Revelation Answer to Question #6

 

6. Who is Antichrist?

"ANTICHRISTOS can mean either against Christ or instead of Christ... combining the two, 'one who, assuming the guise of Christ, opposes Christ.'" (W.E. VINE'S expository dictionary of new testament words.)

"Antichrist" Means:
1.  Against Christ	In opposition to Christ
2.  Instead of Christ	A counterfeit of Christ

For three centuries, Protestants identified the papacy as the antichrist because it replaced the Kingdom of God on earth by marrying the kings of the earth and setting up its own Kingdom—without waiting for the second coming of Christ. It also replaced the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ by instituting the celebration of the mass which proposes to sacrifice Christ over and over again.

How fitting that a Jesuit priest (Ribera) taught the antichrist was a literal man instead of the Papacy—the system! Even more amazing, in 1830 the Protestant John Darby, founder of the Plymouth Brethren, began to promote the same idea of a one-man antichrist! Today the majority of Protestants have bought into a literal man.

The "mystery of iniquity" (another name for antichrist), Paul said, "is already at work" in his day (2 Thessalonians 2:7). A system of error was already forming in the Apostle's day.

Antichrist is not one man, but an organization including a whole false church. In parallel contrast, it is still a "mystery" to most people today that "Christ" includes Jesus' body members. "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints . . . which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." "Now ye are the body of Christ. . ." (Colossians 1:26,27; 1 Corinthians 12:27).

The papacy, with its head and church, is a counterfeit replacement of Christ, Head and Body. Therefore, it is antichrist, the "Mystery of Iniquity."

THE CHURCH OF GOD, THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
TRUE TYPE	THE REALITY DURING THE MILLENNIUM	COUNTERFEIT
Aaron	Christ Jesus	The Popes
and successors— Chief or High Priest, head and representative and mouthpiece.	our Lord and Head and representative; the High-Priest of our profession or order.	in turn, High-Priests of the Papal Hierarchy; its lord, head and mouthpiece.
Under-Priests, deriving their official dignity and rights and privileges of service through Aaron, whose body they represented, typified the church of Christ.	The church glorified, the body of Christ, sharers of his glory, majesty, and office of ruler: whose offices will differ, as star differeth from star in glory.	The Church of Rome consists of the bishops and prelates, who share the dignities of the hierarchy, though differing in degrees of  honor — cardinals, bishops, etc.
Subject to the Hierarchy are assistants, as follows:
The Levites,	The earthly phase	The under-priests
who did services connected with the typical Tabernacle —teaching, etc. An inferior order of priests not permitted to enter the Most Holy Sanctuary (typical of the spiritual nature), neither to look therein.	of the Kingdom of God; through whom the glorified church will have more direct contact with the world, in teaching, governing, etc., and who also will have close communion with the spiritual church in glory.	of papacy, not parts or members of the church or hierarchy, but called "Brothers" and "Sisters." Of these are the teachers, nurses, etc., in direct contact with the people as well as with the hierarchy.
All Israel	The World	Papacy claims
was taught and directed by the above described hierarchy. And in Moses, who was a type of the complete Christ, they had prophet, priest and king united, typical of Christ's Millennial authority. Acts 3:22	will be taught, directed, ruled and helped by the above described Kingdom of God and its earthly representatives, which will have all power, and must be obeyed; and all who obey not will be "destroyed [cut off]." Acts 3:23	the obedience of the World to its rule and teachings — as being the Kingdom of God. The lower priesthood is its agent. When in power, it attempted to enforce its laws, and to "cut off" those who obeyed not.