The Myth of an Islamic Antichrist

[Chris]

The Myth of an Islamic Antichrist

The Myth of an Islamic Antichrist
By Chris Schang

One of the most interesting topics of Bible prophecy concerns the coming "man of sin" that students of eschatology refer to as the "Antichrist". He is the one that the devil himself will indwelt in these end times during the coming Tribulation period. He is described by the Bible as the "prince of the people who destroyed the city and sanctuary" which of course was fulfilled in 70AD by the Romans when they destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple. Hence, the vast majority of the Bible prophecy community correctly recognizes that this "man of sin" will rise from the area of Western Europe. This is of course the traditional and fundamental view of the vast majority of sound Bible prophecy teachers.

Afterall, the Romans were the ones who carried out the burning of the city and the destruction of the Temple as history so clearly records. Proponents of the Islamic Antichrist theory argue that the "invading forces even though they were led by the Romans were actually people of local (regional) ethnicity so thus the Antichrist will come from the Middle East". This is however incorrect as a brief inspection of history shows. Eschatology expert Sean Osborne has noted that:

The Antichrist cannot be Islamic. He will come from the same genetic stock as his prophetic forerunner, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Macedonian-Greek European. His ethnicity will be in exact fulfillment of Daniel 9:26b. Everybody knows that the Roman legions which destroyed the 2nd Temple and the city of Jerusalem were Legio X Fretensis (from the Straits of Messina between the Italian mainland and Sicily), Legio V Macedonica (which obviously was from Macedonia), and Legio XV Apollinaris which was stationed on the Danube River near what is present day Austria and Slovenia. These Roman legions were all staffed by Roman (European) citizen soldiers from the lowest all the way up the chain of command to General Titus Flavius Vespasianus.

As we can see here, the "people who destroyed the city and temple" were indeed Romans. Thereby properly confirming the Western Antichrist origin. However, despite this rock solid evidence of the Antichrist rising from the Western European area that the ancient "Romans" inhabited, there have been a couple of "renegade" interpreters of Bible prophecy that have come on to the scene as of late promoting a Middle Eastern Antichrist. Many of these "interpreters" have chosen to put more faith in the "newspapers" than the Word of God itself. When examining the above quote about the people who destroyed the temple and the city, it defies all logic to try to argue against recorded history. Yet these people do and we will find out why as well.

These new self described "prophets" have decided that God didn't know what he was talking about, so they need to clarify God's own words for Him. It is this "arrogance" and biblical "immaturity" that causes them to err in great detail as they perpetuate the myth of the "Islamic Antichrist". Anyone who follows the debate over the Antichrist is bound to have run into these "new fad theories" about the Antichrist's origin being from the Middle East. This is "newspaper exegesis" at it's worst. While the above example is one of the more popular "objections" raised to a Western Europe Antichrist, as we see in reality the argument simply has no merit whatsoever.

In fact, there are several "recycled" arguments for an "Islamic Antichrist" that have been used over and over to perpetuate this myth. This article will dispel these myths and will guide the reader into the safe harbor of Bible prophecy peace according to the words of the Lord himself. Let's look at another "objection" of the "Islamic Antichrist" proponents.

According to a rather popular "proponent" of the Islamic Antichrist position, this self described "prophet" declares that in Daniel 11 the "king of the north" is actually the Antichrist. However, an elementary examination of the Daniel 11 verses shows that this is simply not the case. It is simply a matter of noting the "personal pronouns" used in these verses to distinguish the Antichrist, king of the south, and the king of the north. In reading the whole chapter of Daniel 11 it is clear that a good bit of the chapter is spend talking about the Antichrist. This continues down to Daniel 11:40-44 as the Antichrist battles the king of the north and the king of the south. Let's look at the scriptures:

Dan 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
Dan 11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many [countries] shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, [even] Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Dan 11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Dan 11:43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians [shall be] at his steps.
Dan 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

