How do we know from scripture, who the Antichrist will be and when he will come?
Let’s go straight to Scripture, so we stay grounded and not in fear.
What does "Antichrist" mean in the Bible?
The word Antichrist literally means "against Christ" or "instead of Christ."
John tells us in 1 John 2:18: "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrists shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."
The Last Time: John notes that believers are living in the final epoch or "last hour" between Christ's first and second comings.
Many Antichrists: While a major figure of opposition (the Antichrist) was expected, John points out that many smaller deceivers or opponents of Christ's truth were already active in their time.
Proof of the Era: The appearance of these false teachers confirms to believers that they are indeed in this final period. So two things:
1. Many antichrists — people/teachings that deny Jesus. 1 John 2:22: "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?"
2. THE Antichrist — a specific man who will come in the last days.
What does Scripture say about THE Antichrist? Here are the main passages:
His Character:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 — "that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God... so that he thinketh of himself as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God"
- Daniel 7:25, 8:24-25 — will speak great words against God, will prosper in deceit
- Revelation 13:5-6 — given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies against God.
What he will do:
- Deceive many — Matthew 24:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness"
- Make a covenant — Daniel 9:27, a 7-year peace treaty with Israel, then break it
- Set up the "abomination of desolation" — Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15
- Demand worship + the Mark of the Beast — Revelation 13:16-17, the mark on right hand or forehead. This will happen during the last 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation Period.
3. Do we know WHO he will be?
No, the Bible does not give us his name. God didn’t tell us his name because we’re not supposed to go name-hunting. We’re supposed to stay watching Jesus.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:4-5 — "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
We’ll know him when God reveals him, and by what he does — not by guessing.
I'm sure many of us will suspect who the Antichrist might be, but we must stick with the Bible and look for the signs that God gives us to recognize the Antichrist.
But we ARE told we’ll see signs before. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 says the Antichrist won’t be revealed until there’s a great "falling away" first.
4. 1 John 4:4 — "greater is He that is in you, than he/Satan, that is in the world"
• Luke 21:28 — "when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh"
• Isaiah 41:10 — "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
• Isaiah 43:2 — "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
We watch, we pray, we put on the armor. We don’t fear, because Revelation 19 tells us how this ends: Jesus wins.
Jesus, thank You that You told us enough to be ready, and to keep our eyes on You. Help us to be faithful, not fearful. Amen.
The point isn’t to figure out his name. The point is to make sure we belong to Jesus. If we’re His, we have nothing to fear.
What does "Antichrist" mean in the Bible?
The word Antichrist literally means "against Christ" or "instead of Christ."
John tells us in 1 John 2:18: "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrists shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."
The Last Time: John notes that believers are living in the final epoch or "last hour" between Christ's first and second comings.
Many Antichrists: While a major figure of opposition (the Antichrist) was expected, John points out that many smaller deceivers or opponents of Christ's truth were already active in their time.
Proof of the Era: The appearance of these false teachers confirms to believers that they are indeed in this final period. So two things:
1. Many antichrists — people/teachings that deny Jesus. 1 John 2:22: "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?"
2. THE Antichrist — a specific man who will come in the last days.
What does Scripture say about THE Antichrist? Here are the main passages:
His Character:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 — "that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God... so that he thinketh of himself as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God"
- Daniel 7:25, 8:24-25 — will speak great words against God, will prosper in deceit
- Revelation 13:5-6 — given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies against God.
What he will do:
- Deceive many — Matthew 24:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness"
- Make a covenant — Daniel 9:27, a 7-year peace treaty with Israel, then break it
- Set up the "abomination of desolation" — Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15
- Demand worship + the Mark of the Beast — Revelation 13:16-17, the mark on right hand or forehead. This will happen during the last 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation Period.
3. Do we know WHO he will be?
No, the Bible does not give us his name. God didn’t tell us his name because we’re not supposed to go name-hunting. We’re supposed to stay watching Jesus.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:4-5 — "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
We’ll know him when God reveals him, and by what he does — not by guessing.
I'm sure many of us will suspect who the Antichrist might be, but we must stick with the Bible and look for the signs that God gives us to recognize the Antichrist.
But we ARE told we’ll see signs before. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 says the Antichrist won’t be revealed until there’s a great "falling away" first.
4. 1 John 4:4 — "greater is He that is in you, than he/Satan, that is in the world"
• Luke 21:28 — "when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh"
• Isaiah 41:10 — "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
• Isaiah 43:2 — "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
We watch, we pray, we put on the armor. We don’t fear, because Revelation 19 tells us how this ends: Jesus wins.
Jesus, thank You that You told us enough to be ready, and to keep our eyes on You. Help us to be faithful, not fearful. Amen.
The point isn’t to figure out his name. The point is to make sure we belong to Jesus. If we’re His, we have nothing to fear.
