Potential antichrists

topher694

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I am suggesting not someone born into that role of antichrist (like in the films when they look in the mirror and there is a birthmark or something), but someone who at some point takes that course.
In the end, to us here on earth, both of these would look exactly the same. Only God, who knows the heart, would be able to know this for sure. So ultimately, while an interesting question, practically speaking it doesn't matter in the least. What matters for us is growing from faith to faith and glory to glory into His image, and pointing people to Jesus while we can.
 
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dms1972

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Some people seemed to miss the point of my post, please read the content, not just the title. Its about the possibility of turning from a anti-christian direction or course in life.

Its not about the mark of the beast or the identity of the antichrist.
 
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dms1972

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My OP is just a different take on the question that is all. Many of these films tend to depict only people out to kill the antichrist, because they assume he just grows up and realises this about himself at some point, and must be killed because he is the antichrist. They never depict the averting of an person from taking an antichrist direction in life, which i think would be interesting. In the end the films use a lot of dramatic licence, which distorts what the Bible really calls for, with a bunch of bungling priest-assassins hunting down the anti-christ and what not. That is because depicting the patient endurance on the part of the saints is not appealing to action oriented film audiences . So they come up with daft priest-hitman squads and whatnot.
 
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dms1972

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Below is a fool-proof, 4-question litmus test that you can use to "test for antichrists" from the safety and comforts of your own home. Try it -- it works!

Instructions: Take any person you want and run them through St. John's biblical test below. A "yes" for all four questions gives a positive identification -- a single "no" disqualifies. Remember, it's the BIBLICAL test to discover antichrists.

BIBLICAL LITMUS TEST TO DISCOVER "ANTICHRISTS"
-- Four Questions--

#1) Has the person departed from the apostles' flocks, defecting from the true Christian faith to join "many deceivers" after first appearing to be a member?

"even now many antichrists have appeared ... THEY WENT OUT FROM US, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us they would have remained with us; but they went out" (1 Jn 2:18-19)

"For many deceivers have GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD ... this is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2 Jn 1:7)

"but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world ... this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world" ( 1 Jn 4:1, 3)

#2) Does this ex-church member now embrace and promote the specific heresy that makes a confession that Christ did not come in the flesh?

"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who don't confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the Antichrist" (2 John 1:7)

"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit who doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. " (1 Jn 4:2-3)

#3) Does this ex-church member, among many others who now embrace and promote the heresy about Christ not having ever come in the flesh, also try to claim the Father without having the Son (thereby denying both, according to John's teaching: Jn 15:23; Jn 5:23; Jn 8:42)?

"This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the son Whoever denies the Son DOES NOT HAVE THE FATHER; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also." (1 Jn 2:22-23)

#4) Does this person have a vital connection to St. John, who cites his presence in his own day as a sign that the the last hour of the endtimes is come upon the world?

"just as you heard that antichrist is coming, EVEN NOW MANY ANTICHRSTS HAVE APPEARED; FROM THIS WE KNOW IT IS THE LAST HOUR. They went out from us," (1 Jn 2:18-19)

HOW'D YOU SCORE?

Remember: A "yes" for all four questions gives a positive identification -- a single "no" disqualifies.


I have moved on from churches because they seemed too entertainment oriented, or simply I could not make much progress in fellowship, but never because they preached the Atonement or Incarnation of Christ.
 
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Hazelelponi

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I had forgotten that but that is not what I am about, if you read my thread I am not really interested in pinning the tail on one person, but just wondering is there a point before which some potential individuals could (by God's Grace) take a different course.

I am suggesting not someone born into that role of antichrist (like in the films when they look in the mirror and there is a birthmark or something), but someone who at some point takes that course.

Every single person who denies the Christ is an anti-christ, according to scripture, which also says there will be many..
 
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dms1972

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Sorry for the confusion. What I mean by 'pre-ordained lines' is that the political and spiritual forces within the history of human life which take us into the future are 'set' by God. Some prophecies can be contingent, but I'm under the impression that the book of Revelation isn't one of those.

