The term “spirit of the antichrist” appears in 1 John 4:2–3: “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”

Understanding the context of John’s statements is crucial. At the time he wrote this letter, there was a prevalent belief that various spirits were active in the world. Numerous false teachings, mystery religions, spiritual experiences, and different forms of Christianity were emerging. The spiritual environment resembled that of today, where people hold diverse views on truth.

John offered a clear method for navigating through the array of beliefs and teachings. He advised his readers to be discerning and test the spirits: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” «Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. », (1 John 4:1).

But how do we evaluate the spirits? How can we distinguish which teachers are conveying truth? How do we identify the spirit of the antichrist?

The “spirits” John referred to were not just disembodied supernatural entities. John taught that a prophet or teacher served as the actual spokesperson for a spirit. Spiritual teachings are communicated through human representatives. True teachers are inspired by the Spirit of God and therefore speak on behalf of God. False teachers propagate the “doctrines of demons” «Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1, NASB).

So, the first test relates to theology or doctrine: “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” «Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: », (1 John 4:2). We can ask, does the content of the person’s teaching acknowledge that Jesus Christ—fully God and fully human—has come in the flesh? If the answer is yes, then we know the Spirit of God inspires that person. If not, his entire teaching ought to be rejected. This particular test was especially apropos in John’s day, as the heresy of Gnosticism was becoming prevalent; Gnosticism taught that Jesus only appeared to have a human body but was not actually a flesh-and-blood person.

Next, John says, “But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist” «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. », (1 John 4:3). Anyone who does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Bible presents Him is inspired by the spirit of the antichrist.

The word antichrist means “against Christ.” People who say that Jesus is not from God are controlled by the spirit of the antichrist. Satan opposes Christ, and he desires to deceive people into a false view of who Jesus is. The spirit of the antichrist teaches against Christ. To twist the truth about Jesus Christ is to pervert the gospel. Satan works to spread lies about Christ and keep people in.

The Bible warns: “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist” «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. », (2 John 1:7).

The spirit of the antichrist is symbolized by the birds that eat the seeds along the path in Jesus’ parable «and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. », (Mark 4:4,15) «And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. », (Mark 4:4,15). It is “the god of this age” who blinds the minds of unbelievers, keeping them from seeing “the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ” «in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. », (2 Corinthians 4:4). It is “the father of lies” «Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. », (John 8:44). The spirit of the antichrist is described as “the great dragon . . . who leads the whole world astray” «And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world.», (Revelation 12:9).

World: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. », (Revelation 12:9).

The Bible teaches that the world will eventually produce a world ruler, referred to as “the beast” in Revelation, who will wield immense power and demand worship of himself. He will have “a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies” «And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. », (Revelation 13:5) and is empowered by Satan «And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. », (Revelation 13:2). He is called “the man of lawlessness . . . the man doomed to destruction” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This final Antichrist will be the culmination of the evil workings of Satan throughout the centuries. The Antichrist of the end times will embody all the deception and perversion of truth that the spirit of the antichrist has always promoted. Today, “the secret power of lawlessness is already at work” «For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. », (2 Thessalonians 2:7). 

The same spirit that will empower the Antichrist of the last days is currently operating in the world to bring confusion and deception to the issue of Jesus Christ’s person and work. “This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” «and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: andThis is the spirit of the Antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” (1 John 4:3).

Despite the pervasive influence of the spirit of the Antichrist, there is no need to fear. As John reminds us, the Spirit of truth dwells in all believers and offers protection from the spirit of the Antichrist: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” «You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. », (1 John 4:4).

There are practical ways to differentiate the false spirit of the Antichrist from the true Spirit of God: “[False prophets] are from the world and speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we distinguish the Spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood” (1 John 4:5-6). Those influenced by the spirit of the Antichrist belong to the world. They share the world’s values, so the world listens to them. Those who acknowledge Christ possess His Spirit of truth and accept the apostles’ message. The gospel preached by the apostles is never popular in the world, yet it is the very gospel that has the power to save through God’s Spirit of truth «For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. », (Romans 1:16).

The believer’s responsibility is to test the spirits carefully «Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”, (1 John 4:1). We are called to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”, (Matthew 10:16, ESV). We should not automatically accept the teachings of any preacher or teacher based solely on reputation or credentials; instead, we must carefully evaluate their Christology. Their beliefs about Jesus are crucial". (Bibliatodo)

WE SEE THE SPIRIT OF THE ANTI CHRSIT IN AMERICA, IN GOVERNMENT, IN POLITICS, IN ALL THE EARTH!  ARE YOU READY? JESUS CAN RETURN AT ANY MOMENT. 

 The Antichrist – Who is he?

No one knows who the Antichrist will be, but we do know that when he is revealed, he will not be a frightening figure.  In fact, he will be just the opposite until he has gained power.

There is a reference in Daniel 11:21 comparing Antiochus Epiphanes to a type of antichrist, who is one of the most brutal rulers known in history, easily eclipsing the horrors of Adolph Hitler and his Third Reich.

But, the horrors of Antiochus Epiphanes will pale in comparison to the brutality and horror of the coming Antichrist.

Traits of the Antichrist Described in the Bible

• Intelligent: Revelation 13:18; Daniel 7:8.
• Charismatic Speaker: Daniel 7:8 Revelation 13:5.
• Crafty Politician: Daniel 9:27; Revelation 17:12, 13, 17.
• Distinct Physical Appearance: Daniel 7:20.
• Military Genius: Revelation 4; 17:14; 19:19.
• Economic Genius: Daniel 11:38.
• Blasphemer: Revelation 13:6.
• Utterly Lawless: 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
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• Selfish, Ambitious Egomaniac: Daniel 11:36, 37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
• Greedy Materialist: Daniel 11:38.
• Controlling:  Daniel 7:25.
• Proud and Self-exalting Above God and Everything: Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians. 2:4.

