There will be some reading this who will dismiss what follows as yet another rant by an unhinged conspiracy theorist (aka yours truly), with his customary hash attempt to connect the proverbial dots, but there will be others who will agree to varying extents with what I am about to say (and, as I usually do, adding my test and weigh caveat) and will welcome my sharing what I am seeing (I hope humbly) as I watch from my wall. While the non-humble part of me would like there to be a much bigger audience, I am grateful that the good Lord has kept me around to be a pain in the proverbial back side of those he wants to wake up, to do good and to warn to others.

I have a fellow watchman friend who I agree with on many points, but disagree on some, who has recently been bending my ear regarding Saudi Arabia and the person who is now effectively in charge of that country, and it got me thinking. This man is introduced thus by Wikipedia (see here): “Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (Arabic: محمد بن سلمان آل سعود , romanized: Muḥammad bin Salmān Āl Su‘ūd; born 31 August 1985), also known as MBS or MbS, is the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, formally serving as Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He is the heir apparent to the Saudi throne, the seventh son of King Salman of Saudi Arabia, and the grandson of the nation’s founder, Ibn Saud”.

I quipped to my friend, before checking out resources he shared on the subject of this fellow, that the baddies who run things on earth are pretty adept at getting us looking in one place while the real action is taking place in a different place. This is made more likely because so much is going on. For the normies, this is barely related at best; for conspiracy types like me, it is often very related and the trick is to establish that relationship. I have blogged a lot already on happenings in the Middle East, e.g. Syria, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel, especially now when it comes to the Gaza conflict, but to my recollection Saudi Arabia has not featured, even though I was long aware of its incredible wealth, largely as a result of oil revenues, and influence. I am mindful it is a place people work in, including from the UK, but these days mostly from various parts of Asia and Africa. While they have to do so under many restrictions due to the strict Islam influenced laws (albeit now being relaxed), they would be well recompensed for their efforts.

As for influence, that is significant by virtue of the wealth that those in charge possess, principally a large extended Royal Family, notwithstanding the internal power dynamics, who are able to wield, often through the power of patronage, and can (and do) pass onto those in their good books. I get the impression that the recent growing Islamification of the UK, evidenced by the building of mosques and involvement in different enterprises e.g. politics, educational institutions, property portfolios and sports sponsorship can be put down to Saudi wealth, at least in part. Part of the bigger picture is the significant sway Islam now has over western culture.

While I didn’t get the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia in a professional capacity, back in the day I was a computer and telecommunications engineer and the Saudis were likely our best customer. I recall an incident when I worked for GEC when we had a number of projects on the go and, as was often the case, we struggled to meet deadlines. One was for the Saudis. The story was told that the top man in GEC and the then king of Saudi Arabia had a chance meeting at a horse racing venue (both of them owned race horses). The King mentioned to the GEC head that he was concerned due to GEC’s delay in delivering his product and, soon after then, word came down to us from on high that we humble engineers had to stop all else that we were doing and focus our efforts on finishing the work needed for the Saudi project, which is what happened. I also learnt the important lesson: money talks!

Back to MBS: in my research on MBS/world related stuff, alongside that of Bible End Times prophecy, which in case people don’t know I take a futurist view, meaning I believe there is a lot of Bible prophecy yet to be fulfilled, including some currently being fulfilled, I checked out the following aforementioned resources in order to come to a clearer view of what is going on for me then to share:   

1. Anti-Christ Revealed: MBS is the Anti-Christ proved in Daniel’s prophecy (see here)
2. Unveiling of the AntiCHRIST /Mystery Babylon? Interview of Saudi Prince Mohamed bin Salman (see here)
3. Former Saudi official says MBS wants him dead because of what he knows (see here)
4. Saudi Prince Salman’s Family Is Richer Than You Think (see here)
5. MBS’s ‘genocide’ critique of Israel is worrying, but a Saudi deal is not a lost cause (see here)
6. The Elusive Saudi-Israeli Normalization Deal: Why an Agreement is Likely to Fall Short of Expectations (see here)
7. How Saudi Arabia Bought Trump – And What They Want (see here)
8. Why the Saudis will Win the 2030s (see here)
9. Mohammed bin Salman, Prince of The Saudis (see here)
10. The Saudi prince: how dangerous is MBS? (see here)

