The one Antichrist and many antichrists

The "antichrist" in the Bible is both a general term for those who put themselves "in place of Christ" and the "Antichrist" or "beast" (or many other names in the Bible) as a unique being in the end times of the Bible.

A distinction is often made between a general term and some specific instances. There are many such examples in the Bible and Biblical history.

A "disciple" as someone following Jesus and a "Disciple" as one of the twelve special disciples.
An "apostle" (including Julia, a woman) as someone who followed Jesus and an "Apostle" as a special "apostle".
The "catholic" church as the all and everything church and the "Catholic" church arising out of that idea.
A "saint" as a holy person (set apart) and a "Saint" as one officially recognized by an organization (e.g., the Catholic Church).
An "antichrist" as someone putting themselves in place of Christ and the "Antichrist" in the end-times prophecy (with other names in other places in the Bible)

Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: [kjv]

ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη οφθαλμον αντι οφθαλμου και οδοντα αντι οδοντος [gnt]

Which is it?

"eye" "for" an "eye"
"eye" "against" an "eye"
"eye" "in place of" an "eye"

The English word and prefix "anti", from the Latin, means "against" or "opposite".
The ancient Greek word "ἀντί" ≈ "in place of" and, if context permits, can mean "against" or "opposite". The same holds for the modern Greek word "αντί" (an-TEE) ≈ "in place of". Thus, the "anti-Christ" will set himself up "in place of" Christ, as in "impersonator" of Christ rather than just "imitator" of Christ.

More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ

More: The prefix anti in place of against

What then is the difference between an imitator and a follower? Does it matter?

The "anti-Christ" is said to "imitate" Christ as one "in place of" Christ. What difference might there be and is it important?

More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ

The exact word "anti-Christ" is only used in the letters of John, but let us look at these verses and some having to do with "imitators" of Christ who are usually categorized as "ant-Christ". This "beast" could be a person but could be a "system", or both.

Details are left as a future topic.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. [kjv]

παιδια εσχατη ωρα εστιν και καθως ηκουσατε οτι αντιχριστος ερχεται και νυν αντιχριστοι πολλοι γεγονασιν οθεν γινωσκομεν οτι εσχατη ωρα εστιν [gnt]

1 John 2:18

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KJV: Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Greek: παιδια εσχατη ωρα εστιν και καθως ηκουσατε οτι ο αντιχριστος ερχεται και νυν αντιχριστοι πολλοι γεγονασιν οθεν γινωσκομεν οτι εσχατη ωρα εστιν

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. [kjv]

τις εστιν ο ψευστης ει μη ο αρνουμενος οτι ιησους ουκ εστιν ο χριστος ουτος εστιν ο αντιχριστος ο αρνουμενος τον πατερα και τον υιον [gnt]

1 John 2:22

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KJV: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Greek: τις εστιν ο ψευστης ει μη ο αρνουμενος οτι ιησους ουκ εστιν ο χριστος ουτος εστιν ο αντιχριστος ο αρνουμενος τον πατερα και τον υιον

1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. [kjv]

και παν πνευμα ο μη ομολογει τον ιησουν εκ του θεου ουκ εστιν και τουτο εστιν το του αντιχριστου ο ακηκοατε οτι ερχεται και νυν εν τω κοσμω εστιν ηδη [gnt]

1 John 4:3

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KJV: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Greek: και παν πνευμα ο μη ομολογει τον ιησουν χριστον εν σαρκι εληλυθοτα εκ του θεου ουκ εστιν και τουτο εστιν το του αντιχριστου ο ακηκοατε οτι ερχεται και νυν εν τω κοσμω εστιν ηδη

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. [kjv]

οτι πολλοι πλανοι εξηλθαν εις τον κοσμον οι μη ομολογουντες ιησουν χριστον ερχομενον εν σαρκι ουτος εστιν ο πλανος και ο αντιχριστος [gnt]

2 John 1:7

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KJV: 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.

Greek: οτι πολλοι πλανοι εισηλθον εξηλθαν εις τον κοσμον οι μη ομολογουντες ιησουν χριστον ερχομενον εν σαρκι ουτος εστιν ο πλανος και ο αντιχριστος

The term "anti-Christ" as used by John refers to someone who puts themselves in place of Christ (impersonation) as a false teacher. Jesus warns of such "false Christs".

Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]

These false teachers may not say the exact words "I am Christ" but will often say "Christ says to do this and that" where the "this and that" are their own views not supported by the Bible.

More: 2 Peter 2:1-22 Déjà vu all over again

Daniel: world empires
Statue parts Daniel 2 Empires	Animals Daniel 7 Leaders	Empire	Primary Leader(s)
Gold	Lion	Babylon	Nebuchadnezzar
Silver	Bear	Meade‑Persia	Cyrus/Darius
Bronze	Leopard	Greece	Alexander the Great

Daniel had several dreams and interpretations about world history that appear to be closely related.

The repetition provides a form of fault tolerance in prophecy. This fault tolerance appears in other places in the Bible.

Daniel: world empires
Iron base	Beast	Roman Empire	Emperors
Iron legs	Beast	Western Roman Empire Eastern Roman Empire	Emperors
Iron feet and toes mixed with clay	Beast	European nations	Leaders
	Beast	World	Antichrist
Stone not cut by human hands	(Lamb)	New heaven and new earth	Jesus

Babylon and Lion's Gate and Lion's Den.
Persia as the big bear.
Greece as the quick but small leopard frustrating and later bring down the big bear.
Rome as iron might, not conquered, but gradually falling apart.
Antichrist as the "prince that shall come" from the people (Rome) that destroy the temple and city of Jerusalem.
Jesus in the Second Coming to set up a new heaven and a new earth. Thy kingdom come.

More: Daniel: world empires

Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. [kjv]

χηρα δε ην εν τη πολει εκεινη και ηρχετο προς αυτον λεγουσα εκδικησον με απο του αντιδικου μου [gnt]

Discuss: Who is the "adversary"? Some choices include the following.

The ancient Greek word "ἀντίδικος" ≈ "legal opponent" but could, in general, mean any opponent. The literal meaning is that of someone "in place of you or yours". That is, an opponent. The "in place of" is similar to the word "Anti-Christ" which means, literally, someone who puts them self "in place of Christ".

The "antichrist" in the Bible is both a general term for those who put themselves "in place of Christ" and the "Antichrist" or "beast" (or many other names in the Bible) as a unique being in the end times of the Bible.

More: Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the unjust judge