WHO (or WHAT) IS THE ANTICHRIST?
The antichrist is mentioned in only place in the Bible—1 John 2:18; 4:14. To the surprise of some Christians, it is not found in Revelation.
In his first epistle, John refers to multiple antichrists which had ALREADY COME. This reference may mean anyone who had opposed Christ. But THE antichrist—or at least his spirit—was ALREADY IN THE WORLD. Since John insisted that THEY were ALREADY in the LAST HOUR (1 John 2:18), the imminency of the message precludes a yet-future fulfillment. To say that a bogeyman antichrist is still in our future is simply not biblical. It is best to simply rely on John’s description of the antichrist without adding a lot of unbiblical assumptions. John’s antichrist is:
1. false believers who went out from the church (1 John 2:19)
2. anyone who “denies Jesus is the Christ” (1 John 2:22)
3. anyone who “denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:23)
4. “every spirit that does not confess Jesus” (1 John 4:3)
(This is an excerpt from my book CHRISTIAN HOPE THROUGH FULFILLED PROPHECY.)
See my articles about Bible prophecy, including Who is The Beast of Revelation here:
http://prophecyquestions.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/articles-by-charles-meek
It is a false parameter to simply limit his name at Antichrist, and say that he is mentioned only once. Such a limitation appears intentional on your part.
He is the little horn and the prince in Daniel.
He is the man of lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians.
He is the beast in the Revelation.
He is the man of sin.
He is the son of perdition.
The profile given in Daniel time after time is that he appears, has a kingdom, boasts, makes trouble for the Jews, and then is suddenly stopped and replaced by God’s permanent kingdom.
Wow, that’s interesting. I never realized that. So many prophecies of the Bible are so cryptic yet so many claim to undetermined exactly what they mean.
Interesting, I believe much of revelation has taken place including the destruction of Jerusalem but I believe John was seeing the whole picture rather than just a few years.
John was to write the letter to the seven Churches first and it was after this that a door in heaven was opened and he was shown things which would be hereafter.
And it is also pretty plain that revelation was written earlier than what most experts claim.
If we look at chapter 6 it is not so hard to see the big picture of the Christian crusaders on the white horses, and later the conquering of other nations such as south America,
north America, Africa, Australia plus many more and whether it was Catholic or protestant it all happen under Christian governments.
I don`t know this but it looks like it fits.
The red horse could be communism and socialism.
The black horse is for sure the economy which is what we have heard about since we have had radios.
I believe it is a cinch that most of revelation is past but there is still a little to come.
Many people who are trying to be Biblical scholars are trying to fill in the little details which John himself most likely did not understand and just confusing the big picture.
You do err in that there is a future world leader coming - he isn’t called the anti-Christ in Revelation. However, he is referred to as the “beast.” He is probably alive somewhere right now - and will make his appearance at the appointed time. You have to realize that until the modern age of technology - it would be impossible for the entire world to worship him - think computers, tv. etc. And, with a one-world government and currency - these things could not have already happened until now. Also, he seats himself in the Temple in Jerusalem - which, to date, has not been rebuilt.