WHO IS “THE WICKED ONE” IN SCRIPTURE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

First and foremost, “the wicked one” is obviously a title of Satan. “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12). We know this because the Devil himself is referred to in earlier verses. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (verse 8). “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (verse 10).

Moreover, the appellation is extended to the Antichrist, the man who will become Satan’s greatest tool. Christ’s parables of Matthew chapter 13 delineate what will happen in Israel between His two comings—that is, after Calvary but before His Kingdom. The Antichrist will be the means whereby God separates believers and unbelievers in Israel. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side” (Matthew 13:19). Also, verse 38: “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;….”

Satan working through the Antichrist thrice appears in the Book of 1 John. “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (2:13-14). “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness” (5:18-19).

The Antichrist is “that Wicked” of 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9: “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,….” (Read all of the chapter, particularly verses 3-12.) Thankfully, one day, the Lord Jesus Christ will return (His Second Coming) to defeat and remove the Antichrist and Satan from Earth!

Also see:
» Why does God let Satan exist?
» Is the Antichrist alive right now?
» Will the Antichrist be a Jew or a Gentile?