The novel depicts Gabriel as the possible future Antichrist but is a fictionalized version of what the Bible teaches will happen in the end times. In the Bible, the word “Antichrist” is only mentioned five times, all in 1 and 2 John (1 John 2:18 twice; v. 22; 4:3; and 2 John 1:7).

The Antichrist is also mentioned throughout Bible prophecy, especially in Revelation, where he will arise as a global leader opposed to God, Christians, and Jews. This evil leader will come to power during the seven-year tribulation period described in Daniel and Revelation.  Those who hold to a pretribulation view of the rapture believe the Antichrist will come to power after believers are taken to be with Jesus in heaven. Though the Antichrist will come to power during the tribulation, this person could begin to come to power at any time as fictionalized in Gabriel.

Much of the history in the prologue of Gabriel is factual history. It is blended with fiction, of course, but the nation played an important role in the 1970s under President Jimmy Carter, in the 1980s during the Cold War when Ronald Reagan was president and was an important focus during the war on terror after 9/11.

As the recent botched U.S. military withdrawal revealed, Afghanistan continues to wield much power and havoc. The Taliban has come to power with an enormous amount of U.S. military gear and includes many radicals who would be willing to use it as part of its attacks on others.

The Wuhan lab in China has been the focus of much attention since the rise of COVID-19. Much mystery remains regarding the origin of the coronavirus, something that is fictionalized in the novel. However, the U.S. government, among other nations, continues to investigate regarding potential gain-of-function research and whether the virus originated in a lab or wet market.

The novel doesn’t attempt to give an answer but shows how the mystery surrounding the virus leads to many questions that remain unanswered regarding the virus that have grabbed the attention of the world since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

I do not believe this is an accurate understanding of what the Bible teaches about the mark of the beast in Revelation 13. First, it will be in the future, taking place during the tribulation, meaning it has not happened yet.

Second, the mark will be visible on the head or right arm according to Revelation 13:16. This does not fit the description of the vaccines or even a vaccine passport.

Third, people will intentionally take the mark of the beast. It will not be something a person can accidentally take.

People usually make the connection due to Revelation 13:17 that says a person will be required to take the mark in order to buy or sell during the Tribulation. This does sound like what some places are now putting into practice, a condition that closely resembles what will become more widespread during the Tribulation.

Iran is noted in the novel Gabriel regarding its radical views of Israel and the U.S., something that is certainly true in real life among many of its leaders. The nation has pursued the development of nuclear weapons despite attempts from Israel and the U.S. to stop it.

In the Bible, Iran is the same land as Persia, an important empire that overtook Israel near the end of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible period. Daniel was an especially important figure who lived during part of this time, whose prophecies are used in the novel. Ezra and Nehemiah also served during this time.

Some have suggested the “kings of the East” mentioned in Revelation 16:12-16 refer to China and perhaps other eastern nations that will come against Jesus at the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the tribulation period in Revelation 19. Others suggest this is a spiritual force. Either interpretation is possible.

In our current world, China remains important for other reasons. As the world’s largest communist nation, it exerts much influence on freedom-related issues, especially religious freedom. China also continues to push its influence in American politics, a concern for many in our nation.

The issue of Taiwan has also been of recent importance. In the novel, the end includes a discussion of Jewish leaders in Taiwan that makes for a fun fictionalized version you will enjoy.

The Gabrielnovel builds on two ideas related to a future virus. The first is literal. Scientists have long feared a widespread, deadly virus that would resist vaccination. The idea of an ebola-like illness that would spread to millions worldwide has been a fear of many. While possible, the idea is fictionalized in the novel as a human-made virus with a vaccine controlled by an evil leader.

The second idea is biblical. During the tribulation, a series of 21 judgments are listed that are grouped in three sets of seven that are progressively worse. Some of the judgments sound like a plague, something that could fit the fictional account presented in the book.

My life has been dedicated to fighting antisemitism since the age of 11 when I tried to protect my Jewish mother from being abused from my non-Jewish father. He choked me and left me unconscious. When I became conscious, I realized my goal was not to protect only one person from antisemitism. It was to protect all Jewish people.

Over the past 50 years, I have been blessed to work with top leaders in Israel and worldwide, starting initiatives like the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem, and the Jerusalem Prayer Team, the world’s largest pro-Israel social media network. Please visit FOZmuseum.org or JerusalemPrayerTeam.org for more information on how you can be involved.

America has been greatly blessed by God, but there is no promise this blessing will continue. We are called to be a blessing to the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3), a promise that continues today. As we do, God may continue to bless our nation.

In 2020, America experienced God’s judgment in many ways. However, I believe that this rude awakening will lead to a third Great Awakening that will impact the U.S. again in the future.