Prophecy begins where it always has: with Israel at the centre of the storm.
The Three Nations the Antichrist Will Target First (And Why It Matters)
Are You Ready for the Rise of the Antichrist?
Have you ever wondered which nations the Antichrist will strike first—and why prophecy warns us so urgently about them? The Bible paints a vivid picture of a coming empire unlike any the world has ever seen. This empire, led by one man, will shock the nations and set in motion a chain of events that affects the entire globe. By the time the third nation falls, the rest of the world will follow like dominoes.
When I first read Revelation 13 as a teenager, I felt a mix of fear and awe. Could such a prophecy really unfold in our time? Looking at today’s headlines, the answer feels closer than ever.
But here’s the question: what do these nations reveal about the times we’re living in right now?
Watch Before You Read
The following video expands on the theme of perseverance and faith under pressure. Take a few minutes to watch—it might be exactly what you need today.
Key Takeaways
- The Antichrist will first target Israel, fulfilling Jesus’ urgent warnings about Judea.
- Daniel and Revelation reveal a coming alliance of ten nations, beginning with the fall of three kings.
- Global trade, technology, and crises may create the conditions for this prophetic empire.
- Prophecy isn’t just a warning—it’s a call to spiritual vigilance and trust in God’s sovereignty.
Nation One — Israel at the Centre of Prophecy
The first nation the Antichrist targets is Israel. This shouldn’t surprise us—Israel has always been at the centre of God’s plan and the world’s attention. Jesus Himself gave a chillingly precise warning in Matthew 24:15–16: when you see the abomination of desolation, those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Imagine the scene: families abandoning homes, businesses left behind, a desperate rush into the rocky wilderness while soldiers march into Jerusalem. The prophecy becomes visceral when you picture mothers clutching children, fleeing on foot, just as Jesus foretold.
Why flee the very land God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Because during the Great Tribulation, the Holy Land will become the most dangerous place on earth. Revelation 12:6 paints the picture of God’s people escaping into the wilderness, where He has prepared places of safety for 1,260 days.
Even now, Israel is surrounded by enemies and singled out in global politics. According to Pew Research, global attitudes toward Israel reveal sharp divisions, echoing prophecy’s warnings. The United Nations issues more resolutions against Israel than against any other nation combined.
Jesus also warned that “false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). This deception will make Israel the epicenter of a worldwide spiritual test.
Reflect: If you were living in Israel when this prophecy unfolds, would you recognize the signs and obey Jesus’ urgent call to flee?
Nation Two — The Three Kings the Antichrist Will Subdue
Before he rules the world, the Antichrist will confront three kings and destroy them. Daniel’s prophecy is clear:
“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.” — Daniel 7:8
This “little horn” will uproot three rulers in order to rise. The prophecy signals both violence and deception: a takeover that shocks the watching world.
Paul echoes this warning: the man of lawlessness “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
Could we already be seeing the shadows of these alliances today? The European Union, NATO, the Arab League, ASEAN, and the African Union all echo the Bible’s description of regional groups uniting for power. Yet like iron mixed with clay, their unity is fragile.
Other traditions echo similar warnings. In Islamic eschatology, the Dajjal (the deceiver) emerges, performing miracles to seduce nations, echoing Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:24. Across cultures, humanity senses a coming figure who brings peace with one hand and destruction with the other.
Reflect: What alliances today look strong on the outside but are fragile within? How might God be using these tensions to prepare the stage for His ultimate plan?
Nation Three — The Ten Nations Alliance
The Antichrist’s empire will not rise in isolation. It will be built on the fragile cooperation of ten nations, united under his leadership for a short but terrifying season. Revelation 13:1 describes this figure vividly:
“I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.”
Their unity will likely come in response to a global crisis—economic collapse, cyber-attack, or unprecedented natural disaster. History shows that crisis often creates opportunity for new leaders. After World War II, for example, nations built the United Nations and NATO in the name of peace and stability. The Antichrist will step into a similar gap, presenting himself as the solution the world desperately needs.
Revelation 13:16–17 adds that this system will impose economic control: “it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked… so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark.” Imagine a future where digital currency and surveillance track every transaction—convenient at first, but enslaving in the end.
But the alliance will be unstable. Just as Daniel’s statue had feet of iron mixed with clay, this coalition will be partly strong, partly weak. Nations will agree outwardly, but inwardly mistrust and division will fester. Still, for a time, they will give their authority to the beast.
Reflect: What crises today might push nations toward surrendering independence for the promise of global peace?
What This Means for Us Today
These prophecies are not just abstract theology. They speak to the world we live in right now. We see global alliances forming, technology accelerating, and nations becoming more interconnected and fragile by the day.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or fearful, but prophecy’s purpose is not fear—it’s faith. John reminds us, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come” (1 John 2:18). Even now, the spirit of the Antichrist is at work, but God is not caught off guard.
The rise of the Antichrist is not the end of the story. Revelation assures us that though the ten nations will “wage war against the Lamb,” the Lamb will triumph because He is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings (Revelation 17:14).
Reflect: Do you see prophecy as a cause for fear, or as a reminder that God’s kingdom cannot be shaken?
What the Bible Says About the Antichrist
To go deeper, here are key Bible verses about the Antichrist and his rise, grouped by theme for easier study. For additional study, see GotQuestions.org’s Antichrist overview.
His Nature & Deception
- 2 John 1:7 — “For many deceivers have gone out into the world…”
- 1 John 2:22 — “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist…”
- 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 — “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light…”
Prophecy & Warnings
- 1 John 2:18 — “Children, it is the last hour…”
- Matthew 24:24 / Mark 13:22 — “False christs and false prophets will arise…”
- Matthew 24:5 — “Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ.’”
His Rise to Power
- Daniel 7:8 — “A little horn… before which three of the first horns were plucked up…”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 — “The man of lawlessness… takes his seat in the temple of God.”
- Revelation 13:1 — “A beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads…”
- Revelation 13:16–17 — “No one can buy or sell unless he has the mark…”
His Final Defeat
- Revelation 19:20 — “The beast was captured… and thrown alive into the lake of fire.”
- Revelation 20:10 — “The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire… and will be tormented forever.”
- Luke 12:40 — “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
God’s Kingdom Cannot Be Shaken
The Antichrist will target three nations first: Israel, the three kings who resist him, and the fragile alliance of ten nations. These prophecies remind us that the world’s systems may look powerful, but they are temporary. They rise and fall, but God’s Word stands forever.
For believers, this is both a warning and a comfort. A warning to stay alert, and a comfort that no matter how chaotic the world becomes, God’s kingdom is secure. The final victory belongs not to the Antichrist, but to Christ.
So the real question is: when the world begins to shake, where will your faith be rooted?
📢 Call to Action
What about you? Do you see today’s headlines through the lens of prophecy? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your perspective in the comments below—and if this blog spoke to you, pass it along to a friend who needs encouragement. Let’s start a conversation about faith, vigilance, and hope in Christ’s unshakable kingdom.
