(Matthew 24:5) Jesus did not use the word antichrist, but he was clearly warning of "many" who would come claiming to be Christ. Jesus clarified his warning a few verses later when he stated: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24) See also, Mark 13:22. Jesus warned of false (pseudo) Christs (plural). In identifying the antichrist, one should not look for one but rather "many," who will not only oppose Jesus Christ but also seek to take his place as Christ.

            John builds on what Jesus had warned and for the first time in scripture comes out and calls the false Christ, antichrist. "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. Notice the warning of John includes the point that even then there were many antichrists (plural). We know from what John and Jesus said that antichrist, while a singular noun, is intended to describe a person who occupies an office that is filled by "many" antichrists. Christian historian J. A. Wylie explains the significance of the title, antichrist, used by John. Wylie's sublime writing cannot be equaled, and so I will quote him directly:

Who is Antichrist? It will help us to the right answer to this question if we shall first determine, What is Antichrist?