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Who Is the Antichrist?: Answering the Question Everyone Is Asking
With the growing interest in the Antichrist these days, curiosity runs high for both Christians and unbelievers―with good reason. In books, movies, and even everyday conversation, so many different ideas about who he is, what he will do, and the timing of his arrival abound that it’s difficult to separate biblical fact from human speculation. Bestselling Bible prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock looks to the one source readers can trust―the Bible―and answers questions such as… Using a friendly question-and-answer format, Mark takes readers on a fascinating tour of all the Bible’s key passages about the Antichrist―and shares how this information applies to their lives today.
207 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Mark Hitchcock
115 books116 followersMark Hitchcock was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from law school in 1984. After working for a judge at the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals for four years, Mark was led to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating in 1991. Since that time, he has served as senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He completed his PhD at Dallas Theological Seminary in 2005 and serves as an associate professor of Bible exposition at DTS. He has authored over thirty books related to end-time Bible prophecy that have sold over one million copies. His books have been translated into over ten languages. Mark is a frequent speaker at churches and prophecy conferences both in the United States and internationally. Mark and his wife, Cheryl, live in Edmond, Oklahoma. They have two sons, Justin (married to Natalee) and Samuel, and two grandchildren..
You can also connect with Mark on Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 22, 2012
The same things we would read in anything by Hal Lindsey of Tim Lahaye. Granted, it is a bit more logical and well argued, but it still suffers from many weaknesses.
Now, as for who the antichrist is...we'll only know after the rapture when the tribulation begins, he says. Whether he is right or not is thus dependent almost entirely on the truth of pre-tribulation dispensationalism (which is more or less assumed to be true).
Hitchcock takes the Bible extremely literally, except of course when it would go against the dispensationalist, pre-tribulation rapture view. For example, although he admits that the beast represents both a kingdom and its king, we know that when it speaks of it suffering a mortal wound and coming back to life that the person, not kingdom is in view because a kingdom can't suffer a mortal head wound and resurrected. That would be great, except it doesn't say "the person represented by the beast" suffers a mortal wound and rises again. Specifically, it is one of its multiple heads (Revelation ). Does that mean the antichrist has multiple heads too? Or, could it be that a symbolic beast being destroyed and rising again itself symbolic for something? After all, that is the case quite often when a kingdom is symbolized in scripture (including the 4th beast in Daniel 7 where this imagery comes from; that beast is slaughtered and then incinerated, representing the end of the kingdom, not the fate of a person). Similarly, the kingdom of Babylon must rise again and be destroyed a second time. How do we know that? Because the Babylon of Isaiah's time was destroyed, as he predicted in Isaiah 13, but since the sun didn't go out (Verse 10) and other such details did not come to pass, it must be the case that there will be a new Babylon in the end times to fulfill the prophecy (as opposed to Isaiah, the most poetic of all the prophets, being hyperbolic...). As for how he would explain the use of bows and arrows by the Medes (another kingdom that will need to be re-established), I can only guess.
On the rare occasions where alternative points of view are looked at, they are addressed poorly. In dealing with the preterist interpretation of the beast, the understanding of that view and the arguments for it shows itself to be quite superficial. In many cases, it is a matter of how something "seems better" than something else.
This book takes for granted dispensationalism, which can make some of his points quite muddled if you don't adopt the assumptions held in the first place.
As for other details, it is not often clear if he is right or wrong, so you'll need to do a lot more study than just reading a book review to know if he is right ;)
Overall, I wasn't impressed, although I will give Hitchcock credit for at least basing his arguments on exegesis (albeit unsuccessfully) and much less on emotional appeals than writers who further similar positions.
Now, as for who the antichrist is...we'll only know after the rapture when the tribulation begins, he says. Whether he is right or not is thus dependent almost entirely on the truth of pre-tribulation dispensationalism (which is more or less assumed to be true).
