1Jn4

Who is the "antichrist" and how can we recognize him? John makes it clear that "antichrist" is coming and has already come. He says, in fact, many of them have come. Anti-christ could be anyone or everyone! Many have participated in the "spirit of anti-christ".

John points out three questions to ask to determine if it is of anti-christ:

1. What does one say about Jesus? Anyone who says that Jesus is not God or anyone who diminishes the deity of Christ is of the Antichrist.
2. Is it popular thinking in "this world"? John points out that anytime the "world" accepts the teaching it is of Antichrist. Jesus clearly said that "the world" rejects His teaching. If it is highly accepted by all, it is likely not of Christ.
3. Is it new? I was once told that any "new" teaching is NOT "true" teaching. For centuries christians have been teaching, preaching, writing and studying the truth of scripture. There is nothing new under the sun. Any new teaching is false teaching.

These three questions will definitely guide us as we seek to follow Christ and appose everything that is anti-christ.