Who Is the Antichrist — In Biblical Context
The Antichrist is a future world leader who will oppose Christ, deceive the nations, and demand worship during the tribulation.
The Antichrist is a future world leader who will oppose Christ, deceive the nations, and demand worship during the tribulation.
"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." — 1 John 2:18 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The term 'antichrist' appears only in John's epistles (1 John 2:18, 4:3), but the concept runs throughout Scripture. Daniel describes him as 'the little horn' (Daniel 7:8) and 'the prince that shall come' (Daniel 9:26). Paul calls him 'the man of sin' and 'the son of perdition' who 'sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God' (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Revelation 13 portrays him as 'the beast' who receives authority from Satan, performs counterfeit miracles, and forces all people to receive his mark. The Antichrist will be a charismatic political leader who initially brings peace but ultimately reveals himself as utterly opposed to God. He will break a covenant with Israel, set up the 'abomination of desolation,' and wage war against the saints. His reign is temporary — Christ will destroy him at His Second Coming 'with the brightness of his coming' (2 Thessalonians 2:8). While many have tried to identify the Antichrist throughout history, his identity will not be fully revealed until the appointed time.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, 1 John 2:18, sits inside 1 John 2. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
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