Defining the Antichrist - E-Books

The Meaning Behind the Name

The term “Antichrist” derives from two Greek components: “anti”, meaning “against” or “instead of,” and “Christos,” meaning “the Anointed One.” Thus, the Antichrist is not merely a figure of opposition to Christ, but more dangerously, one who seeks to replace Christ—a counterfeit messiah. This dual identity—opposing Christ while imitating Him—is what makes the Antichrist so deceptive and dangerous.

The Apostle John, who alone uses the term “Antichrist” by name, wrote,

“Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that Antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18, NASB)

Here, John distinguishes between many antichrists (false teachers, deceivers), and “the” Antichrist, a singular, end-time figure of global influence.

It is the Last Hour

This startling declaration — “It is the last hour” — conveys a deep urgency. Apostle John isn’t using apocalyptic drama; he’s sounding an alarm. The phrase refers not to a literal 60 minutes but to the final phase of God’s redemptive timeline, often called the “last days” in Scripture.

🔍 Biblical Context:

Hebrews 1:2 – “In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.”
Acts 2:17 – “In the last days, I will pour out My Spirit.”
2 Timothy 3:1 – “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.”

Though nearly 2,000 years have passed. However, prophetic time is not counted by human calendars. According to 2 Peter 3:8, one day is like a thousand years to the Lord. The “last hour” speaks of the period between Christ’s ascension to heaven and His second coming, which will be marked by deception, apostasy, and spiritual warfare.

As You Have Heard That The antichrist is Coming

Apostle John references previous teaching the believers had received — “you have heard” — showing that the doctrine of the Antichrist was not a new or fringe idea in the early Church. Though the term antichristos appears only in John’s epistles, the concept is echoed in Paul’s “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4), Daniel’s “little horn” (Daniel 7:8), and Revelation’s “beast” (Revelation 13).

“Even Now Many antichrists Have Come

This phrase is explosive. Apostle John reveals that while a future Antichrist figure will emerge, there are many antichrists already operating, indicating that the spirit of antichrist is not only a person, but a recurring pattern down the ages.

🔥 Take a look at these verses of Scripture:

1 John 4:3 – “Every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist…”
2 John 1:7 – “Many deceivers have gone out into the world… a deceiver and an antichrist.”

Antichrists are those who oppose the true doctrine of Christ, especially denying His incarnation, deity, or Lordship. This includes:

1. False teachers preaching another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4)

2. Cults and philosophies denying Christ’s divinity or humanity

3. Systems that seduce believers away from truth

🔥 Historical Example: Arius and the Arian Heresy

Time Period: Early 4th Century A.D.

Location: Alexandria, Egypt

🔍 Who was Arius?

Arius was a Christian presbyter (elder) in Alexandria who became infamous for teaching a false Christology — one that denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. His teachings sparked one of the most significant theological crises in early Church history.

❌ What Did Arius Teach?

Arius taught that:

Jesus was a created being — not eternal like God the Father.
There was a time when Jesus did not exist.
Jesus was the highest of all created beings, but not God Himself.

This directly contradicts John 1:1, which says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Arius’s doctrine led to the belief in a lesser Jesus — not equal with the Father, and therefore "another Jesus" from the one revealed in Scripture.

⚠️ Relevance Today:

Modern forms of Arianism still exist — for example:

Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the deity of Christ, claiming He is Michael the Archangel.
Some Unitarians and liberal theologians present Jesus as a moral teacher or prophet, but not divine.
St. John of Damascus (676–749 CE), an early Christian theologian, claimed Muhammad was influenced by an Arian monk, possibly Bahira, a figure in Islamic tradition

These teachings preach “another Jesus”

Historical Insight:

The Gnostics were a group of religious thinkers in the days of Apostle John who promoted a dangerous mixture of Christian terminology and pagan philosophy. The word "Gnostic" comes from the Greek word gnōsis, meaning "knowledge". Gnostics claimed to possess secret spiritual knowledge that was necessary for salvation — knowledge that supposedly went beyond what was revealed in Scripture or taught by the apostles.

The Gnostics denied that Jesus truly came in the flesh (1 John 4:2–3). They taught that He only appeared to be human — a heresy known as Docetism. Apostle John vigorously refuted such doctrines, warning that heresy is not mere disagreement — it is demonic deception.

A Master of Deception, Not Mere Opposition

The Antichrist is not simply an atheist or a persecutor of Christians. He is a master deceiver, one who will rise to prominence through charisma, diplomacy, and supernatural power. His goal is to be worshipped in place of Christ (Revelation 13:4,8). This deception will be so great that even some among God’s people will be tempted to follow him if not for divine restraint (Matthew 24:24).

