The Anti-Christ

I’ve been asked this quite a few times recently, particularly when Tony Blair became part of the “Quartet” for the Middle East.
The question is…is Tony Blair a possible for the anti-christ position?

Very interesting situation – I’m going to post 2 answers to deal with this. The first will discuss the position Tony Blair finds himself in.

The second will be two near-exhaustive lists of the information we can cull from Scripture about the nature and timing of the Antichrist.

(You can just read through these, but might I recommend highlighting them, then copying and pasting into a Word Document so you can have them on your own computer for future reference.)

Tony Blair, in his new position does fulfill some of the characteristics and possible future characteristics which are associated with the person of the Antichrist in Scripture.

So, for example, he has been put into this position, not by his own power, but by the power of others. Dan 8 24 He will be in a position where he may, in the future, negotiate an agreement which fulfills prophecy. Dan 9 27 He has been very successful, and may continue to be so. Dan 8 24 He has just (December 07) converted to Catholicism, centred on Rome. Rev 17 3, 9, 18 He is a Gentile, from a European Nation. Dan 9 26

However, at this moment, few of the other characteristics seem to fit. He will have to do more signs and wonders to convince me!

Here’s the first of two lists:

Characteristics of the Antichrist – Categorised by type

His descent and background

He has connections with God’s people, but doesn’t really belong 1 Jn 2 19
He will rise from the background of the people who destroy the city (in AD 70) – The Roman Empire or its descendant. Dan 9 26
He will NOT be of royal blood, which implies that he masquerades as royal. Dan 11 21
He will serve a god unknown to his forebears, implying he is of Hebrew descent. Dan 11 38
The beast (who is the antichrist) rises from the “sea” – the Gentile nations. Rev 13 1
He will control Gentile forces. Rev 11 2
His power is expressed in seven regions. Rev 13 1
He will have background connections with Greece, Russia, and Britain. Rev 13 2
He will have associations with an evil system, ruling over the world, centred on a city which sits on seven hills. Rev 17 3, 9, 18

His character
He will be a boastful character. Dan 7 8
He will be wicked. Dan 8 23
He will be a fierce and stern ruler. Dan 8 23
But he will also be a master of intrigue, so that his true nature will not easily be seen. Dan 8 23
He will be so deceitful, he will even deceive God’s people. Mt 24 4
He will appear very successful. Dan 8 24
He will think he is greater than all others. Dan 8 25
He will be a contemptible person. Dan 11 21
He will confidently lie to those who support him. Dan 11 32
He will move quickly, but be immensely strong and will sound frightening. Rev 13 2

His abilities
He will do all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders which will deceive the careless onlooker. 2 Thess 2 9
Great signs and miracles are “normal” signs of Antichrist activity. Matt 24 24
He will be empowered directly by satan. Rev 13 2

His beliefs
He denies the Father and the Son 1 Jn 2 22
He will speak against God. Dan 7 25
He will set up the Temple to promote worship of himself. Dan 11 31
Those who oppose him face death. Dan 11 33
He will proclaim himself to be God. Dan 11 36, 37
He will blaspheme against God. Dan 11 36, 37
We will know him by what he says about himself – proclaiming himself to be God 2 Thess 2 4
His god is called a god of “Fortresses”. This word is also used for the helmet of armour, so possibly an “armoured” god. Dan 11 38
He will serve a foreign god. Dan 11 39
The god he serves will have the capacity to help him to win battles. Dan 11 39
His rule speaks of blasphemy. Rev 13 1
He will speak boastfully about himself, and blasphemously against God. Rev 13 5

The timing of his appearance
The Holy Spirit is holding him back at present 2 Thess 2 6, 7
The timing of his appearance will be with rebellion (against God) and at the start of the “Day of the Lord” 2 Thess 2 3
We must watch for a grouping of ten rulers. Dan 7 7, 24
A time of deception and falling away from godliness will precede the Antichrist’s coming. Matt 24 12
Despite this, Jesus advises us to watch for a global announcement of the Gospel (Internet?) Matt 24 14
Jesus advises us to watch for the sign of desecration of the Temple. Matt 24 15
That will herald a time of great trouble brought by the Antichrist. Matt 24 21
Seven rulers must pass away before the antichrist takes his place upon the throne. Rev 17 10, 11
Ten rulers will also rule at the same time as the Antichrist. Rev 17 12
They will all serve the Antichrist. Rev 17 13

His rise
He will rise to great power, not by his own strength, but by external force. Dan 8 24
Only a small number of people will bring about his rise to power. Dan 11 23
He will be a “Little” ruler at first. Dan 7 8
He will become a large “beastly” force. Dan 7 23
He will overthrow three of the ten nations. Dan 7 8, 24
He will arrange a special agreement between Middle East enemies. Dan 9 27
The agreement will be for a term of seven years. Dan 9 27
He will break this agreement after three and a half years. Dan 9 27
He will break it by taking over the Temple as a place to worship him. Dan 9 27
He will control ten other rulers. Rev 13 1
He will be attacked, apparently fatally. Rev 13 3
But he will miraculously recover, which will astonish the whole world. Rev 13 3
This will cause people to worship him. Rev 13 3, 4
He will rise to rule the whole world. Rev 13 7
Only God’s own faithful people will not worship him. Rev 13 8

