What is an…
Antichrist

also known as: anti-christ

Greek: ἀντίχριστος —transliteration: antichristos —meaning: opposite to christ; against Christ; one who puts himself in the place of Christ; one who opposes Christ; an opposition Christ; acting in place of Christ; a rival Christ; or the enemy (opponent) of Christ —occurrences: 5 in 4 verses

The word “antichrist” is used in Scripture only by the Apostle John (1 John 2:18; 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 1:17).

“Even now are there many antichrists.”

Antichrists in the Bible

  1. False christs mentioned by Christ

    Jesus spoke of “false christs.”

    “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. —Matthew 24:5 NASB

    “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. —Matthew 24:23-24 NASB

  2. The Antichrist

    also known as: the man of lawlessness, The Lawless One (2 Thes. 2:9-11 NIV), The Man of Sin, The Son of Destruction

    This is the “man of sin” described by the Apostle Paul who will become the diabolical yet cunningly charismatic world leader in the years before Christ’s 2nd Coming.

    Paul warned,

    Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple —2 Thess. 2:3-4 NASB

    Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

    For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. —2 Thes. 2:8-12 NASB

    Daniel’s prophecy of the “little horn”

    ‘As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. —Daniel 7:24-25 NASB

    “In the latter period of their rule,
    When the transgressors have run their course,
    A king will arise,
    Insolent and skilled in intrigue.
    His power will be mighty, but not by his own power,
    And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree
    And prosper and perform his will;
    He will destroy mighty men and the holy people.
    And through his shrewdness
    He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence;
    And he will magnify himself in his heart,
    And he will destroy many while they are at ease.
    He will even oppose the Prince of princes,
    But he will be broken without human agency.     —Dan. 8:23-25 NASB

    The beast from the Sea

    And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore.

    Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads were blasphemous names. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne, and great authority. I saw one of his heads as if it had been fatally wounded, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” A mouth was given to him speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months [3½ years] was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

    It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority was given to him over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slaughtered. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. —Rev. 13:1-10 NASB

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Article Version: August 1, 2021