Revelation—Everyday Bible Commentary by Charles C. Ryrie

Author:Charles C. Ryrie [Ryrie, Charles C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 1996-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Additional Note on the Title “Antichrist”

The term “antichrist” is a biblical one (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). It is used both of false teachers in John’s day (and by example it may be used of false teachers in any day) and of the coming Antichrist. In other words, the word is properly used in both the present and future and in both the singular and plural.

Which of these beasts is the Antichrist? The meaning of the word will not determine the answer, for both beasts are antichrists in the sense of being against Christ. Some feel that the second beast is the Antichrist because he has to do chiefly with religious matters, while the first Beast is principally concerned with political activities. But the first Beast is clearly a religious leader too, for he demands to be worshiped. Sometimes Daniel 11:37 is cited as showing that the Antichrist will be a Jew, and the reference is linked with the fact that the second beast comes from the land (symbolizing Israel). However, Daniel 11:37 might be translated “gods” as well as “God.” It seems to me that the label “Antichrist” is to be used with the more important personage, and that, of course, is the first Beast. First John 2:18 indicates that there is coming one great Antichrist. The Lord predicted that there would be many false prophets and many who claim to be Christ during the tribulation days (Matt. 24:11, 23–24). The title “Antichrist,” therefore, ought to be applied to the outstanding person among all these false people, and that is the first Beast. Also, the first Beast is the man of sin (2 Thess. 2:3), the little horn (Dan. 7:8), the prince that shall come (Dan. 9:26), the king who does as he pleases (Dan. 11:36), and the Beast (Rev. 11:7; 13:1–2; 14:9, 11; 16:2, 10, 13; 17:3, 17; 19:19–20; 20:4, 10).

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.