Will the Antichrist be received as a great peace maker or as a Jewish Messiah?
Not necessarily so.
By Craig C. White
Daniel 11:21 says that the Antichrist will “come in peaceably”. Many Christians think that this means that the Antichrist will be received as a great peace maker or even be accepted as a Jewish Messiah. I don’t think that the Bible tells us that the Antichrist will be received as a Jewish Messiah. Although he may already be being received as a Muslim Mahdi.
Daniel describes a leader who will come in “come in peaceably”. This is first applied to Antiochous Epiphanies. Antiochous Epiphanies was a prince in the Seleucid dynasty. The Seleucid dynasty ruled over one quarter of the Grecian Empire and ruled from Antioch of Syria. Antiochous Epiphanies’ brother was the king over the Seleucid dynasty. Antiochous Epiphanies’ brother was imprisoned in Egypt. While the king was in prison, the king’s infant son was made king. Antiochous Epiphanies proclaimed himself as co-regent with the young boy and then killed his brother’s son making himself sole ruler over the Seleucid dynasty. So Antiochous Epiphanies became king by treacherous means. That’s what the word “flatteries” means at the end of Dan 11:21. Antiochous Epiphanies became king without military conquest. He gained power “peaceably”.
Dan 11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
Now that you have had your Bible history lesson let’s see what Daniel says about future events. Most Bible teachers also apply Daniel 11:21 to the actions of the coming Antichrist.
Turkish President Erdogan has just gained absolute authority over Turkey. He did so by changing the Turkish constitution and eliminating the position of Prime Minister in Turkey. Ezekiel 38:1-3 say’s that the “chief prince” or primary governor of Turkey will lead the Islamic nations into Israel. In Ezekiel chapter 39 the “chief prince” of Turkey will lead the battle of Armageddon. So the Bible tells us that the “chief prince” of Turkey is the Antichrist. Since Turkish President Erdogan has eliminated any future Prime Minister in Turkey, then Erdogan will be the only primary governor of Turkey in the foreseeable future. I think that Turkish President Erdogan is in fact the Antichrist. He has already come to power by way of treachery and without military conquest, or “peaceably”. Erdogan will one day also rise to power over the next world empire. Erdogan is already recognized by most Islamic nations as the rightful Sultan over a revived Turkish ruled Ottoman Empire.
Many Christians have a fuzzy notion that the Antichrist will be viewed as a great peace maker. Not necessarily so. In reality the Antichrist will gain power by devious political means.
High Time to Awake 
Craig,
In Matthew 24, the warning was given that many false prophet(s), and messiah(s) will appear before the end comes. The statement is made by Jesus that, ” if possible even the elect would be deceived.” I suspect that the “the elect” refers to the Jews, but many teach that these chosen ones are the modern day followers of Christ. I think this statement by Jesus is evidence that the antichrist will not be a Jewish messiah.
David
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Good observation David.
Israel will certainly make a deal with the Antichrist but that doesn’t mean that the Antichrist will be received by Israel as their Messiah.
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Matthew says that many false Messiahs will arise after the Antichrist attacks and conquers Jerusalem. So it is evident that Israel as a whole will not believe that the Antichrist is their Messiah.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
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Craig,
Good day to you, sir. I think your association with the Antichrist in Daniel 11:21 is absolutely correct. I believe that in Daniel’s 11th chapter, Antiochus IV Epiphanes is the principal ruler of 11:20 — the “abar nagas” or “raiser of taxes” in the “glory” of the kingdom, or Jerusalem, who did not die in battle.
ABAR: to overflow, to transgress, to do away
NAGAS = to press or drive, like a task-master.
I believe verse 20 describes Antiochus, who committed the transgression and oppressed the Jews all across the land. I think that verses 21-22 disqualify Epiphanes here. The ruler of verse 21 does not receive the honor of the kingdom, yet Antiochus was indeed recognized as the king and was birthed from the royal Seleucid line. Moreover, there was no great army swept away from before Antiochus IV during his rise to power.
The ruler of verse 21 is also the last character introduced by Daniel. There are no future northern kings introduced after 11:21. This northern king prevails against the “prince of the covenant,” I think a reference to the covenant confirmed and broken in Daniel 9:24-27. So I think you’re right, I think verses 21-45 are all about the king of the north.
If you wanted to make an argument linking Erdogan to Daniel 11:21, I think you can reasonably conclude that the primary defender of the Turkish Republic since the days of Kemal Ataturk has long been the military. Erdogan has completely overtaken the government and the military, built to protect Turkey from despots, literally melted away from before him.
If you Google “Erdogan,” you get the following picture, with 11 tiny “points” emerging from his head.
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