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Appendix D: The Antichrist in Scripture
A comprehensive reference of every name, title, characteristic, and scriptural source describing the figure commonly known as the Antichrist.
This reference document compiles every significant scriptural and ancient textual reference to the figure commonly known as the Antichrist. It is organized into five sections: his names and titles, his characteristics from canonical scripture, his appearance in ancient non-canonical texts, a summary profile, and a complete scripture index.
Part One: The Names and Titles of the Antichrist
Scripture never uses just one name for this figure. Each name reveals a different dimension of his character, his methods, or his ultimate destiny. The sheer number of designations demonstrates how thoroughly God has warned us about him. He cannot claim he was not described in advance.
1. The Antichrist
The term itself appears only in the epistles of John. The Greek antichristos carries a dual meaning: both "against Christ" and "in place of Christ." He does not merely oppose the Savior. He attempts to replace Him, to counterfeit His identity and steal His worship.
"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." (1 John 2:18)
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22)
"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." (1 John 4:3)
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." (2 John 1:7)
2. The Man of Sin / Man of Lawlessness
Paul uses this title in his letter to the Thessalonians. The name reveals that this figure will be sin personified, the living embodiment of every form of rebellion against God.
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
3. The Son of Perdition
This title, paired with "man of sin" in the same verse, marks him as one destined for destruction. The only other individual called by this title in scripture is Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Christ with personal knowledge of His divinity. The pattern of Cain, Judas, and the Antichrist all share the same tragic arc: personal knowledge of God followed by deliberate betrayal.
"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
4. The Lawless One / That Wicked
Paul identifies him as "that Wicked" whom the Lord will consume with the spirit of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. This is one of the clearest descriptions of both the Antichrist's power and his ultimate destruction.
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." (2 Thessalonians 2:8–9)
5. The Beast (The Mechanism of Antichrist Power)
It is important to distinguish between the Beast and the Antichrist himself. The Beast described in Revelation 13:1–10 is the system, the organization, the governmental mechanism through which the Antichrist exercises power. It is the institution, not the individual.
The Antichrist himself appears in Revelation 13:11 as the second beast, the one who comes up out of the earth, has two horns like a lamb, and speaks as a dragon. This is the individual. He looks like a religious leader of peace but commands with the authority of the devil.
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." (Revelation 13:1)
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (Revelation 13:11)
"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." (Revelation 13:12)
6. The Little Horn
Daniel describes a small horn that rises among ten horns, plucks up three of them by the roots, and speaks great things against the Most High. This figure wears out the saints and attempts to change times and laws.
"I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." (Daniel 7:8)
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Daniel 7:25)
7. The Prince That Shall Come
Daniel's prophecy of the seventy weeks identifies a coming prince whose people will destroy the city and the sanctuary.
"And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined." (Daniel 9:26)
8. The King of Fierce Countenance
Daniel describes a king who understands dark sentences, whose power is mighty but not by his own power. He shall destroy wonderfully and prosper.
"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people." (Daniel 8:23–24)
9. The Willful King
Daniel 11 describes a king who does according to his will, exalts himself above every god, and speaks marvelous things against the God of gods.
"And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done." (Daniel 11:36)
10. The Vile Person
Daniel describes one who obtains the kingdom by flatteries, not by rightful succession. While the initial fulfillment involved Antiochus Epiphanes, the ultimate fulfillment points to the end-times figure who gains power through smooth words and deception.
"And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries." (Daniel 11:21)
11. The Assyrian
Isaiah frequently references the Antichrist figure under the title of "the Assyrian." This is one of the most important Old Testament designations because Isaiah returns to it repeatedly. Just as ancient Assyria was the instrument of God's judgment against apostate Israel, the Assyrian figure in the last days serves as the instrument of judgment before being destroyed himself.
"O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation." (Isaiah 10:5)
"Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt." (Isaiah 10:24)
"That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders." (Isaiah 14:25)
"For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod." (Isaiah 30:31)
The pattern is unmistakable. Isaiah uses the Assyrian as a type of the final oppressor: God initially permits his rise as an instrument of chastisement, the oppressor oversteps his bounds and claims divine authority for himself, and then God destroys him. The type is fulfilled in the last days Antichrist.
