TYPES OF THE ANTICHRIST. “In the volume of the book it is written of Me” ( Hebrews 10:7), said the Lord Jesus. Christ is the key to the Scriptures — “Search the Scriptures...they are they which testify of Me”, are His words; and the Scriptures to which He had reference were not the four Gospels, for they were not then written, but the writings of Moses and the prophets. The Old Testament Scriptures, then, are something more than a compilation of historical narratives, something more than the record of a system of social and religious legislation, or a code of ethics. The Old Testament Scriptures are, fundamentally, a stage on which is shown forth, in vivid symbolry, stupendous events then future. The events recorded in the Old Testament were actual occurrences, yet were they also typical prefigurations.

Throughout the Old Testament dispensations God caused to be shadowed forth things which must yet come to pass. This is in full accord with a basic law in the economy of God. Nothing is brought to maturity at once. As it is in the natural world, so it is in the spiritual: there is first the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear. So there is first the shadow, and then the substance; the type, and then the antitype. “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning” ( Romans 15:4).

Israel’s tabernacle was “a figure for the time then present” ( Hebrews 9:8,9), as well as the example and “shadow of heavenly things” ( Hebrews 8:5). Concerning the history of Abraham, his wives and his children, the apostle was inspired to write “which things are an allegory” ( Galatians 4:24). These and other passages which might be quoted witness plainly to the typical meaning of portions of the Old Testament.

But there are some brethren who will own the typical significance of these things, who refuse to acknowledge that anything else in the Old Testament has a typical meaning save those which are expressly interpreted or mentioned in the New. But surely this is a mistake. Ought we not to regard those Old Testament types which are expounded in the New Testament as samples of others which are not explained? Are there no more prophecies in the Old Testament than those which in the New Testament are expressly said to be “fulfilled”? Assuredly there are. Then why not admit the same in connection with the types? Nothing is said in the New Testament that the history of Joseph has a profound and wonderful typical significance, yet who with anointed eyes can fail to see in the experiences of Jacob’s favorite son a remarkable foreshadowing of the person and work of Christ!

There will probably be few who read this chapter that will dispute what we have said above. No doubt the majority of our readers have already been instructed in much of the typology of the Old Testament. Many of God’s servants have written at length upon the Passover, the brazen serpent, the Tabernacle, etc., as well as upon the many ways in which such men as Abel, Noah, Isaac, Moses, David, etc. prefigured the Savior. But strange to say, very little seems to have been written upon those who adumbrated the Antichrist. So far as we are aware practically nothing has been given out concerning the many Bible characters of ill fame, who foreshadowed that coming one, that occupies such a prominent place in the prophetic scriptures. A wide field is here opened for study, and we take pleasure in now submitting to the careful perusal of the reader the results of our own imperfect researches, hoping that it may lead others to make a more complete examination of the subject for themselves.

It was well said by one of the Continental Puritans that “When we read the Scriptures, we are to judge beforehand, that then only do we understand them, when we discover in them a wisdom unsearchable and worthy of God” (Witsius).

Such is the inexhaustible fullness of the written Word of God that not only are its words significant of things, but even the things, which are first signified by the words, also represent other things, which they were appointed to prefigure long before they happened. Besides the plain and literal sense of Scripture, there is also a mystical sense, hidden beneath the surface and which can only be discovered as we, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, diligently compare scripture with scripture. In pursuing the latter we need not only to proceed with due caution, but in “fear and trembling”, lest we devise mysteries of of our own imagination, and thus pervert to one use what belongs to another. The principle which will safeguard us is to thoroughly acquaint ourselves with the antitypes. Let nothing be regarded as a type unless we are sure there is an exact correspondence with the antitype. This will preserve us from erroneously supposing that any person who is clearly a type of either Christ or the Antichrist is so in every detail of his life. Thus Moses was plainly a type of Christ as our Mediator, and in many other respects too, but in his failures and in other details of his personal history he was not a type of Christ. So, too, with those who foreshadowed the Antichrist: not everything recorded of them prefigured the character or deeds of the Man of Sin. Should it still be inquired, How are we to ascertain in which respects the actions of Old Testament characters were, and were not, typical? the answer, as given above, is, By comparing the antitype. This will save us from the wild allegorizing of Origen and others of the “Fathers”. We shall now look at ten Bible characters, each of which strikingly typified the Antichrist. 1. Cain. It is indeed solemn to discover that the very first man born into this world prefigured the Man of Sin. He did so in a least seven respects.