What is the purpose of the Antichrist?

His purpose is to deceive.  The Antichrist is a person prophesied by the Bible to oppose Christ and substitute himself in Christ’s place before the Second Coming.

ANOTHER BEAST  –  The False Prophet

Revelation 13:11 says, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.

• He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.
• And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
• He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
• And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
• And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
• And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”  Revelation 13:11-18.

He will doom anyone who receives his “mark” and worships him to suffer God’s Wrath.  “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.”  Revelation 16:2

Those which he deceived, those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image, are thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.  Revelation 19:20

WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST?

No one knows what ‘the mark’ will actually look like.  There is speculation that it could be an image (icon) or a microchip or a tattooed type of barcode used in place of money or credit cards for tracking, commerce and trade.  But, from scriptures we do know…

• And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, ?
• and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
• Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.  Revelation 13:11-18

WHEN WILL THIS BEAST GIVE HIS MARK?

17,“cause all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, verse 17. And he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”  from, Revelation 13:16-17 , maybe sometime before the rapture of the Church?

HOWEVER, the Bible tells us that the Antichrist may be revealed before the rapture of the church? 

2 Thessalonians2:3 tells us, “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, verse 4. who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” ), which is sometime during the 5th Tribulation Seal period, or just at the beginning of the 6th Tribulation Seal.

And according to the Bible, the Antichrist gives his ‘Mark’ after the Seal Judgments, after the Rapture, and just after the 6th Tribulation Trumpet Judgment or during the 7th Trumpet Judgment, which is the Mid-Point of the Great Tribulation, which is after three and one half years of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation period.

Revelation 13:16-17 tells us when the Antichrist  “causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, Verse 17. And he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”  

The Apostle Paul informs us, in 2 Thessalonians 2

Verse 2. “you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

1. Verse 3.  “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and
2. the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, Verse 4. who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”

What this means to you and to me is that some of us will have the opportunity to suffer awhile before God takes us away in the Rapture.  How do we know this?  The Bible says so:

1 Peter1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

• verse 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
• verse 5.  Who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
• verse 6.  In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Revelation 6:9 tells us that, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal,”

• I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; verse 10. And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
• Verse 11.  And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.
• 
  

The ‘times of distress’, also referred to “the birth pains” phase of the tribulation, encompass Tribulation Seals 1 through 5, (see Matthew 24:3-8). NOW, TODAY...

But the Great Tribulation also known as The Wrath of God, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, and the Wrath of the Lamb, begins with the breaking or opening of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation.

NOTE: The final 7 years of Daniel’s 70 Weeks, also known as the 7 Years of the Great Tribulation will begin with the Breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal. It will reach the mid-point (3 1/2 years) at the blowing of the 7th Trumpet Judgment and will conclude with the pouring out of the 7th Bowl Judgment. (Please see “Did Jesus Really Say This” and “When Do the Seven Years of Great Tribulation Begin?” for confirmation of these facts).

Be comforted by this, that God has not appointed us to His Wrath but to obtain His salvation! (Your Brother and Friend, Mike Young)

ALWAYS REMEMBER, WE ARE LIVING IN THE END TIMES; THE RAPTURE CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT, WE MUST BE READY, BE BORN AGAIN.  

• MATTHEW 24-The signs of the End Times, the end of the age mentioned by Jesus in Matt 24 is upon us. MATTHEW 24 SIGNS! "No man knows the day nor the hour when these things will happen, but Jesus said when you "see" these things, signs of wars and rumor of wars, apostasy in the churches, departing from the truth of Jesus Christ, hearts becoming cold, many calling evil good, and good evil, earthquakes, fires, failing of governments, divisions among families and societies, Jesus said, "When you "see" these things, know that my return is near, the rapture of His church will happen soon, be ready my friends...Jesus is coming...the last days is upon us! Are you born again? Have repented of your sins, and believed in your heart and confess with your mouth Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the Life; no man can come to the father or have everlasting life but through me". nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers' places. All these are the beginning of sorrows". 

Watch, Pray, and Stay Grounded

It is tempting, in times like these, to look at the headlines and say, “This is it.” But God warns us to watch carefully, not carelessly. Prophecy is meant to prepare us, not panic us.

We must remember: God’s plan is perfect, His timing sovereign, and His wisdom far above ours. No leader, no treaty, and no board of peace will move one inch beyond what He allows. Yet Jesus also said, “When these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:28).

So we watch — not in fear, but in faith. We pray for Israel. We discern world events with sober minds and open Bibles. And above all, we stay ready — because the same Lord who warned of false peace will one day bring everlasting peace when He reigns from Jerusalem Himself. Until then, the headlines may keep coming, but prophecy will never change: the world is racing toward a covenant that only Christ Himself can truly fulfill.

 My friends, repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you shall be saved.... We are living in the last days. Be ready. Jesus said unto Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, unless a man is born again (saved), he cannot see the kingdom of God". (John 3:16/ Romans 10;9-10/ 1 Cor 15:1-4)

 Prophetic Watchmen R.O.H-

R.O.H prophecy group (Reapers of the Harvest) Greenville SC, is an outreach ministry focused on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ soon return through scripture prophetically.