Biblical Description and Prophecy of the Antichrist
The term "Antichrist" is exclusively used by the Apostle John in the New Testament, who defines it as an adversary to Christ or an opposition Christ [1, 2, 4]. John clarifies its meaning, though its specific application has been a subject of varying interpretations [1].
In his epistles, John describes the Antichrist as one who denies the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22) and specifically denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7) [1, 5]. John states that "many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2 John 1:7 BSB) [7]. This indicates that the "spirit of Antichrist" was already prevalent in apostolic times [5]. Deceit is identified as a characteristic of the Antichrist [5].
Beyond John's direct usage, the concept of an opposing figure or force is connected to other biblical prophecies:
- Daniel's "Little Horn" and "King of Fierce Countenance": The "little horn" of Daniel 7:24-25 and the "king of fierce countenance" in Daniel 8:23-25 have been identified with the Antichrist [4]. This figure is characterized by presumption and opposition to God [3]. The "man of sin" described by Paul is seen as the New Testament actual Antichrist, just as Antiochus Epiphanes was the Old Testament typical Antichrist [11]. This figure is prophesied to possess high worldly wisdom, unite the civilized world under his dominion, and exhibit atheism, antitheism, and autotheism [8].
- Jesus' "False Christs": Jesus himself warned of "false Christs" (Matthew 24:5, 23-24), a concept also linked to the Antichrist [4].
- Paul's "Man of Sin": Paul describes a "man of sin" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 8-10, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, even taking a seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God [4, 3]. This figure is associated with presumption [3]. The "man of sin" is prophesied to be gradually consumed and then suddenly destroyed by Christ at His coming [10].
- Revelation's "Beast from the Sea": The "beast from the sea" in Revelation 13:1 and 17:1-18 is another figure associated with the Antichrist [4]. This beast is given a mouth speaking blasphemies, which it opens against God, His name, His dwelling, and those who dwell in heaven (Revelation 13:5) [9]. This figure is characterized as an enemy and avenger of Christ and His people [9].
The destruction of the Antichrist is depicted as a twofold operation: a gradual consumption, followed by a sudden destruction by Christ at His second advent [10]. This second advent, or "revelation of Christ," is expressed by various Greek words in the New Testament, including apokalupsis, parousia, and epiphaneia, and was widely expected by early Christians [6].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Antichrist — This term is employed by the apostle John alone, and is defined by him in a manner which leaves no doubt as to its intrinsic meaning. With regard to its application there is less certainty. In the first passage-- (1 John 2:18)--in which it occurs, the apostle makes direct reference to the false Christs whose coming, it had been fore-told, should mark the last days. In v. 22 we find, "he is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son;" and still more positively, "every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of antichrist."”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Antichrist — an adversary to Christ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Presumption — A characteristic of the wicked -- 2Pe 2:10. A characteristic of Antichrist -- 2Th 2:4. Exhibited in Opposing God. -- Job 15:25,26. Wilful commission of sin. -- Ro 1:32. Self-righteousness. -- Ho 12:8; Re 3:17. Spiritual pride. -- Isa 65:5; Lu 18:11. Esteeming our own ways right. -- Pr 12:15. Seeking precedence. -- Lu 14:7-11. Planning for the future. -- Lu 12:18; Jas 4:13. Pretending to prophecy. -- De 18:22. Pray to be kept from sins of -- Ps 19:13. Saints avoid -- Ps 131:1. Punishment for -- Nu 15:30; Re 18:7,8. Exemplified Builders of Babel. -- Ge 11”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Antichrist — Against Christ, or an opposition Christ, a rival Christ. The word is used only by the apostle John. Referring to false teachers, he says (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7), "Even now are there many antichrists." (1.) This name has been applied to the "little horn" of the "king of fierce countenance" (Dan. 7:24, 25; 8:23-25). (2.) It has been applied also to the "false Christs" spoken of by our Lord (Matt. 24:5, 23, 24). (3.) To the "man of sin" described by Paul (2 Thess. 2:3, 4, 8-10). (4.) And to the "beast from the sea" (Rev. 13:1; 17:1-18).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Antichrist — Denies the Father and the Son -- 1Jo 2:22. Denies the incarnation of Christ -- 1Jo 4:3; 2Jo 1:7. Spirit of, prevalent in apostolic times -- 1Jo 2:18. Deceit, a characteristic of -- 2Jo 1:7.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
- II John “II John 1:7 (BSB) — For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 7:25: Three attributes of Antichrist are specified: (1) The highest worldly wisdom and civilization. (2) The uniting of the whole civilized world under his dominion. (3) Atheism, antitheism, and autotheism in its fullest development (Jo1 2:22). Therefore, not only is power taken from the fourth beast, as in the case of the other three, but God destroys it and the world power in general by a final judgment. The present external Christianity is to give place to an almost universal apostasy. think--literally, "carry within him as it were the burden of the tho”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 44:16: For the voice, of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth,.... That is, antichrist, to whom a mouth speaking blasphemies has been given, and which he has opened in blasphemy against God, attributing that to himself which belongs to God; blaspheming his name, his tabernacle, and them that well in heaven; see Rev 13:5; by reason of the enemy and avenger; which are very proper characters of antichrist, who is the enemy of Christ and of his people, and breathes out vengeance against them; as the same titles are also given to the Scribes and Pharisees, the implacable enemi”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 7:26: consume . . . destroy--a twofold operation. Antichrist is to be gradually "consumed," as the Papacy has been consuming for four hundred years past, and especially of late years. He is also to be "destroyed" suddenly by Christ at His coming; the fully developed man of sin (Th2 2:3) or false prophet making a last desperate effort in confederacy with the "beast" (Rev 16:13-14, Rev 16:16) or secular power of the Roman empire (some conjecture Louis Napoleon): destroyed at Armageddon in Palestine.”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:4: th2 2:4Dan 11:36-37 is here referred to. The words used there as to Antiochus Epiphanes, Paul implies, shall even be more applicable to the man of sin, who is the New Testament actual Antichrist, as Antiochus was the Old Testament typical Antichrist. The previous world kingdoms had each one extraordinary person as its representative head and embodiment (thus Babylon had Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 2:38, end; Medo-Persia had Cyrus; Greece had Alexander, and Antiochus Epiphanes, the forerunner of Antichrist); so the fourth and last world kingdom, under w”