The debate is still going on two months after the election... This topic's white-hot, man.
QUOTE(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antichrist)
The expected role of the Antichrist
Christian denominations disagree on what will happen in the end times, and the role that Satan and the Antichrist will play. Among those who expect the Antichrist to arise in the future, there is a general consensus that sometime prior to the expected return of Jesus, there will be a period of "trials and tribulations" during which the Antichrist, inspired by Satan, will attempt to win supporters, and will silence anyone or make enemies of any country who refuses to approve of him. This metaphor written as ("receive his mark").
In this view, an event termed the "White Throne Judgment" will take place, at which time both the living and the dead will be resurrected, some for everlasting life, and some for everlasting death. All those who worship God and Jesus will be admitted to the presence of God; but everyone who would not repent of the Antichrist will be sent to an outer darkness. Finally, the "Dragon" (often interpreted as Satan), the "Beast" (often interpreted as the Antichrist) and the "false prophet" (interpreted in many ways) who compels the world to worship the Beast (lie), and all who received his mark (cast their lot with him), will be thrown into a lake of fire together with death and Hell. These views are based on controversial passages in the Apocalypse of John, more commonly known as the Book of Revelation.
The trials and tribulations? Well, you've got 9/11, for starters; there are also the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the train bombing in Spain, and the tsunami in South Asia. However, as you will read later, these events might as well be omens of even greater strife to come. Right after 9/11, Bush won many supporters, and he formed the Department of Homeland Security and passed the Patriot Act in order to silence the opposition under the guise of fighting terrorism. Bush has also made enemies of France, Germany, and Russia, all countries that refused to approve of him and his war on Iraq. "Cast their lot with him" might be interpreted as "having voted for him."
QUOTE(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antichrist)
Characteristics of the Antichrist
Based on the interpretations of the specific passages from the books of Daniel and Revelations, the Antichrist is commonly expected to meet certain characteristics. The Bible describes a beast-like creature, but over the years these characteristics have been interpreted as being metaphorical.
For example, the beast is supposed to have "ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns upon its horns" (Revelation 13:1–2) which is sometimes interpreted to mean the Antichrist will lead 27 or 17 countries. They will follow in his battles that he will declare boldly and without humility are for a purpose which is untrue. Likewise the fact that the beast is described as being "worshipped" is taken as a sign that the Antichrist will be a popular figure among those who are deceived by him. Revelation states that "He will appear as an angel of light", which is interepreted to mean that he will profess to be a man of God, or a person who is himself a Christian.
The most common interpretations continue to be that the Antichrist will be some sort of high-ranking political leader, who will initially do very good, popular things, which will win him many followers. In the end, however he is supposed to get increasingly totalitarian and elicit more and more sacrifices from his followers until eventually his evil ways become known, and the era of "trials and tribulations" begins.
27 or 17 countries? At least 27 countries are in the coalition fighting in Iraq right now (I'm not sure of the exact number). He's definitely a popular figure among those that he has deceived, and he professes himself to be a "man of God." And the whole "worship" thing? Visit
Bush is Lord; this is a cult of personality taken to the furthest extreme, even further than Joseph Stalin (another man purported to be the Antichrist, BTW). He's a high-ranking political leader (a big, resounding DUH), and initially, he did good, popular things, which won him supporters, but after 9/11, his regime became increasingly totalitarian (this is rather extreme; authoritarian might be more appropriate).
Visit
George W. Bush is the Antichrist and read what is written there. That is all I have to say.