NationStates Jolt Archive

I have a question after reading one of Jesussaves posts:
You he said that the pope was the antichrist according to Revelations, but did he correctly interperted it?

In Revelations, it says that the antichrist is either gay or bisexual, and are part of a large organization (some believe it to be the un) and will take over the world after declaring ww3. The Vatican would be defeated and since the antichrist is a Satanist then we all know what would happen. The antichrist is probably the 1st horseman of the apocalpse which is a ten? year event after 7 years and according to some bible codex experts the end of days will happen in 2004-2005 with the peace signing of Jerusalem (i cant spell) between the israles and the palastinians. Another expert of the bible codex predicts a large earthquake in california ini 2007 will start it ending it in 2012. The antichrist will fake the resurection and be given a mark either 666 or 616 depending wether the book of revelations was modified and that number spells out the name of the beast (antichrist) when using greek/roman numbering system for letters and you include the title.

There is also a joke going around that the antichrist is Prince Charles i think because he fits that category of name.

Some bible studiers also say that it spells out 2 (one for each number) roman emperors for building statues making him seem like a god and hunting catholics but if the writer (who i believe is named john) wrote the emperors name he would be killed.

does anyone want to add or question something and no propaganda.

Really, I have actually never met anyone who really took Revelations seriously. Link me to a website for this stuff.

The Apocalypse is serious.

Revelations is quite possibly the most controversial and debatable book of the Bible, and it is true that few actually take it seriously.

On the rare occasions I do look at the Bible, I try to avoid Revelations. Too much fire and brimstone for my taste.

I have a question after reading one of Jesussaves posts:
You he said that the pope was the antichrist according to Revelations, but did he correctly interperted it?

In Revelations, it says that the antichrist is either gay or bisexual, and are part of a large organization (some believe it to be the un) and will take over the world after declaring ww3. The Vatican would be defeated and since the antichrist is a Satanist then we all know what would happen. The antichrist is probably the 1st horseman of the apocalpse which is a ten? year event after 7 years and according to some bible codex experts the end of days will happen in 2004-2005 with the peace signing of Jerusalem (i cant spell) between the israles and the palastinians. Another expert of the bible codex predicts a large earthquake in california ini 2007 will start it ending it in 2012. The antichrist will fake the resurection and be given a mark either 666 or 616 depending wether the book of revelations was modified and that number spells out the name of the beast (antichrist) when using greek/roman numbering system for letters and you include the title.

There is also a joke going around that the antichrist is Prince Charles i think because he fits that category of name.

Some bible studiers also say that it spells out 2 (one for each number) roman emperors for building statues making him seem like a god and hunting catholics but if the writer (who i believe is named john) wrote the emperors name he would be killed.

does anyone want to add or question something and no propaganda.

Where did you hear the AntiChrist was gay? Please I'd like to hear that tale.

Revelations is quite possibly the most controversial and debatable book of the Bible, and it is true that few actually take it seriously.

On the rare occasions I do look at the Bible, I try to avoid Revelations. Too much fire and brimstone for my taste.
That's the only good thing in the Bible!

(Ok, so I'm an atheist forced to be a catholic until I'm 18, but I'm sure you'll let it slide... ;) )

Revelations makes me laugh, stupid apocralypse

Where did you hear the AntiChrist was gay? Please I'd like to hear that tale.

I don't recall ANY mention of the sexuality of anti-christ...

Given that all Scripture is God-breathed, it's unwise to not take part of it seriously. That being said, Revelation is very often misinterpreted. If anyone, such as this "Jesussaves", gives you a very detailed interpretation, including a very specific who, what, when, where, why and how, you should exercise a very high degree of skepticism. Most likely, that person is reading his or her biases into the Scripture and has an un-Christ-like agenda.

Personally, I think that the second and third chapters are more applicable. But stuff about keeping oneself from becoming "lukewarm" or forsaking their love of God isn't as sexy as witnessing God's wrath, particularly if one can read some human bias into the prophecy so that God smites one's personal pet peeves.

I havebeen reading various Christian theories about the end times since the 1960's and 70's. Anyone remember Hal Linder? any attempt to interpert the Book of Revelations should first take the Book of Daniel test: (bold face mine)

12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
(King James Bible, Daniel)

In spite of what many people think they know about the book of Revelations, I suspect they are all wrong. Espescially if they think think the book was intended in a literal way.