There is a lot more out there of course and as always the further one goes down rabbit holes the more evident it becomes that there are more things one needs to find out in order to come to a fully rounded view. I found as a result of checking out the above resources that I learned a lot of relevant stuff that I wasn’t previously aware of and, importantly, it was all to do with what is going on in the world, specifically that which concerns the part played by Saudi Arabia and MBS, and in doing so this then had a considerable bearing on my own understanding of today’s events.

It made me realise what I hadn’t quite done so before, that there are major players on the world stage, including many of the leaders of the great powers, e.g. USA, Russia and China, all bending over backwards to maintain good relationships with the Saudis, sensing a piece of the action and financial benefits, and in doing so they would often conveniently overlook any Saudi wrongdoing. As for the Saudis, they are in the happy position where they can play one off against the other. If I needed confirmation that this is the case, just in the past week Saudi has hosted a meeting between members of the USA and Russian administrations, with a positive outcome, trying to broker peace in Ukraine, likely to be the first of many.     

A lot of the progress made by Saudi in world standings and wealth accumulation in recent years has, arguably, been down to MBS, and this despite the net cost of oil and the profit margins selling it going down. While MBS comes across as a moderate, affable, calm, relaxed figure, firmly grounded, strongly focused, with superb diplomacy acumen, very aware of what is going on in the world, with excellent communication skills, and who is clearly able to draw in others on his side, yet there is a ruthless, some say psychopathic, streak. There is strong evidence of him killing his detractors and deposing of family members in order to gain power, as well as other human rights abuses that often get swept under the carpet, that is often overlooked by those who want his approval, seeing there is a lot to be gained as a result. I get the impression that here we have one who wears a velvet glove yet underneath it there is an iron fist.

The murder of a journalist investigating his corruption, at his instigation, while it is denied, is likely true and also particularly cruel. Talking of corruption, which is a way of life among Saudi elites, MBS under the guise of cracking down on it, has become very wealthy as a result of seizing their assets. From the reports that I have checked out, MBS has severely punished those he sees as a threat, often using stealth and entrapment to do so, adding even more to an existing culture of fear and compliance. He has the ability of coming out of it all smelling of roses, thus providing more evidence of his dark and cunning side. Despite presenting himself as visionary leader and one who the world can do business with; my research suggests a sinister side to MBS. Even so, people (including Trump) ignore this to further their own interests, and the bottom line is regional security and money and to do otherwise will prove costly. It is also noted that MBS lives and flaunts a lavish lifestyle.

It is reckoned that his outstanding achievement is the modernisation of his country and getting rid of the restrictions based on tradition and religion that has held it back. Some of his defenders say he is doing so despite resistance by the old guard. He has also, principally through his own determination and efforts, raised the standing of Saudi Arabia on the world stage. It is nowadays seen as a country of outstanding amenities that is enjoyed by many, including the building of modern cities – and most of that done by guest workers whilst its own citizens either do not work or can pick and choose what they do. Its involvement in foreign wars, sometimes with ruthlessness, e.g. the civil war in Yemen, has been significant. While there has been upheaval in the region due to conflicts, it is notable that in most cases the Saudis have been spectators, not taking in many refugees, unlike many countries in the West, where doing so has often turned out to be problematic.

I come to the big question – could MBS be the Antichrist that my understanding of scriptures is yet to arise and, given my take on world events and how these ties in with my futurist Bible prophecy beliefs, the revealing of the Antichrist, while yet to happen, could happen very soon. I want firstly to make some points by way of introduction before I offer my attempt to come up with an answer. Wikipedia informs us that: “Antichrist refers to a kind of person prophesied by the Bible to oppose Jesus Christ and falsely substitute themselves as a savior in Christ’s place before the Second Coming” and I am happy to go along with this definition.