Of course, but to turn a sinner from his ways isn't to change the course of the future from what is already known that people will do. What it will 'mean' for us, I think, is that we Christians, even when we do our Holy Spirit filled 'best' to reach lost people for Christ, will often fail more often than we succeed.

We don't know in advance, for we are within Time. People have turned from the Faith and later come back again CS Lewis for instance. He said that during his boarding school days, he heard the doctrines of the Bible taught by men who very much believed them, then he drifted in a sort of 'higher thought' direction. Of course his return was by the Grace of God. If he had not come back, given Lewis's powerful intellect, literary knowledge etc. he might have become a very formidable enemy of christianity! Thankfully the Lord intervened.
 
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dms1972

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The Pharisees said much the same thing, too, and they were wrong in what they were looking for.

Yes for now, guessing, adding up letters, tracing bloodlines and worrying about microchips is not supposed to be occupying the mind of the christian (I don't say they should never consider the question) but the main focus is to be hoping and watching for Jesus glorious appearing.
 
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TribulationSigns

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I wonder do we hang too much on popular film depictions like The Omen series films at times.

When will you guys stop looking for a "candidate" for "thee" antichrist as if there will be one coming with satanic supernatural power to rule the world and force everyone to receive a physical mark on their right hands or forehead. SIGH!

This is NOT what God talked about in Scripture. People are trying to link the "beast", the "little horn", the "man of sin", etc. to a "he" in Daniel 9:27 or elsewhere to make it sounds like a one person where God did NOT say.

Simply put, the antichrist is ANYONE with the spirit of antichrist or disobedience. God sees every individual without His Spirit as the antichrist.

For further study, read "Who is the antichrist?"
 
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topher694

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When will you guys stop looking for a "candidate" for "thee" antichrist as if there will be one coming with satanic supernatural power to rule the world and force everyone to receive a physical mark on their right hands or forehead. SIGH!

This is NOT what God talked about in Scripture. People are trying to link the "beast", the "little horn", the "man of sin", etc. to a "he" in Daniel 9:27 or elsewhere to make it sounds like a one person where God did NOT say.

Simply put, the antichrist is ANYONE with the spirit of antichrist or disobedience. God sees every individual without His Spirit as the antichrist.

For further study, read "Who is the antichrist?"
You could very well be right. I have spiritual mentors who share similar views. However, truth is when it comes to Bible prophecy being fulfilled no one ever gets it 100% right. Even after it is fulfilled it usually takes time for people to catch up. So, I believe it is possible that it will be a single person. Perhaps the points you make - what I would call people operating in an "antichrist spirit" - will pave the way for a person of the same spirit to rise up and lead them.

Again, when it comes to Bible prophecy yet to be fulfilled, we'd would all be wise to remember that we will be wrong about how it will unfold at some level. If we could figure it all out ourselves, what would that say about God? But what I do know is: when it does happen, it will all line up and make sense. :)
 
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Douggg

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What do you think of this concept, that there are people who could potentially become the antichrist but might not. In other words they could repent before they take that course. Satan entered Judas Iscariot at a certain point.
No, one specific individual who will make the choices in life to end up becoming the Antichrist.

Whoever that person is - the reason he does not just change course in his life, even given that so much has been said of the Antichrist ahead of time... is that he is a Jew.

Jews are trained within Judaism, by them who oppose Christianity, that the New Testament, including Revelation, is fairy tales. I have be told many times in my discussions with countermissionary Jews that in the Tanach (their term for the Jewish Bible) there is no such thing as the Antichrist. That it is a fairy tale coming out of Christianity. I have told many many times, they consider the New Testament and prophecies about the Antichrist as "irrelevant".

So the person has been indoctrinated not to believe in something considered as fairy tales in Judaism. So he will have no reason to change course and not go down that road.
 
