As a prelude to this discussion, I would like to take a moment and return to the prophecy of Daniel chapter 11. You may remember that in verses 21-35, most Bible expositors see a description of Antiochus Epiphanes and his evil deeds. Further, we have stated how Antiochus morphs or changes into the antichrist as the chapter progresses. Then, after verse 35, the passage seems to be speaking only about the antichrist.
What I would like to suggest here is that some of the earlier verses, i.e. 21-35 could and probably do describe both Antiochus and the antichrist. I believe it is very possible that two people could fulfill the prophetic words uttered here. These verses could very easily apply to both the past and future antichrist. As proof for this idea, let us consider verse 31. Here we read: “...then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.”
The Jews from the time of Antiochus have referred to this event – the one in which he sacrificed a pig and set up an image in the temple – as “the abomination of desolation.” Perhaps even today, they still believe this to be the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy. Certainly the Jews of Jesus’ day held this belief. But Jesus blew their mind. He rattled their concepts. He said: “But when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place...” (Mt 24:15). In essence He was saying: “You think that you know what this abomination was. You think it has already happened. But the one of which Daniel spoke has not yet taken place. It is still in the future.”
Going back to our discussion, this verse in Daniel is part of the passage which speaks about Antiochus. Yet we know from Jesus’ words that it is the actions of the antichrist which will be the true or final realization of this verse. So this verse must refer to both men. Therefore, it is not too far fetched to think that some of the other verses of this section will also have a double fulfillment in both Antiochus and the antichrist. With this in mind, we will now take a closer look at the character and activities of the antichrist.
Many believers are expecting the antichrist to be a famous, worldly politician. They imagine an urbane, popular, glad-handing, back slapping, probably immoral political animal, perhaps something like a Bill Clinton running the U.N. Yet this is not the image which the Bible portrays.
To begin, the scriptures call the antichrist “a little horn” (Dan 7:8; 8:9). This indicates that he is relatively insignificant until he gains control. In contrast to this, the horn which represents Alexander the Great is described as “remarkable” and “large” (Dan 8:5,8). He was a strong, able conqueror. He had world-wide fame. The horns representing the four generals who succeeded Alexander, are labeled “notable” (Dan 8:8). These were well-known people. But, at least in the beginning, the antichrist “horn” is small. Before he assumes power on the world scene, he will be a small, despised individual whom no one ever imagines could rise up and become what he eventually becomes. This is an important fact of which we should be aware.
Drawing from our Antiochus/antichrist verses of Daniel chapter 11 we learn even more. We are led to believe that he is a liar (vs 27). He will act “deceitfully” (vs 23). “Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his hand” (Dan 8:25). He comes to power in a devious manner, using flattery and deceit (Dan 11: 21). One of the things which we can use to identify the antichrist will be this ability to deceive people through his words. He will corrupt many through “flattery” (Dan 11:32).
In fact, one of the most striking features of the antichrist is his mouth. Right in the middle of this little horn is a big mouth. We are shown “a mouth speaking great things” (Rev 13:5). Also in Daniel we read about “a mouth which spoke great pompous words” (Dan 7:20) and “in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words” (Dan 7:8). This horn has prominent eyes and a lot of talk.
Surprisingly, the popularity of the antichrist is not great, since he will “become strong with a small number of people” (vs 23). He is looked upon by many as being a “vile person” (vs 21). No cheering crowds crown him king. They do not give him “the honour of royalty” (vs 21). Therefore, we should not be looking for someone who is liked and popular. Initially, he will not be a prominent figure on the world stage. In fact, he will be unpopular with many. The coming man of sin will, in the beginning, be a rather unknown and perhaps disliked person who likes to boast about what he will do.
The antichrist will not be a womanizer or an immoral person from a sexually impure perspective. In fact, it may be that he will preach his own brand of morality. We read that he will not regard “the desire of women” (Dan 11:37). It is possible that he will be a severe ascetic, priding himself in his extreme self denial in the area of sexual relations. This fact would not discount the possibility that he might be married, but indicate that he arrives at a place where he has little use for his wife or wives. Whatever the case, it may be that the religion which he ultimately adopts will involve an extremely strong position of denial with regard to sexual involvement of men with women.
