There are many antichrists, Dr Johnston

Dear Editor,

What a very interesting column Dr Johnston wrote last Friday! It was chock full of interesting questions and presumptions.

Did you know that the Bible gives the identity of the antichrist?

“The antichrist” is shown to be a class made up of individual antichrists — 1 Jo 2:18; 2 Jo 7.

1 John 2:18 — Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

2 John 7 — For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

You will note the use of the plural and then the singular collective noun. Is there a biblical precedent for this?

Yes.

Cross references:

1. 2 John 1:7 : See 1 John 2:18, 26

2. 2 John 1:7 : 1 John 4:1

3. 2 John 1:7 : 1 John 2:22; 4:2, 3

There are other collective nouns in the Bible. Look, for example, at the following: Isa 43:10 God addressed the collective group of the Israelite nation and told them: “You are my witnesses [plural]… even my servant [singular] whom I have chosen.”

Matt 24:48

Cross references: 1. 1 John 2:18 : [2 Tim. 3:1; James 5:3; 2 Pet. 3:3; Jude 18]

2. 1 John 2:18 : ver. 22; ch. 4:3; 2 John 7; [Matt. 24:5, 24]

3. 1 John 2:18 : [ch. 4:1; Matt. 24:5] 4. 1 John 2:18 : 1 Tim. 4:1

The faithful and discreet slave mentioned here is also composite. No one person could be put in control of all Christ’s (the master’s) belongings.

So you see, Dr Johnston, there are many antichrists and we can identify them. Granted, many may seek to deceive us with what they believe, but their fruits will give them away.

Elaine Hope

avideducator@hotmail.com