‘Anti-Christ’

1 John 4:1-3

: For several weeks I have been addressing ‘last day’ matters and the significance of God’s Word.

1 John 4:1-3 says:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this, you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that 

 has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the 

 of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming and is now already in the world.” 

The Bible speaks of a mysterious character called the antichrist, the false Christ, the man of lawlessness, or the beast. Scripture doesn’t specifically name who the antichrist will be, but does give us several clues as to what he will be like.

By looking at the different names for the antichrist in the Bible, we gain a better understanding of the kind of person he will be.

The name “antichrist” is only found in 1 John 2:18, 2:22, 4:3, and 2 John 7. The 

 John was the only Bible writer to use the name antichrist. Studying these verses, we learn that many antichrists (false teachers) will appear between the time of Christ’s first and 

, but there will be one great antichrist who will rise to power during the end times, or “last hour,” as 1 John phrases it.

The antichrist will deny that 

. He will deny both God the Father and God the Son, and will be a liar and a deceiver.

By the end times, many will easily be deceived and embrace the antichrist because his spirit will already dwell within the world.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, the antichrist is described as the “man of sin,” or “son of perdition.” Here the 

, like John,

:

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (NKJV)

The 

 makes it clearer that a time of rebellion will come before Christ’s return and then the “man of lawlessness, the man doomed to destruction” will be revealed.

Eventually, the antichrist will exalt himself above God to be worshiped in the Lord’s Temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Verses 9-10 say that the antichrist will do counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders, to gain a following and deceive many.

In Revelation 13:5-8, the antichrist is referred to as “

:”

“Then the beast was allowed to speak great 

 And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven.

And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the 

 before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered.” 

We see “the beast” used for antichrist several times in the 

.

The antichrist will gain political power and spiritual authority over every nation on earth. He will most likely begin his rise to power as a very influential, charismatic, political or religious diplomat. He will rule the world government for 42 months. According to many 

, this time frame is understood to be during the latter 3.5 years of 

. During this period, the world will endure a time of unprecedented trouble.

In Daniel’s prophetic vision of end days, we see “a little horn” described in chapters 7, 8 and 11. In the interpretation of the dream, this little horn is a ruler or king, and speaks of the antichrist. Daniel 7:24-25 says:

“The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.” 

In 

 (Mark 13, Matthew 24-25, and Luke 21), Jesus warned his followers of terrible events and 

 that will occur before his Second Coming. Most likely, this is where the concept of an antichrist was first introduced to the disciples, although Jesus does not refer to him in the singular:

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24, NKJV)

In just about everything we hear!

Jude 1:3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

1 Peter 3:15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

Psalm 94:16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

Titus 1:9 He must be devoted to the trustworthy message we teach. Then he can use these accurate teachings to encourage people and correct those who oppose the word.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.

Philippians 1:16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Are we in the last days? Is the spirit of Anti-Christ present? Are we prepared/preparing? Is the Word of God the most significant piece of literature in your life?