I am just wondering, do you think that we will have an insight or know who the anti-Christ is before the rapture? There are many speculations on who and where the anti-Christ will come from. Some say he will be of Roman descent, and others say he will be from the Mid East. I would think that the anti-Christ would be of Roman descent, since the Romans are the ones who crucified Jesus. Will God let us stay on this Earth to see any of the tribulation or at least until the anti-Christ shows his face?
The anti-Christ won’t be officially revealed as such until the middle of Daniel’s 70th Week (Daniel 9:27). This is when he’ll be indwelt by Satan and proclaim himself to be God (2 Thes. 2:3). Before that time I think some people will be able to recognize him from his behavior, but I don’t think a positive identity will be possible until after the Church is gone.
It’s important to remember that a person can come from the geographical territory of the old Roman Empire and also be of Middle Eastern descent. I think this will be the case with the anti-Christ.