So far we have seen 8 specific criteria pertaining to the little horn of Daniel 7, and have discovered that every single one directly identifies the Papacy as fulfilling the role perfectly. However, I promised 10, so here is number 9. This has more to do with the word Antichrist itself...what it means...and see if that pertains to the Papacy or not.
Before we look at the antichrist, I want to look at the real Christ. Who is He? Let us go to the scriptures to find out what and Who He claimed to be.
Mathew 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple...
The temple, the priesthood, and the religious system including all the ceremonies, the sacrifices, and the law of the Jewish nation go hand in hand. It was the mainstay and focal point of the life of Israel. Yet Jesus claimed to be greater. Greater even than the very High priest who no doubt would take great interest in hearing a report of these words. Greater even than the law itself, because He was the lawgiver.
….38 ¶ Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here…
Jonah was the most powerful and successful of all OT prophets. In all 40 odd chapters of Jeremiah, there is no record of anyone at anytime taking the slightest bit of notice of anything Jeremiah said. Yet Jonah, on the strength of just one or two sermons, converted the entire city of Nineveh of the children of Ishmael totaling maybe 60,000 people. By any standards, that has got to be recorded as a very successful evangelistic campaign. Yet Jesus claimed to be greater than Jonah.
…42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Solomon was the wisest and wealthiest and most successful of any ruler of the ancient world. Yet Jesus claimed to be greater even than Solomon.
He claimed to be a greater priest than the current high priest of Israel, He claimed to be a greater prophet than Jonah, and He claimed to be a greater King than Solomon. In these three startling claims, we have before us the threefold ministry of Jesus. Priest, prophet, and King.
It has been said, and I think wisely, that the Bible must be understood grammatically before it can be understood theologically.
Anti– as in antichrist, according to Strong’s concordance, and like other words having the prefix ‘anti’, means at it’s most basic form “in the room of”, “instead of”, or “in the place of”.
In other words, ‘antichrist’ stands as a
substitute. We all know that Satan works by deception. Yet many claim the ‘antichrist’ will be one who will charge in on a black horse guns blazing with fury and hatred directed at all things Christian and opposing with great force the church. Pray tell me, how will the world be deceived by such a tactic as this?
In 2 Thess. 2:1 we are told that there was to be a falling away first, which will reveal the antichrist, or as Paul describes him, the man of sin or son of perdition. Now falling away in this instance is a falling into apostasy; divorce.
Any divorce necessitates a prior favourable relationship. The only other example of a ‘son of perdition’ is Judas Iscariot. Did Judas openly and with force oppose Christ? Did he attack His teachings and disagree with Jesus claims to divinity? Did he argue and debate everything Jesus stood for and seek the destruction of His followers? No. Not by any means. Judas betrayed Jesus with a
kiss. He betrayed Him with an act of apparent love, fellowship, and friendship. He undermined and betrayed Jesus at the same time as claiming Him to be his friend!! This squares perfectly with the meaning of antichrist. He is not an opposer, but a subtle impostor. A counterfeit. And in the case of the Antichrist itself, an impostor of Jesus Christ. A false copy, or forgery of the true.
Antichrist is therefore a person or power who impersonates the offices of Priesthood, the Prophet or spokesmanship, and the Kingly rule of Christ. The office that ministers for God, speaks for God, and rules for God.
So does the Catholic Church claim the above prerogatives? Absolutely. In every detail. And we all know why. I don't think it necessary to go into detail, as they have been discussed often on other threads, often leading to quite vigorous debates. But in summary, I think I can safely say that the Papal authority as the replacement of Christ as Mediator...replacement of the Spirit of Christ as teacher of the Word...and the claim by Popes from long ago to have power and authority over all earthy kings, meets the above criteria very well, don't you think? Do you think a future individual be it Muslim, Jew, or whatever, possibly do as well in fulfilling these requirements? Thus concludes criteria #9.
Now criteria #10
In Revelation 13:1-3 we have a vision of a beast rising up out of the sea, a composite beast of all the beasts previously described in Daniel 7. What is fascinating is that this Revelation 13 beast, actually counterfeits the true Christ...thus is appropriately identified as another manifestation of the little horn we have been previously discussing. Note....
The sea-beast or antichrist.
- Comes from water to begin activity. (13:1)
- Resembles dragon. (12:13 13:1)
- Ten diadems. (13:1)
- Ten horns (13:1)
- Receives power throne and authority from dragon/Satan. (13:2,4)
- 42 months of activity in first phase. (13:5)
- Was slain (13:3)
- Resurrected (13:3)
- Receives worship after healing (13:3,4,8)
Now compare with the real Christ....
Jesus Christ
- Comes from water to begin ministry (Luke 3:21-23)
- Resembles Father (Jn 14:19)
- Many diadems (Rev 19:12)
- Lamb has 7 horns (5:6)
- Receives power throne and authority from His Father (Math 28:18 Rev 2:27 Chapters 4,5)
- 42 months of ministry in initial phase. (Gospel of John)
- Was slain (Rev 5:6)
- Was resurrected (Rev1:18)
- Received worship after resurrection (Math 28:17)
Any questions?