ANTICHRIST (1)

The New Testament Doctrine Concerning the Antichrist

 

Just as the seed of the woman culminated in the great masterpiece of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, so also the seed of the serpent will ultimately culminate in the great masterpiece of Satan, the great Antichrist of the end time. This person will surpass all his forebears in power, prominence, pride, blasphemy, ruthlessness and lawlessness. This adversary of God, Christ, the saints, and even humanity itself will sound the death knell of civilization. At last his destruction will mark the close of this present evil age.

Two extreme attitudes have been expressed toward the doctrine of this person set forth in the Scriptures. There are some who do not care for any discussion of this evil genius. This is tragic, for the Bible not only gives an amazing amount of information, but Christian people, and others as well, are hungry for that information. Failure to provide information from the proper source exposes people to information from the wrong source. There are others who want to major on this area of prophetic truth to the exclusion of other precious truth, and thus become lopsided. The proper attitude is to give this doctrine the same measure and place in teaching as do the Scriptures. It will thus take on proper perspective in the thinking of God's people.

For two very good reasons, there ought to be an adequate discussion on this subject. On the one hand, the Scriptures have a great deal to say on this doctrine for the protection and edification of believers. On the other hand there are certain tendencies in operation in the world today that make it clear that such a person will appear on the scene. Believers should be informed so that they will be enabled to discern the signs of the times.

There is a wealth of material in the Old Testament on this subject, but the vast amount of information is to be found in the New Testament. While the picture will not be entirely complete to confine the investigation solely to the New Testament, it is amazing how nearly complete it is. Though isolated details can be found in many books of the New Testament, for the most part the doctrine is confined to Matthew, John, 2 Thess., 1 John, 2 John, and Revelation.
 

THE GREEK TERM "ANTICHRIST" USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. The meaning of this compound Greek word is threefold in its significance. The preposition anti means to stand over against and thus in opposition to. So that in combination with Christos the ultimate sense is that this one is opposed to Christ.¹ This is not difficult to believe inasmuch as the Scriptures clearly declare that this evil genius shall "make war against him that sat on the white horse" (Rev. 17:14; 19:19), and "opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God" (2 Thess. 2:4).

¹Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come. Findlay, Ohio: Dunham Publishing Co., 1958. P. 338. Ryrie, C. C. Biblical Theology of New Testament. Chicago: Moody Press, 1959. P. 351.

The method of accomplishing this end is suggested by another meaning of the preposition, namely, that it means "in the stead of," hence usurpation or substitution. If the compound word will not bear this meaning, the idea does appear in the Scriptures. Of the Antichrist it is declared that "he, as God, sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:4). In this sense he is "a pseudo-Christ who will present himself to humanity as 'the man of the hour"' (Matt. 24:5, 24). The manifestation of this great adversary of Christ, at least at the outset, is that of a counterpart of an imitation of Christ. This is Satan's method. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11:13-15). When this one appears on the scene his "coming is after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness . . . and . . . strong delusion, that they should believe a lie" (2 Thess. 2:9-11). Thus he comes on "a white horse" (Rev. 6:2).

2.    The usage of the term "Antichrist" is confined to the New Testament, though the idea certainly appears in the Old Testament. The apostle John employs the expression five times in his epistles. The first use of the term is to designate this eschatological personage in his qualities as one who opposes Christ. Therefore the definite article is not used: "little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come" (1 John 2:18). The second usage points to the "many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time" (1 John 2:18). The third use points out one of the essential qualities of this adversary, namely, that he is a liar, for he denies that Jesus is the Christ, and thus denies the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22). The fourth use has to do with the message in relation to the first coming of Christ. The spirit of antichrist will not confess "that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" (1 John 1:3). And most amazingly, the fifth appearance of the word is in relation to the second coming of Christ. His spirit will not confess that "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" (2 John 7). "Is come" in 1 John 4:2 is a perfect tense and is rendered more accurately into English by the expression "has come," whereas the verb in 2 John 7 is present tense and is best translated into English by the expression, "is coming."

3.    The confirmation of the meaning and usage of this term comes in the larger content of teaching in the New Testament bearing on this person. The warnings of Christ cannot be set aside. "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (Matt. 24:5). "For there shall arise false Christs………and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:24). The apostle Paul enlarges on the various details that will characterize the appearance of the Antichrist, such as lawlessness, the working of Satan, and strong delusion (2 Thess. 2:3-12). The apostle John emphasizes the inner meaning or quality of this man in his epistles (1 John; 2 John), leaving the particular identity of this one for rather full presentation in the Book of the Revelation (Rev. 6, 11, 13, 17, 19).  McClain, A. J. The Greatness of the Kingdom. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1959. P. 453.