What I read usually assigns mostly political significance to the Antichrist and mostly religious significance to the False Prophet. They are two distinct figures.
I’m not convinced antichrist as described in first and second John (the only books of the Bible where term antichrist appears) is the same as the beast of revelation.
The answer is in your Bible. Read, don’t ask. The Anti Christ is a political leader, the False Prophet is the religious leader.
People are so self centered. The anti-Christ was a roman ruler. Any thought otherwise is absurd.
IMHO, the Antichrist is Islam.
The Antichrist, as an idea, presents a problem, when it is defined from a human, not heavenly perspective.
Practically speaking, the only way we can probably even suspect that someone might be the Antichrist is if they say so. Even then, a lot of people will not even know what that means; others won’t believe it on principle; some will demand proof; a few will likely try to capitalize on the idea.
We have as little of an Antichrist paradigm than we do a UFO alien paradigm.
>> we look so much into politcal figures for this. Maybe the antichrist could be a major religious figure
Go with Kim Jong Il and you get a twofer, since he thinks he’s god.
Ahmanutjob may fill the bill too for the same reason.
(I’m being facetious; I know the Antichrist will come, but it’s not mine to know who it is or will be at this point.)
Don't know who THE antiChrist will be, but I'm sure I'll know him when he comes forth.
Here’s a facinating read on the topic: http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/JR/Future/index.htm
When I finally figure it out, you'll be the first to know.
1. Antichrist appears as an individual.
2. Sts. Irenaeus, Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, Pope Gregory the Great, and Anselm (Antichrist’s capital will be in Jerusalem) - Tertulian-F, Lactantius -F, St. Cyril of Jerusalem - F &D and St. Jerome - F&D (the individual Antichrist comes with a final destruction of the Roman Empire.
3. St. Cyril of Jerusalem — This one shall sieze power of the Roman Empire, and shall falsely style himself Christ. By the name of Christ he shall deceive the Jews, who are expecting the Anointed; and he shall seduce the gentiles by his magical illusions.
4. St. Bridget of Sweden says — “Before Antichrist comes, the portals of the Faith will be opened to great numbers of pagans.” (Life and Revelations of St. Bridget p. 168.
5. St. Hildegard — “At that period when Antichrist shall be BORN, there will be many wars and right order shall be destroyed on the earth.
“Heresy will be rampant and the heretics will preach their errors openly without restraint. Even amond Christians doubt and skepticism will entertained concerning the beliefs of Catholicism.”
6. St. Hilary clearly states about the Antichrist,
“Antichrist WILL TEACH that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God, but is the wickedest of all criminals.”
7. Hyppolytus says that Antichrist will order anything reminding men of Jesus Christ to be destroyed. The shrine of the Holy Sepulchre on Mount Calvary and other holy sites in the Holy Land shall be destroyed. He even says that Antichrist shall reign as World Emperor, he will prohibit under the pain of death, the administering of the sacraments and the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Mass will celebrated mostly in the forests and in secret places, as was the case in the first days of Christianity.
8. He’ll be a child prodigy. Sister Nativitas —
“Even before he is ten years old he will be more powerful and learned than other men, and through his actions, it will be evident that he possesses greater genius, spirit and skill than other people. The fullness of his powers will first manifest themselves when he reaches the age of 30 years at which time his greatest heroic deeds will begin.” (from Hartman’s “Life and Revelations of Sister Nativitas”, 1865.
9. St. Ambrose says that Antichrist will attempt to prove from Holy Scripture that he is the Christ. (In Lucam,21).
10. St Anselm says that:
“Towards the end of the world Antichrist will draw the hearts of the Jews to him by his great generosity and sympathetic attitude so much so that they will praise him as a demi-god. The Jews will say to one another: “There is not a more virtuous, just and wise man than he to be found in our entire generation. Of all men, he certainly will be able to rescue us from all our miseries.” (From “Details Concerning the Antichrist” by Dr. Franz Spirago).
11. The Antichrist will not a Pope or the Papacy.
12. The Antichrist will be born of fornication and his mother will anounce the advent of a Messias who will restore great prosperity to mankind.