In October of 1962, the White House was caught in a direct lie telling the public that the Pentagon knew of no offensive weapons in Cuba. The truth was that Department of Defense officials were debating whether or not to invade the island to remove the weapons they knew to exist. Assistant Secretary of Defense, Arthur Sylvester, defended the falsehood of their statements saying, “It’s inherent in [the] government’s right, if necessary, to lie to save itself.” More recently, all of our presidents have had a White House Press Secretary to spin current events. Some consider them only Ministers of Propaganda.

The Anti-Christ will likewise have a minister of propaganda. He is referred to as “another beast” (Revelation 13:11), because he too will be ferocious. He is called the “false prophet” (16:13; 19:20; 20:10) because he will be a religious leader who powerfully endorses the Anti-Christ. There are several important things to remember about this human instrument of Satan. First, he will have a worldwide spiritual influence. We believe his seat of authority has already been established. Second, John described his oratorical ability as one who “spake as a dragon” (vs. 11), which indicates being bold, authoritative, and effective in his speeches. Second, the purpose and subject of his speeches will be to cause “…the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast [or Anti-Christ] (vs. 12). Third, he will exercise “…all the power of the first beast” (vs. 12). Specifically, this means he will do “great wonders, so that he [literally] maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” (vs. 13). Satan is the prince and power of the air, and this description seems to indicate the false prophet can call down lightening at will. Fourth, the motive in these miracles will be to deceive “…them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles” (vs. 14), so that they willingly worship the Anti-Christ. Fifth, this evil religious leader will ruthlessly cause “as many as would not worship the image of the beast should [to] be killed” (vs. 15). He will do so by outright executions, but also through denial of commerce to any who will not literally wear the mark, or number, of the Anti-Christ (vss. 16-18).

True men of God who proclaimed real truth, including the Lord Jesus, were never popular, nor were their followers highly loyal. These descriptions of Satan’s false prophet remind us we must evaluate any spiritual leader, especially those with large followings, by the authority of Scripture.