What is an Antichrist?
The Antichrist is an end-time Entity that is opposed to Jesus as the Christ. In 1 John 2:18, the Bible teaches that just as there will be an Antichrist, there were already many antichrists. These antichrists went out from the fellowship of God’s people, but were not actually God’s people (1 John 2:19). In fact, an antichrist is one who denies that Jesus is the Christ (1 John 2:22). As we saw in the study ‘What does ‘Christ’ Mean ?’, the word Christ (Messiah) points to the three-fold office of Jesus Christ as the Prophet (Word of God), Priest (Jesus’ sacrifice is the only way to salvation) and King (Jesus is sovereign and to be obeyed). An Antichrist is opposed (anti) to Jesus as the Christ. Surely, the Antichrist will acknowledge that Jesus existed, but he denies that Jesus was the Christ (Prophet, Priest and King). By understanding the character and actions of the Antichrist, one can recognize this individual when he is revealed. Below is a You Tube video concerning what is an antichrist. Or, continue with the study below.
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- Antichrist in Four Bible Passages
- Antichrist – Opposition to Christ
- Actions of an Antichrist
- Antichrist Denies that Jesus is the Christ
- Satan is the Model Antichrist
Antichrist in Four Bible Passages
‘Antichrist’ only appears in the New Testament. It is the Greek word ‘antichristos’ (G500), which literally means ‘against / opposed to Christ’. It occurs 5 times (within 4 Bible verses):
- 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. (1Jn 2:18)
- Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (1Jn 2:22)
- 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. (1Jn 4:3)
- 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. (2Jn 1:7)
However, there are many other titles, symbols and types of the antichrist throughout the Bible. In addition to ‘Antichrist’, these 10 additional titles, symbols and types contain significant insights into understand the character and actions of the Antichrist.
- Man of Sin (2 Th 2:1-12)
- Leopard Beast (Rev 13)
- 7th Head of the Scarlet Beast (Rev 17)
- King Nebuchadnezzar
- Little Horn (Dan 7)
- Little Horn (Dan 8)
- King of the North (Dan 11)
- Prince that shall come (Dan 9:26-27)
- Prince of Tyre (Eze 28:1-10)
- Gog, of the Land of Magog (Eze 38-39, Rev 20:7-9)
Antichrist – Opposition to Christ
As we saw in the study ‘What does ‘Christ’ Mean ?’, below are the key offices and work of Jesus Christ:
- Prophet
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- Jesus is the Word of God
- The Bible is authoritative since it was inspired by the Spirit of Christ
- The Christian will recognize the Bible as the authoritative Word of God
- Priest
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- Jesus is the only way to salvation (His sacrifice once for the sins of His people)
- It is only by the faith of Christ that one can be saved from the wrath of God
- King
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- Jesus is Sovereign and as a King, He is to be obeyed
- Evidence of a true Christian will be obedience to Jesus Christ (i.e., the Bible)
Actions of an Antichrist
The most basic characteristics and actions of the Antichrist (or any antichrist) is as follows:
- Against (opposed to) Christ (Prophet, Priest, King)
- Prophet – Word of God
- Will not believe the Bible is the plenary, complete, true Word of God
- Believe in other revelations outside of the Bible (dreams, angel messengers, signs and wonders, worldly wisdom, psychology, deception and lies, God speaks to a person outside of the Bible, etc.
- Priest – Christ is only way to salvation
- Other ways to spiritual enlightenment / eternal life (works-based salvation plans, new age, karma / reincarnation, syncretism, ghosts, spiritism, etc.)
- King – Obedience to Christ
- No ongoing desire to be obedient to Word of God (Jesus Christ)
Antichrist Denies that Jesus is the Christ
In 1 John 2:22 and 2 John 1:7, the Bible teaches that an antichrist denies that Jesus came in the flesh as the Christ
- Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son. (1Jn 2:22)
- Liar (antichrist) – bearing false witness concerning Jesus’ threefold work as Prophet, Priest and King
- Characteristic of one who is saved (born again):
- Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God … (1Jn 5:1)
- 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. (2Jn 1:7)
- And every spirit that confesses 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. (1Jn 4:3)
- The Greek word for ‘confess’ in this passage is ‘homologeo’, which literally means to speak the same message. In other words, one that does not agree on the doctrine of Christ (Jesus’ threefold ministry as Prophet, Priest and King) is an antichrist.
- Greek word ‘homologeo’ – to speak or agree on the same words
It should also be noted that although there always were many antichrists since the apostolic period (1st century A.D.), there is an Antichrist that will exist during the end-time (a.k.a., Great Tribulation).
- 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. (1Jn 2:18)
- Antichrist (singular) shall come
- Always have been many antichrists during the church age
- We must study other passages on the little horn, the beast, the man of sin, etc. to understand more of the nature of antichrist
Satan is the Model Antichrist
During the Great Tribulation, Satan is released from the bottomless pit to deceive the nations (Rev 20:3-7). Satan (also known as the Dragon – Rev 12) will give his power and authority to the Leopard Beast of Revelation 13. This Leopard Beast is one of the symbols of the Antichrist (Rev 13:2). In particular, we find the following traits of Satan that indicate the Satan is the model antichrist:
- Against Prophet – Word of God
- Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (Joh 8:44)
- For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2Co 11:13-15)
- Against Priesthood – Jesus as the only way to salvation
- In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2Co 4:4)
- And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. (Mar 4:15)
- Temptation of Christ – Satan wanted Jesus to fall down and worship Satan – Mat 4:8-10
- Against Obedience to Christ the King
- He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1Jn 3:8)
- Satan also sins by deceiving, lying, tempting and destroying people