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Understanding the Antichrist's Deception in Scripture

The term "Antichrist" is exclusively used by the apostle John in the New Testament, who defines it primarily in relation to the denial of Jesus Christ [1]. The word itself signifies "against Christ" or "an opposition Christ," suggesting a rival figure [9, 10]. John identifies the Antichrist as one who denies the Father and the Son, and specifically denies that Jesus is the Christ or has come in the flesh [1, 3, 5, 7].

John's first epistle introduces the concept, stating, "Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour" (1 John 2:18) [1]. This passage indicates that the spirit of Antichrist was already prevalent in apostolic times, manifesting through false teachers [3, 11]. These "many antichrists" are characterized by their denial of fundamental Christian truths [16].

The core of the Antichrist's deception, according to John, lies in the denial of Jesus' identity and incarnation. Specifically, 1 John 2:22 states, "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son" [5, 7]. Similarly, 1 John 4:3 and 2 John 1:7 declare that "every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist" [1, 3, 4, 6]. This denial of Jesus' incarnation is a hallmark of the deceiver and the Antichrist [4, 6]. Adam Clarke notes that some false teachers acknowledged Jesus as a divine teacher but denied His identity as the Messiah, or denied His supernatural birth and divine sonship, thereby denying both the Father and the Son [15]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown emphasize that denying the Son is effectively denying the Father, and that the truth about the Son must be held in its integrity, including His identity as Christ and His coming in the flesh [13].

The deception associated with the Antichrist is not merely a passive error but an active characteristic. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists "deceit" as a characteristic of the Antichrist [3]. The apostle John warns against "many deceivers who have gone out into the world, who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist" (2 John 1:7) [6]. This denial of Christ can manifest in both doctrine and practice [2].

While John primarily uses the term "Antichrist" to describe those who deny Christ's nature and mission, other biblical texts are often associated with the broader concept of an ultimate adversary. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that the name Antichrist has been applied to the "little horn" in Daniel 7:24-25 and 8:23-25, the "false Christs" mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:5, 23-24, the "man of sin" described by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 8-10, and the "beast from the sea" in Revelation 13:1 and 17:1-18 [10].

Paul's description of the "man of lawlessness" or "man of sin" in 2 Thessalonians 2 is particularly relevant to understanding the Antichrist's deception. This figure is characterized by presumption, exalting himself "above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God" (2 Thessalonians 2:4) [8, 10]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown describe this as "the mystery of iniquity," a counterwork to "the mystery of godliness," representing an anti-Christian force latently working before its final manifestation [12]. Matthew Henry connects this "mystery of iniquity" to the apostasy of the latter times, where some will depart from the faith [17].

The deception of the Antichrist involves a substitutionary claim, where the Antichrist claims for himself what belongs to Christ and poses as a substitute [16]. This is not merely an opposition to Christ but an attempt to usurp His role. The "man of sin" will come "with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). This suggests a deceptive power that mimics divine authority and performs false miracles to mislead those who do not love the truth [10].

The ultimate rejection of the conviction of the Holy Spirit concerning Christ, which is the rejection of the Good News by an unbeliever, is seen as analogous to the unforgivable sin, highlighting the gravity of denying Christ [14]. The Antichrist's deception leads to destruction for those who follow it [2]. The gradual "consuming" of Antichrist and its sudden "destruction" by Christ at His coming are anticipated events, with the fully developed "man of sin" making a final effort in confederacy with the "beast" [18].

Sources

  1. 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."”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Denial of Christ — In doctrine -- Mr 8:38; 2Ti 1:8. In practice -- Php 3:18,10; Tit 1:16. A characteristic of false teachers -- 2Pe 2:1; Jude 1:4. Is the spirit of Antichrist -- 1Jo 2:22,23; 4:3. Christ will deny those guilty of -- Mt 10:33; 2Ti 2:12. Leads to destruction -- 2Pe 2:1; Jude 1:4,15. Exemplified Peter. -- Mt 26:69-75. The Jews. -- Joh 18:40; Ac 3:13,14.”
  3. 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.”
  4. 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.”
  5. 1 John “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. -- 1 John 2:22”
  6. 2 John “2 John 1:7 (NASB) — For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
  7. I John “I John 2:22 (BSB) — Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son.”
  8. 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”
  9. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Antichrist — an adversary to Christ”
  10. 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).”
  11. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 2:18: Little children--same Greek as Jo1 2:13; children in age. After the fathers and young men were gone, "the last time" with its "many Antichrists" was about to come suddenly on the children. "In this last hour we all even still live" [BENGEL]. Each successive age has had in it some of the signs of "the last time" which precedes Christ's coming, in order to keep the Church in continual waiting for the Lord. The connection with Jo1 2:15-17 is: There are coming those seducers who are of the world (Jo1 4:5), and would tempt you to go out from us (Jo1 2:19) a”
  12. 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:7: the mystery of iniquity--the counterwork to "the mystery of godliness" (Ti1 3:16). Anti-Christianity latently working, as distinguished from its final open manifestation. "Mystery" in Scripture means, not what remains always a secret, but that which is for a while hidden, but in due time manifested (compare Eph 3:4-5). Satan will resort to a mode of opposition more conformed to the then imminent "appearing" and "presence" of the Saviour, and will anticipate Him with a last effort to maintain the dominion of the world [DE BURGH], just as at His ”
  13. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 2:22: a liar--Greek, "Who is the liar?" namely, guilty of the lie just mentioned (Jo1 2:21). that Jesus is the Christ--the grand central truth. He is Antichrist--Greek, "the Antichrist"; not however here personal, but in the abstract; the ideal of Antichrist is "he that denieth the Father and the Son." To deny the latter is virtually to deny the former. Again, the truth as to the Son must be held in its integrity; to deny that Jesus is the Christ, or that He is the Son of God, or that He came in the flesh, invalidates the whole (Mat 11:27).”
  14. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:32: 12:32 One may stumble over Jesus’ mysterious revelation of himself as Son of Man and be forgiven, but one cannot be forgiven for attributing the work of the Spirit to Satan. The present-day analogy is the outright rejection of the conviction of the Holy Spirit concerning Christ—that is, the ultimate rejection of the Good News by an unbeliever (cp. Heb 6:4-6; 1 Jn 5:16-21).”
  15. 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 2:22: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? - Here we see some of the false doctrines which were then propagated in the world. There were certain persons who, while they acknowledged Jesus to be a Divine teacher, denied him to be the Christ, i.e. the Messiah. He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son, - He is antichrist who denies the supernatural and miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, who denies Jesus to be the Son of God, and who denies God to be the Father of the Lord Jesus; thus he denies the Father and the Son. The Jews in general, an”
  16. 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:18: 2:18 Antichrist literally means “instead of Christ”; he claims for himself what belongs to Christ and poses as a substitute for Christ (cp. 2 Thes 2:3 and Rev 13:1-10). • many such antichrists have appeared: They are the false teachers who deny that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son (1 Jn 2:22-23), God in the flesh (4:2; 2 Jn 1:7).”
  17. 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 4:1: We have here a prophecy of the apostasy of the latter times, which he had spoken of as a thing expected and taken for granted among Christians, 2 Th. 2. I. In the close of the foregoing chapter, we had the mystery of godliness summed up; and therefore very fitly, in the beginning of this chapter, we have the mystery of iniquity summed up: The Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith; whether he means the Spirit in the Old Testament, or the Spirit in the prophets of the New Testament, or both. The prophecies concerning ant”
  18. 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.”
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