Tonight’s Bible study looked at 1 John 2:18 where John discusses both ‘the antichrist’ and ‘antichrists’. Clearly, the word can be split to describe anything or anyone which is anti-Christ: in other words, against Christ. We looked at different characteristics and attributes of Christ compared to the antichrist, who is clearly motivated and directed by the devil. Thus, Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-15), compared to the foolish or worthless shepherd of Zechariah 11 who does not care for the sheep at all. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6), whereas the antichrist is a liar like the devil (John 8:45). Jesus humbled himself and was obedient to death on a cross and as a result was exalted by His Father (Phil 2:8-9), but Satan exalted himself and was therefore cast down from heaven. (Is 14:12-15)
2 Thess 2:1-12 gives us further insight into the ‘man of lawlessness’ who will come and seek to lead people astray from worship of the true God. Jesus is the Son of God, but the antichrist is the ‘son of perdition’ (2 Thess 2:3 KJV). We need to be on our guard against the pervading anti-Christian attitude of the world and to live with constant anticipation of Christ’s return and with careful thought as to how this shapes and moulds our everyday behaviour.