TRANSLATED FOR THE FIRST TIME
ON ANTICHRIST (Book 1)
So far, we have reviewed certain passages pertaining to the doctrine of the Church. Now it seems appropriate to add a few more, which, as counterpoints, also relate to the Church: such as concerning the Antichrist, human traditions, and scandals.
Although the term Antichrist does not appear in the Gospels, they nevertheless express the thing itself, indeed, they have similar names, such as false prophets, Matthew 7; pseudo-Christs, pseudo-prophets, Matthew 24; thieves, robbers, John 10. Now the Antichrist is the kingdom of false teachers who obscure and persecute the doctrine of Christ, as well as the worldly kingdom of usurpers, as will become clear from the characteristics of the Antichrist.
That the Antichrist, that is to say, a kingdom of such a false Church, would arise, Christ clearly foretells in Matthew 24 and Mark 13: “When you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place” (Mark adds, “where it ought not to be”), “let him who reads understand.” Therefore, Daniel also prophesied that the Antichrist would wage war against the Church; and Christ explains and adapts this prophecy to the times that will follow. Moreover, Matthew and Mark recount Christ’s sermon about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world not separately, but together and mixed with singular purpose, doubtless following Christ’s reasoning: so that it might be clearly indicated that the same signs portend both the Jewish calamity and the end of the world. Therefore, that desolating abomination is not to be understood only of the idol of Caius [Caligula]; rather also of the kingdom of the cursed one, who after Christ will horrifically dominate in the Church. These things are explained more broadly and explicitly a little later by Christ. “They will say,” he says, “Behold, here is Christ, or there. Behold, in the desert, behold, in the inner rooms.” Also: “False Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders, so that, if possible, even the elect may be deceived.” And before this comes Christ’s word: “Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Thus, placed in the midst of these statements, the prophecy about the abomination of desolation receives light from them. Furthermore, it signifies that many ministers of that abomination will exist. Also related here is Christ’s warning in Matthew 7 about false prophets, and in John 10 about thieves and robbers ravaging Christ’s flock. For these are ministers who have standing in Antichrist’s kingdom.
“In the holy place,” says Matthew; “where it ought not to be,” says Mark, “it will stand.” Thus, in the Church of Christ such a portent is foretold to be in the future.
The marks attributed to this abomination or Antichrist are as follows. First: false doctrine, and, truly, in such a form that he claims to be Christ: he points to various places, saying, “Behold here, behold there”; indeed, even in such a way as to teach, “Behold, Christ is in the desert, behold, he is in the inner rooms or chambers or cells.” This means that he will corrupt the article of justification, asserting that by various works devised by human judgment, justice before God is earned, and all this under the pretext that Christ demands it; and falsely, if anyone lives alone in the desert and lives there piously; or withdraws into chambers and there proves holiness by harsh exercises. John 10: “All that came before me,” says Christ; that is to say, they did not show themselves as the propitiator and mediator. Also, he says that strangers have a voice which the sheep do not recognize.
Secondly: idolatry, Matthew 4: “If you fall down and worship me, I will give you all these things.” There is no doubt that here the characteristic state of the Antichrist is vividly portrayed, in that idolatry, or the worship and veneration of certain creatures, will be present in it; which indeed is nothing other than humble and devoted worship of the Devil himself, against this divine commandment, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve,” Matthew 4; Deuteronomy 6.
Thirdly: the transformation of Christ’s spiritual kingdom into a corporal one. Matthew 4, Luke 4: The Devil showed all the kingdoms of the world with their glory (Luke says their power) and said: “All these I will give you, if you fall down and worship me.” With these words, the nature of the Antichrist is described, in that the Devil will change the kingdom of Christ into a kingdom of the world, with a worldly glory, and will bestow all these things on his followers. It is not written without reason that the Devil then said, “To me has been given all authority, and I give it to whom I will” (Luke 4). This implies that this is done by the permission of God. It is also not without cause that Christ so often impresses upon the Apostles: “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, but it shall not be so among you,” as mentioned above concerning the kingdom of Christ.
Fourth: false signs and wonders, which nevertheless appear great before men. Matthew 24: “They will perform great signs and wonders,” he says. Therefore, it teaches that the kingdom of the Antichrist will confirm its affairs with many false signs and will enchant or deceive people.
Fifth: persecution. Mark 13: “They will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues; you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them.” Also, “You will be hated by all because of my name.” John 10: “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.” Nor is the abomination of desolation withdrawn. For it is a wicked doctrine, idolatry, the change of the kingdom of Christ [into worldly], and the persecution of the pious—a dreadful abomination before God. It is desolating because spiritually it destroys bodies and souls, and at the same time temporally slays the pious, and finally brings destruction upon itself.
