Throughout his public life, The Lord Jesus warned his followers against false prophets, warnings which the Apostles frequently repeated, as we know from their letters.  Of particular concern was the arrival of "the man of perdition" of whom St. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians, and the Antichrist (with whom he is identified) of St. John's first Epistle.  From information gathered by the Fathers from the writings of the Apostles, a fairly detailed picture of the Antichrist emerged.  The following is taken from a very short work on this subject by the Frenchman Adso (d. 992), abbot of Montier-en-Der Abbey, one of the abbeys established during the great Cluniac reform of religious life.  He wrote this essay for the reigning queen of France.

"[The Antichrist] will be contrary to Christ in all things, and he will do all things contrary to Christ.  Christ came as a lowly one.  The Antichrist will come in his pride.  Christ came to lift up the lowly and to forgive sinners.  The Antichrist will cast down the lowly, glorify sinners, ever exalt the wicked to their vices, teach those things which are contrary to the virtues, destroy the law of the Gospel, bring back into the world the worship of demons, seek his own glory, and will name himself the almighty God.  The Antichrist has many ministers of wickedness, of which many have preceded him into the world.  Of this number were Antiochus [Epiphanes], Nero, and Domitian.  We know that there are many Antichrists in our own time.  Whoever lives against justice, fights against the rule of order, and blasphemes that which is good, is an Antichrist, a minister of Satan, whether he be a layman, religious, or monk . . . . Kings and princes will be the first to be converted to him and then, because of them, the rest of the people will be converted also.  He will first go through the places where Christ the Lord walked and destroy that which The Lord shined upon.  Then he will send his messengers and preachers through the whole world.  His preaching and power will hold from sea to sea, from east to west, and from north to south.  He will perform many signs, great wonders, and unheard of things.  He will make fire come fearfully from the sky, trees suddenly blossom and then dry up, the sea suddenly turbulent and then tranquil . . . and other innumerable and stupendous things.  He will even raise the dead in the sight of men.  As a result, even the elect would be led into error, if it were possible."