Friend,
Starting with Franklin D. Roosevelt almost every president of the United States has been termed as Antichrist at some point of time or other. There could be various reasons for this practice.
Not only American presidents, many political leaders, heads of the nations, religious leaders have been termed as Antichrist. Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, Hitler and many more were termed as Antichrist.
The criteria of terming someone as Antichrist appears to be simple: anyone who opposes our political or religious views could be termed as an Antichrist.
This may raise a few eyebrows, but it is sad fact that this whole business of pointing fingers at one's opponents as Antichrist was started by none other than Martin Luther, who was a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.
Here is Martin Luther's definition (identification of Antichrist):
We here are of the conviction that the papacy is the seat of the true and real Antichrist...personally I declare that I owe the Pope no other obedience than that to Antichrist." (Aug. 18, 1520) ~ The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 2., pg. 121 by Froom.(In all probability, some Catholics may have considered Martin Luther or even the entire Protestantism as the Antichrist.)
What does the Bible say about Antichrist?
The only NT author who used the word Antichrist is Apostle John. (1Jn 2:18; 1Jn 2:22; 1Jn 4:3; 2Jn 1:7).
Timing of the appearance of the Antichrist:
1Jn 2:18 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. (capitalization is mine).
1Jn 4:3 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.I am sure you will agree with me that Apostle John did not write his epistles in the 20th or 21st centuries.
The Greek word used for "now" (νῦν, G3568) is always translated as "now", "present time", "this time", "this world" ... and NEVER translated in any futuristic sense. Same is the case with the Greek word translated as "already" (ἤδη G2235) and it is always translated as "already", "now" ...
So, the Antichrist was present right in the first century, as John was penning his epistles. Needless to say, we have to honor the audience relevance. It makes absolutely no sense for Apostle John to tell his first century audience that "even now there are many Antichrists" if the Antichrist were to appear much later. I am pretty sure that Roman Catholic Church did not exist in the first century. While I have no love for Roman Catholic Church, the claims of the likes of Martin Luther that John had RC in mind while writing this verse is bad exegesis and poor discernment!
Characteristics of the Antichrist:
1Jn 4:3 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.
2Jn 1:7 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.Though 2Jn 1:7 is not very specific, 1Jn 4:3 makes this specific and clear: every spirit that denies the fact that Jesus Christ who came in the flesh is from God is Antichrist.
Please ask yourself:
- Do not Catholics accept that Jesus Christ came from God?
- Do not Protestants believe that Jesus Christ came from God?
- Frankly, even Islam accepts that Jesus came from God, though they say he was just a prophet!
- In India, even Hindus accept that Jesus came from God!
- Do any of these groups fit the bill as Antichrist(s)?
1Jn 2:22 WHO IS A LIAR BUT HE THAT DENIETH THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST? HE IS ANTICHRIST, THAT DENIETH THE FATHER AND THE SON.Can anyone show me a Christian group that denies the fact that Jesus is the Christ? Do Catholics deny it? Protestants? Mormons? Jehovah's Witnesses? A vast majority of Christians are unaware of the meaning of the words "Christ" and "Messiah", they presume that Jesus means Christ and vice versa. Whatever be Martin Luther's view, it is really inane to think that any Christian would deny that Jesus is the Christ!
How about denying the Father and the Son?
Can anyone show me a Christian group that denies the Father and the Son? Are there any group like that? Does believing Trinity mean denying the Father and the Son? Hardly, unless one is incensed against trinity believers.There is only one group that existed in the first century, that denied/denies that Jesus is from God and denies the Father & the Son.
There is no prize for guessing! It is Jews and Jewish religion and none else fits the bill.
Am I being anti-Semitic?
If telling a hard truth makes me anti-Semitic, so be it. How many of you count Apostle Paul of being Anti-Semitic?1Th 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of THE JEWS:
1Th 2:15 WHO BOTH KILLED THE LORD JESUS, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and THEY PLEASE NOT GOD, AND ARE CONTRARY TO ALL MEN:Can we read the same scripture with a slightly different emphasis?
1Th 2:15 WHO BOTH KILLED the Lord Jesus, and THEIR OWN PROPHETS, and have PERSECUTED US [Apostles & Saints]; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: (words enclosed in [] are added).For me this verse is very, very close to this verse:
Rev 18:24 And IN HER WAS FOUND THE BLOOD OF PROPHETS, AND OF SAINTS [APOSTLES vs. 20], and of all that were slain upon the earth. (words enclosed in [] are added)Frankly, I prefer to be termed as Anti-Semitic than to be identified with the killers of Jesus, Apostles, Prophets and Saints.
You may have a bad opinion about the American President or a leader of the nation from the Middle East, but that is not the criteria for deciding who is the Antichrist. Study the scriptures, keeping in mind the audience relevance!
In Christ,
Tomsan Kattackal
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