The Bible describes an end-time deception that will involve the whole world. We are warned in I John 2:18: "It is the last hour and you have heard that the antichrist is coming. Even now, many antichrists have come."

The Apostle Paul restates this warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:3: "Let no one deceive you, by any means for that day, this coming of Christ, will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (destruction);”

Paul taught the Christian church in Thessalonica about the return of Jesus Christ. At that time there were some false teachers maintaining that Christ had already returned. Paul explained this was not true and mentioned one thing. In 2 Thessalonian chapter 2 he explains a man will appear on the world scene who will claim to be divine: "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (verse 4).

In verse 8 Paul calls him the ‘lawless one’ indicating he will be against the teachings and laws of God, even though he will appear to be a representative of God. This will result in great confusion about what is right and wrong, especially as this man will be performing miracles (verse 9). Many people will believe him “because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved" (verse 10).

Although God will provide people access to His truth and way of life through the preaching of the two witnesses (Revelation 11), the vast majority of the world’s population will succumb to the lies and deceptions of the antichrist and the political leader referred to as "the beast,” described in Revelation 13.

Bible prophecy outlines four conditions just before the return of Jesus Christ:

• A political leader will arise who will appear to be the saviour to a troubled world (Revelation 13:4).
• There will be persecution of Christians who don't accept the Antichrist (Revelation 13:7).
• The false religious leader or Antichrist, who supports the political leader, will perform amazing wonders, and miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
• Although the world will be headed on a path to annihilation (Mark 13:20) there will be economic prosperity for a time for those who adhere to the worldwide political and religious system (Revelation 13:16-17).

Prophecy tells us there will have been wars and disease epidemics with accompanying starvation and want before Christ’s return. Then this person will appear, along with a political leader, who institutes a system that works. There will be food in the supermarket again and electricity will get turned back on etc. All everyone has to do is participate in the system and adhere to the teachings of the Antichrist., and those who do not love the ‘truth of God’ will do so.