First , we may observe that in 1 John 3:12 we are told “Cain was of that Wicked One, i.e. the Devil. Of none other is this particular expression used. The Antichrist will also, in a special sense, be “of that Wicked one”, for the Devil is said to be his father ( John 8:44).

Second , Cain was a religious hypocrite. This is seen in the fact that at first he posed as a worshipper of God, but the emptiness of his pretensions were quickly evidenced; for, when the Lord refused his offering, Cain was “very wroth” ( Genesis 4:5). As such he clearly prefigured that one who will first claim to be the Christ, only to stand forth later as His denier ( John 2:22).

Third , by his primogeniture Cain occupied the position of ruler. Said the Lord to him, “Unto to thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him”, that is, over Abel ( Genesis 4:7). Such, too, will be the position filled by the Antichrist — he shall be a Ruler over men.

Fourth , in murdering his brother Abel, Cain foreshadowed the wicked martyrdom of the Tribulation saints by the Son of Perdition.

Fifth , Cain was a liar. After the murder of Abel, when the Lord asked Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?”, he answered, “I know not” ( Genesis 4:9). In like manner deceit and falsehood will characterize him who is appropriately named “the Lie” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:11).

Sixth , God’s judgment descended upon Cain. So far as we know from the Scripture record, no human eye witnessed the dastardly murder of Abel, and doubtless Cain deemed himself secure from any penal consequences.

But if so, he reckoned without God. The Lord announced to him, “Thy brother’s blood crieth unto Me from the ground”, and then He declared, “And now art thou cursed from the earth” ( Genesis 4:10).

So, too, in his reckless conceit , the Antichrist will imagine that he can defy God and slay His people with impugnity. But his blasphemous delusions will be quickly dispelled.

Seventh , Cain was made to exclaim, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” ( Genesis 4:13). Such indeed will be the awful portion meted out to the Antichrist — he shall be “cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone” ( Revelation 19:20). 2. Lamech. And Lamech said unto his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; “Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man for wounding me, and a young man for bruising me. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and seven fold” ( Genesis 4:23,24, R. V.).

The record of this man’s life is exceedingly brief, but from the little that is recorded about him we may discover at least seven parallelisms between him and the Antichrist.

First , the meaning of his name. Lamech signifies “powerful”. This was an appropriate name for one who foreshadowed the Man of Sin who, as the Head of the United States of the World, will be powerful governmentally.

He will also be mighty in his person, for we are told that the Dragon shall give power unto him ( Revelation 13:4).

Second , in the fact that Lamech was a descendant of Cain ( Genesis 4:17-19), not Seth, we see that he sprang from the evil line.

Third , he was the seventh from fallen Adam, as though to intimate that the cycle of depravity was completed in him. So the Antichrist will be not only the culmination of satanic craft and power, but as well, the climax of human wickedness — the Man of Sin.

Fourth , the first thing predicted of Lamech is his “lawlessness”. “Lamech took unto him two wives” ( Genesis 4:19). As such he violated the marriage law and disobeyed the command of God ( Genesis 2:24).

Clearly, then, he foreshadowed the “Lawless One” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:8, R.V.).

Fifth , like Cain before him, Lamech was a murderer. His confession is, “I have slain a man for wounding me, and a young man for bruising me” ( Genesis 4:23).

In this, too, he foreshadowed the Man of blood and of violence.

Sixth , he was filled with pride. This comes out in two details.