I don't recall ANY mention of the sexuality of anti-christ...

Me either. I've studied to some degree all theories of the Christian end times and I have never heard that the anti-Christ will be gay or bi-sexual. The ONLY thing that all the theories said (trust me, lots of people have their own ideas about this) was that you will know he is the anti-Christ because his feet will touch the ground and those of God/Jesus will not touch the ground during the second coming.

BTW, I'm Buddhist. I just have an interest in all religions and since my mom is pretty Bible-thumping, I feel a need to try and understand her faith.

Okay, I have to speak to some of the other stuff you said...

"The Vatican would be defeated and since the antichrist is a Satanist then we all know what would happen. The antichrist is probably the 1st horseman of the apocalpse which is a ten? year event after 7 years and according to some bible codex experts the end of days will happen in 2004-2005 with the peace signing of Jerusalem (i cant spell) between the israles and the palastinians. "

First off, the Bible clearly states, "no man knows the day or the time" any of this stuff will happen, esp the return of Jesus. Now, to the Vatican being defeated: some Catholic scholars say that after Pope John Paul II, we will have one more Pope before the end times. Some say, however, that we are still due for two more Popes because no one can ever get thier numbers straight.

Now, the Anti-Christ will come and be here, but not revel himself until AFTER the rapture (according to some). Of course, there are some Christians that do not believe in the rapture and this is a debated issue among some Christian scholars. After the rapture, the anti-Christ will revel himself and take over for seven years. Some people think that there will be seven years of peace even before the anti-Christ (then again, some say ten years of peace), then seven years with the rule of the anti-Christ, then the whole war between the anti-Christ and God. Then again, there are those who believe the anti-Christ will come into the spotlight and we will have seven years of peace in the Middle East before s/he starts his/her reign of terror. Good luck figuring out the order of all this!

"Another expert of the bible codex predicts a large earthquake in california in 2007 will start it ending it in 2012. "

An earthquake could hit anywhere at anytime, esp California. Scientists say another big one could hit within the next 50 years, EASILY. Sure, the Bible says the weather will be hectic before the end-times and earthquakes will increase, but I wouldn't put much faith in these supposed "Bible decoders."

"The antichrist will fake the resurection and be given a mark either 666 or 616 depending wether the book of revelations was modified and that number spells out the name of the beast (antichrist) when using greek/roman numbering system for letters and you include the title."

Of course, we have all heard the 666-deal. Now, I heave heard many theories of the 666 number, but I think the numbers are just people making a big deal out of things. I have even heard theories that the US government assigned numbers to letters of people's names and the trouble makers numbers in their names would add up to 666. Crazy, huh? Back in the day, big numbers were hard to comprehend and I'm sure a lot was made out of numbers that were mentioned in regards to the new Christian faith. I would take the whole number thing with a grain of salt.

And, of course, we've got the anti-Christ going after Christians. Some people of one faith believe he (or she) will only go after THEIR faith. Others believe those from all Christian faiths will be seeked out and destroyed. There are even people who say anyone but atheists will be killed.


I don't know if this helps you any, but I would recommend doing a lot of research from all Christian faiths before putting all your weight behind an end-times theory. Personally, if I see people (including all the world's children) disappearing mysteriously without their clothes, my ass is converting. Until then, I have thought long and hard about all of this and I just can't see any of this happening. Sure, I believe there will be peace in the Middle East and earthquakes will happen and Damascus will eventually fall... but, to say these are signs of the end times? I don't think I'm ready to buy into all of that. Peace happens, earthquakes happen, global warming happens, cities fall.... these aren't anything Biblical.

The Apocalypse is serious.
Yes it is... seriously silly.

When was Revelations added to the Bible? I seem to recall that it was several centuries after the rest of it was collected.

Yes it is... seriously silly.
Now you insult Sacred Scripture!

When was Revelations added to the Bible? I seem to recall that it was several centuries after the rest of it was collected.

This might help: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/apocalypse/explanation/brevelation.html

I have a question after reading one of Jesussaves posts:
You he said that the pope was the antichrist according to Revelations, but did he correctly interperted it?

