The antichrist is not merely one individual person or entity, for the Bible says that there are “many antichrists.” (1 John 2:18) Rather, the term “antichrist,” which comes from a Greek word meaning “against (or instead of) Christ,” refers to anyone who does the following:
Denies that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) or denies that he is the Son of God.—1 John 2:22.
Opposes the Christ, God’s Anointed One.—Psalm 2:1, 2; Luke 11:23.
Pretends to be the Christ.—Matthew 24:24.
Persecutes the followers of Christ, since Jesus views what is done to them as being done to him.—Acts 9:5.
Falsely claims to be a Christian while practicing lawlessness or deception.—Matthew 7:22, 23; 2 Corinthians 11:13.
Besides speaking of individuals who take such actions as being antichrists, the Bible also refers to them collectively as “the antichrist.” (2 John 7)** The antichrist first appeared in the time of the apostles and has been active ever since. **Bible prophecy foretold just such a development.—1 John 4:3.
How to identify antichrists
They say that Jesus is their Lord, but they do not obey his commands
The antichrist is not merely one individual person or entity, for the Bible says that there are “many antichrists.” (1 John 2:18) Rather, the term “antichrist,” which comes from a Greek word meaning “against (or instead of) Christ,” refers to anyone who does the following:
Denies that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) or denies that he is the Son of God.—1 John 2:22. Opposes the Christ, God’s Anointed One.—Psalm 2:1, 2; Luke 11:23. Pretends to be the Christ.—Matthew 24:24. Persecutes the followers of Christ, since Jesus views what is done to them as being done to him.—Acts 9:5. Falsely claims to be a Christian while practicing lawlessness or deception.—Matthew 7:22, 23; 2 Corinthians 11:13.
Besides speaking of individuals who take such actions as being antichrists, the Bible also refers to them collectively as “the antichrist.” (2 John 7)** The antichrist first appeared in the time of the apostles and has been active ever since. **Bible prophecy foretold just such a development.—1 John 4:3.
How to identify antichrists They say that Jesus is their Lord, but they do not obey his commands