2. It symbolizes the Antichrist [Hu, Ld, NIGTC, TNTC]. This Antichrist has two expressions: it represents an individual who will lead the opposition against the people of God in the final days and it represents a corporate spirit that has inspired false teaching and persecution since the time of Christ [NIGTC]. The beast is the Antichrist of 1 John 2:18 or the man of lawlessness of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 [TNTC]. It symbolizes the spirit of antichristianity that has been in the world from the times of
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