Is Trump the Beginning of the End?

9th February 2025 BibleStudy

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For centuries, Bible students have tried to identify the prophesied “man of lawlessness” (also called the “man of sin” or “Antichrist”)—the figure who would usher in a season of global turmoil and rebellion, only to be overthrown by the returning Jesus. In the Book of 2 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul warns believers of a future leader “who opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped,” seating himself in a place of power as though he were divine (2 Thess. 2:4).

Could Donald Trump’s second presidency mark the emergence of this man of lawlessness? Some have begun asking this question in light of Trump’s unprecedented and polarizing return to office, his radical reshaping of American institutions, and his ongoing legal/political vendettas. Below is a purely speculative outline of how events might unfold to fulfill one end-times scenario—one in which the next seven years form a final countdown, culminating in the second coming of Christ exactly 2,000 years after His crucifixion in AD 33.

1. The Beginning of the End (Year 1 of Trump’s Return)

Trump’s re-inauguration marks an immediate escalation of tensions both domestically and worldwide. His vow to purge government agencies of “deep state” elements and systematically dismantle checks and balances suggests that he no longer feels bound by constitutional constraints or the norms of democracy.

Why this is significant:

Lawlessness in High Office: 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 implies the “mystery of lawlessness” will intensify until the man of lawlessness is fully revealed. Trump’s brazen approach—treating judicial orders and congressional oversight with contempt—could be seen as an embodiment of that lawlessness.
Manipulation of Faith: In an effort to maintain evangelical Christian support, Trump may speak grandly of God’s favor while exalting himself above any spiritual accountability. This paradox underscores the deceptive mix of piety and pride many expect from an Antichrist figure.

2. Setting the Global Stage (Year 2)

Throughout the second year, Trump makes bold foreign policy moves, specifically in the Middle East. He forges alliances and claims to broker “historic deals,” but often demands recognition of his unmatched negotiating prowess. At the same time, he is rumored to be orchestrating conflicts behind the scenes to heighten his standing as a “peacemaker.”

Prophetic Implications:

Daniel’s 7-Year Covenant: Daniel 9:27 speaks of a strong covenant made or enforced by a ruler for one “week” (commonly interpreted as seven years). Some interpret this as a peace deal involving Israel. If Trump finalizes a sweeping agreement or imposes a plan that temporarily subdues hostilities in the region, it could launch the clock on the prophesied 7-year timeline.
Israel’s Central Role: Prophecy watchers have long argued the Middle East is the epicenter of end-time events. Trump’s renewed efforts to “solve” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—or to forcibly rearrange territories—might serve as the catalyst that aligns with key biblical markers.

3. Ascendancy and Dominion (Mid-Point of His Term)

By Year 3 to 3.5, Trump’s presidency has consolidated power to an alarming degree. Legal and bureaucratic frameworks that once restricted the executive branch have been dismantled or subdued. In the international arena, he wields outsized influence, often bypassing the United Nations and other global bodies.

Possible Fulfillment:

The Man of Lawlessness “Exalts Himself”: 2 Thessalonians 2:4 describes him as elevating himself above every other form of authority or worship. Trump’s characteristic bombast, combined with an emboldened disregard for international norms, could be seen as him crossing that line—especially if he claims near-divine authority or merges faith-based language with adulation of himself.
Creation of a “Beast System”: Revelation 13 references an economic and political system that enforces compliance (often called the “mark of the beast”). Should Trump enforce technology-driven loyalty checks—digital IDs, currency controls, or unyielding loyalty pledges—some might interpret this as fulfilling that prophecy.

4. A 3.5-Year Flashpoint: The Refusal to Relinquish Power

Speculation intensifies that, near the legal end of his term (around 3.5 years in), Trump will orchestrate a crisis enabling him to remain in office indefinitely. Rumors circulate of an “emergency” or “continuity of government” scenario that nullifies upcoming elections. Opponents cry foul, but key government structures and law enforcement agencies have been stacked with Trump loyalists.

Why 3.5 Years?

In Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13:5, we see references to 42 months (3.5 years) of a specific oppressive rule. Many prophecy interpreters see this period as the “Great Tribulation,” where the Antichrist’s true nature is revealed.
If Trump effectively dissolves the possibility of a peaceful transition, this watershed moment would confirm for many that he has become the tyrant Scripture foretold.

5. Global Turmoil and Religious Persecution (Final 3.5 Years)

From that pivotal moment onward, persecution ramps up for anyone resisting the administration’s edicts. Independent media is shut down, and the faithful—especially those who refuse to bend religious teachings to champion Trump’s supremacy—are targeted. Trump’s administration might equate loyalty to him with patriotism, even with faith, punishing dissenters severely.

Biblical Parallels:

The Great Tribulation: Revelation 7:14 and Matthew 24:21 point to an intense period of suffering. Under Trump’s iron grip, global alliances shift, wars intensify, and resource scarcity leads to catastrophic conflicts.
Signs in Nature: Some interpret increased natural disasters, pandemics, or cosmic signs as accompanying (or symbolizing) God’s judgment on a rebellious world.

6. Precisely 2,000 Years Since AD 33?

One speculative element is the idea that Jesus was crucified in AD 33—thus making AD 2033 an exact 2,000-year anniversary of His death (and, by extension, resurrection). If the 7-year Tribulation began upon Trump’s inauguration in early 2025 (or thereabouts), it could align with Christ’s return around AD 2032–2033.

Prophetic Fulfillment:

The second coming of Christ could then coincide exactly with the two-millennial anniversary of the crucifixion. This synergy of dates tantalizes prophecy buffs, who argue God uses precise time intervals in biblical history (e.g., the 70 years of exile, the 490 years leading up to Messiah in Daniel, etc.).
As events spiral deeper into crisis, believers would watch eagerly for “the sign of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:30), convinced that the clock is set for an AD 2032 or AD 2033 return.

7. The Climactic End: Armageddon and Christ’s Defeat of Evil

The final months of these hypothetical seven years see unbridled chaos. Nations around the globe unite against the chaos or ally with the Trump regime out of fear or opportunism. Prophecy watchers recall Revelation 16:16, which describes a battle at Armageddon in the Middle East.

The Second Coming:

Suddenly and dramatically, Jesus appears “on the clouds with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30). The “man of lawlessness” is destroyed by the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8).
No matter how totalitarian or unstoppable Trump’s power appears, the biblical narrative holds that Christ returns victorious. Satan, the Antichrist, and all who stand against God are vanquished at last (Revelation 19:19-21).

Final Reflection

This imagined scenario places Donald Trump at the center of biblical end-times prophecy, painting him as the figure who triggers the final countdown. The timeline suggests an explosive clash between ultimate lawlessness and divine justice. By the close of these seven years—right around AD 2032 or AD 2033—Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead, establishing His millennial kingdom of peace and righteousness.

While few Christians agree on every detail of prophecy, one of the core teachings across many denominations is that history is racing toward a divine climax. Whether or not Trump is the “man of lawlessness” or if the 2,000-year anniversary of the crucifixion will be the final marker remains purely speculative. What is sure, from a biblical perspective, is that God’s sovereignty will prevail, and that no human leader—however influential—can thwart the ultimate plan prophesied in Scripture.