Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

The False Messiah Armilus (Video)

In later Jewish eschatology and legend, a king who will arise at the end of time against the Messiah, and will be conquered by him after having brought much distress upon Israel. Parasha Ve’zot Haberacha, Devarim 34 says “and the affliction of generation after generation, and the punishment of Armalgos the wicked…” In ancient Jewish literature, the Anti-Christ (Greek term) or False/Psuedo Messiah (Aramaic term) was called "Armilus". "Armilus (Hebrew: ארמילוס‎)" is a Hebrew version of "Romulus", put in future form, to indicate that he would rule from Rome. Targum Yonathan translates Isaiah / Yesha'yah 11:4 into Aramaic with the following paraphrase: "and with the speech of his lips he [Messiah] will slay the wicked Armilus. " In the Midrash Pirkei-Ha-Mashiach (8th century CE) the False Messiah is called,  "Satan Armilus, whom the Gentiles call Antichrist" It is interesting that main line judaism disagree with believers on the concept of the Messiah, but still tell us that their concept of Armilus is the same as found in the Good News of Messiah. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, Armilus is "a king who will arise at the end of time against the Messiah, and will be conquered by him after having brought much distress upon Israel", similar to Gog. He is spoken of in both Midrash Vayosha and Sefer Zerubbabel, in which he defeats the Messiah ben Joseph. We believe...