Is the Pope the Anti-Christ?

by Sebastian R Fama

The book of Revelation is written in a literary form known as Apocalyptic writing. Apocalyptic writing is highly symbolic. Consequently, what the author is trying to communicate is not always obvious to the average modern-day reader. This leads us to a situation where some commentators pour their own bias into the text. The seeming vagueness of the wording inhibits many from questioning these novel interpretations. But oftentimes, a little common sense can go a long way toward refuting such inaccuracies.

Revelation 13:11-18 mentions a beast whose number is 666. This beast is associated with the anti-Christ. And of course, the anti-Christ is associated with Satan. Some Protestants claim that this number refers to the pope. Thus, they claim, the pope is a tool of Satan. But the accusation is groundless.

Wouldn’t a church that was controlled by Satan be busy doing his work? For instance, wouldn’t that church be pro-abortion? Wouldn’t it promote promiscuity rather than chastity? The overarching principle that unites all satanic churches and groups is: “Do what you will. That is the whole of the law.” Sin and sacrilege are common practice in these groups. Contrast that with Catholic morality as found in a Catholic Examination of Conscience (used to prepare for confession). In order to receive absolution, Catholics must repent of their sins, and demonstrate a desire to not sin again. How does that fit into Satan’s plans? It obviously does not. As Jesus said: “If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand” (Mark 3:26).

To make this whole affair even more curious, the New Testament which our critics claim to revere, was only officially recognized as Scripture when a Pope Boniface approved the list sent to him by the Council of Carthage (419 AD). If they truly believe the pope is the anti-Christ, why would they accept something produced by a Satanic cult as their sole rule of faith?

So why was this accusation made in the first place? It is claimed that the popes title (Vicarius Filii Dei) comes to 666 when calculated in Roman numerals. Vicarius Filii Dei means Vicar of the Son of God. The only problem with this argument is that this is not a title that has ever been used for the pope. He can be referred to as the Vicar of Jesus Christ, or for short, the Vicar of Christ. But the Church has never called him the Vicar of the Son of God. Thus, proclaiming the pope to be the anti-Christ, is a false teaching. And the Bible warns us about false teachers.

Like anyone else the pope is a sinner. Some popes do their jobs well and some not so well. But never has a pope ever officially taught anything other than what God wanted him to. They might do so unofficially, but never officially. Not because the pope is perfect, but because the Holy Spirit will not allow it (Matthew 16:18-19).