1 John 2:18, The Antichrist. Other biblical references that many Christians scholars believe allude to the end times Antichrist figure include:
- The Beast (Rev 13:4)
- The abomination that causes desolation (Matt 24:15)
- The desolator (Dan 9:27)
- The man of sin (or lawlessness), the son of perdition (2 Thess 2:3)
- The little horn (Dan 7:8)
- The Assyrian (Mic 5:5; Isa 10:5; 14:25)
Many antichrists. How does John define this spirit? From 1 John 2:18–19, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7 we learn that the Antichrist and all spirits of antichrist have come out of the first century apostolic faith of the Jewish Christian community. From these passages we also learn that the spirit of antichrist denies that Yeshua is the Messiah (Savior and Redeemer of man), denies that Yeshua is part of the “Godhead,” is deity and is the Son of Elohim, and denies the incarnation of Yeshua. This is how the Bible defines the spirit of antichrist.
What should be our reaction when we encounter this demonic spirit of antichrist? The wise counsel of John in his second epistle sums up our firm conviction on this matter.
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Messiah does not have Elohim. He who abides in the doctrine of Messiah has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. (2 John 9–11)
What additionally can we learn about the person of the Antichrist and the spirit of antichrist from the four passages where antichrist is mentioned in John’s epistles?
From 1 John 2:18–19, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7 we learn that the Antichrist and all spirits of antichrist have come out of the first century apostolic faith of the Jewish Christian community. This eliminates some of the world’s large religions (e.g., Hinduism, Buddhism) as being contenders for the end times religious system of the Antichrist. That leaves pagan Christianity and Islam. From these passages we also learn that the spirit of antichrist denies that Yeshua is the Messiah (Savior and Redeemer of man), denies that Yeshua is part of the “Godhead,” is deity and is the Son of Elohim, and denies the incarnation of Yeshua. Only Islam adheres to these beliefs.
False Prophet, Anti-Messiah and the Beast (system). The leadership of the 3 Abrahamic religions will play their part for HaSat.a.n, due to all 3 of them have made YHVH’S Torah burdensome for the flock by mixing it with the ‘Traditions of Man’. We can only serve One via His Word minus the burdens that man has mixed with His Word; which deems all 3 a part of the Babylonian system of worship due to the’ mixing’ of the Truth with their lies.
Right on!
Could this system be a blend of pagan Christianity and Islam? Could the prophet of Islam be the false prophet? There is one area where Islam does not fit, and that is in regard to lawlessness (torahlessness.) Islam is not lawless; it follows a mutated law. Pagan Christianity upholds a man of lawlessness, derides those who are, “under the law,” and demonizes, “works religion.” Both have been responsible for widespread slaughter and persecution.
Having read the Koran from cover to cover, I can tell you that Islam definitely fits the bill as the spirit of antichrist — more so than mainstream Christianity. My sense is that the spirit of antichrist is to be found in many places and in many religious systems including Christianity, Judaism, Islam and even in the Hebrew roots/Messianic movement. In my local area, there’s even a Messianic/Hebrew roots radio station that over the years that has repeatedly hosts radio Bible teachers who have publicly come out against the deity and incarnation of Yeshua and his being the Savior. These, by John’s definition, are aspects of the spirit of antichrist. This spirit is everywhere!
@Natan, I would agree. The role of the Levites was to separate the chol (common/man-directed) from the kadosh (set-apart) as well as teach the people. I think the masses love the chol as much as they love calling it kadosh.
You have probably read the various church fathers ancient and modern, and would see that their teachings are also a spirit of replacing Messiah with something that spreads death rather than life.