toes of the image
represent an amalgamation of the ten kings under the
dominance of the antichrist.  Rev 17:12-15 reveals that the
kings of the earth will finally come to the conclusion that
they are not capable of governing themselves in peace with
other nations; thus they `shall give their power and strength
unto the beast' (13).

C.  The Antichrist Will Dominate Economy.  When Rev 17:13
states that the kings of the earth `shall give their power...
unto the beast', this means not only their armies but also
their economic power.  Such an economy has been suggested in
the European Common market.  Although it is still in its
infancy, because of economic necessity it could spread
throughout the entire world and eventually become the type of
instrument used by the antichrist to control the monetary and
financial affairs of the world.

D.  The Antichrist's Atheistic Religion.  The religion of the
antichrist appears in several place in scripture, primarily
Daniel 11:36-39 and 2 Thess 2:1-12.  These passages teach
that the antichrist will exalt himself `above all that is
called God, or that is worshipped, so that he, as God,
sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God'
(2 Thess 2:4).  This evil personage will be a master of
deceit even in the religious realm.

E.  His Covenant With Israel.  Dan 9:27 indicated that he
will make a covenant with Israel for seven years which, as we
have already seen, will be broken in the middle of the
Tribulation when it suits his purposes.  This covenant will
only serve to keep the children of Israel from seeking God;
just as they looked to Egypt in the Old Testament, they will
look for help and alliance to the Antichrist for the first
three and one-half years of the Tribulation.

F.  His Death And Resurrection.  "And I saw one of his heads
as though it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was
healed, and all the world wondered after the beast" (Rev
13:3).   This is referring to the fall and resurrection of
the Grecian kingdom as symbolized by the little horn, and
will be dealt with in detail when we study Revelation chapter
seventeen.

G.  The Ultimate Destruction Of The Antichrist. 2 Thess 2:8
declares; "And then shall the wicked one be revealed, whom
the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and
shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."  This
destruction of Satan by our Lord at His coming is graphically
described in Rev 19:11-20.  Christ will destroy Satan and his
armies all at one time and will cast him alive into the lake
of fire burning with brimstone.


THE EXTENT OF ANTICHRIST'S REIGN
Rev 13:7-10

This portion of Scripture speaks of the antichrist making war
on the saints, and of his power over all kindreds and tongues
and nations.  What will be the extent of the antichrist's
reign?  This depends on the usage of the word `all'.  If if
means `all' in the mosts inclusive sense, it will involve
every individual in the world.  If it is taken to mean all
the God has in mind as far as the decree is concerned, then
it would basically involve the ten kingdoms of Old Rome.  The
figure of speech involving the usage of the word `all' in
chapter 13 is called synechdoche.  This is where a part is
put in for a whole or a whole for a part.  There are many
examples in the scriptures of this usage.  In Gen 6:17 we
read where `all flesh and everything with the breath of life'
was going to die.  However, Noah and his family, as well as
all the animals in the ark, were exempted.  When Jericho was
destroyed, it said they `utterly destroyed all that was in
the city.'  But, of course, we know that Rahab and her people
were spared (Josh 6:21-25).  2 Sam 6:5 & 15, says that
`David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord'
when they brought  up the ark.  Obviously, every individual
did not know how to play and instrument, and many were too
young to do so; and not all were gathered in that place.
When the Word speaks of `all Israel' in 1 Kings 12:16-19, it
means that part of Israel which rebelled against Rehoboam.
See also  1 Chron 10:6; 2 Chron 10:1,3 &16; 11:16 & 17;
21:1; Ezra 10:5; Ezek 21:4.  When John was baptizing in the
river Jordan, it says, "All Judea, and all the region round
about Jordan was baptized of him."  There were many who did
not respond, such as the Pharisees and the Saduccees; so it
doesn't propose that every individual responded and was
baptized by him.  Caesar Augustus, in Luke 2:1-3, declared
that `all the world should be taxed'; yet we know that this
did not affect many countries outside of his Empire.  The
`all' must be understood in relationship to the Old Roman
Empire that was under Caesar Augustus.  In view of these
instances, we see that sometimes the word `all' is used only
to include those individuals or that group for which purpose
it was intended, and it does not include everyone, or
everything, everywhere.