12. The False Prophet
Revelation identifies the second beast as the False Prophet, the religious figure who directs worship toward the first beast system and performs deceiving miracles. Whether this title belongs to the same individual as the Antichrist or to a separate figure who serves him is a matter of prophetic interpretation.
"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Revelation 19:20)
13. The One Who Brings the Abomination of Desolation
The Antichrist is not himself the "abomination of desolation," but he is the one who brings that terrible event to pass. He is the agent through whom the temple is desecrated and the holy place is profaned.
"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains." (Matthew 24:15–16)
"And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate." (Daniel 11:31)
14. The Wicked Prince of Israel
Ezekiel addresses this figure directly as a profane, wicked prince whose day has come.
"And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high." (Ezekiel 21:25–26)
15. Additional Names and Titles
Beyond the major designations, scripture uses several additional names and images associated with this figure:
The King of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4). Isaiah's taunt against the king of Babylon extends beyond its historical context to describe the ultimate tyrant who falls from his exalted position.
Lucifer / Son of the Morning (Isaiah 14:12). While primarily a reference to Satan himself, the passage describes the spirit that empowers the Antichrist, who seeks to ascend above the stars of God and be like the Most High.
The Idol Shepherd (Zechariah 11:17). The worthless shepherd who abandons the flock. "Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye."
False Christs (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22). Jesus warned that false Christs and false prophets would show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
The Deceiver of the World (Didache 16:4). The earliest Christian document outside the New Testament describes this figure appearing "as a Son of God" and performing signs and wonders, with the earth delivered into his hands.
Beliar / Belial (Ascension of Isaiah 4:2; Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs; Sibylline Oracles). Multiple ancient Jewish and early Christian texts use this name for the great adversary who will descend in the last days.
Part Two: Characteristics of the Antichrist from Canonical Scripture
When we gather every scriptural description together, a detailed profile of the Antichrist emerges. These characteristics are specific and unmistakable.
He Claims to Be God
This is the defining characteristic. He does not merely oppose God from the outside. He sits in the temple of God and declares himself to be God, demanding worship from all humanity.
"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
"And he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods." (Daniel 11:36)
"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." (Isaiah 14:14)
He Performs Signs and Lying Wonders
His power to deceive comes through supernatural miracles that are real in their visible effects but satanic in their source. He will call fire down from heaven and give breath to an image, causing it to speak.
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thessalonians 2:9–10)
"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do." (Revelation 13:13–14)
He Demands Universal Worship
All who dwell on the earth will worship him. Those who refuse will be marked for death. Only those whose names are in the Lamb's book of life will resist.
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8)
"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." (Revelation 13:15)
He Exercises Total Economic Control
No one will be able to buy or sell without receiving his mark. This represents complete economic domination of every person on earth.
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Revelation 13:16–17)
He Persecutes the Saints
He makes war against God's people and overcomes them. Daniel says he will "wear out" the saints, a phrase suggesting relentless, grinding persecution designed to exhaust the faithful into submission.
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." (Revelation 13:7)
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High." (Daniel 7:25)
He Blasphemes God
He opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, against His name, against His tabernacle, and against those who dwell in heaven.
"And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." (Revelation 13:6)
He Rules for a Specific Period
Scripture is remarkably precise about the duration of his power: forty-two months, or three and a half years. Daniel describes this as "a time and times and the dividing of time."
"And power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." (Revelation 13:5)
"And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." (Daniel 7:25)
He Denies the Father and the Son
At the core of his deception is a denial of the relationship between the Father and the Son, and a denial that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:22)
He Is Empowered by Satan
His power is not his own. The dragon, identified as Satan, gives him his power, his throne, and great authority. He is Satan's chosen instrument on earth.
