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

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Strictly means one opposed to Christ. In this sense, John says were already in his time many antichrists, many having the spirit of an antichrist; unbelievers, heretics, and persecutors, 1Jo 2:18 4:3. They were characterized by the denial of the Father and the Son, and of Christ’s coming in the flesh, 1Jo 2:22 4:3. But the apostles and early Christians seem to have looked forward to some one great antichrist, who should precede the second coming of our Lord, and whom Paul calls "the man of sin, the son of perdition," 2Th 2:3. To this passage John alludes, 1Jo 2:18. Able interpreters agree that antichrist denotes an organized body of men, perpetuated from age to age, opposed to Christ, and which he will destroy, Re 11:1-19 13:1-18 17:1-18.

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antichrist. antichrist, (g) against, or contrarie to Christ.

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Antichrist. 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).

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Antichrist. an adversary to Christ

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ANTICHRIST. → General scriptures concerning Mt 24:5,23,24,26; Mr 13:6,21,22; Lu 21:8; 2Th 2:3-12; 1Jo 2:18,22; 4:3; 2Jo 1:7 → To be destroyed Re 19:20; 20:10,15

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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." Comp. (2 John 1:7) From these emphatic and repeated definitions it has been supposed that the object of the apostle in his first epistle was to combat the errors of Cerinthus, the Docetae and the Gnostics on the subject of the Incarnation. (They denied the union of the divine and human in Christ.) The coming of Antichrist was (believed to be foretold in the "vile person" of Daniel’s prophecy, (Daniel 11:21) which received its first accomplishment in Antiochus Epiphanes but of which the complete fulfillment was reserved for the last times. He is identified with "the man of sin, the son of perdition." (2 Thessalonians 2:3) This interpretation brings Antichrist into close connection with the gigantic power of evil, symbolized by the "beast," (Revelation 13:1) ... who received his power from the dragon (i.e. the devil, the serpent of Genesis), continued for forty and two months, and was invested with the kingdom of the ten kings who destroyed the harlot Babylon, (Revelation 17:12,17) the city of seven hills. The destruction of Babylon is to be followed by the rule of Antichrist for a short period, (Revelation 17:10) to be in his turn overthrown in "the battle of that great day of God Almighty," (Revelation 16:14) with the false prophet and all his followers. Rev. 19. The personality of Antichrist is to be inferred as well from the personality of his historical precursor as from that of him to whom he stands opposed. Such an interpretation is to be preferred to that which regards Antichrist as the embodiment and personification of all powers and agencies inimical to Christ, or of the Antichristian might of the world.

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an opposer of Christ 1Jo 2:18; 4:3; 2Jo 1:7 --SEE False Christs, CHRIST'S FALSE

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antichrist. Antichrist, n. one who opposes Christ

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An″ti‐christ (�), n. [[L. Antichristus, Gr. �; � against + �.]] A denier or opponent of Christ. Specif.: A great antagonist, person or power, expected to precede Christ's second coming.