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Who is the Antichrist?

Few subjects have intrigued the student of prophecy more than the Antichrist—Man of Sin. Small wonder, all Bible-believing Christians with the Apostle John long to be united with our Heavenly Bridegroom at his return, the event which will bring the satisfying grand fulfillment of that blessed hope (Titus 2:13). Excited by Paul’s clue in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 that the Man of Sin must first be revealed before Christ returns, speculation on the identity of this mysterious figure has always been intense….

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25 comments to Who is the Antichrist?

  • bill

    I grew up a JW and I can tell you this that they won’t stand for false religion ….this is how they protect themselves from Satan and his ways…people don’t understand this because other religions let people do whatever.

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Bill – Thanks. It’s important to love Jehovah so much that we value the teachings in His Word above any Denominal Church teachings. So yes Bell. I can understand why JWs want to protect themselves from false religion. We must just remember, that if we beleive that the JW Organization is the right religion above all others, then we would expect them to allow that the authority of the Bible exceeds that of their Governing Body. Thanks Bill.

    • Jacqueline

      Bill, I once would say things like that because I never broke it down and thought about it but here are some facts you might consider, in love and peace I present them.
      It is the bible that should determine what is false and it does. JW have not been appointed to judge false religion. Rev:17 and 18th chapters clearly shows Babylon the Great will be judged along with the other systems at Armageddon. (Not judgment of individuals only systems)

      Rev. 19:15 “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[a] them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty”
      With his MOUTH HE SPEAKS THE WORD and it is done. This judgment is from Jehovah not the governingbody. So again they are out of their place. Judgment belongs to Jehovah and Jesus.
      Judgment to of the Whore:
      Rev 17:16 And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the whore; they will make her desolate and naked; they will devour her flesh and burn her up with fire.17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by agreeing to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.
      “Other religions let people do whatever” it is about control isn’t it? They should be Spiritual Leaders not controlling every minute facet of another’s life, such as medical decisions, schooling etc. In fact they boast of the DF of 40,000-60,000 a year from the congregation for fornication and adultery but hardly ever for pedophilia.
      Why does the Spiritual Paradise have so much corruption in it in the first place? One reason is they drag people in for the dollars they will provide and have not encouraged them to have a personal relationship with God that will really make them police themselves.
      With those numbers they are no different than the churches, the moral fiber is at least 40,000-60,000 a year bad at all times.

  • 1799 to present may well be the time of miry clay mixing with the iron and/or the ‘many roving and things becoming apparent’. Also a horn of the King of Greece grows to greatness in the end times, growing democracy.
    But the Ships of kittim against King of the North is a literal event, so I have to follow that line to the 11 v 30 Ships of Kittim ‘Battle of Masts’ 655ce.
    B

