Is the Antichrist a Muslim? - By Britt Gillette -
http://www.raptureready.com/featured/gillette/bg67.html
This is one of the questions I'm asked most often - especially in recent years.
For centuries, the overwhelming majority of those who have studied bible prophecy have claimed the Antichrist will come from a revived Roman Empire headquartered in Western Europe. But recent events in the Middle East, such as the rise of ISIS, have led some people to question that claim. They say the Antichrist will be a Muslim headquartered in the Middle East. Could this be true? Let's examine what the Bible says.
The Muslim Antichrist Belief
Those who believe the Muslim Antichrist vary in the reasons for their belief. But the two most common reasons I encounter are these:
1) Similarities between Islamic and Christian end time prophecies, and
2) A belief the Bible says the Antichrist will come from the eastern rather than the western wing of the ancient Roman Empire.
So let's take a look at these.
Islamic End Time Prophecies - The Koran does not contain end time prophecies, but the Hadith does. The Hadith is a collection of Muhammad's teachings. Muslims generally believe these are valuable teachings, but not direct revelations from Allah. According to the Hadith, a ruler known as the Madhi will emerge in the last days. Muslims believe this man will rule the world for seven years and rid the earth of all evil prior to the Day of Judgment. What's more, they say Jesus will return to earth and support the Madhi's rule during this time.
Does any of this sound familiar? It should. After all, the Bible's end time prophecies predict the rise of an Antichrist who will rule the earth for seven years just prior to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. And during the Tribulation, the Antichrist will be aided by a false prophet. When you study the texts side-by-side, it appears the Muslim Messiah and the Christian Antichrist are one and the same. At least, that's the claim made by many believers in the Muslim Antichrist theory.
But there's a big problem with this line of thinking. It gives the same divine authority to both the Bible and the Hadith, and that's a big mistake. The Hadith is not divinely inspired. Its "prophecies" resemble the Bible's because many of Muhammad's ideas came from Judaism and Christianity - two of the major religions of his time.
Only the Bible has a flawless track record when it comes to fulfilled prophecy. The Hadith doesn't. Therefore, I have no reason to believe the Hadith is divinely inspired. And if it's not divinely inspired, why should I rely on it for insight into future fulfillment of bible prophecy?
The Eastern Wing of the Ancient Roman Empire - Much better arguments for a Muslim Antichrist are made by those who base their beliefs on the Bible-the Word of God. According to the Bible, the Antichrist will come from a revived version of the Roman Empire (Daniel 2, Revelation 17). Many supporters of the Muslim Antichrist theory believe the Bible says the Antichrist will come from a revived form of the eastern rather than the western wing of the ancient Roman Empire.
The eastern and western portions of the Roman Empire formed in A.D. 285. In that year, the Emperor Diocletian divided the empire into two parts - one governed in Rome (West) and the other governed in Constantinople (East). When Rome fell to invaders in A.D. 487, the power seat of the ancient Roman Empire shifted eastward to Constantinople (in modern day Turkey).
Many supporters of the Muslim Antichrist theory believe it's this eastern portion of the Roman Empire that will re-emerge in the end times. They point to chapters 8 and 11 in the Book of Daniel, which foretell the rise of both the Antichrist and the tyrannical rule of the Assyrian king, Antiochus Epiphanes. Citing these passages, they make a case for an Antichrist of Assyrian descent.
What the Bible Says About the Antichrist
Despite these claims, here's what the Bible says about the Antichrist:
1) He will sign a peace treaty with Israel - The Tribulation will begin when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27). This will be a treaty placing the national security of Israel in the Antichrist's hands. Is it realistic to think Israel will make such a pact with a Muslim leader?
2) He will proclaim himself to be God - The Bible says the Antichrist will enter the Temple in Jerusalem at the mid-point of the Tribulation and declare himself to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). He will demand worship. Such a claim would go against the teachings of the Koran, which says "there is no god but Allah" (Sura 9:129). While it's possible the Antichrist will only identify with the Muslim faith and not be a strict adherent, it's unlikely a true Muslim would claim to be God.
3) He will worship a god of fortresses - The Bible says the Antichrist "will worship a god of fortresses, a god unknown to his forefathers" (Daniel 11:38) This suggests the Antichrist will be an idolater who worships a new idol. Not Allah. Not Baal. But a god unknown to previous generations.
4) He will come from the Italian peninsula - The book of Daniel says the Antichrist will come from among the people who destroy the Temple. History clearly reveals who that was. In A.D. 70, Titus and the Roman legions marched into Jerusalem to put down a Jewish insurrection. In doing so, they destroyed the Temple and enslaved the Jewish people, taking them away in chains to the farthest corners of the empire.
