xsquid

I'm new to this, so bear with me:

Pop Xtianity says that when the Antichrist appears, he will be reasonable, he will be charming, he'll have workable, practical solutions to world problems, and that the whole world will follow him. Not the Middle East, not the "Arab world", not the EU or the USA, but everyone.
How do we know this? Jesus couldn't get his own "Chosen People" to believe and follow him; in his own land unbelief was so strong that "he could do no mighty work". So how could his nemesis do any better? If there were people who never heard of Jesus and didn't believe, and others who saw Jesus and didn't believe, what advantage will the so-called Man of Sin have?
In the recent past, the Antichrist has been wrongly identified with Hitler (The Man You Love To Hate), Pol Pot, even the MIA Saddam Hussein. Now, what if...just what if...this evil ubermensch were an Israeli? Of course the fundies would swallow it, hook and all...after all, who better to bring peace to the Middle East? Who better to lead the fight against his own people (following the example of David who, as I recall, offered to do just that). Who better to guarantee that the US would indeed be sucked into this whole scenario?
But what about us infidels? Will the Anglicans or santerians or Buddhists all goosestep into this belief? Would the Dayak or Patagonians care about who does what in Jerusalem? I guess what I'm trying to say here is that this myth, like all myths, has power only if you give it that power. And we don't. So, my brothers and sisters, care to weigh in on this?

Radcliffe Emerson

If you want to look at the characteristics of the antichrist, GW comes to mind in my opinion.
But, I wouldn't pay any attention to that biblical crap in any form.
Because for me, anything concerned with the bible, koran, any 'god inspired' book is pure fictional crap.
emphasis on crap.

Magus55

One flaw in your analysis. "Fundies" as you call them, will not be on Earth to be deceived by the Antichrist - they will be Raptured before the Antichrist shows up. Only unbelievers will be left. Of course, you still have one last chance to accept Jesus as your savior.

xsquid

We'll deal with that later, Magus; you must be aware that there's no universal agreement on the Rapture, either. If you want to weigh in, answer the question: if the Antichrist were an Israeli, would you follow him?

And if you wouldn't, why do you believe we non-Rapturous types would?

Magus55

2Th 2:9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Dr Rick

So God is going to deliberately delude everyone left?

braces_for_impact

That's what the text says. But, good luck trying to get the whole world to follow one leader, it won't happen.

Also, why is it every time I think about a bunch of fundies floating through the air to meet an unkempt jew in the clouds while organ music plays in the background I have to giggle?

Oh yeah, because it's silly.

xsquid

No, Magus, that's my argument. If God would do it then, how do you know he's not doing it now, or that he didn't do it 3500 years ago? And that would kinda mock other passages; didn't Peter describe God as one "who cannot lie"?

But you're still off the rails--we were talking about the Antichrist. Given your answer, the lying God is why you believe us poor infidels would follow him. I think history is clear on this point: no dictator in history has ever held absolute control. There have always been rebels; some famous, most obscure, but they've always been there. Your own holy book shows that.
The Czars had them, Caesar had them, Hitler had them, Nixon had them.
The so-called Antichrist--assuming he ever appears--will have them too. And if the Rapture is true, you won't be here to resist him!
A Soldier of Christ who runs from battle! You should be ashamed.

Magus55

Part of His judgement for rejecting Christ. This isn't a nice time on Earth - its God's wrath on the sinning world. An uncountable number of people will see through the delusion and find the Truth in Jesus, but many who care more about the world will be lured by the AC and will be fooled. Thats what ya get for rejecting Jesus.

Magus55

Who said it will be one world leader, ruling every country? Its one powerful leader who will break the peace treaty in the Middle East with Israel ( does GW Bush's Road to Peace plans ring a bell? Hmm what a coincidence). He will offer many things, perform fake miracles and lure people in. Just look at the european Union. The world is already coming to together. And didn't Tony Blair want to be the leader of the EU? ( no I seriously doubt He is the AC, but you get the point - it won't be that difficult in this day and age).