Antichrist = Antimessiah?

[Old man]

I think this is where this should go. We'll see.

I have seen several references on this forum to the “Antichrist” coming as or trying to pass himself off as the Messiah. I have yet to find any scriptures that indicate this to be true. It is also true that I have yet to memorize the entire Bible so there may be some but I am not aware of any. This being so and because there is (I believe) scriptures that make this idea hard for me to accept I would like to take this thread to explain and perhaps get some feed back on an idea that I am forming about this subject.

It starts with one of the reasons why the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah (there were several reasons). In Matt. 11:13-14 Jesus tells His disciples that John is “Elijah who was to come.” Add to this what He says about John being Elijah in Matt 17:10-13 in which he admits in verse 11 that Elijah is coming and will restore all things but then clarifies that Elijah had already come (referring to John as being Elijah. See Matt 11:13-14 and 17:13.)

Mal 4:5 "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.
Mal 4:6 "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse."

Mat 11:13 "For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
Mat 11:14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.

Mat 17:10 And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
Mat 17:11 And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things;
Mat 17:12 but I say to you that Elijah already came,and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."
Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

The Jews did not recognized or accept that John was or could be Elijah who was to prepare the way for the Lord i.e. “Restore all things” and therefore did not accept Jesus as the Messiah whom John pointed out to be the savior. (This is only one of the reasons they rejected Him) Because they did not see John as being the one coming in the spirit of Elijah the Jews are still waiting for him to show up and prepare the way for their Messiah to come.

Can it be said that although they are “waiting” for their Messiah to come they are actually “looking” for Elijah to show up first. In fact they set a place for him at their Passover seder in anticipation of his coming. They expect him to come first. The first question is would they receive anyone as the Messiah who is not preceded by Elijah first? If not then in order for the “Antichrist” to be accepted as the Messiah, Elijah (or someone posing as him) would have to come first.

I have been wondering if the “Antichrist” will come first claiming to be Elijah.

Here is a sequence of events of how this would work if he comes not claiming to be the Messiah but instead claiming to be Elijah.

1. A war is fought with Israel by the nations around her in which God intervenes and destroys 9/10 of the armies that come against her (i.e. Libya, Ethiopia, Syria, Turkey, Iran, etc. All those of the Eze. 38 prophecy)
2. The “Antichrist” is raised from the dead or healed from a fatal wound of the head that is humanly and technologically impossible to heal or treat.
   
   1. Rev 13:3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;
   2. 1 and 2 do not really have to fall in that order. The miracle of God’s intervention in the war in close proximity time-wise, would just add credence to the legitimacy of the “Antichrist” being Elijah and from God regardless whether it happens before or after his healing. Satan will use that event to slip his own guy in there.
   
   
3. The “Antichrist” changes his name to reflect the name the number of which is 666.
   
   1. This is to reflect the Biblical precedence of a name being change after an encounter with God. Examples: Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Paul, Matthew, Peter, Barnabas, the new names mentioned for those who overcome see letter to the angel of Pergamum (Rev. 2:17.)
   2. His encounter of coarse was not with God but Satan (i.e. the red dragon Rev. 13:1-2 ) but the name change would be reflective of a name changed by God. Whether he renames himself or Satan gives him the name ?????
   
   
4. The “Antichrist” claiming to be Elijah (as supported by the two previously mentioned miracles) establishes a peace treaty with the surrounding nations that are still smarting from the whooping they got. (Would signing a peace treaty with them constitute a miracle? No one yet has been able to establish one.)
   
   1. Dan 9:27 "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."
   
   
5. Now that peace is established by him in the region he (in the authority of Elijah who is to “restore all things”) gives the “go ahead” to rebuild the temple so that the messiah whose arrival is imminent (as evidenced by the arrival of “Elijah”) can suddenly appear in it.
   
   1. Mal 3:1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts.
   
   
6. When the temple is built and sacrifices are reestablished he himself goes into the temple and declares himself, not messiah but god. He only needs the excuse of building the temple for the messiah in order to build it for himself, he doesn’t need to claim that he is the messiah.
   
   1. 2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
   
   
7. The Jews and of coarse Christians will automatically reject and renounce him thus bringing his wrath upon them and he will be given the authority to overcome them.
   
   1. Rev 13:7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.
   
   

That’s it for now; although, there is more but I’ll wait to see what’s left of this part after whatever input is given.
Please be merciful!

[jeffweeder]

I have been wondering if the “Antichrist” will come first claiming to be Elijah.

That would be odd, when it is Elijahs role to prepare the way for the Messiah / Christ.

