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"The Antichrist" Myth


WilliamL

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Index and summaries of all articles is here: https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/1403-index-and-summaries-of-articles/

The Antichrist” Myth

The Antichrist – a term broadly used throughout the Church to describe a single man who will come to rule the whole world – is a myth based upon an old rumor.

This rumor has its first and only biblical reference in 1 John 1:18 –

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is a last hour; and as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is a last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us…

John never acknowledges any truth to this “as you have heard” rumor. Quite the contrary, John later provides a significantly different doctrine of antichrist:

1 John 2:22 Who is the liar but the one [i.e. each one: see 2:18 above] denying that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one denying the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either… 4:3 And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the* [spirit] of the antichrist, that you have heard is coming, and now already it is in the world.   * The Greek article to = “the” is neuter, agreeing with pneuma/spirit.

So – John clearly defines the term antichrist to be a spiritual belief, being the doctrine of one powerful collective spirit. It is not, nor will be, a single man; rather, this belief had infested, and will infest, “many” spirits and men. The one-man The Antichrist doctrine is never taught by John, and only John uses the word antichrist. Therefore, the one-man The Antichrist doctrine is not biblical.

This is a classic case of the Church being led astray once again by a false doctrine based upon a single biblical verse or phrase. Christians deride Mormons because they have built a major doctrine upon the single phrase from 1 Cor. 15:29 : “…what will they [not, we] do who are baptized for the dead…” But the doctrinal false presumptions about The Antichrist are even more extensive:

The Antichrist is the “coming prince” of Dan. 9:26-27;

who becomes possessed by Satan to become the Son of Perdition of 2 Thes. 2;

who sets himself up as God in a Third Temple (of which templeʼs pre-Millennial construction no scripture testifies);

which he later destroys, along with Jerusalem, before Messiahʼs return;

and he is also the Beast who ascends from the sea and the Abyss;

who is head-wounded unto death;

descends into the Abyss, but is given life again by Satan (where in Hell does that come from?);

who is also, somehow, the “little horn” of Dan. 7 and the Mouth of the Beast of Rev. 13;

and so on, with a whole list of other labels attributed to one single man.

This whole mythological stew only brings confusion within the Body of Christ. The old “you have heard” rumor has become ʻfact,ʼ and opinion has become unquestioned doctrine. Many of the disagreements between and within the pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib and pre-wrath camps derive from the eating and regurgitation of this Antichrist-doctrine stew. It is an old and rancid stew, full of incompatible ingredients, and potentially toxic to the eater.

To sum up: there is no The (one-man) Antichrist. Rather, there are a number of End Times antichrists, including 1) the Son of Perdition/Lawless One, 2) the Beast, 3) the False Prophet, 4) the Mouth of the Beast = Little Horn, and 5) Gog. Thus there are at minimum five major end times antichrists, without even mentioning the greatest antichrist of them all, Satan. They are all anti/against Christ, according to Johnʼs definition: ones that deny and oppose the exclusivity of Jesus being the only Christ/Messiah of God.

[If you want to understand why the Son of Perdition is AN antichrist but not The Antichrist (there is no such man), nor the Beast, read my blog “The Son of Perdition is a Patsy.”]

 

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Guest BacKaran

Posted

I am no scholar but Revelation tells us there is the beast, the fake prophet and the man of Lawlessness aka the Anti Christ. The devil mocks God and here he mocks the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with his counterfeit minions.
I believe the Bible says there are many ac’s however they are all pointing to THE ONE AC who will state he is “god” of this fallen world and everyone must take his mark or die by beheading.

Do you do hermanuetics? This may clear up some of your confusion in thinking there is no main AC when the Bible tells us there is one. 


 

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Guest Autrey1

Posted

We must remember that the Bible and the teachings of Jesus are often written in parables.  That is, Jesus often uses physical names and places to point to the spiritual.  So these are physical names and events (the Son of Perdition, the Lawless One, the Beast, the False Prophet, etc.) used to describe the fight of Satan and his agents against the preaching of the Gospel of Salvation.

Remember that Jesus said to us in Matthew 28:19 that our only job as Christians is to "go and make disciples of all the nation of the world."  And as we do this Satan will do everything he can to stop us.  Hence, the name or term AntiChrist, or the one who is against Christ and his Gospel.  So yes, Satan and his demons have used many people all down through the Church age to stop us and will continue to do so right up until he end.  He is the one John and other Christian writer are talking about in John 1:18 and other Scriptures, the one who is against Christ and his message of salvation.

But this will be of no consequence unless we confess, as Paul said in Romans 10, that Jesus is Lord or God.  Because as the term AntiChrist implies, Christ is the God Satan is against.  For only he can forgive our sins and take us to heaven.

Autrey1

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Quote

The Antichrist – a term broadly used throughout the Church to describe a single man who will come to rule the whole world – is a myth based upon an old rumor.

This rumor has its first and only biblical reference in 1 John 1:18 –

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is a last hour; and as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is a last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us…

John never acknowledges any truth to this “as you have heard” rumor. Quite the contrary, John later provides a significantly different doctrine of antichrist:

1 John 1:18 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.

I am not seeing it as dispelling that truth that the antichrist shall come.  John is adding an awareness that even now, there are many antichrists for why we know it is the last time.

Quote

1 John 2:22 Who is the liar but the one [i.e. each one: see 2:18 above] denying that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one denying the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either… 4:3 And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the* [spirit] of the antichrist, that you have heard is coming, and now already it is in the world.   * The Greek article to = “the” is neuter, agreeing with pneuma/spirit.

1 John 2:22-23 can be applied as towards a false prophet but 1 John 4:3 is about testing the spirits in the context of 1 John 4:1-4

1 John 4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

John is not talking about anyone confessing that Jesus Christ had actually come in the flesh but where Jesus Christ is presently in verse 2 which is the same as what Paul is saying in the examination of our faith of Jesus Christ is in us per 2 Corinthians 13:5 .  We can know this to be true by the following two verses.

3 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. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

To be clearer still;

Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Apply that to Azusa Street Revival, holy laughter movement, slain in the spirit, being drunk in the spirit, Pensacola Outpouring, Toronto's Blessings, and even Ernest Angeley's Healing Crusade where he announces the coming of the Holy Spirit in falling on already saved believer to make them lose self control & fall backwards to get a miracle.  That is the spirit of the antichrist which is in the world.

So tying in John's warning about those who teach otherwise in denying Jesus is the Christ; this is how they say that is the Spirit of Christ moving here of there. 

Antichrist means "instead of Christ" or to be more precise "instead of the Son".  The real indwelling Holy Spirit will always keep your eyes on the Son in worship whereas the spirits of the antichrist do not, by using their visitations of signs & lying wonders to take the believers eyes off of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in chasing after them to receive by a sign or miracle.

Keep your eyes on the Bridegroom for He will be coming soon & chase no more after those spirits for any filling or receiving whatsoever or risk being left behind for being out to the market.  Matthew 25:1-13

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I think it's bad to play semantics. No matter what you want to call him, I think Revelation is quite clear there WILL be a man who rules the earth that will be opposed to everything of God. He will commit unspeakable crimes against the human race and massacre millions of believers. I think Anti-Christ is a fitting term.,

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On 6/7/2023 at 6:22 PM, TrueFollowerOfChrist said:

I think it's bad to play semantics. No matter what you want to call him, I think Revelation is quite clear there WILL be a man who rules the earth that will be opposed to everything of God.

Revelation speaks of the Beast so ruling, but nowhere even suggests that it will be a man. (Because it won't be.) See --

https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/2778-the-beast-is-not-a-seven-headed-man-part-1/

But the ultimate antichrist remains Satan, so one cannot truthfully call the Beast "the" antichrist."

On 6/7/2023 at 5:55 PM, ChristB4us said:

1 John 1:18 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.

I am not seeing it as dispelling that truth that the antichrist shall come.

Neither is it confirming this belief, which is the point of the article. Lack of evidence against is not evidence for.

 

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3 hours ago, WilliamL said:

Revelation speaks of the Beast so ruling, but nowhere even suggests that it will be a man. (Because it won't be.) See --

https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/2778-the-beast-is-not-a-seven-headed-man-part-1/

But the ultimate antichrist remains Satan, so one cannot truthfully call the Beast "the" antichrist."