I also believe, throughout history, there have been many Antichrists although none yet to fully fit the bill of Daniel’s visions and John the Revalator’s prophecy. In fact, it is argued that the Antichrist, referred to be Daniel as “the Little Horn”, is Antiochus Epiphanes IV (see here for my thoughts). More recent candidates include Donald Trump and King Charles, but most of those who have offered or are offering now a view later on get shown to be wrong.

Up to recently, I had not given Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) much thought and even less so him being a possible candidate for the Antichrist that is to come. But thanks to my friend who has challenged me on the matter and noting the views of some respected Bible End Times prophecy watchers, I have had to reappraise my position, noting that the consensus among prophecy pundits in my own Plymouth Brethren set-up was they often saw the Antichrist as linked to the revived Roman Empire (reference Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2) and the Roman Catholic Church (the Great Harlot). Since the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, is a Middle East, and especially an Israel focused book, it ought not to surprise us if the Antichrist were to come from the Arab world.

Seeing MBS as a person with charismatic charm, a peace maker, a man of action who thinks outside the box, a progressive in terms of creating an environment many would love to live in, one who appears to possess much wisdom and knowledge, a superb communicator, one given to lavish hospitality and showing great generosity, one that many heads of countries, sometimes opposed to one another, will want to deal with and a key figure increasingly in international commerce and culture, he fits the bill, fulfilling much of the criteria the Bible associates with the Antichrist.

While numerology is not my forte, some have noted that “Prince Mohammed bin Salman” equates to “666” and the ten kings, including three that were deposed could relate to his own family and the semi hidden globalist agenda of dividing the world into ten administrative regions. We wait though for another sign of the Antichrist – the deadly wound that is healed. (I have recently discussed what the Bible teaches about the Antichrist – see here.) Also of interest is the relationship the Bible Antichrist has with Israel, including him helping to bring about a peace treaty and later betraying Israel, followed by the Great Tribulation. It is easy to imagine with the current Saudi/Israel situation this happening. The “biggie” concerns taking the “Mark” and ultimate price paid by those who refuse. While premature to say who will be at the centre of the above, one cannot rule out MBS being the future Antichrist.

The COP26 international climate conference took place in Glasgow late 2021. The main goal was to secure global net zero by mid-century. One of the key note speakers was Prince (now King) Charles. In a video titled: “Britain’s Prince Charles gives statement at COP26 climate summit in Glasgow” (see here) he makes the extraordinary claim (2.57 minutes in): “with trillions at his disposal, far beyond global GDP, with respect beyond the governments of the world leaders it offers the only real prospect of achieving fundamental economic transition”.  

I wondered at the time who he had in mind but having done my research I wonder if it could have been MBS, who Charles and others appear to believe believe might well bring about much needed change. There is an irony putting forward this hypothesis though, given MBS is a main beneficiary from the fossil fuel industry that COP wishes to eventually eliminate and yet, given his stated aim is to move Saudi away from an oil-based economy, it might prove to be an opportunity rather than an obstacle. Revelation 17 and 18 speaks of the Mystery of Babylon that controls international trade and is part of the system that the Antichrist controls.

But I mustn’t over-speculate and neither must I get distracted. There is much we can profitably do that needs doing to help our fellow humans, especially those in need, rather than getting lost going down rabbit holes, as fascinating as the experience might be. Now, having got some of my findings off my chest, I must end with my standard exhortation that, while we ought to be preparing for the worst, we must put our trust in the true Christ, and not in ANY figure arising on the world stage that appears to promise much. As for the Christ (Jesus), He will return soon to planet earth as King of kings and Lord of lords and He will reign forever in righteousness.