The Antichrist in 1 and 2 John: A Present Reality and a Spirit of Deception
The concept of "antichrist" often conjures images of a singular, future tyrannical figure who will rise to power in the end times. While the broader biblical narrative, particularly in Daniel and Revelation, certainly points to such a climactic individual, it is the Apostle John, uniquely among the New Testament writers, who explicitly uses the term "antichrist." His epistles, 1 John and 2 John, offer a profound and urgent perspective on this adversary, presenting the antichrist not merely as a future entity, but as a present spiritual reality, embodied by "many antichrists" already at work in the world.
John's Unique Terminology and Its Urgency
It is striking that the word "antichrist" appears only five times in the entire Bible, and all five instances are found within 1 John and 2 John. John introduces the term with a sense of eschatological urgency:
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
This verse immediately establishes two crucial aspects of John's teaching: firstly, the expectation of a singular "antichrist" to come, a figure the early church was aware of through prophetic teaching; and secondly, the startling revelation that "even now are there many antichrists." This plural usage shifts the focus from a distant, singular event to a contemporary, pervasive spiritual threat. John's readers were not waiting for the antichrist; they were already contending with antichrists among them.
Defining the Antichrist: The Core Denial
John leaves no ambiguity regarding the defining characteristic of the antichrist. Their essence is a fundamental denial concerning the person of Jesus Christ. He states plainly:
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
And again, in his second epistle:
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 core of the antichrist's doctrine is the denial of Jesus Christ's true identity, specifically His incarnation. The phrase "Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" directly counters early heresies, such as Docetism, which claimed that Jesus only appeared to have a human body, or early Gnosticism, which separated the divine Christ from the human Jesus. For John, to deny that Jesus Christ is truly God incarnate, fully God and fully man, is to deny the very foundation of the Gospel. This denial is not merely an intellectual disagreement; it is a spiritual allegiance to the spirit of antichrist.
The Spirit of Antichrist
Beyond individual antichrists, John also identifies a pervasive "spirit of antichrist." This is the spiritual force or principle that animates such denials and deceptions:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
This "spirit" is the animating force behind all opposition to Christ and His truth. It is active and present in the world, seeking to undermine the confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, who came in true humanity. This broadens the scope of John's warning: it's not just about specific individuals, but about any ideology, teaching, or spirit that denies the biblical revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Origin and Nature of the "Many Antichrists"
John reveals a disturbing truth about these "many antichrists": they emerged from within the Christian community itself.
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.
This verse indicates that the threat was internal, not merely external. These were not pagan philosophers or hostile Roman authorities, but individuals who had once been part of the fellowship, perhaps even leaders or teachers. Their departure served to make manifest their true nature and lack of genuine spiritual connection to Christ. This makes the deception particularly insidious, as it comes from those who may have once appeared to be fellow believers.
Their characteristics include:
- Liars: They propagate falsehoods about Jesus Christ (1 John 2:22).
- Deceivers: They actively seek to mislead believers (2 John 1:7).
- Deniers of the Father and the Son: By denying the Son, they implicitly deny the Father, for true knowledge of God comes through the Son (1 John 2:23).
Discernment and Standing Firm
Given the pervasive nature of the antichrist spirit and the presence of many antichrists, John provides clear guidance for believers to discern truth from error and to stand firm.
The test is simple yet profound: does the teaching confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (1 John 4:2)?Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
This is a call to doctrinal fidelity and a strong warning against enabling those who spread antichristian teachings.Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
This anointing guides them into truth and protects them from deception, provided they continue in Christ.But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
Conclusion: John's Enduring Message
John's teaching on the antichrist is not primarily about predicting a future event, but about equipping believers to navigate present spiritual warfare. He reveals that the "last time" is not just a distant future, but a period inaugurated by Christ's first coming, characterized by the active presence of the spirit of antichrist and many antichrists. Their defining characteristic is the denial of the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, particularly His incarnation.
For believers today, John's message remains profoundly relevant. We are called to:
- Be vigilant against teachings that diminish or distort the person of Jesus Christ.
- Discern spirits and test doctrines against the unchanging truth of Scripture.
- Abide in the true doctrine of Christ, recognizing that genuine fellowship and salvation are inextricably linked to confessing Jesus as Lord, come in the flesh.
- Trust in the anointing of the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and protect us from deception.
The "antichrist" in 1 John and 2 John is a call to stand firm on the foundational truth of who Jesus Christ is, for by confessing Him, we overcome the spirit of antichrist that is already in the world.