IS THERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN ISLAM AND THE ANTICHRIST?

* Originally written May 8, 2010, revised April 2018.

First a little background, Islam claims to be descended from Abraham. Abraham was the natural father of Ishmael, the father of the Arabs, a “great nation” according to Genesis 21:18. Ishmael was the son of Hagar, Abraham’s wife’s slave girl. Ishmael was the father of 12 warrior or hostile tribes (Genesis 25:13-18).

However, at an old age Abraham finally gave birth to God’s promised son. He was named Isaac from his geriatric wife, Sarai after a long wait. It was through Isaac that the promise of God’s blessing would continue. Isaac is a portrait of God’s grace while Ishmael is a portrait of human effort.

After Isaac was weaned, Ishmael began to mock him. At this, Hagar and Ishmael were sent away by Abraham. It is this conflict, rooted in jealousy, that is the root cause of tension between God’s people and the Muslims even until today. I would maintain that it is probable that just as Jesus Christ came from the line of Isaac so the Antichrist may come from the line of Ishmael. 

It should be noted that Ishmael was the father of the Arabs per Genesis 21:13. Islam came through the false prophet, Mohammed. Most Arabs are Muslim, but not all, noteworthy are the Coptic Christians in Egypt.

In addition to the historical roots, there is also a fundamental religious connection. I John 2:22 states, “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.” This is the essence of Islam, denying the divinity of Jesus Christ.