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Who is the antichrist?

666 and the connection to Rome

The term “antichrist” is found 5 times the Bible, all written by John. When most people hear
the term “antichrist” they think of a dark sinister dictator such as Hitler. But that is not how
the Bible portrays the antichrist. In fact, when John wrote his letters, he said that “even now
many antichrists have come.” (1John 2:18, 1John 4:3) And that was 2,000 years ago. We
are also told that the antichrist will still be here when Christ returns (2 Thessalonians 2:8).
The Bible warns us that the antichrist will deceive us (2John 1:7). Remember, Satan does
not come with a pitchfork and pointy horns. That’s not how he works best. He comes as an
“angel of light” deceiving, and teaching false doctrine and false Christianity:
 
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of
Christ.
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not
surprising,
then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be
what
their actions deserve.
 
What are some false teachings? What is the biggest one out there? If you were Satan, and
you were going to lead astray large numbers of people, the most effective way to do this
would be to come as an imposter. What is the largest body of people that are presented as
“Christians”?

“VICARIVS FILII DEI” --the Latin words for the pope’s official title—said to once have even been found
inscribed upon the pope’s crown. *See footnote
The ancient Latin alphabet had 23 letters—not 26, and does not contain the letter “U” but uses the letter “V”
instead

▲
Notice the use of “V” for “U” in this ancient Roman inscription which reads, “IMP(erati) CAESA RI AUGUSTO” (Meaning Emperor Caesar
Augustus) “AUGUSTO” is spelled “AVGVSTO” in Latin

Latin                           English          numerical equivalents

VICARIVS                 vicar                5+1+100+1+5  =  112
FILII                            of the son      1+50+1+1         =    53
DEI                             of God            500+1                =  501
                                                                                     +_____
                                                                                            666
Roman numerals:
I=1
V=5
C=100
L=50
D=500
 

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“antichrist” simply means “in the place of Christ”  -  “anti” = “in the place of”
The Word of God says JESUS is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18, Ephesians
5:23).
  “Vicar” is defined as one acting as a substitute for, or in the place of, instead of    - See Vicar
in the Catholic Encyclopedia
 
The pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
 
Thus, by very definition, the pope IS the antichrist.  As head of the church, the pope
sits in the place of Christ!
 
The antichrist is not a single person; The antichrist is an office of authority.
 
Mark 13:5-6
Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my
name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.
 
In the Bible, the church of Christ is portrayed as a bride, and Christ as the bridegroom:

Revelation 19:7
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has
come,
and his bride has made herself ready.

The Bible commonly refers to the relationship between husband and wife as equivalent to
the relationship between Christ and the church. See Ephesians 5:28-32.
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. See John 1:29, Revelation 7:17, etc.

Revelation 21:2
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared
as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Revelation 21:9
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues
came
and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
 
See also Matthew 25:1-13, Mark 2:19, Matthew 22:1-14 where Christ typifies Himself as the
bridegroom.
 
Now, if the church is the bride, or wife of Christ, then what would a whore—a perverted
bride be? Would not a whore be a perverted church? Would it not be a “church” that is
unfaithful to God’s Word?
 
Read Revelation 17 and notice the great whore is drunk with the blood of the saints. Then
read Fox’s Book of Martyrs and notice throughout the ages, how much blood Rome, the
pope and the Roman Catholic Church has shed because people followed God’s Word
instead of Roman teachings. Rome, in all its various forms, has persecuted more Christians
than any other institution on the face of the earth. During the middle ages, the Roman
Church put to death untold millions of Christians! It only started with the Roman Empire
(Nero is one famous example), and, as the empire decayed, power was transferred from the

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Roman Emperor to the Roman Pontiff—the pope. As the Roman Empire died out, the office
of the pope grew in place of the emperor and remains to this day.
  
The Bible even warns us where the antichrist will be found. He will be found in a church.
 
2 Thessalonians 2:4
He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is
worshiped,
so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
 
“God’s temple” represents the church. We are warned that the antichrist will be found in a
church! The one that will stand “in the place of Christ” is not a political leader, but the head
of a false church!
 