  • Sorry about this it seems the copy from word dropped the first page
    “Reader – Thanks. I enjoyed reading your thoughts and our thinking is similar in many regards. I think that for most people, the idea the Jesus has returned and the 1260 days ended is impossible to even consider. So this line of thinking is generally never considered or vetted. After all, why isn’t God’s Kingdom here yet. The answer is that a careful and detailed study of the Bible shows that prophetic events often play out over decades and centuries, not the few days, months or years people expect. Hence there was great disappointment and confusion from most people at Jesus first advent when He did not immediately set up the kingdom. I think the key with the 1260 days is that it covers the period of time when the Antichrist system has persecuting power over the saints.”
    — We are the same, parallel or just quite close sometimes. -B
    “Dan 7:25 (NKJV), “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.” (3 1/2 times = 3 1/2 years = 1260 symbolic days = 1260 actual years) Dan 12:7 (NAS), “it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power [to preach Truth] of the holy people, all these events will be completed.”Rev 13 (NKJV), “5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty–two months. (42 mos = 1260 days = 1260 years) 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.” “
    —On the three and a half pattern, which is given in differing formats in prophecy, my thinking at present is this is a bracketing time period. Because the two witnesses [revelation 11] carry out tasks of Moses and Elijah, and ends with rapture; so I think the multiplier is 3 ½ x1000 for Jehovah’s Day. A representative arrangement [in a sinful world] with God at the head has existed from the period of the Judges up till today, about 3500 years 2Peter 3 v 8. So the 1260years may terminate or mark a decline to the end at the 1335, 45 yrs later, or may apply as a label against the/all the 1335. I suggest this as something to keep in mind at present, not to make an issue of it, but, a 7 or 6 or 2 or 12 often are taken by significance rather than digital values.
    -B
    “So this Antichrist system had power to persecute the Saints for 1260 years. Has their power been broken? Of course. We can preach freely on the Internet, radio, door to door or wherever, without being thrown in jail, persecuted, tortured and killed. When did this end?
    Ended in 1799 when Napoleon took the Pope prisoner to France, where the Pope died. Papacy lost its civil authority and persecuting power in the French Revolution. Count back 1260 years and that takes you to 539, the year that the Eastern Roman Emperor appointed the Roman Bishop (Pope) as the Western Roman empires civil authority.”
    —A reasonable conclusion, but it is 200 years ago so; is it in the time of the end? And has the activity of this religious power truly ended? Groups of believers are still tormented by sectarian divisions occurring which are not resolved by brotherly love/accommodation/toleration. The Unitarian group has been particularly divided and divided again. Persecution hits individuals hard but is much less effective than materialism, luxury, pleasure and arrogance of self. [Flabby spirituality] Persecution inspires those who witness the martyrdom. Is this just a change in tactics –Satan has gone to Church?

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Reader – Thanks. Yes, I believe we have been in the “time of the end,” since 1799, for over 200 years. A very long time it seems, yet a short period in terms of mankind’s history since Adam. Let’s discuss this. Why couldn’t the time of the end be a long period of time, greater than two centuries???

      Covering the reasons in Volumes 2 & 3, would be like trying to summarize Advanced Algebra. However, let me take this approach. Can we agree that in the past couple of centuries, the world has been transformed? We have exited what seemed to be a permanent period of kings ruling, Church State Union and a permanent underclass in world societies. We have entered a new Jubilee period, where the cry rings out, Freedom! Liberty! Equality! Even Entitlement! This is brand new in history. Daniel 11 brings us up to the time of the end and Daniel 12 brings us 5 signs of the time of the end:
      1) Increase in knowledge (i.e. technology, mobile phones, Internet, etc.)
      2) Increase in travel (cars, planes, space travel)
      3) “children of your people delivered” (Israel a nation)
      4) Great time of trouble (world wars, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, Mao, Hitler, Stalin, etc. murder over 100 million non-combatants last century)
      5) Book of Daniel unsealed and explained (If not Volume 3, “Thy Kingdom Come,” then how is that fulfilled?)

      So if this does not prove that we have been in the time of the end and that Jesus (pictured here as Michael) has returned, then what does this all mean?

