Netschaton Apocalyptic Elements Series

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Antichrist Legend and "Mark of the Beast"

Religious Conceptions of Antichrist

Fundamentalist Christian

In Fundamentalist Protestant apocalyptic discourse, Antichrist is a man of (royal) European or Jewish descent. He is an anti-messiah both in the sense that he is a false or impostor christ and that he is against God's Christ and His followers.

He is supposed to be a deceiver of the whole world and the Jewish people in particular.

He will, the Book of Revelation teaches, institute a system of commerce based on a number which bears his name. The number is placed in the hand or forehead of participants. The Christian Bible expressly forbids the practice. Thus, no one who takes this mark may be saved.

He sets up an image of himself in the Jewish Temple. The image has the power of speech and can kill all who oppose it. Antichrist is worshiped as a god like the ancient Roman Emperors. He persecutes (true) Christians and later Jews who shall refuse to worship him. He shall defile the Holy Ark. (See Grant Jeffrey, Jack Van Impe, Pat Robertson, Hal Lindsay, and others)

Traditional Roman Catholic

A man of European or Middle Eastern (often Arab) origin. A political leader, who is both a warrior and peacemaker. Outwardly he is a lamb, but inwardly a dragon. He shall attempt to destroy the Catholic Church. He is an anti-type to the Heavenly Pope and the righteous Catholic Monarch. (See Soldiers of Jesus and Mary, Fatima Crusader, Fr. Nicholas Gruner)

According to the Virgin Mary, as described in the vision of La Salette, Antichrist will be "born of  a Hebrew nun, a false virgin" through contact with the Evil Spirit.

Islam: the Daijil

Daijil , an evil incarnation who appears in the last times (before Kiamat or Judgment Day) is a pro-Zionist Westerner, a destroyer of Islam.

The False Prophet

Fundamentalist Christian

A separate individual who is the accomplice of Antichrist in the spiritual domain. The False Prophet is a worker of counterfeit signs and wonders. He shall have the ability to call down fire from the sky. Sometimes the False Prophet is identified with the last Pope.

Traditional Roman Catholic

Mr. 666: Media Portraits of Antichrist

When the Jews return to Zion, and a comet rips the sky, and the Holy Roman Empire rises, then you and I must die. From the Eternal Sea he rises, creating armies on either shore, turning Man against his brother 'til Man exists no more. Fr. Brennan in The Omen (1976)

The Antichrist Legend has been the subject of several films, television productions, and fiction books. Among these are:

• The Omen (1976, 20th Century Fox),
• Damien: Omen II (1978, 20th Century Fox),
• The Final Conflict (1981, 20th Century Fox),
• The Omen IV (1991 TV Movie by FNM Films), and
• Holocaust 2000 aka The Chosen (1978, Embassy Pictures).
• The Seventh Sign (1988, Tri-Star)
• The Devils Advocate (1997, Warner Bros.)

The Mark of the Beast

Various identifications are given for this aspect of the Antichrist Legend, called "The Mark of the Beast." In Holocaust 2000 it is identified with 2V231 or SVSEI, the mirror or backward image of the Latin name IESVS (Jesus). The mark is supposed to be number of his (Antichrist's) name. Fundamental Christian apocalyptic often equates it with a mark or computer chip in the hand. According to the Book of Revelation, the numerological value of Antichrist's name is 666.

• www and WWWIII
• computer barcode used for electronic commerce
• the name "Nero"

Academic Conceptions of the Term "Antichrist"

Nietzsche equates the term "antichrist" with ... [still working on it]

For Fun

pop culture take on the BEAST