Antichrist's Gentile Identity & God of Fortresses

The figure known as the Antichrist is consistently depicted as a Gentile. This individual will reject the deities worshipped by their forefathers and will exalt themselves above every god, or will embrace a deity previously unknown to their ancestors. This portrayal indicates that the Antichrist's original religious or cultural background is rooted in Gentile polytheism or perhaps atheism, rather than having a Jewish identity.
This understanding is drawn from the biblical text, which describes this figure opposing traditional worship and exalting himself. The phrase "god of fortresses," *maʿuzzim*, found in Daniel 11:38, also contributes to this ancient profile. There is discussion regarding the precise meaning of *maʿuzzim* due to the book of Daniel's bilingual nature, which includes both Aramaic and Hebrew. Some interpretations suggest that if the original Aramaic text was subject to misinterpretation during its translation into Hebrew, *maʿuzzim* might instead refer to "pious ones." Regardless of this specific translational nuance, the core identity of the Antichrist as a powerful Gentile adversary remains.
Grasping this historical and textual profile helps to correct current misunderstandings about the end-times adversary. By recognizing that the Antichrist is presented as a powerful Gentile opponent, rather than a Jewish false messiah, you can better align your understanding with the biblical narrative. This discernment focuses your attention on the specific kind of adversary described in scripture, allowing you to rightly conceptualize the trajectory of this end-times figure as presented in God's Word.