That he will deceive many is clearly indicated by the words of Christ in Matthew 24 and Mark 13: “Many will be deceived,” he says. It is also added, in what way? Namely, that they will come in the name of Christ and say, “I am the Christ.” Also: “Behold, here is Christ, behold there.” All these represent a most specious appearance, namely, the boasting of orderly vocation, true doctrine, etc. Also: “They will perform great signs and wonders, so that, if possible, even the elect may be deceived.” Matthew 7: “They will come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
And indeed, that abomination, the kingdom of the Antichrist, with its many deceptions to be avoided, Christ has strictly and clearly commanded in Matthew 24 and Mark 13: “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.” Also, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is Christ,’ or ‘Behold, there,’ do not believe it.” Also: “Behold, I have told you beforehand. Therefore, if they say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the desert,’ do not go out; ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.” For just as lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together (Luke 17). They will say to you, “Behold here, behold there;” do not go, nor follow them. John 10: They do not follow a stranger but flee from him because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.
CENTURY 1 (Book 2)
ANTICHRIST
Although Paul prophesies about this heresy of the Antichrist as if it were future, he nevertheless clearly declares that even at that very time it is beginning to sprout and grow, as he says: “The mystery of iniquity is already at work.” Moreover, most things about the Antichrist have been explained above in the chapter On Doctrine.
HYPOTHESES
On God
The Antichrist will show himself as if he were God, 2 Thessalonians 2.
On Marriage
He will forbid marriage, 1 Timothy 4.
On Neutral Things
He will command abstinence from certain foods, 1 Timothy 4.
On the Power of the Church
He will exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship and oppose them, 2 Thessalonians 2. That is, he will shake the articles of faith and the sacraments. Also, he will establish primacy in the Church of God and sit in the temple of God, as if he were God.
On Signs and Miracles
He will perform false miracles by diabolical illusions and impose them as if they were true; he will increase and confirm his superstitions.
CONFUTATION
These kinds and seeds of the corruptions of the Antichrist Paul refutes with great zeal: calling the author the man of sin, and the son of perdition; and he announces his destruction not only through the preaching of the Gospel but also through the coming of the Son, 2 Thessalonians 2. And in 1 Timothy 4, he calls them deceitful spirits, having seared consciences, hypocrites. He calls their doctrines the doctrines of demons; and he shows that God’s creatures are good, nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. John, in the Apocalypse, describes the Antichrist with many marks and circumstances, so that he seems to point him out with a finger. Furthermore, he warns that all pious people should abstain from his marks. For no heresy will reign with greater authority and power than this one. But since all these things have been recited above, we did not want to repeat them here at length.
However, we do not seem to go beyond the subject matter if we add certain warnings of the Apostles about future heresies. Acts 20, Paul says, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore, be watchful.” 1 Timothy 4: “For the Spirit clearly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars.” 2 Timothy 3: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from these turn away.” 2 Timothy 4: “For a time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers to suit their own passions, having itching ears, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Peter 2: “There will be false teachers among you who secretly bring in damnable heresies; even denying the Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. And through covetousness they will exploit you with false words; whose judgment now from long ago does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber.” And 2 Peter 3: “In the last days scoffers will come, saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?'” John, in 1 John 2, foretells concerning Antichrists, but in general including all heretics opposing Christ.
ON MIRACLES
Century 1 (Book 2)
[Several Scriptures speak of] miracles, signs and wonders: Acts 4 & 5 & Romans 15 adds ‘by power’ (which speaks of the ‘power’ needed to do so); 2 Cor. 12 counts these miracles [among all the Apostles]; and 1 Cor. 12 speaks of the diversity of operations of miracles.
The following will provide the definition of miracles from the Apostles, or those performed around the Apostles, namely, that they are deeds done by God through the Apostles, or around them, produced beyond the common course or order of nature, to confirm their teaching and ministry. This definition can be established from Acts 4 & 5 & Romans 15 & 1 Corinthians 12 & 2 Corinthians 12.
There are two kinds of miracles, some true, others false, Paul warns in 2 Thessalonians 2, where he says, “the Antichrist will come according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and false wonders, with all deception of unrighteousness.” And John, in Revelation 13, says that the second beast “will perform great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of men;” this same beast or the papacy infused with the Roman Empire, and later called the false prophet, will perform signs before the old beast, that is the Roman political empire, to deceive those so that they receive the mark of the beast and its image, namely Canon Law, and similar ideas of [melding] Christ and Antichrist.
However, the true differ from the false by the efficient cause, since the former are done by God and pious agents, while the latter are done by the devil and false prophets. They also differ by the formal cause, since the former is the power of God against the order of nature, while the latter are illusions. And they differ by the final cause, since the former are made to confirm true doctrine, while the latter are made to establish superstitions and errors, as the following will demonstrate.
The efficient cause of true miracles is God, as the Apostles warn, for in Acts 4 the Church in its prayer says: “Lord, give to your servants all the confidence needed that they may speak your word, extending your hand in this, so that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Son.” And Peter and John in Acts 4 say: “By this Jesus of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you healed.” And Paul and Barnabas in the Jerusalem council recounted in Acts 15 what signs and wonders among the Gentiles God had done through them. Likewise, Paul in Romans 15: “I would not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, in obedience to the Gentiles by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.” And 1 Corinthians 2: “My message was not with persuasive words of human wisdom but with demonstration of the Spirit’s power.” Likewise, 1 Corinthians 12 attributes to the Holy Spirit the gifts of healing and the operations of miracles. In Galatians 3, Paul says God worked miracles among the Galatians.