This means the Antichrist will come from Rome. Supporters of the Muslim Antichrist theory reject this idea. They claim the Roman legions were composed of Syrians and local people who identify today as Muslims (Daniel 9:26). However, this just isn't true. Titus and the legions he commanded were composed of Italians and Roman citizens acting under the full authority of Rome. Regardless, the seat of power that conquered Jerusalem was located in Rome, not Assyria. So the Bible is crystal clear in regard to where the Antichrist will come from. He will come from Rome.
Now, could he be a Roman citizen of Assyrian heritage? Possibly. But remember, the rule of the Assyrian king Antiochus Epiphanes (a forerunner of the Antichrist) is one of the reasons some believe the Antichrist will be of Assyrian descent. Yet Antiochus Epiphanes was Greek, not Assyrian. So if the idea of a Muslim Antichrist is built on the Daniel 11 description of Antiochus Epiphanes as an Assyrian, that claim is built on faulty ground.
What's the Truth?
So with all these conflicting viewpoints, what's the truth? The answer should be clear. The Bible is the truth. You can count on the Word of God and the fulfillment of all bible prophecy. What you can't count on is any particular human interpretation of bible prophecy prior to its fulfillment.
To illustrate, let's examine some past fulfilled prophecies. This will show just how difficult it can be to understand specific prophetic details ahead of time.
Before the first coming of Jesus, some scriptural teachers claimed the Messiah would come from Bethlehem (John 7:42) while others said "no prophet comes from Galilee" (John 7:52). Of course, we know from hindsight, the Messiah came from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), came out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), and Galilee was filled with glory (Isaiah 9:1). Prior to Jesus of Nazareth, it was difficult to see how one man could fulfill all of these prophecies. Yet it happened - just as the Bible foretold.
Oftentimes, we show a tendency to read news headlines into the Bible rather than taking the Bible for what it says. The rise of Islam in recent years only increases the speculation of an Islamic Antichrist. But until he arrives on the world scene, no one can know for sure every characteristic of the Antichrist. Perhaps he will be an Italian Muslim from Syria. But perhaps not. We just don't have enough information to know.
Nevertheless, we can be absolutely sure bible prophecy will be fulfilled to the last letter. In the meantime, a literal interpretation of scripture indicates the Antichrist will come from the Italian peninsula, not the Middle East. And the Bible's statements that the Antichrist will establish a peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27), proclaim himself to be God in the Temple (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), and worship a god of fortresses unknown to his forefathers (Daniel 11:38) strongly indicates the Antichrist will NOT be a Muslim. Any claim that he must be, rather than he might be, is not from the Bible, but from men.
Britt Gillette is author of the free ebook Coming to Jesus: One Man's Search for Truth and Life Purpose as well as Signs of the Second Coming: 11 Reasons Jesus Will Return in Our Lifetime. He's also the founder of End Times Bible Prophecy.
6 comments:
I believe Britt Gillette is correct. I would refer you to the website, bibleprophecyandtruth.com and an article entitled, "Will Islam Rule The World? That article explains that the antichrist comes from the revived roman empire and the false prophet
from the revived Islamic Ottoman empire. The antichrist and the Muslim mahdi are one and the same and the false prophet and the Muslim jesus are one and the same. Combine this article and your two articles entitled, "As Turkey Seek To Revive The Muslim Ottoman Caliph And Empire, They Acknowledge That Obama Is TheBlack Man We Needed In The White House"!!! and The Advancement Of The Islamic Caliphate Involving Obama And Turkey's Erdogan???, you easily come to the conclusion the Pope is the antichrist and either Erdogan or Ahmet Davutoglu is the false prophet (Muslim Jesus).black
Thank you for your response Sam, but we will have to disagree on this one.
I used to follow the "Rome" theory but having read and listened to the works of Joel Richardson, Walid Shoebat, Joseph Farrah, Chuck Missler, Ron Matsen and an ever growing army of Bible expositors who are now changing their stances over who the Antichrist will be, I am now convinced by the theory that they suggest.
I think that Turkey is "The King Of The North" and not Russia as so many contend, and I think that there is every possibility that Erdogan or one of his successors will fit this bill nicely.
The Bible is a Middle Eastern Book, with Israel as the central masterpiece. The only other countries we need to look at are those who came into friendship or conflict with the Jewish nation - "the Apple of God's Eye"!
These are the main countries we need to look out for in The End Times. Israel is, and always was, surrounded by enemies who were Arabic, Ottoman, Islamic, or even the mythical "Palestinians"!
Read about the upcoming war of Psalm 83, followed by the end time battles of Ezekiel 38 and 39 and see the description of the armies and the countries listed there! Not a Roman or a European in sight!
Why not read about some of the authors I mention above, especially Joel Richardson with his superb book titled "The Islamic Antichrist"! I find this volume and theory very hard to argue against!
Many Thanks for writing my friend.
Maranatha Blessings,
Nev.
