5. Antichrist in the Minor Prophets

Here a wide field of study is opened, but we must content ourself with but a few selections and brief comments on them. Hosea makes several references to the Man of Sin. In 8:10 he is termed “the King of princes,” as such he is Satan’s imitation of the King of kings. In 10:15 he is named “the King of Israel,” which shows his connection with the Jews. In 12:7 he is called a “Merchant” or Trafficker, and of him it is said, “The balances of deceit are in his hands: he loveth to oppress,” with this should be compared Rev. 6:5. These words denote his twofold character in connection with the Jews: first he makes them believe he is the true Christ; second, he ultimately stands forth as their great Enemy.

Joel alludes to him as the head of the “northern army,” i.e. the Assyrian. And here God declares that He will “drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea; and his stink shall come up, and his ill savor shall come up, because he has magnified to do great things” (2:20).

Amos speaks of him as “an Adversary” which shall be “even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled” (3:11). That this is referring to the End-time is clear from the verses that follow, where we read, “That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him,” etc. (v. 14).

Micah terms him “the Assyrian,” and of him it is said, when he “shall come into our land, and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men[hellip]thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian” (5:5, 6).

Nahum has this to say of him: “There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, a wicked counseller. Thus saith the Lord; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more[hellip]for the Wicked shall no more pass through thee” (1:11, 12, 15). These verses contain another of the many antitheses between Christ and the Antichrist. The One is the “Wonderful Counseller” (Isa. 9:6); the other, the “Wicked Counseller.”

Habakkuk describes him as one whose “soul is lifted up” and “is not upright in him,” and as one who “transgresseth by wine,” as “a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people” (2:4, 5).

Zechariah denominates him “the Idol Shepherd that leaveth the flock,” and then pronounces judgment upon him — “The sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye” (11:17).