Who did the Reformers identify as the antichrist?

[hobie]

Well, if one looks the Protestant Reformers were clear on who they saw as the Bible said was antichrist and as 'the' Antichrist in prophecy. They explicitly identified the pope or the papacy with Antichrist. Martin Luther called the papacy “the kingdom of Babylon and of the true Antichrist” and repeatedly labeled the pope “the very Antichrist” in works such as 'Babylonian Captivity of the Church' where he critiqued the sacramental system of the Roman Catholic church.

We find the following from the Reformers, and those who came after them believed on this..

'The Antichrist According to the Protestant Reformers
The following quotations show what some of the most influential Protestant Reformers and early Christian leaders believed about Antichrist (“the little horn” (Daniel 7:8), “the beast” (Revelation 13:1), and “the man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Martin Luther (1483-1546) (Lutheran):​

“Luther … proved, by the revelations of Daniel and St. John, by the epistles of St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. Jude, that the reign of Antichrist, predicted and described in the Bible, was the Papacy … And all the people did say, Amen! A holy terror siezed their souls. It was Antichrist whom they beheld seated on the pontifical throne. This new idea, which derived greater strength from the prophetic descriptions launched forth by Luther into the midst of his contemporaries, inflicted the most terrible blow on Rome.” History of the Reformation of the Sixteen Century, by J. H. Merle D’aubigne’s, book vi, chapter xii, p. 215.

Martin Luther declared, “We here are of the conviction that the papacy is the seat of the true and real Antichrist.” (Aug. 18, 1520). The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, by Le Roy Froom. Vol. 2., pg. 121.

John Calvin (1509-1564) (Presbyterian):​

“Some persons think us too severe and censorious when we call the Roman pontiff Antichrist. But those who are of this opinion do not consider that they bring the same charge of presumption against Paul himself, after whom we speak and whose language we adopt… I shall briefly show that (Paul’s words in II Thess. 2) are not capable of any other interpretation than that which applies them to the Papacy.” Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin.

John Knox (1505-1572) (Scotch Presbyterian):​

John Knox sought to counteract “that tyranny which the pope himself has for so many ages exercised over the church.” As with Luther, he finally concluded that the Papacy was “the very antichrist, and son of perdition, of whom Paul speaks.” The Zurich Letters, by John Knox, pg. 199.

Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) (Anglican):​

“Whereof it followeth Rome to be the seat of antichrist, and the pope to be very antichrist himself. I could prove the same by many other scriptures, old writers, and strong reasons.” (Referring to prophecies in Revelation and Daniel.) Works by Cranmer, Vol. 1, pp. 6-7.

Roger Williams (1603-1683) (First Baptist Pastor in America):​

Pastor Williams spoke of the Pope as “the pretended Vicar of Christ on earth, who sits as God over the Temple of God, exalting himself not only above all that is called God, but over the souls and consciences of all his vassals, yea over the Spirit of Christ, over the Holy Spirit, yea, and God himself…speaking against the God of heaven, thinking to change times and laws; but he is the son of perdition (II Thess. 2).” The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, by Froom, Vol. 3, pg. 52.

The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647):​

“There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition that exalteth himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God.” The Creeds of Christendom With a History and Critical Notes, by Philip Schaff’s, III, p. 658, 659, ch. 25, sec. 6.

Cotton Mather (1663-1728) (Congregational Theologian):​

“The oracles of God foretold the rising of an Antichrist in the Christian Church: and in the Pope of Rome, all the characteristics of that Antichrist are so marvelously answered that if any who read the Scriptures do not see it, there is a marvelous blindness upon them.” The Fall of Babylon by Cotton Mather in Froom’s book, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 3, pg. 113.

John Wesley (1703-1791) (Methodist):​

Speaking of the Papacy, John Wesley wrote, “He is in an emphatical sense, the Man of Sin, as he increases all manner of sin above measure. And he is, too, properly styled the Son of Perdition, as he has caused the death of numberless multitudes, both of his opposers and followers… He it is…that exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped…claiming the highest power, and highest honour…claiming the prerogatives which belong to God alone.” Antichrist and His Ten Kingdoms, by John Wesley, pg. 110.

A Great Cloud of Witnesses​

“Wycliffe, Tyndale, Luther, Calvin, Cranmer; in the seventeenth century, Bunyan, the translators of the King James Bible and the men who published the Westminster and Baptist confessions of Faith; Sir Isaac Newton, Wesley, Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards; and more recently Spurgeon, Bishop J.C. Ryle and Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones; these men among countless others, all saw the office of the Papacy as the antichrist.” All Roads Lead to Rome, by Michael de Semlyen, Dorchestor House Publications, p. 205. 1991.'..... Who did the reformers identify as the antichrist? - BibleAsk

 

[hobie]

This list is even more comprehensive...Who Did the Reformers Say Is Antichrist?

Take a look at these quotes from the great Protestant reformers showing who they believed the Bible antichrist was.

Nicolaus Von Amsdorf (1483 – 1565)

“He (the antichrist) will be revealed and come to naught before the last day, so that every man shall comprehend and recognize that the pope is the real, true antichrist and not the vicar of Christ … Therefore those who consider the pope and his bishops as Christian shepherds and bishops are deeply in error, but even more are those who believe the the Turk (ISLAM) is the antichrist. Because the Turk (ISLAM) rules outside of the church and does not sit in the holy place, nor does he seek to bear the name of Christ, but is an open antagonist of Christ and His church. This does not need to be revealed, but it is clear and evident because he persecutes Christians openly and not as the pope does, secretly under the form of Godliness.” (Nicolaus Von Amsdorf, Furnemliche und gewisse Zeichen, sig.A2r.,v.)
Martin Luther (1483 – 1546)

“nothing else than the kingdom of Babylon and of very Antichrist. For who is the man of sin and the son of perdition, but he who by his teaching and his ordinances increases the sin and perdition of souls in the church; while he yet sits in the church as if he were God? All these conditions have now for many ages been fulfilled by the papal tyranny.” (Martin Luther, First Principles, pp. 196-197)

Flacius (1570)

“The sixth and last reason for our separation from the pope and his followers be this; By many writings of our church, by the Divinely inspired Word, by prophecies concerning the future and by the special characteristics of the Papacy, it has been profusely and thoroughly proved that the pope with his prelates and clergy is the real true great antichrist, that his kingdom is the real Babylon, a never ceasing fountain and a mother of all abominable idolatry.” (Flacius, Etliche Hochwichtige Ursachen und Grunde, warum das siche alle Christen von dem Antichrist … absondern sollen)

Georg Nigrinus (1530 – 1602)

“The Jesuits claim to be sorely offended and have taken my declarations as an insult and blasphemy in branding the Papacy as the antichrist of which Daniel, Paul, Peter, John and even Christ prophesied. But this is as true as it is that Jesus is the Messiah, and I am prepared to show it even by their own definition of the word ‘antichrist’.” (Translated from “Nigrinus, Antichrists Grundliche Offenbarung” fol. 6v.)

