Is the Antichrist a real person?

Many people have heard the term “Antichrist” and imagine a future evil dictator who will rise at the end of time to rule the world and deceive the nations. This image is popular in movies and fictional novels, but what does the Bible actually say about the Antichrist? Is the Antichrist a real person, or does the Bible present a different picture?

A careful study of the Scriptures reveals that the Antichrist is not just one individual who arises at the end of time, but a religious system that has operated throughout history and continues even now. The Bible identifies this system in various ways—in Daniel, in the writings of Paul, and in Revelation. By comparing prophecy with history and Scripture with Scripture, we find strong evidence that the Antichrist is a system led by a man, not just one future person. This article will explore how the Bible describes the Antichrist and how prophecy points to the papal system, headquartered in Rome, as its fulfillment.

What Does the Term “Antichrist” Mean?

The term “Antichrist” appears only in the epistles of John. The word itself means “against Christ” or “in place of Christ.” John tells us:

“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18, NKJV)

This passage shows that the Antichrist was already active in John’s time. It was not something limited to the distant future. John adds:

“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:22, NKJV)

“And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist…” (1 John 4:3, NKJV)

These verses tell us that the Antichrist is a spiritual power that opposes Christ and distorts His character and work. It can include people or systems that reject or misrepresent the gospel. The Antichrist spirit works subtly and deceptively.

The Little Horn of Daniel 7

One of the clearest prophetic descriptions of the Antichrist power is found in Daniel 7. Daniel sees four beasts rising from the sea, each representing a kingdom (Daniel 7:17). These are:

1. Babylon (lion)
2. Medo-Persia (bear)
3. Greece (leopard)
4. Rome (dreadful and terrible beast)

Out of the fourth beast—Rome—comes a “little horn.” Daniel 7:8 says:

“I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.” (Daniel 7:8, NKJV)

This little horn is a different kind of power. It arises after the fall of the Roman Empire, speaks against God, and persecutes God’s people. Daniel continues:

“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law…” (Daniel 7:25, NKJV)

Several identifying marks are given for this little horn:

• It rises among the ten horns (Europe).
• It uproots three other kingdoms (Heruli, Vandals, Ostrogoths).
• It has the eyes of a man (suggesting leadership under a human head).
• It speaks great words against God.
• It persecutes the saints.
• It seeks to change God’s law.
• It rules for a prophetic time period of “a time, times, and half a time,” or 1,260 years (Revelation 12:6, 14; Ezekiel 4:6).

All of these characteristics match the Roman Papacy. After the breakup of the Roman Empire, the bishop of Rome gained political and religious power. The Papacy eliminated opposing kingdoms, claimed to represent Christ on earth, spoke blasphemous words, changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and persecuted millions during the Dark Ages.

The phrase “eyes like the eyes of a man” represents insight and leadership under one human head—the pope. The system is not just an institution but one guided by a visible human figure.

The Beast of Revelation 13

The same Antichrist power appears again in Revelation 13. John sees a beast rising out of the sea:

“Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2, NKJV)

This beast combines elements from the beasts of Daniel 7, showing a continuation of the same power. The dragon (Satan, see Revelation 12:9) gives this beast its power. The description continues:

“And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.” (Revelation 13:5, NKJV)

This period of 42 months is the same as 1,260 prophetic days (or years). One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34). During the Middle Ages, the Papacy ruled from 538 to 1798, exactly 1,260 years. In 1798, the Pope was taken captive by Napoleon’s general, fulfilling the prophecy that the beast would receive a deadly wound (Revelation 13:3).

Revelation 13 and Daniel 7 describe the same power:

• Speaks blasphemies.
• Persecutes saints.
• Rules for 1,260 years.
• Is led by a man.
• Is a religious-political power.

Again, all signs point to the Roman Papacy. The beast is not one future individual, but a system that has existed for centuries, with a man— the pope—at its head.

The Number 666 and Vicarius Filii Dei

Another identifying mark is given in Revelation 13:18:

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” (NKJV)

The number 666 is the number of a man. One historical title attributed to the pope is Vicarius Filii Dei, which means “Vicar of the Son of God.” If we assign numerical values to the Latin letters in this title, it totals 666:

• V = 5
• I = 1
• C = 100
• A = 0
• R = 0
• I = 1
• U/V = 5
• S = 0

Vicarius = 5 + 1 + 100 + 1 + 5 = 112

Filii = 1 + 1 + 50 + 1 + 1 = 54

Dei = 500 + 0 + 1 = 501

112 + 54 + 501 = 666

This is not the only proof, but it adds further evidence that the beast is not a random future tyrant but a well-known system that has long existed. The number is symbolic of a man-centered system that places human authority over the Word of God.