The cause of falsehood and false miracles and wonders is the Devil, as Paul teaches in 2 Thessalonians 2, as well as John in Revelation 13. The Devil uses magic arts and other illusions, as is evident from Acts 8, where it is said of Simon that by magical arts he bewitched the inhabitants of Samaria so that they regarded him as having great power of God.
A catalog of miracles may be established from Acts, where only some, but not all, are recounted: nor did it seem good to the Holy Spirit to record everything in writing. It should also be noted that the Apostles performed miracles by word alone, with no incantations, crosses, or the use of herbs and other things, but by the name of Jesus Christ alone. For Peter said to a man lame from birth, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” Acts 3. The Church in Jerusalem also requested that signs and wonders be done through the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Acts 4, and through the hands of the Apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people, etc., so they carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and pallets, hoping Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. In Acts 5, a multitude from the surrounding cities gathered in Jerusalem, bringing sick and those troubled by unclean spirits, all of whom were healed. Also, in Acts 5, at Peter’s word, Ananias and Sapphira fell dead. In Acts 6, Stephen performed wonders and great signs among the people. In Acts 8, Philip is also said to have performed signs in Samaria. In Acts 9, Peter healed Aeneas, bedridden for eight years and paralyzed on a pallet, with these words: “Aeneas, Jesus Christ the Lord heals you; rise and make your bed,” Also in Acts 9, he prayed kneeling, and later turned to the corpse of Tabitha saying, “Tabitha, arise”; and she opened her eyes and sat up at Peter’s command. In Acts 13, Paul said to Elymas the magician: “Behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind;” and immediately darkness and gloom fell upon him.” In Acts 14, signs and wonders were done through the hands of Paul and Barnabas. Also, Paul healed a lame man in Lystra, shouting, “Stand upright on your feet.” In Acts 16, he casts out the spirit of Python (divination) with these words: “I command you by the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her; and it came out at that hour.” In Acts 20, Paul raises Eutychus from the dead. In Acts 28, he heals the father of Publius, who was troubled by fever and dysentery. He does this through prayer and the laying on of hands. In this manner, others who had infirmities on the island also came to him and were healed.
Other miraculous events also occurred, as the Acts testify, such as the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost: Acts 2. Likewise, its manifestation: Acts 8, 10, 19. The Apostles’ release from prison by an angel: Acts 5. The conversion of Paul: Acts 9, 22, 26. When the Church prayed, the place was shaken, and all were filled with the Holy Spirit: Acts 4. Peter’s liberation from prison by an angel: Acts 12. Peter’s vision: Acts 10 and 11. When Paul and Silas prayed, the prison was shaken: Acts 16. The devil ill-treated Jewish exorcists trying to cast out demons in the name of Jesus, whom Paul was preaching: Acts 19. God was performing uncommon miracles through the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons which had touched his body were carried away to the sick and their diseases and evil spirits left them: Acts 19. Paul was miraculously saved along with others in a shipwreck: Acts 28. A viper clinging to Paul’s arm did him no harm, except in the opinion of the barbarians: Acts 28.
The effects generally ascribed to miracles are these: To awaken people to the consideration of divine matters. Thus, Acts 2, the violent rush of wind breaking forth with a noise from heaven and filling the house where the Apostles were, awakens the multitude to gather and inquire about this matter. Also, to move people to astonishment and admiration, for in Acts 2 all were amazed and marveled among themselves saying, “What does this mean?” The same happened in Acts 3 when they saw the lame man walking. In Acts 9 all who heard Paul in Damascus were amazed, saying: “Is this not he who in Jerusalem persecuted those who called on this name?” Also, to move men to fear. Acts 5: Great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard these things. Also, to bear witness about Christ that He is the true Messiah, who sits at the right hand of God, and gives gifts to men, and who gathers and governs the Church through the ministry of the word. For Peter in Acts 10 shows that the miracles performed by Christ, whose spectators and contemplators were the Apostles, testify about Him and prove Him to be the true Messiah. The same in Acts 3 teaches that the healing of the lame man by Christ, himself raised from the dead, is a testimony about Him that He is the true Messiah. In the same way, it teaches that the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles testifies of Jesus crucified and risen, that He is the Messiah, who sits at the right hand of God, and is beginning to gather the Church to Himself: Acts 2. Likewise, 2 Peter 1 indicates that the miraculous transfiguration of Christ on the mountain and the voice, “This is my beloved Son,” bear witness that he is the Messiah and that Christ’s doctrine is true. In Acts 4, the Church in Jerusalem asks God to extend his hand so that healings, signs, and wonders may be done through the name of his holy Son Jesus. And Paul in Romans 1:4 says the resurrection of Christ is a testimony that He is the Son of God. Therefore, miracles wrought both by Christ Himself and through the Apostles, in His name, testify concerning the person and office of Christ and confirm all articles of faith.
Miracles also provided testimony that the Apostles are divinely called by Christ and governed by the Holy Spirit, and that their doctrine does not have any human author but God Himself, so it is most true. Romans 15, Paul says: ‘I have reason to glory through Christ Jesus in things that pertain to God. For I do not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Likewise, in the second epistle to the Corinthians 12: “I am not inferior to the greatest Apostles, though I am nothing. The signs of an Apostle were performed among you with all power, with signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” He likewise commands the Galatians to gather from this that, through the Gospel, God has given them the Holy Spirit and has worked among them virtues, or miracles, concerning the truth of the Gospel’s doctrine, Galatians 3.
The author of the epistle to the Hebrews 2: “Salvation, which first began to be spoken by the Lord, was confirmed to us who heard it by God bearing witness with signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will.” Therefore, miracles performed by Christ and the Apostles to confirm the doctrine of the Gospel are testimonies are, and will always be, testimonies which testify that the doctrine is true, divine, and salutary. Miracles invite people to conversion: that is, to the recognition of sins and truth, and to faith in Christ. For by the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the Apostles many were converted on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2. And when Peter and John healed the lame man in Jesus’ name, it was spoken about it in the temple assembly, and many who heard the word believed, and about five thousand men were added, Acts 4. When Philip preached the Gospel in Samaria and performed signs, casting out demons, healing paralytics and the lame, there was great joy in that city, and many were converted and baptized, Acts 8. Paul was also converted miraculously, Acts 9. The healing of Aeneas, the paralytic in Lydda, and the resurrection of Tabitha in Joppa drew many to faith in Christ, Acts 9. Sergius Paulus, proconsul, seeing Elymas the magician blinded at Paul’s command, believed, marveling at the doctrine of the Lord, Acts 13. The prison guard at Philippi was stirred to conversion and faith in Christ by an earthquake shaking the prison, Acts 16. Many in Ephesus and Asia are also mentioned as having received the doctrine of the Gospel because of miracles, Acts 19. 1 Corinthians 2: “And my speech was not with persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and power.” 1 Thessalonians 1: “Our gospel came not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit with full assurance.” Also, to admonish about the efficacy of faith, namely, that it obtains from God both temporal and spiritual goods.
Acts 3: “By faith in his name, this man whom you see and know was made strong; and the faith that is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of all.” Acts 14: “Paul, looking at the lame man and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice: ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ This excited the people to glorify God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 1: “And they glorified God in me.” Acts 19: “This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.” Miracles were to be testimonies and types of spiritual things or internal miracles which are done in the Church through the word and sacraments. For the Holy Spirit was visibly and sensibly given to the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, and afterward to the Samaritans, Acts 8, and to Cornelius and his family, Acts 10, and to the Ephesians, Acts 19, for a testimony that God imparts the Holy Spirit through the word and sacraments in a sensible way to believers. Likewise, the resurrection of the dead, examples of which are seen in Acts 9 and 20, are testimonies that through the ministry of the word those dead in sins are always raised in the Church, and finally, on the last day all will be revived. Similarly, the healings of paralytics, lame, the feverish, and blind done by the word in the name of Jesus Christ can be referred to the spiritual effects of the word of God. Miracles pertain to the ministry of the word or doctrine; they should not be separated from it.
To false and lying miracles, which the Devil produces through false prophets and the Antichrist, Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2 and John in Revelation 13, attribute that they are done for that purpose, namely, to confirm false and wicked doctrines and superstitions, to lead men away from the truth. Therefore, we are warned not to give faith to them by that saying, “If we or an angel from heaven preach to you another gospel,” etc., “let him be accursed,” Galatians 1.
It is also evident from the writings of the Apostles that the miracles of God benefited only the believers and those to be saved, but the impious neither cared for them nor esteemed them: for in Acts 2 the impious mock the gift of tongues in the Apostles, attributing it to drunkenness. In Acts 4 the chief priest with his colleagues are indeed compelled to admit that a clear sign was given, but nevertheless they hate the Apostles; likewise in Acts 5 they recognize that the Apostles have been divinely brought out of prison, but they do not become any milder toward them. The same in Acts 7, although Stephen confirmed his doctrine by miracles, yet they persecuted and killed him.
Furthermore, it is also worthy of note that the miracles performed by the Apostles were true and serious, and not some illusions, or playful and idle things, such as the fabulists of legends in later centuries invented about the saints, that someone raised a dead cow, another commanded birds to fly to him, and similar nonsense. For the lame man whom Peter and John healed in the name of Jesus, all must admit was restored to true health, Acts 3 and 4. The same appears from other miracles, the catalog of which we have placed above.
[N. B. The 17th century Golden Legend of St. Joseph of Cupertino, the Flying Friar, is a prime example.]
Nor should this be passed over in silence, that the Apostles nowhere affirm that the gift of miracles, especially external ones, is common and ordinary to all ages alike. For undoubtedly, they wished to indicate that, with the doctrine of the Gospel having been confirmed, those very miracles would also cease. Therefore, when the Apostles speak of the duties of the ministers of the Church, they nowhere include among the common works of the ministry the ability to perform miracles, as is evident in Timothy and Titus. But Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12 that it is a special gift of God which does not happen to all alike; for he says, “Have all the gifts of healing?” Moreover, they do not so much admonish men to look to the miracles performed by the Apostles or others, as they do to the word of God and doctrine to which all are willing to be bound, 1 Peter 4, 2 Peter 1, 1 John 3, 4, and 2 John, Galatians 1. Finally, even the history of the apostolic age testifies that the frequency of miracles gradually diminished.
