So, it appears Arnold Fruchtenbaum believes the antichrist may possibly be revealed prior to the Rapture. Am I wrong or does this seem to be at odds with 2 Thessalonians 2:8?
I'd like to make an expansion to my earlier comment about the revealing of Antichrist to better explain my view..
I've analysed the Word reveal.
Let's first examine the definition of reveal...
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2023
re•veal1
/rɪˈvil/ v.
- to make known;
disclose;
divulge:[~ + object]to reveal the secret about his past.[~ + that clause]It was revealed today that campaign contributions exceeded legal limits.
- to exhibit something that was hidden:[~ + object]He pulled back his sleeve and revealed the scar on his arm.
So, I look at this Word reveal and I conclude that in reference to Antichrist, for him to be revealed would be something about him will be "uncovered" or "exposed" that has been hidden and unsuspecting of him.
When Antichrist confirms the covenant with the many of Daniel 9:27 and it coincides with the opening of the first seal, the coming of Antichrist, my understanding is this covenant with many which involves Israel is likely a false peace covenant and Israel will go along with it because Israel would not know who this world leader really is.
27Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”
Daniel 9:27
"....Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.
31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him."
Daniel 11:30-31
So it indicates in the beginning The Jews will not suspect the true identity of this leaders who makes the peace covenant with them.
Israel unknowingly will actually be making a covenant with death which they later find out.
"Your covenant with death will be annulled, And your agreement with Sheol will not stand; When the overflowing scourge passes through, Then you will be trampled down by it."
Isaiah 28:18
Examining the book of Revelation it's not until the mid point that Israel will discover who Antichrist is because he turns on Israel and seeks to kill the Jews and is why in Revelation 12:6 an angel will send Israel to the mountains for safety for 1,260 days.
To me revealing of Antichrist wouldn't take place until he breaks that covenant and turns on Israel to kill them, in the middle of the seven, or mid point of the Tribulation.
This doesn't mean that the church has to go through any part of the Tribulation before Antichrist is revealed.
The church will be Raptured before the start of the Tribulation and Still be before the revealing of Antichrist.
Many eschatology teachers believe there may be a gap between the Rapture and the Tribulation anyway, but in my opinion the rider of the white horse wouldn't have to mean he's revealed, but just that he comes on the scene, but by diplomacy and authority that's given to him by the ten kings kingdom
. 11 "The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast."
Revelation 17:12-13
It's agreed by many Bible scholars that the book of Revelation is not in Chronological order so this would explain why the first seal appearing of Antichrist is in chapter 6 and his being give power and authority is in chapter 17, and yet in chapter 13 is the Mark of the Beast to worship Antichrist.
Sorry for such a lengthy explanation but I wanted to make as clear as possible why I don't see the opening of the first seal necessarily being the revealing of Antichrist, rather it's just him coming on the scene and later is revealed when The Jews realize who he is when he desecrates the temple with the abomination of desolation and Antichrist turns on them for resisting him, Daniel 11:31.
Again, the Rapture still occurs before he's revealed but before the breaking of the first seal because we "are not appointed to Wrath" and the seals are the wrath of The Lamb,
"And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:"
Revelation 6:16
"For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ"
1 Thessalonians 5:9
And I think it could be possible we may see the ten kings form the One World government because Antichrist isn't given authority until the three of the ten kings have fallen and he rises as the "little horn"
8I "was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words."
Daniel 7:8
But then, the Rapture is imminent and could happen today