First , he says to his wives, “Hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech” ( Genesis 4:23).

Second , in his arrogant self-importance — “If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly LAMECH seventy and seven fold” ( Genesis 4:24).

This appears to mean that Lamech had slain a man for wounding him, and mad with passion, he jeered ironically at God’s dealings with Cain.

Seventh, in the fact that the very next thing recorded after the brief notice of Lamech is the birth of Seth (the one from whom, according to the flesh, Christ descended) who set aside the line of Cain — for on his birth Eve exclaimed, “God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel whom Cain slew” ( Genesis 4:25) — thus we have a beautiful foreshadowing of the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus following the overthrow of the Antichrist. 3. Nimrod. This personal type of the Antichrist is deeply interesting and remarkable full in its details. His exploits are recorded in Genesis 10 and 11, and it is most significant that his person and history are there introduced at the point immediately preceding God’s call of Abraham from among the Gentiles and His bringing him into the promised land. Thus will history repeat itself. Just before God again gathers Abraham’s descendants from out of the lands of the Gentiles (many, perhaps the majority of whom, will be found dwelling in Chalden, in Assyria, the “north country” see Isaiah 11:11; Jeremiah 3:18, etc.) there will arise one who will fill out the picture here typically outlined by Nimrod.

Let us examine the details of this type.

First , the meaning of his name is most suggestive. Nimrod signifies “The Rebel”. A fit designation was this for a man that foreshadowed the Lawless One, who shall oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God ( Thessalonians 2:4), and who shall “stand up against the Prince of princes” ( Daniel 8:25).

Second , we are told that he was a son of Cush — “And Cush begat Nimrod” ( Genesis 10:8), and Cush was a son of Ham, who was curst by Noah. Nimrod, then, was not a descendant of Shem, from whom Christ sprang, nor of Japheth; but he came from Ham. It is remarkable that these men who typified the Antichrist came from the evil line.

Third , we are told that Nimrod “began to be a mighty one in the earth” ( Genesis 10:8). Four times over is this term “mighty” connected with this one who prefigured him “whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:9).

But observe that it is first said, “He began to be mighty”, which seems to suggest the idea that he struggled for the pre-eminence and obtained it by mere force of will. How this corresponds with the fact that the Man of Sin first appears as “the little horn” and by force of conquest attains to the position of King of kings needs only to be pointed out. It is also significant that the Hebrew word for “mighty” in Genesis 10:9 is “gibbor” which is translated several times “Chief” and “Chieftain”.

Fourth , it is also added, “Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord” which means that he pushed his designs in brazen defiance of his Maker.

The words “mighty hunter before the Lord” are found twice in Genesis 10:9. This repetition in so short a narrative is highly significant. If we compare the expression with a similar one in Genesis 6:11, — “The earth also (in the days of Noah) was corrupt before God” — the impression conveyed is that this “Rebel” pursued his impious designs in open defiance of the Almighty. The contents of Genesis 11 abundantly confirm this interpretation. In like manner, of the Antichrist it is written, “And the King shall do according to his will, and he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god (ruler), and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods” ( Daniel 11:36).

Fifth , Nimrod was a “Man of Blood”. In 1 Chronicles 1:10 — “And Cush begat Nimrod; he began to be mighty upon the earth”. The Chaldea paraphrase of this verse says, “Cush begat Nimrod who began to prevail in wickedness for he slew innocent blood and rebelled against Jehovah”. This, coupled with the expression “a mighty Hunter before the Lord”, suggests that he relentlessly sought out and slew God’s people. As such, he accurately portrayed the bloody and deceitful Man ( Psalm 5:6), the violent Man ( <19E001> Psalm 140:1).

Sixth , Nimrod was a King — “the beginning of his kingdom was Babel” ( Genesis 10:10. Thus he was King of Babylon, which is also one of the many titles of the Antichrist ( Isaiah 14:4). In the verses which follow in Genesis 10 we read, “He went out into Assyria and builded Ninevah, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah”, etc. ( Genesis 10:11).

