WorldNetDaily: The Rise of the Muslim Anti-Christ Explains Egypt Unrest

With uncertainty in the Middle East, prophecy hawkers inevitably see a new opportunity. Step forward Joel Richardson at WorldNetDaily:

While no one knows the future, I believe that through a general understanding of the various geopolitical actors and atmosphere in the Middle East and surrounding regions, and a solid understanding of what the Bible says about the future, it is fair to make some general observations and predictions about what will happen next in that part of the world.

And we’re off:

…In the midst of the shift, I expect Turkey (again, with the full support of the U.S.) to be the most actively engaged and visible actor in the region. If things destabilize enough, we could even see Turkish military action, but this is doubtful.

…Surrounded on all sides by hostile and now a well-organized power, and with the United States remaining relatively neutral, Israel will be forced to accept some form of regional “peace plan.” This comprehensive peace and security initiative will include the establishment of a Palestinian state. And to the surprise of some, after the initial chaos and tumult settles down, there will emerge a period of calm. To the surprise of many religious Jews, Israel will even be offered a concession to rebuild the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. The Mount will be shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, causing some to herald this development as the sign of a new monotheistic age.

…In Africa; Tunisia, Libya, Sudan and Somalia will clasp hands and pledge support tothe new Turkish-Iranian-led alliance.

And so on – alarmist prognostications extrapolated from current events, mixed in with well-worn fantasies about a “Third Temple” in Jerusalem. It’s a scare story that WND has pushed for some time, even at the expense of being mindful of the Ninth Commandment.

Richardson also has a follow-up piece on his blog, railing against “the Leftist-Islamist Revolutionary Alliance” which will usher in the Islamic anti-Christ:

But there is another interesting element to Mahdist belief that is quite relevant with regard to the present revolution is in the air. According to Islamic tradition, under the reign of the Mahdi, the Islamic religious community will finally achieve the “economic justice” that both the Leftists and the Islamists have been yearning for. So whether we are speaking of the recent violent socialist protests in Greece, the anti-Capitalist revolutionary operatives here in the United States, or the violent revolution boiling in the Arab world, they are all part of a larger collectivist revolution.

While the idea of Antichrist as wealth redistributor is likely new to some, it is certainly not a novel observation. This view was also well-established in the early church. In his celebrated work, “Against Heresies,” Irenaeus, a bishop from the early third century wrote that the “[Antichrist] pretends that he vindicates the poor.”

Of course, this is all in a grand tradition of reading into the ancient text of the Bible not just clues about an uncertain future, but a vindication of one’s political perspective. Previously, self-styled “prophecy experts” have assured us that the anti-Christ would emerge as a result of the belligerency of Saddam Hussein or the machinations of the Soviet Union. Probably ten years from now it’ll be time for books about the Chinese anti-Christ.

Richardson’s book The Islamic Antichrist has been endorsed by Robert Spencer (who in turn was recently commended by Douglas Murray as a “brilliant scholar”). According to Spencer’s blurb:

A fascinating and provovative work. Joel has broken fresh ground in the ongoing exploration of the relationship between Islam and the rest of the world. A must-read for priests and pastors, students and lay readers everywhere. Bravo!

Incidentally, that quote from Irenaeus (who died c.202; he’s more of a second-century figure) has been used by Richardson before, such as in a 2009 WND article entitled “What Obama and the Antichrist Have in Common“. The text comes from Book 5 Chapter 30 of Against Heresies, and forms part of a discussion about how the number 666 may be misapplied to various proper names. This larger point is ignored by Richardson, who wants us to believe (following Walid Shoebat) that “666” was a mis-transcription of the Arabic for “In the Name of Allah”, as copied by the author of Revelation from a vision.

Here’s the context:

It is therefore more certain, and less hazardous, to await the fulfilment of the prophecy, than to be making surmises, and casting about for any names that may present themselves… [A]mong our kings we find none bearing this name Titan, nor have any of the idols which are worshipped in public among the Greeks and barbarians this appellation… This word, too, contains a certain outward appearance of vengeance, and of one inflicting merited punishment because he (Antichrist) pretends that he vindicates the oppressed…

The Greek original of this section is lost, and the translation has come through the Latin:

Certius ergo et sine periculo est sustinere adimpletionem prophetiae quam suspicari et divinare nomina quaelibet, quando multa nomina inveniri possunt habentia praedictum numerum, et nihilominus quidem erit haec eadem quaestio… neque enim eorum regum qui secundum nos sunt, aliquis vocatus est Titan, neque eorum quae publicare adorantur idolorum apud Graecos et barbaros habet vocabulum hoc;… et ostentationem quandam continet ultionis, et vindictam inferentis, quod ille simulat se male tractatos vindicare.

My Latin is very rusty, but a literal translation seems to me to be along the lines of “because he pretends to vindicate those who have been handled wickedly”. However, “the poor” better fits Richardson’s aim, which is to demonize those with socio-economic views that he finds disagreeable (he’s more flexible when it comes to actual theology – Glenn Beck, who is a Mormon, is regarded by Richardson as “prophetic”).