“This Jesuit further contends that the Papacy cannot be antichrist because the Papacy has lasted for centuries, but that the antichrist is supposed to reign only for 3 1/2 years … But no one doubts today that Daniel spoke of YEAR-DAYS, not literal days … The prophetic time-periods of forty-two months, 1260 days, 1, 2, 1/2 times are prophetic, and according to Ezekiel 4, a day must be taken for a year.” (Translated from “Nigrinus, Antichrists Grundliche Offenbarung” fols.28v. 29r.)

John Calvin (1509 – 1564)

“Though it be admitted that Rome was once the mother of all Churches, yet from the time when it began to be the seat of Antichrist it has ceased to be what it was before. Some persons think us too severe and censorious when we call the Roman Pontiff Antichrist. But those who are of this opinion do not consider that they bring the same charge of presumption against Paul himself, after whom we speak and whose language we adopt .. I shall briefly show that (Paul’s words in II Thess. 2) are not capable of any other interpretation than that which applies them to the Papacy.” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Vol.3, p.149)

John Knox (1505 – 1572)

Yea, to speak it in plain words; lest that we submit ourselves to Satan, thinking that we submit ourselves to Jesus Christ, for, as for your Roman kirk, as it is now corrupted, and the authority thereof, whereon stands the hope of your victory, I no more doubt but that it is the synagogue of Satan, and the head thereof, called the pope, to be that man of sin, of whom the apostle speaks.” (John Knox, The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland, p.65)

Thomas Cranmer (1489 – 1556)

“Whereof it followeth Rome to be the seat of Antichrist, and the pope to be very antichrist himself. I could prove the same by many other scriptures, old writers, and strong reasons.” (Works by Cranmer, vol.1, pp.6-7)

Roger Williams (1603 – 1683)

Pastor Williams spoke of the Pope as “the pretended Vicar of Christ on earth, who sits as God over the Temple of God, exalting himself not only above all that is called God, but over the souls and consciences of all his vassals, yea over the Spirit of Christ, over the Holy Spirit, yea, and God himself…speaking against the God of heaven, thinking to change times and laws; but he is the son of perdition.” (The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers by Froom, Vol. 3, pg. 52)

The Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) *Not technically a Reformed document

“The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner; neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ.” (1689 Baptist Confession of Faith)

The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)

“There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalts himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God.” (1646 Westminster Confession of Faith)

John Wesley (1703 – 1791)

“… In many respects, the Pope has an indisputable claim to those titles. He is, in an emphatical sense, the man of sin, as he increases all manner of sin above measure. And he is, too, properly styled, the son of perdition, as he has caused the death of numberless multitudes, both of his opposers and followers, destroyed innumerable souls, and will himself perish everlastingly. He it is that opposeth himself to the emperor, once his rightful sovereign; and that exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped – Commanding angels, and putting kings under his feet, both of whom are called gods in scripture; claiming the highest power, the highest honour; suffering himself, not once only, to be styled God or vice-God. Indeed no less is implied in his ordinary title, “Most Holy Lord,” or, “Most Holy Father.” So that he sitteth – Enthroned. In the temple of God – Mentioned Rev. xi, 1. Declaring himself that he is God – Claiming the prerogatives which belong to God alone.” (John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon The New Testament, p.216)

Charles Spurgeon (1834 – 1892) *Not technically a Reformer

“It is the bounden duty of every Christian to pray against Antichrist, and as to what Antichrist is no sane man ought to raise a question. If it be not the popery in the Church of Rome there is nothing in the world that can be called by that name. If there were to be issued a hue and cry for Antichrist, we should certainly take up this church on suspicion, and it would certainly not be let loose again, for it so exactly answers the description.”

“Popery is contrary to Christ’s Gospel, and is the Antichrist, and we ought to pray against it. It should be the daily prayer of every believer that Antichrist might be hurled like a millstone into the flood and for Christ, because it wounds Christ, because it robs Christ of His glory, because it puts sacramental efficacy in the place of His atonement, and lifts a piece of bread into the place of the Saviour, and a few drops of water into the place of the Holy Ghost, and puts a mere fallible man like ourselves up as the vicar of Christ on earth; if we pray against it, because it is against Him, we shall love the persons though we hate their errors: we shall love their souls though we loath and detest their dogmas, and so the breath of our prayers will be sweetened, because we turn our faces towards Christ when we pray.” (Michael de Semlyen, All Roads Lead to Rome)..... The Reformers on Who is the Antichrist | Reformed Theology at Semper Reformanda

 

[hobie]

The Protestant Reformers used the historicist method of interpretation for the prophecies in the Daniel and Revelation and we see clearly what came as a result, "nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalts himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God.” (1646 Westminster Confession of Faith). So there is firm ground to stand on when the Papacy is held to be the AntiChrist power which is the Beast of Revelation. That Babylon the Great, and Man of Sin and Son of Perdition, Little Horn power of prophecy that usurped the early church from Christ. And yet today most Christians have little idea of who is antichrist or the Antichrist in Bible prophecy or come up with the Futurist idea or worse, the Preterist view..

https://www.whitehorsemedia.com/preterism-historicism-futurism-explained/

 

[Frankj]

The Protestant Reformers used the historicist method of interpretation for the prophecies in the Daniel and Revelation and we see clearly what came as a result, "nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalts himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God.” (1646 Westminster Confession of Faith). So there is firm ground to stand on when the Papacy is held to be the AntiChrist power which is the Beast of Revelation. That Babylon the Great, and Man of Sin and Son of Perdition, Little Horn power of prophecy that usurped the early church from Christ. And yet today most Christians have little idea of who is antichrist or the Antichrist in Bible prophecy or come up with the Futurist idea or worse, the Preterist view..

https://www.whitehorsemedia.com/preterism-historicism-futurism-explained/

I would suggest that when there are multiple 'interpretations' of prophecy we should always consider that they all may be wrong, and even that they all may be right as well.

 

[hobie]

Well, there is a reason that the truth of the matter has been obliterated with multiple 'interpretations', and one just has to look rather than follow what has caused the confusion.

