END TIMES

Antichrist

GUESS WHO? MAYBE MADHI? LINKS

Nero There is probably no aspect of Christ's return that is as well known, in American popular culture at least, as the man called the Antichrist and his number “666.” Although it is one part of the Bible's message that has been apparently well communicated, the popular understanding of the evil end-time ruler is often in the form of a “bogeyman.” The mocking response to 666 is usually with the upraised horns of the devil and something along the lines of “Wooo, the Beast!” It is just fun and games. Unfortunately, for these unbelievers, the beast probably won't be recognized when he finally does appear.

GUESS WHO?
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For believing Christians, they play a different game. They try and guess who he is.

In the first century, it might have been Nero. Among Protestants since the Reformation, the most likely candidate has been the Pope, whoever he happened to be at the moment. Over the years, other individuals have been put forward as Antichrist-worthy, from Peter The Great to Hitler.

When I first became a Christian in the 1970's, I remember seeing images of Henry Kissinger on the covers of Christian books, decked out with Antichrist garb (if there is such attire). Despite his promotion of geopolitics and the New World Order, it turns out Henry was not the Antichrist (although images of old Henry now do look a little beastly!).

The current favorite for guessing Christians is, of course, Barack Obama, with Tony Blair following as a distant second. Both candidates are probably as likely (or as unlikely) as Henry Kissinger.

And my guess? I think the Antichrist is alive today, living in relative obscurity in a country that was once geographically part of the Roman Empire two thousand years ago. He is currently a minor politician or religious leader with aspirations for greatness. He is waiting in the wings now, waiting to make his entrance onto the world stage. The disruptions caused by the rapture and the threat of war in the Middle East will give him his excuse.

MAYBE MADHI?
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What is becoming apparent to some Christians is that the guessing game has been misdirected. Rather than looking west, Christians need to be looking east.

In his book The Islamic Antichrist, Joel Richardson proposes that the end-time individual called the “Madhi,” the prophesied redeemer of Islam, bears a close resemblance to the Antichrist of the Bible. Those who counter that the Antichrist must arise out of the former Roman Empire overlook the fact that several Islamic countries were geographically part of that empire. Or, they may ask, what of “the people of the prince that shall come” (Dan 9:26), the soldiers who destroyed the Temple 40 years after the crucifixion of Christ? Weren't they Romans? No, actually the legions that Titus led in 70 AD were made up in large part with recruits from Syria.

I read recently someone's speculation that the surrounding Islamic nations will accept the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple at the start of the last seven years because they have been weakened, taken out of the picture so to speak, by the just-concluded Gog-Magog war. I don't think so. I agree with Joel Richardson that the Muslims will regard the Antichrist as their long-awaited Madhi. The Muslims will accept the rebuilding of the Temple because their Madhi allows it (and may even sponsor it).

LINKS
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Next up — Antichrist: His Career — A look at the career of the Antichrist according to scripture.

Antichrist: His Names — A look at the names for the Antichrist found in scripture.

Antichrist: His Mark — Considering in detail the well-known mark of the beast.

Quaker Expressions — A poem where Quaker theology meets the Antichrist.

Mahdi — Wikipedia article on the prophesied redeemer of Islam.

The People of the Prince To Come — An article by Joel Richardson from his blog, “Joel's Trumpet.”

The Islamic Antichrist — Joel Richardson's book available on Amazon (highly recommended!).

Will Islam Be Our Future? — An earlier version of the book The Islamic Antichrist on the web.