The Several Antichrists

In the first part of this writing, we had examined the spirit behind the antichrist called the spirit of the antichrist or the spirit of error. In this second part, we shall do well to reveal the several antichrists that exist in the church. These studies shall help to identify the marks of those antichrists.

However, to understand the prophetic word is a matter of dedication and submission to the grace of God. The key to understanding the second part of our investigation into the use of the word "Antichrist is taken from the Second Epistle of John, verses 7, where the Apostle explains that the deceiving spirit has entered the "World". Showing the spirit of the antichrist operates more in the world. His purpose is to infiltrate the church with doubts and suspicions on the coming of Christ.

In the first epistle, the Apostle used the term in the context of those in the church, or who have entered the church but have never really been a part of Christ. Such have no part in the Christian community. Our Lord knows those that are His since He laid the foundation of the church through His blood of the cross by which He had purchased the believers

The existence of the many antichrists in the church describes those that were not really believers but are planted by the evil one when believers went to sleep. They are present wherever believers are found in fellowship. They fit the image of those who refuse to hold the true doctrine of Christ according to the second chapter of the first epistle of John. These are the tares present in the church but have never been a part of the body of Christ.

The Bible describes them as those without root, tares responsible for planting heresy, schism, and doctrinal division in the church. Their purpose is always to divide the Christian community through the propagation of false doctrines.

The several antichrists in the church perpetrate heresy, errors, and false and questionable teachings until they can no longer continue with the trade. They are subject to the order and influence of the spirit of the antichrist working in the world. The same spirit that denies Jesus is the Christ, including the Father, and the Holy Spirit. The denial can be in the form of:

Denying the coequality of the Father and Son.

Denying the deity of Christ.

Substituting the deity of Christ for Angelo-morphism to undermine His rights and privileges. This teaches that Christ is a creature of God that created other creatures. In the same category belongs those that identify Jesus as the archangel Michael.

The Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle John in his letter to the church said "It is the last time, as you heard, that antichrist shall come, and even now there are many antichrists" (1 John. 2:18). Further, he said they went out from us (The Church)" and "They were not of us", "They had discontinued fellowship and went out to the world where they came from". The obvious inference is that they went out either to form a new church or to continue in the world where they came from.

It is the sign of the last time since the enemy is already at work in both the church and the world. The power of darkness working gathering his team for the end-time scenario. The prince of this world is planting men and women in strategic places in the world and the church for the actualization of the ultimate purpose of Satan. The demonic kingdom knows it is the last time and attempt is being made to drag as many people as possible with him. Besides, the tares the enemy had planted are active in false churches that abound in many nations.

Meanwhile, the prevalence of ignorance of the basic truth concerning the antichrist in the church is a worrying sign that may reveal the early and progressive stage of apostasy. It is a matter and a cause of great concern in the body of Christ. That believer in many denominations is yet confused about the antichrist and his system does not augur well for the church.

Perhaps the problem stems from the unpreparedness of our bible teachers, pastors to do more in teaching the truth according to the plain meaning of the scripture. In fact, it is given to all believers to fully comprehend the prophetic word, timetable, and plans of the Lord for the end time. TO BE CONTINUED