Other items which must be in place
The Temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt. 2 Thess 2 4
The seven-year agreement may involve permission to rebuild the Temple on the Temple Mount. Dan 9 27

His Second-in-Command
A second-in-command to the Antichrist arises. Rev 13 11
(The second beast is also known as the “False Prophet” Rev 19 v 20)
The second beast exercises the same authority as the first. Rev 13 12
He forces people to worship the Antichrist. Rev 13 12
He controls trading restrictions, preventing any who oppose the beast from trading. Rev 13 17
Though their power is satanic, these beasts are really men, rather than evil spiritual beings. Rev 13 18
The number 666 will be somehow associated with them, but the association will not be revealed by God until the correct time arrives. Rev 13 18

His war against God
He will attack God’s people Dan 7 21
He will, to some extent, succeed. Dan 7 21
He will have success against God’s people for three and a half years. Dan 7 23
He will be given power to control all of society. Dan 7 25
He will be very destructive, and successfully so. Dan 8 24
He will try to destroy God’s people – especially the Jews Dan 8 24
He will deceive God’s people (esp. the Jews) into trusting him, then betray them. Dan 8 25
He will consider he is fighting God himself, in attacking the Messiah. Dan 8 25
He will infiltrate Israel and seize power by intrigue and deceit. Dan 11 21
He will win a large military victory. Dan 11 22
He will make an agreement involving a Leader of the Jews Dan 11 22
He will break the agreement by deceit. Dan 11 23
He will mount a military attack on the Temple Mount. Dan 11 31
He will enjoy a significant degree of success. Dan 11 36
Jerusalem will be “trampled’ by the Antichrist’s forces for three and a half years. Rev 11 2
The worst of his excesses last for three and a half years. Rev 13 5
He is allowed some success in attacking God’s people Rev 13 7

His fate
His eventual fate is to be overthrown by Jesus on his return. 2 Thess 2 8
The “Ancient of Days” ends his rule Dan 7 22, 26
His destruction will come, though not through human effort. Dan 8 25
The followers of the beasts will not find themselves capable of repentance. Rev 16 11
We win! Rev 19 11-20

Here is the second list, this time in order of Scripture origin:

Characteristics of the Antichrist – Categorised by Scriptural origin

a. From 1 Jn 2
He has connections with God’s people, but doesn’t really belong 1 Jn 2 19
He denies the Father and the Son 1 Jn 2 22

b. From 2 Thess 2
The timing of his appearance will be with rebellion (against God) and at the start of the “Day of the Lord” 2 Thess 2 3
We will know him by what he says about himself – proclaiming himself to be God 2 Thess 2 4
The Temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt for this to take place 2 Thess 2 4
The Holy Spirit is holding him back at present 2 Thess 2 6, 7
He will do all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders which will deceive the careless onlooker. 2 Thess 2 9
His eventual fate is to be overthrown by Jesus on his return. 2 Thess 2 8

c. From Dan 7
We must watch for a grouping of ten rulers. Dan 7 7, 24
A “Little” ruler will come on the scene. Dan 7 8
He will become a large “beastly” force. Dan 7 23
He will overthrow three of the nations. Dan 7 8, 24
He will be a boastful character. Dan 7 8
He will speak against God. Dan 7 25
He will attack God’s people Dan 7 21
He will, to some extent, succeed. Dan 7 21
He will have success against God’s people for three and a half years. Dan 7 23
He will be given power to control all of society. Dan 7 25
The “Ancient of Days” ends his rule Dan 7 22, 26

d. From Dan 8
He will be wicked. Dan 8 23
He will be a fierce and stern ruler. Dan 8 23
But he will also be a master of intrigue, so that his true nature will not easily be seen. Dan 8 23
He will rise to great power, not by his own strength, but by external force. Dan 8 24
He will appear very successful. Dan 8 24
He will be very destructive, and successfully so. Dan 8 24
He will try to destroy God’s people – especially the Jews Dan 8 24
He will think he is greater than all others. Dan 8 25
He will deceive God’s people (esp. the Jews) into trusting him, then betray them. Dan 8 25
He will consider he is fighting God himself, in attacking the Messiah. Dan 8 25
Yet his destruction will come, though not through human effort. Dan 8 25

