s in the late ’40s. It starts with the nuclear bomb blowing up the world, and obviously, you need a one-world government to stop it — one world or none. And the Christian framing, which in some ways is the same question, is: Antichrist or Armageddon? You have the one-world state of the Antichrist, or we’re sleepwalking toward Armageddon. “One world or none,” “Antichrist or Armageddon,” on one level, are the same question.
Now, I have a lot of thoughts on this topic, but one question is — and this was a plot hole in all these Antichrist books people wrote — how does the Antichrist take over the world? He gives these demonic, hypnotic speeches and people just fall for it. It’s this demonium, Ex-Machina —
I want to suggest a middle ground between those two options. It used to be that the reasonable fear of the Antichrist was a kind of wizard of technology. And now the reasonable fear is someone who promises to control technology, make it safe and usher in what, from your point of view, would be a universal stagnation, right?
Thiel: Well, that’s more my description of how it would happen.
Douthat: Yes, but you’re saying the real Antichrist would play on that fear and say: You must come with me to avoid Skynet, to avoid the Terminator, to avoid nuclear Armageddon.
Thiel: Yes. This is I Thessalonians 5:3 — the slogan of the Antichrist is “peace and safety.”
ChatGPT said:
The identity and origin of the Antichrist—a figure often described as a deceiver, world ruler, or embodiment of evil—depends heavily on religious tradition, scripture interpretation, and cultural context. Here’s a breakdown of views from major Christian traditions and other perspectives:
Biblical/Christian Interpretations1. New Testament Clues
1 John 2:18 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 describe the Antichrist as a future person who:
Opposes God
Exalts himself above all gods
Sits in the temple of God and proclaims himself to be God
2. Geographical Clues (Prophetic Speculation)
Many interpretations have been proposed over the centuries:
Theory Description
Rome/Europe Based on Daniel’s “fourth beast” and Revelation’s “beast from the sea.” Many early Protestants believed the Antichrist would rise from the revived Roman Empire (i.e., Europe).
Middle East Some modern evangelical interpretations focus on an Antichrist from Islamic nations, especially those in the Middle East. This is based on hostility toward Israel and interpretations of Daniel 11 and Ezekiel 38.
Israel Certain Jewish or Messianic interpretations suggest the Antichrist could come from within Israel or claim to be the Messiah. Some link this to the idea that he must deceive Jews into accepting him.
Globalist Leader In modern apocalyptic fiction (like Left Behind), the Antichrist often emerges as a charismatic world political figure, possibly from the United Nations, Europe, or a global government.
Popular Modern Speculations
Though none are biblically confirmed, some figures and regions have been speculated in modern times:
The European Union or a future “United States of Europe”
A leader from the Middle East, especially one tied to a future peace deal with Israel
A false pope or religious leader who unites all faiths under deception (in Catholic prophecy and some evangelical circles)
Catholic View
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 675–677) refers to a final trial where the Church will face deception by the Antichrist, who will be a pseudo-Messianic figure.
Some mystics and saints (e.g., St. John Bosco, Anne Catherine Emmerich) have given visions hinting at a corrupt future leader arising from within the Church or Europe.
Islamic View
Interestingly, in Islamic eschatology, there’s a figure similar to the Antichrist called the Dajjal:
He will come from the East, possibly Khurasan (region near modern Iran/Afghanistan).
He will deceive many, perform false miracles, and claim divinity before being defeated by Isa (Jesus).
Summary Table
Source Likely Origin of Antichrist
Protestant (Historic) Rome/Europe
Evangelical (Modern) Europe, Middle East, Global leader
Catholic Internal deceiver; possibly European
Orthodox No fixed location; more spiritual deception
Islamic (Dajjal) East (Iran/Afghanistan area)
Final Thoughts
There is no universal consensus on where the Antichrist will come from. Interpretations are speculative, symbolic, and often influenced by current events. What is consistent across most traditions is:
He will deceive many
He will seem to offer peace and solutions
He will eventually be defeated by Christ