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The Sixteen Questions

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The Sixteen Questions

continued

12. Are there many antichrists?

“Even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1 John 2:18). John’s sentence gave the Fathers their first, most frequent and most practical use of the word. From the second century to the eighth they apply it to Gnostics and Marcion, to Mani, to Arius and Eunomius, to Donatist schismatics, to persecuting emperors, and, in Augustine and Gregory the Great, to anyone whose life denies Christ even inside the Church. At the same time nearly all of them also say that one final Antichrist is still to come. The two ideas are held together: the many are his members, forerunners and witnesses.

In this chapter

This question draws on 183 quotations from 50 voices. 55 of them are printed in full below, at the end of the chapter, because their main concern is this question; the other 128 belong chiefly to other questions and are listed here by number.

Gnostics and heretics of the second century (Polycarp, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, Pseudo-Ignatius)

The oldest application is to the heretics John was writing against. Polycarp calls the firstborn of Satan those who deny the resurrection and judgment. Irenaeus applies John’s test to Gnostic divisions of Christ. Tertullian calls Marcion an antichrist for denying Christ’s bodily reality and names Ebion as another. Clement of Alexandria takes the antichrist to be the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ.

Heretics who dress in Christ’s name (Origen, Jerome, Cyprian, Athanasius, Pseudo-Clement)

Origen treats Antichrist as whatever feigns truth or virtue, since Christ is the truth and the virtues: false wisdom, false justice, false word. He reads the abomination standing in the holy place as Antichrist the “false word” standing in the Scriptures. Jerome says heretics speak of Christ while hiding Antichrist behind him. In the Clementine Homilies the false always precedes the true. Cyprian says heretics baptize in Christ’s name, which is Antichrist baptizing in Christ’s name.

Arius and his successors (Alexander of Alexandria, Hilary, Athanasius, Gregory of Nazianzus, Ambrose)

The fourth century applies the word to Arianism and to the Arian emperors. Alexander says the Arians have come nearer to Antichrist than earlier heresies. Hilary says Arianism is the Evil One’s suggestion through forerunners and that he will utter it himself hereafter. Athanasius asks what more Antichrist could do than Constantius. Gregory of Nazianzus calls George of Alexandria his forerunner and reports that Julian titled one satire “Antichrist”. Ambrose names Arius and Sabellius as a third antichrist, after the devil.

Mani and the Eastern sects (Acts of Archelaus, Macarius Magnes, Paulicians, Leo)

In the Acts of Archelaus, Mani presents himself as the promised Paraclete and Archelaus replies that he is a base vessel of Antichrist, sent ahead to test the Church’s strength. Macarius Magnes names Manes, Montanus and Marcion as many Antichrists. Leo applies John’s warning to the Manichaeans’ denial of Christ’s real flesh, and to Eutyches and Nestorius in turn.

Persecuting emperors and rulers (Gregory of Nazianzus, John of Nikiu, Severus, Pseudo-Linus, Chrysostom)

Rulers who attack the Church are called antichrists or forerunners. Gregory of Nazianzus calls the Arian emperor “the Anti-Christian Emperor”. John of Nikiu says in Diocletian’s persecution everyone thought him Antichrist come to destroy the world. Severus likens the caliph Omar II to Antichrist, and the Acts of Linus calls Nero the Antichrist. Chrysostom, in an argument about hell, calls Nero the Mystery of Antichrist.

Everyone whose life denies Christ, even inside the Church (Augustine, Gregory the Great, Bede)

Augustine presses the point further than anyone. Many antichrists, he says, have not left the Church at all: the perjured, adulterers, drunkards, the covetous. Whoever denies Christ by his conduct is an antichrist, and whoever violates love denies by his life that Christ came in the flesh. Gregory the Great says Cain, Judas and Simon Magus were limbs of Antichrist before he came, and that all the wicked are his members. Bede says many of the baptised already serve his kingdom.

Many now, one at the end (Augustine, Cyril of Jerusalem, John of Damascus, Bede)

The Fathers rarely let the many replace the one. Augustine says that as many heretics, called many antichrists by John, left the Church, so at the end one will come. John of Damascus distinguishes the general antichrist, anyone who denies the incarnation, from the particular Antichrist at the end. Bede says heretics and bad Catholics are antichrists who witness to the great final Antichrist as their head.

The Scripture behind it

The Scripture on which the Fathers drew for this question is set out here in the King James text.

Even now are there many antichrists (1 John 2:18–23)

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. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. [1 John 2:18-23]

Try the spirits (1 John 4:1–6)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. [1 John 4:1-6]

He is antichrist that denieth (2 John 1:7–11)

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. [2 John 1:7-11]

Take heed that no man deceive you (Matt 24:4–14)

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. [Matthew 24:4-14]

Wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15–23)

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [Matthew 7:15-23]

Grievous wolves shall enter in (Acts 20:28–31)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. [Acts 20:28-31]

False teachers among you (2 Pet 2:1–3)

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. [2 Peter 2:1-3]