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Sabertooth

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...or the identity of the antichrist.
Your question was whether multiple individuals could satisfy the Beast-specific prophecies. One limiting factor to that question was the qualities of his name.
 
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Douggg

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I wonder do we hang too much on popular film depictions like The Omen series films at times.
It is not just the films, that have molded the public, but it is the popular bible prophecy commentators, like Perry Stone, JVI, Chuck Missler, Joel Richardson, who have done a lot to increase awareness about the Antichrist in the last 30 years. Which is good. But they have reached a plateau, because they never really grasped that the person is the Antichrist only for the short time he is the King of Israel.

It is impossible to comprehend the matter of the Antichrist without knowing that.

So none of them in their bible prophecy conferences, which they gather a following because there is a real desire among many in the body of Christ, which they wow the audience, with their latest prophecy updates, have a clue.
______________________________________________________________________

The person who eventually becomes the Antichrist, will first become the leader of the EU after the EU has transformed into a ten leader form of government. The person will be a Jew, and will have a determined look about himself. That's all you need to look for.

The little horn role is the first of his roles on the path to his destruction.
 
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Douggg

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Your question was whether multiple individuals could satisfy the Beast-specific prophecies. One limiting factor to that question was qualities of his name.
That's a good point.

What is not known for certain if the 666 is associated with his birth name, or maybe is associated as being his title when he becomes the beast - like "Fuerher" was applied to Adolph Hitler.
 
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TribulationSigns

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You could very well be right.

I am.

I have spiritual mentors who share similar views.

Tell them I said hi.

However, truth is when it comes to Bible prophecy being fulfilled no one ever gets it 100% right.

True since I am 99.9% accurate. Just kidding. Seriously I agree. :p

Even after it is fulfilled it usually takes time for people to catch up.

What fulfillment did you talk about that people had to catch up?

So, I believe it is possible that it will be a single person.

Of course, because you have been indoctrinated on this. Allow me to correct this theory...

I can only tell you that the "single man" theory is not the "Biblical" view. The Antichrist is neither one single individual person, nor a political entity, nor the Pope, nor the Papal system. Antichrist is the spirit that was in the world long before the Papal system existed. Long before the Dispensationalism was created by man. Long before Jesus Christ was born. Obviously! According to Scripture, it is the spirit of Satan.

1st John 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."
It is abundantly clear from the mouth of God that Antichrist is a spirit and was in the world when the Apostle John was inspired to pen this passage, and is in the world now. The only spirit that would qualify is the spirit being Satan. Why some Christians cling to the church convention and customs of Antichrist being the Papal system, a single man from Europe or Middle East, or political power, has more to do with following tradition and interpretations of men, than with sound exegesis of the texts. Period!

Now as for the 2nd Thessalonians verse, the man of sin is merely descriptive, just as I would say, "Christ came that the man of God would be revealed." It doesn't mean there is just one man of God, it means the man of God is revealed in Christ. Each one of us with the Spirit of God is "the man of God!" The righteous man. By that same token, each one with the spirit of Satan is the man of sin (lawlessness) or antichrist.

2nd Timothy 3:16
  • "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
  • That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
This doesn't mean there is one singular "Man of God," rather it is descriptive of the man who is righteous. Likewise, the man of sin coming is descriptive of sinful man who will be revealed (or uncovered) at this later time to rule as the "authority" in God's house. In other words, to rule in lawlessness in place of God like Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers, etc. For example, he rules by the spirit of Antichrist, which means the substitute or false Christ.

Selah!

Again, when it comes to Bible prophecy yet to be fulfilled, we'd would all be wise to remember that we will be wrong about how it will unfold at some level. If we could figure it all out ourselves, what would that say about God? But what I do know is: when it does happen, it will all line up and make sense. :)

Well, the Lord Judges! :)
 
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topher694

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What fulfillment did you talk about that people had to catch up?

Good example is Jesus himself:
John 12:16 - The disciples didn’t notice the fulfillment of many Scriptures at the time, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that what was written about him matched what was done to him.


