Hey Pedes, looking for clarity on a theory I'm mentally mulling around. It's kind of wild, but also, could have drastic implications if there is any truth to this.
I'll preface this by saying I am a believer in Christ, and only looking for truth, please don't shoot the messenger, this is an open debate and one I expect to see some heated emotions over.
The Greek word for "ante" is "αντι-", and although the current accepted translation of ἀντίχριστος is Anti-christ, there is little literature to explain the use of Anti vs Ante.
There is a possibility that the word "antichrist" in the Bible has been mistranslated or misunderstood, and that it may actually refer to an "ante-Christ," or a precursor to the coming of Christ, similar to how John the Baptist preceded Jesus. The book of Revelation, a highly symbolic and metaphorical text, may not actually predict a future apocalypse or end times, but rather symbolizes the ongoing struggle between good and evil in human history. According to this theory, the arrival of the "antechrist" figure may not be a negative event, but rather a necessary step in clearing the way for Jesus' return.
Let's analyze Trumps actions in contrast to the antechristos.
Abraham accords - negotiating peace with Isreal, only to turn his back in 3.5 years time. Does this fit with Biden getting into office?
The concept of a peace deal or covenant made by the antichrist is not explicitly mentioned in the book of Revelation, but it is described in some other parts of the Bible, particularly in the book of Daniel. In Daniel 9:27, it says:
"He [the antichrist] will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."
Is the end of sacrifice, the end of child, human sacrifice to Baal? Or worse? This kind fits to me. Especially considering the Mossad connections with Epstein et al.
in Revelation 13:3, where it says, "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." This wound is described as being healed, and as a result, people are amazed and follow the beast.
I've often wondered if Trump gaining the presidency again would fulfill this passage?
There is a lot more to this theory, but it's a lot to type out, I'll leave it at this for now.
There are alternatives to this as well, as Obama/Biden could also fulfill the above prophecy by Biden essentially being an Obama Manchurian candidate. I don't know enough about Obamas political deals with Isreal to make a call on the first one.
One final thing here, Is to look at the way Jesus responded to Caiaphas and the high Jewish court :
You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
This is very telling that Jesus did not see YahWeh as his "Father" in heaven. Jesus never once mentioned Yahweh when referencing the father. He used Abba, or other terms.
Thoughts, pedes?
I was asked to review this by u/Andy_Man45.
The actually important part, Jesus most definitely did regard Yahweh as his Father and the name as his Father's name, thus his own. The Greek text recording Aramaic conversations generally won't note use of a Hebrew name in the midst; but John 8:58 was certainly a reference to Yahweh. More generically, whenever the word "kurios" (lord, now preserved in the words church and kyrie) is used of the Father, it is understood as a euphemism for Yahweh's name, which was too sacred for casual usage. Yet when Jesus quotes a Hebrew source containing the translation "kurios", he is recognized by all to be referring to Yahweh (Matt. 4:7, 10, 5:33, etc.).
To OP, it is true Latin ante comes from Greek anti, but this means both senses are intended, opposition and facing-off ("beforeness"). There are many antichrists (1 John 2:18), so feel free to class today's politicos among them; but they must meet the criteria: "that denieth that Jesus is the Christ", "that denieth the Father and the Son" (2:22), and "that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" (4:3). John the Baptist did not meet these, so prophetic forerunner that is not the sense intended. It appears a final antichrist is coming in connection with a 7-year tribulation begun by a treaty signed by united nations. Personally, I think the eclipses of 2017 and 2024 indicate a dress-rehearsal period, and we should prepare for things to get much worse, which is what warriors do.
I'll skim the comments here, please feel free to ping me with any questions.
Which word in John 8:58 do you believe refers to Yahwew?
"Ego eimi" is a translation of Yahweh, the most likely word spoken on that occasion, which would be well translated in English as "I am I".
Thank you for your input,
The I am translation is correct but, it still doesn't explain Jesus not using the name Yahweh once in the Bible.
Sure, people didn't use it as often in public because they felt it was sacred, but Jesus wasn't one to be shy about these things. Surely his father's name would not be too sacred for him to utter publicly? At least once, on record? This still seems highly suspect to me.
The books were written in Greek, fren, and most of the larger audience would have trouble with either Hebrew characters mixed in Greek or an invented transliteration into Greek. The NT passages I listed are sufficient evidence to those who understand the culture that when Jesus was speaking Hebrew and Aramaic he used the name repeatedly. Further, as I said, Jesus also came in preincarnate form and used the name Yahweh repeatedly as attested in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Since you don't like the sacred name, the question turns to whether Jesus is who he says he is or whether you change his words about himself too. Is he one with the Father who created all things? Is he Lord and God, uniquely over everything and not just a random divine being? Is he the "I Am" before Abraham was? If you don't accept what he said about himself, you're not following him as Lord and shouldn't take the name "Christian".