Since all but this 2nd verse are clearly in the plural, it has always struck me as misguided to then look for a single figure called "The Antichrist."
There is a final antichrist, spoken of by Christ and Daniel, who sets up an image of himself, in a newly built Jewish temple, and causes all "both small and great" to worship his image and take upon themselves his "mark",
This mark is the "mark of the beast (final antichrist)," otherwise one will not be able to buy or sell.
How widespread this will be, I don't know, it may only affect one small area in Israel, or it may be required througout Europe and/or into the United States...
One thing for sure, it won't happen before the morning of the first resurrection or first rapture, so it really makes no difference to me, but it will to those still left on earth, who missed the first rapture/resurrection. If one misses the first, be ready for the second (resurrection/rapture), by believing in Christ and accepting him as Lord and savior...
All who reject Christ have the spirit of antichrist, so there are multitudes of people either with that spirit or who are antichrists, openly denying the Father and the Son...
One can be silent on this issue and just not profess Jesus is the Christ, but not deny it either, this is the spirit of antichrist...
Professing Jesus Christ as Lord, before all men, is part of our salvation.
Philipians 2: 9=11
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of
things in heaven, and
things in earth, and
things under the earth;
11 And
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus Christ is Lord