There are hundreds of examples that demonstrate this, and we
do not believe that Rev 13 expressly means that the
antichrist of the future will literally reign over all the
earth and kill everything that does not take the mark.  Just
as many of the examples given pertain to a particular region
or area, this too applies to those involved in a definite
area.

We conclude that the actual extent of the antichrist's
kingdom and reign must be limited to a certain part of the
world; but, just as the actions of a despot like Adolph
Hitler had influence over the whole world in World War II,
and the actions of a country like Russia have a far-reaching
effect; so too will the antichrist have great influence.

The beast had seven heads and ten horns, and upon the ten horns
were crowns.  This involves ten kings.  The number is
specific.  When the word `all' is used here, it is speaking
of the whole matter being discussed.  The Bible is not
contradicting itself.  It must be understood that the ten
kingdoms are in the area around the Mediterranean Sea.

In Dan 11:40-45, it is found that when the antichrist comes
to power and breaks the seven-year covenant with the Jews
(Dan 9:27), and enters Israel in the middle of the seven
years, he is given power over the ten kingdoms.  Those ten
kingdoms will include Greece, Italy, Israel, Egypt and Syria,
plus others.  The antichrist will actually come form Syria.
He will make a will to decree that all must worship him.  The
Bible says the `many' countries (Dan 9:41) shall be
overthrown.  It doesn't say that `all ' countries shall be
overthrown. Even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the tribe
of Ammon, will escape the Antichrist; and they border right
next to his kingdom.  It is conceivable then that other
countries across the vast ocean, and those inhabiting islands
of the seas, and other parts os the world would escape him,
at least to some degree.  It appears evident from the
Scriptures that he will not reign exclusively over every
single individual in the entire world.  The main part of the
nation of Israel and Judah will flee from the Antichrist when
he breaks his covenant in the middle of the Tribulation
period (Dan 9:27), and the Bible says they will flee to Edom
and Moab.  A place of protection is prepared in that area for
them and they are protected from the Antichrist during this
time.

The Antichrist will conquer many countries.  The Bible says,
however, in Dan 11:44-45 that the tidings out of the east
and the north will trouble him, and he will go forth with
fury to destroy and stand against them that are opposing him.

Zechariah, in his book, teaches that many people (even many
within the empire of the Antichrist, as well as those outside
of it) will not take the mark of the beast and still will not
be killed.  He speaks of a battle between the Jews of
Jerusalem and many nations under the Antichrist (Zech 14:1-
5).  he goes on to state that it will come to pass that
everyone that is left (notice the comment "that is left")  of
all the nations that come against Jerusalem shall go up from
year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, to keep
the Feast of the Tabernacle.  If everybody were worshipping
the Antichrist, they would be destroyed and could not do
this.

Egypt is going to be taken over by the Antichrist (Dan 11:40-
45), but there will be many in that nation that will not take
the mark of the beast and will not be killed.  The Bible
plainly says that everybody that takes the mark of the beast
is going to be dammed and go to hell.  But there will be
those in Egypt who are alive and, having escaped death, will
go into the Millenium.  This will be true of other nations as
well.

The Antichrist will formulate a law that all in his ten
kingdoms must take a mark and worship him or be killed.
However, war with the countries of the north and east will
keep him occupied and prevent the enforcement of this decree.

THE BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH!
Rev 13:11-18

The False Prophet

This second beast comes out of the earth.  He is mentioned
here for the first time, and all that is given in the Bible
concerning him is in Revelation.  He has `two horns like a
lamb' (v 11).  This is a mixed metaphor.  Horns speak of
strength whereas a lamb speaks of meekness.  Although this
beast has the appearance of meekness; he speaks, `as a
dragon' (v 11).  In other words, he speaks with the authority
of Satan.  His meekness is only an outward appearance that
covers up his inner corruptness.

The Lord Jesus said in the sermon on the Mount, `Beware of
false prophets that come unto you as wolves in sheep's
clothing.'  The false prophet will come to Israel in sheep's
clothing, but God terms him `a beast'.

