Antichrist

 

The Preaching of the Antichrist (1500-1504)  – fresco at Chapel of San Brizio in Orvieto Catheral in Umbria, Italy  by Luca Signorell

Antichrist, or Anti-Christ, is a person prophesied by the Bible to oppose Christ. 

 

Etymology

Antichrist is translated from the combination of two ancient Greek words ἀντί + Χριστός (anti + Christos).   "Ἀντί" means not only anti in the sense of "against" and "opposite of", but also "in place of".

 

Misconception

The name itself often misled us to think that the character was depicted in the Book of Revealation, as it seems best fit in the Apocalyptic scene.

 

Antichrist in Bible

In fact, the use of the term “antichrist” occurs only in the Johannine epistles.   It is only found used 5 times in the Bible : 4 times in the First Epistle of John, and 1 time in the Second Epistle of John.

 

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. NIV 1 John 2:18

22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. NIV 1 John 2:22

2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. NIV 1 John 4:2-3

7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. NIV 2 John 1:7

 

Similar Character in Bible

Consequently, attention for an individual Antichrist figure focuses on the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians, but the term "antichrist" is never used in this passages.

 

1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.   2 Thessalonians 2:7-10

 

Pseudochrist in Bible

Similar word “pseudochrist”, which means “false messiah” is often used by Jesus.  But both words were never used interchangeably.  

 

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. NIV Matthew 24:24 &  Mark 15:22

 

FACTS about Antichrist

1. the antichrist has already appeared. (NIV 1 John 2:18 & 1 John 4:2-3)

2.  there are many antichrists (NIV 1 John 2:18)

3. Antichrist denies the Father and The Son (NIV 1 John 2:22)

4. Antichrist denies that Jesus Christ does not come in the flesh is from God (NIV 1 John 4:2-3 & 2 John 1:7)

5. in wider sense, Antichrist is the Deceiver of Truth (NIV 2 John 1:7), Liar (NIV 1 John 2:22),.  Thus to deny Truth or lie about Truth (presenting half-Truth), itself is antichrist. 

 

 

See also : False Prophets

 

Artwork Inspired by the Book of Daniel

 Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's first dream, 1670s

Mattia Preti (Italian, 1613–1699)
 

²⁰“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
²² He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
²³ I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Daniel 2:20-23
 

Shadrach, Meschach, and Abdenego, 1863

Simeon Solomon (British, 1840–1905)

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18

Nebuchadnezzar, 1795 

William Blake (British, 1757-1827) 

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
³⁵ All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
Daniel 4:34b-35

Belshazzar’s Feast, 1635-1638
Rembrandt (Dutch, 1606-1669)
 
²⁶ “Here is what these words mean:
Mene : God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
²⁷ Tekel : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
²⁸ Peres : Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Daniel 5:26-28

Daniel in Lions Den, 1892

Briton Rivière (British, 1840-1920)

Daniel's Answer to the King, 1892

Briton Rivière (British, 1840-1920)

21 “May the king live forever!  22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

Daniel 6:21-22

Renaissance Art - Caravaggio’s St. Matthew Trilogy

3 Paintings of Michaelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio ( 1571-1610 ) in the Contarelli Chapel of San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Del Monte ( 1549-1627 ). 

All 3 paintings are hanged at the chapel, Calling and Martyrdom at both side, with Inspiration at the altar.

The Calling of Saint Matthew. 1599-1600, Oil on canvas, 322cm x 340cm

The painting depicts the story from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 9:9): "Jesus saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom house, and said to him, "Follow me", and Matthew rose and followed Him." Caravaggio depicts Matthew the tax collector sitting at a table with four other men. Jesus Christ and Saint Peter have entered the room, and Jesus is pointing at Matthew. A beam of light illuminates the faces of the men at the table who are looking at Jesus Christ.

