ANTICHRIST
Who or What Is the Antichrist?
The Greek term antikristos is found five times in the New Testament -- all references being in John's writings (1 Jn. 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 Jn. 7). The meaning is "against Christ."
John warns that many (1 Jn. 2:18; 2 Jn. 2:7) of these false teachers existed in his day (see "even now" -- 1 Jn. 2:18; 4:3). The term cannot, therefore, be an allusion to some mysterious, Satanic leader who is to appear shortly before the return of Christ, as that theory is advocated by those of the dispensational/premillennial persuasion.
The expression is generic, denoting any dogma that is against Christ in terms of the truth regarding him (e.g., a denial of his deity) or opposition to the truth that has been issued from him. See also: DISPENSATIONALISM.
John warns that many (1 Jn. 2:18; 2 Jn. 2:7) of these false teachers existed in his day (see "even now" -- 1 Jn. 2:18; 4:3). The term cannot, therefore, be an allusion to some mysterious, Satanic leader who is to appear shortly before the return of Christ, as that theory is advocated by those of the dispensational/premillennial persuasion.
The expression is generic, denoting any dogma that is against Christ in terms of the truth regarding him (e.g., a denial of his deity) or opposition to the truth that has been issued from him. See also: DISPENSATIONALISM.
Related Articles
Jerry Falwell and the Antichrist
A commentary on a speech given by Jerry Falwell regarding the Antichrist in 1999.
1 John 2:18—Who Is the Antichrist?Is the antichrist a character soon to be revealed on the stage of world events? Who is this person?
Terrorists in the Church“Terrorist” is a word with which we are quite familiar these days—at least in a political sense. What about “terrorists” in the church? They were present in the early church, and they are today as well. We must learn to identify them if the church is to be kept pure.
False Teachers; Destructive Heresies – 2 Peter 2:1 The Left Behind SeriesThis is a review of the Left Behind book series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, which advocates dispensational premillennialism.
Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson
