Readers -

Michael at this post:

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/july2012/michaelc721-2.htm

...suggests that knowing the identity of the Antichrist is a "simple question" that a believer can ask Jesus, like Mary asked Jesus questions at His feet, and can expect an answer.

I would beg to differ.

If that really was the case, then John would have told the believers he wrote to, and the readers that would come later, in Revelation 13:18:

"Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding just ask the Lord Jesus who the beast is, and He will tell you. It's as simple as that."

No, John hides in his identity in a mystery!

The real Revelation 13:18 reads ...

"Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six."

I didn't present the Lord Jesus with a "bunch of numbers". Quoting from the post above:

"If you present Him with a bunch of numbers, believe me, He will play along."

No, on the contrary -

    The Lord Jesus presented the reader with a "bunch of numbers"!

If the identity of the AC was a simple question away, then the Lord Jesus should give the same answer to all believers who ask. This turns out not to be the case, apparently.

RaptureReady has a good list of some solid AC candidates, written in a fair and reasonable article:

http://www.raptureready.com/rr-antichrist.html

*****

The New Testament clearly shows a pattern of Jesus NOT answering some questions directly.

Jesus is Lord.