This question as to whether Donald Trump is the Antichrist has been debated on the Internet for quite some time. In the past, many claimed that former President Barack Obama was or is the Antichrist. Some are convinced now that Donald Trump is the Antichrist, basing their conclusion on his personality or his actions.
Let us see what the Bible says about the Antichrist. This word is mentioned four times in the Holy Scriptures, and the term “antichrists” is mentioned once.
- 1 John 2:18 says:
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”
The translation that “the Antichrist is coming” is incorrect. In the original, there is no definite article, so it should read: “you have heard that antichrist shall come” (compare Authorized Version). In addition, John states that there were many antichrists and that they went out from them (the church), but were not really a part of them (they were not true Christians).
- 1 John 2:22 says:
“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.”
John clarifies just who is an antichrist: Someone who denies that Christ is the Messiah; also someone who denies the Father and the Son. By extension, anyone who believes in the Trinity would be classified as an antichrist since the Bible is clear that the Godhead is currently composed of the Father and Christ who are both God, with Christ being subject to God the Father. If one denies this in any form of belief or doctrine, then the Bible says that such a person is an antichrist.
- 1 John 4:2-3 says:
“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”
Again, in the original, there is no definite article, nor is the word “spirit” in the original, so it should read: “… this is that of antichrist” (compare Authorized Version, which places the word “spirit” in italics). John further defines antichrist as anyone denying that Christ came in the flesh; that is, that He was fully man, not part God and part man, or fully God and fully man. The doctrine of antichrist denies that Christ gave up His divinity to become a man; that He became fully flesh and blood and a human being like you and I.
Philippians 2:5-9 explains: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name…”
- 2 John 7 says:
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
John adds the following important point in explaining who an antichrist is: Everyone who denies that Christ is coming today in the flesh; that is, that He is living His life in true Christians through His Holy Spirit in them.
As mentioned above, 1 John 2:18 speaks about “many antichrists.” This means, “antichrist” is not associated with one particular individual but describes all those who have false beliefs regarding who and what Christ was and is; that He lives in true Christians today; and the composition of the Godhead. It is therefore incorrect to label a particular person such as Barack Obama or Donald Trump as “the” Antichrist.
Many associate the concept of “the Antichrist” with the beast of Revelation 13; claiming that both terms describe the same person. This is not the case. But what about the allegation that Donald Trump or Barack Obama are “the beast”?
Revelation 13:1-7 reads:
“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’
“And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”
This passage describes the ancient Roman Empire which would be revived ten times. Nine resurrections have already occurred, and the tenth and last revival is happening in Europe—not in the USA. But Revelation 13 speaks also of the beast as the human leader of the revived Roman Empire (Revelation 13:8; compare also Revelation 16:13; 19:19-20). However, that person is revealed as being of German or Austrian descent, and again, he will rule over a revived unified core Europe. Barack Obama is not of German or Austrian descent. Even though Donald Trump is partly German, neither Barack Obama nor Donald Trump are connected to the EU nor Europe. In fact, Donald Trump is clearly against the unification of Europe or the existence of the EU. Neither Barack Obama nor Donald Trump fit the profile of the beast.
We need to remember that the “beast”—the end-time representative of the revived European system—will be a boastful charismatic and powerful military leader who will rule for a short time—approximately three and a half years prior to Christ’s return. Ten European nations or groups of nations with sovereign powers (“core Europe”) will emerge from the current EU, and they will in turn give their authority to the coming charismatic economic, political and military leader of German or Austrian descent. This “beast” is also referred to as the “king of the North” and as “King Jareb,” the modern “King of Assyria.”
Let us notice how the “beast”—the economic and military leader of core Europe—is described in the Bible.
Daniel 11:36-39 states: “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.”
Notice that he will exalt himself mightily, above every god. He will not have the desire of women, possibly implying that he might be either single, living in celibacy, or that he might be a homosexual. It is also implied that he will place much confidence in his military capabilities, honoring the god of fortresses (the god of war) or of military might.
Daniel 8:25 adds: “Through his cunning [he] shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means.”
Those who may not know ALL the biblical passages and prophecies referring to “antichrist” and the “beast” might look at some characteristics of the coming European leader and wrongfully conclude that they have determined his identity. However, based on the entirety of God’s revelation, we can conclude with certainty that neither Barack Obama nor Donald Trump (nor any other previous American President) are “the Antichrist” or “the beast” of Revelation 13.
Lead Writer: Rene Messier (Canada)