Also relevant: quotations printed under other questions

Polycarp of Smyrna, Antichrist as denier of the incarnation (11.3); Justin Martyr, False christs are the heretics now (11.5); Irenaeus of Lyons, Many antichrists have appeared (11.6); Irenaeus of Lyons, Dividing Christ is antichrist (11.7); Tertullian, Charge of 'human Antichrist' rebutted (11.11); Tertullian, Heresy as present antichrist (11.12); Origen of Alexandria, Antichrist = false word in Scripture (13.2); Origen of Alexandria, One genus, many Antichrists (13.3); Origen of Alexandria, Whatever feigns the truth (13.4); Origen of Alexandria, Antichrist's wonders like Egypt's magicians (3.15); Origen of Alexandria, Many antichrists, many christs (13.6); Secundinus of Carpis, Heretics 'progeny of Antichrist' (11.16); Cyprian of Carthage, Cyprian: heretics are antichrists (11.17); Cyprian of Carthage, Antichrist cannot threaten his way in (15.14); Cyprian of Carthage, Schismatic violence imitates Antichrist's coming (11.19); Cyprian of Carthage, Pride is the spirit of Antichrist (13.7); Cyprian of Carthage, Christ or Antichrist in the heart (13.8); Cyprian of Carthage, Those who left the Church are antichrists (11.21); Cyprian of Carthage, The spirit of Antichrist possesses heretics (13.9); Cyprian of Carthage, Heretics are called adversaries and antichrists (11.22); Cyprian of Carthage, Antichrists are those who leave the Church's unity (11.23); Cyprian of Carthage, Antichrist baptizes in Christ's name (11.24); Cyprian of Carthage, Antichrist under the name of Christ (3.17); Cyprian of Carthage, Antiochus is a type of Antichrist (2.19); Dionysius of Alexandria, Deniers of Christ's flesh are anti-Christs (11.26); Acts of Archelaus, Mani as Antichrist's forerunner vessel (3.18); Acts of Archelaus, Mani claims to be the Paraclete (3.19); Victorinus of Pettau, 'Synagogue of Satan' gathered by Antichrist (16.7); Victorinus of Pettau, Abomination may be church heresy (6.26); Methodius of Olympus, Fallen stars are heresies (11.28); Pseudo-Clement, The false precedes the true (3.21); Pseudo-Clement, Tenth pair: Antichrist and Christ (3.22); Alexander of Alexandria, Arian apostasy: precursor of Antichrist (11.30); Alexander of Alexandria, Nearer to Antichrist than earlier heresies (15.24); Pseudo-Hippolytus, Apostles on many antichrists (11.31); Hilary of Poitiers, Arians, forerunners of Antichrist (2.26); Athanasius of Alexandria, Devil counterfeits Christ in heresy (3.36); Athanasius of Alexandria, Antichrists give occasion for patience (13.14); Athanasius of Alexandria, Arian apostasy a forerunner (11.35); Athanasius of Alexandria, Nearer to Antichrist than earlier heresies (11.36); Athanasius of Alexandria, Last heresy, harbinger of Antichrist (11.37); Athanasius of Alexandria, Arianism called antichristian (11.38); Athanasius of Alexandria, A prelude to Antichrist's coming (11.39); Athanasius of Alexandria, Constantius fits Daniel's portrait (5.30); Athanasius of Alexandria, What more could Antichrist do? (14.38); Athanasius of Alexandria, Constantius, forerunner of the lawless one (6.35); Athanasius of Alexandria, The devil prepares Egypt for Antichrist (11.40); Athanasius of Alexandria, Meletians prepare Antichrist's way (11.41); Athanasius of Alexandria, Come out from among them (15.31); Athanasius of Alexandria, Trials prove long-suffering (13.15); Athanasius of Alexandria, Persecutors called Antichrists (11.42); Athanasius of Alexandria, Antony: Arianism forerunner of Antichrist (11.43); Athanasius of Alexandria, Whoever brings Arianism is Antichrist (15.32); Athanasius of Alexandria, Heresy prepares Antichrist's deceit (13.16); Apostolic Constitutions, Heretics are false christs and prophets (11.46); Cyril of Jerusalem, The falling away is now (11.48); Optatus of Milevis, Schismatics are antichrists (11.50); Gregory of Nyssa, Eunomianism a prelude of Antichrist (11.52); Ambrose of Milan, Heretics (the Arians) are Antichrists (11.53); Ambrose of Milan, Second: the Devil besieging the soul (13.18); Ambrose of Milan, Third: Arius, Sabellius (11.54); Pseudo-Ignatius, Rejecting the incarnation is antichrist (11.55); Macarius Magnes, Manes, Montanus, Marcion as antichrists (11.56); John Chrysostom, Thief and robber alludes to him (3.42); John Chrysostom, Nero his type; Rome removed (4.21); John Chrysostom, Error beside truth from the beginning (11.57); John Chrysostom, Thieves who skip the Scriptures (3.47); John Chrysostom, Error follows truth: Antichrist after Christ (3.48); John Chrysostom, Nero the mystery of Antichrist (14.49); Jerome, Christ and Antichrist cannot blend (13.19); Jerome, Heretics put Antichrist for Christ (11.58); Jerome, Heretics hide Antichrist behind Christ (3.51); Jerome, Not of Christ means of Antichrist (11.59); Jerome, Antichrist pretends to be Christ (3.52); Jerome, Antichrist's disciple governs the Church (11.60); Jerome, Sects are the synagogue of Antichrist (11.61); Jerome, Luciferian: 'synagogue of Antichrist' (11.62); Palladius of Galatia, Demon plays Christ (3.54); Sulpicius Severus, False Elias; Antichrist at hand (13.22); Sulpicius Severus, Nero expected to return before Antichrist (2.31); Augustine of Hippo, Exalts his own name (13.23); Augustine of Hippo, Antichrists because lives oppose Christ (13.25); Augustine of Hippo, Enemies of brotherly love are antichrists (13.26); Augustine of Hippo, Wicked members are antichrists (13.27); Augustine of Hippo, The wicked the Church bears belong to Antichrist (13.28); Augustine of Hippo, Antichrist honours his own name (13.29); Augustine of Hippo, All who leave the Church are antichrists (11.66); Augustine of Hippo, Denial by deeds, not tongue (13.30); Augustine of Hippo, Denying Christ by one's deeds (13.31); Augustine of Hippo, Unmanifest antichrists inside the Church (13.32); Augustine of Hippo, The 'last hour' is long (15.46); Augustine of Hippo, Antichrist means 'contrary to Christ' (13.35); Augustine of Hippo, Arians, Eunomians, Novatians as antichrists (11.67); Augustine of Hippo, Dividing the Church denies Christ come in the flesh (13.37); Augustine of Hippo, Whoever violates charity is an antichrist (13.38); Augustine of Hippo, Antichrists speak of the world (13.39); Augustine of Hippo, Which temple? Uncertain (6.46); Augustine of Hippo, Nero redivivus rejected as rash (2.33); Augustine of Hippo, Many antichrists now, one at the end (13.40); John Cassian, Spirit of Antichrist (11.69); Socrates Scholasticus, Alexander's letter: forerunner of Antichrist (11.70); Leo the Great, The Tome: dissolving Jesus is Antichrist (11.72); Theodoret of Cyrus, Denying Christ's flesh is the spirit of Anti-Christ (11.74); Leo the Great, Eutyches' denial of Christ's flesh is Antichrist (11.75); Leo the Great, Eutyches and Nestorius promote Antichrist (11.76); Leo the Great, 'Abomination of antichrist' on Alexandria's throne (11.77); Leo the Great, Manichaeans' denial of the flesh is Antichrist (13.42); Anonymous of Cyzicus, Arianism as forerunner of Antichrist (11.78); Pseudo-Linus, Nero called the Antichrist (5.38); Pseudo-Zachariah of Mitylene, Leo calls Timothy Antichrist (11.80); Gregory the Great, Cain, Judas, Simon as limbs of Antichrist (13.46); Gregory the Great, All the wicked are his members (4.27); Miscellaneous Coptic Texts, Antichrist = denier of the incarnation (16.40); Miscellaneous Coptic Texts, Julian a forerunner of Antichrist (5.40); John of Nikiu, Diocletian taken for Antichrist (5.46); Bede, Simon Magus first Antichrist (2.45); Bede, Doeg as Antichrist (14.68); Bede, Heretics and bad Catholics as antichrists (11.89); Bede, Three kinds of denial (16.43); Bede, John's 'Antichrists' are heretics (11.90); Bede, Date-setters and false Christs rejected (15.58); Bede, Early heresiarchs said the day was at hand (15.59); Bede, Court outside the temple; body of the wicked already at work (6.54); Bede, Many baptised already serve his kingdom (13.52); Remigius, False brethren are Antichrists (11.94); Severus of al-Ashmunein, Caliph likened to Antichrist (5.53); Neale and Littledale (compilers), Spiritual Assyrians under Antichrist (14.84); Neale and Littledale (compilers), Four persecutions; Antichrist worst (5.59).

The quotations

The quotations that follow are in order of date, from the earliest writers to the latest. Each is word for word from the translation named after it. The short note is ours, and says only what the passage claims.

12.1. Irenaeus of Lyons: Marcus the magician as precursor

“Thus it appears as if he really were the precursor of Antichrist. For, joining the buffooneries of Anaxilaus to the craftiness of the magi, as they are called, he is regarded by his senseless and cracked-brain followers as working miracles by these means.” — Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies. Note: The heretic Marcus, a magician working pseudo-miracles, is called a precursor of Antichrist.

12.2. Clement of Alexandria: Antichrist denies Jesus is the Christ

“Ver. 1 John 2:22. "A liar" and "an antichrist, who denieth that Jesus is the Christ." For Jesus, Saviour and Redeemer, is also Christ the King.” — Clement of Alexandria, Fragments. Note: Clement's comment on 1 John takes the antichrist to be the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ, the King. [1 John 2:22]

12.3. Tertullian: Modalists as antichrists

“Away, then, with those "Antichrists who deny the Father and the Son." For they deny the Father, when they say that He is the same as the Son; and they deny the Son, when they suppose Him to be the same as the Father” — Tertullian, Against Praxeas. Note: Tertullian applies John's 'antichrists' to modalists who merge Father and Son. [1 John 2:22]

12.4. Tertullian: Denial of Christ's flesh

“Surely he is antichrist who denies that Christ has come in the flesh.” — Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ. Note: A denier of Christ's real flesh is an antichrist. [1 John 4:3]

12.5. Tertullian: False prophets are forerunners

“as it is taught us in both the ancient and the new prophecies, and especially by the Apostle John, who says that "already many false prophets are gone out into the world," the fore-runners of Antichrist, who deny that Christ is come in the flesh” — Tertullian, The Five Books Against Marcion. Note: Antichrist is taught in the old and new prophecies; John's many false prophets are his forerunners. [1 John 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12]

12.6. Tertullian: Marcion as an antichrist

“whom the Apostle John designated as antichrists, when they denied that Christ was come in the flesh … Now, the more firmly the antichrist Marcion had seized this assumption, the more prepared was he, of course, to reject the bodily substance of Christ” — Tertullian, The Five Books Against Marcion. Note: Tertullian calls Marcion an antichrist for denying Christ's bodily reality. [1 John 4:3]

12.7. Tertullian: John's antichrists = Marcion, Ebion

“But in his epistle he especially designates those as "Antichrists" who "denied that Christ was come in the flesh," and who refused to think that Jesus was the Son of God. The one dogma Marcion maintained; the other, Hebion.” — Tertullian, The Prescription Against Heretics. Note: John's 'antichrists' are those who denied Christ's coming in the flesh or his divine sonship, whom Tertullian links to Marcion and Ebion. [1 John 2:18,22]

12.8. Hippolytus of Rome: Antiochus as a type

“For in this wise, too, did Antiochus Epiphanes the king of Syria, the descendant of Alexander of Macedon, devise measures against the Jews. He, too, in the exaltation of his heart, issued a decree in those times, that "all should set up shrines before their doors, and sacrifice” — Hippolytus of Rome, On Christ and Antichrist. Note: Antiochus Epiphanes' decree forcing sacrifice at every door is offered as precedent for Antichrist's measures. [1 Maccabees 1; Daniel 11]

12.9. Origen of Alexandria: Warned against those claiming to be Christ

“Jesus, accordingly, in turning away the minds of His disciples, not merely from giving heed to sorcerers in general, and those who profess in any other manner to work miracles-for His disciples did not need to be so warned-but from such as gave themselves out as the Christ of God” — Origen of Alexandria, Against Celsus (part 1 of 2). Note: Origen says Jesus warned not only against sorcerers but against those claiming to be the Christ with apparent miracles. [Matthew 24:23-27]

12.10. Cyprian of Carthage: Antichrists made Christians by baptism

“heretics, who are called adversaries of Christ and Antichrists, when they come to the Church, must be baptized with the one baptism of the Church, that they may be made of adversaries, friends, and of Antichrists, Christians.” — Cyprian of Carthage, The Seventh Council of Carthage Under Cyprian. Note: Cyprian's own verdict: heretics are antichrists until baptized into the Church.

