In the introduction to this series on the Antichrist we already saw that the text does not speak of a single Antichrist but of many. At the end of yesterday’s text I referred to the “anti-Christian spirit,” which we must learn to identify when it unleashes its destructive influence and seeks to confuse people.
The Inner Antichrist
Some authors who address this subject also point to an “inner Antichrist” within each of us. This is true insofar as the anti-divine temptation also lives within us, and we must reject and overcome it as much as possible. This becomes clear when we consider that the Antichrist spirit is Lucifer’s spirit, which seeks to exert influence by confusing people from within or through various external influences. The goal remains the same: the powers of darkness seek to exercise dominion over humanity and to compete with the reign of Christ. In order to combat the “inner Antichrist,” we need the tools that make up the basic spiritual equipment for following Christ. We will return to these later.
Antichrist-like figures
Undoubtedly, the early Christians regarded the Roman emperors under whom they suffered cruel persecution as antichrists. Throughout history there have been rulers who can be viewed as antichrist-like figures, even in more recent times. Consider Turkish leaders Talat Pasha and Enver Pasha, responsible for the mass murder of Christian Armenians; Lenin and Stalin; and Adolf Hitler and Mao Zedong — to name just a few of the most horrific antichrist-like figures of modern times. What they all have in common is that they established terrible, murderous regimes directed particularly against people of faith and tyrannically oppressed anyone who stood in the way of their claim to power.
The Antichrist at the End of Time
The Holy Scriptures clearly indicate that the mystery of lawlessness will be concentrated in a single person at the end of time. Paul writes:
“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed.” (2 Thess. 2:7–8)
In the same letter, Paul discusses the return of Christ at the end of time:
“Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you this?
The Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming. The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false, so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thess. 2:3–5, 8–12)
Regarding the return of Christ, Paul points out that a falling away from God must come first. Since the Lord has not yet returned, this must be an event that is already foreshadowed, for example in the loss of Christian unity or in the dechristianization of countries that were once more strongly shaped by the faith. However, the text suggests that this event has yet to occur on a global scale.
Paul refers to the Antichrist as the “man of lawlessness,” the “son of perdition,” and the adversary. He will appear with great power and be able to deceive people. Here the apostle refers in particular to those who “refused to love the truth”, through which they might have been saved. This likely refers to those who have not accepted the Gospel, even though it was proclaimed to them, and who have not opened themselves to the truth. They can neither resist the power of error nor distinguish truth from falsehood.
To identify the spirit of the Antichrist and its manifestations, or even the person of the Antichrist himself, one needs the light of the Holy Spirit and receptivity to God’s grace. However, if a person has closed themselves off from God’s grace through sin, they will not recognize the deception perpetrated by the “Son of Perdition.” They will not be able to apply discernment to unmask the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” (cf. Mt 7:15). Furthermore, many authors speculate that, due to Lucifer’s subtle deceptions, the Antichrist will not be recognized as a tyrant initially because he will present himself as a prince of peace.
We’ll continue this topic tomorrow.
Meditation on the day’s reading: https://en.elijamission.net/the-friendship-between-god-and-hezekiah/
Meditation on the day’s Gospel: https://en.elijamission.net/on-sabbath-observance-and-sunday-sacredness-3/