The Protestant Reformers, including John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, John Calvin,, John Knox, Roger Williams, Cotton Mather, Jonathan Edwards, and John Wesley etc.., as well as most Protestants believers, felt that the Early Church of Christ and the Apostles, had been led into the Great Apostasy by the Papacy and identified the Pope with the Antichrist. The Centuriators of Magdeburg, a group of Lutheran scholars in Magdeburg headed by Matthias Flacius, wrote the 12-volume Magdeburg Centuries to discredit the Catholic Church and lead other Christians to recognize the Pope as the Antichrist. So, rather than expecting a single Antichrist to rule the earth during a future Tribulation period, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other Protestant Reformers saw the Antichrist as a present feature in the world of their time, fulfilled in the Papacy.

Now in order to counter this view that the papacy was the Antichrist power it the church turned to the Jesuits who were summoned to push back the reformers' teachings, and here two Jesuit scholars stand out in particular. They are Ribera and Alcasar, and they developed the Futurist and Preterist systems of prophetic interpretation.

Spanish Jesuit Francisco Ribera published a commentary on the book of Revelation which proposed that the bulk of the prophecies would be fulfilled in a brief three-and-one-half-year period at the end of the Christian era. In that short space antichrist (a single individual, according to Ribera) would rebuild the Jerusalem Temple, deny Christ, abolish Christianity, be received by the Jews, pretend to be god, and conquer the world. Thus the Protestant contention that the apocalyptic symbols of antichrist denoted an apostate religious system was countered, and the focus of the prophecies was diverted from the present to the far distant future.

Spanish Jesuit, Luis de Alcazar also published a scholarly work on Revelation, to refute the Protestant Reformation on the Antichrist power. Alcazar's thesis, the opposite of Ribera's, was that all the prophecies of Revelation had been fulfilled in the past, that is, by the fifth and sixth centuries A.D., the early centuries of Christianity. He asserted that this prophetic book simply described a two-fold war by the church-its victory over the Jewish synagogue on the one hand (chaps. 1-11) and Roman paganism on the other (chaps. 12-19). Chapters 21, 22 Alcazar applied to the Roman Catholic Church as the New Jerusalem, glorious and triumphant. His writings were developed into a system of interpretation known as Preterism.

Over time these specific systems of counter interpretations of the Antichrist spread and began to penetrate Protestant thought. Preterism was the first; it began to enter Protestantism in the late eighteenth century. Preterist interpretations of the prophecies have today become the standard view of liberal Protestantism.

The ideas of futurism, although refuted at first, eventually spread into Protestantism during the nineteenth century. So the Protestant denominations have picked up these counter reformation views set about to change the views of the papacy as the Antichrist power that was from the Reformers.

The false doctrine of Preterism and Futurism, as you can see, basically are to put aside the Reformers view of the Antichrist which was held by the main body of Protestants. Preterist interpretation puts all prophecy pertaining to the Antichrist into the past so it is long gone, and the Futurist interpretation puts them into the future so the papacy could claim it was not this power. It is a deception which has been picked up and spread through the churches of today which has become a stumbling block for many people as they are fed its lies by these false doctrines..

 

[Frankj]

Well, there is a reason that the truth of the matter has been obliterated with multiple 'interpretations', and one just has to look rather than follow what has caused the confusion.

The Protestant Reformers, including John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, John Calvin,, John Knox, Roger Williams, Cotton Mather, Jonathan Edwards, and John Wesley etc.., as well as most Protestants believers, felt that the Early Church of Christ and the Apostles, had been led into the Great Apostasy by the Papacy and identified the Pope with the Antichrist. The Centuriators of Magdeburg, a group of Lutheran scholars in Magdeburg headed by Matthias Flacius, wrote the 12-volume Magdeburg Centuries to discredit the Catholic Church and lead other Christians to recognize the Pope as the Antichrist. So, rather than expecting a single Antichrist to rule the earth during a future Tribulation period, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other Protestant Reformers saw the Antichrist as a present feature in the world of their time, fulfilled in the Papacy.

Now in order to counter this view that the papacy was the Antichrist power it the church turned to the Jesuits who were summoned to push back the reformers' teachings, and here two Jesuit scholars stand out in particular. They are Ribera and Alcasar, and they developed the Futurist and Preterist systems of prophetic interpretation.

Spanish Jesuit Francisco Ribera published a commentary on the book of Revelation which proposed that the bulk of the prophecies would be fulfilled in a brief three-and-one-half-year period at the end of the Christian era. In that short space antichrist (a single individual, according to Ribera) would rebuild the Jerusalem Temple, deny Christ, abolish Christianity, be received by the Jews, pretend to be god, and conquer the world. Thus the Protestant contention that the apocalyptic symbols of antichrist denoted an apostate religious system was countered, and the focus of the prophecies was diverted from the present to the far distant future.

Spanish Jesuit, Luis de Alcazar also published a scholarly work on Revelation, to refute the Protestant Reformation on the Antichrist power. Alcazar's thesis, the opposite of Ribera's, was that all the prophecies of Revelation had been fulfilled in the past, that is, by the fifth and sixth centuries A.D., the early centuries of Christianity. He asserted that this prophetic book simply described a two-fold war by the church-its victory over the Jewish synagogue on the one hand (chaps. 1-11) and Roman paganism on the other (chaps. 12-19). Chapters 21, 22 Alcazar applied to the Roman Catholic Church as the New Jerusalem, glorious and triumphant. His writings were developed into a system of interpretation known as Preterism.

Over time these specific systems of counter interpretations of the Antichrist spread and began to penetrate Protestant thought. Preterism was the first; it began to enter Protestantism in the late eighteenth century. Preterist interpretations of the prophecies have today become the standard view of liberal Protestantism.

The ideas of futurism, although refuted at first, eventually spread into Protestantism during the nineteenth century. So the Protestant denominations have picked up these counter reformation views set about to change the views of the papacy as the Antichrist power that was from the Reformers.

The false doctrine of Preterism and Futurism, as you can see, basically are to put aside the Reformers view of the Antichrist which was held by the main body of Protestants. Preterist interpretation puts all prophecy pertaining to the Antichrist into the past so it is long gone, and the Futurist interpretation puts them into the future so the papacy could claim it was not this power. It is a deception which has been picked up and spread through the churches of today which has become a stumbling block for many people as they are fed its lies by these false doctrines..

So do you agree with those who say the Antichrist will be an actual man and not just something symbolic of a spirit of Christ denial propagating among men?

 

[hobie]

One just has to look in Gods Word as it shows us who is and when the Antichrist power show itself.
Take a look at 2 Thessalonians 2:7

2 Thessalonians 2:7 King James Version (KJV)
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 (New International Version)
7For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 (New Living Translation)
7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way

So here we have the entity coming into the scene, this mystery of iniquity, this lawlessness which is already at work secretly, and we see what is holding it back. Look in history and you will see the power holding it back:

For more than 500 years, half a millennium, Rome was invincible. Its laws and legions stretched out from Rome and crushed those who would challenge it, but it too finally faded and it stopped holding back the entity that prophecy had foretold....