12.11. Cyprian of Carthage: John calls those who depart antichrists

“Since our Lord Christ says, "He who is not with me is against me; " and John the apostle calls those who depart from the Church Antichrists-undoubtedly enemies of Christ-any such as are called Antichrists cannot minister the grace of saving baptism.” — Cyprian of Carthage, The Seventh Council of Carthage Under Cyprian. Note: Bishop Secundinus: John calls those who leave the Church antichrists, so they cannot minister baptism. [1 John 2:18-19]

12.12. Eusebius of Caesarea: Simon Magus brought to Rome

“the enemy of man's salvation contrived a plan for seizing the imperial city for himself. He conducted thither the above-mentioned Simon, aided him in his deceitful arts, led many of the inhabitants of Rome astray, and thus brought them into his own power.” — Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History. Note: Eusebius tells that the enemy brought Simon Magus to Rome, where deceitful arts led many astray.

12.13. Lactantius: Rejects Nero redivivus

“as if he who was the first should also be the last persecutor, and thus prove the forerunner of Antichrist! But we ought not to believe those who, affirming that the two prophets Enoch and Elias have been translated into some remote place that they might attend our Lord when He shall come to judgment, also fancy that Nero is to appear hereafter as the forerunner of the devil” — Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died. Note: Lactantius rejects the notion that Nero will return as the forerunner of Antichrist, reporting the view that Enoch and Elijah are translated to attend the Lord's coming. [Revelation 13:3; Revelation 17:11]

12.14. Eusebius of Caesarea: Warning against the lying Antichrist

“These things He foretold when warning His Disciples against the lying Antichrist, whom they were expecting” — Eusebius of Caesarea, Theophania. Note: In the Theophania Eusebius reads Jesus's words about another coming in his own name as a warning against the lying Antichrist. [Matthew 24:5; John 5:43]

12.15. Eusebius of Caesarea: Other deceivers came before the final one

“and one (of these) shewed of another in the Epistle to the Thessalonians, who (should be) in (the time of) the end. But, that others also should be before this, our Saviour Himself foretold in several places” — Eusebius of Caesarea, Theophania. Note: Eusebius says Paul to the Thessalonians points to another deceiver at the end, while Jesus foretold other deceivers earlier. [Matthew 24:5; 2 Thessalonians 2]

12.16. Eusebius of Caesarea: Simon Magus, Dositheus, Montanus as false christs

“Others again, in the times of the Apostles, named Simon Magus "the great power of God" and thought that he was the Christ. Others (thought the same) of Montanus in Phrygia: and others again, of others, in another place. Nor did the deceivers cease.” — Eusebius of Caesarea, Theophania. Note: He lists Dositheus, Simon Magus and Montanus as claimants whom followers took for the Christ. [Matthew 24:5]

12.17. Pseudo-Hippolytus: False Christs, Simon Magus onward

“Now after He was taken up again to the Father, there arose some, saying, "I am Christ," like Simon Magus and the rest, whose names we have not time at present to mention. Wherefore also in the last day of the consummation, it must needs be that false Christs will arise again” — Pseudo-Hippolytus, Dubious and Spurious Pieces Attributed to Hippolytus. Note: False Christs like Simon Magus have already arisen; more will arise at the consummation, and the son of perdition, identified here with the devil, must be seen. [Matthew 24:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:3]

12.18. Hilary of Poitiers: An apostleship of Antichrist

“Let the preachers whose apostleship is of the newest fashion-an apostleship of Antichrist-come forward” — Hilary of Poitiers, On the Trinity (part 1 of 2). Note: Hilary calls the preachers who mock the Son of God an apostleship of Antichrist. [1 John 2:18]

12.19. Hilary of Poitiers: Denying the Son makes one antichrist

“Let us hear Him speaking to us in the words of the Epistle;-Every one that loveth the Father loveth Him that is born from Him … It is written, He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son . What will you do now, champion of the creature, conjurer up of a novel Christ out of nothing? Hear the title which awaits you, if you persist in your assertion. Or do you think that perhaps you may still describe the Father and the Son as Creator and Creature, and yet by an ingenious ambiguity of language escape being recognised as antichrist?” — Hilary of Poitiers, On the Trinity (part 1 of 2). Note: Hilary applies John's 'he is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son' to those who call the Son a creature. [1 John 2:22]

12.20. Hilary of Poitiers: The spirit and name of Antichrist

“destined to possess the spirit and the name of Antichrist” — Hilary of Poitiers, On the Trinity (part 1 of 2). Note: Hilary says the wisdom that calls Christ a creature by adoption is void of God's Spirit and bears the spirit and name of Antichrist. [1 John 5:20]

12.21. Hilary of Poitiers: Altering the Lord's word: antichrist

“He that would alter this is an antichrist, he that would deny it is a Jew, he that is ignorant a Pagan.” — Hilary of Poitiers, On the Trinity (part 1 of 2). Note: Hilary says anyone who alters the Lord's statement 'he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father' is an antichrist. [1 John 2:22]

12.22. Athanasius of Alexandria: Nicaea: forerunner of Antichrist

“the Fathers pronounced the Arian heresy to be the forerunner of Antichrist” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia. Note: Athanasius states the Nicene Fathers pronounced Arianism the forerunner of Antichrist.

12.23. Athanasius of Alexandria: Antichristian heresy

“that antichristian heresy” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Defence Against the Arians. Note: Athanasius describes the Arian heresy as antichristian when recounting how its supporters renounced it at Sardica.

12.24. Athanasius of Alexandria: Arian heresy forerunner of Antichrist

“the Arian heresy which fights against Christ, and is a forerunner of Antichrist” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Defence Against the Arians. Note: Athanasius presents the sufferings of Liberius and Hosius as models against the Arian heresy, which he calls a forerunner of Antichrist.

12.25. Athanasius of Alexandria: Arius as harbinger

“being known as Christ's foe, and harbinger of Antichrist” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Four Discourses Against the Arians. Note: Arius's error was reckoned an extraordinary heresy after the Council cast him out, known as Christ's foe and harbinger of Antichrist.

12.26. Athanasius of Alexandria: Arian cruelty is antichristian

“well suited to their antichristian heresy” — Athanasius of Alexandria, History of the Arians. Note: Athanasius calls the Arians' persecution and ill-treatment of the poor and widows suited to their antichristian heresy and opposed to Christ's command.

12.27. Athanasius of Alexandria: An act like Antichrist's malice

“truly resembling the malice of Antichrist” — Athanasius of Alexandria, History of the Arians. Note: Athanasius says Constantius's compelled ordination of Felix in the palace at Rome was an act resembling the malice of Antichrist.

12.28. Athanasius of Alexandria: Constantius 'as it were Antichrist himself'

“This heresy, however, is altogether alien from godliness; and therefore how otherwise should it act, than contrary to our Saviour, seeing also that it has enlisted that enemy of Christ, Constantius, as it were Antichrist himself” — Athanasius of Alexandria, History of the Arians. Note: The Arian heresy, which enlisted Constantius, 'as it were Antichrist himself', as leader in impiety, acts contrary to the Saviour by using force rather than persuasion. [1 John 2:18]

12.29. Athanasius of Alexandria: Arians as slaves of Antichrist

“slaves of Antichrist” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Letters of Athanasius. Note: Athanasius agrees with Lucifer's description of the Arians as slaves of Antichrist, hated by all as they persist in malice.

