"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." - 1 John 2:18-19

From John's teaching we can conclude several truths:

• There are many antichrists
• They were posing as Christians
• They were divisive

"who is the liar? It is the man who denies Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. ... This is how you recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This the spirit of antichrist." 1 John 2:23, 4::2

Antichrists are identified over the issue of Jesus Christ. Those who claim Christianity but deny the Trinity are antichrists. If they deny the divinity of Jesus they have the spirit of antichrist. Ultimately, they deny the claims of Jesus and work against those who follow Him.

Politicians should be asked the question, "Who is Jesus?" Their answers could quickly narrow the field to be voted for.

As we get closer to the end the 'love of many will grow cold', as Paul taught, and the main issue will be 'Who is Jesus?'

Like evolution is the tool of the devil to make men doubt God the Father, the Creator, so the devil will unveil all kinds of deception to make men question the divinity of Jesus, the Messiah. And they will likely do it in the name of science, falsely so-called.

"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day (the return of the Lord) will not come, until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

Paul gives clues to help identify him:

• He accompanies, or is responsible for, a great falling away of former believers.
• He will come after the temple is rebuilt.
• He demands worship and sets up the 'abomination of desolation'.
• He opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God

"The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard of things against the God gods. ... He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts...." - Daniel 11:36-45

Daniel is writing this chapter about the kings of the north (Syria) and the south (Egypt). The willful king is not these two because in vs. 46, they both attack him.

• Like Paul's Lawless One he exalts himself above all gods.
• The phrases 'gods of his fathers' and 'desire of women' are clear Semitic phrases. Jewish women all desired to be the one who gave birth to Messiah.
• He does honor a foreign god with riches.
• I would say he is religious in nature.

"...the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.... He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven. In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." - Daniel 9:26-27

Daniel gives many clues about this coming ruler that Jesus referred to in Matthew 24.

• Since Rome destroyed the temple and crucified (cut off) the Messiah, he is connected in some way to the Romans.
• He confirms a 7 year peace treaty with Israel.
• The Temple has been rebuilt
• He set up the 'abomination of desolation' Jesus warned about in Matt 24.
• He is political in nature.

"And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns ...Rev. 13:1

This chapter covers a teaching by itself, so here I will just summarize:

• This first 'beast' comes out of gentile people (the sea) - Rev. 17:15.
• No nation can resist him for 42 months.
• Makes war against the saints and overcomes them.
• He causes men to worship the devil.
• He is political in nature.
• He is more fully explained in Rev. 17.

"Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon." - Rev. 13:11

• He is religious in nature and supports the 1st beast.
• Performs signs and wonders and by them deceives inhabitants of earth.
• He sets up an image of the 1st beast that talks and kills those who won't worship the 1st beast.
• Sets up a financial system so no one can buy or sell without worshipping the 1st beast.
• The number of his name is 666.
• He is the 'false prophet' - Rev 19:20

This is only a survey of this topic, of which whole books have been written. But, we all should have a basic knowledge of it as we may have to face these persons ourselves.