The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew, 1599-1600, Oil on canvas, 323cm x 343cm

The painting shows the martyrdom of Saint Matthew the Evangelist, author of the Gospel of Matthew. According to tradition, the saint was killed on the orders of the king of Ethiopia while celebrating Mass at the altar. The king lusted after his own niece, and had been rebuked by Matthew, for the girl was a nun, and therefore the bride of Christ. Cardinal Contarelli, who had died several decades earlier, had laid down very explicitly what was to be shown: the saint being murdered by a soldier sent by the wicked king, some suitable architecture, and crowds of onlookers showing appropriate emotion.   The figure in the background, about left-centre and behind the assassin, is a self-portrait by Caravaggio.

The Inspiration of Saint Matthew, 1602, oil on canvas, 292cm x 186cm

In the painting, the angel belongs to an aerial and sublime dimension, enveloped in an encircling rippled sheet. The restless Matthew leans to work, as the angel enumerates for him the work to come. All is darkness but for the two large figures. Matthew appears to have rushed to his desk, his stool teetering into our space. His expression is sober.

Renaissance Art - The Calling of Matthew 呼召马太

马太福音 9:9-13

9 耶稣从那里往前走，看见一个人，名叫马太，坐在税关那里，就对他说：“来跟从我！”他就起来跟从了耶稣。 10 耶稣在屋里吃饭的时候，有很多税吏和罪人来与他和门徒一起吃饭。 11 法利赛人看见了，就对他的门徒说：“你们的老师为甚么跟税吏和罪人一起吃饭呢？” 12 耶稣听见了，就说：“健康的人不需要医生，有病的人才需要， 13 ‘我喜爱怜悯，不喜爱祭祀’，你们去想一想这话的意思吧。我来不是要召义人，而是要召罪人。”

Calling of Saint Matthew, 1599-1600

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio 

马可福音 2:13-17

 13 耶稣又出去，到了加利利海边；众人都到他面前来，他就教导他们。 14 他往前走的时候，看见亚勒腓的儿子利未坐在税关那里，就对他说：“来跟从我！”他就起来跟从了耶稣。 15 后来耶稣在利未家里吃饭，有很多税吏和罪人也来与他和门徒一起吃饭；因为这样的人很多，并且他们已经跟随了耶稣。 16 法利赛派的经学家，看见耶稣与罪人和税吏一起吃饭，就对耶稣的门徒说：“他跟税吏和罪人一起吃饭吗？” 17 耶稣听见了，就对他们说：“健康的人不需要医生，有病的人才需要；我来不是要召义人，而是要召罪人。”

Calling of Saint Matthew, 1661

Juan de Pareja

路加福音 5:27-31

27 事后，耶稣出去，看见一个税吏，名叫利未，坐在税关那里，就对他说：“来跟从我！” 28 他就撇下一切，起来跟从了耶稣。 29 利未在自己家里，为他大摆筵席，有许多税吏和别的人一起吃饭。 30 法利赛人和经学家埋怨他的门徒，说：“你们为甚么跟税吏和罪人一起吃喝呢？” 31 耶稣回答：“健康的人不需要医生，有病的人才需要。 32 我来不是要召义人，而是要召罪人悔改。”

Conversion of Saint Matthew, c1650-1652

Niccolo Torniolli

Renaissance Art - The Last Supper ( Il Cenacolo ) 1495-1498

The Last Supper

Artist : Leonardo da Vinci,  1452-1519

Date : 1495-1498

Medium : fresco-secco

Dimensions : 460x880cm

Current Location : Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy

The work is presumed to have been started around 1495–96 and was commissioned as part of a plan of renovations to a Dominican monastery in Santa Maria delle Grazie, by Leonardo's patron Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. 

The painting represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles, as it is told in the Gospel of John.  Leonardo has depicted the consternation that occurred among the Twelve Disciples when Jesus announced that one of them would betray him.

All twelve apostles have different reactions to the news, with various degrees of anger and shock. The apostles are identified from a manuscript (The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci p. 232) with their names found in the 19th century.

From left to right, according to the apostles' heads:

Bartholomew¹, James², son of Alphaeus, and Andrew³ form a group of three; all are surprised.

Judas Iscariot⁴, Peter⁵, and John⁶ form another group of three.

Apostle Thomas⁷, James⁸ the Greater, and Philip⁹ are the next group of three.