  • Sorry Peter lost the correct location to post this reply;
    “Yes, the Third Council of Constantinople : 680-681 A. D. was significant regarding doubling down on persecuting any who disagreed with the Trinity. However, I think what we want to look at is when the Church system had the Civil authority to control kings, civil government and thereby persecute the Saints.”
    —I have checked out various King N+S interpretations and most have reasonable logic, these are at least doing the homework.
    However there is a serious often un-noted problem with Daniel, in that Satan/Lucifer can read it too!
    This occasional angel of light, who can give ‘all these kingdoms’, can quite easily pop false leads in by shaping history, in addition to any of our own natural mistakes in getting to grips with the text. Satan cannot cause the prophecy to fail in any way, that’s outside his ball park. But if we are tricked to go early or late, he succeeds as much, as he can hope for.
    WE CAN PRESUME THE FOLLOWING;
    Satan if true to type will make some false leads, and some may occur by serendipity. Many events are in no way unique with just a few unique to help, so events might have to be on a reasonable scale; ‘event perspective’ as things near us in time may distort our view.
    AND:
    God will not lie in prophecy.
    The events for N & S will be sequential and our interpretation must adhere to His given direction.
    The starts are given, the end is ‘last days’ Daniel 12 v 9, our interpretation must also adhere to this.
    —-so we can stretch the measuring line; Greek to the end times with a pin to the messiah/leader in the middle, pin to the few unique events and try our best/vent our opinions on the rest.
    Third Council of Constantinople: 680-681 A. D. was called by Emperor Constans who had deployed Greek Fire against his attackers [arms, a military secret recipe a flame thrower of sorts ] after being nearly killed by them in the Battle of the Masts [Ships of Kittim]. Earlier they had taken Egypt [South] from him but he had not been able to wrest it back as previous Emperors.
    I have not been able to find as yet another successful attack by Ships of Kittim against a King of the North.
    This is unexpected just to find one candidate?
    There is more to note:
    We are not told that much!
    1290 nothing [should this number be a meaning rather than digits?]
    1335 happy at end of
    2300 Holy place now in good condition [so do 1335 & 2300 end together or nearly so? 2Samuel 6 v 14,15] does this link to Revelation 18 v 20?
    It may be that some event of the end times when seen, will make it all fall into place.
    We will not get the timing of the end, I think it’s like those new tents which fall out of the bag loose cloth and a few sticks. When the sticks are sorted to length and pushed down the correct slots a tent springs up, ready to use. Until you get the right sticks down the right holes you have rags and twigs only.
    With Daniel 2300, 1260, 1335, 3 ½ , we get to see the shape of what is going on, no more.
    —B
    Thank you for your questions, it been a good challenge.

  • Anonymous

    The word Antichrist is found four instances in the NT, namely in the epistles of John. In those instances John gives us the definition of the Antichrist and tells us that, “even now many antichrists have come.” (1John 2:18) He goes on to state, “It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:22)
    “but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” (1John 4:3)
    “I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.” (2 John 1:7).
    Given these definitions and the fact that many Antichrists had already come in John’s time, how can the Papacy fit the definition that John gives? The Papacy does not deny that Jesus is the Christ or the Son of God or that He came in the flesh.

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Bob – Thanks. An excellent question. Or perhaps you are just making a point… and a good one at that. Yes, there were many “antichrists” developing, especially by the time of John’s old age, the last of the Apostles. However, although there have always been those with the spirit of antichist, i.e. wolves in sheep’s clothing, there is one Antichrist System. In Revelation the Antichrist is called “Babylon, the Mother of Harlots.” Many scriptures speak of the horrible persecution this system would inflict on Jehovah’s faithful, particularly during the 1260 years Dark Ages period.

      Although many antichrist’s were developing, the pagan Roman empire through persecution, restrained that prideful group from developing into an organized system.

      2 Thess 2 (NASV)
      6 And now you know what is restraining (pagan Rome), that he (Anitchrist/papacy) may be revealed in his own time.
      7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work (spirit of Anitchrist); only He (pagan Rome) who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

      Pagan Rome was finally taken out of the way, when Constantine made Christianity the state religion. Now the Papal Church and Rome were beginning to persecute as heretics those who would not accept the corrupted new false teachings and doctrines.

      Daniel 7 (NKJV) “23 “Thus he said: `The fourth beast (Pagan Rome, then Papal Rome) shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces. 24 The ten horns are ten kings (European kings crowned by Popes) Who shall arise from this kingdom (Rome). And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones (Papacy), And shall subdue three kings (Barbarian attackers). 25 He (Papacy) shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. ( 3 1/2 times/years or 1260 years).

      Bob – This is all very well explained in Volumes 2 & 3 of Studies in the Scriptures. Have you ever read these books?

      Thanks for your comments.

      Peter K.

      • Anonymous

        Sarcasm does not become you, Peter. If you know who I am, then you know I’ve read/studied the volumes. I’ve also read articles and listen to talks from different brethren on the subject, none of which explain my question, just as you did not also. You give me a history of apostasy in the early church and debatable interpretations of the prophecy of Daniel, but do not answer the question. Therefore, let me put it in a different way. The apostle John under inspiration tells us what to look for in the antichrist namely:
        1. He will deny that Jesus is the Christ, ( 1 John 2:22)
        2. He will deny that Jesus is from God or that he is the Son of God (1 John 2:23)
        3. He will deny that Jesus came in the flesh (2 John 1:7)
        The Papacy does not deny any of these things, so the unanswered question remains; how can the Papacy be the antichrist if it does not fit the inspired definition from the apostle John?
        As far as persecuting the saints, the Papacy is not the only one guilty of that. Christians continue to be persecuted in the Middle East to this day.

