What does the Bible say about who is the antichrist?
Source
We all have real and divine knowledge about the true Christ and his redemptive work for mankind, however, the Lord Jesus himself warned his disciples about the false Christs that will come in his name during the last days.
But who is the antichrist really?
In the book of Revelation we are told that a world dictator will emerge, that Satan's power will be reversed and he will say that the prerogatives of God are his (Rev. 13: 1-18; 2 Thess. 2: 4). He will be assisted by a false prophet, who will make signs in the name of the dictator (Revelation 13: 13-15; 19:20).
We know that the book of Revelation was written in a period when Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire; also that the Roman emperors considered themselves gods, ordered to build statues and demanded to be worshiped by their subjects. I think those ancient dictators were typical of the world dictator of the last days. There is always the possibility that the antichrist is already in the world. This man will appear as a great leader, speaking wisely and making all non-Christian peoples worship him. For them it will represent the utmost wisdom and offer answers to all their problems (Rev. 13:18).
For a figure like the antichrist to appear in the modern world, there must be a bankruptcy in the world order, as we know it now. There must be a monetary crisis, a collapse of the law and international institutions, and the power structures of national states.
A financial panic could pave the way. The same would happen in the case of a nuclear war. Catastrophes like these would encourage people to cry out for a man of peace, which would constitute a satanic imitation of Jesus Christ. That man will look like Jesus until he shows his true face. Then it will be incredibly cruel (Dan 7: 8). The antichrist will be the most frightening example of dictatorial power the world has ever known.
Remember that the spirit of the antichrist is in anyone who tries to separate people from Jesus, saying "worship me." The spirit of the antichrist is often present in our day when we pay tribute and venerate governments, dictators, military leaders and other human figures. The systems taught in our schools, in the media or in the intellectual media are very similar to those that will eventually lead people to the antichrist, because this will be the consummate figure of humanism.
As Christians we must have the information about this false prophet that will deceive the nations and even the elect to be able to discern the time we are living and be alert as the prudent virgins. Thanks for sharing @elpastor
ricci01.
"For a figure like the antichrist to appear in the modern world, there must be a bankruptcy in the world order, as we know it now. There must be a monetary crisis, a collapse of the law and international institutions, and the power structures of national states."
This had already happened multiple times in multiple societies. Since forever people have clung to their generation being the end of times. One thing history has been consistent about is that those claiming validity to this claim by using the book of revelation have consistently been wrong every time a claim was made and the time had lapsed.
People continue to plug in their interpretations the same way people do when it comes to Nostradamus. Hell, the catholic religion didn't even view this book as acceptable until after Martin Luther separated from the church in 1500 AD. Up until that time the catholic church thought the book of revelation was written to be divisive within the church. The book was seen as nothing more than a confrontational decree.
However I find it hard to find value in claims being made by third party knowledge. A revelation given to a man by God. The entire bible is full of claims made by individuals and passed on as fact that never was required to provide reasoning or validation to their initial claims. Not only do i find it hard in trusting these claims, its terrifying to see people claim that education is being used as a source to lead us to the anti Christ. That claim is absurd.
Religion depends on persuasion because it can not depend on education. Persuasion is the top offence when trying to convince someone of something that you can not prove. If you did not require persuasion you would depend solely on education as we would be teaching people facts in reality rather than convincing them in the supernatural.