Bible scholars differ widely on the interpretation of this phrase “the desire of women.” Many and various opinions have been offered. Some have seen a rejection of the worship of various goddesses. Others synthesize a denial of Christ, thinking that the “desire of women” is Jesus. Still others postulate that this “desire of women” is to have children and that the antichrist is against this. However, none of this really rings true.
Now that we have clearly identified the area of the world from which the antichrist will come, it is not at all difficult to imagine that he will espouse some form of asceticism. It might be that he would be involved in or be a leader of the current movement among Muslims of radical, religious self-denial. This group already has today an almost vicious reaction toward women and any sort of male/female attraction. Women are often treated as subhuman.
This idea that this phrase refers to such a severe religious tendency gains a lot of support when we remember that it is he and his ten nations who destroy Babylon. They hate her because of her rampant immorality, sensuality and self-indulgence (Rev 17:16,17). We will explore these things in more detail later, but for now I believe it is a good bet that he will be a prominent leader in an extreme, anti-Christian religious movement.
Some might argue that Islam is not anti-Christian. Well, certainly we must be able to agree that it is not pro-Christian. I am told that inside every mosque is a prominent sign which reads: “God has no son.” The conflict of Islam with God’s people – both the Jews and the Christians – is longstanding. Certainly Islam is a religious substitute for the true worship of the true God. It should be no surprise to discover that this false religion will play a prominent role in the rise and reign of the coming antichrist.
Many have supposed that since the beast is called the “man of sin” that he would be an immoral, man-of-the-world sort of person. There is nothing in the scriptures which supports this. While other world leaders and famous people have become renowned for their sexual exploits, lovers, different wives, etc. nothing of this sort is said about the antichrist. His sin is his rejection of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Even more than this, he begins to believe that he is God. He “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (II Thess 2:4).

In Daniel 11, verse 38 we find an interesting detail about the antichrist. He will: “...honour a god of fortresses, and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honour with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.” It is not hard to imagine a figure, perhaps like Osama bin Laden, who is a fugitive from the international community. He spends months and even years hiding in caves. He is an ascetic. He fasts often and has little contact with others and the outside world. He prays a lot, but not to the right God.
During this time of prayer, fasting and isolation it is possible that he would begin to have an awareness of a presence. He might begin to enter into contact with a spiritual force which begins to guide him and even speak to him. This force could become his protector. It is this spirit which is keeping him from being found and killed, even though thousands of army soldiers, special forces, aerial drones, satellites and other devices are scouring the area for him. He has found a new god, one which guides and protects him in every way. It is his “god of fortresses.” This god becomes his stronghold.
This word “fortresses” in Hebrew means “place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold.” It is used many times in the Bible, over 37 times in fact, referring to a believer’s relationship with God. For example, we read that God is our refuge and our strength (Ps 46:1). But the antichrist has found a new refuge or stronghold. He has come into contact with a spirit being who protects him and so becomes his god. This protector of his becomes more and more real to him and begins to guide his words and ways.
The antichrist, due to his geographic location, will probably refer to this new god as Allah. He will likely insist that this is the “real” Allah and that he himself in some kind of reincarnation of the “Prophet.” But the truth is that this new god of his is Satan himself. The devil becomes the god of the antichrist. We can confirm this from the verse in Revelation 13:2 where we read that the dragon (which in this case is Satan) “gave him [the antichrist] his power, his throne, and great authority.”
Since the antichrist worships this god, he insists that everyone else does too. We read: “they [the people of the world] worshipped the dragon [Satan] who gave authority to the beast” (Rev 13:4). This is the god which becomes real to, protects and empowers the man of sin. Evidently, Satan sees this man as a someone whom he can use in the future to do his will on the earth.
Interestingly, this is not “the God [or gods] of his [the antichrist’s] fathers” (Dan 11:37). It is “a god that his fathers did not know” (Dan 11:38). Again, taking Osama bin Laden as our example here, his father was probably also a Muslim. Perhaps he worshipped Allah in the way many so-called Christians worship God today. They give lip service to some deity whom they really do not know and is not real to them. But is it very probable that Osama’s father was not a worshiper of the devil. He certainly was not, as the coming antichrist will be, in communion with Satan himself.
