Antichrist understands what people—Christians and non-Christians alike—are longing to possess. He will provide it for them.

The root of the Antichrist doctrine is the denial of the physical coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Center and Substance of all that God is and does.

For many deceivers are entered the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (II John 1:7)

The Apostle John claimed that Antichrist was active in his own day and that he came out from the Christian fellowship.

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. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (I John 2:18,19)

Judas Iscariot, the son of perdition (destruction), was a forerunner of Antichrist. By studying Judas we can understand Antichrist.

Judas was one of the twelve disciples of Christ. Judas saw in Jesus the opportunity to gain what he wanted. Judas rejected the concept of the cross. Furthermore he did not truly believe that Jesus is God. Judas' remorse came from believing he had betrayed an innocent man.

So it is today. Many Christian people are following Christ because of the benefits they hope will come to them. They want to believe that Christ will make them healthy, prosperous, and successful in all areas of their homes and vocations.

But when persecution or tribulation arises for the Gospel's sake and being a Christian threatens to cost them their way of life, or their life itself, they will fall away. They never have been convinced that Jesus truly is God's Son.

Antichrist always can depend on a large following of Christians. This may be more true today than ever before.

When Christian people love money and the world they are partaking of the spirit of Antichrist. Antichrist enjoys churches and the things of the churches. But he despises the cross and the reproach of the true Gospel. He is too "practical" to approve of activities that alienate the community. He is not a true prophet of God. He is the blend of the church and the world.

Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (II Thessalonians 2:5,6)

There is a restraining power hindering the revealing of Antichrist.

"That he might be revealed in his time." It is the revelation, not the coming, of Antichrist that is being hindered. Antichrist has come already. But God has sent a power that is preventing his being fully revealed until the time comes for the displaying of the man of sin.

To be continued.