Geneva Study Bible
(7) He foretells that when the empire of Rome is taken away, the seat that falls away from God will succeed and hold its place, as the old writers, Tertullian, Chrysostom, and Jerome explain and interpret it... He who is now in authority and rules all, that is, the Roman Empire.

2:7He will surely be revealed; for the mystery - The deep, secret power of iniquity, just opposite to the power of godliness, already worketh. It began with the love of honour, and the desire of power; and is completed in the entire subversion of the gospel of Christ. This mystery of iniquity is not wholly confined to the Romish church, but extends itself to others also. It seems to consist of,
Human inventions added to the written word.
Mere outside performances put in the room of faith and love.
Other mediators besides the man Christ Jesus.
The two last branches, together with idolatry and bloodshed, are the direct consequences of the former; namely, the adding to the word of God. Already worketh - In the church. Only he that restraineth - That is, the potentate who successively has Rome in his power. The emperors, heathen or Christian; the kings, Goths or Lombards; the Carolingian or German emperors.

And we see more from John Wesley...

Wesley's Explanatory Notes
2:7 He will surely be revealed; for the mystery - The deep, secret power of iniquity, just opposite to the power of godliness, already worketh. It began with the love of honour, and the desire of power; and is completed in the entire subversion of the gospel of Christ. This mystery of iniquity is not wholly confined to the Romish church, but extends itself to others also. It seems to consist of, Human inventions added to the written word. Mere outside performances put in the room of faith and love. Other mediators besides the man Christ Jesus. The two last branches, together with idolatry and bloodshed, are the direct consequences of the former; namely, the adding to the word of God. Already worketh - In the church. Only he that restraineth - That is, the potentate who successively has Rome in his power. The emperors, heathen or Christian; the kings, Goths or Lombards; the Carolingian or German emperors.

And we see from even St Jerome...
Jerome (347–420): "Says the apostle [Paul in the second epistle to the Thessalonians], ‘Unless the Roman Empire should first be desolated, and antichrist proceed, Christ will not come.’"

So what is this mystery, lets look in Gods Word..

Revelation 17:5,9
5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
9And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

In the day of the Apostle John, the city of Rome was famed for its situation of encompassing seven hills, i.e., Capitolinus, Palatinus, Aventinus, Esquilinus, Coelius, Viminalis, and Quirinalis, as noticed by Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Claudian, Starius, Martial, and others.

The mystery of Babylon had been a power which brought corruption of man and lawlessness. It had been known more by what it did to deceive and substitute itself above God, but Paul now begins to point it out and tells others.

2 Thessalonians 2:3
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;


So the man of sin, the son of perdition is being held back, but what is this exactly. In John 17:12 we see the name:
John 17:12
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

But Paul is not talking about Judas as he is already gone from the scene, so it must be the evil which comes into men. That which seeks to be like God and fights against Christ, a antichrist power. The word Antichrist occurs only five times and only in the books of 1st and 2nd John.

1 John 2:18-22 – He is antichrist that denies Jesus is Christ. In John’s time there were many antichrists and he says they went out from them (the Church) but were not of them or they would have continued with them. This tells us the Antichrist came from God’s true Church but they went out on their own.
1 John 4:1-3 – Test the Spirits. Every spirit that denies Jesus came in the flesh is the spirit of antichrist.
2 John 1-11 – Those that deny Jesus came in the flesh are a deceiver and antichrist.

Antichrist = “against or in place of Christ”, attacking Christ’s character (Gnosticism), specifically with regard to love expressed in obedience to God’s Ten Commandments.
Satan seduced Eve with the bait of becoming "like the most High" (Isaiah 14:14) in "knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" (3:5). What Satan failed to tell Eve, was the result of eating of the fruit that God had forbidden. "But of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17)

Satan keeps putting into mans minds that they shall be like gods if they follow what he says, and he tries everything to get them to see themselves as worthy to be worshipped and with power to change what God has given mankind. Thus the Antichrist becomes what gets power from evil to go against Christ and take worship that does not belong to it.

The power that gives rise to the the Antichrist has always been at enmity with those that follow God.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4).

The bible identifies and shows us what it is and what will happen, you just have to have a ear that hears..

Revelation 13 (King James Version)
1And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

He will “speak great words against the most high” Meaning, he will speak “blasphemy” , which means to claim to be God and to forgive sins. He resides in Rome (seven hills) and shows itself after Pagan Rome is taken out of its way, and will “make war” with the saints of God. He is a persecuting power, can we say the Inquisition.

 

[hobie]

Now lets take a look that who will “speak great words against the most high” Meaning, he will speak “blasphemy” . We find that head of this entity makes assertions that he has the authority to say these things and to make changes, which if you read prophecy in scripture says would be done. So lets look.

In his encyclical, "The Reunion of Christendom" (1885), Pope Leo XIII stated that the pope holds "upon this earth the place of God Almighty."

In the Catechism, can be found the following: "The Pope takes the place of Jesus Christ on earth...by divine right the pope has supreme and full power in faith and morals over each and every pastor and his flock. He is the true Vicar of Christ, the head of the entire church, the father and teacher of all Christians He is the infallible ruler, the founder of dogmas, the author of and the judge of councils; the universal ruler of truth, the arbiter of the world, the supreme judge of heaven and earth, the judge of all, being judged by one, God himself on earth." and also "The Pope can make and unmake laws for the entire Church; his authority is supreme and unquestioned. Every bishop, every priest, every member of the Church is subject to him."

Here are some others…"The Pope is not simply the representative of Jesus Christ. On the contrary, he is Jesus Christ Himself, under the veil of the flesh." (Evangelical Christendom, January 1, 1895, pg. 15, published in London by J. S. Phillips)

"Against this background of love towards Holy Church, 'the pillar and bulwark of the truth' (1 Tim 3:15), we readily understand the devotion of Saint Francis of Assisi for 'THE LORD POPE', the daughterly outspokenness of Saint Catherine of Siena towards the one whom she called 'SWEET CHRIST ON EARTH'." (Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation on the Consecrated Life and Its Mission in the Church and in the World, to the bishops and clergy, religious orders and congregations, societies of apostolic life, secular institutes, and all the faithful, given in Rome, at Saint Peter's, March 25, 1996)

"The Pope is of so great dignity, and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God and the vicar of God." (Ferraris Ecclesiastical dictionary)

"All names which in the Scriptures are applied to Christ, by virtue of which it is established that He is over the church, all the same names are applied to the Pope." (On the Authority of the Councils, book 2, chapter 17)

"The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth." (Pope Pius V, quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, "Cities Petrus Bertanous)