12.30. Athanasius of Alexandria: Arianism condemned as antichristian

“So the antichristian gang of the Arian madmen has been shewn to be unpleasing to God” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Letters of Athanasius. Note: After Arius's death, Athanasius says the Lord condemned the Arian heresy, showing the antichristian gang unpleasing to God despite imperial support.

12.31. Athanasius of Alexandria: Antichristian heresy

“for advocating this Antichristian heresy” — Athanasius of Alexandria, To the Bishops of Egypt. Note: Athanasius calls the Arian doctrine an Antichristian heresy when criticising men promoted for advocating it.

12.32. Cyril of Jerusalem: Heretics already say 'I am Christ'

“This has happened in part: for already Simon Magus has said this, and Menander , and some others of the godless leaders of heresy; and others will say it in our days, or after us” — Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures. Note: The saying 'I am Christ' was partly fulfilled in Simon Magus, Menander and other heretic leaders, and others will say it in Cyril's time or later. [Matthew 24:5]

12.33. Cyril of Jerusalem: Many Antichrists; one still to come

“there are many Antichrists to come at this time from earth. For already, as thou hast seen, many have begun to say, I am the Christ : and the abomination of desolation is yet to come, assuming to himself the false title of Christ” — Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures. Note: Christ will return from heaven, not from earth, because many Antichrists already arise saying 'I am the Christ', and the abomination of desolation is still to come claiming Christ's title. [Matthew 24:5; Matthew 24:15]

12.34. Gregory of Nazianzus: George of Alexandria: forerunner

“that servant of the wicked one, that sower of tares, that forerunner of Antichrist” — Gregory of Nazianzus, Orations (part 1 of 2). Note: Gregory of Nazianzus calls the Arian intruder George of Alexandria a servant of the wicked one and forerunner of Antichrist. [Matthew 13:25]

12.35. Gregory of Nazianzus: Julian's own book titled 'Antichrist'

“thy "Misopogon," or rather "Antichrist," for thou gavest both names to the book” — Gregory of Nazianzus, Orations (part 1 of 2). Note: Addressing the dead emperor Julian, Gregory notes Julian gave his satire two names, Misopogon and 'Antichrist', and calls the work contemptible to Christians.

12.36. Gregory of Nazianzus: Persecutor with anti-Christian rage

“possessed during the Christian era with an anti-Christian rage, hating Christ” — Gregory of Nazianzus, Orations (part 2 of 2). Note: Gregory describes the persecuting ruler who afflicted the Church as possessed with an anti-Christian rage.

12.37. Gregory of Nazianzus: The Anti-Christian Emperor

“We were assailed again by the Anti-Christian Emperor, that tyrant of the faith” — Gregory of Nazianzus, Orations (part 2 of 2). Note: In his panegyric on Basil, Gregory calls the Arian emperor 'the Anti-Christian Emperor', a tyrant of the faith who renewed the contest against Basil. [Matthew 12:43-45]

12.38. Shenoute of Atripe: Antichrist among false teachers

“but even more greatly do they curse every false prophet and all the priests who deceive and every anti-Christ, and all false teachers, and everyone who did not believe in our Lord Jesus from the beginning until now.” — Shenoute of Atripe, Works of Shenoute: translated selections from the Sahidic Coptic. Note: Shenoute says the prophets and apostles cursed false prophets, deceiving priests, every antichrist and all false teachers. [1 John 2:18]

12.39. John Chrysostom: Antichrist and his ministers

“He speaks here of Antichrist, and of certain his ministers, whom He calls false Christs and false prophets, such as were many in the time of the Apostles; but before Christ's second coming there shall come others more bitter than the former” — John Chrysostom, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 3 (chapters 22–28) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Chrysostom takes the false Christs and false prophets as Antichrist and his ministers, of whom there were many in apostolic times and worse ones will come before the second coming. [Matthew 24:24]

12.40. Jerome: All heresiarchs are Antichrists

“The Apostle John also in his Epistle, Ye have heard that Antichrist shall come; even now there are many Antichrists. I suppose all heresiarchs to be Antichrists, and under the name of Christ to teach those things which are contrary to Christ.” — Jerome, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 3 (chapters 22–28) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Jerome, citing 1 John, counts all heresiarchs as Antichrists who teach against Christ under His name. [Matthew 24:5; 1 John 2:18]

12.41. Jerome: 'Many Antichrists' applied to Jovinian

“The Apostle John says that many Antichrists had come, and to make no difference between John himself and the lowest penitent is the preaching of a real Antichrist.” — Jerome, Against Jovinianus. Note: Jerome notes that John said many antichrists had come, and calls the flattening of all distinctions among believers the preaching of a real Antichrist. [1 John 2:18]

12.42. Jerome: A new apostle of Antichrist

“like a new apostle of Antichrist” — Jerome, Letters (part 3 of 3). Note: Jerome tells the wandering preacher Sabinianus that he acts like a new apostle of Antichrist, moving from city to city when found out. [Matthew 10:23]

12.43. Jerome: John's 'Antichrists' are Cerinthus and Ebion

“Cerinthus, Ebion, and the rest who say that Christ has not come in the flesh, whom he in his own epistle calls Antichrists” — Jerome, Prefaces On The Commentaries. Note: Jerome says John, in Asia, was urged to write on Christ's divinity against Cerinthus, Ebion and others, whom John's epistle calls Antichrists. [1 John 2:18]

12.44. Augustine of Hippo: Three persecutions; the third by Antichrist

“For the first persecution of the Church was violent, when by proscriptions, by torments, by murders, the Christians were compelled to sacrifice: another persecution is crafty, which is now conducted by heretics of any kind and false brethren: there remains a third, which is to come by Antichrist, than which there is nothing more perilous; for it will be at once violent and crafty. Violence he will exert in empire, craft in miracles.” — Augustine of Hippo, On the Psalms (part 1 of 4). Note: Augustine distinguishes three persecutions: violent by pagan rulers, crafty by heretics and false brethren, and a third by Antichrist, both violent in empire and crafty in miracles. [Psalm 10:9]

12.45. Augustine of Hippo: Antichrist's persecution as the eleventh

“I do not think, indeed, that what some have thought or may think is rashly said or believed, that until the time of Antichrist the Church of Christ is not to suffer any persecutions besides those she has already suffered,-that is, ten,-and that the eleventh and last shall be inflicted by Antichrist. … Yet I do not think persecutions were prophetically signified by what was done in Egypt” — Augustine of Hippo, The City of God (part 2 of 3). Note: Augustine reports the scheme that ten persecutions precede an eleventh by Antichrist, but denies that Egypt's plagues prophesy persecutions, calling the comparison human conjecture. [Revelation 17:10]

12.46. John Cassian: Dissolving Jesus makes Antichrist

“If you do not dissolve Jesus, and deny God, no one may call you Antichrist.” — John Cassian, The Seven Books on the Incarnation of the Lord,. Note: Cassian argues that whoever dissolves Jesus, by calling Him only God or only man, can be called Antichrist, citing the Manichees and Ebionites. [1 John 4:3]

12.47. Socrates Scholasticus: Nearer to Antichrist than earlier heresies

“as hating made a nearer approach to Antichrist” — Socrates Scholasticus, The Ecclesiastical History. Note: In the same letter reproduced by Socrates, the Arians are said to have come nearer to Antichrist than earlier heresies.

12.48. Leo the Great: Rebel monks as 'soldiers of Antichrist'

“these insolent disturbers, who boast of their insults and injuries to priests , are to be held not the slaves of Christ, but the soldiers of Antichrist” — Leo the Great, Letters. Note: Leo calls the monks who rioted in support of Eutyches not Christ's servants but soldiers of Antichrist, and asks the emperor to remove their ringleaders.

12.49. Anonymous of Cyzicus: Nearer to the antichrist

“they have come nearer to the antichrist” — Anonymous of Cyzicus, Ecclesiastical History of the Council of Nicaea. Note: The same letter says the Arians, in trying to destroy the divinity of the Word, have come nearer to the antichrist than earlier heresies.

