By Dr. Anne Davis

God tells us in His Word that “the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, is already in the world” (1 John 4:2). “Even now many antichrists have appeared” (1 John 2:18). This antichrist is also known in Scripture as “the lawless one” (2 Thess. 2:8), so we know that this lawless one is among us in our lives today. Will you be able to recognize him? How should you respond?

The most revealing description of this lawless one can be found in passages that describe the antichrist during the coming seven years known as the Great Tribulation. That is where we will begin, but our goal will be to recognize the lawless ones that are among us now. They are prophetic forerunners of the antichrist to come.

We learn that Satan will give this future antichrist his power and great authority (Rev 13:2). So, in the Great Tribulation the antichrist will be the political ruler of the world. Today the prophetic antichrists are also political rulers of some kind, not of the world but in some role of leadership.

The future antichrist will speak “arrogant words and blasphemies” (Rev13:5). The original Greek translated “arrogant” actually means very large or great (μέγας). As I read this passage, it seems to me that the antichrist will be boasting to make himself appear great to others. “Blasphemies” refers to abusive language that will undoubtedly be directed at any who criticize him or propose anything different from what he commands.

Then we learn that all on the earth during the Great Tribulation “will worship him” (Rev 13:8). I find this hard to imagine. Why would everyone submit in reverence to a liar, to someone who is immoral, who speaks false accusations, and boasts to make himself look great when he clearly is not. The answer is that Satan is the master of deceit. Scripture tells us that all will be deceived by this antichrist.

The Book of Revelation, which gives us much of our information about the future antichrist, is a commentary on the Old Testament Book of Daniel. Here is Daniel’s prophecy about the future antichrist.

Through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; And he will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many [the original Hebrew is corrupt many] while they are at ease [meaning while they feel secure]. Daniel 8:25

The New Testament also describes this future antichrist with similar words. He will come with “every deception of wickedness” (2 Thess. 2:10). Here “wickedness” means all that is immoral and contrary to God.

Now it is time to stop and look around us today. We are told that “even now many antichrists have appeared” (1 John 2:18). These lawless ones are prophetic forerunners of the antichrist to come.

There are many of these lawless ones among us. Scripture calls them “false prophets” [1 John 4:1] because they are preaching, teaching, and speaking words that are contrary to the righteousness and morality of God. God’s people are being deceived because they are attracted by what they want to hear.

So, how do we discern the dishonest words of false prophets? Remember, the speaker may believe what he or she is saying so the discourse may sound legitimate. I suggest that those who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit by their faith in Christ will have a nagging sense of concern that something is not quite right. When that happens, I encourage you to go to the Word of God, or ask someone whom you trust, to help you uncover God’s truth. Remember, Satan is the master of deceit.

There is even more unsettling information about what is happening around us. We learn that those who are deceiving us “went out from us” (1 John 2:19). That means they are Christians.

Here is further advice in Matthew’s gospel. There are many things that will occur that will cause you great concern, but “see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place” (Mat 24:6). Fear is an ungodly reaction because “God has not given us a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7) but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. Fear is a spiritual weapon of Satan and I think fear is often what allows us to be deceived.

So, God tells us in His Word that there are lawless antichrists among us now. They hold some kind of leadership position and they are false prophets because they speak and preach what is contrary to God. However, their lies can deceive us, especially if their words ease our fears and concerns. They may be living an immoral life or speaking blasphemous words, but we find excuses for this behavior.

Now comes an important question. What does God want us to do when we are aware of a lawless one in the body of Christ? We will have an inner feeling that what we are hearing is wrong. We must go to the Word of God to find God’s truth, and then we must stand on that truth by speaking and acting what is right with God.

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