The temple at Jerusalem that was destroyed in 70 A.D. is not what Paul is referring to
(although Rome did do that. History, as well as prophecy, has a way of repeating itself). The
word ‘temple’ in the above verse is carried over into the New Testament teaching and
indicates either the body of the individual believer, (1Corinthians 3:16) or the whole body of
professing Christians (Ephesians 2:20-22). The New Testament uses two words to refer to a
temple. “Hieron” is used when describing the literal physical temple in Jerusalem. “Hieron”
includes the entire aggregate of buildings, balconies, porticos, and outer courts. “Naos”  can
describe the literal temple, but only in describing the sacred sanctuaries—the Holy place,
and the “Holy of Holies.” “Naos”  also has a second more “metaphysical” meaning. It is also
used to refer to the “temple” of the individual body, and also to the body of Christ—the
church. In John 2:19-21, Jesus used “naos”  to refer to His body. Elsewhere, the Bible
teaches the body of Christ is the church (1Corinthians 6:15,19, Colossians 1:24,
Ephesians 1:22-23). The word used in 2Thes 2:4 is “naos”, which is the word that would
have to be used if a false leader were going to enter and infiltrate the body of Christ. Since
the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed about 2000 years ago, and the antichrist will still be
in the temple when Christ returns to destroy him, the only temple that the “man of sin” can
occupy is the temple (naos) –the body of Christ—the church.
 
When the Bible uses prophetic language, a beast represents a kingdom, and a kingdom can
also represent a church. Perhaps the beast here represents false Christianity. Notice in
Revelation chapter 13 that the beast (kingdom/church) had been wounded by a sword
(verses 3,12, and 14). And God uses the sword to illustrate His Word—the Scriptures. See
Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12. As with all apocalyptic language in the Bible, it is difficult
to know with certainty, but there is a very strong case to be made that this passage
(Revelation 13:3,12,14) represents the great blow that was made to the Roman Catholic
Church during the Reformation when the Word of God (the Bible) became widely known,
and did great damage to Rome. Yet, it recovered and healed and is still here today.
 
Matthew 23:9
And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in
heaven.
 

Outrageous Claims Made For The Pope!

Not only are outlandish claims, such as those above, made regarding the authority of the pope, but he
is addressed by various terms (Supreme Pontiff, Holy Father, etc.) which belong only to God. No
such terms were given to a mere man in the holy Scriptures. The term “Holy Father” is used only
once in God’s word. It is used by Jesus in John 17:11 as He prayed to God the Father. For a mere man

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to assume the authority and titles which belong only to God, is surely the height of arrogance and
blasphemy. If not, why not?

1. The New York Catholic Catechism, under: Pope, says, “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.”
2. In his encyclical, “The Reunion of Christendom” (1885), Pope Leo XIII stated that the pope
holds “upon this earth the place of God Almighty.”
3. 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.”
4. The Catholic book, “My Catholic Faith” which is based on the Baltimore Catechism, on page
251, says, “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.”

By David J. Riggs

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

More claims of the pope:

Pope Innocent III put in writing, ‘We may according to the ullness of our power, dispose of the law
and dispense above the law. Those whom the Pope of Rome doth separate, it is not a man that
separates them but God. For the Pope holdeth place on earth, not simply of a man but of the true
God.’ I Book of Gregory 9 Decret. C3.

The Lateran Council, addressing Pope Julius II in an address delivered by Marcellus states, ‘Take
care that we lose not that salvation, that life and breath which thou hast given us, for thou art our
shepherd, tou art physician, thou art governor, thou are husbandman, thou finally ART ANOTHER
GOD ON EARTH’ Council Edit. Colm. Agrip. 1618.

Pope Nicholas claimed the title of God. His words are:—‘I am all in all and above all, so that God
Himself, and I, the Vicar of God, hath both one consistory, and I am able to do almost all that God
can do . . . Wherefore, if those things that I do be said not to be done of man, but of God. WHAT CAN
YOU MAKE ME BUT GOD? Again, if prelates of the Church be called and counted of Constantine
for gods, I then, being above all prelates, seem by this reason to be ABOVE ALL GODS. Wherefore,
no marvel if it be in my power to dispense with all things, yea, with the precepts of Christ.’ See
Decret. Par Distinct 96 Ch. 7 Edit Lugd. 1661.
 
‘I alone despite my unworthiness, am the successor of the Apostles, the Vicar of Jesus Christ: I alone
have the mission to guide and direct the barque of Peter; I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE
LIFE.’ — Pope Pius IX.
 
 

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The leaders of the Catholic Church understand very clearly that the Word of God—the Bible,
opposes their man-made institution and their false teachings. Yet, they persist in their evil
and refuse to repent!

