Who is the Antichrist?

This morning I am thinking about the book of Revelation and how many people I encounter have interpreted its prophecies. From the outset let me be clear, I disagree with this interpretation of the Bible, my thought is simply to express beliefs of others and then ask one simple question about how this interpretation should play out in the world. So many people believe that the Bible speaks of an Antichrist who will come at the end of the world to deceive people and set himself up as the ruler of the world. They look for this individual to be a global leader who will deceive many many people even trying to deceive Christians. The problem I find is that the individuals who believe this never seem to think that it is possible for them to be part of the deceived. They are so confident in their abilities to point out an Antichrist that they point out every possible person for this role, but never once do they seem to ask themselves who could deceive me? Who is the person who could potentially be my downfall? And when they point out, any potential Antichrist they never seem to point out people whose character is Antichrist or whose ideas or thoughts are Antichrist. They seem to point out people who they politically, culturally or theologically disagree with. Antichrist predictions always center around people who are alien or other Hitler, leaders of Russia, the pope. How are these individuals supposed to deceive Christians into siding with them? (Yes it is tempting to say the pope could but the people who claim the pope is the Antichrist are so anti-Catholic that they believe Catholics are outside the Church and so this point remains.)

If Satan truly is going to establish an Antichrist who is bent on deceiving Christians we should suspect that this individual would be a temptation to Christians. If the Antichrist is no temptation to Christians then why would Jesus talk of the elect being deceived in Matthew 24? So instead of focusing on figures who are simply enemies but pose no real temptation to Christians, I would ask anyone who truly believes this idea that there is an Antichrist coming to rule the world to begin looking for someone who is antichrist and who would be a temptation to Christians. What I mean by this is someone whose character is in conflict with the character of Jesus and the Fruit of the Spirit and who would also somehow convince Christians to support him. This individual would be motivated by greed, a desire for power, a desire to be honored, a person who is mean, cruel, spiteful, egotistical, etc. But this individual must also have a silver tongue because if they could not downplay these traits or hide them with charisma they would never convince anyone to follow them, they must demonstrate their true character only against outsiders because them they are a champion. This Antichrist would make claims that their negative character was only on display because they were angry about how their followers were treated, rather than admitting it was their true character.

How would this individual deceive Christians? By offering them power and control without love and character, the same way Satan tempted Jesus. Satan tempted Jesus with the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would give allegiance to Satan. This Antichrist would do the same promising Christians power and influence if they will simply keep him in control. The promises would be subtle and the Antichrist would certainly make claims of being on the side of Christian, however their character would betray them. Some, perhaps most, Christians would see through this charade but that would not matter. This individual would point out one or two issues where they were going to give Christians victories and say, “look what I’m doing for you, those who complain are simply fake Christians who don’t care about_______.” Such comments would certainly work, because those who bought in would see results, they would see power and influence used to bring about Christian goals and they would be elated. But these are the people who have forgotten that we are called to follow and imitate Jesus’ character. We are not called to force people to act like us, doing so is giving in to Satan. We are called to change the world by imitating Christ, taking on his character and allowing that character to influence others so they desire to be like Christ. Using power and authority to dictate “Christian values” will be a temptation but it is one that easily runs contrary to what Jesus wants for us. An Antichrist would use precisely this tactic giving us a prize while moving us away from the true goal.

As I said at the outset what truly puzzles me is that so many Christians think they are immune to this, they do not believe they are weak enough to fall for such a con. But the Bible tells us that we are easily led astray when we do not focus on Jesus. If I truly believed that there was an Antichrist coming who would rule the world and seek to deceive me I would certainly admit that it is possible and take precautions to prevent that. This of course is part of the normal Christian life, and the steps that we are called to take are to meditate on Jesus’ character, imitate Jesus’ character, and follow those who imitate Jesus’ character. Jesus says to keep watch against those who would deceive us, the deception is that we do not have to imitate Jesus’ life to gain the world. The deception is that we can implement “Christian values” without a desire to follow and imitate Christ. The deception is that if we force people to behave like us then they will accept Jesus and want to love him.

Now consider what I’m speaking against a movement and not a person.