Is the Pope an Anti-Christ?

Answer 1

I find it interesting you used the expression "an" anti-christ. You are correct, the Bible says that there are many anti-Christs, but most people don't see it.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Paul says that the son of perdition (same thing) is recognizable as the following:

2 Thessalonians 2:4 "the son of perdition) opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

This expression "sits as God in the Temple" references the fact that God/ Christ sits as head of the Church (Eph. 1:22), and the anti-Christ will try to do so. So the Pope would fit this description if he sits as the head of the church.

Answer 2

First John 4:3 tells us how to identify the spirit of antichrist, "but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." The current pope, Benedict XVI, acknowledges Jesus as being from God and Jesus as coming in the flesh (see 1 John 4:2). While we disagree with Pope Benedict XVI on numerous areas of Catholic doctrine, his view of the Person of Jesus Christ is biblical. Therefore, it’s hard to believe that Pope Benedict XVI is the Antichrist. While we believe it is possible for a pope to be the Antichrist, the Bible does not give specific enough information to be dogmatic. A future pope very well may be the Antichrist, or perhaps the Antichrist’s false prophet (Revelation 13:11-17). If so, this future pope will be clearly identified by a denial of Jesus as coming in the flesh.

Recommended Resource: A Woman Rides the Beast by Dave Hunt.

Answer 3

Biblical apocalyptic literature predicts the coming of "the" Antichrist, the name given to the one who will be Christ’s chief enemy. This will be just one person.

It is not uncommon for fundamentalist writers or preachers to attach the label to a currently living person. By calling a second (or third or fourth) person "the" Antichrist, they show that they were wrong when they applied the title to the first person.

Every Pope since the time of Martin Luther has been labeled "the" Antichrist by at least one anti-Catholic "Christian," making each one incorrect (so far).

The adjective "anti-Christ" does not refer to the person prophesied in the Bible. It may be applied to an attitude or action judged to be fundamentally opposed to Christ and his message, for example: Hating others is anti-Christ.

Pope Benedict XVI just wrote a wonderful book entitled, "Jesus of Nazareth." http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=3060&AFID=42

From a book review: Through his brilliance as a theologian and his personal conviction as a believer, the Pope shares a rich, compelling, flesh-and-blood portrait of Jesus and invites us to encounter, face-to-face, the central figure of the Christian faith.

How can someone who writes such a book be accused of being either the Antichrist or anti-Christ?

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

No. Here is what the Bible says:

1 John 2:22 - Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3 - but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

2 John 1:7- Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

The pope does not "deny that Jesus is the Christ". The pope is the sucessor of St Peter. He is "Peter among us", and earthly shepherd of Christ's Church.

Answer 5

"I am reading the decrees of the pontiffs," wrote Martin Luther to Spalatin "and (I whisper this in your ear) I do not know whether the pope is Antichrist himself or his apostle, so greatly is Christ misrepresented and crucified in them." Merle D'Aubignee, History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, p.159.

"A Romish theologian, Ambrose Catharinus, had written against Luther. 'I will stir up the bile of this Italian beast,' said Luther. He kept his word. In his reply, he proved, by the revelations of Daniel and St.John, and St.Jude, that the reign of Antichrist, predicted and described in the Bible, is the papacy. 'I know for certain," said he in conclusion, 'that our Lord Jesus Christ lives and reigns. Strong in this assurance, I should not fear many thousands of popes. May God visit us at last according to His infinite power, and show forth the day of the glorious advent of His Son, in whom He will destroy the wicked one. And let all the people say, Amen!' And all the people did say, Amen! A holy terror seized upon their souls. It was Antichrist whom they beheld seated on the pontifical throne." p.215.

Answer 6

there were periods in history were confusion plagued the catholic church. at times there were several claims of leadership to the papacy's.in the end times during the ruling of the world dictator(anti-Christ) there will be a unholy pope installed by him who will worship Satan. the true pope will have to flee Rome and go into hiding among the rem rand church.he will be found by the evil one and be killed.but don't despair, god is always in control, this present pope is not the accursed one.

Answer 7

Anyone who clams to be like Christ but goes against what Jesus teaches is an Anti-Christ. Anyone can fall under this category but its not for me or you to dissed who dose, that's under Gods Authority.

Answer 8

Funny but this has been said of many Popes and yet the fact remains that the Antichrist will be 1 man, so is the logic behind this to continue calling each Pope the antichrist hoping that they will eventually get it right?

Answer 9

No. If he was an anti-Christ, he wouldn't teach people to worship Christ.

But he does:

http://www.amazon.com/God-Love-Deus-Caritas-Benedict/dp/1574557580

http://www.zenit.org/article-20698?l=english

http://www.zenit.org/article-20695?l=english

http://www.zenit.org/article-20661?l=english

Answer 10

No, He is Benedict XVI!

In Christ
Fr. Joseph