Over the decades I have been engaged, in one way or another, with various factions of the so-called Christian "church". They taught many things, some correct, many not. For the past decade I have no longer involved myself in their activities because the Lord called me to a path of His choosing, He teaches me and I have no more need of the perverted teachings of men. The Lord has taught me much and I look back and see that the major reason that He led me through various denominations was to expose to me the cause of all the division in the church. Each denomination teaches many false ideas, many misinterpretations of scripture derived by human reasoning and so-called human wisdom, utter foolishness to God. They each think that they are "the ones", but they are all the same, they are all in error. It is only by the Spirit of God that, at the very least, the fundamental doctrine of salvation through Christ Yeshua is taught, and not because of the "understanding" of men. It is with that 20-20 hindsight that I look and see the falsehoods still being propagated today.
Perhaps one of the most misleading teachings is that of the term, "antichrist", used in the modern English translations of the new testament books of the Christian bible.
Many have thought it to mean, "one who is opposed to Christ", as would be seemingly indicated by the prefix, "anti". Though a seemingly reasonable approach, it is not scriptural. Another claim is that it refers to a false Christ, and another similar claim is that it refers to one who comes as a substitute for Christ, based on the Latin meaning of the original word used in the early Greek scripture. This, also, is seemingly quite plausible until one realises that the scriptures interpret themselves.
There is no need for confusion on what John meant by the term, antichrist. He defined it for us, clearly and without ambiguity:
1 John 2:22-23 ASV Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.
"denieth" - Strong's G720: to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse.
Thus, there is no need of so-called human wisdom in understanding the term, antichrist. No need for modern (mis)interpretations of ancient languages, whatsoever. It refers to any person who denies or rejects or disavows or refuses (to believe) that Yeshua is the Christ ("Christ" being the Greek form of the Hebrew term, "Messiah"), thus denying that Christ (who is, by definition, of God) came in the flesh, and by extension even denying God Himself. He that has not the Spirit of God and denies that Yeshua is the Christ, such a person is antichrist, and this characteristic of denying the Christ is the spirit of antichrist. Although antichrist is referred to here as a definite article (as in, "the" antichrist), it is clear from the fact that there are many more individuals than just one, who deny Christ came, that John is referring to each as antichrist, not just one person, and thus referring to a general spirit of such people. The definite article is in reference to the subject stated at the beginning of the verse, that is, "Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?"
More than this interpretation is beyond that given us in the scripture and less is denying the scripture itself. The Strong's interpretation of the word, antichrist, is, "an opponent of the Messiah". This is a broad interpretation taken by those who expressed it since they were not fools and understood that the scripture gave us a definition, so the Strong's definition of the term is covered, since one who denies Christ is opposed to the very idea that Christ came. It is obvious to all but the most willfully blind that there are many, many people, both historically and presently, who fit this description. It is, indeed, a spirit of the age.
The reference to antichrist interpreted as a singular person usually comes from the following passage:
1 John 2:18 ASV Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.
The problem with seeing the term, antichrist, here as a reference to a singular person is the lack of a definite article on the first introduction of the subject (antichrist) of the verse, which in English would have been translated as "the antichrist". This sets a non-specific context of the reference to "antichrist" for the rest of the relevant verses that follow. The Greek almost certainly would have used a definite article, so given the lack of its presence we must understand the term to be either a proper noun (a personal title or name) or a general reference to a broad idea. Since the term, antichrist, is used nowhere else in scripture as a proper noun then we are left with no choice but to see it as a general reference to a broad idea (or influence), so it appears that the only correct way to understand the use of the term here is that it refers to a common characteristic, that is, a spirit which is prevalent in John's day, and as we can see, prevalent in ours also. This passage does not refer to any such person called Antichrist nor to one whose title would be Antichrist nor to one who is called The antichrist. It refers to the SPIRIT (inner core nature, character) of antichrist and then goes on to provide evidence for the claim of its existence by referring to the fact that there are already many antichrists (many with this spirit, this characteristic, fitting the aforementioned definition) in the world, thus showing that it is "the last hour" as understood by John, being the time when the spirit of antichrist would abound.
The "Son of Perdition" (also called, in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, "that Wicked" in the KJV and "the lawless one" in the ASV) is the correct personal term for the one so many call "the antichrist", and such may in fact come as a substitute for Christ but probably only in the sense that he would be a messianic imposter attempting to draw all, and especially the faithful, to eternal destruction. He may start out as a representative for Christ (as all who lay claim to His name ought be in truth though many are not and thereby misrepresent God, using His name in vain, for which God will hold such accountable), but then again, he may not. The scripture is silent on this issue except for this verse which immediately follows the one above:
1 John 2:19 ASV They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.
This informs us that the antichrists to which John was referring came from amongst the faithful but were not themselves true to Christ. However, it only implies that the "son of perdition" may also have been involved in the true Christian church. For this we have the following words from the Lord Himself:
John 17:12 ASV While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Clearly, Yeshua is referring to Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray him. Some think that because Judas was (nominally) a Jew, that the final son of perdition in our day will be a Jew. This may be so, but look deeper and see that it is not that he was a Jew which is important but that he was nominally a Christian, amongst the very first Christians! He did, in actual fact, come from amongst the faithful just as John described was the case for the "many antichrists". It is also important to note that Judas Iscariot was the "treasurer" of that tiny first Christian church, that is, the church's own money changer, and he was a thief! The final son of perdition will have close association with the modern day money changers, the international banksters who wish to rule the world. He may even be one of them, but this we do not know from scripture. It was Paul who then referred to the last son of perdition that would eventually come:
2Th 2:2-4 ASV to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand; let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
From this we see that the final "son of perdition" is one who opposes Christ and God and exalts himself, even exalting himself above them, and not necessarily one who comes as a representative or replacement for Christ, though such additional characteristics may turn out to be true, but we are not to rely on that. We are to rely only on the true and revealed word and the Spirit of God, working in agreement, to recognise the wicked one. Paul lends credence to the Strong's reference on antichrist, that it is one who opposes Christ. Paul also refers to him as "the man of sin", which is a clear definite article, referring to a singular person, and is yet another way of saying, "the lawless one", since sin is the breaking of the only true law, which is that of God, and the term, "one", is definitely singular.
There is more that I could say on all this, but I believe that enough has already been said, so my prayer is that you seek God with all your heart and mind and strength, that you dwell continually upon and in Him and on His Word, who is manifest as Christ Yeshua, and that you turn always to Him for understanding in all things, for He is the true light, forever and forever and ever, amen!
Don't rely on evil mankind, the failed arm of flesh. Rely on God.
Antichrist a substitute for Christ? Not necessarily, according to John! Whose word will you trust?
