What or Who is the Anti-Christ?
PROVE ALL THINGS BIBLE STUDY
WHAT OR WHO IS THE ANTI-CHRIST?
HAVE WE AS GOD'S PEOPLE BEEN WORSHIPING THE ANTI-CHRIST?
HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING WHAT GOD SAYS?
ARE WE LETTING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ELSE TAKE GODS PLACE IN OUR LIFE?
1. What is the meaning of anti-christ?
The word antichrist is a transliteration of the Greek "antichristos, a name formed from anti, "against" or "instead of," and christos, "Christ." The word may therefore mean one who opposes Christ or one who combines both these functions . The title vice-Christ, or vicegerent of Christ, would convey a similar idea when used of one who falsely claims to be vested with Christ’s authority [SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, pg. 643].
Strong’s Concordance number is 500 for the word "anti." On Line Bible Dictionary says: the adversary of the Messiah. Thayers Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament 1991 printing, says: opposing God., The adversary of the Messiah, a most pestilent being, to appear just before the Messiah's advent. Also derived from Strong’s number 473 "anti" meaning: 1. over against, opposite to, before, 2. instead of, for, for that, because, 3. wherefore, for this cause. Thayer’s says: 1. over against, opposite to, before, 2. indicating exchange, succession, for, instead of, in place of (something).
Definition for Christ is Strong’s number 5547. On-Line Bible says: 1. Christ meaning "anointed" was the Messiah, the Son of God. Thayer’s says: anointed, 1. of the Messiah, viewed in his generic aspect. So we see that anti-christ or anti-christs are anything that is against Christ.
2. Where is the words anti-christ found in the Bible.
"The name "antichrist" is used in the New Testament only by the Apostle John, but he give no definite clue for identifying any specific person, persons, or organization. He assumes that his readers are already acquainted with "antichrist," that they expect his coming and that they believe his appearing indicates the nearness of the last days." [SDA. Bible Commentary]. These words are found only in the Books of I John and II John.
3. What does John say about the anti-christ?
1 John 2:18 "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."
1 John 4:3 "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."
2 John 1:7 "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 antichrist."
1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."
4. Can we look into these verses and see what can be anti-christ?
"It is well to remember that the orginal "antichrist" is Satan, who has opposed Christ through vaious human agencies. Long ages before man was created Satan sought to displace Christ (see Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-13), and every since has inspired all opposition to God and His Son Jesus Christ" [S.D.A Bible Commentary]. Claiming Christ to be just an angel and not the God of the Old Testament, before being born as the Son of God is also antichrist! This is bring down Christ to the level of Satan. We can also see that anything that is against Christ is antichrist. Sin is against Christ and so we see it also can be antichrist. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4).
5. Is changing God's laws, statutes and judgments antichrist?
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you" (Deu.4:2). [See Deu.12:3; Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19].
We can see that changing God's law is antichrist!
A good example of this the is postponement rules in the Hebrew Calendar most churches of God use today.
6. Can a person be antichrist?
"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:4). When a person takes the position of Christ and calls himself and showing himself as God, is antichrist!
7. Can those who do not believe Christ came in the flesh be antichrist
"And ye have not His word abiding in you: for whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words?" (John 5:38-47). "I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered Him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest Thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of Him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?" (John 10:30-36). Those who do not believe Christ was the God of the Old Testament are also antichrist!
8. Are the traditions of men antichrist?
"Christ answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye" (Mark 7:6-9,13). "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" (Matt. 15:1-3). "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Col.2:8).
9. When we follow fables are we following antichrist?
"This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth" (Titus 1:13-14). "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness" (I Tim. 4:7). "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (II Peter 2:1-2). "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (II Tim 4:4).
10. Are liars antichrist? Who are liars?
Jesus when talking to the Jews in John 8, said, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe Me not" (John 8:44-45). Christ also told the Jews they were not His sheep. "And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews round about Him, and said unto Him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But ye believe not, because you are not My sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:23-27). "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also" (1 John 2:22-23).
"Every trace of untruth comes from a different source from which truth issues. Truth come from Christ; lies, of every kind, can eventually be traced back to Satan, the father of lies. John has already warned of the presence of false teachers and now proceeds to identify their doctrine. The Greek implies habitual denial of Christ" [S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol 7 pg. 645].
11. Why will people who follow any antichrist not be saved at this time, when Christ returns?
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" (II Thess 2:7-13).
12. Those who deny Jesus is the Christ are called antichrist!
Those who deny that Jesus is the Christ has denied the central historical fact of redemption and has thereby made his own salvation impossible. There can be no more destructive perversion of Christianity than a denial of the deity of Jesus! It grossly distorts the truth concerning Christ’s nature and His Godhead!
We see that when people are willing to follow the traditions of men and follow false fables, they are willing to believe a lie. When we follow the Catholic Church and worship on Sunday, we follow a lie that antichrist has established. When we follow Judaism and postpone God’s Holy Days, we are also following antichrist. Those who follow any tradition of man and not believe the truth from God's word, will be judged! ANTICHRIST!!
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