Identifying the Antichrist

In Search of the Antichrist

Over the centuries, many have been bound and determined to find the identity of the Antichrist, much like the theorists who diligently hunt down the Loch Ness Monster. Both searching for an outlandish beast who rises out of a large body of water and consequently, both eventually come up empty-handed. Now I don’t know about Nessie (aka the Loch Ness Monster) as there are many theories. One explanation is that of an Irish monk who, upon hearing of the monster, sent one of his followers to investigate the River Ness. Legend says that he banished the creature to Loch Ness by making the sign of the cross when he saw it approach his disciple. Is this perhaps the story of a demon manifesting and being cast out by the monk? Perhaps, but there is no direct evidence to support the claim, unlike the antichrist which is documented in Scripture.

Uncharted Territory

There is solid evidence in the Bible of the beast (aka the Antichrist) who rises from the sea in the end-times. Many have also set out seeking to identify the Antichrist, looking for a man who fits the Biblical description. You may ask, which is it: a man or a beast? This dual depiction highlights both his supernatural origin (demonic nature and global reach) and human vessel, which underscores his deceptive authority, using charisma and coercion. While Scripture documents the antichrist, it does not support mankind seeking him out.

Yet, over the years, many have done just that. People have added popes, presidents, kings, and other notable men to the list. Men such as, Nero, Napoleon Bonaparte, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Saddam Hussein, Mikhail Gorbachev, Elon Musk, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis, King Richard I and King Charles III, President Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama and even Donald Trump appear on the list. Obviously, many are no longer alive, proof that these were false accusations. I believe what makes these accusations even more dangerous today is the global climate in which we live. The world is in chaos, and man’s reaction often resorts to violence. Actual deaths have occurred by the accusations being haphazardly thrown around and contributing to the unsustainable hype of many. All this when there is nothing in the Bible that suggests believers are to go into this uncharted territory. The fact is, if we put our faith in Christ, we wouldn’t be falling for Satan’s scheme to lure us into chasing conspiracy theories down antichrist trails. Satan’s goal is to take us off the straight and narrow path, which is one of his ways to deceive believers.

Characteristics of the Antichrist: What the Bible Says.

A great apostasy, or a general falling away from sound doctrine, instituted worship, church government, and a holy life will preside the rise of the antichrist, the man of sin (2 Thess 2.3).

1. He is called the man of sin, as he denotes his egregious wickedness; not only does he practice wickedness himself, but he also promotes, and commands sin and wickedness from others by encouraging unstable souls to embrace false doctrines, and submit to his dominion (2 Thessalonians 2:3–12). Note: 1 John 2:18, 2 John 1:7 reveal that many antichrists are already in the world, such as those who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.

2. He is the son of perdition because of his devotion to certain destruction, and because he is the instrument of destroying many others, both in body and soul.

3. Second Thessalonians 2:4 describes him as one who “opposes and exalts himself over every so-called god” culminating a blasphemous self-deification. He will open his mouth in blasphemy against God (Revelation 13:6) and claim to be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14). This dynamic resonates with the arrogance of earlier hostile rulers (see Daniel 11).

4. 1 John 4:3 states that every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. Thus, the Antichrist will deny Jesus Christ’s divine status and incarnate reality. He rejects the core truths about the Messiah; His deity, humanity, atoning sacrifice and resurrection.

5. As the “man of lawlessness,” he will oppose in every way the biblical God and His law (2 Thess 2), attempting to set his own laws and time (Daniel 7:11,25).

6. The Antichrist uses unrighteous deception, including counterfeit signs and wonders, visions, and miracles to support this claim. This aligns with the pattern of false Christs predicted in passages such as Matthew 24:24, showing a powerful but misleading influence. His power comes from Satan (2 Thess. 2:9). In Revelation 13:1, the dragon (aka Satan) stood on the shore summoning the beast (aka antichrist) which rises from the sea. Satan gives the Antichrist his demonic power and authority, which empowers his human form to make war with the saints.

7. He will come offering a false peace to the world, and with his charismatic personality, he will make incredible promises: uniting all nations politically, economically, and religiously under his leadership. He’ll make a covenant with Israel, which will last for three and one-half years. At that time, he will break the covenant and stop their sacrifices (Daniel 9:27). Whereupon entering the temple and setting himself up as “god” demanding worship (2 Thess 2:4, Revelation 13:8, 15, Daniel 9:27). This is the “abomination of desolation” that Jesus spoke of in Mark 13:14.

8. Revelation 13:7 reveals his end-time opposition and war waged against the saints. This depicts his hostility toward believers and persecution of the faithful.

The apostle Paul assures the Thessalonians that God will reveal the lawless one (antichrist), and the Lord’s coming will consume and destroy him with the breath of His mouth and its brightness (2 Thess 2:8).

What Does Jesus Say?

In John 14, Jesus says, “If it were not so, I would have told you.” Here Jesus reveals a piece of God’s plan to his followers. There is a place prepared for them, and He reassures them He would have told them if it weren’t true. There is an infinite amount of knowledge that God does not reveal to us, but Jesus has assured us that which we need to know, He will tell us. So, what does Jesus tell us about the Antichrist?

Jesus spoke with His disciples about the end-times in Matthew 24. He does not specifically use the word Antichrist, but what He says is, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.” The Antichrist is the ultimate false christ and we must know about him so that he does not deceive us. Take note: the comparison with John 14 (I would have told you) with Matthew 24 (I have told you beforehand). Jesus assures us He’ll reveal things that are important for us. In Matthew 24:15, Jesus says, “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Thus, at that time the mystery will be revealed.

What About Revelation 13:18?

Revelation 13:18 says, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: his number is 666.” There are many who actually attempt to calculate the name of the Antichrist through gematria (interpretation of words by numbers) and still have come up empty-handed. If this interests you, check out the following link where I found meaningful research: https://bible-menorah.jimdofree.com/english/666/. There are so many variables that we don’t know. For instance, are we to use Greek or the Hebrew numerical values? The choice of alphabet determines a different numerical value even for the same person. Are we looking for a first name, last name, or initials? Interpreters have often misinterpreted names in the past, and since the Antichrist is determined to be at the end of days, you definitely would need to search for someone here now or in the future. Unfortunately, many Christians will spend more time attempting to identify the Antichrist than reading the Bible and actually doing what Jesus said, thus risking their own name in the book of life.

I believe there is a small window of opportunity for actually discovering the man who is the Antichrist. Either a man possibly already here, likely influenced by the Spirit of the Antichrist already in the world. Who at the appointed time will become possessed by the demonic Antichrist spirit in much the same way that Judas Iscariot became possessed by Satan when he betrayed Jesus. This being the case would make timing crucial and searching pointless because at that point he will be exposed.

Searching for the Antichrist

Jesus warned us about the Antichrist to prevent our deception. If He felt it important for us to know the identity of the Antichrist, I believe He would have told us. At the Last Supper, He said that one would betray Him and showed who by giving a piece of bread to Judas (a private, symbolic identification known only to Jesus and Judas). Notice… it was at that point that Satan entered Judas. None of the other disciples understood, though visible to them. Our focus is better spent on knowing God through reading His Word, prayer, and worship. It’s in becoming a discerning people with the ability to discern the false Christs in the world. Jesus commissioned the church to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and deliver the oppressed. There is so much to do and so little time to do it in that we cannot waste time hunting down the Antichrist. Jesus says in Matthew 24:46, “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing,” (that is, doing the work He has commissioned us to do).

©By S.A. Tower, Feb 2026