Matthew¹⁰, Jude Thaddeus¹¹, and Simon¹² the Zealot are the final group of three.

Judas Iscariot⁴ is wearing green and blue and is in shadow, looking rather withdrawn and taken aback by the sudden revelation of his plan. He is clutching a small bag, perhaps signifying the silver given to him as payment to betray Jesus, or perhaps a reference to his role within the 12 disciples as treasurer.  He is also tipping over the salt cellar. This may be related to the near-Eastern expression to "betray the salt" meaning to betray one's Master. He is the only person to have his elbow on the table and his head is also horizontally the lowest of anyone in the painting.

Peter⁵ looks angry and is holding a knife pointed away from Christ, perhaps foreshadowing his violent reaction in Gethsemane during Jesus' arrest.

The youngest apostle, John⁶ , appears to swoon.

Thomas⁷ is clearly upset; the raised index finger foreshadows his incredulity of the Resurrection.

James⁸ the Greater looks stunned, with his arms in the air. Meanwhile, Philip⁹ appears to be requesting some explanation.

Both Jude Thaddeus¹¹ and Matthew¹⁰ are turned toward Simon¹² , perhaps to find out if he has any answer to their initial questions.

Renaissance Art - The Last Supper ( Tapestry ) 1500s

Probably the world’s most recognizable painting, the Last Supper has been copied, referenced, or reproduced as painting, mosaic, embroidery, tapestry etc.

The tapestry found in the Vatican Museum was made in a Flemish workshop ( a region occupied today by parts of Netherlands, Belgium and France ) in the early  1500s.  It was presented by King of France, François I to Pope Clement VII in 1532.

It is now displayed at Room VIII of the building of Pinacoteca, Vatican Museum.

Renaissance Art - The Sacrifice of Abraham 1636

The Sacrifice of Abraham

Artist : Rembrandt van Rijn. 1606-1669

Date : 1636

Material : canvas

Technique : oil

Dimensions : 195x132 cm

Current Location : Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany

Note :

This painting was started by one of Rembrandt’s students. 

At some point, Rembrandt took over and finished it.

The composition and figures are similar to the  1635’s The Sacrifice of Isaac.

Renaissance Art : Sacrifice of Isaac 1635

 The Sacrifice of Isaac

Artist : Rembrandt van Rijn. 1606-1669

Place : Holland

Date : 1635

Material : canvas

Technique : oil

Dimensions : 193x132 cm

Current Location : The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of his faith (Genesis, 22: 1-13). Abraham set out to carry out the command, proving his belief, but God sent an angel to stay his hand just as he was about to sink the knife into his son's body. 

Rembrandt captures all the the dramatism of the culminating moment in this terrible intended sacrifice. Abraham's amazement as the angel stops him with hand raised is revealed in his expressive gesture and the strong expression of his face, which almost borders on madness. 

We see a moment of great emotional tension, expressed in dynamic forms and lines. The heightened dramatism, monumental form, turbulent movement, sharp contrasts of light and shade are typical of Rembrandt's works of the 1630s and reflect in this painting the features of the Baroque style.

Aidiladha : 亚伯拉罕 的 献祭

Aidiladha 音译为献祭节、也称哈芝节 ( Hari Raya Haji ) 、古尔邦节 ( Hari Raya Korban )， 是伊斯兰教的重要节日。落于回历每年的12 月10 日（ Zulhijjah / Dhu al-Hijjah ) 。

该节日是为了纪念亚伯拉罕 （ Ibrahim / Abraham ) 向真主阿拉 ( Allah ) 献祭爱子以实玛利 ( Ismail / Ishmael )，以示顺服。

亚伯拉罕老年得子。纵然家财万贯，却无子续后。眼见自己一天一天老去，爱妻亦已断经多年，老亚伯拉罕却不死心。于是纳了妻子女仆夏甲为妾。果然宝刀未老，夏甲给他生了一个儿子，名以实玛利。老亚伯拉罕视以实玛利为心肝宝贝。

