Characteristics of the Antichrist's Followers in Revelation
The followers of the Antichrist, as depicted in the Book of Revelation and related biblical texts, are characterized by their opposition to God, their embrace of deception, and their participation in a system marked by spiritual corruption and worldly allegiance. These individuals are often described in contrast to the faithful adherents of Christ [7, 10].
One prominent characteristic of the Antichrist's followers is their spiritual presumption and pride. They are described as those who exhibit presumption, opposing God, committing sin willfully, and displaying self-righteousness and spiritual pride [1]. This aligns with descriptions of the Antichrist himself, who is characterized by presumption [1]. Their actions reflect a rejection of God's authority, as seen in their opposition to God and their esteeming of their own ways as right [1].
The followers are also identified by their spiritual lineage and behavior. They are referred to as "children of the devil," "children of the wicked one," and "children of disobedience" [2]. This imagery suggests a deep-seated alignment with evil and a rejection of divine law [2]. John Gill notes that these individuals are "acted and influenced" by the devil, doing his will and spreading "doctrines of devils" [4]. They are also said to work "lying wonders" to deceive others, particularly "the kings of the earth" [4].
Their allegiance is firmly rooted in the earthly realm. Those who "dwell upon the earth" are identified as citizens of the earth rather than heaven [5]. This earthly focus leads them to rejoice over the silencing of God's witnesses, suggesting a celebration of what they perceive as the triumph of their Antichristian worldview [5]. This worldview is sometimes associated with "philosophical enlightenment and civilization" that ultimately leads to "man's deification of himself," a form of "atheism, antitheism, and autotheism" [5, 6].
The moral and spiritual corruption of the Antichrist's followers is further detailed. They are described as "the fearful" or "the cowardly," who lack the courage to stand for God and instead "draw back" [3]. They are also labeled "unbelieving" or "faithless," and "abominable," having partaken in the "harlot's cup of abominations," which signifies idolatrous practices [3, 7]. Sorcery is listed among their characteristics, as are being "liars" [3]. The Apostle Paul similarly warns against those who engage in lying and deceit [3].
In contrast to the faithful, who are described as "virgins" not defiled by the "whore of Rome" and her idolatrous practices, the followers of the Antichrist are deeply entangled in spiritual fornication and idolatry [7]. The Antichrist's system itself is characterized by blasphemy against God, a limited period of authority, warfare against God's people, and global dominion [8]. Those who align with this system are warned that "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity," indicating a divine judgment for their actions [9]. The call to "hear" this "mystical description of antichrist" emphasizes the importance of understanding these characteristics to identify and avoid his followers [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Presumption — A characteristic of the wicked -- 2Pe 2:10. A characteristic of Antichrist -- 2Th 2:4. Exhibited in Opposing God. -- Job 15:25,26. Wilful commission of sin. -- Ro 1:32. Self-righteousness. -- Ho 12:8; Re 3:17. Spiritual pride. -- Isa 65:5; Lu 18:11. Esteeming our own ways right. -- Pr 12:15. Seeking precedence. -- Lu 14:7-11. Planning for the future. -- Lu 12:18; Jas 4:13. Pretending to prophecy. -- De 18:22. Pray to be kept from sins of -- Ps 19:13. Saints avoid -- Ps 131:1. Punishment for -- Nu 15:30; Re 18:7,8. Exemplified Builders of Babel. -- Ge 11”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of the Wicked — Adversaries of the Lord -- 1Sa 2:10. Children of Belial -- De 13:13; 2Ch 13:7. Children of the devil -- Ac 13:10; 1Jo 3:10. Children of the wicked one -- Mt 13:38. Children of hell -- Mt 23:15. Children of base men -- Job 30:8. Children of fools -- Job 30:8. Children of strangers -- Isa 2:6. Children of transgression -- Isa 57:4. Children of disobedience -- Eph 2:2; Col 3:6. Children in whom is no faith -- De 32:20. Children of the flesh -- Ro 9:8. Children of iniquity -- Ho 10:9. Children that will not hear the law of the Lord -- Isa”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 21:8: the fearful--Greek, "the cowardly," who do not quit themselves like men so as to "overcome" in