From these statements it is evident that Nimrod’s ambition was to establish a world empire. Seventh, mark his inordinate desire for fame. His consuming desire was to make for himself a name. Here again the antitype marvellously corresponds with the type, for the Man of Sin is expressly denominated “King over all the children of pride” (John 14:34).

What is recorded in Genesis 10 about Nimrod supplies the key to the first half of Genesis 11 which tells of the building of the Tower of Babel. Genesis 10:10 informs us that the beginning of Nimrod’s kingdom was Babel. In the language of that day Babel meant “the gate of God”, but afterwards, because of the judgment which the Lord there inflicted, it came to mean “Confusion”. That at the time Nimrod founded Babel this word signified “the gate (the figure of official position) of God”, intimates that he not only organized an imperial government over which he presided as king, but that he also instituted a new and idolatrous system of worship. If the type be perfect, and we are fully assured it is so, then, as the Lawless One will yet do, Nimrod demanded and received Divine honors. In all probability, it was at this point that idolatry was introduced.

Nimrod is not directly mentioned in Genesis 11, but from the statements made about him in chap. 10 there cannot be any doubt that he was the “Chief” and “King” who organized and headed the movement and rebellion there described: “And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” ( Genesis 11:4).

Here we behold a most blatant defiance of God, a deliberate refusal to obey His commands given through Noah — “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” ( Genesis 9:1). But they said, “Let us make us a name lest we be scattered upon the face of the whole earth”. As we have seen, Nimrod’s ambition was to establish a world-empire. To accomplish this two things, at least, were necessary.

First , a center, a great headquarters; and second, a motive for the inspiration and encouragement of his followers. The former was furnished in the city of Babylon: the latter was to be supplied in the “let us make us a name”. It was inordinate desire for fame. The idea of the Tower (considered in the light of its setting) seems that of strength, a stronghold, rather than eminence.

To sum up. In Nimrod and his schemes we behold Satan’s initial attempt to raise up an universal ruler of men. In his inordinate desire for fame, in the mighty power that he wielded, in his ruthless and brutal methods, in his blatant defiance of the Creator, in his founding of the kingdom of Babel, in his assuming to himself Divine honors, in the fact that the Holy Spirit has placed the record of these things just before the inspired account of God’s bringing Abraham into Canaan — pointing forward to the re-gathering of Israel in Palestine, immediately after the overthrows of the Lawless One — and finally, in the Divine destruction of his kingdom — described in the words, “Let Us go down and there confound their language” ( Genesis 11:7), which so marvellously pictures the descent of Christ from heaven to vanquish His impious rival — we cannot fail to see that we have a wonderfully complete typical picture of the person, the work, and the destruction of the Antichrist. 4. Chedorlaomer. The history of this man is recorded in Genesis 14 which is a chapter of deep interest to the student of typology. The chapter opens with the words “And it came to pass in the days” of.” This is an expression which occurs six times (in the Hebrew) and always marks a time of trouble ending in blessing — cf Ruth 1:11; Isaiah 7:1; Jeremiah 1:3; Esther 1:1; 2 Samuel 21:1” (Companion Bible). Such is plainly the case here. The first half of Genesis 14 depicts Tribulation conditions, and this is followed by a scene foreshadowing millennial glory. The time when Chedorlaomer lived is the first point in the type. His history is recorded just before the first mention of Melchizedek, the priest-king, who came forth and blessed Abraham — an unmistakable foreshadowment of Christ in millennial glory, blessing Israel.

Second , the name of this man is highly significant. Gesenius, in his lexicon, says of the word ‘a handful of sheaves’...perhaps its true etymology should be sought in the ancient Persian”. The latter is doubtless correct, for “Elam”, of which Chedorbaomer was king ( Genesis 14:1), is the ancient name for Persia. Col. Rawlinson searched for his name on the tablets of ancient Assyria, and there he found that his official title was, “Ravager of the west”! Thus was he a true type of the coming one who shall wade through a sea of blood to his coveted position as Emperor of the world.

