The subject of who the antichrist has always been an interest to me. Anything I say here is purely personal speculation. In speculating about the antichrist one should also consider the false prophet as well for together they will work to deceive the world. The antichrist himself will be a political leader whom the whole world will accept including the muslims. The false prophet will be a religious leader heading up a new world religion.
Many believe in Christian circles that the antichrist will come out of the revived Roman Empire - the European Union. In the Book of Daniel, it talks about ten nations as the core group of nations that will grow to thirteen then it would become a global system. Interestingly, Daniel says that the thirteenth nation to join would be diverse from the others and have a lot of influence over the others. The thirteenth nation to join was Spain in 1981. What is so interesting about Spain is some years ago they re-instated the monarchy which was in exile in Rome since the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Thus Spain now has a king, King Juan Carlos. And King Juan Carlos happens to be a direct descendent of King Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire. Therefore as a decendent of King Charles V, King Juan Carlos can claim the title of Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. What is more, he can also claim the title "King of Jerusalem" since the Spaniards invaded and conquered Jerusalem during the crusades and that title was thus added to King Charles V. Another point is, during the Spanish Inquisition, all the Jews were expelled from Spain because they would not convert to Catholism. Many of those Jews were packed onto ships and sent out to sea where many died. In the last some years King Juan Carlos has apologized on behalf of Spain to the Jews and offered any Jew who can prove their ancestry back to Spain from that time they would be granted full Spanish citizenship. It so happens that about 50% of the Jews in Israel can claim their ancestry back to Spain. The Bible tells us the antichrist will move his world headquarters to Jerusalem. How convenient it is to already have 'his foot in the door' to move into Jerusalem?
As for the false prophet I believe he will be a Talmudist Jew and most likely the high priest in the rebuilt temple. The religion will be that of the temple cult that existed in Jesus' time revived again for the endtime. I believe history will repeat itself in this case. As it was in the time of Jesus, Judea was a province of Rome and the Jewish religion was Babylonian Talmudist Judaism based on Noahide Law and mystic Kabbalah. In the endtime we have a simialr scenario being set up - revived Rome and maybe Israel becoming an E.U member? Even if Israel does not join the E.U half the population can claim Spanish citizenship thus E.U. citizenship? We know the false prophet will call fire down from heaven. Perhaps on an alter of animal sacrifice like what Elijah did in 1 Kings chapter 18? Remember the definition of an "antichrist" means a subsitute for or against Christ. How does this fit with the Muslims? Both the Talmudist Jews and the Muslims believe that Jesus was a man only and to worship Him as God is blashemy which is a death penalty offense. Thus both the Talmudists and the Muslims could become allies in persecuting and killing Christians. Therefore I believe the mother of harlots of Mystery Babylon is the revived temple cult of the Pharicees and Sanhedrin. I know many have said the Catholic church is the harlot but since the daughter and mother resemble each other so closely it can be hard to tell the difference.