Some might argue that Allah is just another name for the devil. Others think that the Mohammedans use it as a name for the true God but are in error in what they believe about Him. These are questions which are beyond the scope of our study here. I would only like to note that at some point in time, Osama rejected his father’s ways. He adopted a radical form of religion that did not harmonize with his parents idea of who “God” is and what his ways were. He made a radical break with his father’s religion and probably his father’s concept of God.
By the way, some have taken the phrase “God of his fathers” and insisted that the coming antichrist must be a Jew who rejects God. Others see him as a backslidden Christian. There is nothing in the text which demands this interpretation. The word for “God” here is elohim which can be but is not always a reference to the God of the Bible. It is a kind of generic Hebrew word for “God.” It can also be rendered “god” or even “gods” since it is a plural word. Therefore, it can refer to any sort of deity or deities, even if they are pagan ones. On the other hand, if the word “Jehovah” (Yahweh) or “Lord” (Adonai) had been used, this would have been a much more certain identification. (The translation “gods” has given rise to the possibility that the “god(s) of his fathers” refers to the ancient gods of Babylon and Assyria which the antichrist will not worship.)
Instead of the “god [or gods] of his fathers” this evil person will promote the worship of his new god, which in reality is the devil. I think that it is very unlikely that he will use the name “Satan” or “the devil” to describe his god. He will probably use the title “Allah” thus obscuring who this god really is. But the truth of the matter is that the god whom he will promote is the ancient serpent, Satan. He will popularize this god with whom he is in communion and advocate the worship of him. In Daniel we are told that the antichrist will honor this “god of fortresses,” “acknowledge” it and “advance its glory” (Dan 11:38,39).

But the coming antichrist does not stop with merely worshiping a “new” god. As his power and influence grow, his head also swells up proportionately. His pride and ego begin to expand to an almost unprecedented extent. He begins to imagine that he is god. He arrives at the place where he wants to be worshipped also. It appears that as the anointing of the devil becomes ever stronger in his life, this power goes to his head. Experiencing the authority of Satan and even sitting on his “throne” gives him a greatly inflated idea of who he is.
So the antichrist will begin to demand worship of himself. We read that the man of sin “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped” until finally, “he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (II Thess 2:4). No doubt the exaltation of himself is related to the “mouth speaking great things” (Rev 13:5) and “speaking pompous words” (Dan 7:8). The antichrist will with time become completely carried away with his successes and following.
Eventually, his opinion of himself will balloon to such a point that he will blaspheme the Most High God, verbally denigrating him and challenging His authority. “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High” (Dan 725). And: “Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, his tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven” (Rev 13:6). This will prove to be a great mistake.

We have been speaking to a small degree about Islam and how this will play a part in the coming of the antichrist. To understand this, we must know that Islam today is not a unified movement. This religion is divided up into many different sects. Each has their own emphasis, beliefs and leaders. Over the centuries since its establishment, Islam has been changed many times by various charismatic leaders to suit their own purposes, giving rise to various factions and belief systems.
In one case, a sect of Islam actually transformed itself into another religion entirely as was the case with something called Bahaism or Baabism. Therefore, the possibility of the antichrist modifying and molding Islam to suit his own agenda is not very remote. It would be nothing new.
It is my guess that the beast will use the Islamic religion as a springboard to gain followers but after he assumes a position of great authority and control, he will modify it to include himself and his actual protector (Satan) as objects of worship. His will probably be a kind of mutant Muslim religion. In fact, some sects of Islam are actively expecting a kind of “savior” to show up and lead them back to their former unity and glory. There are many thousands of Muslims today eagerly waiting for the arrival of an anointed, quasi-supernatural Imam or leader.
