A few friends who know of my dedication to studying scriptures have asked, half-hardheartedly (I hope!), my position on the antichrist. In light of the press this topic has been getting, they mean specifically if I think he is here and active in the world (they often suggest names, but I’ll keep this entry timeless). Since I study the scriptures, most recently posting introductions to the apocalyptic books Daniel and Revelation, they figure I’m in a knowledgeable position to help them recognize the antichrist when he comes.
My controversial take? I’m “anti the antichrist.”
Many in history have been accused of being the antichrist from Nero to Antiochus to Napoleon (wait, what?) and more recently Hitler and Stalin. Early reformers even accused the Pope of being the antichrist when he acted corrupt and usurped authority. Each of these men displayed recurring patterns of blasphemy, deception, persecution, and self-exaltation to the point where indignant and exasperated people reached the only conclusion such outrageous behavior could explain – ‘he must be powered by satan!’
I say to myself, I certainly know enough to not be fooled into taking the ‘mark of the beast’ nor worshiping anyone or anything over the Lord. But the daily, if not hourly dose of zaniness we endure has prompted me to distill down a list of the core characteristics/identifiers of the antichrist. If you find someone exhibiting ALL of these traits, to twist Jeff Foxworthy’s catchphrase, “he might be the antichrist.”
There are five core characteristics attributed to the antichrist from Scripture. I’ve summarized and added links to the scriptural references so you can read them in detail for yourself.
1. Opposes and Exalts Himself Above God; He is marked by explicit opposition to God and self-deification. He demands and receives worship from his followers.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 “…the man of lawlessness… who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god… so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”
- Daniel 11:36 “He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god…”
2. Empowered by Satan with Deceptive Signs: His authority and miraculous activity are satanically sourced and deceptive. Together with his partner the false prophet, they mirror the practices of the Prince of Lies spewing deception with each word.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders…”
- Revelation 13:2–4 “…the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority…”
3. Global Political Authority: He exercises widespread dominion over nations and peoples. His words/texts are enough to move markets and wreak havoc on peoples lives around the world.
- Revelation 13:7 “…authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation.”
- Daniel 7:23 “…a fourth kingdom… shall devour the whole earth…”
4. Persecutes the Saints: He wages sustained war against believers. He has hijacked what it means to be Christian and one feels the weight of his daily deluge of garbage.
- Revelation 13:6–7 “…it opened its mouth to utter blasphemies… Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.”
- Daniel 7:25 “…shall wear out the saints of the Most High…”
5. Promotes False Worship and Idolatry: He compels worship, often linked with the “image” and the “mark.” He puts his name on everything, builds monuments to himself, and demands payment into his coffers for all deals or else!
- Revelation 13:14–17 – “…telling them to make an image for the beast… and cause those who would not worship… to be slain…”
- Daniel 9:27 “…on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate…”
Don’t confuse someone exhibiting good ol’ human megalomania with someone possessing supernatural powers. The antichrist is going to accept the deal that Jesus passed on (Luke 4:1-13) (which is the same one the devil tempts each of us with; satisfy yourself, exalt yourself, and secure yourself apart from God.) I am buoyed knowing the core message of Revelation and Daniel are this: don’t worry about trying to figure out who the antichrist is or when the end is, just “be faithful and be ready“. If you want to be faithful to the teachings of our Lord and the Bible, here are ten practices Christians can exercise.
- Remember to keep Christ above country. Your first allegiance is to Christ and his kingdom, not any nation or party.
- Let Scripture lead you. Read the Bible in context; do not bend its message to fit political goals.
- Love your country without idolizing it. God’s kingdom is larger than any one nation.
- Test their fruit. Test movements by whether they produce truth, humility, justice, and love.
- Reject fear and temper outrage. Christians are called to faithfulness, not panic or tribal anger.
- Resist false saviors. No political leader or movement can do what only Christ can do.
- Stay rooted in the broader church. Worship together, pray, read Scripture, and accountability keep Jesus’ priorities in your daily life.
- Listen beyond just those who agree with you. Learn from faithful believers across the aisle and across our history.
- Treat opponents as neighbors. Listen and speak the truth without contempt or dehumanizing others.
- Always choose witnessing over winning. Protecting the integrity of the gospel above political success means refusing to compromise the message, character, or mission of Christ in order to gain influence, power, or cultural victories. (“what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”)
My conclusion and advice is rather than trying to figure out who the antichrist is, go about the business of being an ambassador of Christ. We are called to share about Jesus, make disciples, care for the vulnerable, and both embody and exemplify holy living. A Christian may love and serve their country, pray for its leaders, vote responsibly, and seek the common good. But they should never let national identity replace their identity in Christ, or let political passions overshadow truth, justice, mercy, and humility. (And oh, never ever take any kind of mark, real or implied, on your hand or head!)
Well done