True miracles are opposed to falsehoods, which are produced by the devil and his agents, false teachers and sorcerers, 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13, Acts 8 and 19. [It is possible] to abuse true miracles by believing erroneous opinions, as do the Lycaonians who, when a lame man was healed by Paul and Barnabas at Lystra, said, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men,” and they called Barnabas Jupiter, but Paul Mercury, Acts 14. The same is done by the barbarians on the island of Malta when they saw that a viper does Paul no harm. It is also erroneous to ascribe the performance of miracles to the virtue and piety of the Apostles, and not to Christ, Acts 3. [It is a grave error] to give faith to the false miracles of the Antichrist, 2 Thessalonians 2. Or today to refuse to believe the doctrine of the Gospel once confirmed by miracles unless the same miracles are repeated; for there is nowhere in the word of God an express statement about perpetual repetition. [Furthermore, we acknowledge] that through the ministry of the word and the prayers of the pious, the power of our Lord Jesus Christ [is effected], which is always internal. We deny, however, that [visible, physical] spiritual miracles are wrought in all ages — such as the bestowal of the Holy Spirit [i.e., speaking in tongues], casting out demons [i.e., exorcisms], bringing back to life those who have fallen, [i.e., raising of the dead], miraculous protection and preservation of the [visible] Church — and that these miracles are effected through the [Roman Catholic] cross [and relics], as well as remarkable deliverances against the Devil and external persecutors.
On the Antichrist Sitting in the Temple of God, that is, the Church of God.
Century 1 (Book 2)
The name Antichrist is used by John in 1 John 2 & 4 and 2 John. Others do not use this designation but use other names, such as False Teachers, 2 Peter 2; Deceivers, 2 Peter 3; Spirit of Error, 1 John 4; Children of the Devil, 1 John 3; Seducers, 2 John; Sodom and Egypt, Revelation 11; Beast, Revelation 11, 13 & 14; Babylon, Revelation 14, 16, 17 & 18; Pseudo-prophet, Revelation 16 & 21. A woman sitting on the beast, having seven heads and ten horns. Also, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth. Also, the harlot, Revelation 17. Fierce wolves and men speaking perverse things, Acts 20. False apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ and ministers of righteousness, 2 Corinthians 11. Evil workers, dogs, enemies of the cross of Christ, Philippians 3. Philosophers and deceivers, advancing in humility and the worship of angels, delivering human doctrines, Colossians 2. The man of sin, the son of perdition, adversary of God and worship, the mystery of iniquity, the wicked one, 2 Thessalonians 2. Deceptive spirits, delivering doctrines of demons, 1 Timothy 4. Evil men and impostors, 2 Timothy 3.
That the Antichrist will be in the Church of the New Testament, that is, in that assembly of men who profess Christianity, the Apostles testify in the same previously cited places. Paul also affirms that this matter has been experienced in his time, 2 Thessalonians 2, where he says, “The mystery of iniquity is already at work.” And John in the Apocalypse says that these things were revealed to him which must shortly come to pass, Revelation 1; and the angel to John, Revelation 22, says, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.”
They [prophecies] teach, however, that the Antichrist will not be a single person but an entire kingdom, led by false teachers in the temple of God, that is, in the Church of God, presiding gradually, almost with no one openly noticing or considering, in the great city which has dominion over the kings of the earth, that is, in the Roman city, which is to say, the Roman Empire, prepared by the work of the devil through fraud and deception. Thus, it is certain that his doctrine professes Christ, indeed, but nevertheless, denies His merit and office, and carries the laws of demons concerning the prohibition of marriage and foods, and the worship and ceremonies instituted by Christ are corrupted, mutilated, and turned to other ends. He also wields both swords—the political and ecclesiastical—whose highest administrator will present himself as God, as one who is the vicar of Christ and head of the Church, and has power over magistrates and the Church, and all councils; and in whose heart’s treasury are laid up all divine and human laws; who can establish and abolish articles of faith, and has the authority even to command the angels of God; to whom it is necessary for salvation to be subject and obey in every matter; and who, although he deceives countless souls, ought not to be judged or questioned as to why he does this. The following will explain this description.
They teach that the principal efficient cause of the kingdom of the Antichrist is the Devil. For Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2: “Whose coming is according to the operation of Satan.” In 1 Timothy 4, it is said that deceitful spirits will assert doctrines of demons. And John calls the members of the Antichrist the children of the devil, as those who are governed by him (1 John 3). In Revelation 13, the dragon is appointed the author of the entire state of the Antichrist in the Roman Empire. Revelation 18 calls Babylon or the Antichrist the dwelling place of demons and the custodian of every unclean spirit.
