Signs of the Antichrist's Appearance in Biblical Prophecy
The term "Antichrist" is used exclusively by the apostle John in the New Testament, who defines it as a spirit that denies the Father and the Son, specifically that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh [1]. John also indicates that there are "false Christs" whose appearance was foretold to mark the last days [1].
Biblical prophecy describes several signs associated with the appearance of the Antichrist. One prominent sign is the performance of "signs and wonders" by false Christs and false prophets [5, 6]. These deceptive acts are intended to mislead, if possible, even those who are chosen [5, 6]. Josephus records a historical instance of a false prophet who proclaimed that God commanded people to gather at the temple, promising miraculous signs of deliverance, which led to their destruction [4]. The Antichrist's coming is characterized by the "working of Satan," involving "lying wonders" [7]. This suggests that the Antichrist will manifest power that mimics divine authority but is rooted in deception [7].
Another characteristic of the Antichrist is presumption [3]. The Antichrist is described as opposing and exalting himself above every so-called god or object of worship, even sitting in God's temple and proclaiming himself to be God [3, 8]. This aligns with descriptions in Daniel 11:36-37, which are seen as applicable to the "man of sin" who embodies the Antichrist [8]. The Antichrist's actions are a manifestation of spiritual pride and self-righteousness [3].
The appearance of the Antichrist is also linked to a broader context of the "revelation of Christ," which refers to the second advent of Christ [2]. This event is expressed by several Greek words in the New Testament, including apokalupsis, parousia, and epiphaneia [2]. There was a widespread expectation among early Christians, based on passages like Matthew 24:29, 30, 34, of Christ's speedy return [2]. The Antichrist's emergence is thus situated within eschatological expectations concerning the end times and Christ's return [1, 2].
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."”
- 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.)”
- 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”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, CHAPTER 5, section 3: the cloisters themselves. Nor did any one of them escape with his life. A false prophet 19 was the occasion of these people's destruction, who had made a public proclamation in the city that very day, that God commanded them to get upon the temple, and that there they should receive miraculous signs of their deliverance. Now there was then a great number of false prophets suborned by the tyrants to impose on the people, who denounced this to them, that they should wait for deliverance from God; and this was in order to keep them fro”
- Mark “For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. -- Mark 13:22”
- Matthew “For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. -- Matthew 24:24”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:9: whose coming--The same Greek as was used for the Lord's coming (Th2 2:8) or personal "presence." is--in its essential character. after--according to the working ("energy") of Satan, as opposed to the energy or working of the Holy Spirit in the Church (see on Eph 1:19). As Christ is related to God, so is Antichrist to Satan, his visible embodiment and manifestation: Satan works through him. Rev 13:2, "The dragon gave him (the beast) his power . . . seat . . . great authority." lying wonders--literally, "wonders" or "prodigies of falsehood.”
- 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”