THE ANTI-CHRIST
1 John 2:18
A. THE WORD "ANTI-CHRIST" IS MENTIONED THREE TIMES IN THE EPISTLES OF JOHN
1. "Little children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that anti-Christ shall come, even now are there many anti-Christs; whereby we know that it is the last time." - 1 John 2:18
2. "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of anti-Christ." 1 John 4:3
3. "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 anti-Christ."
2 John 7
B. THE STUDY OF BIBLE PROPHECY REVEALS CLEARLY
1. That the anti-Christ is not a person but a system:
a. Daniel speaks of the anti-Christ as a beast power- "the little horn" - Dan. 7:24, 25
b. John writes about a "Leopard beast" - Rev. 13:1-9
2. It is a religious system personified:
a. In the man of sin - 2 Thess. 2:3-7
b. "The throne of iniquity" - Ps. 94:20
c. "The son of perdition" - 2 Thess. 2:3
3. The anti-Christ is the man of sin, the throne of iniquity, and the man of sin:
a. Because of the crime committed by this system against the law of God - Dan. 7:25
b. Because this system is a centralized organization- the city of Rome - Rev. 13:1-10
c. And finally, this system centers in a person, the head of the church, to whom all render absolute loyalty at all times.
4. To be noted is the fact that this anti-Christ system is:
a. Worldwide - Rev. 13:3
b. The world pays homage to this system
c. Even civil power supports and upholds this system- Rev. 13:2
C. FOUR UNMISTAKABLE MARKS OF IDENTITY OF THE ANTI-CHRIST
1. He speaks great words against the Most High:
a. Uses titles that belong to God alone -
2 Thess. 2:6, 7; Rev. 13:6, 7; Dan. 7:25
b. Wears out the saints of the Most High; that is, he seeks to destroy all who oppose this system. Think of the martyrs of the dark ages - Rev.12
c. He attempted to change God’s law and the seventh day Sabbath commanded in the fourth commandment -Dan. 7:25; Ps. 94:20
2. He claims:
a. Power to forgive the sins of the people.
b. He claims that his priests have creative power
when they read the mass to turn the Son of God into a piece of bread.
c. He claims infallibility when speaking doctrines.
3. This system teaches the doctrine of holy flesh:
a. Since Christ came in the flesh, John 1:14, this system claims that its saints are, including their flesh, holy.
b. But the Son of God states that flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God - John 3:1-6;1 Cor. 15:50
4. It may be useful to add that the ladder seen by Jacob in his dream, Gen. 28:12, symbolizes Christ; but the Papacy claims that its priest-craft represents the stairway to heaven:
5. It must be noted, further, that the system of the anti-Christ has been working since the days of the apostle:
a. Paul says of it, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work" - 2 Thess. 2:7
b. John connects this system with Pagan Rome - Rev. 13:17
c. He saw this power reappearing with renewed vigor in the end of time - Rev. 13:1-9
