The notion that the Antichrist will be Jewish is a hot topic. For years this debate has been widespread. Scripture does not definitively say which nationality the Antichrist will be. It lends to the ideas that he could be from any of several different nations. Actually, scripture has more to say about his religious background that it does about his native country.
Let’s start by reminding ourselves that the Bible’s contents predominantly covers only three continents, Asia, Europe, and Africa. That being the case, we must conclude the Antichrist will be headquartered in that region of the world. Scripture tells us that he will come from one of the four divisions of the Grecian kingdom; Dan. 8:9, “…out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great … and toward the pleasant land.” We have to conclude that the Antichrist will come from the north because he will make war against nations to his south and to his east; Dan. 8:9, “… out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east …” Israel is bordered on the west by the Mediterranean Sea, so there aren’t any nations to war against from the west. Since three of the compass directions are covered, it stands to reason that he will come from a region north of Israel. It is also confirmed again that the Antichrist will come from the north; Joe. 2:20, “… I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.”
So far we have determined that the Antichrist will not come from Europe or Africa. He will come from Asia, a region north of Israel. Scripture states that he will be an Assyrian; Mic. 5:6, “… thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land…” An Assyrian is not necessarily a person of Syrian descent. It is referencing the Assyrian Empire, which was located predominantly north and east of Israel. It is still possible for the Antichrist to come from Syria, because Syria was a part of the Assyrian Empire.
We know that the Antichrist will ratify a seven year covenant; Dan. 9:27, “… he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week …” If he confirms a covenant with Israel, this is an indication they he’s probably not Jewish. Many scholars believe the seven- year covenant is initiated by a foreign nation, establishing an agreement with Israel. Consider this possibility, the covenant is initiated by Israel, and signed by Israel’s enemies? This changes the whole perspective, the Antichrist could possibly be Jewish.
Some will argue that the Antichrist was Jewish simply because his action were contrary to his forefathers; Dan. 11:37, “… neither shall he regard the God of his fathers …” Do not limit the phrase “god of his fathers” as being a reference to the Jewish people only. Look at the entire verse, he disregarded all gods; Dan. 11:37, “… nor regard any god …” Perhaps the Antichrist is a Muslim, simply because he went against the Muslim tradition (god of his fathers) when he ratified a seven year covenant with Israel. Confirming a covenant that guarantees Israel’s peace and safety is unheard of according to today’s standards.
Will the Antichrist be Jewish. Scripture really doesn’t say, but all indications point to him as being from Asia and well connected in the Muslim community. Many scholars have determined Russia to be the home of the Antichrist. Based on scripture, the Antichrist will come from a region north of Israel and was a part of the Assyrian Empire. Although Russia is north of Israel, it was not a part of the Assyrian Empire; therefore it can be eliminated as the possible homeland of the Antichrist. The only nations that meet those qualifications today, is Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.
Armed with this information, we can conclude that the Antichrist will probably not be African or European. He will probably be from Asia and he will be very astute in both Jewish and Muslims traditions, customs, and relations. He may not be originally from a nation, located just for of Israel, but he will establish his headquarters in that region, and he will have some form of Jewish heritage.
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