Episode 57 discloses the origin of the term “antichrist” and explains how this concept has evolved in modern times. It reveals the various symbolic references to the antichrist found in the Bible.

 

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The Future of the Teachings of Jesus

 
38. The Antichrist (Ep. 57)

The Concept of the Antichrist

September 2025

 

The concept of the antichrist. The concept of the antichrist has long occupied a central place in Christian theology. The term first appeared in the New Testament letters of John where it referred broadly to all those who deny that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. This antichrist concept evolved over time and came to signify a powerful and evil individual who opposes Jesus and appears at the time of the end. For modern students of prophecy, the antichrist is typically conceived of as a charismatic but destructive leader who rises to power in the final days, achieves world dominion, and is finally defeated and destroyed by the supernatural forces of Jesus.

The word “antichrist” in the Bible. The word “antichrist is mentioned only four times in the Bible. It was introduced by the apostle John in two of his letters. Of the four verses in which the word appears the most significant is 1 John 2:22 because it most clearly identifies the core concept of the antichrist as one who denies that Jesus is the Son of God. Here is what it says: “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.”

Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. This truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, was made explicit in Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi. Here Jesus asks his apostles, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, on this rock I will build my church and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16: 15-18)

This concept of antichrist as a denier of the divinity of Jesus. This concept of “antichrist” as a denier of the divinity of Jesus is reinforced in 1 John 4:2-3 where John states that “every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus, is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist…” Likewise 2 John 1:7 states, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh, such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.” From these verses we may clearly recognize that the original meaning of “antichrist” was to refer to an individual who denies that Jesus is the divine Son of God. It should also be noted that in 1 John 2:22 the apostle identifies the antichrist as one who not only denies Jesus but also denies the Father Himself.

John identifies the antichrist as one who comes at the time of the end. The fourth verse in which John refers to antichrist is 1 Jn 1:18. It is important because it connects antichrist to the time of the end, “the last hour.” It states: “Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” This connection of antichrist with the “last hour,” the end times, is true even though John, along with all the apostles falsely believed that Jesus was returning soon after his crucifixion to establish the kingdom of God on earth and rule the nations from Jerusalem.

The popular conception of the antichrist. The modern popular conception of the antichrist goes far beyond these four references found in the Bible. The principal features of the antichrist as held by modern students of prophecy include the following:

  1. The Antichrist is a deceptive savior or false messiah. He is persuasive and charismatic and deceives others by appearing as one who is benevolent. He comes promising peace and prosperity.
  2. The Antichrist is the embodiment of evil and moral corruption. He is the ultimate opponent of God and Jesus, a representative of Lucifer, Satan, and the devil on earth. He blasphemes God and Jesus, desecrates the temple at Jerusalem, and proclaims himself a God.
  3. The Antichrist gains world power and political dominion. He unifies nations under his control and establishes a powerful kingdom before turning oppressive.
  4. The Antichrist persecutes the faithful. He opposes Christians and the Christian church. He enforces false worship, destroys religious institutions, and persecutes and kills believers.
  5. The antichrist performs false signs and wonders. He works miracles, wonders, and technological feats to deceive people into worshiping him. He is a false prophet who misleads the masses with apparent supernatural power.
  6. His reign is short lived. At the time of the end and at the height of his powers, the supernatural forces of Jesus come to the earth and defeat the antichrist and the nations gathered at Armageddon to come against Jerusalem. The antichrist is thrown into the lake of fire. His destruction is immediately followed by the coming of the kingdom of God to rule over the nations of the world from Jerusalem.

This evil conqueror who denies Jesus and appears at the time of the end is discussed in numerous places in the Bible. He is identified and symbolized in a variety of ways. These include:

  1. the “little horn” of Daniel Chapter 7
  2. the “little horn” of Daniel Chapter 8
  3. “the prince who is to come,” “the maker of a strong covenant with many,” and “the one who makes desolate” in Daniel Chapter 9
  4. the “king of the north” in Daniel Chapter 11
  5. “Gog of the land of Magog” in Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39
  6. “the conqueror of Jerusalem” in Zechariah Chapter 14
  7. “the man of lawlessness” in 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2:3-4
  8. the rider of the white horse in Revelation Chapter 6
  9. the “beast with ten horns and seven heads,” and “the head of the beast that had a mortal wound, but was healed” in Revelation Chapter 13
  10. the scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns with a woman, a harlot, seated upon it in Revelation Chapter 17
  11. the beast of Revelation Chapters 16, 19, and 20

As mentioned earlier none of these Biblical passages specifically identifies the figures symbolized and listed above as the antichrist. However, the term has evolved through time to become a catch-all word to identify the individual referenced by all these symbols. In my discussions I will likewise employ the term “antichrist” as an all-encompassing term to denote this end times evil figure referred to in so many places in the Bible.

 

 

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