Background Info and Perspectives from Christian & Biblical Scholars
The term ‘Antichrist’ is derived from the Biblical Greek terms ‘anti’ and ‘christos’, which loosely translates to ‘against’ and ‘messiah’. Accordingly, the Antichrist has been interpreted to be a person or force that would stand in direct opposition to Christianity, its teachings, and its beliefs.
According to scriptures in the Bible, the Antichrist is to appear during a time of great trials, tribulation, and suffering that will be brought on by God. Several Biblical passages, including 2nd Thessalonians 2:7–8 and Revelation 13:15–18, talk about this supposed presence of the Antichrist in connection with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Primarily, the Antichrist is seen in the Bible as a figure of deception and destruction – one who will oppose and militantly do battle against Christians and their faith.
A majority of scholars of Christian eschatology, or the branch of theology dealing with the study of last things – including death, judgment, and the afterlife – share a common opinion that the Antichrist is an entity rather than a single individual. These scholars point to Revelation 13:18 and its description of the Antichrist as having authority over the whole world to support their claim. Nonetheless, other theologians reason that the Antichrist is an ascentation of a single individual who will actively reject and deny the divinity of Jesus Christ.
Unique Identity
The biblical evidence of the Antichrist indicates that this entity will have a unique identity, one filled with power, influence and sway. Additionally, the Antichrist is said to arise after a global political and social shift which will rearrange the geographic and geopolitical boundaries of the world. After that, the Antichrist will then move to make a decisive mark on society in order to effectively secure their reign and to mettle with existing power structures.
The Antichrist will then be followed by a figure known as the False Prophet, according to Revelation 13 and 14, and both figures will setup a “one-world religion” and a single global government. This will result in a period of terror and persecution, accompanied by the darkness of false teaching and spiritual warfare, which will engulf the world.
The Bible additionally indicates that the Antichrist will be sophisticated and manipulative — and will successfully deceive much of the world through false religious messages, shallow rhetoric, and a selfish attempt to acquire power and control. The Antichrist will also exhibit his power and authority through economic control and manipulation, unjust laws, and military strength and tactics.
Tracing the Antichrist in Ancient History
Tracing back as far as ancient times, scholars and experts in the field have offered many interpretations and theories as to who or what the Antichrist might be. One figure which has been associated with this entity is the Roman emperor Nero, a man who reigned with terror and cruelty, in addition to brutally persecuting Christians. Caeser Nero’s name is also believed to fit an interesting pattern found in the Bible – one which the Antichrist is said to follow.
Nero’s name when translated into Hebrew results in the phrase “the number of a man”, which is similar to a cryptic phrase in Revelation 13:18 which refers to the mysterious figure as being “the number of his name.” It is also believed that Nero could have been the precursor to an even more powerful Antichrist figure – one of greater cruelty, deception and manipulation.
Mark of the Beast
Revelation 13 indicates that much of the world will be deceived and enticed by the power of the Antichrist – and that citizens of the world will receive a mark of one kind or another, an outward symbol known as the “Mark of the Beast”.
The symbolism of the Mark of the Beast is said to be the abandonment of God and devotion to the proclaimed authority of the Antichrist. As such, those who refuse to accept the mark will be subject to much persecution, according to the passage.
Additionally, some theologians suggest a connection between the Mark of the Beast and the barcode – a device which holds much significance in today’s global marketplace. More precisely, some suggest that it could represent the introduction of a microchip – a device which would store the personal identity, details and information for every person.
Skepticism About the Antichrist
Despite the solid line of evidence from the Bible in relation to the Antichrist and their actions, there is also a fair amount of skepticism to this doctrine. Critics claim that there is ultimately no real proof that the Antichrist exists, pointing to the Bible as a source of symbolic stories and not unique individuals or entities.
Others say that if the Antichrist is supposed to be so powerful and significant, then why isn’t there more than a few handfuls of passages mentioning this character? Furthermore, many claim that the Antichrist is no more than a convenient scare tactic meant to drive certain types of believers away from certain types of behavior. Regardless, the Antichrist theory continues to be popular in Christian circles, with adherents ranging from denominations of Protestant Christianity to Seventh-day Adventists.
