The AntiChrist
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.                Introduction

A.    There are many beliefs and teachings as to who or what this antichrist might be

                                                    i.     However, in 1 John 2:18-25 the Bible tells us exactly what antichrist is and means

                                                   ii.     Contrary to popular belief it is not some man or beast coming in the future

B.    Consider the facts:

                                                    i.     The term “antichrist” means what it says

1.     That is, anyone who opposes Christ or fakes Christ (Mark 13:21-23)

2.     In fact, Mark uses the prefix “pseudo” which we know well

                                                   ii.     Notice antichrists are here now (1 John 2:18)

1.     These people were already in the world not coming later

2.     Of course there are many not just one as well

                                                 iii.     In summary, anyone who isn’t for Christ is against Him, or antichrist (Matt 12:30)

II.              Defining Characteristics

A.    Antichrists are those who deny Jesus existence or that He is the Son of God (1 John 2:22-23)

                                                    i.     This can be done by words

                                                   ii.     Or this can be done by actions (Tit 1:16)

B.    Antichrists are those who deny He came in the flesh as well (2 John 7)

                                                    i.     Jehovah’s Witnesses are a prime example of this teaching

                                                   ii.     They ignore passages like John 1:14

III.            So why the confusion? Consider three passages often misunderstood

A.    2 Thessalonians 2:3-10

                                                    i.     Many believe this “man of sin” is the antichrist

1.     However, we have already seen there is no one antichrist so who is he really?

2.     We may not know for sure but we can nail down some facts

                                                   ii.     The man of sin is worshipped and opposes God (4)

                                                 iii.     The man of sin is described as being already at work in the world (7)

1.     Who he is, he isn’t some antichrist coming later

2.     Some ideas taught commonly are the pope, Jewish High priests, and evil personified

B.    Daniel 7

                                                    i.     Daniel discusses a terrible beast (7-8)

1.     Some suggest this beast, we will also see in Revelation, is the antichrist

2.     We know that can’t be but its identity is much easier than before

                                                   ii.     Daniel is about the coming kingdom of Christ

1.     These animals all represent kingdoms on earth prior to the church (5-12)

2.     They include the lion (Babylon), the bear (Medes/Persians), the leopard (Greeks), and this beast (Rome)

3.     There is no need to speculate here as Daniel tells us these are kingdoms not antichrists (23-27)

C.    Revelation 13

                                                    i.     Lastly, the most common misinterpreted passage with this topic is the references to the beast again in Revelation

1.     There are two beasts of note here (1, 11)

2.     Again, the identity becomes pretty clear as we see these four animals listed again (1-5)

a.     This time the fourth beast is called the dragon

b.     Furthermore, chapter 17:5-10 show Babylon and a kingdom as the first beast (Roman empire again)

                                                   ii.     Interestingly, there is a second beast as well

1.     This beast demands worship of the first beast (12)

2.     We know that emperor worship was instituted during their time and forced them to worship their kings

a.     Regardless if you agree or not with their identity we can be sure these beasts are not antichrists

b.     And notice the beasts died together (Rev 19:20)

c.     Whoever they are they are long gone as these things happened shortly after this writing (Rev 1:1)