The Antichrist- A Spirit or a Person?

Hey everyone! On this week’s episode, the discussion was on this figure popularly known as the Antichrist. I John and II John describe him as both a spirit and a person; they describe him as coming someday, yet already present in the world.

I tried to untangle some of this and taught about the spirit of antichrist- which has been present on the world scene since the dawn of creation, and will also inhabit a final world ruler in the end times.

Catch up on this week’s episode if you missed it:

How to Oppose the Antichrist

How can we oppose the spirit of the antichrist in modern times?

I and II John show us that this spirit seeks to obscure the truth (or blur the lines) around Jesus. Why? He’s a chaos spirit. He seeks to disrupt order and boundaries.

So if the Antichrist is a spirit of chaos, here are some ways to counter the chaos:

• Live an orderly life. This is very practical; it speaks of breaking bad habits and replacing them with good ones. One of the telltale signs of demonic activity is a disordered life (Mark 5:1-5). But the Lord gives us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (or self-control) (II Timothy 1:7). Where the demonic leaves a wreck, you put the pieces back together. Where the antichrist brings disruption, stick to your routines.

• Defend doctrine. The antichrist spirit tries to delegitimize Jesus (I John 2:22). Know what you believe about Jesus; why you believe; and be ready to give a defense (I Peter 3:15). I Timothy 4:18 says in the NIV, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” I like that because it emphasizes both your personal character and your doctrinal beliefs.

• One more antonym of chaos is peace. I Corinthians 14:33 tells us, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” Note that the antichrist seeks to replace Jesus in your life. Where Jesus brings a sound mind, the antichrist brings chaos. Another description of Jesus in the Bible is as our Prince of Peace.

Have you ever noticed in the Bible that one of the most common attributes of Jesus is that He brings peace? Well no wonder, if the Antichrist—the spiritual being who opposes Christ—is a spirit of chaos.

Ephesians 2:14 - “For he himself is our peace…”

John 14:27 - “my peace I give to you”

John 16:33 (my favorite verse in the Bible) - I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

So if you’re wondering if something is of God, ask yourself: does this bring clarity? Does it bring peace? Or does this create confusion and chaos?

When Jesus and the disciples were on a boat in a raging sea- which is a picture of the underword/chaos realm- Jesus calmed it by saying, “Peace be still.”

Following God doesn’t mean you won’t have storms in life, but it does mean you can have peace in the storm.

James 3 perhaps contains the greatest summation of all these ideas:

James 3:15-18 - ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The word “peace” shows up twice in verse 18! The Antichrist brings chaos, but Jesus is the anti-antichrist 😁 

This is a long video, but if you’d like a little more information about how Jesus brings peace, here is a Bible study I did a few months ago from the Book of Zechariah:

Next Time

This week, we’ll start into a mini-series on the concept of The Cosmic Mountain, starting with Mount Eden.

Eden was not just a garden. I believe after you listen to this Wednesday’s episode, you’ll never read the opening chapters of Genesis the same way again.

Until then, have a great week- and a weird Wednesday!

-Luke