The Antichrist

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Scripture tells us that though even in the apostles' days there were many antichrists, yet there was one still to come, called the Antichrist (1 John 2:1818Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18)) distinguished from all the rest.
That he will be a descendant from some Jewish family seems clear, for it is said that he will not "regard the God of his fathers" (Dan. 11:3737Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. (Daniel 11:37)), who but a Jew could be thus described? He will arise out of the earth (as the land of Israel is often spoken of), that is, out of some already formed organization; but the Roman power, with which he will work, arises out of the sea, that is, from the mass of the peoples (Gentiles): Rev. 13:1-111And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (Revelation 13:1‑11).
As the name Antichrist implies, he will profess to be some great anointed one. He is described as having two horns like a lamb (in imitation of Christ the Lamb of God), though he speaks as a dragon (Satan): Rev. 13:1111And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (Revelation 13:11).
He will deceive the Jews. Our Lord foretold that while they refused Him who came in the name of His Father, they would receive another who would come in his own name: John 5:4343I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43). Rev. 13 shows how the Roman Empire and Satan are combined with Antichrist to carry on their opposition to God and to His saints. Their union and action are so complete that it is not always easy to distinguish the actors.
The Antichrist is distinct from Papal Rome and the Pope, for doctrinally the Antichrist is described as denying the Father and the Son, and denying Jesus Christ come in the flesh (1 John 2:22; 4:322Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22)
3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3); 2 John 77For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (2 John 7)*), which Rome does not deny. Besides, we find Papal Rome delineated in the Revelation as a woman, a harlot, and not as a beast. The seven mountains on which she sits clearly point to Rome: see Rev. 17, 18.
(* In the three passages it should read the Antichrist.)
All this goes to show how direful will be the delusion that Satan with the head of the Roman empire and Antichrist, will bring upon both the Jewish nation and professing Christendom. The profession of Christianity in every form will be abolished, and they will then introduce idolatry, and put to death those that will not submit, and cause their followers to receive a mark of identification.
Of Antichrist we read that the Lord shall consume him with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming, 2 Thess. 2:88And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8). "The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet [anti-Christ].... these both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Rev. 19:2020And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20).) Satan will be finally cast into the same place, where the beast and the false prophet will then have been for more than a thousand years.
Alas, we see how many are getting ready to receive such an one: may God preserve His saints in the love of the truth, not yielding in any way to the spirit of Antichrist which is working and rapidly undermining the authority of scripture.