What is the Antichrist? from Compelling Truth
The name “antichrist” is found in 1 John and 2 John. It means against or in opposition to Christ. The original Greek word antichristos also conveys the idea of someone putting themselves in the place of Christ. Jesus warns His disciples that there will be many false prophets before His second coming (Matthew 24:24). While anyone in opposition to Christ could be labeled an antichrist, there is a specific Antichrist who will be a prominent figure during the end-times, seven-year tribulation.
Just as the Bible does not tell us the exact date of Jesus’ return, it also does not tell us exactly who the Antichrist will be. However, Scripture does provide us with some details about his character. Although the actual name “antichrist” is only found in John’s writing, there are many other names used to reference the one who will oppose Christ in other books of the Bible.
In the Old Testament, Daniel has a dream about four beasts coming out of the sea (Daniel 7). The fourth beast he sees represents a group of nations and people who will oppose Christ during the tribulation. The beast has a little horn that will deny God and wage war against Christians and Israel. The little horn will be the Antichrist.
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In the New Testament, 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 depicts the Antichrist as a man of lawlessness. Mark 13:14 describes the Antichrist in association with the abomination of desolation (cf. Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15). Revelation 6:2 talks about a rider on a white horse, a symbol of peace, who really intends to wage war (Revelation 6:2); though opinions on who this rider is vary, some commentators have identified him as the Antichrist. Later the Antichrist is described as a beast that comes out of the sea and receives power from the dragon, or Satan (Revelation 13).