        • Peter K. (admin)

          Anonymous – Okay. Sorry. Sarcasm was not intended. I really did not know that you had carefully read through volumes 2 & 3. No offense intended.

          I don’t think the Apostle John was specifically referring to the great Anitichrist system, from the texts you cited. However, I believe he saw that spirit developing and individual Antichrists. These “tares” and “wolves in sheep’s clothing” would in later centuries, develop into that horrible apostate system. In 1 John4:3 (NKJV), we read, “…And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” So John refers to a coming Antichrist and at the same time refers to the spirit of Antichrist already developing.”

          You cite what John tells us about the antichrist, to show that it could not be the Papacy. In John’s day, these were the doctrinal deviations that he saw that were characteristic of the antichrist. However, Paul tells us in 1 Tim 4 (NKJV), “1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”

          In Acts 20 (AV) we read, “29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

          In 2 Thess 2:4 (NIJV), Paul speaking about this apostate system says, “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

          So I connect all these scriptures together as counterfeit christians developing over time into the Great Antichrist system. The doctrinal deviations may vary, but it is the same evil spirit of pride and hunger for control over others.

          Getting back to your three points from John, I do think the Papacy denied these things.

          1. He will deny that Jesus is the Christ, ( 1 John 2:22)
          2. He will deny that Jesus is from God or that he is the Son of God (1 John 2:23)
          3. He will deny that Jesus came in the flesh (2 John 1:7)

          They denied these things about Christ in adopting the error of the Trinity. In the Trinity doctrine, it was not Jesus, the created son of God that came in the flesh as a perfect man, but rather, God Himself, as the second person of of the Trinity. So he came as God, not as Jesus, the perfect man. They deny him as the Son of God, in that they deny he was created (begotten) and distinct from the Father. They may call him “the Son of God,” however they twist the meaning of those words so they they do not really accepted has has God’s created (begotten) Son, a distinct God from the Father.

          Yes there are others that have persecuted Christian’s other than the Antichrist system, the Papacy. So what is your point? Don’t you agree that the scriptures refer to an Antichrist system that would persecute the saints. In Revelation, it is “Babylon, the Mother of Harlots.” In 2 Thess 2, it is the “Man of Sin.” In Dan 7, it is the “little horn.” So to what do you apply this evil system that would persecute the saints and exalt itself to the position of God?

        • doug

          the Catholic Church (Pope)
          Denies:
          1 That Jesus is the Christ
          2 That Jesus is from God or that he is the son of God (1John 2:23) whosoever denieth the son, the same hath not the Father;(but) he that acknowledgeth the son hath the Father also.
          3 He will deny that Jesus came in the flesh (2 John 1:7) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an antichrist .
          They denied these things about Christ in adopting the error of the trinity, in the trinity doctrine, it was not Jesus the creators son of God that came in the flesh as a perfect man, but rather, God himself as the second person of the trinity. So he came as God, not as Jesus, the perfect man. They deny him as the son of God, in that he was created (begotten) and distinct from the Father. They may call him the “son of God ” however they twist the meaning of these words so they will not really accept that God created (begotten )son a distinct God from the Father

          • Jacqueline

            Doug, what a great point that they deny him as Christ come in the flesh because they says that was God, the second part of a trinity. Never looked at it this was. Thanks.

  • Anonymous

    Would Judas have been considered an anti-Christ?

  • Anonymous

    To Dupin;

    Did Judas Isscarriot go out preaching? Mt 10:1-7

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Anonymous – Maybe Dupin didn’t see your question. Do you have a point to share with us? Yes, I do think Judas Isscarriot went out preaching with the other Apostles. That seems clear from the verses you sited (see below). Would you like to share your own thoughts on your question?

