Meaning of ANTICHRIST

This term is used only by John in his first two epistles, although there is mention of it in other passages of Scripture under other names.

The term means, at the same time, that he opposes Christ and that he usurps his place. It is important to distinguish between "an" antichrist and "the" antichrist.

Regarding the first, "many antichrists have arisen"; Instead, “the antichrist is coming” (1 Jn. 2:18). The final antichrist "denies the Father and the Son."

Paul mentions "the man of sin," who usurps God's place in God's temple, in the eschatological future (2 Thes. 2:3-12).

This one comes by the work of Satan, in confederation with him, and will work signs and lying wonders with all deception of iniquity for those who are perishing.

Those who have refused the truth will be given over to the lies of this wicked one. The apostate Jews will receive him as their Messiah (John 5:43).

He will make everyone worship the image of the Beast that appears in Revelation (Rev. 13: 11-18). The end of it will be the lake of fire at the coming of the Lord Jesus (Rev. 19:20; 20:10).

In the OT we have more details of this enemy and supplanter of Christ. He is called king (Dan. 11:36-39), exalting himself and speaking wonderful things against the God of gods.

He will not heed the God of his parents (noting that he will be a descendant of Israel, probably from the tribe of Dan, (cp. Gen. 49:17).

He will also not heed the “desire of women” (that is, the Messiah, of whom every Jewish woman longed to be the mother). He exalts himself above all.

He is an idolater, honoring a god his parents did not know. The prophet Zechariah describes him as a foolish and useless shepherd, who will neglect the flock and feed on it instead of feeding it (Zech. 11:15-17), in opposition to the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

At different times, historical people have often been identified with the antichrist (for example, Muhammad).

Likewise, many reformers, such as Wycleff, Luther, Melancthon, saw the antichrist in certain ecclesiastical institutions of Rome.

However, the tenor of Scripture is that the antichrist is the pinnacle of human apostasy against God expressed in a personal leader, who will appear in relation to Israel at the end of the dispensation of grace.

Certainly a multitude of individuals and institutions have participated and participate in its moral character insofar as they deny the Father and the Son, and insofar as they usurp the place of Christ, oppose the truth and deceive men.