Bible Reading: Daniel 9-10; 2 John 1.
Memory Verse: “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 1:7 (KJV)
An Antichrist is any person who denies Christ or opposes the fundamental doctrines of christianity. And a Deceiver is one who deceives; one who leads into error; a cheat; an impostor. Combining both; an Anti-Christ deceiver refers to one who leads others into error of denying Christ or opposing fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Specifically, our memory verse explains it clearly. 2 John 1:7 (NKJV) says, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
From the scriptures, we observe that the spirit which characterizes the future Antichrist was at work at the time of the Apostle John ( 1 John 2:18; 22 ) and a final Antichrist is expected at the end of the age. Let’s quickly look at comparison between Jesus Christ and the anti-christ:
The Antichrist will come in image of Satan, while Jesus came in the name of the Father. Jesus warned us about the one coming in his own name. (John 5:43). Christ came from above, Antichrist is from below; Jesus said so to the religious leaders of His day. (John 8:23.) Christ was empowered by God the Father, but Satan is the driving force behind Antichrist. (2 Thesalonians 2:9). Antichrist will receive the worship of unbelievers, Christ received the worship of believers. ( Revelations 13:4;15). Christ was a lamb, Antichrist is called a beast. ( John 1:29)
As God is a Trinity, there will be a false trinity with Satan, the Antichrist (beast), and the False Prophet (Revelation 20:10). Antichrist has a possible fake resurrection while Christ actually did rise from the dead (Revelation 13:3).
The Lord Jesus warned us of Antichrist and that we should be careful as they will pretend to be Christ. He said in Matthew 24:23-24 (KJV), “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. [24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
In line with the word of our Lord, there are many false prophets doing all sorts of signs and wonders which are not founded on the word of God and so you should be careful that you are not lured into the camp of the antichrist based on such. Always ensure that you examine the fruit of the “man of God” showing signs and wonders that they are of the Spirit and not works of the flesh before accepting them. Remember Apostle John said, we should not receive those anti-Christ into our houses, neither should we bid them God speed. (2 John 1:9-10).
Action Point:
Examine every teaching and anyone that does not confess that Jesus came in the flesh should be rejected outrightly.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero