Eschatology is an aspect of Christian theology where there are so many conflicting theories and assumptions. One of such crucial issues is the identity of the anti-Christ. There have been speculations linking the anti-Christ to the papacy but that wasn’t explicitly stated in the bible.
There are speculations that he will come from a confederacy of ten nations and/or a reborn Roman empire (Daniel 7:24-25; Revelation 17:7). Others see him as being a Jew in order to claim to be the Messiah. This is all mere speculations since the Bible does not specifically say where the Antichrist will come from or what race he will be. After the rapture, the Antichrist will be revealed. 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4 however tells us how we will recognize the Antichrist: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
It is likely that most people who are alive when the Antichrist is revealed will be very surprised at his identity. The Antichrist may or may not be alive today. We should put the speculations behind us and focus on what the Bible actually says about the Antichrist. Revelation 13:5-8 declares, “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”
Regardless of what you believe about these things, as long as you’re saved and living holy, you will make it to heaven.