Neither is it confirming this belief, which is the point of the article. Lack of evidence against is not evidence for.

 

You are taking the word "beast" too literally. Beast refers to an animal in modern language, so are you suggesting the AntiChrist will be an animal? I don't see the world following an animal. Actually 2 Thessalonians specifically mentions the "MAN of sin". So yes, the AntiChrist WILL be a man. 

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14 hours ago, WilliamL said:

Revelation speaks of the Beast so ruling, but nowhere even suggests that it will be a man. (Because it won't be.) See --

https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/2778-the-beast-is-not-a-seven-headed-man-part-1/

But the ultimate antichrist remains Satan, so one cannot truthfully call the Beast "the" antichrist."

Neither is it confirming this belief, which is the point of the article. Lack of evidence against is not evidence for.

 

There are spirits of the antichrist for why antichrist means "instead of Christ" or to be precise, "instead of the Son".

Your theory about the AI can very well be possessed by the spirit of the antichrist to be that antichrist. Indeed, it could very well be robotic even, for how it enters the Holy of Holies and declare himself to be "God".

Or it could very well be that they had found the Ark of the Covenant with Jesus's blood still fresh upon it, cloned it and have a clone of Jesus Christ but possessed by the spirit of the antichrist or that clone will be that false prophet that serves with that "beast".

Time will tell, but I am hoping in the Lord that I am abiding in Him & His words and that He has made me willing to go too.

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On 6/16/2023 at 7:03 PM, TrueFollowerOfChrist said:

You are taking the word "beast" too literally. Beast refers to an animal in modern language, so are you suggesting the AntiChrist will be an animal? I don't see the world following an animal. Actually 2 Thessalonians specifically mentions the "MAN of sin". So yes, the AntiChrist WILL be a man. 

The Beast will be a fallen angel "out of the Abyss," which is not to be opened until the 5th Trumpet. Long after the Son of Perdition has come and gone; because he will be pre-trib, whereas the 5th seal is post-trib.

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On 6/17/2023 at 6:01 AM, ChristB4us said:

Your theory about the AI can very well be possessed...

Not MY theory. Please don't project your views on me.

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21 hours ago, WilliamL said:

The Beast will be a fallen angel "out of the Abyss," which is not to be opened until the 5th Trumpet. Long after the Son of Perdition has come and gone; because he will be pre-trib, whereas the 5th seal is post-trib.

I'm afraid I don't understand where you get the idea that the Beast will be a fallen angel. Is there a scripture to support that because I have never heard a pastor or church teach that? The angel out of the abyss is one simply a high ranking demon. The beast is a person, not a demon. 

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On 6/20/2023 at 4:30 AM, TrueFollowerOfChrist said:

I'm afraid I don't understand where you get the idea that the Beast will be a fallen angel. Is there a scripture to support that because I have never heard a pastor or church teach that? The angel out of the abyss is one simply a high ranking demon. The beast is a person, not a demon. 

And what scripture(s) say that the Beast is a man?? You didn't share any. (Because there isn't any!)

My 8-part blog series on the Beast provides all the info from scripture and other historical sources. From the first blog:

It is widely taught in the Church that the Beast of Revelation 13 will be a man. Revelation 13’s Beast has “seven heads and ten horns.” Rev. 13:1; 17:3 There never has been, nor ever will be, such a man.

https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/2778-the-beast-is-not-a-seven-headed-man-part-1/

From Part 3:

Who IS the Beast?

We saw in Part 2 that “the Beast will ascend out of the Abyss.” Rev. 17:8; 11:7 So then, we need to discover WHO is presently in the Abyss, and WHY. These questions have been answered by Jude, Peter, Enoch, and also in Hebrew and Greek mythology:

Jude 6 The angels who did not keep their place of authority, but left their habitation, [God] has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.

