Where Does The Anti-Christ Come From?
I was saved in the 1970s as a young man. This was a period of time that saw a genuine move of God, I believe. Thousands of young people came into the things of God. I grew up in Minnesota. The epicenter of this people movement was on the west coast (California). Being in the Midwest I was not a part of the hippie culture of the west coast but I would hear about it. When I went to Mexico in about 1985 as a missionary it was under a strong influence of this revival. Almost all of my peers in missions were from this period of time. There really was fruit from this “Jesus People” revival that can be seen until this present day.
Another characteristic of the youth revival from the 70s was a strong interest in Bible prophecy. Jesus was going to come at any moment. Hal Lindsey and similar prophecy teachers were very prominent. [I am listing this essay under Speculation.] One of the revered tenets of end time prophecy was the expectation of a “revived Roman Empire”. The idea was hinted at or plainly stated that Rome would be the origin of the Anti-Christ. The common understanding was that the Anti-Christ would be European. I will admit that my reaction to this idea over the years has been rather subjective, but it has felt like a chicken bone stuck in my throat. Something does not seem right. The idea of Europe taking center stage in Bible prophecy has a odd “smell” to it. I realize this is not really a good reason to judge something as right or wrong.
In more recent times, I have read a number of Bible teachers who do not hold to the idea of the Italians taking over the world. Some of these teachers have great, complicated theories involving elaborate historical illustrations. It has been a little difficult following the line of logic that these men use to weave their intricate explanations of Bible prophecies involving the Anti-Christ. I have a personal opinion that, quite amazingly, comes to the same conclusion that these Bible prophecy teachers come to. I do not use any historical knowledge. I did not use any great powers of interpretation. It is actually a little embarrassing but I will show how I came to the same answer as the big name teachers. (Promise not to laugh at my low-tech Bible interpretation method.)
I was reading the KJV about Isaac, Jacob, and Laban.
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. (Gen 25:20)
It seemed to me that the words “Laban, the Syrian!” were yelled out to me in a loud voice even though there was no sound. Strange. When I read a few chapters later, the same thing happened.
And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. (Gen 31:20)
Once again I seemed to hear “Laban, the Syrian!” I thought, “Settle down a little bit! What's the problem?” Then, four verses later:
And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. (Gen 31:24)
The third time I heard, “Laban, the SYRIAN!” screamed at me from off the page. I was completely bewildered. What is going on?
Jacob (later called Israel) was the son of Isaac. Laban was his father-in-law. Jacob was a liar and a cheat but Laban was a pro at gouging people. Laban cheated and deceived Jacob and changed his wages 10 times (Gen 31:7). Laban troubled Jacob for a season of many years.
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (Jer 30:7)
There is coming a time of Great Tribulation or persecution and trouble for Jacob (Israel). I believe this tribulation will be spearheaded by a Syrian. This is what some Bible teachers are seeing, using more sophisticated means, however. It appears that the Anti-Christ will come out of the region of Syria*. Some Bible translations have this name as Aram.
The Arameans, or Aramaeans, were an ancient Semitic-speaking people in the Near East that was first recorded in historical sources from the late 12th century BC. The Aramean homeland, sometimes known as the land of Aram, encompassed central regions of modern Syria. (Wikipedia)
* Note: This region does have a connection to the Roman Empire, but it is not Italy.
It seems that the Anti-Christ is not an American president or the Pope. He is the fake Messiah that comes in his own name. He will be initially welcomed by the majority of the Jewish nation. Sadly, only one third of the nation of Israel will survive Jacob's Trouble to welcome the real Messiah who comes in His Father's name (John 5:43).
Mar. 18, 2024