Antichrist – A very popular misconception

The apostle John mentioned the term “antichrist” five (5) times and in only four (4) verses of scripture, and all of these are found in 1 John and 2 John.  He also penned the book of Revelation near the end of the first century; but I find it very, very interesting that he did not mention “antichrist,” not even once in the book of Revelation.  Have you ever wondered why he failed to mention antichrist in the book of Revelation?  Maybe, just maybe there’s a good reason, and I believe there is.  And I believe the passage below left us a very strong clue.

1 John 2:18 – (KJV) “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”

Could it be, that John knew that antichrist, a force of unbelievers, would come and try to destroy the new Christian faith before it started spreading from town to town?  We may never know who told him, but I believe this is exactly what happened, and they ran for their lives when the Roman armies came to destroy the temple and Jerusalem in 70AD.

On the other hand, the book of Revelation was written way after Jerusalem was sacked by the Roman’s (95AD), and I believe this is also why John never mentioned antichrist in the book of Revelation, because it had already been fulfilled 25 years earlier.  Many will continue to believe antichrist is a man and/or a beast, but I don’t believe any of the following passages support this belief, which is all that is left in God’s Word about antichrist.  So I’ll continue to believe that antichrist is the spirit of unbelief, and that it opposes Christ at every turn.

1 John 2:22 – (KJV) “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”
 
1 John 4:3 – (KJV) “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
 

2 John 1:7 – (KJV) “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

So what do these three (3) remaining passages of scripture tell us about antichrist?  John also said that anyone who denies Christ is a liar and an antichrist.  So, in my opinion, I believe what John’s actually telling us in 1 & 2 John, is that antichrist is the spirit that indwells all unbelievers, which is the exact opposite of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers.  The Holy Spirit and the antichrist spirit are opposed to each other.
That said, I can also understand what those who use the term “antichrist” mean.  They are using the word “antichrist” instead of saying the son of perdition or man of sin that will commit the abomination of desolation in the not too distant future.  Why must they insist on changing his title?
But that’s not where this misconception ends, because they also jump to conclusions, assuming that antichrist is also the beast that comes out of the sea in Revelation 13.  Let me just say, if this beast is a man, he’ll have seven heads and ten horns (Rev. 13:1).  I believe the beast represents a global government (UN).  However, the beast is given a mouth (spokesman – Rev. 13:5), which will be a man, the son of perdition that will blaspheme God (2 Thes. 2:3-4).
And this is why I cannot stand using assumptions, because they can quickly start  distorting the true facts and may even cause confusion for those who are seeking God’s truth.  So
I won’t allow my view to be confined inside of their little box.  I want to see the big picture, so I prefer to view things from all angles in search of the truth, and once I gather the facts, then I can start putting the puzzle pieces together.  But once again, my new theory likely won’t be very popular; but I just love plugging the holes that were created by the many scholars who introduced us to these assumptions and misconceptions.  So I’ll keep on plugging away in search of His truth, and let the chips fall where they may.  Thanks for reading, and may the truth set you free! 

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