About Antichrist

The faithful student of the Bible knows that “antichrist” appears only five times in Scripture, in only four verses, and all in the writings of the apostle John. The word itself simply means, “one who opposes Christ.” The first appearance of this term is found in First John 2:18. “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” Next is First John 2:22 which reads, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” First John 4:3 states, “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” Finally, Second John 7 reads, “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

From just these four passages we learn several things about antichrist. First, it is clear that there were already many antichrists present in the first century. Second, the antichrist(s) denied both the Father and the Son. Third, antichrist denied that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh. Fourth, antichrist was a deceiver.

What the Bible reveals about antichrist is a far cry from what many within Christendom teach today. With just a quick search on the internet, it becomes evident that those who often write about antichrist have greatly embellished what the Bible reveals. For example, one article (https://theconversation.com/five-things-to-knowabout-the-antichrist-148172) lists five things about antichrist. While two points in that article are true, the other three are rather fanciful and not based on the revelation of Scripture. The author’s first point claims that antichrist is “the son of Satan.” No Scripture is provided as evidence. The author’s second point is that the antichrist is “an earthly tyrant and trickster.” Again, no Scripture is provided as evidence. The author’s fifth and final point is that antichrist “will die in the end.” Of course, this idea comes from the false doctrine of an earthly kingdom established by Christ after the battle of Armageddon.

Here is the sad reality about this rather uncomplicated Biblical subject: ignorance reigns! One major problem is that authors and speakers attempt to make the evil beasts of Revelation refer to some future political leader. The beast that John saw rise out of the sea is supposed to be antichrist. The problem? John already told us who antichrist was in First and Second John. In fact, the term antichrist is not even found in the book of Revelation! Why is it, then, that those who want to discuss antichrist seemingly always want to study Revelation?

Here is the truth - when we allow the Bible to speak for itself on this subject we know that antichrist is not some future political leader who will take control of the world by a one-world-government. We know that the antichrist is not going to take control of the world’s economy. What we do know is that antichrist has been in the world for 2,000 years. We do know that antichrists were false teachers in the church who were denying that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh. That’s it! The truth of this subject is that it is not as spectacular as some try to make it. Most of the beliefs associated with antichrist are tied into the false doctrines of premillennialism and “signs of the times.” Matthew 24 is often cited as proof that right before Jesus returns to the earth, there will be signs that precede. The problem with that false ideology is that Matthew 24 (as well as Mark 13 and Luke 21) are passages that detail the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70. Concerning the return of Christ we are told that He will come as a “thief in the night” (1 Thes. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10). Jesus Himself said, “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning” (Mk. 13:35). If it is the case - and it is - that no one knows when the Master will return, how could it also be the case that there will be signs, such as an earthly, political leader called antichrist just prior to the Master’s return? The Bible is its own best interpreter. We cannot read the doctrines we want to believe into the text and remain faithful to God’s revealed truth. There are many sincere people who live in fear of war, economic disaster, and persecution because they have bought into a false religious system. Be a serious student of the Bible and do not allow false doctrine(s) to shake your faith!