WHO IS REALLY THE ANTICHRIST?

By Robert Arthur

The words "Antichrist" and "666" have taken the center stage of our world. Both in the religious aspect and secular life. In the Christian world there are numerous of beliefs and teachings on what and who really is the Antichrist or 666.

There are several conflicting and confusion teachings on the above Bible subject. Some say Antichrist or 666 is the Roman Pope [pagan Roman Empire, the Roman Catholic Church]. Others believe he is Barack Obama, former President of America. A section of majority of our religious divide believe it is one common currency [coin, paper money] the whole world is one day going to use as its only means of exchange before the final tribulations of the world. Still a large number of Christians attribute the 666 to a monstrous beast that will come forth from the sea to inflict pain and persecute the saints for 1,000 literal years. 
Finally, a sizable number of Christians also believe that it is a physical mark that will be stamped on ones forehead or wrist during the time of great tribulations by the Devil. Rev 13:1-18

From the secular view point, some liken it to products, commodities etc. Others point to the most popular celebrities of our world as being that figure.

What is the Bible teaching on the subject Antichrist. Who really is the 666? The Word of God has sufficient answers to these questions.
Note that the Bible contextually refer to the Antichrist and the 666 as the same thing.

The common dictionary meaning of the word "Anti" is [to fight against, opposition, opponent, enemy, arch rival]. So to prefix to Christ means to "fight against Christ", "an opposition to Christ" or "an enemy [rival] of Christ".

Simply put any teachings or doctrines that are contrary taught to that of Christ's and his Apostles is of the Antichrist. Any practices done or performed in the Christian world rather than the examples of the Apostles teachings is of the Devil. Mat 28:18-20, 1 Pet 4:11, Acts 2:42, 1 Tim 6:3-4, 2 John 9-10.
To change the creation purposes of God is fighting against God's infinite plans. This is Antichrist! Read Rom 1:18-31

Though in Daniel chapter 7 the Prophet gave us a conceptual prophecy about the destructive and powerful force of this figure called Antichrist. But the notion of the word-picture 'Antichrists' was first hinted by Christ Jesus when he was asked the question about the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of end time. Christ answered his disciples with a stern warning in Mat 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect".

This answer indicated that the sole mission of this Antichrist is to deceive the world with signs and wonders and lure them unto the Devil, even the faithful Christians. We are therefore to be mindfully aware of the strategic plans of this false Christs and false prophets who are enemies of Christ.

According to the Apostle Peter he affirmed the predominance of the deceptive and destructive nature of these Antichrists in his day. He refers to them in his letter as "false teachers", "false prophets", "deny the Master that bought them", "greedy" and "their judgment is not idle and asleep".

2 Pet 2:1-3 reads "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep". 

The Apostle Paul gave another strong indication and agenda of this personality to the Thessalonians.

"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. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only [there is] one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming; [even he], whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thess 2:3-10

Paul describes the Antichrist as the "man of sin", "son of perdition", "opposition or opponent of God", "exalt himself against God" "he works signs and wonders for Satan", "deceiver and a lawless one". 
This descriptive nature should inform us exactly who the person Antichrist is!

With this background as to who the Antichrist [666] and his activities are, we can proceed further with the rest of our points to unveil the whole truth in the Word of God.

Antichrist [Greek - Ἀντίχριστος, transliterated antichristos] is a term found five times in the New Testament. Solely in the 1st & 2nd Epistles of John. Each verse gives us a fuller and comprehensive view on this figure.

Let us open up these scriptures to light.

(#1). John wrote this in 1 John 2:18-22 "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. 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....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"

According to this scripture descriptions the Antichrist is the one who is;
(1). A liar who denies Jesus as the promised Messiah of the world, "Christ, the anointed one". John 1:41-42, John 4:25
(2). An apostate Christian. A fall away from the true faith. Acts 20:28-30

On the other hand the scripture speaks of Antichrist as something in abundance at the time John was writing his letter. They were prevalent. It was not something to appear in the future.

(#2). The same John disclosed to us the attitudinal nature of this Antichrist in chapter 4 of his 1st epistles.
"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confess not Jesus is not of God: and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already" 1 John 4:2-3

Here he mentioned that the Antichrist will;
(1). Deny the incarnation of Christ - that is the manifestation of Christ Jesus in the flesh.
In order words this people deny and reject the virgin birth of Christ, his death and resurrection.
(2). Never confesses Christ Jesus as the Lord of Host and King of kings. 1 Tim 6:13-16

(#3). The Apostle repeatedly told us about his deceptive nature in 2 John 7 "For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist".

The Antichrist(s) could not be one person. There are countless number of them in the world. They will continue to deceive the masses who incline their ears to fables and lies. 2 Tim 4:3-4

Summary:
(1). The Antichrist was in abundance and prevalent in the times of apostolic era.
(2). The Antichrists or 666 are those that deny the incarnation of Christ Jesus.
(3). Antichrist is the personality that never accepts Christ Jesus as the Messiah of the world.
(4). Antichrist is an apostate Christian. He was once a faithful believer but has turned to overthrow the faith or suffers a shipwreck of faith on the sweet sailing with Christ.
(5). The Antichrist mission is to deceive and mislead the world with satanic miraculous signs and wonders. Rev 19:20, Rev 16:13-14

Conclusion:
Antichrist could not only be somebody's father or mother or relatives. It could be You, Me or All!
Your church can be the engineer of Antichrist activities. Your pastors and so called prophets could be clear agents of Antichrist mission if they bear the resemblance of its features.

However, the Roman Pope and his allies can display and exhibit the character of this Antichrist, who is the very opposition of God and Christ. On the other hand these physical personalities [creatures] on our earth could carry the spiritual mantle of this Antichrist, for John the Revelator discloses the Antichrist number '666' to be human number. Rev 13:18

I say if you lose the good fight of faith and the sight of the Christian watch you can be misled to follow the teachings of Antichrists or accept the mark of beast and the 666.

Are you Antichrist, his agent or antichristian...?

Verses for your further studies:
1 Tim 4:1-5, 1 John 4:1-2, 2 Pet 2:1-3