Third , it is indeed remarkable to find that just as Revelation 13:1 shows us that the empire of which the Antichrist will be the Head (see our notes on this verse in Chapter 11) includes within it the territory and perpetuates the characteristics of the earlier empires (Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome), so dominions: “And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations”. Now “Shinar” is one of the names of Babylon (see Daniel 1:2); “Elam” is the ancient name of Persia’ “Ellasar” is translated “Hellas” in the Sept., which is the ancient name of Greece; while “Tidal king of the nations” evidently stands for Rome, the last of the world empires.

Fourth , but what is even more striking, is the fact that in Genesis 14:5 Chedorlamoer is seen at the head of the kings mentioned in Genesis 14:1. They act as his vassals, and thus bow to the superiority of this one who was evidently a King of kings.

Fifth , Chedorlaomer was a warrior of renown. He was the Attila, the Napoleon of his day. He defeated in battle the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and brought them into subjection and servitude (see Genesis 14:2-4). Later, they rebelled, and gathering his forces together he went forth, vanquished, and slew them ( Genesis 14:9,10). Thus did he foreshadow the Destroyer of the Gentiles ( Jeremiah 4:7).

Sixth , in Genesis 14:12 we read, “And they took Lot, Abraham’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed”. This prefigured the persecution of Israel by Antichrist and his subordinates in a coming day. Finally, we learn how that Abraham and his servants pursued Chedorlaomer and his forces, and that “Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him” were slain “in the kings dale” ( Genesis 14:17), which strikingly adumbrated the future overthrow of Antichrist and the kings who shall be with him, in the dale of Megiddo (see Revelation 19:19). 5. Pharaoh. We have in mind the Pharaoh of the book of Exodus. His history and character are described at much greater length than the other personal types of the Antichrist which have been before us, and therefore more parallelisms are to be found here. We shall aim to be suggestive rather than exhaustive.

First , Pharaoh was king of Egypt which, in Scripture, is the lasting symbol of the world. In like manner, the one whom he so strikingly prefigured will be Head of the world-kingdom.

Second , the Pharaoh of Exodus came from Assyria ( Isaiah 52:4); so also will the Antichrist first rise in that land.

Third , Exodus 1 presents him to our view as the merciless persecutor of the Hebrews, embittering their lives by hard bondage.

Fourth , he is next seen as the one who sought to cut off Israel from being a nation, giving orders that all the male children should be slain in infancy.

Fifth , he was the blatant defier of God. When Moses and Aaron appeared before him and said, “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness”, his arrogant reply was, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?” ( Exodus 5:1,2).

Sixth , God’s two witnesses performed miracles before Pharaoh ( Exodus 7:10); so, too, will God’s two witnesses in the Tribulation period work miracles before the Beast ( Revelation 11:6,7).

Seventh , Pharaoh had magical resources at his disposal ( Exodus 7:11), as the Antichrist will have at his ( 2 Thessalonians 2:9).

Eighth , Pharaoh made fair promises to the Hebrews, only to break them ( Exodus 8:8,15). In this, too, he foreshadowed the Antichrist in his perfidy and treachery toward Israel.

Ninth , he met with a drastic end at the hands of God ( <19D615> Psalm 136:15).

Tenth , he was overthrown at the time that Israel started out for the promised land: so Antichrist will be cast into the Lake of Fire just before Israel enters into everlasting possession of their promised inheritance. In all of these ten respects (and in others which the student may search out for himself) Pharaoh was a striking and accurate type of the Antichrist. 6. Abimelech.

First , Abimelech signifies “father of the king”. Gideon, deliverer of Israel, was his father. But his mother was a concubine, and this name was given to him, no doubt, for the purpose of hiding the shame of his birth. Looking from the type to the antitype — “Father of the King” — all attention to the satanic origin of the Antichrist.