e. From Dan 9 
He will rise from the background of the people who destroy the city (in AD 70) – The Roman Empire or its descendant. Dan 9 26
He will arrange a special agreement between Middle East enemies. Dan 9 27
The agreement will be for a term of seven years. Dan 9 27
He will break this agreement after three and a half years. Dan 9 27
He will break it by taking over the Temple as a place to worship him. Dan 9 27
This may mean the agreement involved permission to rebuild the Temple on the Temple Mount. Dan 9 27

f. From Dan 11
He will be a contemptible person. Dan 11 21
He will NOT be of royal blood, which implies that he masquerades as royal. Dan 11 21
He will infiltrate Israel and seize power by intrigue and deceit. Dan 11 21
He will win a large military victory. Dan 11 22
He will make an agreement involving a Leader of the Jews Dan 11 22
He will break the agreement by deceit. Dan 11 23
Only a small number of people will bring about his rise to power. Dan 11 23
He will mount a military attack on the Temple Mount. Dan 11 31
He will set up the Temple to promote worship of himself. Dan 11 31
He will confidently lie to those who support him. Dan 11 32
Those who oppose him face death. Dan 11 33
He will proclaim himself to be God. Dan 11 36, 37
He will blaspheme against God. Dan 11 36, 37
He will enjoy a significant degree of success. Dan 11 36
He will serve a god unknown to his forebears, implying he is of Hebrew descent. Dan 11 38
This god is called a god of “Fortresses”. This word is also used for the helmet of armour, so possibly an “armoured” god. Dan 11 38
He will serve a foreign god. Dan 11 39
The god he serves will have the capacity to help him to win battles. Dan 11 39

g. From Matt 24 
We must be careful not to be deceived. Matt 24 4
A time of deception and falling away from godliness will precede the Antichrist’s coming. Matt 24 12
Despite this, Jesus advises us to watch for a global announcement of the Gospel (Internet?) Matt 24 14
Jesus advises us to watch for the sign of desecration of the Temple. Matt 24 15
That will herald a time of great trouble brought by the Antichrist. Matt 24 21
Great signs and miracles are “normal” signs of Antichrist activity. Matt 24 24

h. From Rev 11
Jerusalem will be “trampled’ by the Antichrist’s forces for three and a half years. Rev 11 2
These forces will be Gentile. Rev 11 2

i. From Rev 13
The beast (who is the antichrist) rises from the “sea” – the Gentile nations. Rev 13 1
He controls ten other rulers. Rev 13 1
His power is expressed in seven regions. Rev 13 1
His rule speaks of blasphemy. Rev 13 1
He will move quickly, but be immensely strong and will sound frightening. Rev 13 2
OR, possibly, he will have background connections with Greece, Russia, and Britain. Rev 13 2
He will be empowered directly by satan. Rev 13 2He will be attacked, apparently fatally. Rev 13 3
But he will miraculously recover, which will astonish the whole world. Rev 13 3
This will cause people to worship him. Rev 13 3, 4
He will speak boastfully about himself, and blasphemously against God. Rev 13 5
The worst of his excesses last for three and a half years. Rev 13 5
He is allowed some success in attacking God’s people Rev 13 7
He will rise to rule the whole world. Rev 13 7
Only God’s own faithful people will not worship him. Rev 13 8
A second-in-command to the Antichrist arises. Rev 13 11
(The second beast is also known as the “False Prophet” Rev 19 v 20)
The second beast exercises the same authority as the first. Rev 13 12
He forces people to worship the Antichrist. Rev 13 12
He controls trading restrictions, preventing any who oppose the beast from trading. Rev 13 17
Though their power is satanic, these beasts are really men, rather than evil spiritual beings. Rev 13 18
The number 666 will be somehow associated with them, btu the association will not be revealed by God until the correct time arrives. Rev 13 18

j. From Rev 16
The followers of the beasts will not find themselves capable of repentance. Rev 16 11

k. From Rev 17 The Antichrist has associations with an evil system, ruling over the world, centred on a city which sits on seven hills. Rev 17 3, 9, 18
[NB 1 the following cities are known for sitting on seven hills:
Rome, Istanbul, Amman, Prague, Lisbon, Kampala, Kiev, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Bergen, Talahassee FL (Some say Jerusalem)

ALSO Lynchburg VA, Cincinnati, OH, Seven Hills OH, Seven Hills Brisbane, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, Plovdiv Bulgaria, Libreville Gabon, Ibadan Nigeria, Veszprém Hungary, Siirt Turkey, Nijmegen Holland, Dunedin New Zealand.

NB 2. Thiruvananthapuram, the city of the snake god , is the capital of Kerala State and is situated at south India. The city is named after the fabled Serpent God ‘Anantha’ on whom Sri Anantha Padmanabhan (Lord Vishnu) reclines, and is built on seven hills.]

Seven rulers must pass away before the antichrist takes his place upon the throne. Rev 17 10, 11
Ten rulers will also rule at the same time as the Antichrist. Rev 17 12
They will all serve the Antichrist. Rev 17 13

l. From Rev 19 
We win! Rev 19 11-20