"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. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son. 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. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ [as] coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."
The term “antichrist” is used exclusively by John, and is found in his first and second epistles. He uses the term both in the singular (a person), and in the plural (persons). There are to be many prototypes; they existed even in John’s day. But all of these will be concentrated into one original in the latter times. Just as there are "many false Christs," imitating the one true Christ, so there are many "antichrists" emulating the one to come.
The prefix “anti” has a dual meaning. It can mean “against” or “instead of”. Taken together, it’s a counterfeit in opposition to the real thing, “The Lord’s Christ.” The spirit of antichrist then carries Christ’s label (Christian), while denying Christ’s ingredients (Deity). The spirit of antichrist is behind every false doctrine and every religion substituting itself for the reality of Christ.
The question to ask before, “Is the antichrist a real person?” is, “Do I have the spirit of antichrist?” That is, are you hostile toward Him, do you deny His claims of Lordship? If so, you may carry the name Christian, but in reality you’re antichrist. Anyone denying the true nature and character of Christ is antichrist!
And please believe me, God is intolerant when it comes to slighting His Son. You’re either for or against Him, there is no middle ground. As someone has said, "If He is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all."
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