Prof. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher is not a name recognized by the average American Christian. This is due to the fact he operates behind religious scenes worldwide. It is mainly in European ultra-ecumenical gatherings that he exercises his influence however he can. Proclaiming to be a Reformed Protestant in the classic tradition, one of Dr. Schirrmacher’s dearest friends is the current Pope.
This fact, in and of itself, is diametrically opposed to a major tenet held by the Reformers — the man reigning in the Papal office is the very Antichrist of whom we are warned throughout Scripture.
Schirrmacher alleges holding the doctrine of sola scriptura, as did the Reformers, yet willfully neglects Paul’s admonition to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:11).
Despite the abundance of theological and philosophical degrees he has earned, authoring in excess of 100 books, Schirrmacher is devoid of common sense possessed even by young children who discern the frantic public worship given the god-like Pope to be unreasonable, wacky and weird; the worship of graven images to be foolish, laughable and ridiculous.
One need not be Spirit-filled to understand the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, (whereby bread is allegedly turned into a God by virtue of an incantation), is absurd, insane and blasphemous.
Yet despite the scriptural hatred of the true God toward such things, Schirrmacher knows better. His ‘God,’ he is certain, is blessing his efforts at uniting all religions, setting aside their many false doctrines and profane practices, all in the name of ‘love.’
In an essay entitled, Is the Pope the Antichrist? Not according to sola scriptura!, this German theologian attempts to make the case that all pre-Reformers, Reformers & Puritans neglected the principle of Scripture alone when concluding the Pope in office to be the very Antichrist described in Scripture.
His proof? 1 and 2 John do not describe the Pope, he says. He cites Pope Benedict as having written extensively on Jesus the Christ, God incarnate, proving no such denial exists. Therefore, “The central descriptions of the antichrist in all the texts by John are the opposite of what the Pope stands for.”
What Schirrmacher has conveniently overlooked is the admonition of Jesus Christ, Matthew 24:4-5:
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.
The deceiver, the Antichrist, will confess Jesus is the Christ, yet by such a confession will deceive many into believing he is a true Christian when he, in fact, is the Antichrist.
Schirrmacher accuses Martin Luther of attempting to prove the Pope Antichrist without citing 1 & 2 John, the result being a false conclusion.
However, Luther did not need 1 & 2 John to prove the Pope Antichrist because he used innumerable other proofs. These proofs may be found in his treatise, Revelation of Antichrist.
Let us examine 1 John 4:1-3 & 2 John 7 to determine if the Pope fulfills the biblical prophecy for Antichrist.
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4 1-3).
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist (2 John 7).
1 John 4 begins with a warning: do not unconditionally believe every so-called prophet of God. Rather test their validity using Scripture as the rule. Is the spirit of Antichrist in the Roman Catholic Church? Yes it is.
Both 1 & 2 John emphasize the flesh of Christ. Why? This is because the Antichrist will denigrate, attack and insult the unparalleled preeminent importance of Christ’s flesh and sacrifice.
This blasphemous hubris is seen in the Roman Catholic Sacrifice of the Mass, containing the doctrine of Transubstantiation which declares Christ is come to be sacrificed over and over again as their bread-God. They would have us believe the transubstantiated bread is the very flesh, blood and divinity of the God-man, Jesus Christ. Yet in reality it is neither flesh nor man, nor God nor Jesus Christ. It is still bread, made by the sinful hands of wicked nuns.
Therefore, the Pope and his priests are false prophets, fulfilling the warning of 1 John 4:1.
CONFESS NOT
Both 1 & 2 John use the phrase “confess not.” To confess not is to deny. To deny is to be in a state of unbelief. To be in a state of unbelief is to be condemned by God (John 3:18-19). The Pope, priesthood and Catholic Church are all condemned of God.
By perpetually offering the Sacrifice of the Mass they deny the very reason for Christ’s fleshly advent in the first place.
It was necessary that Christ’s sacrifice be made in the flesh because flesh has the properties necessary to experience death. Bread does not experience death, though it may rot over time and be eaten by mice.
Christ’s flesh was holy, without sin, and was given once for all, For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10).
The Pope denies the perfection of Christ’s unique flesh sacrifice which He made upon the cross, preferring his own profane perpetual bread sacrifice as an offering acceptable to God the Father.
This is the spirit of Antichrist.
The Pope is both a deceiver and the Antichrist.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher is both a deceiver and an antichrist.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?