"To believe that our Lord God the Pope has not the power to decree as he is decreed, is to be deemed heretical." (the Gloss "Extravagantes" o.f Pope John XXII *** inter, Tit. XIV, Cap. IV. Ad Callem Sexti Decretalium, Paris, 1685)

"Hence the Pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions." (Ferraris, «Prompta Bibliotheca», 1763, Volume VI, 'Papa II', p.26)

"The Saviour Himself is the door of the sheepfold: 'I am the door of the sheep.' Into this fold of Jesus Christ, no man may enter unless he be led by the Sovereign Pontiff; and only if they be united to him can men be saved, for the Roman Pontiff is the Vicar of Christ and His personal representative on earth." (Pope John XXIII in his homily to the Bishops and faithful assisting at his coronation on November 4, 1958)

"This is our last lesson to you: receive it, engrave it in your minds, all of you: by God's commandment salvation is to be found nowhere but in the Church; the strong and effective instrument of salvation is none other than the Roman Pontificate." (Pope Leo XIII, Allocution for the 25th anniversary of his election, February 20, 1903; Papal Teachings: The Church, Benedictine Monks of Solesmes, St. Paul Editions, Boston, 1962, par. 653)

He calls himself the Supreme ruler of heaven and earth, the Supreme Pontiff, the Holy Father, which belong only to God and "God himself on earth". No such terms were given to a mere man anywhere in scripture and the term "Holy Father" is used only by Jesus in John 17:11 as He prayed to God the Father. For a sinful man to assume the authority and titles which belong only to God, seems the height of blasphemy.

So the Pope has laid claim to take the place of God with infallible authority and we find the Council of Trent declared: "Sitting in that chair in which Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, sat to the close of life, the Catholic Church recognizes in his person the most exalted degree of dignity, and the full jurisdiction not based on constitutions, but emanating from no less authority than from God Himself. As the Successor of St. Peter and the true and legitimate Vicar of Jesus Christ, he therefore, presides over the Universal Church, the Father and Governor of all the faithful, of Bishops, also and of all other prelates, be their station, rant, or power, what they may be."

So its not just the Pope, the councils have also laid claim that the Pope holds of himself what can only be termed as "God on Earth".

 

[hobie]

Now compare what Daniel says of this entity...
Daniel 7:25
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Again we see what Revelation 13 said and more, "he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws". Lets look closer at he “thinks to change times and laws” of Daniel 7:25.

And does he have the authority to change times and laws of God? I Daniel 7:8 we read how this would arise and would have "eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." Lets see what is claimed by this entity...

"Not the Creator of Universe, in Genesis 2:1-3,-but the Catholic Church can claim the honor of having granted man a pause to his work every seven days." (S. C. Mosna, Storia della Domenica, 1969, pp. 366-367)

"The Pope is of great authority and power that he can modify, explain, or interpret even divine laws... The Pope can modify divine law, since his power is not of man, but of God, and he acts as vicegerent of God upon earth." (Lucius Ferraris, Prompta Ribliotheca, Papa, art. 2, translated)

"The Pope has the power to change times, to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ. The Pope has the authority and often exercised it, to dispense with the command of Christ." (Decretal, de Tranlatic Episcop. Cap. (The Pope can modify divine law.) Ferraris' Ecclesiastical Dictionary)

"Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her; --she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority." (Rev. Stephan Keenan, A Doctrinal Catechism, On the Obedience Due to the Church, chap. 2, p. 174. (Imprimatur, John Cardinal McCloskey, archbishop of New York)

"The authority of the church could therefore not be bound to the authority of the Scriptures, because the Church had changed...the Sabbath into Sunday, not by command of Christ, but by its own authority." (Canon and Tradition, p. 263)

"Is not yet too late for Protestants to redeem themselves. Will they do it?... will they indeed take the written word only, the Scripture alone, as their sole authority and their sole standard? Or will they still hold the indefensible, self contradictory, and suicidal doctrine and practice of following the authority of the Catholic church and wear the SIGN of her authority? Will they keep the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day, according to Scripture? Or will they keep the Sunday according to the tradition of the Catholic church." (Ibid, page 31)

Lets look back at what Paul said of this entity and take note of what more he says.

2 Thessalonians 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.

Paul warned that this blasphemy was already at work, and that it would come not from an outside influence, but from within the church, and we see even more..

Acts 20:28-30
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

And we clearly see it makes claims that is has the authority to say these things and to make these changes....

 

[hobie]

So do you agree with those who say the Antichrist will be an actual man and not just something symbolic of a spirit of Christ denial propagating among men?

Gods Word lays it out and clearly we see this entity led by a man....

 

[Frankj]

Gods Word lays it out and clearly we see this entity led by a man....

That really doesn't answer the question, it just leads to someone else's opinion about what scripture means and claiming that God's word is clear when those same words have been debated as to their meaning for centuries on centuries.

Everyone throughout the ages seems to think he is the one that knows what it means but so far I've seen none of them that have turned out to be right with continuous new interpretations emerging on a regular basis.

I would point out that if the Bible -God's word- were clear we wouldn't need preachers and theologians and learned scholars and such to tell us what it means, everyone that reads it would understand what the meaning is and be in agreement on it.

 

[hobie]

That really doesn't answer the question, it just leads to someone else's opinion about what scripture means and claiming that God's word is clear when those same words have been debated as to their meaning for centuries on centuries.

Everyone throughout the ages seems to think he is the one that knows what it means but so far I've seen none of them that have turned out to be right with continuous new interpretations emerging on a regular basis.

I would point out that if the Bible -God's word- were clear we wouldn't need preachers and theologians and learned scholars and such to tell us what it means, everyone that reads it would understand what the meaning is and be in agreement on it.

We have to have eyes that see and ears that hear what Gods Word shows us..

 

[Frankj]

We have to have eyes that see and ears that hear what Gods Word shows us..

So when I see a man made of metal enter the Temple in Jerusalem and declare himself God I will know that I am looking upon the true Antichrist?

And if he is not made of metal and such and is actually in a human body he is not?

Eyes to to see and ears that hear require a logical mind directed by intelligent thought behind them.

 

[SetFree]

Well, if one looks the Protestant Reformers were clear on who they saw as the Bible said was antichrist and as 'the' Antichrist in prophecy. They explicitly identified the pope or the papacy with Antichrist. Martin Luther called the papacy “the kingdom of Babylon and of the true Antichrist” and repeatedly labeled the pope “the very Antichrist” in works such as 'Babylonian Captivity of the Church' where he critiqued the sacramental system of the Roman Catholic church.

We find the following from the Reformers, and those who came after them believed on this..

'The Antichrist According to the Protestant Reformers
The following quotations show what some of the most influential Protestant Reformers and early Christian leaders believed about Antichrist (“the little horn” (Daniel 7:8), “the beast” (Revelation 13:1), and “the man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)....