The Man of Sin in 2 Thessalonians 2

The Apostle Paul also warned of a great apostasy in the church and the rise of the “man of sin”:

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed… who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, NKJV)

Paul adds that this power would sit “as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” This is a clear reference to a religious system claiming divine authority. The Papacy has claimed to be the earthly representative of Christ and to have the power to forgive sins—claims that the Bible considers blasphemous (Mark 2:7).

Blasphemy has two definitions in Scripture:

1. Claiming to forgive sins (Luke 5:21).

2. Claiming to be God (John 10:33).

Does this point fit the papacy? Yes. Let’s first look at the evidence for it claiming to forgive sins, taken directly from its own literature: “Does the Priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted? The Priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given to him by Christ.” Joseph Deharbe, S.J., A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion (New York: Schwartz, Kirwin & Fauss, 1924), 279.

The papacy further undermines Jesus by setting up a system of confession to an earthly priest, thus bypassing Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; 8:1, 2) and only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

Next, consider the evidence for it claiming to be God: “We [the popes] hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.” Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter “The Reunion of Christendom” (dated June 20, 1894) trans. in The Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII (New York: Benziger, 1903), 304.

Here is more evidence: “The pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.” Catholic National, July 1895.

The Antichrist Is a System, Not Just One Man

While the Antichrist system has a visible leader, the Bible teaches that the Antichrist is not a single person who arises suddenly at the end of time. Rather, it is a long-standing religious system that has opposed God, misrepresented Christ, and exalted human authority over Scripture.

This system:

• Emerged from Rome.
• Has a human leader (eyes of a man).
• Speaks blasphemies.
• Changes God’s law.*
• Persecutes God’s people.
• Receives worship.
• Is identified with the number 666.
• Will play a central role in final events.

*The Roman Papacy has historically claimed the authority to change God’s law, a bold move that fulfills the prophecy in Daniel 7:25, which states that the little horn power would “intend to change times and law.” This system did exactly that by altering the Ten Commandments. The second commandment, which forbids the making and worship of idols (Exodus 20:4-6, NKJV), was removed from many catechisms. In order to maintain the total number of ten, the tenth commandment was then split into two parts.

Furthermore, the Papacy changed the Sabbath commandment. The original commandment declares, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:8-10, NKJV). This refers to Saturday, the seventh day of the week. However, the Papal system transferred the solemnity of the Sabbath to Sunday, the first day, with no biblical authority. This change was based on church tradition rather than Scripture, setting human authority above God’s Word.

The Papacy fulfills every identifying mark of the Antichrist described in Daniel, Revelation, and 2 Thessalonians. The term “Antichrist” does not have to refer to a single evil dictator; it refers to a religious-political power that replaces the true gospel with human traditions.

Final Events and the Role of the Antichrist

In Revelation 13, after the beast receives a deadly wound, the wound is healed:

“And his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.” (Revelation 13:3, NKJV)

This healing represents the restoration of papal influence and authority. In modern times, we can see that the Papacy has gained significant political and spiritual influence worldwide. Many religious and world leaders respect and seek the pope’s leadership.

Eventually, Revelation predicts a global crisis in which the whole world will be led to worship the beast:

“And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life…” (Revelation 13:8, NKJV)

Those who remain faithful to God will reject the authority of the beast and instead obey the commandments of God and keep the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12).

Conclusion

The Antichrist is not just a future evil dictator but a present and historical system that has opposed Christ by claiming His authority, changing His law, and persecuting His people. The Bible identifies this system through many prophetic symbols—the little horn of Daniel 7, the beast of Revelation 13, the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2—and all point clearly to the Roman Papacy.

The Antichrist is a religious system led by a man. The “eyes of a man” in Daniel 7 refer to the pope. The number 666 corresponds to Vicarius Filii Dei, a title applied to the pope. While individuals come and go, the system continues. It has operated for centuries and will play a major role in end-time events.

God calls His people to understand prophecy and come out of spiritual Babylon (Revelation 18:4). In the last days, the final conflict will be over worship—whether we obey God or man. Let us choose to follow Jesus, the true Christ, and not be deceived by any counterfeit.

Disclaimer:

The contents of this article and website are not intended to be against any individual. There are many priests and faithful believers in Roman Catholicism who serve God to the best of their knowledge. They are seen by God as His children. Thus, the information contained herein is directed only towards the Roman Catholic religio-political system which has reigned in varying degrees of power for nearly two millennia. This system has established an increasing number of doctrines and statements that directly go against the Bible.

It is our purpose to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, to decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. Therefore, if you find anything here contrary to the Bible, do not accept it. However, if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality and feel that the Holy Spirit is revealing Truth to you, please make all haste to accept it.