None of that answers the question of how many 'antichrist' objects are in the 1 John 2:18 verse.
Not trying to be picky, but this is important, because there are other Bible witnesses other than John that define two separate objects with that word 'antichrist'.
In English grammar, a sentence has a subject and object. In the 1 John 2:18 verse, the subject is 'antichrist'. But there's 2 antichrist objects written there, and to ignore that is to go outside of common sense also, and not just simple English grammar.
I Jn 2:18
18 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.
(KJV)
1. "as ye have heard that antichrist shall come" - John is reminding them how they had heard... that antichrist shall come. This phrase is about a singular antichrist that they were already expecting to come, and had already heard was to come.
2. "even now are there many antichrists;" - John is giving them NEW information about the idea of antichrist. This is about a revelation that many antichrists were already here at work.
Where else in Scripture were we shown those two ideas? In 2 Thessalonians 2 by Apostle Paul.
The following is about the single antichrist they had heard was to come...
II Th 2:3-4
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
(KJV)
II Th 2:6
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
(KJV)
But the following is about the "many antichrists" which was new information John was imparting. Note how Paul also revealed that it was already at work in the world...
II Th 2:7
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
(KJV)
Our Lord Jesus also... gave this dual antichrist prophecy about a singular false one coming, and his workers that follow him ("many antichrists)...
Matt 24:23-26
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, "Lo, here is Christ, or there"; believe it not.
24 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.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, "Behold, he is in the desert"; go not forth: "behold, he is in the secret chambers"; believe it not.
(KJV)
In the above Scripture, the phrase "false Christs" is singular with the word
pseudo-Christos. The 23rd and 26th verses are also about a singular false one some will say is Christ. That's John's example of the antichrist they heard shall come. It's Paul's example of the false one to come to sit in the temple of God, exalting himself over all that called God or that is worshipped.
But the following is about the idea of "many antichrists"...
Matt 24:4-5
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For
many shall come in My name, saying, "I am Christ"; and shall deceive many.
(KJV)
That's also about Paul's mention of the "mystery of iniquity", the followers of the antichrist.
Even in 2 Corinthians 11, Paul makes this distinction with the "another Jesus" compared to the disguised ministers of righteousness.
2 Cor 11:3-4
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth
another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
(KJV)
2 Cor 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if
his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
(KJV)
The Greek word "transformed" actually means 'transfigured or disguised' per the Greek (Strongs 3345).
Common sense even says you can't have "many antichrists" without a single "antichrist", just like many devils wouldn't exist unless there was a first single Devil they follow.
Thus the many antichrists confusion is nothing but confusion from the doctrines of men. It's designed to get you off those Scripture witnesses above about the coming of a singular false one that the deceived will say is Christ, and also his many antichrist workers that follow him that are already here at work.