The instruments of the devil are said to be false teachers, nevertheless sitting in the temple of God, that is, in the Church, and governing it, corrupting sound doctrine by wondrous craft, and desiring primacy in the Church and external dominion, both of which are prohibited to ecclesiastical persons by Christ, Acts 20; 2 Peter 2. They will introduce pernicious sects. Also, they despise authority, that is, magistracy. 1 John 2: “They went out from us, but they were not of us,” and later: “This is the Antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son,” and 1 John 4 shows that the Antichrist will deny Christ came in the flesh—that is, that Christ redeemed and saved us fully in His own flesh—but will insist that our good works also contribute something to salvation. And Paul in 1 Timothy 4 and 6; Titus 1; 2 Thessalonians 2 warns that the instruments of the devil will be false teachers who are members of the Antichrist.
The helpers, indeed, promoters, defenders, and patrons of false teachers, will be kings and princes of the earth who will build up the kingdom of the Antichrist; especially the merchants of the [first] beast, that is, the Roman Empire, and all whose names are not written in the Book of Life, as was revealed to John in the Apocalypse. Revelation 13, 17, 18, 19.
God, however, will permit the Devil and the wicked to establish so horrid a blasphemous kingdom of the Antichrist because of His just judgment by which He punishes contempt and neglect of the truth. Paul teaches this in 2 Thessalonians 2: “because they did not receive the love of the truth to be saved, therefore God will send them a strong delusion that they should believe the lie,” so that all may be judged who did not believe the truth but approved injustice. Likewise, in 1 Timothy 4, men will depart from the faith. In 2 Timothy 4, they will not hold to sound doctrine but will gather teachers according to their own desires and will turn their ears away from the truth to fables.
In this manner the kingdom of the Antichrist will gradually be built up. First, those who are in the city which holds dominion over the kings of the earth, Revelation 17, and who sit in the temple of God: that is, the Roman Bishops, whom all consider as sincere teachers and successors of the Apostles, will, by the instigation of the Devil, 2 Thessalonians 2, fall away from the faith or sound doctrine of the Gospel, and will introduce pernicious sects, and deny the Lord who bought them, 2 Peter 2; and deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh—that is, that only the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, 1 John 1. And they will not abide in the doctrine of Christ, 2 John. They will profess to know God but by their deeds deny Him, Titus 1. They will be exalted against the true God—that is, they will corrupt sound doctrine about God, especially the article of justification, so that we are justified not by faith alone in Christ, but that our good works also contribute something to salvation before God; and [they will pervert] invocation, so that God is to be invoked not only in the name of Christ, but also in the name of the holy mother of Christ, the Virgin Mary, the blessed Apostles and martyrs; and thus, they will worship the dragon, statues, and images, Revelation 13. And they will blaspheme the merit of Christ, 2 Peter 2 & Revelation 13. And they will practice horrendous idolatry, Revelation 18. They will bind consciences to traditions and decrees of men, Colossians 2. They will forbid marriage to clerics and so fill the world with their Sodomitic fornications, 1 Timothy 4; Rev. 18:2; [they will give them the Jewish rite of] sacrifices, [though Christ ended all sacrifices by His efficacious death, Hebrews 10]. They will make distinctions about foods and days, Timothy 4.
Then they also set themselves against that which is revered, that is, the sacraments instituted by Christ, by partly mutilating them, namely in the Lord’s Supper by giving only one part to the laity; and partly deforming them by attaching vain superstitious ceremonies, administering them in a language unknown to the people, and diminishing their power. Moreover, they transfer them to other ends besides those to which they were instituted by Christ: such as offering the supper as an unbloody sacrifice to God for the living and the dead, and thus crucifying our Lord Jesus Christ again; carrying around and worshiping the enclosed host; baptizing, not only men, but also wood, stones, and bells, 2 Thess. 2.
Thirdly, they also exalt themselves above the Church of God, so that they appear in it as if they were God. This must be done in such a way that they say they are the head of the Church, and vicars of Christ, divine men in whose chest and heart the Holy Spirit dwells, who alone have the power to explain Scripture, to establish and abolish articles of faith, who cannot err, who are above all councils, who can be judged by no one except God alone, nor ought to be; who have the right to command angels. 2 Thess. 2.
But in order to make men believe these things, they will perform miracles by the power of the devil, nevertheless under the name of Christ. However, these signs and prodigies are false, whose purpose is to deceive men, so they may approve their false doctrines. Such miracles will be apparitions of souls telling fables concerning purgatory, asking that masses be celebrated for them, healings of diseases which happen to those who worship statues and vow to saints, and the like, 2 Thess. 2.
To make men believe their deceptions, they will be transformed by the Devil into angels of light, 2 Corinthians 11. They will walk in humility and superstition of angels through humility of spirit and injury of the body [i.e., self-flagellation], Colossians 2.
When they have corrupted the sincere doctrine and persuaded men that salvation is to be obtained by good works, and that the merits of the good works of others can be redeemed with money, and that letters of indulgence granted from purgatory can free the soul, gradually many good things will be added to them, 2 Peter 2. They will deal with you using fictitious words. But being increased by their [ill-gained] goods, they will begin to despise authority, that is, the political magistrate ordained by God, 2 Peter 2. They will draw the dominion of the city of Rome to themselves; and finally, because of the worship of the dragon and the doctrine of demons, they will receive the place of reward: the kingdoms of the world. For in Revelation 17 it is said that the beast which has seven heads and ten horns, that is, the Roman Empire, carries the Babylonian harlot, that is, the Antichrist: and he [the Antichrist] will sit upon many waters, that is, he will reign over peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues [through his false Church, portrayed as a woman, the bride of Christ].
