The Antichrist?

By Frank Benjamin Horn Hartvedt

The Antichrist will have a «humble and modest beginning,» says former pastor Per Braaten, a man well-versed in the Bible, in a Bible lesson he delivered from the pulpit to his congregation in Western Norway in 2004. I now find myself in a situation where I’m seriously starting to wonder if I really am the Antichrist.

«Already in the Old Testament, there is the idea that the end-time resistance to the Messiah will be concentrated in one person,» says the Store Norske Leksikon («Great Norwegian Encyclopedia»). «The Antichrist is said to emanate from Satan, but without being identical to him.»

My former colleague in the Scandinavian futsal movement IFS, Erik Alfred Tesaker, seriously wondered for a while if I might be the Antichrist. Let me say a few words about Mr. Tesaker. He was the leader of the Kristiansand branch of IFS for several years. That’s when I got to know him. I poke a bit of fun at him, but it must also be said that he knows more than his multiplication tables. The TV show Oppfinneren («The Inventor») on the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), which he initiated and starred in, was very well-received. The show was also broadcast in Sweden and Denmark.

Okay, are you ready? I will now present a few points that may indicate I am the Antichrist himself, and then, to the best of my ability, refute that I am him. Because of course I have to. I can’t have it said that I am a being who has, throughout history, been portrayed as a «Bond villain» of all «Bond villains.» A Keyser Söze and Tyler Durden 2.0.

The Antichrist will as mentioned have a «humble and modest beginning.» So far, it doesn’t look so good. Per Braaten further states that the Antichrist will be «richly endowed,» he will be «a demonic universal genius» – a «multi-faceted genius,» and he will be «lightning-quick intelligent.» In his 2020 book Oppfinneren – boka om Erik Alfred («The Inventor – the book about Erik Alfred»), Mr. Tesaker goes so far as to call me «extremely intelligent.» Not just «lightning-quick intelligent,» mind you, but extremely intelligent. The word «extremely»? That’s «upper echelon.»

The Antichrist will be an «extreme, fanatical rebel in relation to Christ,» according to Per Braaten. Erik Tesaker describes me as «completely without limits.» He saw me as «incredibly radical and brave.» I was «a free soul with a good intellect, who went completely my own way.»

Braaten also states that the Antichrist will speak in «great words,» he will have an «oratorical giftedness,» he is «a master of language,» and he «will dazzle an entire world» «with his brilliant eloquence.» In his 2022 book Gjenfortrylle verden («Re-enchant the World»), Tesaker refers to me as nothing less than an «orator by the grace of God.» I could «put anyone in their place with lightning-fast reasoning,» he says. Braaten makes it clear that the Antichrist «will be able to speak with great authority.» Apparently, I have that quality too, if we are to believe Erik Tesaker. He says I have «an authority based on my own, free thoughts.»

The Antichrist will have a «sharp power of observation, insight (and) clairvoyance,» according to Per Braaten. He has «great knowledge.» Erik Tesaker confirms that I have a «sharp eye» and that I have taught him a lot about life.

«I learned a lot of exciting things from Frank, but I probably learned first and foremost that the world can actually be different,» says Erik Tesaker in a 2024 podcast. «I would have been a completely different person today if it hadn’t been for Frank and the years we had in IFS,» he asserts.

«In many ways, it was he who helped me shed the religious ponderings I was stuck in, and who made me dare to question established truths,» says Tesaker in the book Oppfinneren – boka om Erik Alfred («The Inventor – the book about Erik Alfred»).

In the podcast, he says that it was «incomprehensibly inspiring» to experience me, and that I «was an incredibly important force for (him) in his early years.» It was even «a life-altering experience to meet (me).» Experiencing me «fascinated him immensely.»

This is getting wild. But there’s more to come.

Per Braaten says that the Antichrist will be «a true human being,» that is, a human being of flesh and blood like Jesus Christ. He will «appear very cultured, charming, gentle, and friendly.»

Erik Tesaker says he is «eternally grateful for the job (I) did» with him many years ago. He describes our relationship back then as «a wonderful friendship.» Am I charming like the Antichrist? I think we can safely assume so when Tesaker states that I have a «powerful charisma.»

The former pastor Per Braaten is not very fond of the Antichrist. Especially since the Antichrist will be a «false Messiah.»

– He is not just an opponent of the Lord Jesus, he is a false Christ, a different Jesus from the one we meet in the New Testament, and he will convey a different spirit from the Holy Spirit, Braaten explains and adds: – He will preach a gospel that will be a completely different gospel from the good news.

It’s a good thing I don’t go around calling myself «The Real Jesus,» or call my hometowns Nazareth and Bethlehem.

Well, with a certain religious studies background, I simply have to admit that I have some knowledge of topics related to the occult.

The Antichrist will be an «extreme, fanatical rebel in relation to Christ,» according to Per Braaten. Erik Tesaker describes me as «completely without limits.» He saw me as «incredibly radical and brave.» I was «a free soul with a good intellect, who went completely my own way.»

The Antichrist will operate «with an enigmatic seductive power.» He will be a «mysterious leader figure» who will «far surpass previous leaders we know from history,» according to Braaten. He will be a «schemer who is false in his entire being,» and «because he is wise, his deceitful journey will succeed for him.»

It’s a good thing I haven’t seduced a number of people and institutions over the years.

Otherwise, the Antichrist will be «skilled in evil advice» – and «that has to do with occultism.» According to Braaten, the Antichrist knows a lot about «hidden knowledge» and has great knowledge not only of the material world.

Well, with a certain religious studies background, I simply have to admit that I have some knowledge of topics related to the occult.

Finally, Braaten says that the Antichrist will have «an outstanding political giftedness.»

– When the Antichrist emerges, the world is in a state of more or less chaos. People will cry out for the strong man who can create order and who will create peace. With his brilliant political acumen and endowment, he will be able to unite warring parties. He will master the difficult art of diplomacy and he will experience a fantastic success. The Antichrist almost supremely makes his way to the pinnacles of power in this world. He is the Devil’s masterpiece, an economic magician, and a brilliant military strategist who puts Alexander the Great (and others) in the shade, says Per Braaten and adds: – He will be a religious genius.

This is some powerful stuff. If I were to live up to that, I’d really have to put my back into it. Erik Tesaker’s words that I was «a burning soul» who was «incredibly good at being concrete in asking questions that dug deep into what one was really doing and wanted,» I would probably then have thought were good to have with me.

Now is actually the time to refute that I am the man who emanates from Satan. But I can’t think of anything.

However, I strongly deny that I am the Antichrist.

But that’s probably exactly what the Antichrist would do, because as we remember; «the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.»

So what can I say?

(This article was published on frankbenjaminhartvedt.no in March 2025)