Les Feldick teaches that the Antichrist will likely be an apostate Jew.
He bases this on the readiness of Israel to accept him and his treaty. Les also mentions an alternate view that he could be an apostate Gentile connected with Christianity, but his personal conclusion leans toward Jewish identity.
2 Thessalonians 2:4 — This verse describes the Antichrist's self-exaltation and setting himself up as God in the temple, which Les uses to support his Jewish identity.
The Bible describes the Antichrist (the man of sin) as one who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This indicates he will operate in a religious context, specifically in the Jerusalem temple, which is central to Jewish worship.
Les Feldick teaches that the Antichrist will likely be an apostate Jew. He reasons that Israel will be so quick to accept him and his treaty that this would be unlikely if he were not Jewish. He also notes that the Antichrist will not honor the God of his fathers, and instead will worship a god his fathers did not know, which Les interprets as Satan. He will set himself up as God and force the Jew to worship him, which happens in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
Les argues that Israel's willingness to accept the Antichrist's treaty, protection, and permission for temple worship suggests he must be Jewish. He says, 'I kind of have to feel that this man Antichrist will be a Jew, an apostate Jew to be sure. But otherwise, I can't see Israel so readily accepting his offers.'
Les explains that the Antichrist, despite his Jewish background, will not honor the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Instead, he will give honor to a god his fathers did not know, which Les identifies as Satan, who is the primary force behind him. This is part of his self-exaltation and deception.
The Antichrist will oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, so that he as God sits in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). Les describes him as the greatest egotist, setting himself up as the God of this world, and forcing the Jew to worship him as God. This will be Hitler's Nazism all over again, but a thousand times worse.
What the Bible Really Says About the Antichrist — Daniel 8 & 11
world. Now, when I say the whole world, stop and think for a minute. If you're aware at all of what's going on in the world, if you read your weekly news magazines and so forth, the word that you're hearing more and more is global. Aren't you? The global economy, global politics, global religion, global currency.
Antichrist Likely an Apostate Jew
Les teaches that the Antichrist will be an apostate Jew because Israel will readily accept his treaty and offers of protection, which seems unlikely otherwise.
Self-Exaltation and Temple
Les explains that the Antichrist will set himself up as God and sit in the temple of God, as described in 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
False Prophet's Possible Jewish Background
Les mentions that the false prophet could also be an apostate Jew, noting that it's not unusual for Jews to embrace other religions, which supports the plausibility of a Jewish Antichrist.
Antichrist's Egotism and Temple in Jerusalem
Les emphasizes the Antichrist's extreme egotism and that he will sit in the temple in Jerusalem, which points to a Jewish context.
Israel's Acceptance of Antichrist
Les notes that Jewish people are looking for a Messiah with military and economic prowess, and he tells them they are describing the Antichrist, who they will embrace.
Antichrist Forces Worship
Les describes how the Antichrist will move into the Temple complex, defile it, and force the Jew to worship him as God.
Antichrist's Jewish Identity Reason
Les reiterates that the Antichrist will be an apostate Jew because Israel will be enraptured with him, as he gives them peace, prosperity, and temple worship.
2 Thessalonians 2:4: Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
This verse is central to understanding the Antichrist's religious self-exaltation and his connection to the Jewish temple.
Les Feldick believes the Antichrist will be an apostate Jew, but he acknowledges that some Bible scholars disagree and think he could be an apostate Gentile. His conclusion is based on Israel's readiness to accept him.
No, Les teaches that the Antichrist will not honor the God of his fathers (the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). Instead, he will worship the god his fathers did not know, which Les identifies as Satan.
The Antichrist will set himself up as God in the temple of God in Jerusalem, which will be rebuilt. He will force the Jew to worship him, as described in 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About the Antichrist — Daniel 8 & 11