An Islamic Antichrist?

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Disclaimer: I do not claim to have all the answers. As with everything there is a certain amount of growth that happens over time and this page is my journey to find those answers. Acts 17:11 speaks to what I hope from anyone reading this page as I also attempt to strive toward the goal of being a compitent watchman.

A book by Joel Richardson called The Islamic Antichrist (Free) brings up some interesting points that I would like to address and study here. He holds that “Islam is the primary vehicle that will be used by Satan to fulfill the prophecies of the Bible about the future political, religious, military system of the antichrist.” There is also a book by Walid Shoebat that covers the same aspects of this theory called God’s War on Terror: Islam, Prophecy and the Bible.

This page is a work in progress and will involve some serious reflection as I hadn’t had any doubts, until looking at the Islamic and Jewish antichrist theories, that the man of sin would arise from Europe. It is still a journey, but as with all things I must study and look at the points, history and scripture to understand myself and make a decision. Regardless of which way I lean, this page will focus on points of the theory as well as counter-points presented against the theory.

One of the primary premises of determining the identity comes from the book of Daniel speaking of the prophesied 70 weeks for Israel.

Daniel 9:26
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

According to Joel Richardson’s historical research cited from Publius Cornelius Tacitus, Titus Flavius Josephus as well as more modern scholars and historians, the Roman army that destroyed the temple in 70 AD was not comprised of “European” Romans, but rather inhabitants of Asia Minor, Syria, Arabia and Egypt - ancestors of the modern-day inhabitants of the Middle East.

If this is the case, then scripture would be stating that the people were those now comprised of the Islamic Middle Eastern people and therefore the “prince that shall come” would be of those people. Today Islam is the unifying religion of all these peoples with a supernatural hatred of Israel and the Jews.

A Muslim Antichrist? — What Holly Thinks

January 17, 2010
The idea that the Antichrist will come from a Muslim nation — and not from Europe — has become popular since 9/11. But it doesn’t square with Scripture. Let me explain.

Chuck Missler, one of the proponents of the Muslim Antichrist theory, said that prophecy buffs have been “nearsighted.” Since the Bible teaches that the Antichrist will come from the region of the Roman Empire, they’ve mistakenly assumed that he will come from Western Europe and have forgotten the fact that the Roman Empire also had an eastern division, which continued long after the western division. It’s this eastern leg of the Roman Empire that the Antichrist will come from, according to Missler. Read about it here.

But is it true that prophecy buffs have been nearsighted, or do they have good reasons to believe that the Antichrist will emerge from Europe? I believe it’s the second answer.

The eastern leg of the Roman Empire (called the Byzantine Empire) did not come into existence for a few centuries after the time of Christ. Yet Daniel 9:26 — the verse that teaches that the Antichrist will emerge from the Roman Empire — says he will come from the same people who destroyed the city and the sanctuary. This destruction occurred in 70 A.D., when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Jewish temple.

Since the eastern leg didn’t exist in 70 A.D., then the Romans who destroyed the city and sanctuary couldn’t have referred to the people from the much later, eastern leg. This is why prophecy scholars have historically believed that the Antichrist will come from the people of the old Roman Empire (represented today in Western Europe).

Yet to salvage their theory, some proponents of the Muslim Antichrist theory say that the Roman army included conscripted soldiers from Syria, so the Antichrist will be of Syrian origin. But this is nonsense to claim that, somehow, conscripted soldiers who are merely following orders represent the Roman Empire. Philosophers have a Latin phrase for this type of last-ditch argument — i.e., a weak argument that’s only purpose is to save someone’s favored viewpoint. It’s called an ad hoc argument.

The fact that the eastern leg of the Roman Empire didn’t exist in 70 A.D. seems, to me, to be a fatal flaw in the Muslim Antichrist theory.

