Who Is the Antichrist?: (Gr. antichristos)

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Antichrist: (Gr. ἀντίχριστος antichristos)

Meaning and Usage of the Term

The term antichristos appears only in the writings of the apostle John (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). The Greek prefix anti- can mean “against,” “in opposition to,” or “in place of.” Therefore, the term antichrist refers either to someone opposed to Christ, someone seeking to replace Christ, or someone pretending to represent Christ while acting in opposition to His true role and authority. John’s use of the word shows it can apply both to individual persons and to a collective presence of false teachers or deceivers.

The Antichrist According to the Epistles of John

In 1 John 2:18, John writes:

“Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared.”

This shows that “antichrist” is not limited to a single eschatological figure. The term includes “many antichrists” already present in John’s time, which he says proves that it is the last hour. In the next verse (1 John 2:19), he identifies them as apostates—individuals who had once been part of the Christian fellowship but had departed from it and opposed its teachings.

In 1 John 2:22, he further defines the antichrist:

“Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist—the one who denies the Father and the Son.”

This statement emphasizes that denial of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and denial of His relationship with the Father are central characteristics of the antichrist. John directly links doctrinal deviation with the spirit of antichrist.

The Spirit of Antichrist and Its Characteristics

In 1 John 4:3, the term is expanded to refer to a spirit or force that motivates false teaching:

“Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming, and now is already in the world.”

This shows that the antichrist is not merely a person, but also a spiritual influence, already at work in John’s day. In 2 John 7, the same idea appears:

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.”

This verse ties denial of the incarnation—that Jesus came in the flesh—to the antichrist. This is not just doctrinal error but rebellion against revealed truth.

Connection to Other New Testament Figures

Though John alone uses the term antichrist, the concept appears throughout the New Testament. Paul’s reference to the “man of lawlessness” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 fits the description:

“He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”

This person opposes Jehovah and seeks to usurp His position, just as antichrist denies both the Father and the Son. The parallel between this “man of lawlessness” and the antichristic figure is clear: both are deceivers, blasphemers, and usurpers of divine authority.

The book of Revelation, while never using the word antichrist, presents two beasts (Revelation 13) and the “false prophet” (Revelation 16:13; 19:20) who operate in a similar role—deceiving the world, blaspheming God, and persecuting the saints. Revelation 13:7 describes the beast as warring against the saints, and 13:8 says that all who are not written in the Lamb’s book of life will worship him. These figures function in clear alignment with the spirit of the antichrist.

Collective and Ongoing Manifestation

John’s writings make it plain that the antichrist is not limited to one final individual but refers to a class of people and an ongoing spiritual opposition to Christ. He writes in 1 John 2:18 that “many antichrists have come.” These are:

Apostates who left the faith and now oppose it (1 John 2:18–19)
False teachers who deny Christ’s nature (1 John 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 7)
Those who oppose Jesus’ followers (John 15:20–21)
Individuals or nations that resist or attempt to supplant Christ’s royal authority (Psalm 2:2; Revelation 17:14; Matthew 24:24)

2 John 7 uses a singular statement:

“This is the deceiver and the antichrist,”
showing that antichrist can be a general term for those who misrepresent or stand against the truth about Jesus Christ.

Denial of Jesus as the Son of God

A key trait of antichrist is denial of the identity and authority of Jesus. In 1 John 2:22, John writes:

“Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist—the one who denies the Father and the Son.”

The denial here is not merely in words but in teaching, in behavior, and in allegiance. It involves rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (John 10:36), and of His unique, divinely appointed position (Luke 9:35). All who deny these truths operate in the spirit of the antichrist.

Final Manifestation Before Christ’s Return

While many antichrists were already active in the apostolic era, Scripture also speaks of a final manifestation before the return of Christ. This eschatological figure is described in 2 Thessalonians 2 as one who is destroyed by the breath of the Lord’s mouth and by His appearing (2 Thessalonians 2:8). This final antichrist figure—likely the same as the beast or false prophet in Revelation—will be the climax of antichristic opposition, fully revealing the spirit that has already been at work.

Conclusion

The biblical definition of antichrist includes any person or system that denies Jesus as the Christ, rejects the Father and the Son, denies the incarnation, or seeks to deceive the faithful. This includes both individual deceivers and global movements. It is not limited to a single final figure, though a climactic fulfillment is anticipated.

Every teaching, leader, or movement that rejects the truth of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God participates in this spirit. The believer is called to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and “abide in the teaching of Christ” (2 John 9), guarding against the deception that defines the antichrist in all its forms.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).