Dr. Javeed Akhten, who is the Executive Director of the International Strategy and Policy Institute of Chicago, Illinois, in his article entitled “Schisms and Heterodoxy Among Muslims” states: “Shia philosophy is...awaiting the return of the occulted Imam.’ ” Further he writes: “The ‘Hizb ut Tahrir’ is a relatively new group that has as its main goal the establishment of the Caliph (Khalifa) who will be the savior for the Muslims.” No doubt, the antichrist will be happy to assume this position for them. It is very probable that the antichrist will appear to the Muslim community as a savior and a uniter. It is likely that many will welcome him as a fulfiller of this role. Later, he will mold this religion to suit his own ends.

To aid him in his rise to power and “deity” the antichrist seems to have a kind of helper or prophet. This figure acts perhaps as a sort of vice president. It is possible that the beast himself keeps to the background and allows this false prophet to front for him, especially in the area of claiming to be deity. We read that this figure “...causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast” (Rev 13:12).
Further assisting this prophet in proclaiming that the beast is divine, are his miracles. He is permitted by God and energized by Satan to perform incredible miracles. This second beast (Rev 13:11) “...performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast” (Rev 13:13,14).
Perhaps you have often thought of this second beast or false prophet as just an individual. But biblically, he must be much more than that. He must also be a ruler of some nation. This is shown to us by the fact that he is called a “beast.” In Bible prophecy, both in Daniel and Revelation, any beast which appears is always the leader of a kingdom. In all the other visions, a beast is representative of both a kingdom and its ruler. Therefore, for the false prophet or second beast to be a simple individual without a nation behind him would be inconsistent with the rest of the scriptures. The false prophet must be the ruler of some country.
Not only is the second beast a national leader, but it seems that he must be a joint ruler together with someone else. We read that this second beast has “two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon” (Rev 13:11). If you remember our previous discussion of the meaning of horns in Bible prophecy, you will recall that two horns on a beast represent two simultaneous rulers. Therefore, to be consistent, this second beast must be some kind of co-ruler of a nation.
Although this may seem a little strange to you, we might find something like this in our world today. The nation of Iran, for example, seems to have a dual governmental system with two rulers. They have their religious government with its Ayatollah or spiritual ruler alongside of a secular government with its ruler or president. Perhaps the scriptures are indicating this very kind of arrangement.
It could be that the nation which the false prophet leads would be part of the ten which the antichrist will eventually unite. Yet this would not be scripturally necessary. It is only important that it exists and that one of its rulers becomes a very active participant in the dominion of the antichrist.
Still another factor which will promote the coming beast worship is what some have termed a “false resurrection.” Evidently, the antichrist is not popular with everyone. Sometime along the way, someone tries to kill him. As a result, he suffers a fatal head wound. We read: “I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded.” But this isn’t the end of him or his kingdom. Somehow, this “deadly wound was healed.” The result of this return from death is that “all the world marveled and followed the beast” (Rev 13:3).
It is very possible that this miraculous healing is a result of the devil’s power. It is probably Satan who cures this beast. Certainly such an amazing revival from the dead, would cause people, especially Muslim religious people who are seeking such things, to be amazed. It would increase the antichrist’s esteem in their eyes and serve to allay any doubts that they might have had. This “resurrection” from the dead, no matter how it is accomplished, will strongly work in the beast’s favor.
This gives rise to a another thought. After the antichrist is wounded, it is possible that the devil himself enters into his body, thus effecting some kind of cure. This might possibly coincide with the time when Satan is finally thrown out of heaven to the earth (Rev 12:9,13). This then would be how this false resurrection is accomplished. Another possibility is that at this time the spirit of Antiochus Epiphanes is retrieved from wherever it happens to be and inhabits this body. Whatever actually occurs, this wound and its healing only serve to promote the popularity of the beast.

There are a couple words in Revelation 13:3 that merit our attention, since they could cause some misunderstanding for the readers. When we read that “all the world marveled and followed the beast” it sounds as if he is really popular world-wide. But, however strange this may seem, in the Bible the words “all the world” do not always mean the same as we might mean when we say “all the world.”
