Apocalyptic thinking on the rise in global political discourse

Apocalyptic themes are increasingly appearing in global political discourse, moving beyond purely theological speculation. The concept of the “Antichrist,” primarily derived from St. Paul’s reference to a “man of sin” who will proclaim himself God, has become a real influence on the worldview of some wealthy and powerful individuals.

One prominent example is billionaire and tech investor Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, and a financial backer of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s political career. Thiel envisions the Antichrist as a unique evil tyrant who gains global power by pretending to be a benefactor and exploiting people’s fears, especially regarding technology. In his view, this harbinger of the apocalypse might already be among us, possibly embodied by a “Luddite who wants to stop all science,” such as climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Although marginal, these ideas influence decision-makers and investors, sparking a new debate about the intersection of religion and politics in the modern world.