Subtitle: There will be a point in time when he does realize the course his eternal life will take.

Excerpt: There will be a point in time when he does realize the course his eternal life will take.

Author: Jeff Hilles

A dispensational Christian worldview of end-times includes the Antichrist being born, growing up, and ultimately assuming control of the world (for a time).

During the last seven years of his reign, the first half (3.5 years) will be a time of great achievements and unity, as the evil one solidifies his value and power. The second half of his reign, the Great Tribulation, will be filled with persecution, destruction, and devastation. Certainly, there will be a point in time when it is obvious who he is for those who understand end-times prophecy from Scripture (Daniel 9:27, Revelation 11:2, and Revelation 13:5, for example). The interesting question posed here is … when does the Antichrist know he is the Antichrist?

Do we have a Biblical model(s) that offers insight into when he knows who he is and what he will become? I believe the answer is yes.

Judas Iscariot as a Model for the Antichrist

Judas was one of the twelve apostles, best known as the one who betrayed Christ near the end of His life.

The Lord knew Judas was stealing from the money bag for which he was responsible even before the apostles celebrated their last meal together. Further, Jesus was well aware of what was going to transpire later that night at the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 36-46).

He [Judas] said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. - John 12:6

Jesus also knew Judas planned to betray Him, even before Judas did, the evening of the Last Supper.

[Jesus said...] “What you are going to do, do quickly.” - John 13:27b

This passage provides some insight into when the Antichrist will know who he will become when we consider the question of when Judas knew he was working for Satan, rather than for God. Note the following verse from the Last Supper …

Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” - John 13:27

Most Christians hold the view that a born-again believer can be externally influenced by Satan and his demons but cannot be possessed by them. If theologically correct, one could assume that Judas was an apostle who spent three years following Jesus but was not saved. That consideration offers an interesting perspective on the spiritual discernment of the other apostles and reflects on the same for believers today … but all that is beyond the scope of this brief article.

The question is, when did Judas know that he was actually possessed by Satan and forced to do the will of the evil one?

Earlier in the evening Satan was an external influence for Judas. But perhaps Judas did not fully understand the true source of his future plans. Some theologians believe Judas was trying to find a way to force Jesus to take on what the Israelites believed was His rightful place as King of the Jews, and to remove them from the bondage of the Romans.

During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, - John 13:2

Based on years of off-and-on reading about demon possession, I would say Judas knew at the point Satan entered him the true evil source of his pending betrayal. Imagine the impact of the prince of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) entering the body of a single human being.

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. - Luke 22:3

The Demoniac

In the story of the demoniac(s) found in Matthew 8, Luke 8, and Mark 5, it was certainly clear there was demon possession. This was evidenced by miraculous superhuman strength along with such destruction that he was voluntarily banished to a solitary existence, and no one could bind him.

As an interesting parallel, Judas, after seeing the outcome of his betrayal of Christ, ended his life by suicide (Matthew 27:3-5), somewhat similar to the demoniac whose demons entered the pigs, who then promptly ran over the cliff, killing themselves in Matthew 8:28-34.

The demoniac knew he was demon-possessed when they left him (Luke 8:35). In the same way a man will be born, live a life on this earth, and, as the sinner we all are … there will be a point in time when he will also feel the impact of an external evil becoming an internal satanic influence of both miraculous powers as well as overwhelming, uncontrollable evil mastery.

Boy with an Unclean Spirit

Mark 9:14-29 offers a third insight into the signs and impact of demon possession. In this case it was a young child who convulsed, rolled around on the ground, and foamed at the mouth. Jesus was annoyed that His disciples couldn’t cast out the demon, so He commanded the evil to come out of the boy. This again confirms the significant difference between the boy’s condition when the demon was in control and after it was forced to leave.

And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” - Mark 9:26

Conclusion

From Biblical examples it would seem that those who are demon-possessed know they are in that state, as do those around them. However, those who are under the external influence of Satan and his minions may not be as easy to discern. From that perspective, Christians need to be wise as we monitor the world around us, acknowledging that God has intentionally not made clear when the Antichrist will appear. However, there should be clear signs as the labor pains begin.

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. - Matthew 24:36

While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. - 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Further, the Antichrist will be a man who is born and raised from a child to an adult over time. There will be a point when he knows who he is and whom he serves. And his potential to deceive, even the Biblical Christian, should not be understated.