Second , Abimelech slew seventy of his own brethren ( Judges 9:5), and was therefore a bloody persecutor of Israel.

Third , Judges 9:6,22 tell us that he was “king over Israel”.

Fourth , it is significant to note that he occupied the throne at the time of Israel’s apostasy (see Judges 8:33,34).

Fifth , it is also most suggestive that we are told he commenced his career at the stone ( Judges 9:6), or pillar, which Joshua erected in Ebal (facing Gerizim), the mount where all the curses of a broken law were announced — Deuteronomy 11:29; 27:4, 12, 13; Joshua 8:30.

Sixth , he was a mighty warrior, a violent man (see Judges 9:40-50, and cf <19E001> Psalm 140:1 for the Antichrist as such).

Seventh , he was slain by the sword ( Judges 9:54 and see Zechariah 11:7; Revelation 13:3 for the antitype). 7. Saul. In at least ten respects Saul foreshadowed the Antichrist. Almost the first thing told us about Saul is that he was “from his shoulders and upward higher than any of the people” ( 1 Samuel 9:2, which is repeated in 10:23). As such he fitly prefigured the coming Super-man, who in intelligence, governmental power, and satanic might, will so tower above all his contemporaries that men shall exclaim, “Who is like unto the Beast?” ( Revelation 13:4).

Second , Saul was king of Israel ( 1 Samuel 10:24), so also will the Antichrist be.

Third , Saul was a priest-king, blatantly performing the office of the Levite (see 1 Samuel 13:9, and cf Ezekiel 21:25,26 R. V.).

Fourth , the time of his reign was immediately before that of David, as that of the Antichrist will immediately precede that of David’s Son and Lord.

Fifth , he was a mighty warrior (see 1 Samuel 11:11; 13:1-4; 15:4; 7:8).

Sixth , he was a rebel against God ( 1 Samuel 15:11).

Seventh , he hated David ( 1 Samuel 18:7,8,11; 26:2, etc.).

Eighth , he slew the servants of God ( 1 Samuel 22:17,18).

Ninth , he had intercourse with the powers of evil (1 Samuel 29).] Tenth , he died by the sword ( 1 Samuel 31:4). 8. Goliath.

First , his name means “Soothsayer” which at once connects him with the powers of evil.

Second , he was a giant, and thus, like Saul, prefigured the Super-man.

Third , he was the enemy of Israel.

Fourth , his consuming egotism was displayed in his blatant challenge, “I defy the armies of Israel” ( 1 Samuel 17:10).

Fifth , the mysterious number 666 (the number of the Antichrist) is connected with Goliath. Note the three sixes. (a) He was six cubits high ( 1 Samuel 17:4). (b) Six pieces of armor are enumerated — helmet, coat of mail, greaves, target, staff, and shield ( 1 Samuel 17:5-7). (c) His spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron ( 1 Samuel 17:7).

Sixth , he was slain by the sword (see 1 Samuel 17:51).

Seventh , he was slain by David — type of Christ. In each of these respects he foreshadowed the Antichrist. 9. Absalom.

First , the meaning of his name is very significant. “Absalom” means “father of peace”. A careful reading of his history reveals the fact that, again and again, he posed as a man of peace, while war was in his heart. So the Antichrist will pose as the promised Prince of peace, and for a time it will appear that he has actually ushered in the Millennium.

But ere long his violent and bloody character will be revealed.

Second , Absalom was the son of David, and therefore a Jew.

Third , but Absalom was a son of David by Maacah, the daughter of the Gentile king of Jeshur ( 2 Samuel 3:3). So, too, will the Antichrist be a veritable king among men.

Fifth , Absalom was a man of blood (2 Samuel 13,etc.).

Sixth , Absalom sought to obtain the kingdom by flatteries ( Samuel 15:2-6); cf Daniel 11:21,23.

Seventh , he cloaked his rebellion by a pretense of religion (read Samuel 15:7,8).

