Joel Richardson is an American Christian author, speaker, teacher, and filmmaker known for his teachings on biblical prophecy, particularly its relationship to Islam and Middle Eastern end-times events. Specializing in the intersections of Islamic eschatology and Christian end-times theology, he has written New York Times bestselling books such as The Islamic Antichrist (2009), Mideast Beast (2012), and When a Jew Rules the World (2015), which argue that Islamic traditions about the Mahdi and Jesus correspond to biblical descriptions of the Antichrist and False Prophet. He has also co-authored works with Walid Shoebat, including God's War on Terror: The Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World (2008) and The Global Jihad: An Inside Story (2013), published through the Walid Shoebat Foundation.

Richardson’s writings and lectures critique radical Islamism and promote a premillennial dispensationalist perspective, emphasizing Israel’s role in end-times prophecy. He produces documentaries and online content via Frontier Alliance International, focusing on persecuted Christians in the Middle East, advocating for Israel, and warning about global jihadist threats. Raised in the United States, Richardson initially trained in art and design before entering full-time ministry and authorship in the early 2000s. He has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East—including Turkey, Israel, and Arab countries—to conduct research and engage with Muslim communities, which informs his views on Islam’s role in apocalyptic scenarios.

As a public speaker, he addresses churches, conferences, and media outlets, frequently collaborating with evangelical prophecy figures. His work has sparked controversy among some Christian scholars, who accuse him of promoting Islamophobia or oversimplifying complex theological topics, while supporters praise his bold analysis of current geopolitical events from a biblical perspective. Richardson is affiliated with conservative Christian and pro-Israel organizations such as Christians United for Israel and participates in humanitarian efforts aiding refugees from Islamic extremism. He maintains a low personal profile to protect family privacy while continuing his ministry, writing, and advocacy work. No major legal or financial controversies are publicly known, though his anti-Islamist themes have drawn allegations of fear-mongering from progressive and interfaith groups.