In Revelations, it says that the antichrist is either gay or bisexual, and are part of a large organization (some believe it to be the un) and will take over the world after declaring ww3. The Vatican would be defeated and since the antichrist is a Satanist then we all know what would happen. The antichrist is probably the 1st horseman of the apocalpse which is a ten? year event after 7 years and according to some bible codex experts the end of days will happen in 2004-2005 with the peace signing of Jerusalem (i cant spell) between the israles and the palastinians. Another expert of the bible codex predicts a large earthquake in california ini 2007 will start it ending it in 2012. The antichrist will fake the resurection and be given a mark either 666 or 616 depending wether the book of revelations was modified and that number spells out the name of the beast (antichrist) when using greek/roman numbering system for letters and you include the title.

There is also a joke going around that the antichrist is Prince Charles i think because he fits that category of name.

Some bible studiers also say that it spells out 2 (one for each number) roman emperors for building statues making him seem like a god and hunting catholics but if the writer (who i believe is named john) wrote the emperors name he would be killed.

does anyone want to add or question something and no propaganda.
I am an agnostic but lets assume for a moment that I was Muslim or Budhist or Taoist or Zoahostrin or Wiccan or well you get my point. The beggining of your post read "if you are religious" did you mean too put " if you are Christian? use your brain next time thank you :)

I think people read too much into Revelations trying to figure out who's the Antichrist and where Jesus will come down and how Communism/Catholicsm/Homosexuality/[insert scapegoat here] plays into it all. But I tend to stick with the "You will not know the day nor the hour" and "It will come like a thief in the night" predictions better than people calculating the exact identities of everything in there.

I don't recall ANY mention of the sexuality of anti-christ...
Says the one person who can truly read it in this thread :) (but I believe it was bad greek origionaly so maybe you cant read it... ? can you?)

Now you insult Sacred Scripture!
only when it deserves it

I am an agnostic but lets assume for a moment that I was Muslim or Budhist or Taoist or Zoahostrin or Wiccan or well you get my point. The beggining of your post read "if you are religious" did you mean too put " if you are Christian? use your brain next time thank you :)

And putting on my Deist hat for a moment I can safely say all religious texts are crap so it doesn't really matter who interprets what and how... :D

I think you shouldnt listen to anyone who thinks they "understand" revelations nor anyone who puts a date to the events. You said Revelations is the most debated book in the bible, it has to be, it hasnt happened yet so noone can say what will or will not happen. As for the sexuality of the anti-christ, will some please tell me where in Revelations 13 (where the Beasts of the Sea and Earth, or what people like to call the anti-christ and the anti-prophet) it mentions anything of sexuality. You cant look at Revelations, and find where the exact times and events of revelations are because it was written Apocalyptically, it isnt meant to be taken literally.

I have a question after reading one of Jesussaves posts:
You he said that the pope was the antichrist according to Revelations, but did he correctly interperted it?

In Revelations, it says that the antichrist is either gay or bisexual, and are part of a large organization (some believe it to be the un) and will take over the world after declaring ww3. The Vatican would be defeated and since the antichrist is a Satanist then we all know what would happen. The antichrist is probably the 1st horseman of the apocalpse which is a ten? year event after 7 years and according to some bible codex experts the end of days will happen in 2004-2005 with the peace signing of Jerusalem (i cant spell) between the israles and the palastinians. Another expert of the bible codex predicts a large earthquake in california ini 2007 will start it ending it in 2012. The antichrist will fake the resurection and be given a mark either 666 or 616 depending wether the book of revelations was modified and that number spells out the name of the beast (antichrist) when using greek/roman numbering system for letters and you include the title.

There is also a joke going around that the antichrist is Prince Charles i think because he fits that category of name.

Some bible studiers also say that it spells out 2 (one for each number) roman emperors for building statues making him seem like a god and hunting catholics but if the writer (who i believe is named john) wrote the emperors name he would be killed.

does anyone want to add or question something and no propaganda.

Time for another Satanic point of view. Since I'm a Satanic Priest, I know a few things about this...

1. The Anti-Christ is not gay or bi, and I've never read a Bible that said he was gay. Just because Anti-Christ is every against Christ how does that make him gay?