Images or types of the kingdom of the Antichrist seen by John are presented in the Apocalypse. For in Revelation 10 his spiritual state is described in a beautiful angel, and his book, which is sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the belly. By this is signified that the doctrine of the Antichrist will indeed be plausible to reason, but nevertheless will be a torment to consciences, bringing death.
The external nature of it, however, is described in Revelation 13 by two beasts, and in Revelation 17 by the Babylonian harlot sitting upon a scarlet beast, by many waters, by carrying a golden cup full of abominations and the uncleanness of her fornication, whoring with the kings of the earth. These signify that the Antichrist will transform the kingdom of Christ into an external one, wielding the political sword; and that the Roman Empire, wounded and greatly disturbed, will recover somewhat, and be mixed with it [ the ‘Christian’ Empire, i.e., the empire of the Roman Catholic Church]; and then, rightly so, will reign together for a time; but afterwards [the ‘Christian’ Empire of the Roman Catholic Church] will ascend so high over it [the secular empire] as to hold supreme dominion, and ride upon it. The members of the kingdom of Antichrist will be citizens, as it were, its false teachers, 2 Peter 2; 1 John 2. They will be the kings and princes of the earth, Revelation 13:17. They will be merchants and others who enjoy the goods of the Antichrist, Revelation 18; and all whose names are not written in the book of life, Revelation 13 & 16. The morals of the citizens of the kingdom of the Antichrist are described in 2 Peter 2; 1 Timothy 4; 2 Timothy 3 and elsewhere throughout.
It should further be noted that the servants of the Antichrist are shown to be the most impure Sodomitic kind of men, 2 Peter 2:6 [also, Romans 1:26-27 & Rev. 11:8]. Following the flesh they walk in the lusts of uncleanness, etc., leading others into sensory pleasure, to enjoy the delights of the day, which are stains and blemishes, feasting in their errors, they scoff at you, eyes full of adultery, who do not know how to cease from sinning, having a heart trained in thievery.
The duties of the citizens of the kingdom of the Antichrist are noted as follows:
To believe falsehood and to approve injustice, 2 Thess. 2.
To deny that Jesus is the Christ, 1 John 2.
To deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, 1 John 4, 2 John.
To transgress and to not abide in the doctrine of Christ, 2 John.
To attend to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, forbidding marriage and certain foods, 1 Tim. 4.
To worship demons and golden, silver, and bronze, stone and wooden images. Rev. 9.
To worship the dragon, Rev. 13.
To worship the beast, Rev. 13.
To worship the image of the beast, Rev. 13.
To receive the mark of the beast on their right hand or on their foreheads for physical benefits, Rev. 13.
To speak blasphemies and to insult God, and to afflict the name of God, his temple, and those who are in heaven: that is to say, to ascribe to the saints the honor of redemption, intercession, and hearing of prayers, which is due to Christ alone, Rev. 13.
To wage war against the Church of God, and to lead its members into captivity, and to kill them by the sword: Rev. 13.
To be intoxicated with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, Rev. 17 & 19.
To commit fornication with the Babylonian harlot and to drink the wine of her prostitution, that is to say, to approve her horrendous idolatry and Sodomitic debaucheries for their own gain: Rev. 17 & 18.
The seat of the kingdom of the Antichrist is that city which [then] holds sway over the rulers of the earth, that is to say, the city of Rome, which John points out in Revelation 17 as it were with a finger, and warns that [Antichrist’s kingom] will reign far and wide in the Roman empire. The same Revelation 13 & 17 declares that while the beast [Antichrist’s kingdom] carries the harlot, [Scripture] says that she sits upon many waters, explained as that of peoples, nations, multitudes, and tongues.
That the mystery of iniquity began to work in the time of Paul and the Apostles, he himself indicates in 2 Thess. 2. And John signifies that the things he saw must quickly come to pass in Rev. 1.
The duration of the spiritual state of the Antichrist, during which the court of the temple is given over to the Gentiles and the holy city is to be trampled, John in Revelation 11 makes to be forty-two months, which make twelve hundred sixty days [i.e., 30 days X 42 months]: which some interpret as years [i.e., Year-Day Principle; one day = one year per Numbers 14:34]. The duration of the external rule of the Antichrist, depicted as possessing both swords, appears to be indicated [in our view] by the number 666 in Revelation 13.
And if, indeed, before the [full] revelation they show the Antichrist to be somewhat secret, because he is called the mystery of iniquity, 2 Thess. 2, and on his forehead is written the name mystery, Rev. 17: likewise, I will tell you the mystery of the woman [Rev. 17:7], nevertheless, at all times there will always be some, although few, who oppose and contradict the Antichrist, his idolatry and corruptions, against whom he will fight, as is revealed to John throughout the Apocalypse. For Rev. 11 indicates that God will always have two or more witnesses who oppose him, although the two are killed, and Rev. 12 shows that some will remain from the seed of the Woman: that is to say, those who are members of the [true] Church, who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus. [And this bloody war between the two is evident in] Rev. 17 which declares the harlot to have been ‘drunk’ with the blood of the saints and martyrs.
