Is Ahmed al-Sharaa the Final Antichrist? A Biblical Case for 2025

 

In Christian eschatology, the Antichrist is a chilling figure: a charismatic leader who rises from chaos, deceives the world with false peace, and challenges God’s authority before his ultimate downfall at Christ’s return. Could Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s president since early 2025 and former Al Qaeda-linked jihadist Abu Mohammad al-Julani, be this prophesied figure? His meteoric ascent from terrorist commander to global statesman, his strategic moves in the volatile Middle East, and his rebranding as a “moderate” leader align strikingly with biblical prophecies in Daniel and Revelation. This blog explores why al-Sharaa’s rise matches the Antichrist’s profile, backed by Scripture and recent events. Dive into this thought-provoking analysis to decide for yourself.

What Does the Bible Say About the Antichrist?

The Antichrist is a central figure in end-times prophecy, described in Daniel, Revelation, and 2 Thessalonians as a deceptive ruler who:

• Rises from obscurity: A “little horn” uproots rivals (Daniel 7:8).
• Wields global influence: Rules with charisma, forming alliances (Revelation 13:7).
• Blasphemes God: Persecutes believers and defies divine authority (Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13:6).
• Deceives with peace: Promotes false unity before destruction (Daniel 8:25).
• Faces divine judgment: Falls at Christ’s return (Revelation 19:20).

These traits form a lens to evaluate whether Ahmed al-Sharaa, once a shadowy jihadist, now leading Syria, fits the Antichrist prophecy. Let’s break it down.

1. From Obscurity to Power: The “Little Horn” of Daniel 7

In Daniel 7:1-8, a vision of four beasts represents successive empires, with a final “terrifying” beast (possibly a revived Middle Eastern or Roman power) spawning a “little horn.” This horn:

• Uproots three rival powers (Daniel 7:8).
• Speaks “great things” against God (Daniel 7:20).
• Persecutes believers for “a time, times, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).

Al-Sharaa’s Meteoric Rise

Born in 1982 in rural Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa was an unremarkable figure until his radicalization in Iraq with Al Qaeda in Iraq under Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. By 2011, he founded Jabhat al-Nusra, Al Qaeda’s Syrian branch, operating in the shadows of the Syrian Civil War. His “little horn” moment came in November 2024, when his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces launched a stunning 12-day offensive from Idlib, toppling:

1. Bashar al-Assad’s regime: The Alawite government fell.
2. Russian-backed militias: Key allies were ousted.
3. Iranian proxies: Hezbollah and other groups lost ground.

Now president, al-Sharaa has rebranded HTS as a civilian government, despite its EU- and UN-designated terrorist status. His September 2025 UN General Assembly speech—the first by a Syrian leader since 1967—called for sanctions relief and global reintegration, earning praise from outlets like The New York Times (Feb 2025) for his “evolution.” This mirrors the “little horn” with “eyes like a man, and a mouth speaking great things” (Daniel 7:8), charming the world while consolidating power.

2. The King of the North: Daniel 11’s End-Times Conqueror

Daniel 11:40-45 describes a “king of the North” who, in the end times, clashes with the “king of the South,” sweeps through the region, and sets his sights on the “glorious holy mountain” (Jerusalem’s Temple Mount). This figure prospers through deceit but falls “with no one to help him” (Daniel 11:45).

Al-Sharaa as the Northern King

Syria, historically Aram-Damascus, fits the “king of the North” archetype. Al-Sharaa’s 2024 coup solidified his control over Damascus, and his HTS forces have clashed with:

• Turkish-backed factions: A “southern” proxy in Syria’s complex war.
• Iranian militias: Defeated in the 2024 offensive.

Post-coup, al-Sharaa has turned toward Israel, issuing veiled threats in a December 2024 BBC interview about reclaiming the Golan Heights. His rhetoric in a March 2025 Financial Times profile hinted at a “unified Islamic front” against “Zionist occupation,” aligning with Daniel’s invader who “enters the glorious land” (Daniel 11:41). HTS’s ideological focus on Jerusalem as a caliphate capital suggests a “tabernacle” claim on the holy mountain.

With Russia and Iran withdrawing support and Turkey eyeing Syrian territory, al-Sharaa’s isolated prosperity—bolstered by seized Assad assets—sets the stage for the prophesied downfall.

3. The Beast from the Sea: Revelation 13’s Global Deceiver

Revelation 13:1-10 portrays the Antichrist as a “beast rising out of the sea” with:

• Seven heads and ten horns: A coalition of powers (Revelation 13:1).
• A miraculous recovery: A “fatal wound” healed, earning global worship (Revelation 13:3-4).
• Blasphemy and persecution: Targets saints for 42 months (Revelation 13:5-7).
• Economic control: Enforces a “mark” (666) for loyalty (Revelation 13:16-18).

Al-Sharaa’s Beastly Profile

• Sea of Chaos: The “sea” symbolizes Middle Eastern turmoil, from which HTS emerged with fractured alliances (Al Qaeda roots, Turkish ties, Gulf funding).
• Coalition of Powers: Al-Sharaa’s post-2024 diplomacy with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and even backchannel talks with Israel (per 2025 reports) suggests a “ten-king” bloc (Revelation 17:12).
• Healed Wound: Once a terrorist pariah, al-Sharaa’s “miraculous” rebranding as a statesman has thawed Western attitudes. The New York Times (Feb 2025) lauded his shift, fulfilling “the whole world marveled” (Revelation 13:3).
• Blasphemy and Persecution: As al-Julani, he issued fatwas against Christians and Shiites, with churches razed in HTS-controlled Idlib. Reports (2025) detail ongoing purges of “disloyal” minorities in Damascus.
• Economic Control: HTS’s control of Syria’s ports and oil fields enables a proto-“mark” system. Early 2025 reports note digital registries for aid, excluding minorities—a potential precursor to Revelation’s 666.

His reign, from the November 2024 coup to a projected 2028 end (fitting a 42-month tribulation timeline), aligns with Revelation’s timeframe.

Counterarguments: Is Al-Sharaa Too “Moderate”?

Skeptics argue al-Sharaa’s reforms—easing women’s dress codes, rhetorical minority protections—disqualify him as the Antichrist. However, Scripture warns of deception: “By peace shall he destroy many” (Daniel 8:25). His moderation is strategic, masking HTS’s extremist roots to gain global legitimacy.

Other candidates (e.g., Putin, Xi) fall short:

• Putin: Stalled by Ukraine and domestic issues, lacking Middle Eastern centrality.
• Xi: Too distant from biblical geography (Daniel’s “North and East” focus).

Al-Sharaa’s Syrian throne, jihadist-to-savior arc, and focus on Jerusalem make him the strongest fit in 2025.

Why This Matters in 2025

Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rise is a wake-up call for those tracking end-times prophecy. Daniel 9:27 warns the Antichrist will “confirm a covenant with many for one week” (seven years). Watch for al-Sharaa’s next “peace” deal—possibly involving Israel, Gulf states, or global powers—as a key indicator.

Key Takeaways

• Al-Sharaa’s rise from obscurity mirrors the “little horn” (Daniel 7).
• His Syrian leadership aligns with the “king of the North” (Daniel 11).
• His global deception and persecution fit the “beast” (Revelation 13).
• His 2024–2025 actions signal prophetic fulfillment.

Engage With Us

What do you think? Is Ahmed al-Sharaa a candidate for the Antichrist, or is this prophecy still unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us for updates on end-times insights.