Pope’s Retreat Preacher Speaks on Antichrist as a “pacifist, ecologist and ecumenist” (March 1, 2007)
Papal watchers are wondering what message Pope Benedict XVI was giving when he selected retired Bologna archbishop Cardinal Giacomo Biffi to preach the annual Lenten retreat to the Pope and the top members of the Vatican. Rocco Palmo, expert Vatican reporter for The Tablet, the international Catholic weekly published in London England has noted the significance of the selection of the Lenten retreat preacher. “Since time immemorial -- or, at least, the retreat’s heightened profile over the 20th century -- the selection of the preacher has become a closely-watched indicator of the prevailing winds in the papal apartment,” said Palmo on his blog. “(T)he choice often falling to a voice the Pope might like to tout... and not just for a higher prominence on the preaching circuit.” Palmo added weight to his remarks noting that “Before their respective elections to the papacy, both Joseph Ratzinger and Karol Wojtyla were tapped to lead the annual exercises.” This year’s selection when it became known created a stir since Cardinal Biffi, while he is known for orthodox faith and frank words, is most well known, at least in the secular media, for his preaching on the Antichrist. In fact, the Times of London reported in 2004 that the Cardinal described the Antichrist as “walking among us.” The Lenten retreat did not disappoint. Cardinal Biffi picked up on his oft repeated theme of the Antichrist, basing his remarks on the works of Vladimir Soloviev, a Russian theologian who has received praise from Pope Benedict prior to his elevation to the pontificate. Quoting Soloviev, the Cardinal said “the Antichrist presents himself as pacifist, ecologist and ecumenist.” “He will convoke an ecumenical council and will seek the consensus of all the Christian confessions, granting something to each one. The masses will follow him, with the exception of small groups of Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants,” he said according to a Zenit translation of a Vatican Radio summary here. In his “Tale of the Antichrist” Solovyov foresees that a small group of Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants will resist and will say to the Antichrist: “You give us everything, except what interests us, Jesus Christ.” For Cardinal Biffi, this narrative is a warning: “Today, in fact, we run the risk of having a Christianity which puts aside Jesus with his cross and resurrection.” The 78-year-old cardinal added that if Christians “limited themselves to speaking of shared values they would be more accepted on television programs and in social groups. But in this way, they will have renounced Jesus, the overwhelming reality of the resurrection.” The cardinal said he believes that this is “the danger that Christians face in our days … the Son of God cannot be reduced to a series of good projects sanctioned by the prevailing worldly mentality.” The preacher of the Spiritual Exercises added that “there are relative values, such as solidarity, love of peace and respect for nature. If these become absolute, uprooting or even opposing the proclamation of the event of salvation, then these values become an instigation to idolatry and obstacles on the way of salvation.” Cardinal Biffi affirmed that “if Christianity -- on opening itself to the world and dialoguing with all -- dilutes the salvific event, it closes itself to a personal relationship with Jesus and places itself on the side of the Antichrist.” Cardinal Biffi’s reflections, in fact, are very similar to remarks Pope Benedict made last Fall in a meeting with Swiss Bishops. While Pope Benedict did not speak of the Antichrist, he spoke of a new false or “substitute” religion, calling it also a “successor” of religion. “Modern society is not simply without morality, but it has, so to speak, ‘discovered’ and professes a part of morality,” the Pope told the Swiss bishops. “These are the great themes of peace, non-violence, justice for all, concern for the poor, and respect for creation.” However, the Pope warned that these “great moral themes” have “become an ethical complex that, precisely as a political force, has great power and constitutes for many the substitute for religion, or its successor.” “It is only if human life is respected from conception to death that the ethics of peace is also possible and credible,” concluded the Pope. “It is only then that non-violence can express itself in every direction; only then that we truly welcome creation, and only then that we can arrive at true justice.”

Possible Future Fulfillment?

I believe that the “deadly wound by the sword” may happen as a result of the abomination of desolation. This abomination of desolation coincides with Michael the Archangel standing up (Daniel 12:1 | 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8) when he goes to heaven to cast the dragon and fallen angels to the earth as revealed in Revelation 12:7-9; 13. I believe, like the Maccabean revolt, the Jews will realize that the great peacemaker is not who he seems when he declares himself God in their temple. Currently it is difficult to see such a secular liberal Israel getting upset, but I believe there are several events that come before that will shift the spiritual state of the nation of Israel prior to the rebuilding of the temple.

The dragon, having just been cast out of heaven will heal the deadly wound of the beast (7th head) and the world will be amazed. In retaliation, the newly revived and dragon-controlled beast (8th head of the seven now controlling global politics through emergency powers) will order the genocide of all Jews in Judea because of the assassination attempt. They will be viewed by the New World Order as the intolerant “destroyers of civilization” that the Alliance of Civilizations will be working against.

I believe the false prophet may be the 12th Mahdi and with signs and lying wonders he will direct the worship of Muslims to the antichrist. When the antichrist orders the complete destruction of Israel, their stated goal of wiping Israel off the map, they will probably be worked into a fervor and go through Jerusalem and Judea like a wave of murder, Joel 2:1-11 killing 2/3 of Israel. Zechariah 13:8-9 

This starts the time of Jacob’s trouble of Matthew 24:15-22. That’s why Christ said for them in Judea to run to the mountains when they see the abomination of desolation. Because soon after that, the antichrist will order the genocide of the Jews for their revolt.

Antichrist coming from Turkey?

I’ve have a hard time with the antichrist coming out of Turkey or Iran for the following reasons.

