Could the Antichrist be the Islamic Mahdi?

[ChristopherHall]

[My apologies to the Moderators, this will be a long one. Please forgive me. But I think this will be an interesting discussion.]

All the years I’ve been saved I’ve always read that the Antichrist will be the president of the European Union. I know some close brothers who believe the Antichrist will be Secretary General of the UN. I’ve read that a few think he will be a US President and then there are yet fewer today who think the Antichrist might be a future Pope.

But I’ve been reading some things recently that have caused me to consider another possibility that I think is very interesting, especially considering current events around the world. I don’t think we will ever know for certain who will be the Antichrist or what his platform of power will be until he is revealed. But I think all possibilities should be looked at and discussed.

In 2001 America was shocked back into reality when Islamic terrorists flew planes into the WTC and the Pentagon. Sadly all the warning signs were there. For decades Islamic Fundamentalists have been escalating their activities throughout the world, breathing out threats against the US. Today the US is engaged in military operations larger than anything we’ve seen since WWII primarily in areas where Islam is dominant. Islamic militants appear to be growing in number every day and our intelligence experts warn that eventually we will be attacked again…possibly with more devastating results than what was seen on 9/11. Muslims come from several different schools of thought and some are very peaceful people, however the seeds of militant Islam are found at the very core of their faith and tradition. Also consider this; Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.

The Fundamental Schools of Islam and Islamic tradition speak of a sort of messiah that will appear in the last days of human history. In Islamic tradition this messiah is known as “al Mahdi”. However al Mahdi will not come to bring peace, he is a man of war and deception who will lead all Muslims to wage global war against Jews and infidels (non-Jews). Interestingly Islamic tradition teaches that not only will there be the al Mahdi, but also that Jesus will return to assist him, claiming to only be his prophet (the false prophet?). Here is a list of what Islamic tradition teaches about their coming, al Mahdi. As you read this list, please compare the Islamic “messiah” to what the Bible teaches regarding the Antichrist:

The Mahdi will be a descendant of Muhammad and will bear Muhammad’s name (Muhammad bin Abdullah).
The Mahdi will be a very devout Muslim.
The Mahdi will be an unparalleled spiritual, political and military world leader.
The Mahdi will emerge after a period of great turmoil and suffering upon the earth.
The Mahdi will establish justice and righteousness throughout the world and eradicate tyranny and oppression.
The Mahdi will be the Caliph and Imam (vice-regent and leader) of Muslims worldwide
The Mahdi will lead a world revolution and establish a new world order.
The Mahdi will lead military action against all those who oppose him.
The Mahdi will invade many countries.
The Mahdi will make a seven year peace treaty with a Jew of priestly lineage.
The Mahdi will conquer Israel for Islam and lead the “faithful Muslims” in a final slaughter/battle against Jews.
The Mahdi will establish the new Islamic world headquarters from Jerusalem.
The Mahdi will rule for seven years (possibly as much as eight or nine).
The Mahdi will cause Islam to be the only religion practiced on the earth.
The Mahdi will appear riding a white horse (possibly symbolic).
The Mahdi will discover some previously undiscovered biblical manuscripts that he will use to argue with the Jews and cause some Jews to convert to Islam.
The Mahdi will also re-discover the Ark of the Covenant from the Sea of Galilee, which he will bring to Jerusalem.
The Mahdi will have supernatural power from Allah over the wind and the rain and crops.
The Mahdi will posses and distribute enormous amounts of wealth.
The Mahdi will be loved by all the people of the earth.

After reading this list I shocked at how the Islamic savior, al Mahdi, fits the description of the Antichrist described in the Bible. I was left seriously wondering, could Islam be the geopolitical/religious base of the Antichrist’s global agenda? Will the Antichrist be the Islamic Mahdi?

What are some of your thoughts?