So if Johnny jumps over the bridge, then that means we must jump over the bridge also?


The Protestant Rebellion involved Popular Notions about the pope and Catholic Church because of how the Catholic Church sought to wipe out the Protestants. So the Protestants, like Luther, et al, saw an easy connection to Bible prophecy about the END involving the Antichrist. Thing is, it did NOT pan out LIKE GOD'S WORD TEACHES. Luther, et all, were in error that the pope is the Antichrist that is to come at the END of this world. Just because many of the Reformers believed the pope fit the Antichrist prophecy does not mean majority rules in that. What rules is what The Bible actually says about it, what The LORD Himself and His Apostles said. And anyone who intentionally leaves out the 4th verse of 2 Thessalonians 2, which is about the Antichrist coming to sit in a stone temple in JERUSALEM, is trying to trick you!

Over 526 years have passed since the Protestant Reformation in Europe. And the Antichrist still has not come yet, nor have the Signs Jesus and His Apostles gave about the coming Antichrist happened yet.


Hippolytus (3rd century A.D.) wrote the following about the coming Antichrist at the END...

Christ and Antichrist in parallel​

6.1. Now insofar as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was proclaimed beforehand as a lion (Gen 49:9) because he is regal and glorious, in the same way also the Scriptures have prophesied Antichrist similarly as a lion because he is tyrannical and brutal. In every way the Deceiver wants to become like the Son of God. Christ is a lion, so Antichrist is a lion. Christ is a King, so Antichrist is an earthly King. The Savior was shown to be a lamb, so also similarly he will appear like a lamb while being a wolf inside. The Savior came into the world circumcised, so he will come similarly. 2. The Lord sent the apostles into all the nations, so he will similarly send false apostles. The Savior assembled the sheep which had been scattered, so he similarly will gather up the scattered people. The Lord granted a seal to those who believe in him, so he will grant similarly. The Lord was manifest in the form of a human, so he will come in the form of a human. The Savior rose and demonstrated his own flesh as a temple, so he will raise up in Jerusalem a temple in stone. And we shall clarify these deceitful tricks of his later on; let us turn to the proposition at hand.

NO CHRISTIAN POPE HAS EVER... FIT THAT BILL.


My ancestors came to the Americas in the early 1600's fleeing the persecution of the Catholic Church upon Protestants of the Reformation. My ancestors were French Huguenots, the first French Protestants. So why would I be against the popular beliefs about a pope as the coming Antichrist that so-called reformation churches still harbor today? It's because like Hippolytus above, I KNOW what God's Word teaches about the coming Antichrist at the END of this world. Notice the following points that Hippolytus mentioned about the Antichrist...

1. Antichrist wants to become seen as The CHRIST - the Catholic Church claims that the pope represents Apostle Peter's office.

2. Lord Jesus Christ is KING of kings, and LORD of lords. A pope is not a king, nor a lord.

3. Lord Jesus was born of the seed of Judah, which is about the Jews of circumcision which today, in majority, STILL REJECT JESUS OF NAZARETH AS THE CHRIST! The Antichrist is to also be born of the Jews. Haven't seen a pope like that yet, have you?

4. Hippolytus said the Antichrist will come to JERUSALEM, and raise up a temple of STONE there. What kind of person would ever confuse JERUSALEM for ROME?

Where... did Hippolytus in the 3rd century get all that information about the Antichrist? From The actual WRITTEN Bible, and not from man's POP doctrines like the Reformers created about a pope because of their hatred of him.

 

[Maranatha]

hobie
Thank you for your posts.
There are a few details I could add.
But I agree with the over all view and how it relates to the RCC.

 

[jswauto]

I like the part where the guy goes: The papacy's been around for centuries-it was only supposed to last for 3 1/2 years according to the antichrist's reign during the tribulation of Revelation.

 

[jswauto]

Why the Reformers Saw the Papacy as the Antichrist
They believed the Papal office fulfilled these prophetic marks:
✔ Exalts itself above God
(2 Thess. 2:4)
✔ Claims divine authority on earth
(Revelation 13:5–6)
✔ Changes times and laws
(Daniel 7:25)
✔ Persecutes the saints
(Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7)
✔ Rules for a prophetic 1,260 years
(Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5)
✔ Sits in the “temple of God”
(2 Thess. 2:4 — interpreted as the church)
✔ A union of church and state
(Revelation 17)
They saw the Papacy as a religio‑political system that matched every prophetic identifier.

REFORMER BELIEFS SUMMARY
The Protestant Reformers — Luther, Calvin, Knox, Cranmer, Wesley, the Westminster divines, and many others — overwhelmingly identified the Papal office as the Antichrist system described in Daniel, 2 Thessalonians 2, and Revelation. They did not condemn individual Catholics, but the institutional Papacy, which they believed fulfilled the prophetic characteristics of a power that exalts itself above Scripture, claims divine authority, alters God’s law, and persecutes dissent. This interpretation became the backbone of Protestant eschatology for over three centuries and remains central in historicist traditions such as Seventh‑day Adventism.

THE BIBLICAL ANTICHRIST
The Bible gives four primary portraits of the final Antichrist figure:
1. Daniel’s “Little Horn”
2. Paul’s “Man of Sin”
3. John’s “Beast from the Sea”
4. John’s “Antichrist spirit”
Let’s examine each one only by Scripture:

DANIEL’S LITTLE HORN
Key Texts:
• Daniel 7:8, 20–25
• Daniel 8:23–25
• Daniel 11:36–39
Biblical Characteristics:
• Arises from a divided kingdom
• Has a small beginning but grows in power
• Speaks “great words” and blasphemies
• Persecutes the saints
• Changes times and laws
• Exalts himself above all gods
• Is destroyed by divine intervention
Daniel’s Antichrist is a political‑religious ruler with global influence.

PAUL’S MAN OF SIN
Key Text:
• 2 Thessalonians 2:3–12
Biblical Characteristics:
• A man, not merely a spirit
• Exalts himself above all that is called God
• Sits in the “temple of God”
• Performs lying signs and wonders
• Deceives the world
• Is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming
Paul’s Antichrist is a self‑exalting, miracle‑working deceiver who claims divine authority.

JOHN’S BEAST FROM THE SEA
Key Texts:
• Revelation 13:1–10
• Revelation 17
Biblical Characteristics:
• A global political power
• Receives authority from the dragon (Satan)
• Blasphemes God
• Makes war with the saints
• Has worldwide admiration
• Has a deadly wound that is healed
• Has a 42‑month reign of open persecution
John’s Antichrist is a world‑dominating empire embodied in a leader.