Just as Solomon, despite beginning in wisdom, ended in spiritual compromise for the sake of peace and political alliances, the Antichrist will also promise false peace, particularly in the volatile Middle East. The world will crave a "Solomonic" figure to broker peace between Jews and Muslims, and this global admiration will position the Antichrist as a messianic hero.

His Many Names in Scripture

The Antichrist goes by several aliases in the Bible, each offering a prophetic glimpse into his character and agenda:

Names for the Antichrist in the Old Testament

The Little Horn – Daniel 7:8 portrays him as emerging from among ten kings, possessing eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things.
The King of Babylon - Isaiah 14:4-20 describes a proud ruler who will fall, often interpreted as having dual reference to both a historical king and the end-times Antichrist.
Violent Man – Psalm 140:1, 10–11; these verses reflect the Antichrist’s ruthless nature—one who spreads bloodshed, lies, and traps. His violence is spiritual and political, aiming to destroy the righteous and silence truth. A true agent of chaos and cruelty.
Chief Prince - In the prophecy of Ezekiel 28, Gog is called the “Chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal,” this likely foreshadows the Antichrist's military dominance. He rises as a geopolitical leader, drawing nations to war against God’s people—a master manipulator with a satanic agenda.
Prince That Shall Come – And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:26)
This prince could emerge from the people who destroyed the second temple (The Roman Empire), hinting at a revived Roman empire (Europe) or this prince could also arise from the Islamic nations. The most certain thing is, this prince will confirm a deceptive covenant with Israel, only to break it —ushering in tribulation and desecration.
The Willful King – Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36)
A self-exalting ruler who rejects all gods—even the God of his fathers. He magnifies himself above every deity, speaks blasphemies, and prospers temporarily. His will is law, and pride is his fuel.
A Wicked Counselor – From you comes forth one Who plots evil against the Lord, A wicked counselor. (Nahum 1:11)
He devises plans straight from the pit of hell—strategies meant to destroy nations and deceive multitudes. Cloaked in charisma but fueled by rebellion, he whispers lies that seduce kings and stir judgment.
Proud Man – Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man, And he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples. (Habakkuk 2:5)
Driven by insatiable ambition, he expands his power like death—never satisfied. This image highlights greed, deception, and arrogance. Like a black hole, he consumes nations and people, yet remains hungry for more.

Names for the Antichrist in the New Testament

The Abomination of Desolation - While not exactly a name, this phrase from Daniel and referenced by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 describes the sacrilegious act associated with this figure.
The Son of Perdition – 2 Thessalonians 2:3, a title also used for Judas Iscariot, implying a deep level of betrayal and doomed destruction.
The Man of Sin / Lawlessness – 2 Thessalonians 2:3 describes a figure who exalts himself above all that is called God.
The Beast – Revelation 13 depicts him as empowered by the dragon (satan), performing signs and demanding worship.

Each name highlights different facets of his political cunning, religious blasphemy, and satanic backing.

A Counterfeit Christ: Empowered by Satan

The rise of the Antichrist will not be natural but supernaturally energised by Satan himself:

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders…” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, NKJV)

Just as Lord Jesus performed miracles to validate His divine identity, the Antichrist will use false signs to deceive the masses. Revelation 13:13–14 speaks of fire from heaven, mimicking Elijah and Christ-like power, in an effort to solidify his false divinity.

Solomon and the Shadow of the Antichrist

In a fascinating prophetic parallel, Solomon’s latter years foreshadow the deception of the Antichrist:

Solomon multiplied gold—exactly 666 talents of gold annually (1 Kings 10:14), a number directly tied to the Beast (Revelation 13:18).
He built pagan altars, including one for Molech, an abomination to God (1 Kings 11:7).
He married foreign wives and compromised worship for political alliances—peace at the cost of truth.

“And his wives turned his heart after other gods…” (1 Kings 11:4)

The Antichrist will repeat this pattern. The Anti-Christ could be a Jew (notice I said - could be) who forgets the God of his fathers, likely embracing another religion (Daniel 11:37). Like Solomon, he will trade in weapons, exploit wealth, and erect systems of idolatry, but on a global scale.

A False Prince of Peace

The Antichrist will emerge not initially as a brutal tyrant, but as a charismatic peacemaker, eloquent orator, and miracle worker. He will present a seductive counterfeit to the true Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus Christ. But behind the mask lies destruction, blasphemy, and ultimate rebellion against God.

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed…”
(2 Thessalonians 2:3, NKJV)

To understand the Antichrist is to be prepared. Deception thrives in ignorance, but truth builds discernment. As this eBook unfolds, we will uncover the rise, reign, and ruin of this end-time figure—so that you may not be deceived, but rather, be rooted in Christ.