Freethought & Rationalism Archive

spacedOut · 02-02-2004, 10:01 AM

Basically, I'm looking for some clarification. Upon searching, the only place I can find the term "antichrist" in the Bible is in 1 John. However, the author of these letters doesn't really clarify who or what the antichrist is. It seems "antichrist" might refer to a singular being (you have heard that the Antichrist is coming), but also refers to anyone who denies that Jesus was God in the flesh (even now many antichrists have come). One explanation I have heard is that the author was preaching against the Gnostics. But does that explain the singular "Antichrist" reference?

In modern society, the term "antichrist" seems to refer to a supernatual being who will come to earth (or maybe it has already visited) and will take over the world's economies, etc. Similar to the description of the "beast with 2 horns" in the book of Revelation that will come to earth, perform miraculous signs, and deceive the inhabitants. However, Revelation doesn't (that I'm aware of) refer to an "antichrist".

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has insight into just who these antichrists are supposed to be???

Doctor X · 02-02-2004, 03:45 PM

The Democratic candidates. . . .

Sorry . . . still giddy after the Superbowl. Welcome to the forums!

Anyways, to seriously address your question I would have to review the context of the use of the word. For example, "da Beast" in Revelation seems to refer to Nero or Dominitian depending on whom you ask. The "antichrist" may have had a contemporary identification or it could have been intended as a prediction. Of course, people reinterpreted the Beast of Revelation depending on the time period--most recent is that he is Justin Timberlake having revealed the Whore of Babylon on [Right. Clear off!--Ed.]

--J.D.

02-02-2004, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spacedOut
Similar to the description of the "beast with 2 horns" in the book of Revelation that will come to earth, perform miraculous signs, and deceive the inhabitants.

In my opinion the above is correct. Christ is the first beast and anti-christ is the second beast. Notice that it came "from the earth."

Doctor X · 02-03-2004, 03:08 PM

Right:

Quote:

In the Johannine letters, the false teachers are explicitly identified with the diabolic opposition to Christ expected at the end of time.

Quote:

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore, we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. (I John 2.18-19)

So these adversaries of the writer were former colleagues who now dissented. The logic of the thought is that they must have been the devil's all along. "He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning" (3.8).

Thus, the author of the Johannine expects "the end" is within the near future and attacks former students/collegues as false teachers. It does not seem that he intends the antichrist to represent a specific figure--such as "the Beast" representing the Roman Emperor--nor does it seem that he intends some distantly future character. Of course this will all get reinterpreted.

--J.D.

Reference:

Forsyth N. The Old Enemy: Satan and the Combat Myth. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1987.

02-02-2004, 10:01 AM	#1
spacedOut Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 104	The antichrist Basically, I'm looking for some clarification. Upon searching, the only place I can find the term "antichrist" in the Bible is in 1 John. However, the author of these letters doesn't really clarify who or what the antichrist is. It seems "antichrist" might refer to a singular being (you have heard that the Antichrist is coming), but also refers to anyone who denies that Jesus was God in the flesh (even now many antichrists have come). One explanation I have heard is that the author was preaching against the Gnostics. But does that explain the singular "Antichrist" reference? In modern society, the term "antichrist" seems to refer to a supernatual being who will come to earth (or maybe it has already visited) and will take over the world's economies, etc. Similar to the description of the "beast with 2 horns" in the book of Revelation that will come to earth, perform miraculous signs, and deceive the inhabitants. However, Revelation doesn't (that I'm aware of) refer to an "antichrist". Anyway, just wondering if anyone has insight into just who these antichrists are supposed to be???

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02-02-2004, 03:45 PM	#2
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	The Democratic candidates. . . . Sorry . . . still giddy after the Superbowl. Welcome to the forums! Anyways, to seriously address your question I would have to review the context of the use of the word. For example, "da Beast" in Revelation seems to refer to Nero or Dominitian depending on whom you ask. The "antichrist" may have had a contemporary identification or it could have been intended as a prediction. Of course, people reinterpreted the Beast of Revelation depending on the time period--most recent is that he is Justin Timberlake having revealed the Whore of Babylon on [Right. Clear off!--Ed.] --J.D.

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