2. I wouldn't be a Satanist if the Anti-Christ was gay or bi.

3. The Anti-Christ is not the first Horseman of doom you fool!

When Jesus breaks the seals, the horsemen appear on Earth. From my studies, there are only four Horsemen of Doom.

1. H.O.D.= Worldwide flooding, earthquakes, volcanos, in other words really bad weather.
2. H.O.D.= Worldwide sickness
3. H.O.D.= Worldwide hunger
4. H.O.D.= Worldwide war

Hopefully this helps...

Posted by the Satanic Priest, Lord Medivh

I don't mean to bother any of you on this thread. But, I myself pray every so often, and I was wondering if the religious people on this thread could maybe mention the cold people in their prayers tonight. I live in the Midwest and it's quite cold.

When the Anti-christ comes, I must remember to invite him in for tea... i'm trying to be promoted in the underworld.

When the Anti-christ comes, I must remember to invite him in for tea... i'm trying to be promoted in the underworld.

Yeah put in a good word for the rest of us while you're at it.

I think alot of people do take Revelation seriously, but it is quite an odd book and nobody understands it completely. There is no definite interpretation of it, and the Pope is not the antichrist...

Yeah put in a good word for the rest of us while you're at it.

I'll let him know how you guys'd make good torture overseers. ;)

Pays not good, but you get dental.

I'll let him know how you guys'd make good torture overseers. ;)

Pays not good, but you get dental.

bonus!


I'm good at telling whether people are faking pain or not.

bonus!


I'm good at telling whether people are faking pain or not.

I'll mention you especially.

When was Revelations added to the Bible? I seem to recall that it was several centuries after the rest of it was collected.

Funny thing... people didn't take it seriously until the Roman Empire started to fall apart and the Romans were looking at the end of their way of life. The Apocalypse has happened many, many times throughout human history, and it happens for every person once in his or her life (i.e. the end). While I don't think you can predict world events by the book, it is a beautifully symbolic reminder of what's really going to get you through in the end-- following God's plan is the only way to find real peace. Getting stuck in things of this world is going to leave you trapped in your own personal hell.

Some say the Book of Revelations is a reflection of the fall of Rome, and not a prophesy of the end times, especially because divination is against biblical law.

If it is true, and you take into account astronomical evidence and a few choice dates that are the same across several religions (Mayas, Egyptians, etc.) and several reigons (Mexico, Africa, Middle East), then for it all to happen by the end of the world, it will start at the end of 2005. Then there's like, 7 years of tribulation, or whatever, and then the end of the world occurs December 21, 2012. I think around noon GMT, but that might just be modern speculation.

When the Anti-christ comes, I must remember to invite him in for tea... i'm trying to be promoted in the underworld.

Just contact the White house.

A question for religious people

Well, as soon as you figure out that "Christian" is not the only way to be religious, then we'll talk.

For now, though, your question is directed at Protestant Christians, so, I cannot answer.

For once, I'm not christian, never have been (and honestly, never will be *shudder* not with all those fanatics around, thank you)

I can't help it... this is just too funny to read.

I wonder when the bible turned into either an eyewitness report or a 100% prediction of the future. I wonder if the religious zealots have ever thought of it as a parable.

I have to admit, the apocalypse is a quite entertaining read, actually my favorite part of the whole bible. And it's not even really scary, cause if the things mentioned in it will happen, well, then both god and the devil are a bit incompetent. Earthquakes, oh wow, as if there haven't been any of those before. Worldwide war, well, hello, open your history book and then tell me what WW1 and WW2 used to be. Worldwide hunger, well, to be evil now, Africa and parts of Asia know how that is already, and many people in the west wouldn't be hurt by losing a few kilos.

Jeez... *just shakes head* Sure, wet your pants over something that's only bad science fiction :rolleyes:

Funny though, a friend of mine actually burned his bible when he quit the catholic church a few years ago. How's that for insulting a "sacred script" (sacred why? cause humans say it is, talk about a propaganda effort).

Just contact the White house.

Yeah well. Bush is just satans bum-boy. A bit like Saddam was in South Park.

Revelations? Dunno. Read it a few times and I'm just as confused.. Too much symbolism and strange garbles... but what I do know is that Isreal is going to get involved somehow. :D They always do.