What Will the Antichrist Do
Primarily, the Antichrist is portrayed in the Bible as an opposing force to Christianity, with actions which will conflict with the Bible, its teachings and its related laws and observances. The Antichrist will also be said to bring about a so-called ‘one-world religion’, which will present false teachings about the nature of God and salvation.
As such, the Antichrist is believed to be an enemy of God who works to thwart and damage the plans of the Divine, trying to push believers away from the path of true faith, righteousness and holiness, as prescribed by scriptures.
For those who rely on the Bible as a source of truth, the Antichrist is perceived as a formidable force that works to pervert and corrupt the sacred truths of the Christian faith, with the intent and purpose of causing grievous harm and great suffering to the followers of God.
The End of the Antichrist
The Bible declares that the Antichrist will ultimately be doomed to failure and destruction, as God will continually work to confront and ultimately defeat this false figure – as He does with all threats to His Holy Presence and teachings.
Beyond that, Scripture also offers a hopeful message of redemption, indicating that after the Antichrist and their associates are defeated and removed from the world, then true faith shall be restored – and will flourish in a new epoch of peace and harmony.
Arrival of the Antichrist & Its Effect on Humanity
This impending arrival of the Antichrist has had a profound influence on how humanity views the future. As one can imagine, the prospect of an all-powerful, anti-Christian figure, who will challenge and militantly oppose Christian faith, is quite frightening – enough so to instill fear, terror and paranoia in many.
As to what the Antichrist will do, some believe they will bring evil, destruction, and falsehood to the world, while others claim they will appear as a more subtle, seductive force. Regardless of their form, the Antichrist is still believed to be a force of death, one whose mission will be to attack the Christian faith, causing turmoil and chaos to reign over the world.
Eschatology & Modern Interpretations
Eschatology, or the doctrine of ‘last things’, is a branch of theology which focuses on the study of death, judgment, and the afterlife. It serves as a comprehensive framework for understanding how the various pieces fit together to create a complete picture of the Antichrist, its mission, and its implications for humanity.
Modern interpretations of eschatology differ from earlier unbiblical views in the sense that they attempt to place the Bible’s teaching in the context of today’s contemporary society. As the Bible is a book of great length and complexity, modern theologians and Bible scholars are able to reflect current realities in their interpretation of the book and its teachings.
In this way, eschatology scholars can effectively bridge the gap between ancient teachings and more recent, contemporary interpretations – and can more accurately project the Antichrist’s story in the near future. Many Christians follow eschatology scholars and their views, trusting that these perspectives could become a reality in our lifetime.
Armageddon
Typically, the biblical teachings include a story of Armageddon, which is said to be the final, great battle between good and evil. In this scenario, the Antichrist will step forth as the leader of the evil forces, leading the opposition of God’s chosen people and those who have taken up arms against them.
The Bible speaks of a time of tremendous suffering, with the earth being filled with fire and corpses, and much pain being experienced by those who are left behind. Eventually, God’s forces will triumph and the Antichrist will be defeated, bringing an end to this tumultuous chapter in the history of mankind.
Eschatological Themes & Post-Antichrist Scenarios
Eschatology also involves discovering what lies ahead for humanity after the Antichrist has been ruptured and the evil forces have been foresaken. Many Biblical scholars argue that the post-Antichrist world will involve tremendous cleansing and repentance on the part of mankind, with God advancing his kingdom on Earth and uniting humanity underneath His banner.
The period of peace and bliss will last for a designated period of time before God makes the final judgment on mankind and the fate of all souls. In addition, some theologians point to the 1,000 years mentioned in the book of Revelation – a span of time in which believers are meant to remain on Earth and witness the rule of God among men.
As such, eschatology serves as a way of attempting to foresee and prepare for the future, while developing an understanding of the ramifications of the Antichrist and its reign on the world. By gaining a better grasp on the events leading up to, and subsequent to, the Antichrist’s rule, believers may be more equipped to recognize and combat this entity when it appears in the world.
