Who could the AntiChrist and the Messiah be?

Introduction:

The fact that you are you and not me, and I am me and not you and together we can agree that we share 'something' that is neither of us, means there is something and therefore, not nothing.

-  Big Chief Shadowhawk

Firstly, let it be known that I am not a student of the Bible or scripture, nor am I a luddite. This article is not religious jargon ordained by the God Squad but based on common sense insanity. The Bible references herein were ‘Googled’ however, being a former catholic altar boy… I get the Jesus gist. I’m not buying all the hype and don't even believe God is A sexual, but I get the message: Be Good; or be prepared to pay the price for being bad. However, recent occurrences do make me wonder about the last chapter of the Bible: The Revelations. It also makes me further ponder the question of causality… how much are we buying into the culture we have been brought up in that is leading us towards some dumb format of an 'End Times' scenario.

The return of the Antichrist is a major event prophesied in the Bible. Apparently, it is a time when a great deceiver will arise and lead many astray. HE will be a powerful, charismatic leader who will pose as the Messiah and perform great miracles and wonders. However, his ultimate goal will be to deceive and destroy humanity.

The Bible provides many details about the Antichrist's return. In the book of Revelation, he is described as a "beast" who will come out of the sea and have "seven heads and ten horns" (Revelation 13:1). He will be given "great authority" by the dragon (Satan) and will "wage war against God's holy people" (Revelation 13:2-7). We have yet to decipher and identify exactly which precise set of God bothering holy fanatics these are as yet... as they all think they are it!

The Antichrist will also be a master of deception. He will "perform great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of the people" (Revelation 13:13). He will also "deceive the inhabitants of the earth by the signs that he has been given power to do on behalf of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived" (Revelation 13:14-15).

Many people believe that the Antichrist and Messiah are already alive, on earth and working behind the scenes this very day! Oddly, current geopolitics and world events  really do make the probability ever more so real. People and pundits point to the rise of globalism, the decline of Christianity, and the increasing popularity of false religions as evidence that the end times are near... but what is actually meant by 'end times and false religions... nuclear war and scientology?'

Here is a summary of documented facts about the Antichrist's return as collated with the Bible revelations:

• The Antichrist will be a powerful and charismatic leader who will pose as the Messiah.
• He will perform great miracles and wonders, but his ultimate goal will be to deceive and destroy humanity.
• He will have "seven heads and ten horns" and will be given "great authority" by the dragon (Satan).
• He will "wage war against God's holy people" and will "deceive the inhabitants of the earth by the signs that he has been given power to do."
• His return will be a major event prophesied in the Bible, but it is not known when it will happen.

There are many different interpretations of the Bible prophecies about the Antichrist:- some people believe that he is a literal person who will arise in the end times, while others believe that he is a symbol of evil or a composite figure who represents all of the forces that oppose God… not that anyone would know what either would look like.

Regardless of how one interprets the prophecies, the Bible predicts the coming of, or return of a great deceiver and putting this in light of the Antichrist and the Current Geopolitical Situation, it makes for an interesting scenario… the stage definitely seems set; many point to the current geopolitical situation as evidence.

One of the key signs of the Antichrist's return is the rise of globalism. The Bible describes the Antichrist as a "world ruler" who will have "authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation" (Revelation 13:7). This is similar to the current trend towards globalization, where international organizations and corporations are becoming increasingly powerful.

Another sign of the Antichrist's return is the decline of Christianity... the dichotomy of this being, Christians believe they are the holy ones... is this the irony of having the consensus of Western mainstream media opinion? Revelation state the Antichrist will "wage war against God's holy people" (Revelation 13:7), not that Christians are God’s holy people but … Kool-aid.

Finally, the Bible says that the Antichrist will perform great miracles and wonders (Revelation 13:13). This could be interpreted as a reference to the technological advancements that we are seeing today. For example, some people believe that artificial intelligence could be used to create powerful illusions that could deceive people into believing that the Antichrist is a god or even that Ai itself, is a God. 

The current geopolitical situation does raise some concerns. The rise of globalism, the decline of Christianity, and the advancement of technology could all be seen as signs of the end times.

Here are some specific examples of how the current geopolitical situation could be seen as a fulfillment of Bible prophecies about the Antichrist:

The rise of the European Union could be seen as a fulfillment of the prophecy that the Antichrist will establish a "revived Roman Empire" (Revelation 17:12).

The increasing popularity of authoritarian leaders around the world could be seen as a fulfillment of the prophecy that the Antichrist will be a "tyrant" (Revelation 13:1).

The use of propaganda and misinformation by governments and corporations could be seen as a fulfillment of the prophecy that the Antichrist will deceive the "inhabitants of the earth" (Revelation 13:14).

Again, it is important to remember that there are many different interpretations of Bible prophecy. Some people believe that these events are merely signs of the times, while others believe that they are a direct fulfillment of prophecy.

Ultimately, only God knows when the Antichrist will return; or does he? (or it). However, the current geopolitical situation does raise some concerns. We should be vigilant and watch for the signs of his coming... just to hedge our bets. 

The Bible has several references to the Antichrist returning like a thief in the night:

Revelation 16:15 says, “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”

Matthew 24:43 says, “But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2 says, “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

The Bible prophecies reveal or are interpreted such that God has a plan for the Middle East, and that He will intervene in the affairs of the nations to fulfill His purpose.
The Bible prophecies also show that the Middle East will be the scene of the final conflict between the forces of good and evil, and that Jerusalem will be the center of God’s Kingdom on earth¹²³⁴⁵

The causality of today’s geopolitical situation in the Middle East is influenced by many factors, such as history, culture, religion, politics, economics, and natural resources. This causality is also complex and dynamic, as events can have multiple and unpredictable effects, and effects can become causes for further events. It is also circular and feedback-driven, as actions can trigger reactions and counteractions.

The comparison and contrast between the Bible prophecies and the causality of today’s geopolitical situation in the Middle East can be analysed for(ever?) but the reality is such that it is hard to disseminate; from the river from the sea, in cultural and geopolitical terms until you view the current geopolitical situation biblically. ... who cares whether it is causality or God either way, it's happening!

Here's a Summary:  

• The Bible prophecies are based on God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge, while the causality of today’s geopolitical situation is based on human agency and uncertainty.
• The Bible prophecies are linear and progressive, while the causality of today’s geopolitical situation is nonlinear and chaotic.
• The Bible prophecies are convergent and coherent, while the causality of today’s geopolitical situation is divergent and contradictory.
• The Bible prophecies are deterministic and inevitable, while the causality of today’s geopolitical situation is contingent and probabilistic.
• The Bible prophecies are normative and prescriptive, while the causality of today’s geopolitical situation is descriptive and explanatory.

The implication of this comparison and contrast is that we need to understand both the Bible prophecies and the causality of today’s geopolitical situation in order to have a balanced and comprehensive perspective on the Middle East. We also need to recognize that God may be in control of history but men write the history books. As is written; He will bring about His will in His time and way (?) but until then we need to realize our own responsibility to act according to a moral standard taught by the God's botherers, whether you are a believer or not... 1 Rule, forget the rest; it is obvious humanity cannot get it's head around 10 so let's try just 1: Thou shalt not kill. ... we can figure the rest out from there!