"And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." (Revelation 13:2)
"And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power." (Daniel 8:24)
He Will Be Destroyed by Christ
His end is certain. Christ will destroy him at His coming, consuming him with the spirit of His mouth and the brightness of His appearing.
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Revelation 19:20)
He Comes During a Great Falling Away
His rise does not happen in a vacuum. It occurs in the context of a massive apostasy, a falling away from the faith that creates the spiritual conditions for his reception.
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
He Obtains His Kingdom by Flatteries
He does not seize power through open conquest alone. He comes peaceably, using smooth words, deception, and flattery to win people's trust before revealing his true nature.
"And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries." (Daniel 11:21)
He Changes Times and Laws
He will attempt to restructure the very fabric of human civilization, altering established laws and even the measurement of time itself.
"And think to change times and laws." (Daniel 7:25)
He Is Received Where Christ Was Rejected
Jesus Himself prophesied this pattern. Those who reject the true Christ will eagerly accept the false one.
"I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." (John 5:43)
Part Three: The Antichrist in the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and Ancient Texts
While these writings are not part of the scriptural canon of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, several ancient texts provide additional descriptions of the Antichrist figure that align remarkably with canonical scripture. They serve as witnesses that early Christians clearly understood a specific individual would arise in the last days.
The Ascension of Isaiah
This ancient text, portions of which date to the late first century, contains one of the most vivid extra-biblical descriptions of the Antichrist. It identifies him as Beliar, claiming he will descend from his firmament in the form of a lawless king.
He comes as a lawless king, a matricide, who claims to be God and demands divine worship.
All the powers of this world come with him, and they harden unto him in everything he desires.
He will speak and act like the Beloved (Christ), saying, "I am God, and before me there has been none."
All the people in the world will believe in him. They will sacrifice to him and serve him.
He will set up his image in every city across the world.
He will bear sway for three years, seven months, and twenty-seven days.
Even those who have been associated together to receive the Beloved (Christians) will turn aside after him.
He is ultimately dragged into Gehenna by the Lord at His second coming. (References: Ascension of Isaiah 4:2–18)
The Sibylline Oracles
This collection of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic verses describes Beliar as a false messiah who comes working signs and wonders. He proceeds from among rulers, deceives many with his miracles, and claims divine status before being destroyed.
The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
In these writings attributed to the twelve sons of Jacob, Beliar appears as a source of immoral deeds and as the Antichrist figure. The Testament of Dan warns that Beliar will work among the tribes to lead them into lawlessness and apostasy before the final judgment.
The Apocalypse of Elijah
This Coptic Christian text from approximately the third century identifies Enoch and Elijah as the two witnesses who will be martyred by the Antichrist, as described in Revelation 11. This appendix does not endorse every conclusion in this text, but notes its identification of the Antichrist as consistent with the canonical profile.
The Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)
Written during the first generation after Christ (estimated 50–120 AD), this is the earliest Christian document outside the New Testament to describe the Antichrist's relationship to the church. Chapter 16 warns believers directly about his coming.
In the last days, false prophets and corrupters will multiply. Sheep will turn into wolves, and love will change to hate. As lawlessness increases, people will hate, persecute, and betray one another.
The Didache explicitly identifies this figure as appearing before the return of Christ, not after. It uses the title "deceiver of the world" and describes him coming "as a Son of God," reinforcing the counterfeit nature of his claims.
2 Esdras (4 Ezra) from the Apocrypha
Found in the Apocrypha, 2 Esdras contains an eagle vision in chapters 11 and 12 that portrays a series of world empires culminating in a final oppressive ruler. The Most High addresses this figure directly, pronouncing his destruction. The eagle in this vision represents the Beast system of Revelation, the governmental mechanism through which the Antichrist exercises power.
