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?

[mfblume]

There is no biblical "The Antichrist." You must mean "The Beast".

[ChristopherHall]

Praise the Lord Bro. Blume! I'm approaching it from a Futurist perspective...but of course you knew that. lol

[ChristopherHall]

How can I edit the original post? I was wanting to rename it, "Could the Antichrist Claim to be the Islamic Mahdi?"

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

Praise the Lord Bro. Blume! I'm approaching it from a Futurist perspective...but of course you knew that. lol

Oh, yes. I was just pointing out that title THE ANTICHRIST is a misnomer for the Beast. 1 John's antichrist has nothing to do with a world secular and military leader. That's all.

[Parson]

There is no biblical "The Antichrist."

Hi Bro Blume


I am sure that you are aware that THE ANTI-CHRIST is the title given to the man of sin.

The reason is because of the actions of the man of sin.

He opposes God.
Anti-Christ is defined as one that OPPOSES CHRIST.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The fact that the MAN OF SIN---opposes God makes him not only a man of sin....but ANTICHRISTOS.....

As to who he is..........

As John Gill states, this man of sin cannot be credited to a Roman.

nor is any particular emperor of Rome intended, as Caius Caligula, or Nero, for though these were monsters of iniquity, and set up themselves as gods, yet they sat not in the temple of God; nor is Simon Magus designed, who was a very wicked man, a sorcerer, and who gave out himself to be some great one, and was called the great power of God, before big profession of faith in Christ; and afterwards affirmed that he was God, the Father in Samaria

Nor can the leader of the 70 AD Jewish revolt against Rome be called the man of sin.

The ANTICHRISTOS is an an opponent of the Messiah:

Allow me to place emphasis upon the fact that the antichristos is AN OPPONENT---------------OF CHRIST.

The actions that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD were actually bringing about the prophecy of Christ...not fighting or opposing Christ.


The Jewish leader of the revolt---John---(as suggested by some preterists)...............cared nothing about Christ....only the freedom of the nation of Israel.

Nor does any of his actions fulfill the prophecy of Paul.

shewing himself that he is God

The ESV reads it this way

who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

No one in the Jewish revolt proclaimed himself to BE GOD. Doing so would get you crucified on a cross. The Jews were not accepting those that made such claims of divinity.


That is why Jesus was crucified.


Blessings


Parson

[Parson]

Hi Bro Hall

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?

The whole world is looking for someone (a man) to resolve the issues that concern us all.

Consider that the 20th Century had two world wars, and a very few years where war was not being engaged.

The 21st Century has brought terrorism to the forefront.

It appears that the Cold War is warming up again.

As to whether the Anti-Christ would be Muslim.........I doubt it.

Old Apostolic scholars thought the AC would be Jewish.

Pre-Apostolic scholars pointed to the Pope as the Anti-Christ.

Whether you call him Anti-Christ or The Beast---his role and demise is certain.


Blessings


Parson

[sola gratia]

deeper study reveals he is in fact the anti-christ.. not to mention the false Jesus who follows him, and tells all of Christianity to follow the Mahadi- it's shocking the more you study it!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Parson

Hi Bro Blume


I am sure that you are aware that THE ANTI-CHRIST is the title given to the man of sin.

Mistakenly, since he can be called "AN" antichrist, but there is no specific THE antichrist.

The reason is because of the actions of the man of sin.

He opposes God.
Anti-Christ is defined as one that OPPOSES CHRIST.

The fact that the MAN OF SIN---opposes God makes him not only a man of sin....but ANTICHRISTOS.....

ANTICHRIST is only mentioned by John as being a spirit with MANY manifestations. And John said nothing about the definition except it is a spirit that denies Jesus came in the flesh. Yes, this covers many examples in various forms. But to say THE antichrist as we have heard it is to promote a tradition that has somewhat departed from actual scriptural meaning. We cannot depart from the explicit biblical definitions in 1 John and consider it apart from John's definition. There is no inkling of a military world leader in 1 John. It is a religious issue, not secular.

As to who he is..........


Nor can the leader of the 70 AD Jewish revolt against Rome be called the man of sin.

The ANTICHRISTOS is an an opponent of the Messiah:

Allow me to place emphasis upon the fact that the antichristos is AN OPPONENT---------------OF CHRIST.

The actions that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD were actually bringing about the prophecy of Christ...not fighting or opposing Christ.

For that reason we see no ANTICHRIST associated with AD70 other than Israel's rejection of Him as Messiah and God incarnate.

God bless!

[Parson]

Hi Bro Blume!

The man of sin, son of perdition, and the Anti-Christ are only terms for the same individual.

You will have to admit that the MAN OF SIN would indeed be an anti-christ.

The problem with preterism is that they cannot find a fulfillment of this individual....this anti-christ, man of son, son of perdition.


I disagree with those that try to place an face on this man. But that is another story.

The ISBE staes this: The reason why each age has had its fresh interpretation identifying the man of sin with the blasphemous powers of evil then most active is the fact that the prophecy has never yet found its complete accomplishment. The man of sin has never been fully revealed, and Christ has never finally destroyed him.

One may ignore the term anti-christ in favor of man of sin...but you cannot ignore that this individual is yet in our future.

2 Thes. 2:9 (NIV)
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,


2 Thes. 2:9-10 (NRSV)
The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, [10] and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.


2 Thes. 2:9-10 (NASB)
that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, [10] 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.

None of these things occurred in 70
AD.

Also, Bro Blume, please compare this scripture with your 1 John passage.

2 Thes. 2:7 (NIV)
For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.


or for the purists--------2 Thes. 2:7 (KJV)
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.


this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Paul stated that AN INDIVIDUAL would come in the spirit of iniquity. John stated the same thing....in a different verbage. Spirit of Anti-Christ---spirit of lawlessness---it is the same thing.

(CEV) Children, this is the last hour. You heard that the enemy of Christ would appear at this time, and many of Christ's enemies have already appeared. So we know that the last hour is here.

And please note

THE enemy of Christ---and not just AN enemy of Christ.

1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Note that antichrist is singular....not plural.

The teaching was that ONE would come who was THE ENEMY of Christ---and this spirit was prevailing during their time....as there were many who were anti-christ.

Call him what you will.......but he is in our future...


Blessings

Parson