12.50. Gregory of Tours: A Gaulish false Christ killed

“that Christ who ought rather to be named anti-Christ fell dead; and all who were with him dispersed” — Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks (Brehaut translation). Note: Gregory of Tours reports that a man who gave himself out as Christ in Gaul, deceiving thousands, was killed, and says he ought rather to be called anti-Christ. [Matthew 24:24]

12.51. Bede: Heretics announce 'the time is near'

“Many heresiarchs also in the Church have preached that the day of the Lord is at hand, whom the Apostles condemn.” — Bede, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Luke, part 2 (chapters 11–24) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Bede notes that many heresiarchs have preached that the day of the Lord is at hand and were condemned by the Apostles. [Luke 21:8]

12.52. Bede: Heretics, last and greatest Antichrist

“Wherefore it is better to understand it of heretics, who, coming to oppose the Church, pretended to be Christs; the first of whom was Simon Magus, but that last one, greater than the rest, is Antichrist.” — Bede, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Mark (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Bede prefers to read the false Christs as heretics, beginning with Simon Magus, with Antichrist as the last and greatest of them. [Mark 13:21-22; 1 John 2:18]

12.53. Bede: The eleventh hour is the last age

“The last hour, the last time of the age, which is now being carried out, he says, according to that parable of the Lord, where he narrates that workers in the vineyard are hired from the first hour, the third, the sixth, the ninth, and the eleventh. For at the first hour those who cultivated the vineyard of the Lord were serving the will of their Creator either by teaching or by living rightly from the beginning of the age. From the third hour, those from the times of Noah. From the sixth hour, those from the times of Abraham. From the ninth hour, those from the times the law was given. From the eleventh hour, those from the times of the Lord's Incarnation until the end of the age, are serving the heavenly commands: in which hour, both the coming of the Savior in the flesh and the future plague of the Antichrist, who would fight against the heralds of salvation, was marked by the prediction of the prophets.” — Bede, Bede's Commentary on the Catholic Epistles. Note: Bede links John's 'last hour' to the eleventh hour of the vineyard parable, the age from Christ's Incarnation to the end, in which Antichrist's future plague was foretold. [1 John 2:18; Matthew 20:1-16]

12.54. John of Damascus: General and special Antichrist

“Every one, therefore, who confesses not that the Son of God came in the flesh and is perfect God and became perfect man, after being God, is Antichrist . But in a peculiar and special sense he who comes at the consummation of the age is called Antichrist .” — John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith. Note: John distinguishes the general antichrist (anyone denying the incarnation) from the particular Antichrist who comes at the end. [1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:3]

12.55. Severus of al-Ashmunein: Officials like Antichrist

“But God only held back the water on account of those two secretaries, who were like Antichrist in their deeds.” — Severus of al-Ashmunein, History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church of Alexandria (part 2 of 2). Note: Two oppressive Egyptian secretaries are called 'like Antichrist in their deeds'; the Nile flood is checked by God. [1 John 2:18]

13. Is there an antichrist inside me, and inside the Church?

This is the reading the modern Bible-reader is least likely to have met, and it is the oldest pastoral use of the word. Augustine, in ten homilies on the first letter of John, insists that antichrist does not mean one who comes before Christ in time but one who is contrary to Christ, and that the one who violates love denies by his life that Christ came in the flesh. Gregory the Great says the wicked are the members of a body whose head is to come. Cyprian, Jerome and Bede hear the same note: pride, a blow, a painted face, the love of the world. Most of them keep the final man as well, and add that he can be found in the heart long before he is found on the throne.

In this chapter

This question draws on 57 quotations from 15 voices. 55 of them are printed in full below, at the end of the chapter, because their main concern is this question; the other 2 belong chiefly to other questions and are listed here by number.

“Contrary to Christ”: examine yourself (Augustine)

Augustine presses the point on every hearer. The word does not mean one who comes “before” Christ in time but one who is against him. He urges the lover of the world to change and become a lover of Christ lest he be an antichrist, and says that whoever fears being called one should fear more being one. Whoever seeks his own glory, he says plainly, is Antichrist.

Denying Christ by one’s deeds (Augustine)

Augustine notes that heretics confess that Jesus is the Christ, so John’s denial must be judged by deeds and life and not by speech. Many antichrists, he says, have not left the Church at all: the perjured, adulterers, drunkards and usurers are contrary to Christ’s word and so are in the Antichrist. Whoever violates love denies by his life that Christ came in the flesh, and is an antichrist wherever he may be.

Pride is the spirit of Antichrist (Cyprian, Neale and Littledale, Jerome, Gregory the Great)

Cyprian traces proud boasting to the spirit of Antichrist. The compilers Neale and Littledale say that the sin of Satan at the first and of Antichrist at the last is the same: pride. Jerome preaches that whoever receives a blow imitates Christ, while whoever strikes imitates Antichrist. Gregory the Great, writing to the emperor, says that anyone who calls himself or wishes to be called “universal priest” is, in his pride, a precursor of Antichrist, who will call himself God. He wrote it against the Patriarch of Constantinople’s title.

A head with many members (Gregory the Great, Bede)

Gregory the Great pictures Antichrist as the head of a body whose members are all the wicked, who already do what he will do. He says whoever nurses evil suggestions is engrafted into his body, and that his preachers are already at work, some in words but most by conduct, like worldly clergy who claim their doings are right. Bede says Antichrist is already dwelling in the minds of all who resist Christ by profession or deed, and that many of the baptised who now commit crimes already serve his kingdom.

The everyday battle (Cyprian, Jerome, Ambrose, Origen, Athanasius)

The reading is practical. Cyprian says a person’s speech reveals whether Christ or Antichrist dwells in his heart. Jerome says Christ and Antichrist cannot blend as light and darkness cannot, and urges lodging Christ in the heart; he even tells the widow Furia that cosmetic painting of the face is a mask belonging to Antichrist. Ambrose names a second Antichrist, the devil besieging the peaceful soul. Origen says a sinner may have Antichrist, or an angel of the devil, as the “father” whose working he accepted. Athanasius says trials from antichrists give occasion to prove patience and long-suffering.

False teaching standing in the holy Scriptures (Origen, Bede, Methodius)

Origen reads the abomination standing in the holy place as Antichrist, a “false word” standing in the Scriptures, and says false exposition of Scripture is itself Antichrist; the faithful should flee the letter for the truth. Bede reads the abomination spiritually as heresies and crimes ruling among those consecrated by the sacraments, and bids the faithful rise higher in virtue. Methodius, in the same spiritual mode, takes the 1,260 days as perfect knowledge of the Trinity and the woman in the wilderness as the Church preserved.

Every sinner’s heart rehearses it (Neale and Littledale)

The compilers Neale and Littledale, drawing on the older commentators on the Psalms, say that every evil man rehearses in his heart what Antichrist will do in the final conflict, when he will rule as God in the temple and the earth rejoices over the witnesses’ death.

The Scripture behind it

The Scripture on which the Fathers drew for this question is set out here in the King James text.

Even now are there many antichrists (1 John 2:18–23)

Try the spirits (1 John 4:1–6)

He is antichrist that denieth (2 John 1:7–11)

The prince of Tyre (Ezek 28:1–10)

The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee. Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD. [Ezekiel 28:1-10]

How art thou fallen from heaven (Isa 14:12–15)

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. [Isaiah 14:12-15]

Satan transformed into an angel of light (2 Cor 11:13–15)

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. [2 Corinthians 11:13-15]

Also relevant: quotations printed under other questions

Augustine of Hippo, Restrainer: the hidden wicked in the Church (4.26); Gregory the Great, All the wicked are his members (4.27).

The quotations

13.1. Origen of Alexandria: Antichrist can father the sinner

“And also, let us say, the one who immediately worked in me, Antichrist, or some angel of the devil, or a demon, whose working I accepted.” — Origen of Alexandria, Selected Notes on the Pentateuch, Joshua, Samuel, Job and Ezekiel. Note: Origen says a sinner may have Antichrist, an angel of the devil or a demon as the 'father' whose working he accepted. [John 8:44]

13.2. Origen of Alexandria: Antichrist = false word in Scripture

“Mystically; In the holy place of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, Antichrist, that is, false word, has often stood; let those who see this flee from the Judæa of the letter to the high mountains of truth.” — Origen of Alexandria, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 3 (chapters 22–28) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Origen reads the abomination in the holy place as Antichrist, 'false word', standing in the Scriptures; the faithful should flee the letter for the truth. [Matthew 24:15]

13.3. Origen of Alexandria: One genus, many Antichrists

“The genus of Antichrist is one, the species many, just as all lies are of one sort. As all the holy Prophets were Prophets of the true Christ, so understand that each false Christ shall have his own false Prophets, who shall preach as true the false teachings of some Antichrist.” — Origen of Alexandria, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 3 (chapters 22–28) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Origen says Antichrist is one kind with many species, each false Christ having his own false prophets; he names Marcion, Valentinus and Basilides as such impostors. [Matthew 24:23; 1 John 2:18]

13.4. Origen of Alexandria: Whatever feigns the truth

“For every discourse which professes to expound Scripture faithfully, and has not the truth, is Antichrist. For the truth is Christ, that which feigns itself to be the truth is Antichrist. So also all virtues are Christ, all that feigns itself to be virtue is Antichrist” — Origen of Alexandria, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 3 (chapters 22–28) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Origen treats Antichrist as whatever feigns truth or virtue, since Christ is the truth and the virtues: false exposition of Scripture is itself Antichrist. [Matthew 24:5; 1 John 2:18]

13.5. Origen of Alexandria: Antichrist as the opposite extreme to Christ

“Where is the absurdity, then, in holding that there exist among men, so to speak, two extremes, -the one of virtue, and the other of its opposite; so that the perfection of virtue dwells in the man who realizes the ideal given in Jesus, from whom there flowed to the human race so great a conversion, and healing, and amelioration, while the opposite extreme is in the man who embodies the notion of him that is named Antichrist?” — Origen of Alexandria, Against Celsus (part 2 of 2). Note: Origen answers Celsus that Antichrist is the opposite extreme of human wickedness, as Jesus is the extreme of virtue. [1 John 2:18; Daniel 7]

13.6. Origen of Alexandria: Many antichrists, many christs

“For as we have heard that Antichrist cometh, and yet have learned that there are many antichrists in the world, in the same way, knowing that Christ has come, we see that, owing to Him, there are many christs in the world” — Origen of Alexandria, Against Celsus (part 2 of 2). Note: Origen pairs the one coming Antichrist and many antichrists with the many 'christs', the anointed who follow Christ. [1 John 2:18; Psalm 105:15]

13.7. Cyprian of Carthage: Pride is the spirit of Antichrist

“Exaltation, and puffing up, and arrogant and haughty boastfulness, spring not from the teaching of Christ who teaches humility, but from the spirit of Antichrist, whom the Lord rebukes by His prophet” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: Cyprian traces proud boasting to the spirit of Antichrist, rebuked in Isaiah's words about ascending above the stars. [Isaiah 14:13-14; 1 John 2:18]

13.8. Cyprian of Carthage: Christ or Antichrist in the heart

“By his mouth, therefore, and by his words, is every one at once betrayed; and whether he has Christ in his heart, or Antichrist, is discerned in his speaking” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: A person's speech reveals whether Christ or Antichrist dwells in his heart. [Matthew 12:34]

13.9. Cyprian of Carthage: The spirit of Antichrist possesses heretics

“how can they transact spiritual and divine matters, who are the enemies of God, and whose hearts the spirit of Antichrist has possessed?” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: Cyprian says heretics whose hearts the spirit of Antichrist possesses cannot perform spiritual rites. [1 John 4:3]

13.10. Victorinus of Pettau: Ascetic reading of the millennium

“I do not think the reign of a thousand years is eternal; or if it is thus to be thought of, they cease to reign when the thousand years are finished. But I will put forward what my capacity enables me to judge. The tenfold number signifies the decalogue” — Victorinus of Pettau, Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John. Note: Victorinus gives an ascetic, non-literal reading of the thousand-year reign, tied to the decalogue and virginity. [Revelation 20:6]

13.11. Methodius of Olympus: The dragon is the devil

“The dragon, which is great, and red, and cunning, and manifold, and seven-headed, and horned, and draws down the third part of the stars, and stands ready to devour the child of the woman who is travailing, is the devil” — Methodius of Olympus, Discourse 8.-Thekla. Note: Methodius reads Revelation's dragon as the devil who lies in wait to destroy the baptised mind. [Revelation 12:3-4]

13.12. Methodius of Olympus: The woman in the wilderness is the Church

“Now she who brings forth, and has brought forth, the masculine Word in the hearts of the faithful, and who passed, undefiled and uninjured by the wrath of the beast, into the wilderness, is, as we have explained, our mother the Church.” — Methodius of Olympus, Discourse 8.-Thekla. Note: The woman is the Church, preserved from the beast's wrath in the wilderness. [Revelation 12:6]

13.13. Methodius of Olympus: 1,260 days as knowledge of the Trinity

“And the thousand two hundred and sixty days that we are staying here, O virgins, is the accurate and perfect understanding concerning the Father, and the Son, and the Spirit” — Methodius of Olympus, Discourse 8.-Thekla. Note: Methodius spiritualises the 1,260 days as perfect knowledge of the Trinity rather than a period of persecution. [Revelation 12:6]

13.14. Athanasius of Alexandria: Antichrists give occasion for patience

“how can long-suffering be expected, when opposition on the part of Antichrists has not first existed?” — Athanasius of Alexandria, The Festal Epistles (Burgess translation from the Syriac); scanned text. Note: In the Syriac Festal Letter, trials from the opposition of Antichrists are said to provide occasion for exercising patience and long-suffering.

13.15. Athanasius of Alexandria: Trials prove long-suffering

“how can long-suffering be proved, unless there has first been the calumny of Antichrist ?” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Letters of Athanasius. Note: Athanasius says trials such as Antichrist's slander give occasion to prove patience and long-suffering, so believers should not be distressed.

13.16. Athanasius of Alexandria: Heresy prepares Antichrist's deceit

“make ready, as they think, the way of deceit for Antichrist , who sowed among them the seeds of this heresy” — Athanasius of Alexandria, To the Bishops of Egypt. Note: Athanasius says Arian dominance of the churches and the Meletians' hypocrisy prepare the way of deceit for Antichrist, who sowed the seeds of the heresy.

13.17. Cyril of Jerusalem: Teach the signs

“Guard thyself then, O man; thou hast the signs of Antichrist; and remember them not only thyself, but impart them also freely to all. If thou hast a child according to the flesh, admonish him of this now; if thou hast begotten one through catechizing , put him also on his guard, test he receive the false one as the True … I fear these wars of the nations ; I fear the schisms of the Churches; I fear the mutual hatred of the brethren. But enough on this subject; only God forbid that it should be fulfilled in our days; nevertheless, let us be on our guard” — Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures. Note: Cyril urges teaching the signs to children and catechumens; he fears wars, schisms and hatred among brethren as the mystery of iniquity already works, and hopes it will not come in his days. [2 Thessalonians 2:7]

13.18. Ambrose of Milan: Second: the Devil besieging the soul

“There is also another Antichrist, that is, the Devil, who is trying to besiege Jerusalem, i. e. the peaceful soul, with the hosts of his law. When then the Devil is in the midst of the temple, there is the desolation of abomination.” — Ambrose of Milan, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Luke, part 2 (chapters 11–24) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Ambrose names a second Antichrist, the Devil, who besieges the peaceful soul; when he is in the midst of the temple, that is desolation. [Luke 21:20]

13.19. Jerome: Christ and Antichrist cannot blend

“As day is distinct from night, so righteousness and unrighteousness, sin and good works, Christ and Antichrist cannot blend.” — Jerome, Against Jovinianus. Note: Jerome says Christ and Antichrist cannot blend, as light and darkness cannot, and urges lodging Christ in the heart. [2 Corinthians 6:14-15]

13.20. Jerome: The one who strikes is Antichrist

“He who is struck imitates Christ: he who strikes, the Antichrist.” — Jerome, Homilies on Psalms. Note: Jerome preaches that whoever receives a blow imitates Christ, while whoever strikes imitates Antichrist.

13.21. Jerome: A painted face belongs to Antichrist

“Such adorning is not of the Lord; a mask of this kind belongs to Antichrist.” — Jerome, Letters (part 1 of 3). Note: Jerome tells the widow Furia that cosmetic painting of the face is not of the Lord but a mask belonging to Antichrist.