Part Four: Summary Profile of the Antichrist
Drawing from all of these sources, the following composite profile emerges. Any genuine identification of the Antichrist must account for every one of these characteristics:
1. He claims to be God. He seats himself in the temple of God and demands divine worship from all humanity. (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Ascension of Isaiah 4:6)
2. He denies the Father and the Son. At the core of his message is a denial that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. (1 John 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7)
3. He performs signs, wonders, and miracles. These are real supernatural manifestations empowered by Satan, including calling fire from heaven. (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13–14)
4. He exercises total economic control through the Beast system. No one can buy or sell without his mark. The Beast is the mechanism that enforces this, but the Antichrist directs it. (Revelation 13:16–17)
5. He persecutes and makes war against the saints. He overcomes them for a period and wears them out through relentless oppression. (Revelation 13:7; Daniel 7:25)
6. He blasphemes God, His name, His tabernacle, and heaven. He speaks great things and blasphemies for forty-two months. (Revelation 13:5–6)
7. He obtains power through flatteries and deception, not through righteous authority. He comes peaceably and wins trust through smooth words. (Daniel 11:21)
8. He rules for approximately three and a half years. Multiple sources converge on this timeframe. (Revelation 13:5; Daniel 7:25; Ascension of Isaiah 4:12)
9. He is empowered by Satan, not by his own power. The dragon gives him his throne, his power, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2; Daniel 8:24)
10. He rises during a period of great apostasy. A falling away precedes his emergence. (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Didache 16:3–4)
11. He deceives even those who should know better. Some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christians, and many other people will be led astray by his signs and his appearance of divinity. (Ascension of Isaiah 4:9–11; Matthew 24:24)
12. He changes times and laws. He restructures the fundamental order of human civilization. (Daniel 7:25)
13. He sets up his image everywhere for worship. His image appears in every city across the world. (Ascension of Isaiah 4:11; Revelation 13:14–15)
14. He is ultimately destroyed by Christ at His coming. The Lord consumes him with the spirit of His mouth and casts him into the lake of fire. (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:20)
15. He is accepted where Christ was rejected. Those who refuse the true Messiah eagerly embrace the false one. (John 5:43)
16. He appears as a lamb but speaks as a dragon. He counterfeits the appearance of Christ while serving Satan. (Revelation 13:11)
17. He brings the abomination of desolation upon the temple. He is the agent who desecrates the holy place through whom this terrible event is accomplished. (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 11:31)
Part Five: Complete Scripture Index
Isaiah (The Assyrian and Related Passages): Isaiah 10:5, 24–25; 14:4, 12–14, 16–17, 25; 16:4; 30:31, 33
Ezekiel: Ezekiel 21:25–26
Daniel: Daniel 7:8, 20–25; 8:9–12, 23–25; 9:26–27; 11:21, 31, 36–45
Zechariah: Zechariah 11:17
Gospels: Matthew 24:5, 15–16, 23–24, 26; Mark 13:6, 14, 21–22; Luke 21:8; John 5:43
Pauline Epistles: 2 Thessalonians 2:3–12
Johannine Epistles: 1 John 2:18, 22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7
Revelation: Revelation 11:7; 13:1–18; 14:9–11; 16:13; 17:1–18; 19:19–20; 20:10
Non-Canonical Ancient Texts: Ascension of Isaiah 4:2–18; Didache 16:3–5; Sibylline Oracles II.167, III.63–73, V; Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (Testament of Dan, Testament of Levi); Apocalypse of Elijah 1–3; Book of Jubilees 10, 11, 17–18; 2 Esdras (4 Ezra) 11–12
The Full Prophetic Picture
The Antichrist's identity, his timing, and the events surrounding his rise are examined in detail throughout The First Horseman, Donald Trump and Biblical Prophecy. The book explains how to distinguish the true servant from the counterfeit and what believers need to understand before these events fully unfold.
Companion Appendices
Appendix A: The Chiastic Structure of Revelation
Appendix B: The Chiastic Structure of Christ's Prophecy in 3 Nephi 20–23
Appendix C: Avraham Gileadi's Davidic Servant Framework
▸ Appendix D: The Antichrist in Scripture (current)
Appendix E: Resources for Further Study
Kelly Smith is the author of The First Horseman, Donald Trump and Biblical Prophecy. He is a lifelong student of biblical prophecy and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.