The spirit of antichrist

[The_Parson]

• 1 John 4:3: > "And 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 2:18: > "Little 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 2:22: > "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."
• 2 John 1:7: > "For 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."

Personally I believe whole heartedly that the Lord is going to take us out of here at the time of the revealing of the man of sin, the wicked one (antichrist). That's because of my own pre-trib. beliefs which aren't here for debate. Maybe later. But do you believe the spirit of antichrist is still here today and as active as he can be? You amill's probably wouldn't have an opinion on this, but then again, maybe you would. One way or another it's cool with me.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

 

[The_Parson]

Not trying to bump the thread. It's just that this subject has been on my heart for quite a while, and was hoping to get some fresh perspective on it. I've searched the forum and haven't found one that asks this direct question. So if you have time to fool with it, that would be appreciated.

 

[ResidentAlien]

As far as the spirit of antichrist being here, absolutely; I believe it's here and very active. I don't have any comment on the other part, the timing of the rapture; it's been done to death and then some.

 

[GWH]

As far as the spirit of antichrist being here, absolutely; I believe it's here and very active. I don't have any comment on the other part, the timing of the rapture; it's been done to death and then some.

Yes, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being anti-Him in JN 8:42-47, and that spirit continues in atheists, Jews and Muslims to this day.

 

[Hakawaka]

I believe it is still here but I believe it will be "fully manifested" even more towards the end. We have already seen the apostasy of ALL denominations, and I said ALL, including the incorrect ones like catholicism, they dont even believe what they used to believe. People are falling away from the correct faith, and even false faiths seem to be going "apostate" from their beliefs.

Next up is the man of sin, I believe the protestant reformers could have been correct as well, maybe the Pope as a position will be the man of sin, this one dies another one takes his spot, and the last one alive before Jesus returns will be "THE ONE". Mayhaps? This is all just speculation.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

• 1 John 4:3: > "And 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."

This verse really doesn't make any sense from a modern perspective because John was speaking about a very real problem back then with the gnostic teaching that Jesus didn't come in the flesh. There's still a huge danger in the church due to gnostic beliefs, but that particular one isn't one of them.

 

[homwardbound]

• 1 John 4:3: > "And 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 2:18: > "Little 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 2:22: > "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."
• 2 John 1:7: > "For 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."

Personally I believe whole heartedly that the Lord is going to take us out of here at the time of the revealing of the man of sin, the wicked one (antichrist). That's because of my own pre-trib. beliefs which aren't here for debate. Maybe later. But do you believe the spirit of antichrist is still here today and as active as he can be? You amill's probably wouldn't have an opinion on this, but then again, maybe you would. One way or another it's cool with me.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

the Bible revealed to anyone from God is very special, to me at lest. seeing
the Bible Holy Bible as God's love letter to us all, throughout the Old and New I see the perfect love of God in God's Mercy and Truth given us to decide to turn to God and love all, the same as God has since day one with the first Adam, whom God did not kill. Amazing isn't it?
God is true Love of 1 Cor 13:4-7 desiring to impute that to us all, those that are serious to know God over everything else, is what I see presently in thankfulness wow! woe is me, I need Father and Son who won for me and all others also to lead, me to be just a vessel as in Pentecost, it was God through them that did the speaking, not them themselves at all, is what I see thankfully now, did not see that at first when was in religion

 

[The_Parson]

As far as the spirit of antichrist being here, absolutely; I believe it's here and very active. I don't have any comment on the other part, the timing of the rapture; it's been done to death and then some.

The timing of the catching away is of no importance as I said in the OP. But however the case, that "spirit" is of or was originated by Beelzebub (the devil) and since he is active in this present world, he most definitely is empowering it (or him) today. And even more so when he takes the form as a man (the little horn - Daniel 7), but as far as I know, that hasn't happened yet.

Yes, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being anti-Him in JN 8:42-47, and that spirit continues in atheists, Jews and Muslims to this day.

Continues in them, not as them?

I believe it is still here but I believe it will be "fully manifested" even more towards the end. We have already seen the apostasy of ALL denominations, and I said ALL, including the incorrect ones like catholicism, they dont even believe what they used to believe. People are falling away from the correct faith, and even false faiths seem to be going "apostate" from their beliefs.

Next up is the man of sin, I believe the protestant reformers could have been correct as well, maybe the Pope as a position will be the man of sin, this one dies another one takes his spot, and the last one alive before Jesus returns will be "THE ONE". Mayhaps? This is all just speculation.

I think John Pendleton spent quite a bit of ink to paper suggesting that the pope was indeed the antichrist. And in the essence that he was evil and following the instructions of the prince of the power of the air, I believe he was to a certain extent.