As we can see from the "bolded" personal pronouns used in these verses the Antichrist is definitely separate from the king of the north and the king of the south. The Islamic Antichrist proponents make the mistake of trying to say that the "king of the north" is one and the same as the Antichrist. This is absurd as our elementary examination of the verses show that the grammar used in these verses simply does not allow for such a thing. If the proponents of the Islamic Antichrist theory took the time to carefully read the scriptures they would be able to distinguish the difference. However, in order to "shoe-horn" their preconceived idea of an Islamic or Middle Eastern Antichrist they have blurred the text and fallen off the wagon of proper grammar.

Another "objection" that the proponents of the Islamic Antichrist try to use to make their case is that they claim that the Roman empire use to have an "Eastern" component to it. They argue that this is evidence that the Antichrist's origin could be Middle Eastern. Once again, an elementary understanding of history is necessary in order to uncover the truth and put to rest this phony argument. While it is true that the Roman Empire was at one time split into two "legs" with a "Western and Eastern" component the fact is that the "Eastern" component did not exist until hundreds of years after the destruction of the temple and city in 70AD. So the Eastern peoples of the Roman Empire were not even under Roman control at that time and therefore were not part of the people who history records fulfilled the prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. So by default, this argument has no legs in which to stand.

While there are other minor "arguments" from the Islamic Antichrist proponents the fact is none of them withstand any reasonable amount of analysis and investigation. They are simply the work of "immature" Bible prophecy interpreters who have broken ranks with the popular and time tested applications of scripture that are the found in the conservative and fundamental teachings. There are many reasons for this among them the lure of selling books to make "treasure" which the bible declares moth and rust does corrupt. They have exchanged the truth of God's word to fit their own "shoe horned" ideas in order to reap financial gain. Some have even claimed that they have been given "new" insight as if they were a prophet called by God here in the last days. This of course is ridiculous and is of great harm to the Bible prophecy community. God's word does not allow for multiple meanings and interpretations among the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit that indwells us is not the author of confusion. The devil is the author of confusion. This sort of "private interpretation" is spoken out against by the Bible. The scriptures are not open to "private interpretations" and thereby we should avoid those who seek to confuse us with these so called "new insights" and "new revelations" in order to sell books.

At this point in history the devil is making a strong stand against those who are speaking out about Bible prophecy and warning people of the things that are about to come upon the Earth. The devil is trying hard to have people unready for the rapture of the church. The devil is hoping to sow seeds of confusion by having multiple interpretations of God's word out there in the body of Christ. It is also not a coincidence that many of these so called "Islamic Antichrist" proponents are all trying to rob the body of Christ of their "blessed hope" in the pre-trib rapture as well by promoting mid-trib, post-trib, etc. alternative rapture views. The devil is truly in the details in these last days. So let us put this "Islamic Antichrist" myth right where it belongs in the theological trash can once and for all.

God bless.

[Sean Osborne]

Great work Chris!!!

[Chris]

Great work Chris!!!

Actually much of the credit goes to you as well for the discussion we have been having on your blog.

God bless you dear brother and keep up the good work fighting for the truth through these deceptions in the last days.

[livin_in_the_Son]

I have always been of the opinion that those who claim the anti-christ is going to be Islamic did so only to 'follow the tide of public opinion'. With the first bombing of the WTC, the attack on the USS Cole, and especially since 9/11, Islamic extremists have become the face of evil. How easy is it then to convince an ignorant public that the most evil leader would be a card-carrying member?

The flip side would be to say, 'sure Islam is evil, but the most evil leader is going to be of Roman decent'. With such a large RCC following, that would be a hard pill to swallow. I agree with Jesuschangesall's comment on a similar thread....the authors would have problems sellingbooks or dvd's.

Thanks Chris for this article, and to Sean, and everyone who continues to speak the truth according to God's word, and not public opinion!

