The Sixteen Questions
The Sixteen Questions
continued
11. What is the “falling away”?
Paul says the day of the Lord will not come “except there come a falling away first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The Greek word is apostasia, a rebellion or defection, and the Fathers mostly read it exactly that way: heresy, schism and the cooling of love inside the Church. Tertullian is the one early exception who reads it as the collapse of the empire. For Cyril of Jerusalem, Basil, Athanasius and Gregory of Nyssa the falling away is not a future event to wait for. It is the Arian, Eunomian and other crises they were living through, and they call them the prelude or the forerunner of the man himself.
In this chapter
This question draws on 134 quotations from 57 voices. 106 of them are printed in full below, at the end of the chapter, because their main concern is this question; the other 28 belong chiefly to other questions and are listed here by number.
It is happening now (Cyril of Jerusalem, Hippolytus, Basil, Palladius)
Cyril says the falling away is already present in heresy and itching ears, and that the enemy has begun to send out his forerunners. Hippolytus warns believers not to admit the apostasy that divides and chills love. Basil, in a time of trial, wonders aloud whether the falling away has come and the lawless one is about to be revealed. In Palladius, a deacon asks the same question amid the persecution of Chrysostom’s supporters.
A prelude to the man himself (Athanasius, Gregory of Nyssa, Alexander of Alexandria, Bede)
The Arian controversy produced the sharpest language. Alexander of Alexandria calls Arius’s teaching an apostasy and a precursor of Antichrist. Athanasius calls Arianism the last heresy and the harbinger of Antichrist, dressed up in the language of Scripture; he says that giving churches to heretics goes beyond persecution and is a prelude to his coming. Gregory of Nyssa says Eunomius’s doctrine was set on foot by the devil as a rehearsal. Bede reads the fifth trumpet as a greater infestation of heretics before Antichrist’s time and the sixth as his open war.
John’s test: Christ come in the flesh (Polycarp, Irenaeus, Dionysius of Alexandria, Leo the Great, Theodoret)
The oldest use of the word is the one in John’s letters: whoever denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Polycarp applies it that way, and Irenaeus applies it to the Gnostic dividing of Christ. Dionysius calls those who deny Christ’s deity or real flesh antichrists in John’s sense. The Tome of Leo, accepted at Chalcedon, cites John to say that dissolving Jesus, by separating His human nature, is Antichrist; Theodoret’s Orthodox speaker makes the same appeal.
Those who leave the Church’s unity (Cyprian, Optatus, Augustine, Ambrose)
In the Latin West the test is unity. Cyprian says those who depart from charity and the Church’s unity are antichrists, and that the last time is here. Optatus applies John’s “many antichrists” to the Donatists. Augustine says that all who go out and are cut off from the Church’s unity are antichrists. Ambrose plainly marks the Arians.
A cold and divided Church before the end (Pseudo-Hippolytus, Lactantius, Bede, Augustine, Neale and Littledale)
Several writers expect a weakened Church. The Pseudo-Hippolytan sermon describes false prophets, wolfish shepherds and worldly clergy among professing Christians before the end. