The Antichrist...Have You Seen This Man?

The following article was written by Todd Strandberg, founder of the Evangelical Christian site, Rapture Ready, founded in 1987. 

by Todd Strandberg

The Antichrist...Have You Seen This Man?

Ever since the Old Testament first spoke of him, Christians and Jews have been looking for the advent of the Antichrist. Daniel described him as the most evil man who ever will live. He will charm the Jews into submission then turn against them. This "man of sin" will briefly become the most powerful man on earth.

Many Christians have tried to name the Antichrist from among the men of their day. Some have made good assumptions, while others were very much off base in their observations. Of course, no one has been able to name the true Antichrist. Listed below are several world figures that have been tagged as the Antichrist. Most of these men are dead and presumably off the hook, but a number of them are still active on the world stage.

 

Antiochus Epiphanes - He was one of only a few pre-Christ candidates and is described by scholars as being a type of Antichrist. Epiphanes was predicted by Daniel the prophet, and he fulfilled many of the prophecies that the real Antichrist will repeat.

Roman Emperor Nero - He was one of the first and one of the greatest persons to fit the role of Antichrist. He put many Christians to death, and even killed members of his own family. Nero's actions actually helped the Church to multiply faster. When he learned the Roman Senate was plotting against him, he died by poisoning himself.

The Pope - Just about every pope has been given the title of Antichrist. The pontiff is a favorite among evangelicals. During the Middle Ages, when the power of the pope was more pronounced, the title was more plausible. Today, the political power of the Pope has long since waned. It's more likely the pope would play the role of the False Prophet.

Charlemagne - He lived from 742-814 AD and controlled much of Central Europe. Charlemagne put himself into the shoes of the Antichrist by trying to rebuild the Roman Empire, a task that only the real Antichrist will accomplish. He died before achieving his goal.

Napoleon - The self-crowned French Emperor was not particularly a depraved man: He did not persecute the Church, and he lacked a number of the qualities needed for the role. His downfall was that he loved war too much. Napoleon, like Charlemagne, worked at reviving the Roman Empire.

Aleister Crowley - He was a male witch who lived in England from 1875 to 1947, and who was so evil that his nicknames were "the Beast" and "666." A number of rock and roll groups such as The Beatles, The Doors and Ozzy Osbourne featured references to him on their albums.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt - The numerical value of FDR's name was reported to add up to 666. Because of the Great Depression, FDR was the most autocratic US President of the 20th century. Roosevelt was in office for 12 years.

Benito Mussolini - Because Mussolini became the dictator of Italy, the original capital of the Roman Empire, he was the subject of a great deal of commentary during his rule from 1922 to 1943. His extreme arrogance fit the role of Antichrist, but his military capabilities were laughable. Italy needed help from Germany all throughout World War II.

Adolf Hitler - Most people would describe this man as the most villainous man who ever lived. He remains a demonic forewarning of what the real Antichrist will be like.

Joseph Stalin - This Russian dictator is believed to be the greatest mass murderer of all time, having killed 30 million people. Most of history's tyrants killed foreigners; Stalin specialized in killing his own citizens.

Francisco Franco - He was the dictator of Spain from 1936 until his death in 1975. Franco was called the Antichrist not because of his actions, but more because of a genealogical connection. Upon his death, the dubious honor of being called the Antichrist passed to Prince Juan Carlos.

John F. Kennedy - As the nation's first Roman Catholic President, John F. Kennedy was believed to do the pope's bidding. At the 1956 Democratic convention, he received 666 votes. When Kennedy was shot dead in Dallas, several people waited for this deadly wound to heal. It never happened.

Henry Kissinger - Because of Mr. Kissinger's activity in the Middle East, he was labeled the Antichrist. I've always thought his raspy voice would be the first thing to disqualify him.

King Juan Carlos of Spain - The late prophecy teacher Charles Taylor was a big proponent of the idea that Juan Carlos is the Antichrist because of his bloodline and because he's the king of the tenth nation to join the European Union.

Ayatollah Khomeini - One of the grumpiest men to ever live, he bedeviled the US for a number of years.

Ronald Wilson Reagan - Say it isn't so, Ron. During the 80s when he was President, there was talk going around about the fact that he had six letters in all three of his names.

Mikhail Gorbachev - The first Russian leader to support the rights of the people has been and remains a candidate for the job of Antichrist. Until Gorby dies, prophecy watchers will keep an eye on him. I guess being born with that mark on his head was too obvious for some.

Maitreya - A camera-shy New Age personage, who is said to be on this earth somewhere, is waiting for his opportunity to save the world.

Sun Myung Moon - This leader of the Unification Church openly claims to be the Messiah. Moon recently was sent to jail for tax evasion. Jesus, by having a tax collector on His staff, didn't suffer from tax problems. You pick which one was the smarter Messiah.

PLO leader Yassir Arafat - When Arafat signed the peace treaty with Israel in 1993, some thought that he was bringing to pass the prophecy regarding the Antichrist signing a seven-year peace treaty with Israel. In order for this to be the case, we would be well into the tribulation period.

Louis Farrakhan - Farrakhan has worked hard to earn the title of Antichrist: He has met with every Islamic dictator there is, and he's called the Jewish faith "a gutter religion." Farrakhan has said that Jesus was "just a prophet" and that he, Louis Farrakhan, is the true Jesus.

Karl Hapsburg - Just like Juan Carlos, Karl Hapsburg has a good shot at being the Antichrist simply because of who he is. His family holds the title of ruler over Jerusalem. The Hapsburg family also reigned over the Holy Roman Empire at one time. The European Union will be a revival of the Roman Empire.

William Jefferson Clinton - A number of folks have e-mailed me saying, "Clinton is Satan's pet." I came across information posted in newsgroups and websites that add up William Jefferson Clinton numerologically to total 666.

Barney the Dinosaur - Because John, the writer of Revelation, would never have known what a dinosaur looked like, it's logical to assume he would have identified any vision of Barney as one of a dragon. Taking this into consideration, you might find the following Scriptures quite revealing: Revelation 12:3, "And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon."; Revelation 13:4, "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?"; Revelation 20:2, "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years."

Bill Gates - If the beast needs to be computer literate and financially well-off, then Bill Gates is a good candidate.

Prince Charles of Wales - I'm told that "old big ears" Prince Charles could be the beast. Charles has had the familiar numerology claims made about him--ones that equate his name with 666. Further, he is believed to have ancestral links to the Roman Empire. It was also reported to me that he's a vegetarian, which could explain why the Antichrist will stop the daily animal sacrifices in the Jewish Temple.

Jacques Chirac - French President Jacques Chirac has been involved in a flurry of diplomatic activity. His high profile has caught the attention of several prophecy watchers.

Barack Obama - Our 44th President generated a great deal of interest in what possible connections he may have to Bible prophecy. I've received dozens of emails pointing out the odd fact that the day after the election, the daily pick-three lottery number in Obama's home state of Illinois was "6-6-6."

 

I have some observations of my own to make about the Antichrist. First of all, I have no idea who he is. When you examine history, people who become well known on the world stage often have been largely unknown before they became famous. Hitler was a good example. Before he ruled much of Europe, at one low point, he was living in a flophouse. If you had walked by him, you never would have guessed he would someday threaten to take over the world. When the time for the Antichrist comes, he will achieve great power, but right now he could be out pumping gas at some service station.

In recent years, the word "Antichrist" has lost much of its meaning. In the past, calling someone "Antichrist" was on the same level as cursing. Now, attaching that name to someone or something brings up mythological connections. The same thing applies to calling someone a devil. Examples like Barney the Dinosaur or Bill Gates only blur the real meaning of the name of Antichrist. Someday, he will rise to power and destroy more human beings than anyone who has ever lived.

We should take care not to focus too much on the Antichrist. Our hope lies in the true Christ. Any news about the "man of sin" should only prepare us for the Man of Salvation. As a pre-Tribulationist, I personally have no plans to meet this "son of perdition." Only those who have not repented of their sins and are not living pure lives should expect to meet him personally, or more likely, see him on CNN or Fox News.

The Prophet Micah

Depiction of Micah

The Prophet Micah was born in the 8th century B.C., and while not a lot is known about his personal life, he was a contemporary of the prophets Isaiah, Amos and Hosea. Micah was considered one of the twelve minor prophets [of the Tanakh/Old Testament] and his prophecies flourished between 737-696 in the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel.

It is recorded that Micah was from the small village of Moresheth-Gath, in southwest Judah, and he prophesied during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah. His warnings were mainly directed toward Jerusalem (in the southern kingdom of Judah). His message was clear when he predicted the future destruction of Jerusalem and Samaria (in the northern kingdom of Israel) with firm attestation. He also predicted a future restoration of the Judean state. One of his most famous predictions was that of the Messiah being born in the town of Bethlehem: 

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

This ancient prophecy is recalled in the Gospel of Matthew [in the New Testament]. 

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’" (Matthew 2:6)

Engraving of the Prophet Micah
by Gustave Doré

Micah was also very vocal when it came to the dishonesty and idolatry of Judah and his rebuke of the people was steadfast. This ancient prophet was proclaiming the messages of God before the fall of Samaria in 722 B.C. and his warnings continued past Sennacherib's invasion of Judah in 701 B.C. 

The Minor Prophet, while mainly directing his reprimands to the Southern Kingdom, was also known to point out the corruption of city life to both Judah and Israel.

The Prophet Jeremiah, who prophesied about 30 years after Micah, acknowledged his predecessor. 

“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says:‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets." (Jeremiah 26:18)

During his denunciations and prophecies, the ancient messenger of the Creator correctly predicted the destruction of both Samaria and Jerusalem for the sins of the people. Jerusalem was rebuked for the extravagant expenses of beautifying the city by dishonest business practices, which brought impoverishment upon the lower class people. Samaria was reprimanded for worshipping idols which were purchased with the income earned by prostitutes, as well as government corruption and dishonesty in the marketplace. 

Micah told the people of the ancient Jewish nations what the Lord required of them: 

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

Depiction of the Conquest of Judah

It is interesting to note that Micah was the first Old Testament prophet to predict the downfall of the kingdoms. The Holy Cities were defeated - 1) during Micah's prophesying around 722 B.C. (Samaria); 2) during the siege of Jerusalem by Babylon (Judah) in 597 B.C. and 587 B.C respectively. Micah's prophecy came to fruition.

This prophet not only prophesied about the destruction of Judah and Samaria, but also predicted future happenstances, such as the Judean state being gloriously restored (Micah 4:1-2). He promised there would be an universal peace over which a "Ruler" will reign from Jerusalem (Micah 5:4-6). Micah also declared that when the House of Jacob was restored the Lord would force the Gentiles to abandon their practice of idolatry (Micah 4:6).

Another futuristic prophecy given in Micah 3:12 outlines the future destruction of Jerusalem and the plowing of Zion. Was Micah referring to the conquest of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. or was this a reference to the End Times? Scholars and theologians continue to debate that one. The ancient seer's declaration is repeated in Jeremiah 26:18, and is the only prophecy re-told [of Micah] in the Old Testament.

Depiction of Bethlehem

The prophecy revealing the Messiah's birthplace can be found in Micah 5:2 and recalled in the New Testament (Matthew 2:6). The fulfillment of this prophecy of the Messiah's birth is further described in Matthew 2:1-6. It is interesting to note that Jesus quoted Micah in Matthew 10:35-36. While Micah was referring to the division in Judah and Samaria, Jesus was talking about the division between mankind and God. 

The Prophet Micah was very instrumental in spreading God's message to the people. His reprimands and call to repentance promised a future kingdom of salvation through the Messiah, and he continually reminded the ancient Jewish nation of the Creator's covenant to be merciful to Jacob and show love to Abraham and his descendants (Micah 7:20).

"(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." (Luke 1:70-75)

Natural Disasters Between the Blood Moons

There have been an extreme explosion of natural disasters since the first Blood Moon occurred in April, 2014 with the lunar eclipse.  How does this correlate with the Bible? 

Genesis 1:14 tells us that God created the sun, moon and stars, not only to give mankind light, but to separate the seasons as well. The Creator also had a greater plan in His scheme of creation, which included using such a brilliant light to show signs in the heavens. There are many examples found throughout the Bible that speaks of watching for such signs in the sun, moon and stars. The Bible also goes on to say that "He changes times and seasons;" (Daniel 2:21)

There were signs recorded in the Bible of such cosmic things happening. In the Book of Joshua it says: 

"So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jasher. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day." (Joshua 10:13)

In reference to the Prophet Habakkuk, who prophesied during the reign of King Jehoiakim, stated, "[The] Sun and moon stood still in the heavens" (Habakkuk 3:11). This prediction during the Chaldean siege came to fruition.

When the Magi visited the Messiah, they were led to the baby Jesus by a great, bright star in the East, "We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1). 

According to Pastor John Hagee, there will be celestial signs in the heavens and he goes on to describe these occurrences in his book, Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change. Hagee also believes that these unusual moons will have a great significance for Israel due to them appearing around various Jewish holidays.

Perhaps Pastor Hagee is right when it comes to natural change, because with these Blood Moons has come many natural disasters around the world. The following list enumerates the various natural phenomena occurring the past year:

Natural Disasters since April, 2014	Number Worldwide
Tornadoes (F2 or greater)	108
Volcanoes (active eruption)	30
Cyclones (Category 2 or greater)	10
Hurricanes (Category 3 or greater)	10
Earthquakes (magnitude greater than 6.5)	63
Floods/Landslides (more than 15 death toll )	45
Floods/Landslides (more than 2,000 displaced )	44
Major Winter Storms/Blizzards (USA only)	26

According to the Evangelical preacher, God is getting ready to show such signs in the heavens once again. "There's a sense in the world that things are changing and God is trying to communicate with us in a supernatural way," Hagee told CBN News.   

John Hagee also predicted... "I believe that in these next two years, we're going to see something dramatic happen in the Middle East involving Israel that will change the course of history in the Middle East and impact the whole world."

Pastor John Hagee

Whether the predictions for the celestial signs implicating change for Israel will come to fruition in our modern world, mankind will have to wait and see after the last of the Blood Moon tetrad occurs on September 28, 2015. But it cannot be denied that the natural disasters occurring around the world are happening more often and, in many cases, more fierce than ever before.

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea." (Luke 21:25) 

 "The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night." (Revelation 8:12)

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UPDATED ON 9/30/2015......

Commentary By The Editor:

I regularly check this website and various articles that I have already written to make sure the photos, charts, etc. are still visible on the site. Once in a while they just disappear! I replace them and go to check the next article...

When checking this particular story, I was somewhat bemused to discover the video of Pastor John Hagee had not only been removed, but the entire account had been "terminated" completely from YouTube! Why? Then I found this verse while questioning such motives.

"The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;" ~ Mark 4:14-16

So here is an updated video for my readers to ponder upon...

   John Hagee 2015, Four Blood Moons - COUNTDOWN: Special Program -- April 04, 2015

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Natural Disasters April, 2015 - September 2015	Number Worldwide
Tornadoes (F2 or greater) (USA only)	31
Volcanoes (active eruption as of 9/30/2015)	39
Cyclones (Category 2 or greater)	unavailable
Hurricanes (Category 3 or greater)	14
Earthquakes (magnitude greater than 6.5)	32
Floods/Landslides (more than 15 death toll )	14

Note: Combined total of natural disasters between April, 2014 and September, 2015 equaled 466.