The Antichrist

 **Disclaimer:** This article may be offensive to some, and others may find it unacceptable. I am not trying to change your mind or convince you to alter your beliefs. I am merely stating what I believe. It is not my intention to question your thoughts; instead, I aim to express my own beliefs and the reasoning behind them.

One of the teachings in Evangelical churches today is the coming of the Antichrist. There have been books written, movies made, and even songs sung about the Antichrist. This end-time figure is said to commit many evil acts at the conclusion of the Christian Era. We are anticipating a mythical end-time ruler who has been the subject of fanciful conjecture for centuries.

This supernatural incarnation of the devil is reportedly on the way, and many seem to accept it as true. But is it? Much of what we hear about the Antichrist is based on one theologian's theories built upon another's assumptions, tracing all the way back to the 1st century. Who is he, and where will he come from? Will his arrival signal that the second coming of Jesus is near? To gain clarity, let's consider everything we have heard about the Antichrist and the assumptions surrounding him. Among other hypotheses, the Antichrist is purported to:

1. Appear at the end of the age.

2. Be a Pope.

3. Be a Jew.

4. Be a Muslim.

5. Rule the world for 3 ½ years as a good leader and another 3 ½ years as an evil leader.

6. Have the temple rebuilt.

7. Reinstitute temple sacrifices during the first 3 ½ years.

8. Turn against the Jews during the second 3 ½ years.

9. Stop temple sacrifices in the middle of the 7 years.

10. Cause everyone to worship him.

11. Start the battle of Armageddon.

12. Persecute the saints during the "Seven Year Great Tribulation" and anyone else he can target.

13. Represent various legends (depending on the school of thought), including being synonymous with 666, the number of Satan incarnate.

For many years, I accepted what prophecy experts taught about the Antichrist. However, when I began to question some of these teachings, I found that not a single one could be directly supported by Scripture. Some are total fabrications, with most arising from the interpretation of the 70th Week of Daniel as a seven-year tribulation.

I have listened to prophecy experts claim the identity of the Antichrist by citing Revelation 13:18: "Here is wisdom: Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six." Based on this verse alone, many have claimed that individuals such as Nero, Domitian, Charlemagne, Constantine, Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm, Adolf Hitler, Anwar Sadat, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, various popes, and even others like Muammar Gaddafi and Henry Kissinger have been positively identified as the Antichrist. Gorbachev was identified due to the scar on his head. Throughout the centuries, Christians not grounded in the Bible have followed these false prophets, disguised as mathematical wizards, who have made these predictions. Thousands have taken on the role of prophet and declared the name of the Antichrist to be __________.

Much has been written about who the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and the beast might be. Some have maintained since the Reformation that the Pope is the Antichrist. Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther ignited a religious conflict with the Catholic Church. Pope Leo X loathed Luther and referred to him as a "roaring boar of the woods … who has undertaken to destroy these vineyards, a wild beast … who wants to devour them." In turn, Luther described the Pope by stating, "We here believe that the papacy is the seat of the true and real Antichrist. I owe the Pope no other obedience than that I owe to Antichrist."

Since that exchange, many preachers and theologians throughout church history, in the wake of the Reformation, have pointed to the Pope as the Antichrist. During this period, John Knox fled to Geneva to escape persecution and eventually became the pastor of English refugees at the Auditoire De Calvin, next door to the St. Pierre Cathedral, where Calvin pastored. Under Calvin's oversight, John Knox and a group of scholars worked to produce the first study Bible in English history: the Geneva Bible. This Bible would later be brought to America by those aboard the Mayflower.

The 1560 Geneva Bible translated Revelation 11:7 as, "And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them." The associated study note stated, "That is the Pope who hath his power out of hell and cometh thence." This assertion and others found in the 1560 Geneva Bible caught the attention of the Roman Catholic Church, eventually prompting a strong backlash.