Eighth , he was the immediate cause of the faithful followers of David being driven from Jerusalem into the wilderness ( 2 Samuel 15:14-16).

Ninth , he reared up a pillar unto himself ( 2 Samuel 18:18), which clearly foreshadowed the image which the Antichrist will cause to be set up unto himself.

Tenth , he met with a violent end ( 2 Samuel 18:14).

There are quite a number of others who foreshadowed the Antichrist in one or more of the outstanding features of his character and career. For instance, there is Balak who, accompanied by Baalam the prophet sought to curse and destroy Israel — a striking foreshadowing of the Beast with his ally the False Prophet. There is Adoni-zedek, mentioned in Joshua 10, and who headed a federation of ten kings; it is remarkable that his name signifies “lord of righteousness” which is what the Antichrist will claim to be as he comes forth on the white horse (Revelation 6). Then there is Adoni-kam, with whom is associated the mystical number 666 — see Ezra 2:13; and how profoundly significant that his name signifies “the Lord hath risen”. We believe that this mystic number in connection with the Antichrist will apply to him only after his resurrection — and six the number of man! Sennacherib (2 Kings 18) prefigured the Antichrist in a number of ways: as the king of Assyria, the blatant defier of God, smitten by the sword, etc. Haman, four times denominated “the Jews’ enemy” ( Esther 3:10, etc.), and termed “the adversary” ( Esther 7:6), was another typical character. Nebuchadnezzar, king of kings, who demanded universal worship, who set up an image to himself, and decreed that all should worship it under pain of death, etc., manifestly pointed forward to the Man of Sin, and so we might continue. Almost every prominent feature of the Antichrist’s person and career was foreshadowed by some Old Testament character. The subject is intensely interesting, and we trust that many of our readers will be encouraged to pursue it further for themselves.

In closing this chapter we shall look at one New Testament type of the Antichrist. 10. Herod. At the beginning of the New Testament there meets us a typical foreshadowing of the Antichrist. We refer to what is recorded in Matthew 2. The description there furnished of Herod obviously contains a prophetic adumbration of his great prototype. Notice, first, that three times over he is denominated “the king” (vv. 1,3,9), as such he prefigured the last great king, before the appearing of the King of kings. Second, observe his hypocrisy. When the “wise men”, who had followed the star which heralded the Savior’s birth, were summoned into Herod’s presence, we are told that he said unto them, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also” (v. 8).

That nothing could have been further from his mind is plain from his subsequent acts. But, nevertheless, he first posed as a devout worshipper.

Such is the role that the Antichrist will first fill in Palestine. Third, next he threw off his religious mask and displayed his wicked heart: “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem”, etc. (v. 16).

Similarly will the Antichrist act in Jerusalem.l Three and one half years before his end comes he will discard his religious pretensions and stand forth in his true character. Fourth, in this edict of slaying the young children in Bethlehem and the coasts thereof, he was aiming, of course, at Christ Himself. Thus did he accurately foreshadow that one who will yet fulfill the terms of Genesis 3:15, where we read of a double “enmity” — between Satan and the woman (Israel), and between her Seed (Christ) and the Serpent’s “seed” (the Antichrist”. In the fifth place, we may also discover in Herod’s destruction of the children, a forecast of the fiendish assaults which the Antichrist will make upon the Jews, when he seeks to cut them off from being a nation. In the sixth place, we may note how the consequence of Herod’s cruelty will reappear in the future — “In Ramah was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not” ( Matthew 2:18).

This is a quotation from Jeremiah 31:15. But like most, if not all, prophecies, this will receive another and final fulfillment at the close of the Tribulation period. Our authority for this is found in the words which immediately follow in Jeremiah 31: “Thus saith the Lord, Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the Enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border”. Thus it is clear that “bitter weeping and lamentation” will again be heard in Ramah just before Christ returns and restores Israel. Seventh, the accuracy of the typical picture supplied by Matthew 2 may be discovered in the failure of Herod to destroy the Christchild.