And considering these verses,
Dn:7:23: Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Dn:7:24: And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Dn:7:25: And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out (meaning vex, or worry) the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Dn:7:26: But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

Notice verse 25. "and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time". Knowing the wiles of the devil, and his spirit of antichrist, could this begin before the physical coming of the wicked one, aka the son of perdition?

 

[The_Parson]

the Bible revealed to anyone from God is very special, to me at lest. seeing
the Bible Holy Bible as God's love letter to us all, throughout the Old and New I see the perfect love of God in God's Mercy and Truth given us to decide to turn to God and love all, the same as God has since day one with the first Adam, whom God did not kill. Amazing isn't it?
God is true Love of 1 Cor 13:4-7 desiring to impute that to us all, those that are serious to know God over everything else, is what I see presently in thankfulness wow! woe is me, I need Father and Son who won for me and all others also to lead, me to be just a vessel as in Pentecost, it was God through them that did the speaking, not them themselves at all, is what I see thankfully now, did not see that at first when was in religion

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 

[Aaron56]

• 1 John 4:3: > "And 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 2:18: > "Little 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 2:22: > "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."
• 2 John 1:7: > "For 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."

Personally I believe whole heartedly that the Lord is going to take us out of here at the time of the revealing of the man of sin, the wicked one (antichrist). That's because of my own pre-trib. beliefs which aren't here for debate. Maybe later. But do you believe the spirit of antichrist is still here today and as active as he can be? You amill's probably wouldn't have an opinion on this, but then again, maybe you would. One way or another it's cool with me.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

If I may...

Paul wrote: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Now "hope" is not "wish". It is not wishing for something to materialize. Hope is the expectation that what is promised will appear. Hope is based in truth that is established in Christ. The "name it and claim it" doctrine is based on wish. "Christ in us" is based on hope and is secured by the promises of God.

"By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

This is not about Jesus Christ appearing as a man. This is about Him indwelling the believer. "Christ in us" is central to the saint's life: "Christ in us" gives meaning and purpose to everything we do. By His Spirit in us, the Holy Spirit, we are led moment by moment in the commands of God. We may know what He is doing and have the power to follow His direction.

However,

"..and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world."

Any doctrine that supplants the indwelling of Christ as our guidance for life in the Spirit is Anti-Christ. That is not what God has accomplished in Christ. The Father has entrusted all He has to the Son. It is only by the Son that we have life in Him. Lastly, scriptures must be understood spiritually for the words to bring life to the reader. If they are understood as a rule book or as wise teachings that is Anti-Christ.

 

[The_Parson]

If I may...

Paul wrote: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Now "hope" is not "wish". It is not wishing for something to materialize. Hope is the expectation that what is promised will appear. Hope is based in truth that is established in Christ. The "name it and claim it" doctrine is based on wish. "Christ in us" is based on hope and is secured by the promises of God.

"By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

This is not about Jesus Christ appearing as a man. This is about Him indwelling the believer. "Christ in us" is central to the saint's life: "Christ in us" gives meaning and purpose to everything we do. By His Spirit in us, the Holy Spirit, we are led moment by moment in the commands of God. We may know what He is doing and have the power to follow His direction.

However,

"..and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world."

Any doctrine that supplants the indwelling of Christ as our guidance for life in the Spirit is Anti-Christ. That is not what God has accomplished in Christ. The Father has entrusted all He has to the Son. It is only by the Son that we have life in Him. Lastly, scriptures must be understood spiritually for the words to bring life to the reader. If they are understood as a rule book or as wise teachings that is Anti-Christ.

You most certainly may, and I don't see any disagreement here my friend. However you've brought up something here that is often displaced with the "scholarship before spirituality" bunch, and that is this; that the Bible is a spiritual Book, not a volume of Mark Twain's work, in other words a book of stories. It isn't, not one bit.

But, I hope I didn't miss your point here!

 

[Aaron56]

YHowever you've brought up something here that is often displaced with the "scholarship before spirituality" bunch, and that is this; that the Bible is a spiritual Book, not a volume of Mark Twain's work, in other words a book of stories. It isn't, not one bit.

Yessir!

Law of the The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus brings life to its participants. Those which oppose it, bring death. Making the New Testament a "new law" is particularly insidious: It brings a promise of life but never delivers.

It's like the harlot seen in Revelation: she has all the trappings of a wife but delivers only treachery.

I'm fun at parties.

 

[The_Parson]

Yessir!