13.22. Sulpicius Severus: False Elias; Antichrist at hand

“there was a young man in Spain, who, having by many signs obtained for himself authority among the people, was puffed up to such a pitch that he gave himself out as being Elias. And when multitudes had too readily believed this, he went on to say that he was actually Christ; and he succeeded so well even in this delusion that a certain bishop named Rufus worshiped him as being the Lord … We may infer from this, since false prophets of such a kind have appeared, that the coming of Antichrist is at hand; for he is already practicing in these persons the mystery of iniquity” — Sulpicius Severus, On the Life of St. Martin. Note: Sulpicius reports a Spanish youth claiming to be Elias and then Christ and an Eastern man claiming to be John, and infers that Antichrist is near, already practising the mystery of iniquity in them. [2 Thessalonians 2:7]

13.23. Augustine of Hippo: Exalts his own name

“Hear John, As ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists. But what dost thou dread in Antichrist, except that he will exalt his own name, and despise the name of the Lord?” — Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. John, part 1 (chapters 1–10) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Augustine, citing John, defines the dread of Antichrist as exalting his own name and despising the Lord's, a spirit already present among the many. [John 5:43; 1 John 2:18]

13.24. Augustine of Hippo: Seeker of own glory is Antichrist

“He who seeketh his own glory is Antichrist.” — Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. John, part 1 (chapters 1–10) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Augustine says plainly that whoever seeks his own glory is Antichrist, contrasting Christ's humility with self-promotion. [John 7:18]

13.25. Augustine of Hippo: Antichrists because lives oppose Christ

“all who even within the Church profess that they know God, but deny Him in their deeds, such as are the covetous and envious, and those who, because they hate their brethren, are pronounced to be murderers, not on my testimony, but on that of the holy Apostle John, -all these are both devoid of hope, because they have a bad conscience; and are faithless, because they do not do what they have vowed to God; and liars, because they make false professions; and possessed of devils, because they give place in their heart to the devil and his angels; and their words work corruption, since they corrupt good manners by evil communications; and they are infidels, because they laugh at the threats which God utters against such men; and accursed, because they live wickedly; and antichrists, because their lives are opposed to Christ” — Augustine of Hippo, On Baptism. Note: Augustine answers a Carthaginian bishop's charge against heretics by saying those inside the Church who deny God in deeds are likewise antichrists, because their lives are opposed to Christ. [1 John 2:18; Titus 1:16]

13.26. Augustine of Hippo: Enemies of brotherly love are antichrists

“But the enemies of this brotherly love, whether they are openly without, or appear to be within, are false Christians, and antichrists.” — Augustine of Hippo, On Baptism. Note: Augustine calls enemies of brotherly love, whether openly outside or apparently within the Church, false Christians and antichrists, citing John that those who left 'were not of us'. [1 John 2:19]

13.27. Augustine of Hippo: Wicked members are antichrists

“since even all the bad that are within-the covetous, the envious, the drunkards, and those that live contrary to the discipline of Christ-may be deservedly called liars, and in darkness, and dead, and antichrists” — Augustine of Hippo, On Baptism. Note: Augustine says all the bad within the Church, such as the covetous, envious and drunken, may rightly be called liars, dead and antichrists. [1 John 2:18]

13.28. Augustine of Hippo: The wicked the Church bears belong to Antichrist

“Ye therefore who read in the Scriptures, find all those wicked men whom the Church beareth, who are declared cursed, pertain unto Antichrist, pertain unto the devil, pertain to the chaff, pertain to the tares.” — Augustine of Hippo, On the Psalms (part 3 of 4). Note: Augustine says the wicked tolerated within the Church belong to Antichrist, the devil, the chaff and the tares. [Psalm 129:8]

13.29. Augustine of Hippo: Antichrist honours his own name

“It is said of Antichrist, and all understand of him what the Lord said, "I am come in My Father's Name, and ye have not received Me; if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. … What is it in Antichrist that we are in horror of, but that he is to honour his own name, and to despise the Name of the Lord?” — Augustine of Hippo, Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament (part 2 of 2). Note: Augustine says all understand Christ's words about 'another' who comes in his own name as spoken of Antichrist, whose horror is that he honours his own name and despises the Lord's. [John 5:43; 1 John 2:18]

13.30. Augustine of Hippo: Denial by deeds, not tongue

“Now therefore let us enquire who denies; and let us mark not the tongue, but the deeds. … Let the tongue keep still for a little while, ask the life.” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine notes that heretics confess Jesus is the Christ, and so he proposes that the denial John speaks of must be judged by deeds and life, not by speech. [1 John 2:22]

13.31. Augustine of Hippo: Denying Christ by one's deeds

“we find many antichrists, who with the mouth profess Christ, and in their manners dissent from Christ. Where find we this in Scripture? Hear Paul the Apostle; speaking of such, he saith, "For they confess that they know God, but in their deeds deny Him. We find these also to be antichrists: whosoever in his deeds denies Christ, is an antichrist.” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine, citing Paul on those who deny God by their deeds, holds that whoever denies Christ in his conduct is an antichrist. [1 John 2:22; Titus 1:16]

13.32. Augustine of Hippo: Unmanifest antichrists inside the Church

“not only do we find many antichrists gone out; but many not yet maninfest, who have not gone out at all. For as many as the Church hath within it that are perjured, defrauders, addicted to black arts, consulters of fortune-tellers, adulterers, drunkards, usurers, boy-stealers, and all the other vices that we are not able to enumerate; these things are contrary to the doctrine of Christ, are contrary to the word of God. Now the Word of God is Christ: whatever is contrary to the Word of God is in Antichrist.” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine says many antichrists have not left the Church at all: the perjured, adulterers, drunkards and usurers in it are contrary to Christ's word and so are 'in Antichrist'. [1 John 2:18]

13.33. Augustine of Hippo: Within or without, an antichrist

“But if thou wilt not, and lovest and embracest thy sins, thou art contrary to Christ. Be thou within, be thou without, thou art an antichrist” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine warns that anyone who loves and embraces his sins is contrary to Christ and is an antichrist whether inside or outside the Church. [1 John 2:18]

13.34. Augustine of Hippo: Fear more to be one than to be called one

“Let each one, looking well to his own conscience, if he be a lover of the world, be changed; let him become a lover of Christ, that he be not an antichrist. If one shall tell him that he is an antichrist, he is wroth, he thinks it a wrong done to him; perchance, if he is told by him that strives with him that he is an antichrist, he threatens an action at law. Christ saith to him, Be patient; if thou hast been falsely spoken of, rejoice with me, because I also am falsely spoken of by the antichrists: but if thou art truly spoken of, come to an understanding with thine own conscience; and if thou fear to be called this, fear more to be it.” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine urges the lover of the world to change and become a lover of Christ lest he be an antichrist, saying that one who fears being called it should fear more being it. [1 John 2:22-23]

13.35. Augustine of Hippo: Antichrist means 'contrary to Christ'

“All heretics, all schismatics went out from us, that is, they go out from the Church; but they would not go out, if they were of us. Therefore, before they went out they were not of us. If before they went out they were not of us. many are within, are not gone out, but yet are antichrists. … For antichrist in our tongue means, contrary to Christ.” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine says heretics and schismatics who left the Church are antichrists, that some antichrists are still inside it, and that the word means 'contrary to Christ'. [1 John 2:18-19]

13.36. Augustine of Hippo: Not 'before Christ' but 'against'

“each person ought to question his own conscience, whether he be an antichrist. For antichrist in our tongue means, contrary to Christ. Not, as some take it, that antichrist is to be so called because he is to come ante Christum, before Christ, i.e. Christ to come after him: it does not mean this, neither is it thus written, but Antichristus, i.e. contrary to Christ.” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine urges each hearer to examine his own conscience and insists the word does not mean one who comes 'before Christ' in time but one contrary to Christ. [1 John 2:18]

13.37. Augustine of Hippo: Dividing the Church denies Christ come in the flesh

“He came to gather in one, thou comest to unmake. Thou wouldest pull Christ's membersasunder. How can it be said that thou deniest not that Christ is come in the flesh, who rendest asunder the Church of God which He hath gathered together? Therefore thou goest against Christ; thou art an antichrist. Be thou within, or be thou without, thou art an antichrist: only, when thou art within, thou art hidden; when thou art without, thou art made manifest.” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine says that whoever rends the Church that Christ gathered 'unmakes' Christ and is an antichrist; inside he is hidden, outside manifest. [1 John 4:3]

13.38. Augustine of Hippo: Whoever violates charity is an antichrist

“Whosoever therefore violates charity, let him say what he will with his tongue, his life denies that Christ is come in the flesh; and this is an antichrist” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine holds that whoever violates love denies by his life that Christ came in the flesh, and is an antichrist wherever he may be. [1 John 4:3-4]

13.39. Augustine of Hippo: Antichrists speak of the world

“"These are of the world." Who? The antichrists. … And ye have heard that to love the world and neglect charity is to deny that Jesus came in the flesh.” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine identifies the antichrists of 1 John 4:5 as those who speak the language of the world, such as refusing forgiveness, and equates love of the world with denying that Christ came in the flesh. [1 John 4:5]

