Antichrist

This figure is prominent in the writings of St. John in the New Testament (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).

The name comes from the Greek word “antichristos.” It means something or someone opposed to Christ. Generally speaking, any force, person, practice, or behavior which is antagonistic to, and contrary to, Christ may be called “Antichrist.”

But there is a stronger and more concrete understanding of the term, as well. St. Paul, for instance, expects an anti-Christ type figure to appear just before the final return of Christ and the General Judgment. Here are some typical phrases from chapter two of 2 Thessalonians:

Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day (the day of the Lord) will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man or lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition… (who) takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God…  The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so to be saved (verses 3-10).

In the thirteen chapters of the book of Revelation the Antichrist is presented as “the beast out of the sea” and that many will worship him. In this description-certainly presented in strongly allegorical terms – the — Antichrist is presented as opposed to God, as being given energy and power by Satan, as supreme in military affairs, as one who exercises power and influence throughout the world, and who makes war on the believers, conquering many of them.

The same book of the Revelation in its 19th chapter speaks of the “beast” being captured and being thrown into “the lake of fire that burns with brimstone” (v. 21). Second Thessalonians says “… and then the lawless one will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him” (2:8). Prof. Andreas Theodorou, of the University of Athens School of Theology, says in his book E Peri Antichristou Idea (“The Idea of the Antichrist’), is of the opinion that the Bible and tradition teach that the reign of the Antichrist will last about three and one half years before he is destroyed by Christ. Why will such a reign of the Antichrist be permitted by God? Prof. Theodorou responds that the Antichrist will come, first, as a preliminary judgment of God upon the evil in the world, a foretaste of the ultimate destiny of all who reject God and oppose themselves to his will. Secondly, the appearance of the Antichrist will test the believers, and their suffering and martyrdom will prepare the way for them into the joyous Kingdom of God. “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself will be with them.”

To be continued