the good fight; who have the spirit of slavish "fear," not love, towards God; and who through fear of man are not bold for God, or "draw back." Compare Rev 21:27; Rev 22:15. unbelieving--Greek, "faithless." abominable--who have drank of the harlot's "cup of abominations." sorcerers--one of the characteristics of Antichrist's time. all liars--Greek, "all the liars": or else "all who are liars"; compare Ti1 4:1-2, where similarly lying and dealings ”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 16:13: For they are the spirits of devils,.... They are of their father the devil; they are acted and influenced by him, he works effectually in them, and leads them captive at his will; they do his lusts, and are murderers and liars, and false teachers, like him: working miracles; lying ones, to deceive men; this clearly points out who are meant, namely, the followers of antichrist, who, as they spread the doctrines of devils, endeavour to confirm them by signs and lying wonders: which go forth unto the kings of the earth: those who have committed fornication with ”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 11:10: they that dwell upon . . . earth--those who belong to the earth, as its citizens, not to heaven (Rev 3:10; Rev 8:13; Rev 12:12; Rev 13:8). shall--so Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic. But A, B, and C read the present tense; compare Note, see on Rev 11:9, on "shall not suffer." rejoice over them--The Antichristianity of the last days shall probably be under the name of philosophical enlightenment and civilization, but really man's deification of himself. Fanaticism shall lead Antichrist's followers to exult in having at last seemingly silenced in dea”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 7:25: Three attributes of Antichrist are specified: (1) The highest worldly wisdom and civilization. (2) The uniting of the whole civilized world under his dominion. (3) Atheism, antitheism, and autotheism in its fullest development (Jo1 2:22). Therefore, not only is power taken from the fourth beast, as in the case of the other three, but God destroys it and the world power in general by a final judgment. The present external Christianity is to give place to an almost universal apostasy. think--literally, "carry within him as it were the burden of the tho”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 14:4: These are they which were not defiled with women,.... With the whore of Rome, and her harlots, she is the mother of; while the kings and inhabitants of the earth were drunk with the wine of their fornication, or committed idolatry with them, which is spiritual fornication, and is here meant by being defiled with them, these were free from such pollutions, or idolatrous practices: for they are virgins; for their beauty and comeliness in Christ, chastity, sincerity of their love, uncorruptness in doctrine and worship, and for the uprightness of conversation; See G”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 13:5: 13:5-8 The four characteristics of the beast are that he (1) blasphemes God, (2) has authority for a limited time, (3) makes war against God’s people, and (4) rules the world. But God is in control. 13:5 The forty-two months are the three and a half years of persecution and evil domination (see study note on 11:2-3).”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 13:9: If any man have an ear, let him hear. And diligently attend to this mystical description of antichrist, as being matter of some difficulty to understand, as well as of great moment and importance, and seriously consider it, that he may know him, and his followers, and avoid them; See Gill on Rev 1:7. . Revelation 13:10 rev 13:10 rev 13:10 rev 13:10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity,.... As the devil, by whom men are led captive at his will, and the Romish antichrist, who leads multitudes of souls to hell; these shall be taken and cast into t”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 14:1: Here we have one of the most pleasing sights that can be viewed in this world - the Lord Jesus Christ at the head of his faithful adherents and attendants. Here observe, 1. How Christ appears: as a Lamb standing upon mount Zion. Mount Zion is the gospel church. Christ is with his church and in the midst of her in all her troubles, and therefore she is not consumed. It is his presence that secures her perseverance; he appears as a Lamb, a true Lamb, the Lamb of God. A counterfeit lamb is mentioned as rising out of the earth in the last chapter, which was really”