For example, Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem because of a decree from Caesar that “all the world should be registered” (Luke 2:1). This was a kind of Roman census. But it is clear that in this case “all the world” meant only “all the Roman world” or “all the world known to them.” Certainly the Chinese, Aztecs, Polynesians, etc. were not counted in this census. Therefore, this is not all the world as we think of it today.
Again we read in Acts 11:28 of a famine prophesied to occur “throughout all the world.” Certainly, this did not include South America, North America, all of Africa, Asia and Australia. Although some legalists might try to insist upon this interpretation, the meaning here is “all the world known to those people at that time” not the entire planet.
Further in Acts 17:6, when the mob dragged Jason and others to the rulers of the city they cried: “These...have turned the world upside down.” Although the gospel has and will eventually reach the whole world, at that particular moment in time, it had not yet done so. Perhaps this mob was merely being prophetic. At any rate, these and other verses which say essentially the same thing indicate for us clearly that when we read “the whole world” in Revelation 13:3, this does not require us to think of the entire globe. Certainly, in an area of the world which would possibly have been considered the “whole world” at that time, the beast may have some popularity. Today, this would be a largely Muslim area. Yet this does not dictate that every nation on earth likes or wants to follow the beast.
What is more likely is something which we will consider as we move along in our study of this subject. That is that the antichrist will attract large numbers of followers in various parts of the world, principally in the Middle East and other Muslim areas. Then he, along with his followers will forcibly impose their will on the rest of the planet. As we will see, they will do this in various ways and have a lot of success, but this does not necessarily mean that everyone, everywhere will be duped by the religion of the antichrist.

Throughout my years as a Christian, I have constantly heard about the coming “one world government” which supposedly is headed by the antichrist. But as I have read through the scriptures, time and time again, I cannot find one verse which teaches this. It seems that the vast majority of Christians believe in this coming universal administration, but where is the Biblical basis for it? Let us take a moment to look at some verses together.
Everyone should know by now that the antichrist coalition consists of ten nations. That’s right, just ten. This fact is repeated over and over again. In our world today, we have over 250 different nations. Now how is it possible for antichrist to be the head of some kind of one world government when scripturally, he only rules ten countries? This just does not make sense.
In fact, when he rises up, he doesn’t even take over these ten nations himself. He seizes control of only three. We read: “I was considering the [ten] horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots” (Dan 7:8). The angel explains to Daniel that this means the antichrist will “subdue three kings” (Dan 7:24).
You see, when he comes to power, the antichrist will only take actual, personal control of three nations of the world. This may not be your concept but it certainly is scriptural. Further, it appears that he soon puts some of his followers in charge of these three nations since the total is always ten. It is probable that this is part of his method for rewarding the faithful.
Eventually, after managing to gain control of three countries, the beast persuades seven other nations to join in with him. We are not told if they do so out of fear or if they agree with his agenda. One clue we have is that “he will divide the land for gain” (Dan 11:39). This may mean that he grants rulership or portions of land to those who will agree with him and work toward his goals. For whatever reason, seven other “kings” join in with him to accomplish his (and as we will see, some of God’s) purposes. What we can know certainly is that these other kings “give their power and authority to the beast” (Rev 17:13).
(By the way dear brothers and sisters, please forget about all the conspiracy theories you have heard as explanations for the end-times events. Don’t worry about the United Nations, the Illuminati, the Bilderburgers, the Trilateral Commission, the Counsel on Foreign Relations, the Skull and Bones club or any of the rest of this stuff. The problem with all these supposed conspiracies is that they have no biblical basis whatsoever, or they are synthesized from a very few verses. They hang from very slender doctrinal threads having almost no scriptural foundation but volumes of imagination.
Consequently, these things have a mental appeal, but are not doctrinally sound. No doubt these various groups exist. Perhaps they even imagine that they are moving the world. But what we find in the word of God is what will really take place. What we really need to understand end times events is an teaching which unites all the various prophecies in an orderly, logical manner – not conspiracy theories.)