JOHN’S ANTICHRIST SPIRIT
Key Texts:
• 1 John 2:18, 22
• 1 John 4:3
• 2 John 7
Biblical Characteristics:
• Denies the Father and the Son
• Is already active in the world
• Has many forerunners (“many antichrists”)
• Is ultimately embodied in a final figure
John’s Antichrist is both a spirit of deception and a final person.

WHAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY
When we strip away tradition and reaction, Scripture does not explicitly name:
• Rome
• The Papacy
• Islam
• Judaism
• America
• A specific denomination
• A specific ethnicity
• A specific religion
• A specific political system
The Bible gives descriptions, not names.
Any identification must be based on matching characteristics, not historical resentment or denominational rivalry.

IDENTIFY BY BIBLICAL MARKERS, NOT BY HISTORY OR EMOTION**
If you want the correct answer — the one that stands above tradition — it is this:
✔ The Antichrist is whoever fulfills the biblical characteristics.
Not who people were angry at.
Not who persecuted whom.
Not who tradition says.
Not who history assumes.
The correct identification must be:
• text‑driven
• character‑based
• prophetic‑marker‑based
• free from reactionary bias
This is the only way to avoid the errors of both:
• Protestant overreaction, and
• Catholic defensiveness
And instead stand on Scripture alone

BIBLICAL ANTICHRIST SUMMARY
The correct, unbiased identification of the Antichrist must come from Scripture alone. Daniel, Paul, and John describe a final world ruler who exalts himself above God, deceives the nations with signs and wonders, persecutes the saints, alters divine law, and dominates the world for a limited time before being destroyed by Christ. Scripture does not name a denomination, empire, or religion; it gives characteristics. The true Antichrist is the one who fulfills those biblical markers.


BUT WHERE IS ANTICHRIST FROM
Here are Scriptures that give geographical clues, but they are subtle, symbolic, and require careful handling so we don’t force the scriptures.
If we strip away tradition, emotion, and denominational bias, the Bible gives three primary geographic indicators for the Antichrist’s origin:

1. He Comes From the Territory of the Final Form of the Roman Empire
This is the strongest and clearest geographical clue.
Daniel 9:26–27
Who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70?
The Roman Empire.
But here’s the key:
Rome was multi‑ethnic, especially in the East.
This points to a Roman‑sphere origin, not necessarily Italy.
This includes:
• Southern Europe
• The Balkans
• Turkey
• Syria
• Lebanon
• Jordan
• Israel
• Egypt
• North Africa
Conclusion:
The Antichrist arises from the territory of the old Roman Empire, not necessarily Western Europe.

2. Daniel’s Prophecies Point Toward the Eastern Mediterranean / Middle East
This is where things get interesting.
Daniel 8:9
The “four horns” are the four divisions of Alexander’s Greek Empire:
• Greece/Macedon
• Asia Minor (Turkey)
• Syria
• Egypt
The “little horn” in Daniel 8 is historically Antiochus Epiphanes,
but it is also a type of the final Antichrist.
This places the pattern of Antichrist in the Eastern Mediterranean, not Rome proper.

3. Daniel 11:36–45 — The King of the North Pattern
This passage describes a final king who:
• comes from the North relative to Israel
• invades the Glorious Land (Israel)
• fights with powers to the South
• has conflict with powers to the East
This “King of the North” pattern historically refers to the Seleucid Empire (Syria/Turkey region).
Many scholars see this as a geographical template for the final Antichrist.
This points toward:
• Syria
• Turkey
• Northern Middle East
Not dogmatically — but as a prophetic pattern.

4. Revelation 17 — The Beast Comes From a Line of Empires
Revelation 17 describes the Beast as the final head of a sequence of empires:
1. Egypt
2. Assyria
3. Babylon
4. Medo‑Persia
5. Greece
6. Rome
7. Final kingdom (revived form)
These are Middle Eastern empires, not Western European ones.
This places the Antichrist in the continuum of Near Eastern imperial power.

5. Micah 5:5–6 — The Assyrian Pattern
This is one of the most overlooked passages.
Micah 5:5–6
In context, this is about Messiah delivering Israel from a future invader.
Many early Christians saw “the Assyrian” as a prophetic type of the final enemy of God’s people.
This does not mean the Antichrist must be ethnically Assyrian —
but it reinforces the Middle Eastern pattern.

6. He Does NOT Come From Israel
Scripture is clear:
• He rises from “the sea” (Revelation 13:1)
→ symbolic of Gentile nations
• Daniel’s beasts represent Gentile empires
• Nowhere is he called Jewish
• Paul calls him “the man of lawlessness,” not a false Jewish messiah
Conclusion:
He is Gentile, not Jewish.

SUMMARY OF GEOGRAPHIC CLUES
Scripture does not name a modern country, but it gives a geographic pattern. The Antichrist arises from the territory of the old Roman Empire, especially its eastern, Middle Eastern regions. Daniel’s prophecies point toward the Greek‑Roman Near East (Syria, Turkey, surrounding regions). Revelation places him in the line of ancient Near Eastern empires. Micah uses “the Assyrian” as a prophetic type. He is Gentile, political, and emerges from a revived imperial structure centered around the Mediterranean and Middle East.

 

[hobie]

So when I see a man made of metal enter the Temple in Jerusalem and declare himself God I will know that I am looking upon the true Antichrist?

And if he is not made of metal and such and is actually in a human body he is not?

Eyes to to see and ears that hear require a logical mind directed by intelligent thought behind them.

Just look at what are laid out in history that shows that Papal Rome is the same antichrist that Paul was seeing coming up back then.
Now this is interesting...
"Here is how Pagan Rome was converted to Papal Rome:

Roman Empire (Imperium Romanum) renamed: Roman Catholic Church

Curia (legal body of Senators) slight name change: Curia (legal body of Cardinals)

Roman Emperor renamed: Roman Pope (head of all church and state affairs)

Civil government matters of state: Extra-Ordinary affairs (matters of civil-state governments)

Religious orders matters: Church “ecclesiastical” matters

Roman College of Senators renamed: College of Cardinals

Magistrate of College of Senators renamed: Dean of College of Cardinals

Departments of the Roman Senatorial Curia renamed: Congregations

Political Ambassador renamed: Pro-Nuncio (highest civil ambassador sent to other governments, ie Washington DC, London etc)

......Roman Senators renamed: Cardinals

Roman Governors renamed: Archbishops

Roman Senator with no territory: Bishop (Code of Canon Law 376)

(Large) Roman Province renamed: Archdiocese

(Small) Roman Territory renamed: Diocese

Imperial Chair of Jupiter where Caesar sat renamed: Throne of St. Peter

Vestal Virgins renamed: Nuns

Pontifex Maximus (high priest of College of Senators) renamed: Supreme Pontiff of College of Cardinals

Pontiff or “high priest ” of a pagan religious order (Zues, Apollo, Diana, Mars, Jupiter, Baal, Dionysys, Pythia etc) same name: Pontiff

A Pontiff (Latin: “pontifex”) means bridge-builder or priest between man and the gods of the underworld.

