August 2, 2026 | www.GospelofJesusChrist.blog | River Wilde
In a news article posted today in “The Independent,” JD Vance has said that he “…not be shocked if the antichrist were walking among us.” He went on to say, “…I wouldn’t be shocked if we are living in the end-times.”
Then, this response to a question greatly caught my attention. The interviewer asked, “On a scale of one to ten, how certain JD Vance was that he will go to heaven?” Mr. Vance claims to be a member of the Catholic Church.
His response, “Oh man, that’s a tough question. It’s high, but not a ten…It’s a seven or an eight.”
I’d like to begin responding to this by stating that although while very interesting to hear, political leaders’ responses to spiritual matters are really nothing more than an opinion, which I certainly respect.
I actually find it encouraging that the Vice President feels that we are indeed in the end times. I’m grateful that such a leader is even interested in God, and has a desire to talk about spiritual matters. I applaud His willingness to even proclaim this connection to God.
So, where do we find truth in spiritual things relating to the end times? Does it come from worldly leaders? The answer is quite simple.
The strongest way to test the question “Is the Antichrist alive on the earth today?” is to separate what Scripture requires, what Scripture allows, and what Scripture simply does not reveal.
1. Does Scripture say a specific Antichrist will come?
Yes. John distinguishes between “many antichrists” already present and a particular antichrist who “shall come.”
1 John 2:18 KJV
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists…”
Paul similarly describes “that man of sin… the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
So Scripture supports the expectation of a particular future individual.
2. Does Scripture indicate that he exists before he is publicly identified?
This is where the question becomes particularly interesting.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV
“…that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”
And again:
2 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV
“And then shall that Wicked be revealed...”
The word “revealed” is significant. At minimum, it tells us there will be a point when his identity or true character becomes manifest. Therefore, it is entirely compatible with Scripture that he could be living an ordinary or public life before his prophetic identity is recognized.
But that still doesn’t prove he is alive today.
3. What circumstances accompany his rise?
Daniel gives us several characteristics worth watching:
Daniel 11:21 KJV
“…he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.”
Daniel 11:23 KJV
“…he shall work deceitfully...”
Daniel 9:27 also describes someone who:
“…shall confirm the covenant with many for one week…”
Under the futurist interpretation, this covenant is enormously important because the “one week” is understood as Daniel’s final seven-year period.
So rather than looking for someone who looks evil, Scripture may actually have us watching for someone associated initially with diplomacy, agreements, persuasion, peace, and extraordinary political influence.
4. What ultimately makes his identity unmistakable?
This is the strongest biblical test.
Paul says he will eventually:
2 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV
“…exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
Jesus refers to:
Matthew 24:15 KJV
“…the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place…”
Daniel 9:27 places an interruption of sacrifice “in the midst of the week.”
And Revelation 13 describes the Beast eventually receiving extraordinary worldwide authority and worship.
At that stage, we’re no longer trying to identify someone because he gave a suspicious speech or negotiated a peace agreement. The prophetic evidence becomes overwhelming.
5. Now apply the test to September 2026
Scripture gives us no verse establishing the Antichrist’s birth date, age, nationality, current occupation, or how many years before Daniel’s final week he must already be alive.
Therefore:
“The Antichrist is definitely alive today.” — We cannot prove that from Scripture.
“The Antichrist cannot possibly be alive today.” — Scripture doesn’t allow us to prove that either.
“If the final seven years are genuinely approaching, it is reasonable to consider that the person who will become the Antichrist could already be alive.” — That is biblically possible, but it remains an inference.
And there is an excellent principle for our entire end-times study:
1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
Another key point in this “Discovery Process” is that Scripture indicates the Antichrist will not be fully revealed until God’s appointed restraint is first taken out of the way.
Paul tells us that:
“he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed” (2 Thessalonians 2:7–8 KJV).
Under the pre-tribulation understanding, this restraining power is associated with the Holy Spirit working through those who are “in Christ”. Therefore, the man who will become the Antichrist could conceivably be alive upon the earth today—even prominent and well known—while his true prophetic identity remains hidden.
Once His spirit is removed from the earth, through the Rapture plan that God has “scheduled,” then the antichrist can be revealed.
The important point is that Scripture tells us there is an appointed time for his revealing, and until God permits that moment to arrive, we should be extremely careful about declaring that any particular person is the Antichrist. Can a person have a “educated guess” at who it might be? Perhaps, but the key here is that those who are watching end times prophecy unfold, will know exactly who he is when he is allowed to enter the world stage and be this world leader that we all have been taught about.
It’s ironic to me, that those watching will likely be taken in the rapture, and will not see any of the final seven years on earth. I give my utmost gratitude to God that this will be the case.
Now, one last thing about the comment from Vice President Pence regarding who he feels that his chances are in going to heaven – “It’s high, but not a ten…It’s a seven or an eight.”
This was my SAME response four years ago, as a member of the Mormon church…But today, it is a SOLID 10!!
How can I make such a claim? Am I being arrogant, which goes against the teaching of humility taught by Christ Himself? I can make this claim, because it has everything to do with Jesus Christ, and not my own personal works.
A person can KNOW they are going to Heaven because salvation rests upon what Jesus Christ has done, not upon whether they have performed enough good works, belonged to the right church, or completed enough religious ordinances.
Jesus said, “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47 KJV).
Notice that He says “hath”—the believer possesses everlasting life now. Paul likewise declares,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… Not of works” (Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV).
When a person truly places their faith in Jesus Christ—believing that He died for their sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3–4)—they are trusting completely in Christ’s finished work rather than their own ability to save themselves.
And God does not leave the born-again believer wondering whether salvation actually occurred.
Jesus said, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24 KJV).
The believer is also “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” after believing (Ephesians 1:13).
That is why biblical assurance is not, “I hope I have been good enough to make it.” It is, “I know whom I have believed” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Our confidence is not in ourselves—it is in Jesus Christ. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son… These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:11, 13 KJV).
Do YOU have this same answer… “TEN!?!” If you don’t, YOU CAN TODAY!
There is no greater feeling than to know that I will be rescued in the rapture that will soon take place, and to know that I will be going to Heaven! This KNOWLEDGE and testimony are PRICELESS!
It is NOT about a person’s church or religion…It is ALL about the spiritual rebirth of being Born Again!
If you are not aware of this teaching of becoming Born Again, directly from Jesus Christ, and recorded in the New Testament, I invite you to go there now and learn just what that is… it is NOT baptism, as some religions teach to DECEIVE you, keeping a person from truly having this experience that Jesus teaches.
Time is of the essence. You do not have time to do this later! Learn about it, and do it RIGHT NOW. With proper faith, it happens immediately! It is my prayer that you will find the truth and peace that I have found, as I echo this teaching…
John 8:32 KJV
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
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