Ezekiel 38:1-3
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

Meshech is Turkey (Ancient Muschki and Musku in Cilicia and Cappadocia)
Tubal is Turkey and also southern Russia and Iran (Ancient Tubalu in Cappadocia.)

The antichrist is supposed to confirm a covenant with many that allows the temple to be rebuilt that he will later declare himself god in, but not the God of his fathers.

Daniel 11:37,38
Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.

To me, this is in direct opposition to any ideas of claiming to be Christ. It is his claiming to be god that marks the attempted destruction of the Jews. There wouldn’t be much point in saying he’s their Messiah if he’s going to kill 2/3 of them.

It’s looking a lot like the Gog/Magog invasion is being set up. Even to the extent that Turkish and Russian troops will be sent into Lebanon to keep the peace without disarming Hezbollah. To me, it looks like a deception to have all the armies just a few miles North of Jerusalem for easy and quick attack. They found Iranian military in Lebanon already. That’s some of the major players in the Gog/Magog invasion already deploying troops to Lebanon under what I believe are false pretenses.

I could be wrong, but it’s too perfect and fits with the way they work. Lay low with a good deception that lulls the enemy into a sense of security (keeping Hezbollah from firing), then suddenly they all swarm in on Israel. If this is the case, How would anyone from Turkey have any kind of sway to bring peace in Israel when that nation has just failed an attempt to wipe out Israel?

Audio:

Other Sources:

• Walid Shoebat is a proponent of this belief and there is some audio where he goes over these points. You can listen to some of his comments in the audio section above. Several of the clips were from Chuck Missler’s 66/40 broadcasts of the Strategic Trends.

Thoughts:

• - Chris White has done a very extensive debunking of this theory in his book The Islamic Antichrist Debunked | A Comprehensive Critique by Chris White that you can read for free.
• - Proponents of this belief point out that what Islam calls the antichrist, will actually be Yeshua. This has the potential danger for those not strong in their Biblical understanding to fall into accepting this man as Yeshua instead of expecting him to come in the clouds and gather us to Him. The pre-trib harpazo believers would point out they would be gone already, but I don't believe this is accurate. This could set some of them up to believe since the harpazo hasn't come yet, that this couldn't be the antichrist. If the Jewish antichrist theory is correct, both these theories could play off each other and, if possible, deceive the elect. The key is knowing what the Bible says about how Christ will really come. Matthew 24:23-28 | Luke 21:27-28
• - The eastern leg of the Roman Empire (called the Byzantine Empire) did not come into existence for a few centuries after the time of Christ.
  • + Would it matter that it is not the Eastern leg of the Roman Empire if “the people of the prince to come” were Arabian conscripts acting against orders? Look for historical reference
• - While I currently feel that the man of sin rises from Europe and the false prophet is possibly the Imam Mahdi, at a surface glance I can also see it possible that the man of sin is the Mahdi and the false prophet is from Europe. It would make more sense for the development and implementation of a global “mark of the beast” from the West than from Islam and that is one of the primary functions of the false prophet.
• - I still feel that historically the “woman riding the beast” points to the Roman Catholic Church
• -/+ A point made by Dr. Mark Hitchcock on September 18, 2010 in the audio above is that he will show no regard for the gods of his fathers and exalt himself above all gods. He will sit in the temple and declare himself to be God. The Mahdi would never declare himself to be God and the moment that he does, he is no longer Muslim so while he may have originated from Islam, he would not remain in that capacity following the abomination of desolation. This could of course point to the possibility that he originates from Islam, but upon declaring himself to be God, separates himself from the god of his fathers, elevating himself to the status of God. The question then is, would faithful Islam accept him?
• + Revelation 20:4 speaks of people beheaded during this time of great tribulation for their witness of Jesus. I used to think of it in a European sense with a guillotine, but now with the rise of Islam, it does seem more likely that the beheading would be in the nature of that done by Islam and part of the Koran.
• + Daniel 11:36-38 speaks of the man of sin not regarding the god of his fathers, and Islam didn’t exist until around 633 AD when Mohamed claimed to receive revelations. It points back to Adam, but the holy book and teachings of Islam didn’t exist until Mohamed channeled them throughout his life. Daniel also speaks of him honoring a god of forces, or war, with gold, silver, precious stones and pleasant things. In Islam Zakat, or almsgiving, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
• + Daniel 2 is Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue. Walid makes the point that the Western leg of the Roman Empire never controlled Babylon while the Eastern leg, the people of the Middle East always have.
• + Daniel 7 combines all the beasts together, comprised of Middle Eastern historical nations.
• + Daniel 7:25 Islam is trying to change the times and the laws. (Sharia)