Yes, we must be VERY discerning. It would appear to me, that there is a subtle, world wide conditioning program going on right now. The purpose, as you say, is to get people ready for the coming of the beast. I just wonder, however, since Satan does not know when the second coming of Christ will be, has Satan been preparing "anti Christs" for a long time? I am sure there are countless millions, who would be willing to do his bidding.
I believe he has, perhaps for nothing more than testing the waters to see when the time is ripe to make his appearance.
Considering some of the evil men who have been in this world, he could for every age, have someone waiting in the wings as it were, to make his appearance hen he thinks the time is right.
Discernment these days is beyond crucial. It’s a matter of life and death.