The fascinating history surrounding the 1560 Geneva Bible truly deserves attention. This influential translation caught the eye of the Roman Catholic Church, which ultimately viewed it unfavorably and labeled it as "Calvinistic"—a term intended to undermine its significance. Despite this rejection, the Geneva Bible resonated deeply with the people, becoming a beloved household staple for over three generations! It's heartening to see how a work that sparked controversy also found its way into the hearts of ordinary believers.

The 1689 London Baptist Confession, often referred to as the Second London Baptist Confession, powerfully asserts, "The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church." This statement underscores the belief that Jesus, appointed by the Father, holds ultimate authority in guiding and governing the church. The Confession further declares a strong stance on the papacy, stating that the Roman Catholic Pope cannot, in any way, be considered the head of the church. Rather, he is depicted as a figure opposing Christ, labeled as the Antichrist, the "man of lawlessness," and the "son of destruction," ultimately destined to be defeated by the brilliance of Christ's return. This bold declaration reflects the conviction of the time and a desire for a clear understanding of church hierarchy according to Scripture.

Throughout the New Testament, especially in the writings of the Apostle John, we find significant warnings about antichrists who were already present in the early church (1 John 2:18; 2 John 1:7). It's vital to note that historical popes from the 16th and 17th centuries have come and gone, and we should steer clear of identifying any single pope as the Antichrist mentioned in Scripture. In fact, the term "Antichrist," derived from the Greek word "antichristos," simply means "one who opposes the Messiah." Interestingly, this term appears only four times in the Bible, all found within the letters of 1 John and 2 John.

You may wonder why John's writings are the only ones that mention the Antichrist. At the time of writing, John was the last surviving Apostle, and the church had been flourishing for about 70 years. His Gospel, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation were penned between 95 and 110 AD, during a period when heresies were starting to infiltrate the church. As the final inspired author, John had the crucial task of addressing these challenges. In his Gospel, he confronts Gnosticism and emphasizes the divinity of Christ, while in Revelation, he tackles various issues, including the Nicolaitans and broader worldliness. His epistles address false leaders, the importance of brotherly love, and the victorious life in Christ, while also dispelling a rumor concerning a future Antichrist.

John writes in 1 John 2:18, "Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen." The phrase "you have heard" is particularly noteworthy here. John isn't asserting that the Antichrist is definitely on the way; rather, he's highlighting what has been claimed. He follows this by stating that "many antichrists have arisen." 

In modern terms, it's similar to saying, "You've heard that men are from Mars and women from Venus." Just because it's said does not guarantee it's accurate, nor does the repetition of such statements signify belief. John appears to be gently correcting a misconception held in the 1st-century church. The Holy Spirit seems to be guiding him to clarify: "Church, this doctrine is flawed. Although you've heard that the Antichrist is coming, let me tell you that anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ, or that He has co

In 1 John 2:22, John goes further, asking, "Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is THE Antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son." In this way, we see that anyone denying Jesus' identity as the Christ is categorized as THE Antichrist—not merely one among many antichrists. Similarly, in 2 John 1:7, John warns, "For many deceivers have entered into the world, who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."

John clearly suggests that there will be numerous antichrists. Moreover, he provides insight into the spirit of the Antichrist in 1 John 4:3, stating, "And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of Antichrist, of which you have heard it would come, and even now already is it in the world." Notice how this "spirit" is referred to in an impersonal manner—it's not just about an individual characteristic waiting until the end times; this spirit was actively present during John's lifetime.

Thus, we come to understand biblically that the term "Antichrist" encompasses any evil spirit denying Jesus as the Christ. When we explore the verses mentioned, do we see a specific individual designated as "The Antichrist" to emerge at the end of the Christian Era and hold sway over the world? Much of this idea stems from conjecture rather than solid biblical foundation.

Some theologians in the 19th century held that "the man of sin" in 2 Thessalonians 2 was synonymous with THE Antichrist. Let's thoughtfully consider what it says in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: "Let no man deceive you by any means..." 

The ongoing conversation surrounding the Antichrist's identity reflects a dynamic exploration of faith and doctrine, igniting discussions that continue to resonate today. Together, let's embrace the quest for understanding in these profound topics!