Hitchcock takes the Bible extremely literally, except of course when it would go against the dispensationalist, pre-tribulation rapture view. For example, although he admits that the beast represents both a kingdom and its king, we know that when it speaks of it suffering a mortal wound and coming back to life that the person, not kingdom is in view because a kingdom can't suffer a mortal head wound and resurrected. That would be great, except it doesn't say "the person represented by the beast" suffers a mortal wound and rises again. Specifically, it is one of its multiple heads (Revelation ). Does that mean the antichrist has multiple heads too? Or, could it be that a symbolic beast being destroyed and rising again itself symbolic for something? After all, that is the case quite often when a kingdom is symbolized in scripture (including the 4th beast in Daniel 7 where this imagery comes from; that beast is slaughtered and then incinerated, representing the end of the kingdom, not the fate of a person). Similarly, the kingdom of Babylon must rise again and be destroyed a second time. How do we know that? Because the Babylon of Isaiah's time was destroyed, as he predicted in Isaiah 13, but since the sun didn't go out (Verse 10) and other such details did not come to pass, it must be the case that there will be a new Babylon in the end times to fulfill the prophecy (as opposed to Isaiah, the most poetic of all the prophets, being hyperbolic...). As for how he would explain the use of bows and arrows by the Medes (another kingdom that will need to be re-established), I can only guess.
On the rare occasions where alternative points of view are looked at, they are addressed poorly. In dealing with the preterist interpretation of the beast, the understanding of that view and the arguments for it shows itself to be quite superficial. In many cases, it is a matter of how something "seems better" than something else.
This book takes for granted dispensationalism, which can make some of his points quite muddled if you don't adopt the assumptions held in the first place.
As for other details, it is not often clear if he is right or wrong, so you'll need to do a lot more study than just reading a book review to know if he is right ;)
Overall, I wasn't impressed, although I will give Hitchcock credit for at least basing his arguments on exegesis (albeit unsuccessfully) and much less on emotional appeals than writers who further similar positions.
August 3, 2011
Full review: The lonely book-club
The book is shared in five parts: “The curiosity about Antichrist,” “The character of Antichrist,” “The coming of Antichrist,” “The career of Antichrist” & “The consummation of Antichrist”
The first two parts of the book are the longest and the most interesting parts. They are intriguing and keeps the reader’s attention with ease. With references to politicians and leaders now and earlier they give a great view of which people and what kind of people who are considered to be Antichrist/s. They provide the necessary information along with interesting facts and opinions.
The book is shared in five parts: “The curiosity about Antichrist,” “The character of Antichrist,” “The coming of Antichrist,” “The career of Antichrist” & “The consummation of Antichrist”
The first two parts of the book are the longest and the most interesting parts. They are intriguing and keeps the reader’s attention with ease. With references to politicians and leaders now and earlier they give a great view of which people and what kind of people who are considered to be Antichrist/s. They provide the necessary information along with interesting facts and opinions.
November 3, 2023
Very thought provoking.
December 13, 2011
Title: WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST? Answering the Question Everyone Is Asking
Author: Mark Hitchcock
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
August 2011
ISBN 978-0-7369-3995-9
Genre: Prophecy
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV)
I believe that Mark Hitchcock may have had this verse in mind as he was writing WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?. Cutting through layers of confusion concerning the antichrist, author, pastor and teacher Mark Hitchcock provides a primer for the end-times scholar. In a skillful, engaging manner the author addresses such topics as: whether one can accurately identify the antichrist before he rises to power; the signs of the times of the antichrist; the significance of the number of the beast; the scope and sphere of the antichrist’s influence; and whether the antichrist is living among us today. Furthermore, Pastor Hitchcock makes a very strong case for the importance of studying about the antichrist. First, “the sheer volume of information about the antichrist in Scripture is reason enough for us to understand who he is and what he will do.” (p. 18) Second, knowing the ultimate end of the antichrist will strengthen one’s relationship with the God of the universe, who has the antichrist’s future in his hands. Thirdly, knowledge of the antichrist will help “inform” us as we see current events setting the stage for his “coming.” Finally, knowing about the antichrist will help us to recognize error and apostasy in the world in which we are now living.