2 Peter 2:4 …God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and delivered them into chains of darkness [or, pits of gloom], to be reserved for judgment

Tartarus is a term from Greek mythology, referring to the lowest pit (the Abyss) of Hades/Hell, wherein the Titans – very powerful but rebellious spirits/“gods”/elohim of old – anciently had been cast down by the “good” elohim: that is, the biblical archangels.

https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/2780-the-beast-part-3-who-is-the-beast/

 

 

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20 hours ago, WilliamL said:

And what scripture(s) say that the Beast is a man?? You didn't share any. (Because there isn't any!)

My 8-part blog series on the Beast provides all the info from scripture and other historical sources. From the first blog:

It is widely taught in the Church that the Beast of Revelation 13 will be a man. Revelation 13’s Beast has “seven heads and ten horns.” Rev. 13:1; 17:3 There never has been, nor ever will be, such a man.

https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/2778-the-beast-is-not-a-seven-headed-man-part-1/

From Part 3:

Who IS the Beast?

We saw in Part 2 that “the Beast will ascend out of the Abyss.” Rev. 17:8; 11:7 So then, we need to discover WHO is presently in the Abyss, and WHY. These questions have been answered by Jude, Peter, Enoch, and also in Hebrew and Greek mythology:

Jude 6 The angels who did not keep their place of authority, but left their habitation, [God] has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.

2 Peter 2:4 …God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and delivered them into chains of darkness [or, pits of gloom], to be reserved for judgment

Tartarus is a term from Greek mythology, referring to the lowest pit (the Abyss) of Hades/Hell, wherein the Titans – very powerful but rebellious spirits/“gods”/elohim of old – anciently had been cast down by the “good” elohim: that is, the biblical archangels.

https://www.worthychristianforums.com/blogs/entry/2780-the-beast-part-3-who-is-the-beast/

 

 

So you are claiming the 7 heads and 10 horns is literal? I see no reason to believe that. There has never been an animal or angel to fit that description either. I certainly won't use fictional mythology to try to explain scripture. The book of Enoch is not cannon and ancient myths are not scripture. If we go by scripture ONLY, I think it is fair to say we are not sure who the beast is. But I will say that from the full explanation of everything the beast does, like waging war against the church and killing millions of Christians, it seems to most likely fit a man. 

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On 6/22/2023 at 10:11 AM, TrueFollowerOfChrist said:

So you are claiming the 7 heads and 10 horns is literal? I see no reason to believe that. There has never been an animal or angel to fit that description either.

So you are saying that Satan doesn't have seven heads either, thereby denying the Word?

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2 minutes ago, WilliamL said:

So you are saying that Satan doesn't have seven heads either, thereby denying the Word?

What specific scriptural reference -the Word- to Satan having seven heads are you referring to?

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20 hours ago, WilliamL said:

So you are saying that Satan doesn't have seven heads either, thereby denying the Word?

It is not denying scripture to say that some things are symbolic instead of literal. I also don't believe that he is a dragon and a serpent as well. 

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1 hour ago, TrueFollowerOfChrist said:

 I also don't believe that he is a dragon and a serpent as well. 

. . . but manifests the characteristics of these, hence the metaphors.

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On 6/25/2023 at 6:08 AM, FJK said:

What specific scriptural reference -the Word- to Satan having seven heads are you referring to?

 

9 hours ago, Michael37 said:

. . . but manifests the characteristics of these, hence the metaphors.

Rev. 12:3 And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads ... 9 ...the great dragon ... that is called the Devil and Satan...

These things are the spiritually-discerned heavenly view of Satan. They are NOT "metaphors," as you say, but neither are they material; which is the view you seem to be stuck on.

When God took of the spirit that was upon Moses and divided it among 70 elders, this was a literal occurrence, but not a material one. So likewise other spirits, such as the Beast-spirit, is able to be subdivided among other spirits, called in this instance his seven heads. These things are impossible to understand for those having a worldly viewpoint.

Edited by WilliamL
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18 minutes ago, WilliamL said:

These things are the spiritually-discerned heavenly view of Satan. They are NOT "metaphors," as you say, but neither are they material; which is the view you seem to be stuck on.

I'm not stuck on any view, I don't really find Revelation of much use in my daily life as a Christian and just sort of consider it once in a while to discern what lessons there are for me today, lessons I can apply to my life and actions today.

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