y
interesting one; on it men have written and speculated much and wildly.
In studying a subject of this kind, we should first ascertain the
Scripture teachings on it, then look for the preparative signs in the
Church and world, and finally, for the counterpart, which, once in
existence, no one can fail to recognise. The time, person, and work of
Anti-Christ have been very clearly set forth in the Old and New
Testaments, especially by Isaiah, in the fourteenth chapter and twelfth
to sixteenth verses; by Daniel in the seventh and eleventh chapters,
under the symbolism of this little horn; by Paul in second Thessalonians,
second chapter and first to twelfth verses; also by John in Revelation,
thirteenth chapter and nineteenth chapter and twentieth verse, besides
many other references.

Of Anti-Christ the early Christian fathers had different views. 1st.
Some thought that he would be Satan assuming the appearance of a man.
2nd. Some thought he would be a hybrid, the offspring of Satan by a
harlot; of this opinion were Lactantius and Sulspitius. 3rd. Hilary,
Jerome, and others thought he would be Satan incarnated. 4th.
Chrysostom, Theopolact, and Theodoret thought he would be a real man
under the influence of the devil. This latter view we accept as being
the nearest to the Scripture teaching. In the Scriptures he goes by the
names of Lucifer, man of sin, son of perdition, and that wicked one. Now
all these names are indicative of some special feature of his character.
Man of sin points out the intensity of the person in wickedness. As some
time ago a man was called "the wickedest man in New York," so Anti-Christ
will be called the man of sin, having been the greatest sinner of human
kind.

From the Scriptures we find that he will be characterised by some twenty
peculiarities. These we will just enumerate: a cunning seducer, a vile
imposter, a bold blasphemer, a great tyrant, a wonderful organiser and
diplomatist; hence he will readily make alliances with other kings and
strengthen himself; a pretentious and hypocritical Communist, dividing
his lands, money, and treasure among the people; he will be very
ambitious and aspiring, doing or being anything so he may gain his point;
he will be very self-willed; he will be very boastful, speaking great
words; he will be very cruel, not heeding the plea of woman; he will be
very sacrilegious, sitting in the temple of God--that is, the new temple,
built by the returned Jew