Finally, toward the end of the world, the kingdom of the Antichrist, because it has hidden itself under the title of ‘Church,’ is to be revealed by the singular grace of God through the spirit of the mouth of the Lord, that is, the doctrine of the Gospel brought to light, as Paul indicates in 2 Thess. 2. Then that wicked one will be made manifest, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of His mouth. The same is revealed somewhat more clearly to John in Rev. 14, 17, 18, for in Rev. 14 three angels, that is, three teachers, are appointed for the revelation of the Antichrist. To these are added two others, Rev. 18. The first proclaims the eternal Gospel, by which light is kindled concerning calling upon God in the name of Jesus Christ, and not in the name of the saints. The second announces the fall of Babylon, that is, it shows that the Antichrist sits in Babylon or the Roman Church. The third exhorts that everyone should beware lest they worship the beast and his image and receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand, Rev. 14.
The revealed kingdom of the Antichrist will remain until the coming of Christ, as Paul warns in 2 Thess. 2, when he says that the wicked one is to be destroyed by the glorious advent of Christ.
John also teaches that when the Antichrist is revealed, the kings of the earth will commit fornication with him, and those who committed fornication with him will mourn his revelation and fall, Rev. 18.
He also shows that the beast, or the Roman [Antichrist] Empire, will wage war against kings and princes to [re] establish the idolatry of the Antichrist, but will not be very successful, Rev. 16.
He also warns that many of the kings, princes, and merchants will try various reconciliations of Christ and the Antichrist; which, even for the sake of the beast—that is, the decrees of the Roman Senate—so that they may buy and sell and do business without hindrance, most will accept on their foreheads and in their hands, with some doctors from time to time protesting. Revelation 13:14-18.
Furthermore, John also warns that most of the princes and states of the Roman empire, who had handed their kingdoms over to the beast, will desert the Antichrist, and will hate the harlot, and will punish her, and burn her with fire, Rev. 17.
The angel denies that the revealed Antichrist will restore his affairs to their former state, Revelation 18, saying, “With one stone the great city Babylon will be thrown down and will never be found again.”
That the seat of the Antichrist, the city of Rome, will be destroyed is also indicated quite clearly in Rev. 18.
The beast, and the kings of the earth, and the false prophet, all those who have been deceived and received the mark of the beast, and worshipped his image, will drink of the cup of the wrath of God, and will receive eternal punishments, as indicated in Rev. 14 and 19.
That one must depart from the kingdom of the Antichrist, and recognize, detest, condemn, and flee its idolatry, the Apostles admonish everywhere: 2 Pet. 2 & 3; 1 John 2, 4; 2 John: Do not receive him, nor bid him Godspeed, and Rev. 14. Also, Rev. 18: “I heard another voice from heaven saying: Go out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues: for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render unto her as she also rendered unto you; give her double according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double. As much as she glorified herself and lived in pleasure, give unto her torment and mourning likewise. For she says in her heart: I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no mourning. Therefore, in one day shall come her plagues, death and mourning and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judges her.” And Paul in Romans 16: “Withdraw/turn away from them.” Galatians 1: “If anyone preach another Gospel, etc., let him be accursed.” Also, Philippians 3; 2 Thessalonians 3; 1 Timothy 6; 2 Timothy 3.
[The Lord doesn’t allow reconciliation with Antichrist.]
They also forbid all reconciliation in religion with the Antichrist, Revelation 14. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast’s image, and receives the mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and anyone who receives the mark of his name.” 1 Corinthians 10: “Those who sacrifice, sacrifice to demons, not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.” This is, truly, the general sense, yet it is fittingly applied here also. For the servants of the Antichrist worship not God but the dragon, the devil, Revelation 13. And they have the doctrine of demons, 1 Timothy 4. And the whole state of the Antichrist is a habitation of demons, Revelation 18. Therefore, how can there, in good conscience, be reconciliation in religion with them? The same is taught in 2 Corinthians 6: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with unrighteousness? Or what communion has light with darkness? Or what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God said, I will dwell in them, I will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you: and I will be to you a father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
They have a kinship with the Antichrist or are his members and the members of other heretics, whom John mentions in his 1st Epistle 2:4-5. In chapter 4 verse 3, he says they have the spirit of the Antichrist. For the Antichrist is composed of the sewage of all heresies: hence Babylon, the great mother of fornications and abominations of the earth, is called so, in Revelation 17.
Also, related to the Antichrist, who troubles the Church from within and does so under the name of Christ, is Gog and Magog: that is, the Mohammedan or Turkish kingdom which from without, that is, outside of Christianity, attacks and tears apart the Church.
Finally, in His glorious coming Christ will condemn both Antichrists, namely the Roman Antichrist and Gog and Magog, the Saracen or Mohammedan Antichrist, to eternal punishments, together with all their allies, servants, supporters and patrons, as was revealed to John, Revelation 19 and 20.
END OF EXCERPTS