Understanding the Spirit of Antichrist

Fred Handschumacher

Anyone who has read or studied the Bible is familiar with the topic of the antichrist. This futuristic personality holds center stage in most all discussions of Bible eschatology (The study of the "end times"). The antichrist is described as a powerful leader (possessed by Satan) who will head a "one world" government during what is known as the tribulation period in the book of Revelation (II Thessalonians 2:1-17). While some Christians might look at his appearance as "off in the future", the early first century church saw things differently. We are given a warning in I John 2: 18-23:

"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. 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. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." (KJV)

In this Scripture, the apostle John gives us some of the clearest characteristics of the antichrist that will come. But, he also said that many antichrists already existed in his time. As we study more about the end times we discover that there will be an antichrist (a single man) that will ultimately fulfill the prophecy. But there are also many other antichrists that will arise before him that will possess the same spirit and characteristics, but will not have the same mission. This "spirit of antichrist" throws our discussion about counterfeit Christianity into a whole new light. John continues his thought in I John 4:2-3:

"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 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." (KJV)

It does little good to proclaim the gospel if you don't include warnings about false teachings that oppose and confuse its message. In the first century, there was a popular teaching that Jesus Christ was actually a "spiritual" entity who didn't have a fleshly body. It was part of a heresy known as "Gnosticism". Gnosticism is still popular today except it hides behind different names. False teachers tried to replace the idea that Jesus Christ walked the earth in a fleshly body with the idea that he was just a "spiritual" being with no physical substance. You see if Jesus didn't have a real body like we do, his sacrifice at the cross becomes meaningless. The heresy goes much deeper than these facts. But, it was this false idea that the apostle John was addressing in the Scripture above. To John, confronting this lie was important for the spiritual well being of the believer. Confronting some of the religious lies about Jesus today is just as important for the same reason.

The term "anti" is sometimes misunderstood. It doesn't mean "opposite of" like some believe. The word "anti" means "to stand against or to replace". In reference to antichrist, it is an effort to replace the Biblical Jesus with a look-alike Jesus who holds to a contrary set of standards and beliefs. Some Christians believe they will easily identify the antichrist when he arrives on the scene. They see him as an outwardly evil person. However, the Bible does not agree with this assessment. The antichrist will appear as an outwardly good person who appears to love and care for people. The antichrist is a counterfeit, a look-alike. Jesus said in Matthew 24: 24 & Mark 13:22:

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (KJV)

Jesus said that these "false Christs" could deceive even his own people. The teachings of these counterfeit Christs are incredibly deceptive. The apostle Paul warned us in Romans 16: 17-18:

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

The Bible has many such warnings. They go unheeded because our modern day theology places a high priority on "church unity"--which is a peace that ultimately comes at the expense of God's truth. This unity sounds good and is taught in many churches, but it is a false unity manufactured by man's philosophy. You can sometimes hear its tenants in teachings where Christians are instructed to "walk in love". It sits at the forefront of almost all evangelistic and church growth programs. However, it is not something that originates with God. You might say, "Didn't Jesus say we were to love one another?" Yes, Jesus did teach and practice this way of life. However, you saw a totally different side to Jesus when you pushed religious lies at him. He was very confrontational about anything that warped people's concept of God because he valued truth more than a "unity" which sacrificed the truth. Jesus did not say that he is "the way, the unity and the life. Jesus said he is "the way, the truth and the life". Truth has a "dividing" affect that causes offense. Jesus did not avoid offending people when the truth was under attack.

The doctrines (or teachings) of antichrist are experienced in various "degrees" depending on what is being taught. All Christians have experienced its effects to one extent or another. On the lighter side, a doctrine of antichrist, if believed, can rob a Christian of Christ's blessings and render them ineffective for God's kingdom--while still keeping their salvation. On the destructive side, doctrines of antichrist can cause people to miss God's salvation entirely by convincing them to put their trust in a false gospel.

The Gnostic Heresy

Gnosticism is a system of thought that was gaining acceptance around the time of the early first century Christian church. The words of the apostle John in our example above were directed at these Gnostic teachers. Some Bible scholars believe that it predates Christianity. Its teachings were a constant threat to the truth of the Gospel. There were many aspects to Gnosticism. It has been said that trying to define it in general terms is a waste of time because of its complexity. For that reason, we will not go into great detail in this article except to cover some main points.

Gnosticism teaches a salvation through knowledge. The name "Gnostic" comes from the Greek words gnosis "knowledge" and gnostikos, "good at knowing". While this definition is predominate, it does not cover all aspects of this system of thought.

Webster's dictionary defines Gnosticism as "an occult salvational system...stressing knowledge of spiritual things as essential...combining ideas derived especially from mythology, ancient Greek philosophy, ancient religions, and eventually, from Christianity. (Webster's New World Dictionary, Simon & Schuster, Inc.)

