There have been many theologians debating this subject for centuries.

Thus, we will not cover all aspects of a study on the subject in a few minutes.

But for a bird’s eye view of the subject let us begin with the following.

A false prophet and evil being who will set himself up against Christ and the people of God in the last days before His return. The term is used only in the writings by John the apostle. It refers to one who stands in opposition to all that Jesus Christ represents (I John 2:18,22; 4:3; II John 7).

John wrote that several antichrists existed already in his day. False teachers who denied the deity and the incarnation of Christ, but that the supreme Antichrist of history would appear at some future time..

The Antichrist’s central work is deceiving, which also characterizes SATAN in his attempts to undermine the work of God in the world.

Satan’s deception began in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3) and will continue until the end of time. The DRAGON (or serpent) of Rev. 12 is Satan, the Serpent mentioned in Gen. 3.

Thus the thread of Satan’s deceptive work may be traced from Genesis to Revelation. That work reaches its climax in the Antichrist, who receives his authority and power from the dragon, Satan (Rev. 13:4).

The principal reason the Bible discusses the Antichrist is to warn believers not to be misled by his deception (Matt. 24:4-5,23-24). Let us remember that “anti” means “against”, therefore anyone or any teaching that is against Christ or opposed Him is therefore the antichrist. May we be encouraged as we hear the words of Jesus, “…be ready for the Son’s Coming, for He is coming when you do not expect Him…” (Matt. 24:44).

Dispensationalism, which is currently the most popular form of premillennialism, has much to say about “the Antichrist.” According to these theologians, the Antichrist is a man, now living, who will soon rise to the position of a world-wide dictator.

In his book, “The Late Great Planet Earth” (Zondervan, 1970), Hal Lindsey asserts that the Antichrist will come to power just prior to the return of Christ (p. 140), which, he asserts, will occur during this generation (p. 133).

This view finds absolutely no support in the Bible. The term antikristos is found five times in four New Testament passages – all in John’s epistles (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). It is quite significant that Lindsey, though devoting a whole chapter to the “Antichrist,” never once alludes to these verses (pp. 87-102).

The reason is obvious; the biblical information on this topic is not in harmony with his fanciful theory. Consider the following factors.

First, there is no one specific person denominated “the antichrist” in the New Testament. Rather, John declares that “many antichrists” have arisen (1 John 2:18; 2 John 7).

Second, the Bible does not suggest that a mysterious antichrist is some sinister personage who is to appear in the late twentieth century. There were many antichrists in the first century. “… even now,” affirms the apostle, “have there arisen many antichrists” (1 John 2:18; 4:3).

A careful analysis of John’s references to “antichrist” reveals that the term is a general designation employed to suggest a spirit of unbelief that can be manifested in a variety of ways, both in the past and present. Thus, in 1 John 2:18, underline the term “antichrist,” and in your margin note: See vs. 22; 4:3; 2 John 7. A general disposition of unbelief; not a specific person.

There is a saying as old as the ages which needs to be applied especially to scriptures which are found in symbolic passages. That being, “In the Bible THE MAIN THINGS ARE THE PLAIN THINGS, AND THE PLAIN THINGS ARE THE MAIN THINGS.” May God bless you as strive to be a good Bible student!

Plainly, don’t get short changed. Let’s be ready to meet our Maker. The Bible (in Acts) teaches that to avoid hell and gain heaven – one must:

1) Believe In Jesus As Savior (16:31) 2) Repent Of Sins (17:30)

3) Confess Christ Audibly (8:37) 4) Be Baptized In Water (2:38)

5) Live A Christian Life (14:22) 6) Be Active In the Church (2:47)

Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr. is executive director of the KYOWVA Evangelistic Association