Law of the The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus brings life to its participants. Those which oppose it, bring death. Making the New Testament a "new law" is particularly insidious: It brings a promise of life but never delivers.

It's like the harlot seen in Revelation: she has all the trapping of a wife but delivers only treachery.

I'm fun at parties.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
And I believe you are fun at parties. I really do...

 

[Aaron56]

Just a few more thoughts...

Worshiping Him in Spirit and truth is not some esoteric exercise reserved for an inner circle. We are all designed to connect to God: our spirits to His Spirit. Indeed, our spirits are given to us by Him and are endowments of His being.

Because of this, the behavior of the Son was curtailed to do "only what the Father is doing". Certainly, He could read the scriptures and He knew the scriptures, but worshiping in spirit and in truth required applying the scriptures in their right times and seasons.

So, what of the disciples? They had no New Testament to reference. How did they know what to do and when to do it? The same way: by the Spirit of God in them.

So when God changes the spiritual seasons He emphasizes certain things at certain times. For example, we know that a man child must emerge from the church in the spirit of Lordship (one of the 7 spirits of God) as we press on to the end of the Age. Well, we know a certain man who fit this description: Jesus Christ. But now, Christ is a many-membered body, not simply a man in the flesh ("we are His flesh and His bones"). So, in the season and timing of God, we can expect certain parts of His body to focus on righteous rule and character, order and government, etc. In its season, this is how Christ is seen.

To counter this, we can expect anti-Christ with opposing values: "me and Jesus alone", carnal pursuits displacing spiritual ones, false rulers and leaders, and scandal, etc.

Conversely, if we are stuck in an old season, say: the emphasis of demonstrating God's power through miracles, we will also miss the worship of Him "in spirit and in truth". This may not be contrary to what He has done, but it is contrary to what He is doing and, thus, an endeavor not based in the spirit.

 

[JMH]

Job 1:7
"And the Lord said to Satan, From where do you come? So Satan answered the Lord and said,
From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it"

For all who aren't sure about a "rapture", Just a quick note, God did not take the Ark Noah prepared out of harms way when the great flood came, instead kept him safe inside the Ark (inside Christ).

 

[The_Parson]

Just a few more thoughts...

Worshiping Him in Spirit and truth is not some esoteric exercise reserved for an inner circle. We are all designed to connect to God: our spirits to His Spirit. Indeed, our spirits are given to us by Him and are endowments of His being.

Because of this, the behavior of the Son was curtailed to do "only what the Father is doing". Certainly, He could read the scriptures and He knew the scriptures, but worshiping in spirit and in truth required applying the scriptures in their right times and seasons.

So, what of the disciples? They had no New Testament to reference. How did they know what to do and when to do it? The same way: by the Spirit of God in them.

So when God changes the spiritual seasons He emphasizes certain things at certain times. For example, we know that a man child must emerge from the church in the spirit of Lordship (one of the 7 spirits of God) as we press on to the end of the Age. Well, we know a certain man who fit this description: Jesus Christ. But now, Christ is a many-membered body, not simply a man in the flesh ("we are His flesh and His bones"). So, in the season and timing of God, we can expect certain parts of His body to focus on righteous rule and character, order and government, etc. In its season, this is how Christ is seen.

To counter this, we can expect anti-Christ with opposing values: "me and Jesus alone", carnal pursuits displacing spiritual ones, false rulers and leaders, and scandal, etc.

On the other hand, if we are stuck in an old season, say: the emphasis of demonstrating God's power through miracles, we will also miss the worship of Him "in spirit and in truth". This may not be contrary to what He has done, but it is contrary to what He is doing and, thus, an endeavor not based in the spirit.

Your thoughts on worshiping in spirit and truth bring out some important aspects of what it means to walk with God daily. Yessir, Jesus emphasized in John 4:24 that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” This isn’t limited to any intellectual understanding or outward motions, but calls for a deep, personal connection with God that flows from a heart walking hand in hand with His will.

You mentioned that the disciples didn’t have a New Testament, but were guided by the Spirit. That’s most certainly true. Jesus promised in John 14:26 that the Holy Spirit would “teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have commanded you.” However, this guidance doesn’t drop the role of Scripture. The written Word put an anchor down for us that's the in your face truth of God, ensuring that what we perceive as spiritual direction agrees with His character and promises.

It’s also true that God points us to different aspects of His nature and work at different times. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Throughout church history, we’ve seen movements emphasizing holiness, evangelism, miracles, or discipleship, often tied to what God was doing in that era. The key is recognizing the Spirit’s leading while remaining rooted in the infinite truths of and in the Scripture.