I agree that we will agree to disagree on this one. I am very familiar with all the gentlemen you mentioned. I have read pretty much of the material from these terrific writers. I always pick up something from all of them as well as others. Walid Shoebat spoke in my former church in 2007. Nationally known prophecy speakers and teachers Renaldo Showers and Thomas Ice were their also. It was absolutely great. My brother and I both took off work 4 days to attend daytime classes. The sanctuary was packed each night. Soon after this 5 day prophecy conference, the church let go two excellent people who organized and taught different bible classes and conferences. Then it was decided by the rest of the leadership, led by the senior pastor, to not have the bible prophecy conference anymore. That and a couple other issues in leadership is why it is my former church. Also, I have been sharing with a good and descent Muslim in my town. In one of our conversations, he (a Shiite) said to me, "some Muslims think the Mahdi is a Muslim. He is actually going to be of Italian descent. Roman Pontiff? I shared with him later your articles I mentioned earlier and the other one and told him this is from a bible prophecy point of view. He understood. We have that kind of relationship. The point in doing that with him was if he will not accept Christ before the soon coming rapture, he will think about this information when things start happening afterward. A seed planted if you will. I am not trying to change your mind NEV. I just thought you might find this info as interesting as I did.
Thanks again for writing Sam, and I know that we will not fall out over this despite our different stances.
I take it that you live in the USA? You get far more Bible prophecy teachers and conferences than we do over here in the UK, but we gain access to them all thru the internet.
Shame about your ex-church not progressing with studies and seminars on Bible prophecy, for I believe they are vital in these Last Days where so many signs are around us! I trust you have now found a good replacement church.
That was fascinating to read about your Muslim friend stating that the Mahdi will be of Italian descent and a Roman Pontiff? I cannot see how he would have arrived at this conclusion, as surely the Koran and the whole of Islam is MUSLIM, and surely therefore they must be expecting their Mahdi to be "one of their own"?
All very interesting stuff anyway! We will just have to wait and see I guess. But if we are still around when "The Son Of Perdition" is revived and signs the seven year peace treaty with Israel, then we will know for sure who he is?
But as Muslim migrants swarm all over Europe now, and the fact that they breed like rabbits, their aim for world dominance is well under way!
Shalom In Yeshua,
Maranatha Blessings,
Nev.
I guess I need to clarify a couple things with you. First, yes I am from Emmaus, PA in the USA. I did not realize you are in the UK. Second, my former church was about a 1,400 member church in nearby Allentown, PA. My new church is called Faith Church in the same area. It is about a 2,000 member church. Faith Church is a solid conservative, elder run church. My former church is a basically a conservative church with a couple liberal leaning denominational (United Methodist Church) issues such as baby baptism and choice of sprinkling or immersion baptism. There are other issues as well. I am going to be talking to some church leaders at Faith Church about starting a much needed yearly Prophecy Conference. I know of no other Prophecy Conferences in the area. I know if they advertise it with national and international speakers and teachers, it will become huge in this area. Incidentally, even before the 2007 Prophecy Conference, my former church was trying to get Hal Lindsey to speak and teach at our conference. The 2007 conference was not even advertised outside the church at the request of Walid Shoebat. Christians at my church did not realize that he has a hit on him by radical Muslims. Walid also said he gives no home address and everything is in his wife's name. Third, while it was my Muslim friends statement about the Mahdi being of Italian descent, it was my suggestion that the Mahdi is probably the present Pope based on the article, "Will Islam Rule The World?" That article also shows a comparison of bible prophecy to Islam prophecy. It is a mirror image. It also states that the Bible's bad guys is Islam's good guys. The Muslim that I talked to did acknowledge that the Mahdi and their version of Jesus (Muslim Jesus) will be fighting side by side against the injustices in the world during a seven year period. Then, they together will lead an army at the end of the seven years against the Islamic "antichrist," the Dajjal. Actually, their Dajjal is the real Jesus at His glorious Second Coming. I am sure I am not telling you much different than you already know at NEV. Just some more interesting info and my story. Your website is still one of my main websites for info. It is always interesting. God's continuing Blessings for you at NEV.
Good to hear from you again Sam, and it is a shame we live so far apart as I feel sure we have more than enough in common to have shared good fellowship.
We are not too far apart on our end times eschatology, and I am quite open on this now, and feel one should never be dogmatic over peripheral issues such as prophecy?
I used to be a pre-trib dispensationalist, but I have far more of an open mind since reading the writings of Joel Richardson and Walid Shoebat.
If you take their stance, you must become a post-tribber I think? I used to find this abhorrent, but not so any more.
I think that the revealing of the Antichrist is not too far away now, and if we are still here to witness this, that will be the end of the pre-trib theory. In fact, from the date and timing of the signing of the seven year peace treaty with Israel, we should be able to calculate the date of The Second Coming of Christ as per Daniel's prophecy.........even though we are not allowed to name the day or the hour???
Maranatha Blessings,
Nev.
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