He is called `the false prophet', from the Greek word
pseudoprophetes, in Rev 16:13, 19:20, 20:10.  He is a false
prophet, a prophet of the antichrist.  He is seen with the
beast and dragon in Rev 16:13, sending forth demon spirits to
gather the nations to Armageddon.  He is with the first beast
in Rev 19:20, and seen as a miracle-working co-laborer with
the first beast as he comes against Christ at Armageddon.

The Supernatural Power Of The False Prophet!

There are several things to observe concerning his ministry
in this portion of scripture.  FIRST of all, he comes on the
scene after John's vision of the first beast.  He is called
`another' beast, and the Greek word for `another' is allos
meaning `another of the same kind'.  He is the second beast
in this chapter, and is not the same as the one in the
previous part of this chapter.  These are descriptions of two
different beast, or individuals.

In the SECOND place, this beast is seen as coming up `out of
the earth.'  The word for `earth' is the same as `world'.
Here it represents the peoples on the earth, similar to Dan
7:3, where the word `sea' symbolizes people.  The two beasts
personify two men.  They will be normal natural men, born on
earth and rising to power.

In the THIRD place, this second beast has the appearance of a
lamb.  He will appear to be a wonderful prophet, a religious
man, fit for his office.  He will perform some miracles and
will deceive millions.  He has two horns, but he speaks as a
dragon or serpent.

The FOURTH thing noticed about him is that he will exercise
the power of, and cause the earth to worship, the first beast
whose deadly wound will be healed (13:12).  This beast will
be an executive of the antichrist and he will exercise
Satan's power that will be given to the first beast ( 13:2-4;
2 Thess 2:8-12).  The duration of his power is not stated,
but he comes after the first beast has come into great
influence, so it won't be until after the middle of the Great
Tribulation, and he cannot reign for more than three and one-
half years.  This beast is not mentioned apart from the
Antichrist and they will work in close union, perhaps to
withstand the two witnesses.

Rev 13:13, our FIFTH notation, declared that he will do great
wonders and make fire come down from heaven on the earth in
the sight of men.  (The word for `wonders' is from the
Greek word semeion and means `sign').  These signs and
miracles will be for the purpose of deceiving men into
accepting the antichrist as God.

SIXTHLY, he will instruct the people on earth to make an
image to the first beast.  These orders will be carried out,
and the image will be set up in the temple of God to be
worshipped (Matt 24:15).  Special powers will be given to
the image (13:14-15), and those who do not worship it will
be killed.

In the SEVENTH place, this second beast will make people
receive a mark in their right hands or in their foreheads
in order to buy or sell (13:16-18).  A great multitude will
be martyred as a result of this decree (7:9-17; 13:7; 14:13;
15:2-3; 20:4).

The Mark Of The Beast !

There will be great devotion and worship to the first beast
and his image.  The worship could be both political and
religious (13:4).  It will be of such nature that it is
completely apostate, and doom will be decreed on all who
partake (14:9-11).  All faith in God and Christ must be
denied, and the adherents will become total servants of the
devil and controlled by demon spirits to the point of no
redemption.

There are three identifying features or brands that can to
used by followers of the antichrist.  First of all, there is
a mark, commonly called `the mark of the beast'.  This is
different from the name or the number of his name (13:16-18;
14:9; 15:2-4; 20:4).  It is not revealed what the mark will
be, but it will be a literal mark in the flesh (13:16; 14:9).
It could be the emblem of the kingdom of the antichrist.

The second identifying feature is `the name of the beast'
referring to the name of the first beast (13:17).  It is not
found in scripture so there is no explanation of it.

In the third feature, there is the `number of his name'
(13:17-18; 15:2).  This will be `the number of a man', and
the number given here is 666.  Many attempts have been made
to identify this number with names of different world leaders
and personalities in recent years.  Various individuals have
been declared the anitchrist.  The names are transliterated
into Greek, with the numerical value of each letter used for
the letter, and the numbers added up.  Many `identifications'
have resulted from this method.  However, neither the mark,
name, nor identity will be known until after the beast comes,
which shall be after the rapture and the formation of the ten
kingdoms.