But somehow you can kind of wonder, what would John wrote if he saw an airplane today 2000 years ago? Or even a car or a television. :p

Concerning the Anti-Christ.. I know for one thing that the person most likely isn't "Anti-God", but "Anti-Christ".

Some powerful world leader who is very charismatic that everybody follows and is probably Agnostic? Bringing all religions together, but have a grudge against Christians? Well, it could happen, Europe now practically can't be considered 'Christian nations' anymore.

Oh yeah.. Concernin Bible prophesy about 'The End'.. Check out Daniel and Jeremiah (or is it Isiah?) as welll. They also talk about the end.

When was Revelations added to the Bible? I seem to recall that it was several centuries after the rest of it was collected.

Um Revelation (there is no S) came around the same time as the others. Its not the last book to be made. The New Testament is out of order.

The end times are indeed upon us, as it say, nobody knows the hour or day, but it shall be as though the time of Noah and the time of Lot, and what was society marked with then? Sodomites and perverts taking over en masse.


Matthew 24: 36-39
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.


Luke 17:28-30

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

The Anti-Christ is not the first Horseman of doom you fool!

D'you know that there were 5 horsemen of the apocolypse but 1 left before they became famous.

I have a question after reading one of Jesussaves posts:
You he said that the pope was the antichrist according to Revelations, but did he correctly interperted it?

In Revelations, it says that the antichrist is either gay or bisexual, and are part of a large organization (some believe it to be the un) and will take over the world after declaring ww3. The Vatican would be defeated and since the antichrist is a Satanist then we all know what would happen. The antichrist is probably the 1st horseman of the apocalpse which is a ten? year event after 7 years and according to some bible codex experts the end of days will happen in 2004-2005 with the peace signing of Jerusalem (i cant spell) between the israles and the palastinians. Another expert of the bible codex predicts a large earthquake in california ini 2007 will start it ending it in 2012. The antichrist will fake the resurection and be given a mark either 666 or 616 depending wether the book of revelations was modified and that number spells out the name of the beast (antichrist) when using greek/roman numbering system for letters and you include the title.

There is also a joke going around that the antichrist is Prince Charles i think because he fits that category of name.

Some bible studiers also say that it spells out 2 (one for each number) roman emperors for building statues making him seem like a god and hunting catholics but if the writer (who i believe is named john) wrote the emperors name he would be killed.

does anyone want to add or question something and no propaganda.

Dear Jibea, I think you are concentrating on minutia. More important than the exact manner in which this world will end, and Jesus will return, it might benefit you more to understand how you should live during the time in which you exist now. Only God knows when the end will come for humans. In the meantime, my recommendation is to accept Jesus as your Savior, ask forgivenesss, repent your sins, sin no more, and love all other human beings.

Says the one person who can truly read it in this thread :) (but I believe it was bad greek origionaly so maybe you cant read it... ? can you?)

:)

Yes, I can make a fairly passable attempt. :)

Um Revelation (there is no S) came around the same time as the others. Its not the last book to be made. The New Testament is out of order.

Yes... it was almost certainly written within the same couple of hundreds of years as all the rest...

I have a question after reading one of Jesussaves posts:
You he said that the pope was the antichrist according to Revelations, but did he correctly interperted it?

In Revelations, it says that the antichrist is either gay or bisexual, and are part of a large organization (some believe it to be the un) and will take over the world after declaring ww3. The Vatican would be defeated and since the antichrist is a Satanist then we all know what would happen. The antichrist is probably the 1st horseman of the apocalpse which is a ten? year event after 7 years and according to some bible codex experts the end of days will happen in 2004-2005 with the peace signing of Jerusalem (i cant spell) between the israles and the palastinians. Another expert of the bible codex predicts a large earthquake in california ini 2007 will start it ending it in 2012. The antichrist will fake the resurection and be given a mark either 666 or 616 depending wether the book of revelations was modified and that number spells out the name of the beast (antichrist) when using greek/roman numbering system for letters and you include the title.

There is also a joke going around that the antichrist is Prince Charles i think because he fits that category of name.

Some bible studiers also say that it spells out 2 (one for each number) roman emperors for building statues making him seem like a god and hunting catholics but if the writer (who i believe is named john) wrote the emperors name he would be killed.

does anyone want to add or question something and no propaganda.

