“Antichrist” – A Specific Individual – Or An Ongoing Attitude?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesAccording to sincere religious folks who believe in dispensationalism (a form of premillennialism), “The Antichrist” is a man, presently living, who will soon rise to the position of a world-wide dictator. In fact, Hal Lindsey believes that the Antichrist will come to power during the present generation, just prior to the return of Christ (see “The Late Great Planet Earth” – Zondervan, 1970, p. 133, 140). However, Mr. Lindsey’s view is foreign to the teachings of the Bible.
The Greek term, “antichristos” literally means, “an opponent [or adversary] of the Messiah” (Strong’s No. 500), and is found five times in the New Testament (1 John 2:18; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 7).
In these passages, there is no one specific person deemed as “the antichrist.” In fact, note John’s present tense declaration, “….even now are there many antichrists” (1 John 2:18 KJV) or “many deceivers” [antichrists] (2 John 1:7 KJV).
A close analysis of John’s references to the word, “antichrist,” reveals that the term is a general designation of a prevailing attitude of unbelief which not only existed during the first century, but exists in the twenty-first century as well.
In fact, in 1 John 2:19, we find that the word “they ” is the antecedent of the word “antichrist” in 1 John 2:18. At one time, these “antichrists” were among the Lord’s disciples. But note, “They went out from us” (1 John 2:19; cf. Deuteronomy 13:13), indicating they had become apostates from “the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27; cf. Hebrews 3:12; 2 Peter 2:1;Colossians 1:23).
Brethren, let us make certain that our attitude of steadfastly “continuing” in the apostles’ teaching or doctrine is maintained (cf. 1 John 2:19a; Acts 2:42a). Otherwise, we too will fall under the condemnation of being “antichrists.”