A Gnostic can be viewed as a "spiritual elitist" who believed they possessed a special ability to discern spiritual knowledge. This cosmic knowledge or "divine spark" as it was called, is given far greater importance than God's Word. To a Gnostic, there are no checks and balances allowed on their special knowledge except for the ones that they place on themselves. Gnosticism has some of its roots in pantheism--another heresy which believed that man, earth, creation and the universe were one with God. Most of the modern day environmental movement is based in pantheism. Gnostic thought promoted the idea that man and God were the same. Experiencing this revelation was the foundation for Gnostic salvation. It was a salvation that was NOT based on the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, but on the "revelation" of man's goodness. Gnostic salvation was basically a "Christ-less salvation" that was attributed to "God". However, the Gnostic God is not the God of the Bible.

One aspect of the "Gnostic gospel" in the church today are those who believe that the "goodness" of a person ensures their salvation. Anytime you see a form of "salvation" being taught that excludes Jesus--you're probably seeing a form of Gnosticism. Several years ago I was on my way home from work when I turned on the radio to hear some local news. I listened to the interview of a state lawmaker who expressed her "disgust" for those of us who believe in the "born again" experience. She described herself as a Christian who went to church every Sunday and knew that she was "saved"--but didn't need Jesus to save her. There are lots of people with this belief--and churches that teach it. However, it's not something that is only taught in church. When they're not slandering followers of Christ, the filmmakers in Hollywood portray Christians in this light. The most damaging of all heresies is the idea that a person will go to heaven because they've "turned over a new leaf" or decided to turn away from some illicit lifestyle to live a moral life. It might even be someone who has decided to start going to church--thinking that this "display of goodness" is sufficient for God to reserve a place in heaven for them. People get hostile if you share with them the idea that a good and upstanding family member will not attain heaven because they didn't receive salvation through Jesus Christ. They can't grasp the fact that the "goodness" of a person cannot provide God's salvation. They may believe with all their heart that a particular family member is "in heaven". However, their belief is not based on what God has said, but upon emotions and feelings. What God says about His salvation is reality--not the erroneous beliefs of religious people. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO IT IS--GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS. If you can get to heaven by being a good person--then Jesus wasted his time dying for your sins on the cross. Millions of "good" people have left this life for an eternity in hell because of this heresy.

The Authoritarian Error

The apostle John dealt with religious counterfeits who denied that Jesus had existed "in the flesh". Other false teachers troubled the early church by proclaiming a gospel that "added" obedience to the Mosaic Law as a requirement for salvation under the new covenant (Acts 15:1-6). We still have these same counterfeits with us today along with many new ones. Many of the new ones are just variations and mixtures of the old ones. Therefore, they are more dangerous and harder to detect. The one that personally alarms me is the "authoritarian error", which I discussed at length in the article entitled,"Illegitimate Authority". I am passionate about this error because I've seen the devastated lives it has caused. I'm familiar with the masks it hides behind and the diversion tactics it uses when challenged. I'm addressing the subject again because of the "antichrist" characteristics it possesses. Many Christians fail to consider the consequences when they allow a man-centered authority to be inserted between themselves and Jesus. As I've said before, this essentially removes Jesus from the throne of your life and REPLACES him with a human authority that claims to represent God. I consider this process an act of the spirit of antichrist because it substitutes man's authority in the place of God's authority--and then proclaims itself as "God's authority". It has been a religious practice for centuries. It is a mirror image of what the man antichrist will do at the end of the age when he proclaims himself God. The people who practice this kind of theology are intensely sincere in their beliefs and in their love for God. They believe with all their heart that they are serving God's interests. They reverence the name of Jesus and sing his praises in worship. Yet, their sincerity is what makes them so persuasive and so dangerous. Some sectors of the church do not consider its members in possession of salvation unless they place themselves under this kind of authority. I wasn't as concerned when I thought it was just an isolated experience. I became more alarmed when I suddenly realized that it is a widespread practice in many churches to one degree or another. It is a direct attack on the source of the Christian's salvation--but it is not perceived as such. It is considered "normal" for millions of professing Christians--and I've heard all the scriptures used to justify these actions. I am not saying that people who practice this belief are not real Christians. But, I would say that they have seriously compromised the Lordship of Jesus in their lives while being deceived into believing they are submitted "under God's authority". When you consider this in the light of Scripture, the consequences are troubling.

Anytime you see an earthly authority substituting itself and its ways--in the place of God and his ways, you're seeing the spirit of antichrist in operation. Once you understand what to look for you will notice that the spirit of antichrist is very active today. And, you will be astonished that most Christians don't seem to notice. The apex of the role of antichrist in the book of Revelation is where he (as a man) seats himself in the temple in Jerusalem and proclaims himself to be God (II Thessalonians 2:1-17). This is a future event soon to occur. There is a direct connection between this "end time" man we call antichrist and the spirit of antichrist which operates behind the mask of religion perverting Biblical truth and God's character. Our only defense is to be armed with knowledge of God's Word.





Copyright © 2001 Rock of Offence
Most recent revision September 2001