The Antichrist - a Muslim?
I was always taught that the antichrist would be a European, and most likely an atheist/humanist. This is based on Daniel 9:26 (NIV) since the people who destroyed the Temple after the Messiah were the Romans.
However, research suggests that the armies who had Jerusalem under siege were not ethnic Romans, they were mostly from Syria, Egypt and that area - specifically Arabs and Syrians. The word "people" (Heb = am) in "people of the ruler will come" designates ethnic, not national identity. There is also an interesting passage in Micah 5 which says that "Assyrians" will invade, and be defeated by Jesus Christ Himself. This is interesting given that Christians believe that the Antichrist will invade Israel and will be defeated by Jesus at the Second Coming.
Furthermore, Muslims (largely Shia, but Sunnis also believe this) are awaiting a leader known as Al Mahdi (Lit "The Guided One). He is an interesting character. Most sources have him coming from Iran, to destroy Israel, to unite Muslims politically into a new Caliphate, convert all people to Islam and will in effect persecute Jews and Christians who don't convert. He will rule for 7 years (some sources say longer, 7 is the majority view) and is identified as a rider on a white horse - some Muslim scholars say they see Al Mahdi in Revelation 6:2.
This is an amazing mirror image of the Biblical Antichrist - ironically that's who the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6:2 is! In the Bible the Antichrist is a military leader, who has an empire, calls people to one religion, persecutes Jews and Christians and has a 7 year treaty with Israel (which he will break half way through).
Here's another thing - Al Mahdi warns that the Dajjal (the Islamic Antichrist) will appear, defend Jerusalem with the Jews, and will persuade them that he is Jesus the Messiah. Muslims are warned to flee from him and ignore everything he says. Interestingly the Bible says Jesus will defend Jerusalem, and will convince many Jews of who he truly is.
The Rapture - When?
I was always taught that there will be a rapture of God's people just before the 7 year Tribulation. I've been looking at this again, and am less and less convinced that this is what the Bible is teaching. There is no clear verse which says Jesus will have a 2-stage return. Historically Christians have not believed in a rapture that precedes the Second Coming - they have always been seen as the same event. Jesus gathers his people to himself at the Second Coming.
I've been thinking about what the effects of the belief in a pre-trib rapture would mean. I think it leaves Christians unprepared for the suffering that is coming. Corrie Ten Boom said that she believes that the pre-trib rapture is a false teaching, and ignores the tribulation that 60% of the Church is already experiencing, and leaves us unprepared for the horrors that are coming. She has a point.
If you have read up on any of this, and have any thoughts, please let me know what you think - this is a very interesting area of Bible Study!
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