Getting back to our “one world government” discussion, some will undoubtedly say to me: “The Bible says that the antichrist is ‘given authority over every tribe, tongue, and nation’ ” (Rev 13:7). Yes, I do know this verse. It must be the origin of the “one world government” idea. Certainly this verse, along with all the others we have been reading, must be true. However, we cannot synthesize a doctrine or end-time scenario with only one verse. In order to understand what God is revealing to us, all the verses of the Bible must considered. Whatever it is that we conclude must harmonize with all the scriptures.
This verse does not say that he “governs” every tribe, tongue and nation, but only that he has “authority” or power over them. This is an important distinction. To govern an area or the world as a whole, you would have to regulate every aspect of the social, economic and legal system. To control, or “have authority over” you merely must have the power to make the others do a few things which you want them to do.
If you think about the situation logically, no one would be able to conquer the world militarily. It is simply logistically impossible. No ruler could ever have enough troops and equipment to invade and subdue the world. Yet this is exactly what the antichrist would have to do to establish a “one world government.” Using the current situation in Iraq for an example, we quickly see the absurdity of such an idea. The United States is having trouble dominating one single country, in spite of all their manpower, technology and equipment. In the same way, any invader of the world would quickly encounter insurmountable obstacles, especially from guerrilla type warfare.
Going back to the antichrist, we have learned that the antichrist becomes strong with a small number of followers (Dan 11:23). Obviously, he will not have the military might to even think about such a global conquest. Therefore, he must gain his control over the world through some other means.
Perhaps you imagine the U.N. might be able to do the job of subduing the world for him. But wait, they have had a lot of trouble even handling the minor regional disturbances that they have tackled. Small, third world countries have proved impossible for the U.N. to control. Even with many nations contributing, the U.N. could never dominate the world militarily. It simply would not work. No, the antichrist must have some other mechanism by which he forces the world to accept his new brand of religion.
When you stop to consider all the facts carefully, there are some other interesting possibilities (besides a one world government) which spring to mind. There a few ways that the antichrist could rule only ten nations and still have power to make the rest of the world do what he wants. Let us consider these possibilities together.
Here are our facts which we have at hand with which to work. 1) The antichrist arises in the Middle East. 2) His ten nations are taken out of the remnants of the Ottoman Empire which includes the Middle East and North Africa. 3) He directly rules over only ten nations. Yet, 4) the antichrist somehow is able to force the rest of the world to do his will. With all this in mind, let us here go on to investigate how this might work.
The following section is not based on any scripture. Therefore, it must be considered speculation. What we are trying to discover is how someone from the Middle East, ruling over only ten nations might be able to dominate the world and get the nations to do his will. His power over them is so great that he will cause millions of believers who live in them to be put to death. So how is it that he might acquire this kind of control? What hold does he have over them that they would be willing to participate in this sort of atrocity? This part of our study is intended to give the reader some food for thought about these subjects.
The Bible verses which we have studied about the antichrist coming from and having his kingdom in the Middle East are timeless. They will always be true. But our speculations about how such a dictator might control the world could change over time. Nevertheless, it is worth spending some time here, looking into how a modern day antichrist could make this work.

Oil is a very small word. But it has a big impact on our world. Today, all the nations all around the globe are addicted to oil. They have to have it. They depend upon it. Without oil, they could not plant. They could not reap. If they did, they could not transport what they grew. No one could travel to stores to buy food, clothing and other goods. Without oil, planes would not fly, trucks would not run and ships would not move. No one could really buy or sell (except locally) since virtually all modern transportation systems rely on petroleum. If any nation today could not get oil, panic and pandemonium would result. The world’s addiction to oil is acute.
The modern world is completely dependent on oil. Therefore, if someone could manage to gain control of the world’s oil supply, or at least a good part of it, they would be able to manipulate all, or at least most of those who depend on it. In short, they could dominate the world. Interestingly, a good share of the world’s oil supply is in the Middle East. It is there that God saw fit to put a lot of oil. It is precisely this region which the Bible says will be the domain of the coming man of sin. Therefore, it is an extremely reasonable conclusion to draw that he would gain control of a large share of the world’s oil reserves. If so, then the antichrist and his ten nations would be in a position to begin dictating what the other nations must do in order to continue receiving oil.