[John 8:32]

That would be odd, when it is Elijahs role to prepare the way for the Messiah / Christ.

Actually it may not be odd, Jesus warns us that many would come claiming they are Christ...

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

It would not surprise me to see false Elijah's. There have been some already who have claimed to be Elijah. Check with your local clergy and they will verify this.

[Fenris]

This is an interesting topic. Since Jews are mentioned, what do people here think the messiah would have to accomplish to be "believable" to the Jews?

[the rookie]

This is an interesting topic. Since Jews are mentioned, what do people here think the messiah would have to accomplish to be "believable" to the Jews?

In light of that question, A.W. Pink (late 19th / early 20th century theologian) was convinced that the Antichrist would be Jewish. Others have shared this viewpoint over the years. Micah 5:5, however, mentions "the Assyrian" in context to "in that day" (Mic. 5:10), or the day of deliverance and restoration at the coming of Messiah. Meaning, could a deceiver who seduces some in Israel be as potent as an "Islamic ally" bringing a supposed unprecedented peace in the Middle East? Would he have to be Jewish or could the "little horn" be an Islamic / Turkish political giant with the ability to bring the Islamic world into a real (but false) peace with Israel? There seems to be much more biblical weight behind that kind of scenario versus a Jewish "anti-messiah".

When Jesus spoke of "false messiahs" (along with "false prophets") in Matthew 24, it seemed to be in context to the false promises of justice and deliverance as well, looking to deceive the Jewish people. I would guess that these "lesser lights" (compared to the Micah 5 "Assyrian") could be Jewish. Just my little speculation

[Fenris]

Just my little speculation

An good exposition, thank you.

[John 8:32]

In light of that question, A.W. Pink (late 19th / early 20th century theologian) was convinced that the Antichrist would be Jewish. Others have shared this viewpoint over the years. Micah 5:5, however, mentions "the Assyrian" in context to "in that day" (Mic. 5:10), or the day of deliverance and restoration at the coming of Messiah. Meaning, could a deceiver who seduces some in Israel be as potent as an "Islamic ally" bringing a supposed unprecedented peace in the Middle East? Would he have to be Jewish or could the "little horn" be an Islamic / Turkish political giant with the ability to bring the Islamic world into a real (but false) peace with Israel? There seems to be much more biblical weight behind that kind of scenario versus a Jewish "anti-messiah".

When Jesus spoke of "false messiahs" (along with "false prophets") in Matthew 24, it seemed to be in context to the false promises of justice and deliverance as well, looking to deceive the Jewish people. I would guess that these "lesser lights" (compared to the Micah 5 "Assyrian") could be Jewish. Just my little speculation

In the past, the Assyrians have been the antithesis of Israel. As long as we are speculating, we might as well speculate that Assyria will once again be the rod of God's anger. Wouldn't the little horn be represented by a false religion again working together with a political/military beast?

[the rookie]

In the past, the Assyrians have been the antithesis of Israel. As long as we are speculating, we might as well speculate that Assyria will once again be the rod of God's anger. Wouldn't the little horn be represented by a false religion again working together with a political/military beast?

Yes and yes. Though "Assyria" + "Babylon" + "Greece" ( + three other empires) = "End Time Rod of God's Anger"

[John 8:32]

This is an interesting topic. Since Jews are mentioned, what do people here think the messiah would have to accomplish to be "believable" to the Jews?

Would He have to establish the Kingdom and fulfill the prophecies? You know which I am speaking of here.

[Fenris]

Would He have to establish the Kingdom and fulfill the prophecies? You know which I am speaking of here.

What kingdom...?

[John 8:32]

What kingdom...?

Isa 2, Isa 4, Isa 11, Mic 4, Zech 12, 14 etc.

[Fenris]

Isa 2, Isa 4, Isa 11, Mic 4, Zech 12, 14 etc.

Ezekiel 37.......?

[John 8:32]

Ezekiel 37.......?

Yes that one, when David is resurrected to rule over the united 12 tribes again. When the temple of Ezek 40-48 is built. When Isa 65 is realized...

Isa 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isa 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
Isa 65:21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
Isa 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isa 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
Isa 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Isa 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

[Fenris]

Yes that one, when David is resurrected to rule over the united 12 tribes again.

"David" is understood to mean the line of king David, not the man himself.

[John 8:32]

"David" is understood to mean the line of king David, not the man himself.

I understand it to mean a resurrected David and that Ezek 37 is a literal resurrection of the House of Israel in light of the coming of Christ as Messiah. We sometimes see things differently, my friend.