In Reply to: The A.C. posted by Robert aka Path on April 20, 2003 at 21:02:56:
The subject of the identity of the, 'man of sin' appears to be one that tends to be ever tangled up in current (local) politics. There are many anti-Christ rulers involved in jockeying for positions in the New World Order. Remember that there will be ten kings under him (the AC), who are described as being of one mind, who will give their kingdoms over unto the, 'Beast'. I suspect that a President will be one of those kings who will have become a dictator by then having suspended elections, most likely under a prolonged state of emergency. The real power in the world is in the hands of the super wealthly who head up the New World Order and not necesarily the figurehead leaders that they have installed over the nations. (These people practically own all the infrastructure that modern society is based on.)(EG. The banks, governments, land, global corporations, religious organizations, the media, etc.)
The scriptures tell us that the AC comes to power amidst signs and wonders. He first subdues three kings. Ten kings give their nations into his hand. He is wounded by a sword and miraculously survives. He has a cohort known as the false prophet who performs wonders and calls down fire from above. He is very proud and blasphemes against the Lord. The world wonders after him and also worships him. He arise out of the former empire of Alexander the Great, so he is not an American. (Daniel 8: 21-25) He honours a god of forces. (Take note you Star Wars fans.) He confirms (prolongs an existing?) a covenant with Israel for seven years. He enters and defiles the temple in Jerusalem 3 1/2 years after this agreement. The false prophet prompts the people to make an image to the beast. He demands worship and no one will be allowed to buy or sell without receiving his mark in their right hand or forehead. His number is 600,60,6. (666)
According to the hype being spewed out by the New Age Movement, he will be considered the fulfillment of the world's messianic prophecies, having indwelt spiritually, in the past, the world's religion founders and will be considered, 'The World Teacher'. They (the New Agers)perform a prayer called the, 'Great Invocation' intended to manifest his (the ACs) presense. They also believe he must control the UN to bring about peace. Many powerful men in the UN and elsewhere also believe this.
When he starts fulfilling the prophecies contained in scripture he will draw attention and become known as time goes on. The only real way anyone will be able to identify him is by believing what God says. Look for a literal fulfillment and avoid applying imaginative theories unto situations or interpreting facts to try and fit them into scripture.