The Antichrist - The Spirit of Antichrist

 

T he Spirit of Antichrist

1 John 2:18,19,22; 4:3; 2 John 7 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now there are many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 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. 

The spirit of antichrist has been operative in the world for the last 2,000 years. 

The Greek word, antichristos, means, and opponent of the Messiah; opposite, that is, instead, because, for, in the room of, in the stead of. 

The English word is derived from the Greek, anti, against, and Christ. a false Christ; an antagonist of Christ. 

Many Christians are expecting Jesus to return soon. And so He shall. But preceding His coming is another who will look like him, do works comparable to His, manifest a charismatic personality, and dominate the world. 

He will not stand diametrically opposed, but rather, stand alongside Him. He will come in His place. The next one to come is not Jesus Christ, but antichrist. And will will not come at any moment: he will come to function in his time. 

Satan requires equal time, and he will get it. Just as surely as Jesus Christ ministered on this earth for three and a half years, so will the antichrist. 

Though the spirit of antichrist has been manifest for two thousand years, the person under consideration, will be a specific individual. 

All too often he is searched for in the wrong place. He can neither be found nor identified, because he is not there. 

Look in the church! He will be a man used of God more than 99% of all members of the body of Christ! 

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 

Thank God, it is not possible. 

The foregoing would not deceive anyone. 

But should he come out of the church? That's an entirely different matter. 

His mission will be highly successful. 

Revelation 12:4  And his tail drew a third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 

A star in the bible (in this instance) is a symbol of a blood washed, spirit filled saint of God.