What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Antichrist—Before It’s Too Late

 

The term antichristos appears in the Bible only in the Johannine epistles (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7), but the concept it represents is found more broadly throughout Scripture. The prefix anti denotes opposition—specifically, one who opposes Christ, rather than someone who falsely claims to be Christ. This idea of the ‘antichrist’ can be seen in Old Testament passages such as Daniel 7:7ff and 21ff. In the New Testament, strong opposition to Christ is also described in 2 Thessalonians and the book of Revelation.

When John writes about the antichrist, he does not deny that an evil figure, called the antichrist, will appear at the end of the age. However, he emphasizes that the spirit or attitude of the antichrist is already present in many people (1 John 2:18). John further defines the antichrist as anyone who denies the Father and the Son:

“Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22).

Additionally, John asserts that anyone who refuses to acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh is the antichrist (2 John 1:7).

Although Paul does not use the term antichrist, he refers to a similar figure in 2 Thessalonians 2:3ff, whom he calls “the man of lawlessness.” This figure clearly aligns with John’s antichrist. His defining trait is that he opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship (2 Thess. 2:4), even claiming to be God. While he is not Satan himself, his arrival is powered by the activity of Satan (2 Thess. 2:9).

According to Paul, Satan’s ultimate act is not in the past but lies ahead in the future. Evil will one day make its final and greatest assault on good, led by this mysterious figure who derives his power from Satan. He will be the embodiment of Satan’s climactic rebellion against God.

Nevertheless, the outcome is certain: Christ will destroy the “man of lawlessness” (2 Thess. 2:8), defeating Satan’s final challenge.

The book of Revelation also presents imagery associated with the antichrist. At times, the symbolism refers directly to Satan—for example, the 'great red dragon' in Revelation 12:3, explicitly identified as Satan in verse 9. However, the “beast” of Revelation 11:7, though not Satan himself, is closely associated with him, as demonstrated by his actions.