The Bible never says the Antichrist will be Jewish. But I’ve heard some Bible teachers claim this too. I think it may be speculation (possibly antisemitic) that he will be Jewish.
The Bible does imply that many people will trust this man, including the Jewish people, until he declares himself to be God and desecrates the new temple (yet to be built). So I suppose his being Jewish would encourage Jewish people to trust him. But that is speculation and is not stated in God’s word.
God’s word says:
“…Even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” (Daniel 9:26-27)
So the Antichrist will make a covenant or treaty with many people, but in the middle of seven years duration (a prophetic week), he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering in the temple.
The Jewish people will recognize something is wrong, when they see the Antichrist put an end to sacrifice and offering and makes desolate (or destroys) many people.
“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1-2)
At that time, God will provide a way for the nation of Israel to escape the Antichrist.
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” (Revelation 12:1-6)
The woman symbolizes Israel, with twelve tribes. From her, came the Messiah Jesus who is Jewish. Jesus was in danger of being killed by king Herod when he slaughtered all the male children 2 years old and under in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). Herod was Jewish and a type of antichrist – this may also be where the theory that the final Antichrist is Jewish comes from, because one of the antichrists was Jewish. The Bible tells us there are many antichrists (1 John 2:18).
The woman (Israel) needs to flee to the wilderness to escape from the Antichrist who wants to kill her (Revelation 12:6,14). In the wilderness, Israel will be nourished by God for “one thousand two hundred and sixty days” (Revelation 12:6) or about 3.5 years.
God says:
“‘…I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you,’ declares the Lord God. ‘I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; and I will purge from you the rebels and those who transgress against Me…I will prove Myself holy among you in the sight of the nations. And you will know that I am the Lord'” (Ezekiel 20:36-38, 41-42)
So God will discipline Israel in the wilderness during the Tribulation and make a new covenant with them. In the end, those who recognize Jesus as Messiah (who are written in the book of life) will be saved.
“Now if their [Jewish people's] transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! … For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:12,15)
In the end, all the remnant of Israel will be delivered (Romans 11:26). When Israel believes in Jesus, God’s kingdom comes and all who have believed will receive their new resurrected bodies.
So let’s tell our Jewish friends about Jesus the Messiah, because God has said:
“I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)