Many prophecy teachers think the Antichrist will be a Muslim. They point to Islam’s global rise and aggression toward Israel. But this popular theory misses critical biblical truths.

We see Muslim countries turning against Israel like never before. However, if someone were to ask me which Muslim populations concern me most, I would tell them those in England, France, and Germany. London has more radical imams than many Middle Eastern cities, Paris has no go zones for police, and Germany welcomed millions without understanding what they invited in.

Today, believers take two approaches to Islam: either fearing it as the ultimate end-times threat or downplaying it like any other religion. Both miss the mark completely. To understand why, we need to examine what’s actually happening in our world and what the Bible really teaches about the end times.

What is “jihad”? The word means an “effort to spread Islam and make Allah’s word superior to all others.”

The Bible tells us in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Many Western leaders simply don’t understand the religious motivation behind what we are witnessing.

Jihad takes many forms. Immigration is one. Not every Muslim immigrant is a jihadist, but Islamic leaders use immigration strategically to establish footholds in Western nations—starting with mosques, then schools, creating parallel societies. Slowly but surely, they create enclaves where Western laws take a backseat to Sharia principles.

There is jihad in education, teaching children that Islam is the only acceptable way of life. There is economic jihad, boycotting businesses that don’t support Islamic causes. There is political jihad, using democratic processes to implement anti-democratic policies. Al Jazeera even calls itself “media jihad”—which is probably the only thing they say that I don’t suspect to be a lie.

There is also violent jihad, the most original form practiced by Muhammad himself. His message of “hope” was simple: “Believe that I am the prophet or die right now.” This was not a later corruption of his teachings; it was his method from the beginning. When we look at Islamic history, we see that its expansion across North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe came primarily through conquest, not peaceful conversion.

The promises to “martyrs”—those willing to kill themselves and others for Islam—are extraordinary. Suicide bombers are promised a golden throne, 72 virgins, and power to save 70 family members. For a young man who believes blowing himself up will save his entire family, this becomes an irresistible motivation. From childhood, they are shown pictures of paradise with rivers and greenery, an enticing contrast to desert life, and warnings of hell for those who don’t advance Islam’s cause.

Here is something the media won’t tell you about: the concept of “kuffar” in Islamic theology. While Christians see unbelievers as lost souls to be saved, radical Islam sees non-Muslims, the “kuffar,” as fundamentally worthless. In their view, the “kuffar” have no inherent rights or dignity. This ideology explains many troubling patterns we see in Europe today regarding the treatment of local populations.

Look at the Muslim Brotherhood’s logo with two crossed swords and the Arabic word “wa’eedoo,” meaning “prepare.” This isn’t just a symbol. It’s a mission statement. You see, this word comes directly from Quran 8:60: “Prepare whatever you are able of power to terrify the enemy of Allah.”

They’re not hiding their intentions, friends. They’re telling us exactly what they plan to do.

Don’t think this is just some fringe group. The Muslim Brotherhood is the ideological foundation behind Hamas in Gaza, the governing policies of Qatar, and Turkey’s increasing radicalization under Erdogan. Their reach extends much further than most Westerners understand. They operate throughout seemingly innocent charitable organizations, student associations, and community centers throughout Europe and North America. They have established footholds in major universities, media outlets, and even government advisory positions.

Their strategy is brilliant: appear moderate to Western audiences while promoting radical ideology behind closed doors. It’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing—and many well-meaning Western leaders have no idea what they’re really dealing with.

Many assume the Antichrist will be Muslim because Islam has a strong political component, unlike other religions. It divides the world into:

• “Dar al-Islam” — lands under Islamic control
• “Dar al-Harb” — territories to be conquered

This certainly does resemble the Antichrist’s global ambitions.

The Hudaibiya Treaty demonstrates this mindset perfectly. In 628 AD, Muhammad signed a peace treaty with the Meccan tribe of Quraysh. For 2 years, he maintained peace while they lowered their guard. Then, in 630 AD, he conquered Mecca when they were vulnerable. Modern Islamic leaders still cite this as a model for temporary peace before eventual conquest, as Yaser Arafa did when he compared the Oslo Accords to this same treaty shortly after signing it.

Despite these similarities with the Antichrist’s agenda, let’s examine what scripture actually says.

Ezekiel 38 describes a coalition attacking Israel. Russia identified as Gog of the land of Mog, Iran as Persia, Turkey as Togarma, Libya, and Sudan. Except for Russia, they are all Muslim countries. This coalition will attack the land “restored from war,” whose people were “gathered from many nations”—clearly speaking of modern Israel.

Here is the amazing part: God himself will defeat them with earthquakes and fire from heaven. As Ezekiel 38:23 declares, “So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” This supernatural intervention will be undeniable proof of God’s power and presence. Radical Islam is defeated on the mountains of Israel.

Here are three clear biblical reasons why the Antichrist cannot be Muslim:

First, a Muslim leader cannot be accepted globally. Islamic leadership requires converting or subjugating non-Muslims. By definition, they must make you Muslim or kill you. Yet, Revelation 13:7-8 shows the Antichrist receiving worship from all who dwell on the earth—every tribe, tongue, and nation. This simply couldn’t happen with an openly Muslim leader.

Second, no Muslim could be accepted as the Messiah by Jews. Daniel 9:27 shows the Antichrist making a covenant with Israel and allowing temple worship on the Temple Mount—something no Muslim would ever permit. The very notion of rebuilding a Jewish temple where the Dome of the Rock stands would be blasphemous to any Muslim. Yet the Bible clearly teaches there will be a third temple.

Third, Islam will be discredited after God destroys the Ezekiel 38 coalition. When Russia, Iran, Turkey, and others are supernaturally defeated, Islam as a dominant world religion will be severely weakened. Hundreds of millions of Muslims will be searching for answers. This creates the perfect opportunity for the Antichrist to introduce a new religious system to millions of confused former Muslims.

Daniel 11:38 tells us that the Antichrist shall honor “a god which his fathers did not know.” Not Allah, not the God of the Bible, but something new entirely. This suggests he worships a deity unknown to his ancestors. In fact, Revelation 17 describes a “mystery Babylon” religious system, which the Antichrist initially supports before turning against it.

Unlike how a Muslim leader would operate, the Antichrist will present himself as a man of peace, not a religious warrior. He will temporarily support Israel, not openly call for its destruction. He’ll unite diverse religious beliefs, not demand submission to Islamic doctrine. And most importantly, he will arise after God has demonstrated His power against the Muslim nations that attack Israel.

We need to be careful not to let current events distort our understanding of biblical prophecy. Yes, radical Islam presents a real danger to Israel and the world. Yes, it will play a crucial role in end-times events as part of the Ezekiel 38 coalition. But the Bible clearly indicates the Antichrist himself will not be Muslim.

When we see radical Islam rising today, we’re not watching the Antichrist system emerging. We are watching the stage being set for God to demonstrate his power for Israel. After that, the real deception begins with a leader who can unite a world in crisis, including former Muslims whose faith has been shattered.

What does this mean for us? It means we should view current events through a biblical lens, not interpret the Bible through the lens of current events. Jesus told us in Matthew 24:2, “See, I have told you beforehand.” He wants us prepared, not caught by surprise.

While the world either braces for jihad, pretends it isn’t there, or makes excuses for it, we are looking for our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. As Titus 2:13 reminds us, this is what we are truly waiting for.

Amir Tsarfati is a former Deputy Governor of Jericho, an Israeli tour guide, author, the Founder and President of Behold Israel,and a Contributor to Harbinger’s Daily.