The Abomination of Desolation - St. Marys Coptic Orthodox Church

THE UNHOLY TRINITY 55
European Union. It is a fact that these nations have “one mind”
represented by the European Parliament which sets the policies and
speaks for all of these nations. It is also a fact that they are
“democracies.”
RELATION TO THE DRAGON:
Revelation 12:2 tells us that the Dragon (Satan) gave the beast
(Antichrist) his power, his throne, and his great authority. This
means that he will be a man endowed with all the power and
authority of Satan (now that Satan has been loosed for the period of
the Great Tribulation). This agrees with what the Book of Daniel
tells us, “And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power.”
(Dan 8:24) What is meant here is that his power is not his own,
because it actually comes from Satan (the Dragon.)
A WONDERFUL BEAST:
“And all the world wondered after the beast.” (Rev 12:3) What
is meant here is that the whole world will admire the beast. He will
be an instant “idol” with the majority of people. The reasons for this
admiration by people of the world has been the subject of much
speculation by the ancients. These reasons can be summarized as
follows:
FALSE PIETY:
Most of the Fathers believe that Antichrist will present to the
world a false facade of piety and righteousness that will make him
look blameless to the eyes of the naive and unspiritual. Faced with
corrupt politicians and money-crazed tele-evangelists, the world will
see in the beast (Antichrist) a fresh leader, whose reputation is so
impeccable, that any one trying to warn people against his deceiving
exterior will be looked upon as a raving fanatic or even a lunatic!
But in his first steps he will be gentle, loveable, quiet, pious, pacific,
hating injustice, detesting gifts, not allowing idolatry; loving, says he,
the Scriptures, reverencing priests, honouring his elders, repudiating
fornication, detesting adultery, giving no heed to slanders, not