Gary discusses a recent article by a Jesuit priest claiming that Donald Trump is the “antichrist.”
Saint Martin of Tours, who died in A.D. 397, wrote of the coming antichrist whose reign would signify the last days. His prediction sounds strangely familiar. “Non est dubium, quin antichristus…. There is no doubt that the antichrist has already been born. Firmly established already in his early years, he will, after reaching maturity, achieve supreme power.” Christians should repudiate the writings of anyone who speculates that the antichrist is a contemporary figure. Such speculation is biblically unsound, as will become evident as we survey the passages used to make the identification.
Why all the confusion over who the antichrist is? The confusion arises because of two misconceptions: (1) treating divergent biblical references as if they all refer to the same person thereby creating a composite figure that is not found in Scripture; and (2) mistaking the time period in which these divergent figures are to appear.
A Composite Modern-Day Antichrist
The antichrist of today’s speculative theology combines the characteristics of Daniel’s “prince who is to come” and other features from the book of Daniel (9:26; 7:7–8, 19–26; 8:23–25); elements from Matthew and Daniel’s “abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15; Dan. 9:27); Paul’s “man of lawlessness” (2 Thess. 2:3); John’s “antichrist” language (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7); and John’s “beast” (Rev. 13:11–18).
This futurized composite antichrist supposedly will make himself known after the rapture of the church during the seven-year tribulation. It is speculated that he will arise out of Europe since he arises out of the midst of the “ten horns” on the head of the “fourth beast” (Dan. 7:7–8, 19–26). Others believe that he is Jewish. This “fourth beast” with its “ten horns” is said to be a revived Roman Empire. This is the same beast that rises out of the sea of Revelation 13 (verses 1–10). Some believe the beast or antichrist must be a Jew since he will come “up out of the earth” or land (Rev. 13:11). Others believe that since he arises out of the sea, a designation for Gentile nations, he must be a Gentile (cf. Isa. 57:20).
The modern antichrist is pictured as a charismatic political figure, the perfect media man. In the 1960s, John F. Kennedy seemed to fit all the criteria for a modern-day antichrist, and his mortal head wound clinched it for many gullible Christians. The antichrist purportedly will have the eloquence of a Winston Churchill (Rev. 13:5) and the raw emotion and crowd appeal of an Adolf Hitler (Dan. 7:20; 8:23).
The conjecture which surrounds this figure continues with amazing detail based on scant biblical evidence. The antichrist will come to prominence as part of a ten-nation confederation approximating the land area of the old Roman Empire. Initially he will gain control through war, subduing three of the powers in the confederation. Some speculate that the ten-nation confederation will begin with thirteen. Once he secures power, he will pursue avenues of peace like Hitler (Dan. 8:25). His talk of peace will be attractive to an apostate Christianity (1 Thess. 5:3). As with Hitler who made peace with the “Holy See” of Rome, these overtures of peace will act like sedatives on the people.
As a man of peace, the antichrist will make a covenant with the Jews guaranteeing them peace and security in their own land. In the middle of the covenant period, he will break the covenant and turn on the Jews. He will then make war with the Jewish saints and will overcome them (Rev. 13:17; Dan. 7:21). Of course, during this three-and-one-half year period of time two-thirds of the Jews living in Palestine will be killed (Zech. 13:8–9). Since he hates God, the antichrist will blaspheme God and His tabernacle (Rev. 13:6).
According to this elaborate scenario, the world will be living under a tyranny directed by Satan through his beast-antichrist and false prophet. Each and every person will be stamped with the dreaded 666! This recipe for disaster will eventually lead to Armageddon where all the nations of the world will be brought against Israel. Only the return of Christ will save Israel and the world.
Last Days Madness
In this authoritative book, Gary DeMar clears the haze of "end-times" fever, shedding light on the most difficult and studied prophetic passages in the Bible, including Daniel 7:13-14; 9:24-27; Matt. 16:27-28; 24-25; Thess. 2; 2 Peter 3:3-13, and clearly explaining a host of other controversial topics.
Buy NowGary is recording from his basement because the usual recording studio is occupied. He takes the time to discuss a recent article by a Jesuit priest claiming that Donald Trump is the “antichrist.” As usual, these writers never mention previous failed claims (many, many of them) as well as never defining “antichrist” biblically.