[MikeD]

An interesting article no doubt. Yet, I'd have to say, I'm really not interested in "studying" one bit about the Anti-Christ, or what ever you want to call him. My attention is to the One that will, one day - a day very near - simply say, COME UP HERE! That's my Jesus. And, I can't help but believe, as excited and expectantly waiting for that call as we are, the excitement and expectations in Jesus are beyond what we could ever believe. My Jesus, my Lord, my Savior, my BEST FRIEND is the center of my attention and I'll leave the attention on the anti-christ and anything about him to those who seek to - whatever. "For I know whom I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him AGAINST THAT DAY!"

[JC1949]

An interesting article no doubt. Yet, I'd have to say, I'm really not interested in "studying" one bit about the Anti-Christ, or what ever you want to call him. My attention is to the One that will, one day - a day very near - simply say, COME UP HERE! That's my Jesus. And, I can't help but believe, as excited and expectantly waiting for that call as we are, the excitement and expectations in Jesus are beyond what we could ever believe. My Jesus, my Lord, my Savior, my BEST FRIEND is the center of my attention and I'll leave the attention on the anti-christ and anything about him to those who seek to - whatever. "For I know whom I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him AGAINST THAT DAY!"

Man I do agree with you brother!
I love studying the possible scenarios only because some give weird interpretations about future prophetic scenarios and also introduce false teachings even here and now......
Anyhow I am with you bro' BIG TIME!!!!

[LivnForChrist]

It's important to know that the man of lawlessness is never described in the Bible as being opposed to Christ, or anti-Christ.

Daniel 7:24 describes the man of lawlessness as that of a people (the ten horns) who oppose the ten kings.

Verse 17 of Revelation 17 says of them,

"And the ten horns which thou sawest upon Babylon the Great, these shall hate the *****, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh (desolate her race), and burn her with fire."

splishsplash you have made quite a statement here. What are exactly are you saying?
That the man of lawlessness is a black man who will desolate the white race?
You have stated in another thread that you are post tribulation. I suggest that you reread
the board rules and consider carefully what you post here. This statement that you made above is
well, just totally unbiblical.

[mattfivefour]

Splishsplash is clearly a racist and a post-tribber. He/she has been escorted to the door. They have no part in this fellowship.

[Sean Osborne]

Splishsplash is clearly a racist and a post-tribber. He/she has been escorted to the door. They have no part in this fellowship.

We like a swift and sure-footed execution of the escort to the exit. Well done!

However, I do have one necessary observation to make for future reference because this is likely to come up again at some point.

"Quote Originally Posted by splishsplash"
It's important to know that the man of lawlessness is never described in the Bible as being opposed to Christ, or anti-Christ.

Saying the "man of lawlessness," the "son of perdition, the "man of sin"" is not described in God's Word as being opposed to Christ is a blasphemous deception. It is absolute and utter apostasy! Apostates are the treasonous defectors from the Bride of Christ. There will be more of this kind of apostate garbage; we must meet it head on and dispatch it to the waste bin as quickly as it appears in our midst because it is the bile of apostasy from which the "son of perdition" will rise.

This is what Paul and our other Church fathers warned us about 20 centuries ago. They knew through the inspiration and prophetic word of the Holy Spirit that those of us as members of the last generation would be witness to its emergence but not subject to its repercussions. It is, however, up to us to make sure that those left behind have the Spiritual tools, instruction and whole armor of God they will need were it would be possible even for the elect could be deceived.

Here is the lesson (emphasis added) specifically for this generation from Paul found in 2 Thessalonians 2. (NAS)

Man of Lawlessness

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

[LivnForChrist]

Great reply Brother Sean. You are absolutely correct. Apostasy must be met with
stiff resistance wherever it is found.

[JC1949]

Splishsplash is clearly a racist and a post-tribber. He/she has been escorted to the door. They have no part in this fellowship.

well done.I would have done myself but ( ) I haven't got the power....()..ah ahh
Ciao Adrian Emperor!