When we are studying the character of the Antichrist we need to understand his background and identity, because if we don't we will make wrong judgements and predictions about his nature and purpose.

There are many misconceptions as to who the Antichrist is; there are those who are convinced that he is a Jew without first forming the basis of their belief on the scriptures, therefore they shun any teaching that states the Antichrist is not a Jew. The fact is, there isn't a single scripture that states that Antichrist is a Jew. Those who maintain that Antichrist must be of Jewish descent say that he must be a Jew because the prophesied Messiah must come from the lineage of David, therefore he must be a Jew. Nowhere in the Bible does it state that the Antichrist is of Jewish descent as in the case of the genuine Messiah, it only implies that his mission is a counterfeit of the real Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. So we can see that the people who hold to the false view that the Antichrist is a Jew are either deceived or misguided and by their teaching are not preparing the church for what shortly lies ahead.

The word Antichrist in the context of what I'm speaking about means that he is against Christ's teaching and purpose and all those who belong to Christ, which includes born again Christians and the Jewish nation, who in the plan and purpose of God have a foreordained future in the Millennial reign of Christ and His eternal kingdom.

Antichrist also means that he comes in the place of Christ, in other words he is a deceiver and is Satan's substitute for the real Christ. He comes initially as an angel of light (iron fist in a velvet glove) so as to deceive the nations of the world. He will also appear on the world stage with a religious agenda to unite the religions of the world under the Multi-faith banner. He will be the leader of the political revived Roman Empire (European Superstate) and connected to the religious Roman church, the two will be linked, forming an alliance and working together for a period of time to accomplish his vision. Revelation 17.

The people who state that the Antichrist must be a Jew have made various assumptions throughout history as to who the Antichrist is, for example: Henry Kissinger etc.

The Bible is the basis for what we believe and it gives us types of the real thing before the genuine article appears. The scriptures clearly teach us about a type of Antichrist who appeared in history, he was the Gentile, Greek born Syrian king, Antiochus Epiphanes ("One Who Makes Desolate") who ruled from 175 to 163 B.C. Antiochus was Anti-Semitic to the core. He gave himself the name "God Is Manifest." His enemies called him, "Epimanes" "Mad Man." He persecuted and murdered many Jews when he invaded and occupied Jerusalem and the land of Israel. He desecrated the temple of the Lord by slaughtering a swine on the Jewish altar and made the Jewish priests drink its blood. The historical book of 1 Maccabees descibes the evil acts of Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus banned  the practice of Judaism by attempting to destroy all Jewish worship including Sabbath and Holy days, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Trumpets. He apprehended the Jewish women who had circumcised their children, killed their babies and hung them around their knecks. "And on the wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation" Daniel 9:27 is speaking about the temple itself and Antiochus installing heathen rites and emblems in the temple of God at Jerusalem. 1 Maccabees.

Antiochus ransacked Jerusalem and rebuilt it as a Seleucid Fortress. He banned the Torah, poured pig broth on the Torah scrolls and set up imperial cult worship by erecting a statue of Antiochus as the pagan god Zeus and a Hellenistic altar for sacrifice. Any Jew that rebelled was murdered.

Antiochus was a type of the end-time 'little horn' (Antichrist) who is to come, he is the clearest prophetic picture of the future Antichrist in scripture. Daniel 8:9-14.

We also need to keep in mind, "Why would a Jew want to persecute and murder other Jews?" It is a well known fact, the reason why the Jewish nation has survived so long is that they stick together which is an inherent gift from God in the majority of Jews. And, why would a Jew make a treaty with the Jews? Daniel 9:27. Antichrist's authority will extend throughout the earth, so it would be difficult to believe that a Jewish Antichrist could demand world wide attention due to their unpopularity in the Middle East with what appears to be the unrestrained building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and also the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is also quite clear in the Middle East today that the Jewish nation are tired of war and because of this it would be easier for them to accept a Gentile leader who can resolve the Arab Israeli conflict; in other words, the scene is set for the appearance of the false Messiah and his initial involvement in the Middle East Roadmap For Peace.

There are other people who state that Antichrist will be gay (homosexual) because we read in the book of Daniel 11:37, "He Antichrist) shall regard neither the god of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. The desire of women could be referring to the Babylonian fertility god Tammuz who is mentioned in Ezekiel 8:14. The worship of Tammuz was widespread in Syria, Palestine, and Mesopotamia. In other words, Antichrist will have no regard for any Gentile god, instead, he will magnify himself above them all. So we can see that Daniel 11:37 is not stating or even implying that Antichrist is a gay (homosexual).

Antichrist will be the embodiment of 'New Age' thought and Humanism, he will be an advocate of human potential, he will have absolute belief in himself, his purpose, and vision. He will be single minded towards his goal of achieving world control. Antichrist will be successful because of the power and authority invested in him from the Prince of Darkness (Satan), and because of this he will believe that he is almost invincible. He will be power and control mad which will ultimately cause him to stand in the temple of God (in place of God) proclaiming himself to be God. "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

© Copyright. David de Loup. One Way Global 7 Christian Ministries. 7:10:2009. All rights reserved.

This message was first published by David de Loup. © Copyright. David de Loup. One Way Global 7. 28:6:2005. All rights reserved.