As I’m sure you know, the Apostle John wrote five books in the New Testament.  He wrote the Gospel of John, the epistles of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, and the book of Revelation.  As you can see, he was a prolific writer as the Lord led him to pen these most important books.  John is the only apostle that did not die a martyr’s death but died as an old man. 

It is obvious that John wrote the first epistle of John to believers in the Lord Jesus, for he wrote, “These things have I written unto YOU THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13).  Understanding that, we realize this book was written for believers throughout all ages…including today’s Christians. 

In the verse you referenced, John gives us a serious warning.  We read in 1 John 2:22, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”  Several translations of the Bible state that “He is THE antichrist.” (AMP, DARBY, NASB, WEB, YLT, etc.)  The Bible depicts the antichrist as one who is full of deception and opposition to God, often associated with the end times. Scriptural references highlight his role in leading many astray through false teachings and miraculous signs. The Antichrist is shown to be a powerful religious leader who will rise to prominence during a time of great turmoil…the Tribulation Period.  We find him referenced as “the MAN OF SIN and the SON OF PERDITION” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.  He is referenced as “ANOTHER BEAST” in Revelation 13:11-18.  It is only in the epistles of 1st and 2nd John, do we actually find the word ‘ANTICHRIST’.  (1st John 2:18, 22; 1st John 4:3; and 2nd John 7.)

1 John 2:18 shows us that there are many in the world today who operate in the power of the antichrist by having a spirit of opposition to Christ.  That verse says, “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 4:3 says, “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.” One who refuses to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh portrays the spirit of the antichrist.  John here doesn’t specifically refer to an individual who should be known as the antichrist, but to a class of persons who reject and openly oppose the Lord.

2 John 7 tells us, “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.” The ‘many’ here who in a degree exemplify the character of the antichrist, are forerunners of the final personal Antichrist, who shall concentrate in himself all the features of previous Antichristian systems.

In 1 John 2:22, John could be referring to the actual one known as the antichrist, or he could be referring to all those who characterize the antichrist by their rebellious and opposing spirit…the spirit of antichrist.  To be forewarned is to be fore-armed.  As we await the soon-coming return of the Lord to rapture His church from earth into Heaven, may we, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:5).  May we be aware of the deceivers among us and stand strong for the truths of the Word of God.  May we learn the Word of God so that we are not swayed by those who act as ‘sheep in wolves clothing.’  Ephesians 5:6 instructs us, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”  (CC)  (741.6)