Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 04:2 (Spring 1963)
Article: The New Testament Doctrine concerning the Antichrist
Author: Herman A. Hoyt

GJ 4:2 (Spr 63) p. 25

The New Testament Doctrine concerning the Antichrist

Herman A. Hoyt

President, Grace Theological Seminary

Introduction

Just as the seed of the woman culminated in the great masterpiece of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, so also the seed of the serpent will ultimately culminate in the great masterpiece of Satan, the great Antichrist of the endtime. This person will surpass all his forebears in power, prominence, pride, blasphemy, ruthlessness and lawlessness. This adversary of God, Christ, the saints, and even humanity itself will sound the death knell of civilization. At last his destruction will mark the close of this present evil age.

Two extreme attitudes have been expressed toward the doctrine of this person set forth in the Scriptures. There are some who do not care for any discussion of this evil genius. This is tragic, for the Bible not only gives an amazing amount of information, but Christian people, and others as well, are hungry for that information. Failure to provide information from the proper source exposes people to information from the wrong source. There are others who want to major on this area of prophetic truth to the exclusion of other precious truth, and thus become lopsided. The proper attitude is to give this doctrine the same measure and place in teaching as do the Scriptures. It will thus take on proper perspective in the thinking of God’s people.

For two very good reasons, there ought to be an adequate discussion on this subject. On the one hand, the Scriptures have a great deal to say on this doctrine for the protection and edification of believers. On the other hand there are certain tendencies in operation in the world today that make it clear that such a person will appear on the scene. Believers should be informed so that they will be enabled to discern the signs of the times.

There is a wealth of material in the Old Testament on this subject, but the vast amount of information is to be found in the New Testament. While the picture will not be entirely complete to confine the investigation solely to the New Testament, it is amazing how nearly complete it is. Though isolated details can be found in many books of the New Testament, for the most part the doctrine is confined to Matthew, John, 2 Thess, 1 John, 2 John, and Revelation.

I. The Greek Term “Antichrist” Used in the New Testament

1. The meaning of this compound Greek word is threefold in its significance. The preposition anti means to stand over against and thus in opposition to. So that in combination with Cristos the ultimate sense is that this one is opposed to Christ.1 This is not d...