13.40. Augustine of Hippo: Many antichrists now, one at the end

“As therefore there went out from the Church many heretics, whom John calls "many antichrists," at that time prior to the end, and which John calls "the last time," so in the end they shall go out who do not belong to Christ, but to that last Antichrist, and then he shall be revealed.” — Augustine of Hippo, The City of God (part 3 of 3). Note: Augustine says that as many heretics, called 'many antichrists' by John, left the Church, so at the end those belonging to the last Antichrist will go out and then he will be revealed. [1 John 2:18-19; 2 Thessalonians 2:7]

13.41. Augustine of Hippo: Not sent, only permitted; seek not own glory

“In Antichrist, however, there is unrighteousness, and he is not true; because he will seek his own glory, not His by whom he was sent: for, indeed, he was not sent, but only permitted to come. Let us all, therefore, that belong to the body of Christ, seek not our own glory, that we be not led into the snares of Antichrist.” — Augustine of Hippo, Tractates on John (part 1 of 3). Note: Augustine says Antichrist is not sent but only permitted to come, and exhorts members of Christ's body not to seek their own glory lest they be led into his snares. [John 7:18]

13.42. Leo the Great: Manichaeans' denial of the flesh is Antichrist

“we anathematize the blasphemy of those who deny the flesh of our nature in Christ: about which the blessed Apostle John has forewarned us in no doubtful utterance, saying, "every spirit which confesses Christ Jesus to have come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit which destroys Jesus is not of God, and this is Antichrist .” — Leo the Great, Sermons. Note: In a sermon on the Epiphany, Leo applies John's warning about Antichrist to those who deny Christ's real flesh, and urges Christians to have no dealings with such people. [1 John 4:2-3]

13.43. Gregory the Great: Head of the wicked, whose members are all the wicked

“These things are more plainly understood of the head of the wicked himself, i.e. Antichrist, who, while lifting up his hand against God, is said to be 'strengthened,' in that for a little time he is permitted to be exalted … but seeing that all the wicked are his members” — Gregory the Great, Morals on the Book of Job (part 2 of 5). Note: Gregory explains that Antichrist is the head of the wicked and permitted for a little time to be exalted, while all the wicked are his members and do now what he will do pre-eminently. [Job 12:6]

13.44. Gregory the Great: Engrafted into the body of Antichrist

“who is the head of the sons of perdition, save Antichrist? Therefore 'that, which is hatched, will break out into a basilisk,' in that he who harbours in himself the counsel of the 'asp' to nourish them to life, being made a member of the wicked head, is engrafted into the body of Antichrist.” — Gregory the Great, Morals on the Book of Job (part 2 of 5). Note: Gregory identifies the basilisk of Isaiah as Antichrist, head of the sons of perdition, and says whoever nurses evil suggestions is engrafted into his body. [Isaiah 59:5]

13.45. Gregory the Great: Antichrist: the devil's vessel

“that vessel of the devil is the den and covert of the beast, so that, when lying in ambush against men who are journeying through this life, he both escapes their notice by his wonders, and kills them by his malice, in his person. But yet he possesses even now the hearts of all reprobates, before he manifests himself openly” — Gregory the Great, Morals on the Book of Job (part 4 of 5). Note: Gregory calls Antichrist the vessel in which the ancient enemy dwells, deceiving by wonders and killing by malice, while already possessing the hearts of all reprobates before his open manifestation. [Job 40:21-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9]

13.46. Gregory the Great: Cain, Judas, Simon as limbs of Antichrist

“Cain saw not the time of Antichrist, and yet was deservedly a limb of Antichrist. Judas knew not the fierceness of that persecution, and yet yielded to the might of his cruelty, by the persuasion of avarice. Simon was far removed from the times of Antichrist, and yet joined himself to his pride, by perversely seeking for the power of miracles. [Acts 8, 19. 20. Thus a wicked body is united to its head” — Gregory the Great, Morals on the Book of Job (part 4 of 5). Note: Gregory says Cain, Judas and Simon Magus lived before Antichrist yet were his limbs, since the wicked are united to their head by wicked deeds. [1 John 2:18]

13.47. Gregory the Great: His preachers are already at work

“But we must not suppose that the preachers of Antichrist will appear then only, and that now they take no part in the deception of men. For even now, before he appears himself, some preach him in words, but most by their conduct.” — Gregory the Great, Morals on the Book of Job (part 4 of 5). Note: Gregory says the preachers of Antichrist are not confined to the end: even now some preach him in words, most by conduct, such as worldly clergy who claim their doings are virtues. [Job 41:11]

13.48. Gregory the Great: Title 'sole bishop' shows Antichrist near

“But in this pride of his what else is denoted than that the times of Antichrist are already near at hand?” — Gregory the Great, Register of Epistles (part 1 of 2). Note: Writing to the empress, Gregory says the Patriarch of Constantinople's attempt to be called sole bishop shows the times of Antichrist are near, since he imitates Lucifer's pride. [Isaiah 14:13-14]

13.49. Gregory the Great: 'Universal bishop' is Antichrist's precursor

“Now I confidently say thatwhosoever calls himself, or desires to be called, Universal Priest, is in his elation the precursor of Antichrist, because he proudly puts himself above all others.” — Gregory the Great, Register of Epistles (part 1 of 2). Note: Gregory tells the emperor that anyone who calls himself or wishes to be called Universal Priest is, in his pride, a precursor of Antichrist, who will call himself God. [2 Thessalonians 2:4; Luke 14:11]

13.50. Bede: Spiritual reading: heresy and crime

“In a spiritual sense, however, when we see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not, that is, heresies and crimes reigning amongst them, who appear to be consecrated by the heavenly mysteries, then whosoever of us remain in Judæa, that is, in the confession of the true faith, ought to mount the higher in virtue” — Bede, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Mark (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Bede reads the abomination spiritually as heresies and crimes ruling among those consecrated by the sacraments, and bids the faithful rise higher in virtue. [Mark 13:14]

13.51. Bede: A man born more wicked than all; already in minds

“He comes with the imminent day of judgment, born into the world as that man more wicked than all others, the son of iniquity. And now he is already in the world, dwelling in the minds of those who resist Christ either by profession or by deed” — Bede, Bede's Commentary on the Catholic Epistles. Note: Bede says Antichrist will come with the imminent judgment as a man more wicked than all, while already dwelling in the minds of all who resist Christ by profession or deed. [1 John 4:3]

13.52. Bede: Many baptised already serve his kingdom

“For not only those who attach themselves to Antichrist in the end times, visibly rising against God, are considered to serve his kingdom: but even today, many who have been initiated into the mysteries of faith, when they immerse themselves in various crimes, are found to be serving his kingdom impiously” — Bede, Commentary on Samuel. Note: Bede says that not only those who join Antichrist at the end serve his kingdom, but also many of the initiated who now commit crimes. [1 Samuel 12:14-15,25]

13.53. Paulician Church of Armenia: Satan as 'son of perdition'

“So firmly at this season this son of perdition, in the hour of the Lord's temptation, cherished in himself the determination to sow his evil longings in the hearts and ears of those who should please Him even until the end of the world.” — Paulician Church of Armenia, The Key of Truth: a Manual of the Paulician Church of Armenia (Conybeare translation); scanned text. Note: The Paulician Key of Truth calls Satan himself the 'son of perdition', who sows evil in the hearts of believers until the end of the world. [Luke 22:40; 1 Peter 5:8]

13.54. Neale and Littledale (compilers): Satan and Antichrist: same pride

“Satan at first, Antichrist at last, the sin was the same, the ungodly is so proud” — Neale and Littledale (compilers), A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 1 (Psalms 1–38) (part 1 of 2); scanned text. Note: The compilers say the sin of Satan at the first and of Antichrist at the last is the same: pride. [Psalm 10:4; Isaiah 14:13]

13.55. Neale and Littledale (compilers): Every sinner's heart rehearses it

“every evil man shall do that in the battle-field of his own heart which Antichrist shall do in the great and final conflict between good and evil. He shall have the dominion over all his enemies, when "as GOD, he shall sit in the temple of GOD, showing himself that he is God;" "When they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over the two witnesses,"” — Neale and Littledale (compilers), A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 1 (Psalms 1–38) (part 1 of 2); scanned text. Note: The compilers say every evil man rehearses in his heart what Antichrist will do in the final conflict, when he will rule as God in the temple and the earth rejoices over the two witnesses. [Psalm 10:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:10]

The Early Church Fathers Writings - Volume 112

Volume 112 of the Early Church Fathers Writings, AD 50 – 1200: the Fathers on the Antichrist, with sixteen questions, 861 quotations and ninety-four writers, in English.

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