Following is an excerpt from an address given by the Cardinals to Pope Pius III, and is
preserved in the National Library of Paris, Folio No. 1068, Vol. 2, pp. 650 651:

“Of all the advice that we can offer your holiness we must open your eyes well and use all
possible force in the matter, namely to permit the reading of the gospel as little as possible in all
the countries under your jurisdiction. Let the very little part of the gospel suffice which is
usually read in mass, and let no one be permitted to read more. So long as people will be content
with the small amount, your interest will prosper; but as soon as the people want to read more,
your interest will fail. The Bible is a book, which more than any other, has raised against us the
tumults and tempests by which we have almost perished. In fact, if one compares the teaching of
the Bible with what takes place in our churches, he will soon find discord, and will realize that
our teachings are often different from the Bible, and oftener still, contrary to it.”

 
If you are in the Roman Catholic Church, God says to you:
 
“Come out of her, my people,
       so that you will not share in her sins,
       so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
-Revelation 18:4

Get out now while you still can!

 
Revelation 19:19-21
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered
together to
make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was
captured, and
with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his
behalf. With
these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and
worshiped
his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning
sulfur. The
rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider
on the horse,
and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.
 
Revelation 20:10
And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,
where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented
day and night for ever and ever.
 
 
Are you saved? Many people think they are—and are not. Are you certain the Bible agrees
with what you have been taught regarding how to be saved? Find out what the Word of God
teaches about salvation. Click here and visit www.bebaptized.org
 

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The Kingdom of Heaven is Here

 
 
The pope’s coronation (below)
 

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.

Click here to visit “Revelation Illustrated” site.

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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. This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY
BABYLON
THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE
EARTH.
I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those
who
bore testimony to Jesus.
--Revelation 17:4-6

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Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they
also worshiped the beast and asked,
“Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?”…
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not
been written
in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the
world.
--Revelation 13:4,8

 
With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the
earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
-Revelation 17:2

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Pope addressing United Nations session of the General Assembly

“For all the nations have drunk

       the maddening wine of her adulteries.
   The kings of the earth committed adultery with her…”
-Revelation 18:3

“Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor
regard
any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.”
 
The sex problems in the Catholic Church stem from forbidding their leaders to marry. See
1Timothy 2:1-5.
 
 

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‘Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering
with gold, precious stones and pearls!
-Revelation 18:6

What is the “mark of the beast”?

The pope is the antichrist

*Footnote: Much controversy exists about the existence of such a crown. But whether or not such a crown
with this inscription still exists does not matter. Where the title is inscribed is of no importance whatsoever.
What matters is the Latin title, VICARIVS FILII DEI (Vicar of the Son of God), is a title which describes the
position, or office of the pope, and has even been used to refer to his position by leaders of the Catholic
Church itself:
“A small number of Catholic figures referred to the supposed existence of the title in books. In The
Temporal Power of the Vicar of Jesus Christ, a book by British Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster,
Henry Edward Cardinal Manning three references were made in English to the Pope as the "Vicar of
the Son of God.” [1]. Writing on behalf of James Cardinal Gibbons in 1904, William F. Russell said
that the title was "used by the Cardinal who imposes the tiara at the coronation of a Pope," though he
couldn't say with certainty whether it appeared on the Pope's tiara. [2] In a signed statement from the
early 1940's, Dr. J. Quasten of Catholic University wrote, "The title Vicarius Filii Dei as well as the
title Vicarius Christi is very common as the title for the Pope.”[3] **

Much smokescreen is thrown up in an effort to divert attention away from the real issue. The Catholic Church

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will take issue as to the existence of any such crown with the inscription in question, but the fact remains, the
title, VICARIVS FILII DEI exists and is used to refer to the pope even by their own leaders!

1.) See pp. 141, 231, 232 of the second edition published in 1862 in London by Burns & Lambert.
2.) This letter is catalogued as document FRS #35, and is on file at the James White Library of
Andrews University.
3.) Dr. Quasten's signed statement is catalogued as document FRS #12, and is also on file at the
James White Library. Click here to see it now.
 
“Vicar of Christ” - a slightly altered, yet equivalent title for the pope used by the Catholic Church
today. They are afraid to use the words “Vicar of the Son of God” these days since its exposure as
the number of the beast.
 
 
 
** From Wikipedia

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