What you said about being stuck in a past season is true too. If we hold on to what God did in the past without seeing His current work, we risk falling into rituals or missing where He's pointing us.

And as for the rise of antichrist values, you’re right to say that these oppose the Spirit of Christ. While Christ wants us to have unity, spiritual growth, and righteous rule, the spirit of antichrist wants us in division, selfishness, and deception. That's why we have to stay watchful, as 1 John 4:1 tells us to “try the spirits whether they are of God.”

 

[DRobinson]

The Spirit of antichrist has been present since Jesus and will always be present.
But the way, anti-christ is only mentioned 4 times in Scripture and only in I and II John and "The Anti_Christ is never mentioned by that name.

 

[The_Parson]

The Spirit of antichrist has been present since Jesus and will always be present.
But the way, anti-christ is only mentioned 4 times in Scripture and only in I and II John and "The Anti_Christ is never mentioned by that name.

Well okay, here's the other names and terms for the antichrist:

1. Man of Sin: Found in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, this title refers to the antichrist as one who embodies lawlessness and rebellion against God.
2. Son of Perdition: This term is used in both 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and John 17:12 (referring to Judas Iscariot, who is seen as a type of antichrist).
3. Beast: In Revelation, the antichrist is referred to as the "beast" (Revelation 13).
4. Little Horn: In Daniel 7 and Daniel 8, the antichrist is depicted as a "little horn".
5. The Wicked One: A title given to the antichrist in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, pointing out his evil nature and opposition to all that is good and righteous.
6. The Prince that Shall Come: In Daniel 9:26-27, this figure is described as a ruler who will make a covenant and then break it, leading to a great tribulation unlike this world has ever seen.
7. The King of Fierce Countenance: Found in Daniel 8:23-25, this term highlights the antichrist's deceptive nature and power.
8. The Idol Shepherd: Zechariah 11:17 refers to the antichrist as an "idol shepherd," symbolizing a false leader who leads the people astray.

Believe me, the son of our adversary has many names...
Ever hear of the man of lawlessness???

 

[DRobinson]

Well okay, here's the other names and terms for the antichrist:

1. Man of Sin: Found in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, this title refers to the antichrist as one who embodies lawlessness and rebellion against God.
2. Son of Perdition: This term is used in both 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and John 17:12 (referring to Judas Iscariot, who is seen as a type of antichrist).
3. Beast: In Revelation, the antichrist is referred to as the "beast" (Revelation 13).
4. Little Horn: In Daniel 7 and Daniel 8, the antichrist is depicted as a "little horn".
5. The Wicked One: A title given to the antichrist in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, pointing out his evil nature and opposition to all that is good and righteous.
6. The Prince that Shall Come: In Daniel 9:26-27, this figure is described as a ruler who will make a covenant and then break it, leading to a great tribulation unlike this world has ever seen.
7. The King of Fierce Countenance: Found in Daniel 8:23-25, this term highlights the antichrist's deceptive nature and power.
8. The Idol Shepherd: Zechariah 11:17 refers to the antichrist as an "idol shepherd," symbolizing a false leader who leads the people astray.

Believe me, the son of our adversary has many names...
Ever hear of the man of lawlessness???

I agree the man of sin is known by many names but not "The Anti-Christ"
He is anti-christ by his deeds, but there have been many anti-christ in the past and even today.
My opinion is to just call him anti-christ does not explain just how evil and wicked this man is.
Daniel 9:26-27 does not referring to the man of sin.
Jesus is the one who confirms the covenant promised by the Father in Jer. 34. Go study Hebrews.
The people of the prince to come are referring to Vespasian's army that entered Israel in 67 and destroyed the city, temple and the nation in 70 under thee leadership of his son Titus.
Vespasian returned to Rome in 68 and was made Emperor leaving his army (the people of the prince) to complete the destruction of Israel just as Jesus said would happen.

 

[The_Parson]

I agree the man of sin is known by many names but not "The Anti-Christ"
He is anti-christ by his deeds, but there have been many anti-christ in the past and even today.
My opinion is to just call him anti-christ does not explain just how evil and wicked this man is.
Daniel 9:26-27 does not referring to the man of sin.
Jesus is the one who confirms the covenant promised by the Father in Jer. 34. Go study Hebrews.
The people of the prince to come are referring to Vespasian's army that entered Israel in 67 and destroyed the city, temple and the nation in 70 under thee leadership of his son Titus.
Vespasian returned to Rome in 68 and was made Emperor leaving his army (the people of the prince) to complete the destruction of Israel just as Jesus said would happen.

I do see your point, I do. But for the context, wouldn't you agree that antichrist is a good generalization for the subject at hand?