Source: LifeSiteNews.com
In his book The Kingship of Christ and the Conversion of the Jewish Nation, Fr. Denis Fahey gives an overview of what is certain, probable and undecided about the Antichrist.
A real human person
It is certain that the Antichrist will be a single man, a single human person.
St. John the Apostle writes that anyone who denies that “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh” is an antichrist. In this sense, there have been many antichrists, some greater than others. The ones that have been greater have been types of foreshadowing of what the Antichrist will be like.
Some have suggested that “The Antichrist” will be “a sect, or a collection of impious men, an atheistic environment, or a period of persecution.” This is not so, although these others may again serve as types, foreshadowings, or signs that his coming is imminent. He will certainly be an individual man.
15th century Spanish theologian Francisco Suárez teaches that he will be a mere man, in the sense that he will not be Satan in human form. Nonetheless, he will be endowed with great powers and personal qualities of seduction. St. Paul writes of this:
[His] coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power and signs and lying wonders: And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish. (2 Thess. 2.9-10)
His reign
It is generally agreed, based on the biblical texts, that the beginnings of his career “will be lowly and obscure.” However, as a result of his powers of seduction, his power, conquests and influence will grow until it results in a worldwide rule. The Apocalypse says: …