Though small (only 198 pages). WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST? will serve as a firm foundation for studies concerning the antichrist and the end times. 198 pages. $13.99.
Author: Mark Hitchcock
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
August 2011
ISBN 978-0-7369-3995-9
Genre: Prophecy
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV)
I believe that Mark Hitchcock may have had this verse in mind as he was writing WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?. Cutting through layers of confusion concerning the antichrist, author, pastor and teacher Mark Hitchcock provides a primer for the end-times scholar. In a skillful, engaging manner the author addresses such topics as: whether one can accurately identify the antichrist before he rises to power; the signs of the times of the antichrist; the significance of the number of the beast; the scope and sphere of the antichrist’s influence; and whether the antichrist is living among us today. Furthermore, Pastor Hitchcock makes a very strong case for the importance of studying about the antichrist. First, “the sheer volume of information about the antichrist in Scripture is reason enough for us to understand who he is and what he will do.” (p. 18) Second, knowing the ultimate end of the antichrist will strengthen one’s relationship with the God of the universe, who has the antichrist’s future in his hands. Thirdly, knowledge of the antichrist will help “inform” us as we see current events setting the stage for his “coming.” Finally, knowing about the antichrist will help us to recognize error and apostasy in the world in which we are now living.
Though small (only 198 pages). WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST? will serve as a firm foundation for studies concerning the antichrist and the end times. 198 pages. $13.99.
August 24, 2011
While most books out there today seem to be concentrating on the end of the world and the Rapture, author Mark Hitchcock tackled one question that most people seem to be forgetting about (although the title of his book would suggest otherwise) - Who is the Antichrist?
While I didn't learn anything new from this book that I haven't heard before, for those new Christians that are curious, it is a good place to start. The author asks many intriguing questions such as:
- Will the Antichrist be a Jew, a Muslim, or a Gentile?
- Could an American President be the Antichrist?
- How will the Antichrist arise to world power?
- What are some of the signs of his coming?
The book has a question and answer format and by the time you are finished reading it you will probably pay closer attention to world news and leaders who are on the rise. You may even start to play the guessing game (e.g. "I wonder if ... is the Antichrist?). The point is, we are living in the end-times and the stage is set for the Antichrist to appear - soon.
While I didn't learn anything new from this book that I haven't heard before, for those new Christians that are curious, it is a good place to start. The author asks many intriguing questions such as:
- Will the Antichrist be a Jew, a Muslim, or a Gentile?
- Could an American President be the Antichrist?
- How will the Antichrist arise to world power?
- What are some of the signs of his coming?
The book has a question and answer format and by the time you are finished reading it you will probably pay closer attention to world news and leaders who are on the rise. You may even start to play the guessing game (e.g. "I wonder if ... is the Antichrist?). The point is, we are living in the end-times and the stage is set for the Antichrist to appear - soon.
December 6, 2011
The author presents his book in a question/answer format linking bible passages and verses relating to each topic. The author lists what needs to be in place for the antichrist and what has occured thus far, he cites views of the antichrist from the early days of the church and compares it to the modern view among some examples. He tackles the tough questions as well as the more common ones, also including other author references as well. Everything you ever wanted to know about in one volume!
Expertly researched this book is most beneficial to the person newest in Christ, but also has material that the long time believer in God's word can grasp as well.
I was able to devour the material easily because the book has full passages from the bible. But don't expect to finish it in one day. It did challenge me in my faith and I found the overall message inspiring. I would recommend this book to others. Thank you to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC copy for my review.
Expertly researched this book is most beneficial to the person newest in Christ, but also has material that the long time believer in God's word can grasp as well.
I was able to devour the material easily because the book has full passages from the bible. But don't expect to finish it in one day. It did challenge me in my faith and I found the overall message inspiring. I would recommend this book to others. Thank you to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC copy for my review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews