“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Most Christians are very familiar with the passage, "That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Let’s examine it a little more closely and try to understand this passage in its historical context. During the early days Christianity was seen as just another sect of Judaism, a legal religion. (Acts 2:47)  
The preaching of Paul and Peter in Rome was an epoch in the history of the church. In Philippians 4:22, we learn of saints in "Caesar's household," which at that time would be Nero's household. The good news of the gospel gave an impulse to the growth of Christianity. (Act 2:47)

As time progressed things got worse and the Jews convinced Rome to recognize Christianity as not being a part of Judaism and therefore it was classified as an illegal religion in Rome. At the time Paul wrote this letter, the persecution of Christians was intensifying and he was keenly aware of the implications resulting from publicly confessing Jesus as Lord. The Apostles were commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:40) When the council had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (Acts 5:41-42)
The Apostles departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame in the name of Jesus. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul knew a lot about persecuting Christians because he was one of the Jewish ringleaders who persecuted Christians until he himself very dramatically met Christ. As we know, he stood by and approved of the stoning (murder) of Stephen.

To confess with your mouth in those days that Jesus is Lord was an all-in proposition. When you publicly identified with Christ, everything could, and usually did change. You could lose your job, your status, your property, your health, your freedom, your family, and even your life. Act 15:25-26: 

“It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When Paul said that the followers of Christ were to confess Jesus as Lord, everyone knew it wasn’t just lip service. This confession was so significant, it could cost your life... it was definitely not done because everyone was doing it. The early Christians confessed it when they were ready to give their all and all for Christ.

When Paul wrote this passage in his letter to the Romans, he was already acquainted with persecution. Paul was in prison more than once, he was stoned and left for dead, beaten with rods, and received lashes several times (2 Corinthians 11:24) as well as in ‘dangers from his countrymen’ (11:26). Of course, the Jews instigated the Gentiles, who also joined in persecuting Christians. (Acts 14:2)

Luke closed the book of Acts and shows how the chief priests and elders made a great oath to kill Paul. (Acts 23:14) This shows how passionate the Judaizers’ hatred was against Christians who confessed the name of Jesus as Lord. The primary enemies of Christ and the church in the early years were the unbelieving Jews. Paul was ultimately martyred for his confession of Christ and the Gospel.
We are also told "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;" and that "they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1) During the first century after Jesus' death nearly all of his followers suffered martyrdom for His sake.

The Roman government also made it common practice to violently persecute, torture, imprison, and kill Christians. It was not until about AD 63, under the reign of the ruthless Roman emperor Nero that the Jews got Rome involved and Christianity was classified as an illegal religion in the Roman Empire.

This action caused the great persecution of the Church for 3 ½ years from A.D 64 till A.D 67. Staggering from both persecution and apostasy, (John 1:19; 2 Timothy 2 1:15; 4:10) many in these early churches had forsaken their faith rather than stand up for Jesus and die. They experienced Jewish persecution, but now they were experiencing an even greater Roman persecution in addition to that of the Jews. It was a rugged time for the infant churches.

Also during these days the Roman Emperors were worshiped as gods. In 44 BC, Julius Caesar permitted a statue of himself with the inscription, "The unvanquished god," and declared himself dictator for life. This belief in the emperor's divine authority eventually led to the requirement of a sacrifice to the emperor as a sign of loyalty. The requirement of a sacrifice to the emperor became a significant source of conflict with early Christians. Christians refused to worship the emperor as God, and therefore, would not sacrifice to him. This led to persecution of the Christians by the Roman political authorities that enforced the practice. Those Christians recognized another King unlike the Judaizers. (Please read John 19:15.) The Christians refused to acknowledge the divine status of Emperor worship, and refused the traditions and gods of the Roman Empire.

Nero came up with some most extraordinary ways to torture Christians. Nero performed the worst atrocities upon his victims; he did not just want to kill Christians, he wanted to make them suffer first. Nero enjoyed dipping Christians in tar, oil or resin, and nailed them on pine poles, which were lighted and burned as torches for the amusement of the mob. Meanwhile, Nero, in fantastical dress, figured in a horse race and displayed his art as charioteer. Burning alive was the ordinary punishment of incendiaries, but only the cruel ingenuity of this imperial monster, under the inspiration of the devil, could invent such a horrific system of illumination.

Around his palace were also Christian torches that illumined the night while he yelled, "Now you truly are the light of the world!" Nero also performed many other kinds of torture, often killing them in the Amphitheater in front of large crowds of spectators where he did some of his most gruesome murders. The ghastly way in which some of the Christians were put to death was to wrap them in animal skins and throw them to lions or wild dogs to be ripped apart. Many other men and women were tied between two oxen or horses tearing these men and women apart in front of thousands of entertaining spectators.

At other times he would crucify them, and after the crowd would get bored, he would set the Christians on fire. Nero falsely accused and executed Christians, who were infamous for their faith in Christ. There were many rumors flying about that Christians were cannibals (because of the 'Lord's Supper' in which they eat the 'flesh' and drink the 'blood' of Jesus Christ) and that they performed human sacrifice (none of this was true). But ultimately Christians were executed not for the public good or any criminal acts, but on the account that they were a threat to the Roman Empire and the old system of Judaism.

This great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in the name of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This also explains why Peter denied Christ. Lord warned the apostle that he would deny Him three times Peter boasted, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble” (Matthew 26:33). “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (Mark. 14:31). The Bible repeatedly warns us not to place too much confidence in our own abilities. If Peter had not been so sure that although all denied Christ, he never would, he would probably never have fallen.”
We need to be careful to not overlook those first century saints who confessed "Jesus is Lord;" it was an all-in proposition that required their everything – even their lives. They didn’t just give Christ lip service, they give Him their lives. Luke 21:16-18 states, "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost.”

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Revelation 21:3-4 Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (NIV Bible)

A parallel verse is Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

These verses are often thought of as not being fulfilled because there is still crying, death and sorrow on the earth. At first glance, this seems to be what the verse is saying. We all want God to wipe away our tears. We all wish for no more death or sorrow and pain.

But, when we take a closer look at these verses and compare them to other passages of scriptures in their historical context, it becomes clear that John indented for us to see a much deeper meaning.

From the book of Genesis to Revelation its all about man's existing before God. Those who lived under the Old Covenant were separated from God because of sin, death. In Isaiah 59:2 we read, But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. The Bible further indicates to us that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Examine Paul's reference to dying. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, (sin revived and I died). (Romans 7:9) Where there is sin, there is death, and where there is death man was separated from God. There is a world of difference between the way people today views death, and the way the inspired writers' view it.

The inspired writer of Hebrews tells us that men were subject to slavery all their lives because of the fear of death. It further informs us that the one who had the power of death is the devil. Hebrews 2:14-15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery (by their fear of death)

Why is death so dreaded that it enslaves men all their lives? It is a dreaded enemy to those who have been separated from God by their sin. In the Garden of Eden, God promised Adam and Eve that the devil would be defeated, and that the dreaded events of their sin in the Garden could be reversed, through a solution which God Himself would provide. He promised a Savior, who would be born of the woman, who would destroy the devil (Genesis 3:15).

As time passed, God continued to reveal His purposes and promises to men through the Scriptures, more and more details concerning the promised. The Savior would be the offspring of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), Isaac, and Jacob. He would come from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:8-12). He would be a "king," an heir to the throne of King David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), and would be both divine and human, the Son of God and the Son of man (see Isaiah 9:6; 11:1-5; 52:13--53:12). God, even indicated that the place of the Savior's birth would be Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

It was Jesus Christ who brought the solution to sin and death. He suffered the wrath of God, the punishment which our sins deserved and demanded. By his death he destroyed him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery (by their fear of death)

That is what the writer to the Hebrews was saying when he wrote these words: The "He" of verse 14 is Jesus Christ. He took on flesh and blood. The Son of God took on humanity, adding humanity to His deity. He, on the cross of Calvary, "partook of death" in our place that he might destroy him who holds the power of death that is, the devil.

There is no longer any fear of death, for He paid the penalty for our sins. He also rose from the dead, assuring us of eternal life after death, life in the presence of God. The works of the devil have been destroyed and death no longer has a grip on humanity, one which makes slaves of the fear of death.

What John is really saying to us God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying? This too is a promised in the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Savior. He would swallow up death forever and wipe away the tears from all faces of his people.

This wonderful promise is in both the New and Old Testament. In Isaiah 25:8 we read, He will swallow up death forever. (The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces); he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. This idea is not an original idea of John.

This is proof that the description in Revelation 21:3-4 belongs not to any time on earth, but eternity. Neither death, shall sorrow, or crying, or pain, will be any more: for the former things are going away. Like a parent encouraging a child, God is telling us that in the end all will be well with no tears, no pain, no mourning.

The Sovereign LORD will swallow up death forever. (Isaiah 25:8) This too is not an original idea of Paul’s. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 "Death is swallowed up in victory.""O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Under the former old covenant there was death, and sorrow, crying and pain; all which occasioned many tears because of separation, from God, but now pain, sorrow and tears have all fled away, and the saints have everlasting life and joy. What a way to finish the last book of God’s love story to the man

"The" millennium reigned with Christ, not on earth.

There seems to be quite a lot of confusion and misunderstanding with regard to God's eternal kingdom. As long as man thinks only in physical terms he cannot grasp the nature of the eternal kingdom, and therefore will draw many wrong conclusions regarding the fulfillment of the prophecies regarding that kingdom.

The Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah because they were looking for a physical, political king that would again set up a physical kingdom like their former days and throw off the Roman yoke. They thought that the Messiah would be a military leader. Jews hated the rule of the Roman government. This is the reason why the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. (Luke 17:20) They did not like his answer.

This vain belief is why the Jews rejected Christ, for they were looking for an earthly king to rule over an earthly kingdom. Jesus had to be very careful at this time. When many people saw this miracle, they wanted to make Jesus the king in Jerusalem. (John 6:4-15) They thought He could perform a miracle and force the Roman government to leave Jerusalem. The crowd wanted to take him by force and make him king. Therefore, when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. Vs 15

They only wanted an earthly kingdom, so they crucified Him, the Son of God. It was difficult for people in the time of Christ to understand the *prophets’ words about the *Messiah.

Such products of Jewish imagination have passed over into Christianity. One of these misunderstand is based on Revelation 20:4 the "Millennial Reign" of Christ with the saints. There is a doctrine that the "Millennial Reign" of Christ will be upon “the earth with the living saints.” But lets look at the verse. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw (the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus), and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and (they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years).

Revelation 20:4 is the only place in the entire Bible that mentions a thousand year reign of Christ. "If one examines the texts carefully, in Revelation 20:4 it becomes rather obvious that John is NOT talking about the earthly reign but is describing a scene in heaven. The martyrs are in heaven here and in every other place in Revelation (cf. 6:9-10).

It also should become rather obvious in this verse the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus are the ones who lived (spiritually) and reigned with Christ a thousand years. "The thousand year reign, was only for those that died (were beheaded) and reign with Christ for a thousand years.

The fact that the souls are beheaded is indicative of Roman execution and that these martyrs did not die under the Jewish persecution in Palestine that arose over Stephen. Jewish execution was typically by stoning. (Acts 7:59) In other words, they are martyrs under Nero that have been gathered into rest in paradise to await the general resurrection. Like the souls under the altar in Revelation. 6:9-11, they have paid the ultimate price for their testimony and won the martyrs’ crown. The martyrs reign because they have been faithful unto death.

When large numbers are used in scripture (i.e. thousand, etc.) they are always used figuratively. John borrows a lot of his figurative language from the Old Testament. David used this type of figurative language when he said. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills Psalms 50:10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. Does anyone suppose God only owns the cattle on a 1000 hills and not hill 1001? He owns the cattle on three thousand hills. He owns the cattle on all the hills. The Lord owns them all. There is no statement that the Lord owns ONLY the cattle on a thousand hills. The phrase "A THOUSAND" is not the # 1,000......... It comes from the Greek word "Chilioi" which is a plural of uncertain affinity. It means completion, totality, completeness, and is not meant to be taken literally.

Another good example is found in Deuteronomy 7:9 "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Does anyone suppose God only keeps his covenant and mercy for a thousand generations and when the thousand generations it is over He stops? There is no statement that the Lord will not keep covenant and mercy AFTER the thousand generations.

So there is no evidence in Revelation 20:4 that there will be a reign of Christ is with living saints upon the earth. There is no mention by John in Revelation 20:4 that the thousand year reign of Christ is on the earth. There is no mention of the saints that were NOT beheaded are reigning with Christ. The martyrs that had been faithful unto death are reigning with Christ in heaven, not for one thousand literal years but for all eternity.

Probably one of the reasons there are such differing ideas regarding the kingdom and the time of its establishment is a failure to think Spiritually. In 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, Paul said, These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. The things of God are spiritually discerned.

Jesus told Pilate in John 18:36-37, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." Pilate asked, "Art thou a king then?" Jesus replied, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness of the truth." It is quite obvious that Jesus was indicating that his kingdom was spiritual and not physical.

In Luke 17:20-21, when asked when the kingdom would come, Jesus replied that, "the kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or Lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:50 that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

With a proper concept of the nature of the kingdom, the time is not nearly so complicated and difficult. All the objections to accepting the very clear time statements are made on the basis of certain happenings which have not physically happened. There were some physical things that were predicted to happen, which did happen, but if one views everything in a physical manner, then he will wind up in the same dilemma as Nicodemus

Notice Hebrews 12:18-23. The writer compares the coming to (spiritual Mt. Zion) to (literal Mt. Sinai), 18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling. 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.

Notice the writer says (But YOU HAVE COME) to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels. During the first century this was an all ready, but not yet because the Old Covenant was growing old and ready to vanish away. Hebrews 8:13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. However, after the Old Covenant was done away with, that mountain is a PRESENT REALITY.

If one really believes God, that we too are gathered at that mountain, he can be assured that Christ came in his eternal kingdom. There are many things to be accepted by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. It is also impossible to please God without that faith. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Now look at the time statements. In Daniel 2:44, Daniel said, "In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom..." As he interprets Neuchadnezzar's dream, he says that Nebuchadnezzar was the first of four kingdoms. It was in the days of the kings of the fourth kingdom that the eternal kingdom, which would take in all other kingdoms, was to be set up. Most agree that this was in the days of the Roman empire.

Now notice what Isaiah wrote. "It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it." (Isaiah 2:2). What last days? In verse 1 he said it was the word that Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

If we truly believe the words of Jesus that his kingdom comes with out observation Luke 17:20-21 and is not of this world (John 18:36-37).

The antichrist.

Before we begin to sort through the confusion, of today’s Anitchrist let's first establish what is generally thought as the modern day understanding of the Antichrist. The Antichrist of today's speculative theology combines the characteristics of Daniel's "prince who is to come" and other features from the Book of Daniel (9:26; 7:7-8, 19-26; 8:23-25); elements from Matthew and Daniel's "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 9:27); Paul's "man of lawlessness" (2nd Thessalonians 2:3); The "Beast" (Revelation 13:11-18).

The Antichrist will make a covenant with the Jews guaranteeing them peace and security in their own land. In the middle of the covenant period, he will break the covenant and turn on the Jews. He will then make war with the Jewish saints and will overcome them (Revelation 13:17; Daniel 7:21). Of course, during this three-and-one-half year period of time two-thirds of the Jews living in Palestine will be killed (Zechariah 13:8-9). I think you get the scenario.

Now lets look at the Biblical antichrist the one John teaches in the Bible. The word "antichrist" is only used four times in the scriptures, all by the apostle John (1st John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2nd John 7). Surprisingly, the word "antichrist" never appears in the book of Daniel, 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 or Revelation.

With the use of the original Greek words, antichrist we can clearly see that they were many in the first century. (It was not a single individual, but many). In the original languages the letter (a) in the word antichrist is not capitalized. It was capitalized later by the translators. The antichrist was a movement not a single individual.

John's description of antichrist is altogether a different doctrine of Antichrist." then today’s modem image. Anyone "who denies that Jesus is the Christ" (1st John 2:22). Anyone who "denies the Father and Son" (1st John 2:23). "Every spirit that does not confess Jesus" (1st John 4:3). "Those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2nd John 7). There you have it. Antichrist is mentioned only four times in Scripture and only in two Epistles of Saint John. Antichrist is not mentioned at all in the book of Revelation, as some seem to believe.

None of what John writes above relates to the modern doctrine of the Antichrist as previously outlined. The modern days Antichrist is a single individual while John’s antichrist are many ( a movement). John’s first century readers knew the antichrist movement was coming. This movement was already present when John was writing and was made up of "many antichrists." John uses their presence as proof that it was then already the last hour of the old covenant. (1 John 2:18, 19) This is not John’s opinion, this is inspired writ, i.e, God’s opinion.

John's antichrist doctrine is a theological concept related to an apostasy that was fomenting in his day. John’s antichrist were contemporaries of John and former church members who had gone apostasy from the faith, i.e., in a collective sense. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it may be shown that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19)

Many people prior to Jerusalem's destruction in A.D. 70 questioned and disputed basic Christian doctrines of Christ.. John’s antichrist was anyone "who denies that Jesus is the Christ" (1st John 2:22) Notice what Peter told the Jews. “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom you delivered up, and DENIED HIM in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go” (Acts 3:13). (PRESENT TENSE) Here in Acts they denied that Jesus was the Christ. Those who deny that Jesus is the Christ are, according to the Bible, are liars and antichrist (1 John 2:22).

John’s antichrist were anyone who "denies the Father and Son" (1st John 2:23). In Judea 1:3-4 we read, Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For (certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness AND DENY THE ONLY LORD GOD AND OUT LORD JESUS CHRIST. (PRESENT TENSE) These men are antichrist.

John’s antichrist was "Every spirit that does not confess Jesus" (1st John 2:23). "Every spirit that does not confess Jesus." Here is what Peter said about them and their denial. 2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, (PRESENT TENSE) even as there will be false teachers among you, (THEIR FUTURE) who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even DENYING THE LORD who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

John’s antichrist were "Those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. (2nd John 7). For many deceivers HAVE GONE out into the world (PRESENT TENSE) who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. Here we have the inspired words of John himself who tells us many antichrist deceivers HAVE GONE out (PRESENT TENSE) into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. How much more clear can John be?

Many claim to be Christians yet they DENIED HIM Christ by their works. Paul spoke to Titus about this issue. Titus 1:15-16 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works, THEY DENY HIM, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work..

The antichrist in John’s day is simply in a belief system that disputes the fundamental teachings of Christianity, beginning with the person of Christ. These antichrists are "religious" figures that loved the old Mosaic, covenant and that way of life and went apostasy. (1 John 2:19) The antichrist, contrary to much present-day speculation, is not a political figure, no matter how anti- (against) Christ he might be. The modem manufactured composite Antichrist is not the antichrist of 1st and 2nd John: "Putting it all together, we can see that the antichrist is a system or movement of apostasy and individual apostates. In other words, the antichrist was the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that a time of great apostasy would come, when 'many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many' (Matthew. 24:10-11)."

Were many being mislead in the first century? O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not OBEY THE TRUTH, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? (Galatians 3:1) Who bewitched them after starting out in the Spirit, into thinking they can be made perfect be the works of the flesh (the law) v. 3 The antichrist Jews of that day who also believed that the gentiles MUST be circumcised according to the custom of Moses, to be saved. (Acts 15:1) So John’s description of antichrist is altogether a different doctrine of Antichrist." then today’s modem image.