      Matt 10: (NKJV)
      1  And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
      5  These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.
      6 “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
      7 “And as you go, preach, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

  • peggy

    I have never experienced such behavior or belief, I have been a jw for 24yrs and over time moved and been a member of more than 7 congregations and never not once has this behavior been a teaching much less acceptable

    • Peter K. (admin)

      peggy – Thanks for sharing your perspective. I believe you are referring back to a comment made by the “born again” Denise Basteiro on January 9. I agree with you that this has not been my experience when JWs come to my door. I have found them for the most part to be polite and respectful.

    • Dupin

      I guess it depends on who goes to the door Peggy.

      We don’t always see what another does when they go to a door by their-self. I know I always tried to leave on a positive note with the householder even if they were obnoxious. My point was to make it easier for whoever next knocked on that door.

      But I did see others mess things up. I watched a newly-minted Elder so mess up a call that the householder requested to be put on the list of people not to be called on by the local Witnesses. Witnesses are human after all. However I will confirm that we were encouraged to leave a good impression if possible.

  • Denise Basteiro

    I believe the JW’s are loosing their touch as calm people at the door. This past weekend they came to my door. I noticed them and grabbed my bible. Being a Born Again Christian I was happy to converse with them. They knocked and I went out to greet them. The man said “we are in your neighborhood asking your neighbors to read their bibles more, do you read regularly?” I showed him my bible and said I read every day. I proceeded to ask him if he was from the JW church, he replied Yes. I told him he was welcome to come back on Wednesday nights at 7pm as I conduct bible studies from my home. He began to walk away and said no. I stopped him and said wait, If you believe Jesus is your LORD and Savior and you are trying to convert lost sheep like myself wouldn’t it be an excellent opportunity to come for a bible study? He replied…NO you are apostate and evil I will not come here and ran off two doors down to his friends. They stood in the road for a while chatting then got in their car and left. Very strange! I told him God bless you.. and he gave me a nasty look. I thought it was weird behavior.

    • Jacqueline

      No it is not weird behavior. This is what a Crcuit Overseer would advise to do. It is a very smug righteousness. I am so sorry you had to see it and have such harsh words said to you and I know it to be true. I have observed far worse than this. When I would try and say goodbye to the householder to smooth over the arrogance I would often get some type of word on we have the truth and they will die at armageddon, they have rejected the truth. This is one of the reasons I styopped going door to door with the group 4 yrs before I left physically. Some of the people at the door was loving something not experienced by JW if another religion came to their door. There is something terribly wron g with the governingbody ruling body of Jwitnesses. Just what it is I can’t put my finbger onb it, but I can’t sit in their meetings and hear them tell you governingbody is the way to God not Jesus. These words are not said in these exact words but in essence as Jesus is not mentioned as our Savior but as A Man Jesus. So these poor people are told to act this way they are mislead and there are consequences if they talk to you when they have your address on their list as a Do Not Work. So try to forgive the individual as I know you will as a Christian. Their pharisee body however is diabolical. Jacqueline

  • Kay Adams

    I enjoyed the conference call! The Watchtower needs to be exposed for what they are. I have family members who I dearly love who will not speak to me due to Watchtower CONTROL. Thank you! Kay Adams

    • Peter K. (admin)

      Kay – I am so sad for your loss of family connections. What a hardship to lose the ones you love for honestly having the courage to follow your conscience. Why should the Governing Body support shunning and disfellowshipping those who disagree? If you are not a teaching elder and if they believe they can scripturally defend their position, why not just leave you alone and let your family retain their connections. Where in the Bible did Jesus or the Apostles ever advocate breaking up families over differences of thought? On the contrary, the Apostle Paul advised the Corinthian brethren against divisions (1 Cor 3:3), in spite confusion even on the resurrection (1 Cor 15). Even the Jerusalem Counsel placed a minimum burden of rules on the Gentile brethren. Acts 15:10 “Now, therefore, why are YOU making a test of God by imposing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our forefathers nor we were capable of bearing?” NWT. 1 Cor 7:13 says, “and a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and yet he is agreeable to dwelling with her, let her not leave her husband.” May Jehovah provide you with strength and encouragement. I hope you and so many others can have their relationships with their families restored.

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