Of course, because you have been indoctrinated on this. Allow me to correct this theory...
Because someone doesn't come to the same conclusion as you about FUTURE events does not make them indoctrinated. I have personally studied all of this a great, great deal, I have been told by literally no one what I should believe (well, aside from you). Additionally I have found that bravado and throwing around terms like indoctrinated about such topics helps absolutely no one and is more likely to turn people away from Christ than towards Him.
 
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dms1972

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When will you guys stop looking for a "candidate" for "thee" antichrist as if there will be one coming with satanic supernatural power to rule the world and force everyone to receive a physical mark on their right hands or forehead. SIGH!

This is NOT what God talked about in Scripture. People are trying to link the "beast", the "little horn", the "man of sin", etc. to a "he" in Daniel 9:27 or elsewhere to make it sounds like a one person where God did NOT say.

Simply put, the antichrist is ANYONE with the spirit of antichrist or disobedience. God sees every individual without His Spirit as the antichrist.

For further study, read "Who is the antichrist?"

That looks like a helpful study, I have only started to read it. Thanks for linking

I want to ask a couple of questions however. What about people who have not heard the Gospel? Is it not the case that the antichrists [plural] John speaks of went out from amongst believers, suggesting perhaps people in churches who heard the Gospel then rejected Christ?

John also say "As you have heard that the antichrist [he who will oppose Christ in the guise of Christ] is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen." Amplified 1 John 2:18

So while yes it is important to recognise that John speaks of antichrists[plural] that were around even in his day, yet he also does seem to indicate a final Antichrist will come on the scene at some point. This idea of a final end time Antichrist did not come into peoples minds without some Biblical warrant.

Its been a view held from at least patristic times, its not just modern: see this article by John Henry Newman

Newman Reader - Antichrist - Lecture 1

The term fore-runner of Antichrist is sometimes used in literature also. Just as Jesus Christ had a fore-runner so also apparently there will be a fore-runner of Antichrist.
 
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Blade

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Everything is already written. There is so much more to this then just some random person being possessed. Man of sin.. lawless one.. will be doing lying wonders. Things we have never seen. This is someone that KNOWS God..knows what who He is. And wants nothing to do with Him. Again its written. Now anyone that is anti-Christ can be saved. If your not saved you are anti Christ.

Its so strange to me. They still fight believing they can still win. To be that far gone so to speak that you can not see truth. The lie is now there truth.
 
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dms1972

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No, one specific individual who will make the choices in life to end up becoming the Antichrist.

Whoever that person is - the reason he does not just change course in his life, even given that so much has been said of the Antichrist ahead of time... is that he is a Jew.

Jews are trained within Judaism, by them who oppose Christianity, that the New Testament, including Revelation, is fairy tales. I have be told many times in my discussions with countermissionary Jews that in the Tanach (their term for the Jewish Bible) there is no such thing as the Antichrist. That it is a fairy tale coming out of Christianity. I have told many many times, they consider the New Testament and prophecies about the Antichrist as "irrelevant".

So the person has been indoctrinated not to believe in something considered as fairy tales in Judaism. So he will have no reason to change course and not go down that road.

Ok, thats interesting thanks for adding to the discussion.
 
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MayYouBeBlessed

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What do you think of this concept, that there are people who could potentially become the antichrist but might not. In other words they could repent before they take that course. Satan entered Judas Iscariot at a certain point.

I think the idea came into my head because of a story by Michael O Brien called Father Elijah. I haven't read it , but I heard the gist of the story was about a priest who is given the mission of calling a man who might become the antichrist to repentance. Maybe if someone has read the novel they can correct me if I have not explained it very well in the short synopsis.

I think this explains a lot and there have been quite a few leaders that people have wondered about from Henry Kissinger to Prince Charles.

I wonder do we hang too much on popular film depictions like The Omen series films at times.

My pastor always says that the Antichrist is or going to be the pope.
 
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