While I'm not going to discuss who is or isn't an antichrist, there is no "the Antichrist". There are many antichrists because it's anyone who denies Christ (1st and 2nd John). Revelation doesn't even mention any antichrist so there is no link between one and the apocalypse.

I think the article is saying it was done to speed the bringing about of the apocalypse. Will it happen?

Stay tuned I guess.