This is an extremely important point. There is virtually no other commodity which is so necessary in our modern world. It is literally the fuel which powers every modern economy. This cannot be any secret to some individual seeking power from that region of the world. Saddam Hussein in his day realized this. He attacked Kuwait and seemed to have further plans to invade Saudi Arabia. No doubt he had some thoughts about consolidating his control over the oil fields in this region. In the same way, the future antichrist cannot be unaware of the immense possibilities which would be available to someone who could seize control of these oil rich areas of the world.
Anyone who could manage to conquer or acquire control over the Middle East would have the rest of the world over a barrel – a barrel of oil. They would be able to call the shots. They could dictate to most of the other countries what they had to do in order to continue receiving oil. To be able to buy and sell, for the other nations’ economies to continue function, they have to have oil. In fact, in order for most countries to continue to eat, they depend completely on oil for their transportation system. The more industrialized a country is, the more they depend on oil. Consequently, someone who controlled the oil could control them. The formula is simple, if you could control the oil, you could control the world.
Interestingly, many of the more “developed” nations, produce very little of their own oil. Japan, for example, imports 99% of her oil. Europe produces very little, except in the North Sea. I believe the United States pumps only about 40% of the oil which she needs. India and China with their burgeoning economies and populations are dramatically increasing their use of oil every year. Yet they have very little themselves. This is one reason that oil is so expensive today. Consequently, these and most of the other nations in the world are completely vulnerable to anyone who could succeed in gaining control of the Middle East oil producing areas.
Therefore, if the coming antichrist would consolidate his control over the Middle Eastern oil fields, he would be in a good position to begin to dictate his terms to those who need this oil.
Perhaps there are a few countries which would not be heavily impacted by a consolidation of power in the Middle East. Nigeria produces oil and so would probably be exempt. Furthermore, the national leadership of this nation is principally Muslim. Venezuela also pumps lots of oil. Mexico produces more than enough for her needs at the moment. Brazil hopes to be energy self-sufficient in about five years. Russia would seem to immune to threats concerning oil. Yet it is very possible that the coming antichrist will have another weapon besides oil which he can use to force others to do his will.

It is very logical to believe that someone, like Osama, who would manage to consolidate power among ten nations in the Middle East and North Africa would be familiar with the use of terrorism. Some of these countries already have or soon will have nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them. These nuclear nations could easily be a part of what will become the antichrist empire. Therefore, the coming man of sin will have two different weapons with which to control the rest of the world. He will have a “two-fisted” approach so to speak, with one weapon in each hand.
On one hand, he will have the oil weapon to use against those who do not obey his will. On the other, he will probably have weapons of mass destruction at his disposal for those countries who are somewhat immune to his oil threats. Many nations who might not capitulate easily because of being deprived of oil, might quickly change their minds if one of their major cities suddenly went up in fire and smoke. Also, merely seeing some other country suffer this punishment for disobedience might be enough to persuade them.
In the Middle East today, there is no shortage of lunatics ready to sacrifice their lives to further their cause. Human bombs seem to be plentiful. It is part of the Islam religion that to die for their cause guarantees them a place in paradise. This appears to be a powerful incentive. Therefore, the threat of nuclear retaliation against some ruler who used a atomic bomb for terroristic purposes might not have the same deterring effect that it would have on other nations.
I am not insisting here that the scriptures teach us that the antichrist will use atomic weapons. The verse in Revelation 13:13 which tells us that the false prophet will make “fire come down from heaven on the earth” cannot be considered conclusive proof of this. It is only a very logical conclusion to draw from our present-day world situation. Any Middle East despot who wished to dominate the world would certainly think of this possibility. Using these techniques, he will want the other nations to convert to his new brand of Muslim religion.
If some tyrant gained control over much of the world’s petroleum and started trying to dictate policy to them, what would they do? They could either cooperate, try to find alternatives for the fuel they need or attack to try to remove the ruler. Finding alternative fuel sources has not proven to be very easy. So, it would either be attack or give in. If, as we have postulated, this dictator possessed nuclear weapons and had shown a disposition to use them, this would greatly deter any military action against him. Many nations would have no viable alternative other than cooperation.