The Roman Calendar and Holy Days of the gods renamed: Calendar Holidays of the Saints

Voice of the gods speaking through Caesar: Ex-Cathedra: Voice of God speaking through Pope

Meeting of the Pontiffs (high priests) of the pagan religious orders renamed: Ecumenical Council of the Bishops

Legal act of creating a god (of a living or dead human, as was done to most of the Caesars) “Apotheosis of the Gods” renamed: Canonization of the Saints

A decree of Caesar (dictator for life): Pope’s infallible Dogma

Praying to a dead human god renamed: Praying to a saint"
....Papal Rome as a Continuation of Pagan Rome

Well, I came across some comparisons some time ago that are eye opening to say the least.
Here is what I came across...
'Lets compare some of the pagan sun god beliefs of Baal with what has been picked up and 'christianized' by the Catholic church and some pagan beliefs and doctrines even allowed into Protestant churches.

PAGAN BELIEFS- The nativity of the Sun, the birth of Tammuz Dec. 25
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The nativity of Jesus, Christmas Dec 25

PAGAN BELIEFS- The Midsummer festival held Jun 24
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The Nativity of St. John held June 24

PAGAN BELIEFS- The assumption of Semiramus who became the mother godess
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The assumption of Mary, who became the mother of God

PAGAN BELIEFS- The mother goddess was worshipped as the Queen of Heaven. Jer. 7:18
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The Virgin Mary worshipped as the Queen of Heaven.

PAGAN BELIEFS-Cakes decorated to the goddess with a "+" drawn on it. Jer. 44:17,19 CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Hot cross buns

PAGAN BELIEFS- 40 days fasting for Tammuz, Ezek. 8:14
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- 40 days of Lent

PAGAN BELIEFS- Pagan festival of Easter. Ezek 8:16
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The festival of Easter

PAGAN BELIEFS- The resurrection of Tammuz at Easter and the procession of graven images during holy week
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The procession of graven images of Jesus, Mary, and Peter, and of the saints

PAGAN BELIEFS- Veneration of graven images of Baal, Ishtar, Tammuz and lesser gods in the heavens
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Veneration of graven images of Jesus, Mary, Peter, and of the "lesser" saints in the heavens

PAGAN BELIEFS- The belief of immortality of the soul and burning place of torment.
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The belief of immortality of the soul and burning place of torment.

PAGAN BELIEFS- The doctrine of purgatory
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The doctrine of purgatory

PAGAN BELIEFS- The belief of the dead visiting the living, feast held for all in November, (All souls day)
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The festival of all souls day held Nov. 2, and all saints day held Nov. 1 (All souls day)

PAGAN BELIEFS- Burning incense and candles Jer 11:17; Ezek 8:11
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The burning of incense and candles

PAGAN BELIEFS- Chants and repetative prayers. Beaded prayer chains.
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Gregorian chants and the Rosary

PAGAN BELIEFS- Infant baptism, and sprinkling of holy water
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Infant baptism, and sprinkling of holy water

PAGAN BELIEFS- The Pagan high priest king believed to be the incarnate of the Sun god
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The Pope proclaims to be Christ's Vicar (replacement) here on Earth. It is also recorded in numerous documents that the pope believes he is god on earth.

PAGAN BELIEFS- Phallic symbol of the male sex organ placed on roofs as a sign of allegiance with Baal
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Largest phallic symbol in center of St. Peter's square.

PAGAN BELIEFS- Solar wheel as symbol for Baal worship can be found carved into ancient as well as modern Buddhist temples,, carved into ancient ornament representing Osiris. Stone carvings showing a whell to represent and Assyrio Babylonian altar.
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- St Peter's square has largest solar wheel on planet. ALL Catholic churches have numerous solar wheels in stain glass windows as well as many other areas of the church. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris sports a very huge one on it's face. There is a great one in ceiling as well as the floor tiles of the monastery of St. Ignatius Loyola in Spain. Numerous paintings, statues, ornaments, and letterheads of all Catholic churches have one or more "solar wheels" depicted upon them.

PAGAN BELIEFS- Alternating rays of the sun burst used to represent unity of "man and woman" common in all aspects of Paganism. (Curved ray = female "yonic" Straight ray = male "phallic")

CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Monstrance of Catholicism as well as many paintings and sculptures all depict same rays of both the "phallic and yonic" symbolism can be found literally all over the Roman Catholic church

PAGAN BELIEFS- Statues of a "Madonna" found in all Pagan cults as well as Egyptian Madonna Isis with her son Horus, or Hindu cults with Divaki and her son Krishna.
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Statues of Mary can be found in all Catholic churches holding baby Jesus.

PAGAN BELIEFS- Dagon, which was the God of Babylon and Philistia and is mentioned several times in scripture in Judges 16:23, 1 Samuel 5:2-7, and 1 Chronicles 1:10. Babylonian fish-god (half man half fish) was depicted by Pagan high priests by wearing a fish head mitre (head dress) upon a mans head to symbolize man and fish joining when "sun god" set into the ocean. (Neptune = case in point. Half man half fish) One particular Biblical diety = "Dagon" Dag=fish On=sun. In Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, this is the definition for Dagon: 1712. Dagown, daw-gohn'; from H1709; the fish-god; Dagon, a Philistine deity: - According to Ugaritic and other documents link Baal as the son of El, or Dagon.
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Mitres are worn by all Popes of Catholcism
http://www.tofm.org/papacy/pope_mitre.htm

PAGAN BELIEFS- The Roman sun-god with the alternating yonic and phallic symbols surrounding his head was found carved in excavated Roman bath houses in England. It is alos found as "Apollo" on the facade of the Pergamum Museum in East Berlin.
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- Almost all Catholic churches have the exact same carving above their pulpits, pillars, on statues, as well as carved into ceilings above altars. Some Catholic churches actually have it carved into the Eucharist itself.

PAGAN BELIEFS- Persian sun-god Mithra is also depicted with the globe in hand as a sign ruler of the Universe.
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The Vatican has a solid gold statues of Jesus with the globe in hand, plus a black marble statue called "the black virgin of Montserrat" and a statue of a "child Jesus" with globe in hand.

PAGAN BELIEFS- The first day of the week kept sacred to honor the Persian sun god Mithra. "SUN"day
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES- The admitted change of 7th day Sabbath to "SUN"day......The harlot of Babylon