The Antichrist spirit and the mystery of lawlessness are at work already attempting to mislead the followers of Jesus.
The term “Antichrist”
only appears in two of John’s letters. And while he does acknowledge that the “Antichrist
is coming,” he says next to nothing about that figure. But he did warn about
the “spirit of Antichrist” that is active in the world, and even
in his time, and this is demonstrated by the presence of false teachers that disrupt
the church, men who “deny that Jesus came in the flesh.” And it was deceivers
of this kind that John described as “many anticrhists” - (1 John
2:18-22, 4:1-3).
Conceptually, his reference
to the “spirit of Antichrist” is virtually parallel to Paul’s description
of the “mystery of lawlessness” that is at work already in the world
preparing for the arrival of the “man of lawlessness” – (2
Thessalonians 2:1-12).
These references do not
mean that the final “Antichrist” will also be a false teacher working inside
the church, but it would not be implausible to assume from what John and Paul wrote
that this will be the case.
And John’s “many antichrists”
also parallel the warnings of Jesus about the “many deceivers” that would
come in his name and “deceive many.” Many “false
prophets and false christs” will appear and “deceive many,” even
using “great signs and wonders” to mislead “the elect.”
The two common
elements in Christ’s warnings are “many” and “deceivers,”
and Church History validates the accuracy of his prediction. And there are significant
verbal parallels between the words of the Lord and the description of the “false
prophet” found in the book of Revelation, a malevolent creature who
also will use “great signs” to deceive men into giving allegiance to the
“Beast.”
And this leads us again
to Paul’s warning that before the “Day of the Lord” arrives the “apostasy”
will take place and the “man of lawlessness” will be revealed. Jesus
also warned of coming apostasy caused by “deceivers,” “false christs”
and “false apostles.” While Paul did introduce another term, the “man
of lawlessness,” there are striking similarities between his figure and the
warnings of Jesus and John.
Not only will the “man
of lawlessness” deceive and foment apostasy, but
he
will also employ “signs and lying wonders” to do
so. John described the “antichrists” of his day as having originated within
the church, and Paul’s description of the “lawless one taking his seat in
the sanctuary of God” may be closer to the same idea than it first
appears.
Consistently in his letters, Paul applies the term “sanctuary of God” and other Temple language to the church, the “body of Christ,” and nowhere does he show the slightest interest in a future rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem.
So, where does this leave us? Certainly, a case
can be made from statements in Revelation that the “Beast” will
be a global political figure. And if Paul was not referring to the church as
the “sanctuary of God,” then his description begins to fit nicely with
the idea of a global tyrant. And perhaps, in the end, the “Antichrist” will
be both a false teacher in the church and the world dictator expected in so many
interpretations.
Nevertheless, over
the centuries, “many deceivers” have invaded the church, and with modern
communication technologies, a very great “many” are busy even now
deceiving and damaging the lives of millions of Christians. And no doubt, we
will see “many” more false teachers down the road, and the New Testament
warns repeatedly about coming “deceivers” before the return of Jesus.
So, how do we avoid
deception, whether from low-level “deceivers” or the “Antichrist”
himself when he strides onto the world scene, whether as the presumptive ruler
of the world or as a Church leader?
In warning about the
“man of lawlessness,” Paul provided the answer. After describing this
deceiver, he exhorted the congregation at Thessalonica to “stand
fast and hold the traditions that you were taught.”
By that, he certainly was not referring to any later creeds, church council rulings,
or institutional traditions, but to the body of teaching the church had
received from him and his coworkers - (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).
Likewise, Paul warned the Galatians that if anyone, “even an angel
from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached
to you, let him be anathema.” Strong words. But Satan can
appear as “an angel of light.” And effectively, he called
for such men to be placed under God’s curse. He was deadly serious. Anything
that deviated from the apostolic “tradition” must be rejected with
extreme prejudice. – (Galatians 1:6-10).
Our safety is found in learning and adhering to that same body of apostolic
teachings. It is from that tradition that we learn how to discern truth from
falsehood, good from evil, and true prophets from false ones. And the only
reliable source for knowledge about what Jesus and his apostles taught is the
New Testament. It is as close as we can get to the original source material. Every
one of his disciples needs to learn it for himself or herself, and each one must
make it his or her own.
And we must go directly to that source and make its teachings central
and foundational to our Christian faith and lives. We may not be able to recognize
the “Antichrist” by his appearance, deeds, political agenda, or by his miracle-working
power, but as soon as he, she or it departs from the teachings of Jesus and his
apostles, we will have our first clue about his, her or its identity.