岂知真主阿拉却命令老亚伯拉罕把以实玛利当祭品献上。老亚伯拉罕和幼子以实玛利也十分顺服阿拉。当亚伯拉罕举刀割以实玛利的喉咙之时，以实玛利几乎有金钟护身，刀枪不入，伤他不得。又有公羊陷在树丛里，动弹不得，便捉来献祭，成了代罪羔羊。

以实玛利是亚伯拉罕的至宝，可是还不至于大过他对阿拉的顺服。

The Sacrifice of Isaac, Rembrandt, 1635

什么是排在我们生命中的第一位？

什么是我们的至宝？生命？妻儿？财富？

什么是我们的至爱？自己？父母？娇妻？独子？

什么是我们千方百计要得到的？青春？健康？名牌？名声？

什么是我们老年的保障？金钱？孩子？保险？

什么是和我们影不离身的？偶像剧？电玩？

什么是我们活着的能源？烟？酒？毒？性？

什么是我们活着的目的？旅游？美食？

什么是我们放不下的？那一口气？那一份执著？

当亚伯拉罕选择顺服阿拉，把爱子献上为祭时，已顺利通过真主阿拉得试验了。亚伯拉罕选择真主阿拉为他的生活的供应者、患难中的依靠、 生命的主宰、永生的盼望。

Judas Tree = Cercis siliquastrum

Judas tree, also known as redbud tree, is Cercis siliquastrum, a small deciduous tree in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the Fabaceae family, originated from Southern Europe and Western Asia, which is noted for its prolific deep pink flowers in spring.

Besides being planted as ornamental tree, the flowers are eaten in mixed salad or made into fritters.  The wood is used in veneers for its attractive grain.

Judas tree was first described by Linnaeus in 1753.   The Generic name derived from the Greek word kerkis, meaning a “weaver’s shuttle”, in allusion to its flat, woody seedpods.  The specific epithet derived from the Latin word siliqua, meaning “pod”.

There are several varieties and subspecies :

1. nothosubsp. yatikinii (Ponert) Govaerts

2. var. hebecarpa Bornm.

3. var. siliquastrum

4. var. alba Weston

There is a myth that Judas Iscariot hanged himself ^{( Matthew 27:1-10 )} from a tree of this species.  This belief is possible related to a corrupted derivation of the plant’s French common name, Arbre de Judée, meaning “tree of Judea”, referring to the hilly regions of the country where the tree were used to be common.  Another possible reason is the flowers and seedpods dangled from the trunk, in a way reminiscent of Judas’ suicide.

  

Matthew 27:1-10

¹ Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. ² So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

⁶ The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” ⁷ So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. ⁸ That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. ⁹ Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, ¹⁰ and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Judas's Ear = Auricularia auricula-judae

Judas’s ear is Auricularia auricula-judae, a species of edible Auriculariaceae fungus found worldwide.

Its specific epithet is derived from the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree ( Sambusus sp ), of which the fungus grows upon.

The common name “Judas’s ear”, then shortened to “Judas ear”, and eventually become “Jew’s ear” due to anti-Semitism in Britain, while “jelly ear” and other names are sometimes used.  

The species was first mentioned as Tremella auricular by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753’s Species Plantarum, and later described by Jean Baptiste François Pierre Bulliard as Tremella auricular-judae.  However, the genus Tremella is now reserved for fungal species that live as parasites on other fungi.

In 1791, Bulliard transferred the species to the genus Peziza.

In 1822, Elias Magnus Fries transferred it to the genus Exidia.

In 1860, Miles Joseph Berkeley described it as a member of Hirneola.

In 1888, Joseph Schröter named it Auricularia auricula-judae.

The fruit body of A. auricularia-judea is normally 3 – 8 cm.  it s distinctively shaped, typically being reminiscent of a floppy ear.  Its texture is tough, gelatinous, elastic when fresh, but it dries hard and brittle.  

While it is not a choice edible mushroom in the West, it has long been popular in China.  It is called 黑木耳 in Mandarin.

Biblical Narratives

Matthew 27

¹ Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. ² So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

   “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

 ⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

 ⁶ The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” ⁷ So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. ⁸ That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. ⁹ Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, ¹⁰ and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Acts 1

¹⁸ (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)