It is my opinion that the antichrist has been around in every generation (40 years or so). WHY? No one knows when the Rapture will happen. We can know the season and look at the unfolding prophecies to see how close but only God has control as to When it will happen.. At this time, the the antichrist will become publicly known. Satan Has had to have someone in the wings (at hand) should it the Rapture happen. I also think that God designed it this way as Satan would most certainly stage a mirror image of a Rapture if He knew when it would happen.
The Anti-christ is a Man of such character, he can quickly bring the nations of the world together and thus conquer through Peace..This is why in Rev. 6:2 the rider of the WHite Horse (the Antichrist has a Bow (another conversation) with no arrows yet is sent forth to conquer!
Blade
I wish to embellish this line of thinking......My view which lends to your view in a sense....
A study of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome will reveal a continued attempt by Satan to be worshiped in a man as God.....even with Alexander the Great we see the twist where Satan mimics JESUS as Alexander took the title the Son of GOD (ZEUS)......
Satan has continually attempted to bring this to fruition, but it has been hindered by God because it was not yet time (the end of the age)
Right or wrong that is my view based upon a study of the history of these kingdoms, the false God's worshiped, the bible and the very words of JESUS unto the Church which was located at Pergamos....
JESUS told them that he knew they dwelt were Satan's seat was located.......THE throne of Zeus was located at Pergamos....<---this tells me that Zeus was indeed Satan.......
Points to ponder!