ANTI-CHRIST Controversies… What you do not Know

~What does the Bible say about the anti christ ?
-2 John 1:7
The term “antichrist” is only mentioned in 4 passages of the – all in the letters of John. 
In each case, the term is used to portray a false teacher or deceptive power that corrupts the faith within the church.

An “antichrist” literally means “instead of christ” or “in the place of christ”. 
John say there were many antichrists within the early church (1 John 2:18 ) and these antichrists all had a misconception about Jesus Christ.
The focus of this study will be an investigation of Daniel 7. 
This chapter is vital because it outlines the empires of history and identifies very specific characteristics of the antichrist. 
It also lays the foundation for future descriptions of the antichrist in the book of Revelation. 
Please read Daniel 7 and notice especially the descriptions and characteristics of the “little horn”
Daniel 7:17, 23
A beast is a symbol for a kingdom or political power. 
In Daniel 7 we find 4 great nations or political powers all different from one another rising up out of populated areas of the world.

The four kingdoms represented in both Daniel 2(the great image) and 7 are: 
1) Babylon 2) Medo-Persia 3) Greece 4) Rome
The 4th kingdom, pagan Rome, is symbolised by a powerful creature with Iron teeth and ten horns, what do the horns represent?
Daniel 7:24 
Just as the iron legs of Rome divided into iron and clay feet and 10 toes of Daniel 2, now we find Daniel seeing 10 horns arising out of the power of Rome. 
A horn is another symbol of a kingdom (Daniel 7:24, 8:22) 
The 10 horns are 10 powers that arose out of the divided Roman empire. These nations we see today as western Europe.

What did Daniel see coming out of the 10 horns?
Daniel 7:8 
The little horn and the judgment is the focus for the rest of the chapter. It is this power that provides the addition info to the Daniel 2 prophecy. Here we will see the character of the little horn, the great antichrist of prophecy.

What are the characteristics that clearly identify the antichrist power of the little horn?

Clue 1. It arises from western Europe 
(Daniel 7:8) This info provides us with geographical location of the rise of the little horn. 
Since the 10 horns represent the division of Rome into the nations of western Europe, the little horn would arise somewhere out of that region

Clue 2. It is a little kingdom 
The power has the unique characteristic of being a little horn, Daniel 7:8. Here we have a small nation that will accomplish large things.

Clue 3 – It arises after the 10 tribes of Europe were established. 
The little horn antichrist not only comes up out of the 10 horns it also comes to power after the 10 horns were established: “and another shall arises after them” (Daniel 7:24) 
The 10 horns were finally established in 476AD, so we are looking for a power that gained its political clout after this time.

Clue 4- It overcomes 3 political powers as it arises to prominence 
The Bible says that 3 of the original 10 horns were “plucked out by the roots” (Daniel 7:8) The little horn would overcome 3 of the tribes of Europe on its way to dominance. 
Three of the original kingdoms had been removed by 538AD. 
This power would come to power around this time.

Clue 5- It is different from the other 10 powers 
The 10 tribes of western Europe were all secular political powers. This little horn was unique, there was something different about this power.

Clue 6- It would have a man who speaks for it 
Although this power is a political entity, it would have “eyes like the eyes of a man” (Daniel 7:8). A man would be the focus of this power and would be the absolute spokes person (Daniel 7:8)

Clue 7-It would speak blasphemies against God 
This power delves into religion; “speaking pompous words against the Most High” (Daniel 7:25)

Clue 8- It would persecute the people of God 
The “little horn” power would “persecute the saints of the Most High” (Daniel 7:25) 
We are looking for a power who Is responsible for the death of faithful Christians.

Clue 9- It would be in power for 1260 years 
This power rules for “a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25) By comparing this passage with Revelation 12:6,14 it is clear that this time prophecy is another way of saying 1260 days. 
A time is one year, times is two years and half a time is half a year. 
Based on the 30 day calender used by the Ancient scriptures, three and a half years is 1260 days.
In prophetic language a day is a year, (Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34)

Clue 10- This power would attempt to change times and laws 
In one of the most intriguing clues of all, the little horn would think to change times and laws (Daniel 7:25). In our search for the antichrist we need to discover which power would try to alter times in connection with the law

Anti Christ

How can we discover and understand the Bible truth? 
-Acts 17:11
It is vital that any new truth be tested by a study of the scriptures.
Private speculations and interpretations will never unlock the secrets on prophecy.
We need to handle the scriptures prayerfully and carefully, looking at passages in their context and comparing scripture with scripture.
Only a daily relationship with Jesus and a prayerful study of his word will enable us to discover the truth.

Identifying the antichrist 

Who is the antichrist power of Daniel chapter 7? 

when the protestant reformers studied the book of Daniel, they pinpointed the Roman papacy as the little horn power.
These earnest individuals were not trying to criticise their fellow believers many of them were still catholic priests. 
They were simply studying the messages of love and correction provided by God in the prophecies of the scriptures.

We will now see and take a look at the evidence and see if the Roman papacy matches the clues provided in the prophecy.

