The Anti-Christ

When I was younger I saw the movie, “The Omen.” It was the story of a family who had a son that turned out to be the Anti-Christ. He had all these super powers and evil things going on. It was a terrifying movie that captured the attention of movie goers in the 70s. It returned in a remake a few years ago and new audiences got to see the Anti-Christ as a child. This of course is Hollywood and had little to do with the Bible.

In the movies and books “Left Behind” and other similar Christian fiction stories the Anti-Christ is a literal figure who becomes leader of the entire world after the ‘rapture’ and during the seven years of tribulation as taught in dispensational theological circles. If you read my other articles you will find that rapture theology is not the only theology Christians hold too. I personally do not accept the “Left Behind” version of the ‘end times.’

However does this mean the Anti-Christ is a symbol and not literal? In the next blog I’ll write about the book of Revelation. Revelation does not use the word ‘anti-Christ.’ However the Bible does talk about this concept and it is important to study. Many Christians have believed in a figure called the Anti-Christ and this is true for those who do not hold to the rapture theology. Others have seen the Anti-Christ as a symbol. Let’s explore this concept.

There are those who believe that whatever view you hold that one day an Anti-Christ will have power on the earth and a great time of tribulation or suffering will happen. From the beginning of the church this view has been debated. For the first 1000 years Christians debated this topic and generally saw the Anti-Christ as “the spirit of heresy”, “Nero” or “the Roman Empire.” Some would argue that there are many Anti-Christs and not one universal one. In the last 1000 years Christians began to believe in one universal figure. Protestants would say it was a Pope or some world leader. Dispensationalists all believe in a universal figure and literal tribulation while others might debate this. The Anti-Christ or Anti-Christs appear in 1 John 2:18, 22, 4:3, 2 John 1:7. The “man of sin” is in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Some identify him with various figures in Revelation (the Beast, etc). Also see Matthew 24:5, 24:24. The most curious passage is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. At first reading it does appear to be a literal Anti-Christ. It is written though in the symbolic apocalyptic language! Some have read this literally and others as a symbol of the battle of evil. It is evil personified and like Revelation may be talking about Rome. When you read my blog article on Revelation you will see that book tends to use very symbolic language to teach a greater point. Some argue Revelation is all about the future and others that it is about the Christians struggle with the Roman Empire.

The biggest danger in Anti-Christ discussion is that in history particular people have been accused of being him! Sometimes it is nasty evil person. Other times it is a famous person. At one point this view was used to attack the Roman Catholic church and blast the Pope as being the anti-Christ being in league with him.

Some preachers will declare that there is one literal world leader coming into power and that he is already alive! Such talk can lead to panic, fear, and misunderstanding.

Having said all this I do stress that this again is a topic where much diversity exists. It is clear that there have been many anti-Christs as the Bible teaches. It is clear that there are many and will be many more. If there is one big major Anti-Christ only the future will show us this! And one does not have to accept a rapture view to hold to the view that this will happen (before anyone knew what the rapture was they believed in the Anti-Christ–for example Martin Luther and other reformers).

As Christians we must realize there are many who will oppose Christ and teach false lies. We must stand firm and have strong faith at such times. In some countries Christians are persecuted for their faith. They face daily struggles to serve Christ. Whatever we might face on this earth will not defeat us. Romans is clear in chapter 8 that suffering and tough times and even death may happen but nothing will separate us from the love of God (8:28-39).

Next up– Revelation

And the final article after that– Daniel

Then I’ll move onto a new topic!!

Derik