Who did the reformers identify as the antichrist?

The Antichrist According to the Protestant Reformers

The following quotations illustrate the beliefs of influential Protestant Reformers and early Christian leaders regarding the Antichrist, referred to as “the little horn” (Daniel 7:8), “the beast” (Revelation 13:1), and “the man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Throughout history, the identification of the Antichrist has sparked intense theological debate and reflection, particularly among the Protestant Reformers, who sought to clarify biblical truths in contrast to the prevailing doctrines of their time.

Martin Luther (1483-1546) (Lutheran):

Martin Luther asserted, “Luther … proved, by the revelations of Daniel and St. John, by the epistles of St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. Jude, that the reign of Antichrist, predicted and described in the Bible, was the Papacy … And all the people did say, Amen! A holy terror seized their souls. It was Antichrist whom they beheld seated on the pontifical throne. This new idea, which derived greater strength from the prophetic descriptions launched forth by Luther into the midst of his contemporaries, inflicted the most terrible blow on Rome.” History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, by J. H. Merle D’aubigne, book vi, chapter xii, p. 215.

Luther further declared, “We here are of the conviction that the papacy is the seat of the true and real Antichrist” (Aug. 18, 1520). The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, by Le Roy Froom, Vol. 2, pg. 121. His bold assertions challenged the established authority of the Church and encouraged believers to seek a direct relationship with God, free from the perceived corruption of the Papacy.

John Calvin (1509-1564) (Presbyterian):

John Calvin stated, “Some persons think us too severe and censorious when we call the Roman pontiff Antichrist. But those who are of this opinion do not consider that they bring the same charge of presumption against Paul himself, after whom we speak and whose language we adopt… I shall briefly show that (Paul’s words in II Thess. 2) are not capable of any other interpretation than that which applies them to the Papacy.” Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin. Calvin’s theological insights emphasized the importance of Scripture as the ultimate authority, further solidifying the Reformers’ stance against the Papacy.

John Knox (1505-1572) (Scotch Presbyterian):

John Knox sought to counteract “that tyranny which the pope himself has for so many ages exercised over the church.” He concluded that the Papacy was “the very antichrist, and son of perdition, of whom Paul speaks.” The Zurich Letters, by John Knox, pg. 199. Knox’s fervent opposition to the Papacy was rooted in a desire for reform and a return to biblical principles.

Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) (Anglican):

Cranmer wrote, “Whereof it followeth Rome to be the seat of antichrist, and the pope to be very antichrist himself. I could prove the same by many other scriptures, old writers, and strong reasons” (referring to prophecies in Revelation and Daniel). Works by Cranmer, Vol. 1, pp. 6-7. His writings reflect a deep concern for the purity of the Church and the need to align its teachings with Scripture.

Roger Williams (1603-1683) (First Baptist Pastor in America):

Pastor Williams described the Pope as “the pretended Vicar of Christ on earth, who sits as God over the Temple of God, exalting himself not only above all that is called God, but over the souls and consciences of all his vassals, yea over the Spirit of Christ, over the Holy Spirit, yea, and God himself…speaking against the God of heaven, thinking to change times and laws; but he is the son of perdition (II Thess. 2).” The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, by Froom, Vol. 3, pg. 52. Williams’ perspective highlights the perceived dangers of papal authority and its implications for individual faith.

The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647):

The Confession states, “There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition that exalteth himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God.” The Creeds of Christendom With a History and Critical Notes, by Philip Schaff, III, p. 658, 659, ch. 25, sec. 6. This statement encapsulates the Reformers’ collective stance on the Papacy’s role in the Church.

Cotton Mather (1663-1728) (Congregational Theologian):

Cotton Mather noted, “The oracles of God foretold the rising of an Antichrist in the Christian Church: and in the Pope of Rome, all the characteristics of that Antichrist are so marvelously answered that if any who read the Scriptures do not see it, there is a marvelous blindness upon them.” The Fall of Babylon by Cotton Mather in Froom’s book, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. 3, pg. 113. Mather’s reflections serve as a reminder of the ongoing relevance of the Antichrist’s identity in contemporary discussions.

John Wesley (1703-1791) (Methodist):

John Wesley remarked, “He is in an emphatical sense, the Man of Sin, as he increases all manner of sin above measure. And he is, too, properly styled the Son of Perdition, as he has caused the death of numberless multitudes, both of his opposers and followers… He it is…that exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped…claiming the highest power, and highest honour…claiming the prerogatives which belong to God alone.” Antichrist and His Ten Kingdoms, by John Wesley, pg. 110. Wesley’s insights emphasize the moral implications of the Antichrist’s actions and the call for believers to remain vigilant.

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Many notable figures throughout history have identified the Papacy as the Antichrist. These include Wycliffe, Tyndale, Luther, Calvin, Cranmer; in the seventeenth century, Bunyan, the translators of the King James Bible, and the men who published the Westminster and Baptist Confessions of Faith; Sir Isaac Newton, Wesley, Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards; and more recently, Spurgeon, Bishop J.C. Ryle, and Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones. All these men, among countless others, recognized the office of the Papacy as the Antichrist. All Roads Lead to Rome, by Michael de Semlyen, Dorchestor House Publications, p. 205, 1991. Their collective testimony underscores the historical significance of this identification and its impact on the Reformation and beyond.

The contents of this article are not intended to be against any individual. Many priests and faithful believers in Roman Catholicism serve God to the best of their knowledge and are seen by God as His children. This information 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 contradict the Bible.

Our purpose is to present the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, to help you discern what is truth and what is error. 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, please make all haste to accept it.