Clue 1-It arises from western europe/divided Rome 

Antichrist fact 1- The papacy arose from western Europe 
The home or seat of the Papacy is Rome, Italy – Right in the heart of western Europe

Clue 2-It is a little kingdom 

Antichrist fact 2- The Vatican is a little nation 
It is a very small independent kingdom within Europe. 
The entire kingdom is located on just over 40 hectares (108 acres) of land

Clue 3- It arises after the 10 tribes of Europe were established 

Antichrist fact 3- The papacy rose to political power in 538AD. 
The 10 kingdoms were established from Germanic tribes that invaded the Roman empire, they are the 1)AngloSaxons 2)Franks 3)Alemani 4)Lombards 5)Suevi 6)Visigoths 7)Burgundis 8)Ostrogoths 9)Heruli 10)Vandals
The 10 kingdoms were established by 476AD. The papacy received its major political power when it overthrew the Arian Ostrogoths in 538AD

Clue 4- It overcomes three political powers as it arises to prominence

Antichrist fact 4- The papacy uprooted 3 kingdoms – the Vandals, Heruli and the Ostrogoths
Overtime most of the 10 kingdoms of Europe adopted roman christianity. However, three of these kingdoms opposed Rome and refused to cooperate. 
These 3 powers were defeated by Catholic emperors – the Heruli (493AD), the Vandals (534AD) and the Ostrogoths (538AD). 
All three kingdoms were plucked out by the roots – they have disappeared from Europe

Clue 5-It is different from the 10 powers 

Antichrist fact 5- The papacy is a religious power 
The papacy is different from all the other powers in terms of being a religious power. A church controlling politics was certainly different from the first ones Daniel 7:24. They were secular ones

Clue 6- It would have a man as its head who speaks for it 

Antichrist fact 6- The pope is the absolute head of the church 
The papacy has one man at the head.
The papacy is not a democratic govt, the pope is the ultimate authority for the church.

Clue 7-It would speak blasphemies against God 

Antichrist fact 7- The pope claims to be “God on Earth” 
According to the Bible, blasphemy is either claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21) or claiming to be God (John 10:33). The papacy claims both. 
In 1870 the vatican council declared that the pope was infallible whenever speaking from his position of authority. 
Notice these interesting quotes:

“We (the popes) hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty” (The great encyclical letters of leo, xiii, p304)

“The pope is not only the representive of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, himself hidden under the veil of flesh” ( Catholic National, July 1895)

“Thus the priest may, in a certain manner be called the creator of the creator, since by saying these words of consecration, he creates as it were, Jesus in the sacrament” (Duties and dignities of the priest, st alphonus de ligouri, p27)

Clearly blasphemy

Clue 8- It would persecute the people of God 

Antichrist fact 8- The papacy persecuted and killed millions of people 
During the dark ages , the church of Rome killed more people that what hitler did during WWII. 
Conservative estimates place the killings at 50 million people and some experts placing the figure closer to 150 million people. 
Millions of people were burnt at the stake for “heresy” when they were simply following the truths of the scriptures instead of the dictates and traditions of the papacy.

Clue 9- It would be in power for 1260 years 

Antichrist fact 9- The papacy ruled 1260 years
The papacy gained ultimate power in 538AD when the final oppostion, the Ostrogoths were defeated. 
The papacy ruled then for 1260 years until pope pius vi was taken captive by Napoleons general, berthier. 
The pope was stripped of his political powers just as the prophecy said, the antichrist received a deadly wound in 1798. 
Revelation 13:1-4

Clue 10- The power would attempt to change times and laws 

Antichrist fact 10- the papacy attempted to change the God’s law, the 10 commandments

In an amazing fulfillment of prophecy the papacy attempted to change the Gods law. Firstly, the catholic catechisms have shortened the Sabbath commandment from nearly 100 words to just 8, they also removed the 2nd commandment completely. 
This commandment forbids worship of images and idols. 
They split the 10th commandment into 2.

Along with this, the church claims to have changed the sabbath to Sunday (the Sabbath is the only commandment associated with times) 
Any attempt to change the Law of God is blasphemy.

The Roman papacy fits all the clues perfectly. 

No other power in history or the future could possibly fit all the clues that the prophecy of Daniel 7 has provided.

THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS 
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” 

John in the power of the Spirit have seen in His dream the things to come and write these things to reveal to us the people of the last days, the events that will take place before the second coming of Christ. The woman ” The Mother of harlots” plays a big role. “And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. 
When I saw her, I wondered greatly.” It is written in Revelation 17:3-4; Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. 
There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. Who and what is this woman? In Revelation 17:9 is written –“This calls for a mind with wisdom. 
The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.—-Seven Hills of Rome, group of hills on or about which the ancient city of Rome was built. The original city of Romulus was built upon Palatine Hill (Latin: Mons Palatinus). The other hills are the Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine (known respectively in Latin as the Mons Capitolinus, Mons Quirinalis, Mons Viminalis, Mons Esquilinus, Mons Caelius, and Mons Aventinus). 
Rome is where the woman sits, and the woman is that great Vatican City! Revelation 17:18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”— Vatican City; state ruled by the Bishop of Rome—the Pope. The highest state functionaries are all Catholic clergy of various national origins.
In medieval Europe, the Roman Catholic Pope seemed to hold more power than the European kings. 
Because those monarchs desired (required?) the approval of their subjects, who believed in the Pope’s supernatural powers. 
Power of excommunication. 
As rivals to the throne could tell their peers and the populace that the current king was impious and didn’t have divine mandate anymore. 
The Pope is a king (of Vatican City). 
In the medieval era, the papal kingdom was much larger.— The Woman is the Vatican City sitting in Rome with seven Hills, and the influence of the Pope reigns over kings because it is believe with supernatural power coming from God. 
Those that have eyes my see these truths and those who have ears must listen to what John is revealing to us in this Last Days. 

As we apply what we learn from the Bible, our wn lives experience a personal revival and reformation. 

We love Jesus more, and demonstrate his love to others. 
We learn to hate sin and love doing right.

It is vital when presenting strong truths such as the antichrist, that we do not display a spirit of the antichrist. 
We need to be humble, loving and Christ focused. 
Not dwelling on the faults of others, we need to uplift Christ. 

It is vital that we know this prophecy because it protects us from areas of deception.
But knowing the identity of the antichrist will not save us.

Knowing the person Jesus Christ will.