The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Who is the Antichrist?

Denny,

What we can agree upon is that the writers of the WCF were not "inspired". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> And I believe that they were prone to error due to deep-seated prejudices when it comes to wanting to make the Roman pope THE "antichrist". My hermeneutical questions have gone unanswered and it is upon Scripture, as the authors of the WCF acknowledge, that I must base my beliefs. Again, there can be no doubt that the pope is ONE of the "antichrists" which have gone out into the world. But the "man of sin" is YET to be revealed, i.e., his arrival and identity are yet future. It isn't the "office" of the pope that Scripture is concerned about but rather person(s) and their theology/philosophy, which would include such odious and deceived individuals as Joseph Smith, Mohammed, Charles Taze Russell, Charles Manson, etc., ad nauseam.

Unfortunately, this statement is not historically accurate. The majority of those who have held that THE antichrist have been those who have held to post-millennialism, (exceptions noted). The vast majority of professing Christians have not held to this view. And, as you know, right doctrine is not determined by a majority vote. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Both Luther and Calvin were wrong on several things and I simply believe this is one place they did err. Given the circumstances in which they lived in regard to the domination, suppression, and deception of the RCC, it isn't surprising that they would have seen the pope as THE antichrist; their revulsion of that organization influencing their interpretation of Scripture. To be sure, such influence is not unique to them, the Puritans nor any other group or individual. It is something we are all susceptible and should carefully and constantly guard against. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

When THE antichrist is finally revealed, it is doubtful whether most professing Christians will in fact recognize him as such. For the majority of them will be deceived and only a remnant will be left who hold fast to the truth and worship the one and only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.


In His Grace,