The word antichrist did not appear in the Bible until First John in the New Testament.
“The First Letter of John was apparently addressed to a group of churches where “false prophets,” denounced as antichrist, denied the Incarnation of Jesus and caused a secession so substantial that the orthodox remnant was sadly depleted. The faithful were deeply disturbed that the heresy found favor among pagans, and they apparently felt inferior because those who had left their midst claimed to have profound mystical experiences. The heretics asserted that they possessed perfection, were “born of God,” and were without sin. By placing themselves above the Commandments, they, in fact, sanctioned moral laxity. John’s letter thus urges the Christian community to hold fast to what they had been taught and to repudiate heretical teachings. Christians are exhorted to persevere in leading a moral life, which meant imitating Christ by keeping the Commandments, especially that of loving one another. The spirit of the letter closely parallels that of the Gospel According to John.” (Petruzzello., n.d.)
Second John is very close to First John regarding language and ideas. John calls for a boycott of the heretics who deny the Incarnation. Second John asks that the churches “walk in the light” and reject the heresy. John reinforces the doctrine of Christ. Many of these ideas are also found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. In Third John, he is unhappy with the gnostic teaching that upsets the community. Third, John talks about the responsibility of the presbyter (minister) to teach the Gospel and show hospitality to the faithful missionaries. He warns that the antichrist is not connected to the true doctrine of Christ and no longer commands love. Saint John is very concerned with the antichrist.
“St. John supposes in his Epistles that the early Christians are acquainted with the teaching concerning the coming of the antichrist. “You have heard that Antichrist cometh” (1 John 2:18); “This is Antichrist, of whom you have heard that he cometh” (1 John 4:3). Though the Apostle speaks of several Antichrists, he distinguishes between the many and the one principal agent: “Antichrist cometh, even now there are become many Antichrists” (1 John 2:18). Again, the writer outlines the character and work of antichrist: “They went out from us, but they were not of us” (1 John 2:19); “Who is a liar, but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is Antichrist, who denies the Father, and the Son” (1 John 2:22); “And every spirit that dissolveth Jesus, is not of God; and this is Antichrist” (1 John 4:3); “For many seducers are gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh: this is a seducer and an Antichrist” (2 John 7). Also the time, the Apostle places the coming of antichrist at “the last hour” (1 John 2:18); again he maintains that “he is now already in the world” (1 John 4:3).” (Editor, 2023)
In recent times, we have had several accused of being the antichrist. Bill Gates III, Barack Obama, Barney the Dinosaur, Adolf Hitler, and Napoleon Bonaparte, just to name a few. Fortunately, these individuals did not turn out to be the actual antichrist. So, we are left to contemplate if and when the true antichrist will show himself.
Editor, K. K. (2023). Antichrist. Retrieved from New Advent: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01559a.htm
Petruzzello., U. b. (n.d.). Letters of John – Also known as Johannine Letters. Retrieved from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/scripture/Scriptures-in-Western-religions