If you'd like a good book to read on eschatalogy, I strongly recommend "The Great Controversy" by E.G. White. Another thing to note is that Revelation shouldn't be looked at seperately from the rest of the Bible. It is very tied to the OT and particularly Daniel, Ezekiel, Psalms and Isaiah.

If you'd like a good book to read on eschatalogy, I strongly recommend "The Great Controversy" by E.G. White. Another thing to note is that Revelation shouldn't be looked at seperately from the rest of the Bible. It is very tied to the OT and particularly Daniel, Ezekiel, Psalms and Isaiah.

Interesting that you recommend it based on links with Daniel... when Daniel was also a contentious text... not originally accepted by the bulk of Hebrew scholars, and, in fact, considered heretical. In fact... Daniel didn't even enter the Jewish 'bible', until a century AFTER Jesus...

Which means, if you consider Revelation to be a contemporary of the other Gospels... Revelation actually entered 'the Canon' before Daniel...

Curious way to reinforce the validity of a text...

I have a question after reading one of Jesussaves posts:
You he said that the pope was the antichrist according to Revelations, but did he correctly interperted it?

In Revelations, it says that the antichrist is either gay or bisexual, and are part of a large organization (some believe it to be the un) and will take over the world after declaring ww3. The Vatican would be defeated and since the antichrist is a Satanist then we all know what would happen. The antichrist is probably the 1st horseman of the apocalpse which is a ten? year event after 7 years and according to some bible codex experts the end of days will happen in 2004-2005 with the peace signing of Jerusalem (i cant spell) between the israles and the palastinians. Another expert of the bible codex predicts a large earthquake in california ini 2007 will start it ending it in 2012. The antichrist will fake the resurection and be given a mark either 666 or 616 depending wether the book of revelations was modified and that
number spells out the name of the beast (antichrist) when using greek/roman numbering system for letters and you include the title.

There is also a joke going around that the antichrist is Prince Charles i think because he fits that category of name.

Some bible studiers also say that it spells out 2 (one for each number) roman emperors for building statues making him seem like a god and hunting catholics but if the writer (who i believe is named john) wrote the emperors name he would be killed.

does anyone want to add or question something and no propaganda.
:confused:
Revelation definitely doesn't say any of that.
The anti-christ will take over by bringing world peace. The Antichrist is first introduced in Revelation 6:1 as the white rider of the four horses.
I have to read more detail, but yeah...World peace. He also brings a World currency, and a world religion. I think...
Anyways, yeah, he's not necessarily gay. He might be, but there's nothing to say either way.

Oh, and his helper dies, and he brings him back to life.
And everyone else is given the mark of the beast. No mark = no food. When it gets that far anyways. If you do get the mark, though, you won't be allowed into heaven. And once you get the mark, you can never be a Christian, and if you were a Christian, you won't be anymore.
However, the Christians will also be given a mark that only they can see so they know who they are.

Side note: some scholars believe that we have already entered the tribulation, and that the rapture comes later. Some thing it happens kinda like in Left Behind. Meh...

I'll see what I can remember from when I read Revelation. Not much, as I didn't understand a word of it.

Firstly, I don't think that it's coming soon: people from every nation will sing praises to God when it happens, and approximately a third of all people worldwide have never heard any part of the Christian message. While it would be nice if we've finished spreading the word by 2012, I don't think that it's really achievable. Moreover, no one will know the day or the hour, and it will come like a thief.

The Whore of Babylon is pretty much accepted as the Roman Empire, as it was found to contain the blood of apostles and prophets. The people who are accepted as apostles vary: some say only the twelve were apostles, some include St Paul, and some say that all those that saw the risen Jesus were apostles. The Roman Empire persecuted early Christians, and has fallen, so it's generally considered to be the Whore of Babylon.

The whole thing is so symbolic that it's really impossible comprehend. There are many things that are recounted as before the fall of the Whore that haven't yet come to pass (to my knowledge); I presume that they'll happen later. I know at least one person who thinks that the Mark of the Beast will be surgically implanted credit and debit cards.

I know of no Biblical evidence for a homosexual anti-Christ.