Antichrist

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Sermon and Deeds of the Antichrist, Luca Signorelli, 1499–1502: Antichrist deceiving many people

The term Antichrist refers to “one who opposes Christ” or “the enemy of Christ.” In the Bible, the Antichrist is described as an evil being foretold in prophecy—one who abolishes truth and deceives the world through miracles, lawlessness, and falsehoods. The Bible also refers to this figure as the “false prophet,” the “false Christ,” the “man of lawlessness,” and the “son of destruction.”

Warnings Concerning the Antichrist

The Parable of the Weeds, Domenico Fetti, 1622: In the parables of Jesus, the one who sows weeds in the field is described as the enemy, the devil.

The term Antichrist first appears in 1 John and 2 John, where it refers to those who deny the incarnate Christ and are called liars. John also prophesied that many antichrists would arise in the last days.[1][2][3]


Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

1 John 2:18


Although not always named explicitly as “Antichrist,” various biblical passages describe individuals or powers that oppose Christ and obstruct the gospel work of God. The prophet Daniel foretold that one who opposes God would change God’s appointed times and laws.[4] Jesus Christ warned against “the one who sows weeds,” “false Christs,” and “false prophets.”[5][6] Apostle Paul cautioned believers by describing the Antichrist as “the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction.”[7]

Characteristics of the Antichrist

The Chief Priests Ask Jesus by What Right Does He Act in This Way, James Jacques Joseph Tissot, 1886–1894: Jewish religious leaders refused to believe in Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God.

The Antichrist does not oppose God in ways that are immediately obvious. Instead, he disguises himself in “sheep’s clothing,” presenting himself as a servant of God while secretly opposing Him and deceiving believers.[8][9]

A representative example from Jesus’ time can be seen in the religious leaders, such as the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the Pharisees, who opposed Christ. Through their actions, we can understand the characteristics of the Antichrist.

Denial of God in the Flesh

Two thousand years ago, according to biblical prophecy, God came in the flesh, born as a child.[10] This was Jesus Christ. However, the religious leaders of Judaism, who claimed to believe in God, rejected Him. They ignored the prophecies concerning Christ and instead criticized His physical appearance, background, and circumstances.[11][12][13] Ultimately, they crucified Him.[14][15] Thus, the Antichrist is one who denies God who comes in the flesh and hinders the gospel by emphasizing Christ’s human aspects rather than recognizing His divinity.[16]


Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

2 John 1:7

The Man of Lawlessness

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and the teachers of the law for valuing human traditions above the teachings of God, calling them hypocrites full of lawlessness.[17] Hypocrisy refers to outward acts meant to appear righteous, while lawlessness refers to breaking God’s commands. Therefore, the Antichrist outwardly appears to believe in God but teaches lawlessness instead of God’s commandments, leading people to destruction.


Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4


Jesus taught and proclaimed the truth of the new covenant, including baptism, the Sabbath, and the seven annual feasts in three times. The Antichrist, however, teaches doctrines not based on the Bible—such as Sunday worship and Christmas (derived from sun worship), and cross-reverence. These man-made doctrines carry no blessing from God. Ultimately, those who practice lawlessness become separated from Christ and cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.[18]

Antichrist at the Time of the Second Coming

The Bible prophesies that many Antichrists will arise at the time of Christ’s second coming.[19]


As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. . . . many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, . . . For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.”

Matthew 24:3–24


The fact that many Antichrists arise to hinder the work of salvation also indicates that Christ’s work of salvation will be actively carried out during the same period. According to prophecy, in the last days Christ comes “on the clouds”—that is, in the flesh again—to gather God’s people.[20][21] As He did two thousand years ago, He teaches the truth of the new covenant in spiritual Zion, where the feasts of God are observed.[22]


In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple [Zion] will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:1–2


Ultimately, the Antichrist will face God’s judgment and eternal punishment.[23] Therefore, in the last days, the holy people who seek salvation must correctly discern and avoid the Antichrist, and instead receive the Second Coming Christ and keep the truth of the new covenant.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "1 John 2:22".
  2. ↑ "1 John 4:3".
  3. ↑ "2 John 1:7".
  4. ↑ "Daniel 7:25".
  5. ↑ "Matthew 13:24–30, 36–42".
  6. ↑ "Matthew 24:23–24".
  7. ↑ "2 Thessalonians 2:3–4".
  8. ↑ "Matthew 7:15".
  9. ↑ "2 Corinthians 11:14–15".
  10. ↑ "Isaiah 9:6".
  11. ↑ "Luke 11:37–38".
  12. ↑ "Luke 15:1–2".
  13. ↑ "John 6:42".
  14. ↑ "John 10:33".
  15. ↑ "Matthew 27:35–44".
  16. ↑ "2 Corinthians 4:4".
  17. ↑ "Matthew 23:27–28".
  18. ↑ "Matthew 7:21–23".
  19. ↑ "1 John 2:18".
  20. ↑ "Matthew 24:3, 30–31".
  21. ↑ "Hebrews 9:28".
  22. ↑ "Isaiah 33:20".
  23. ↑ "Revelation 20:10".
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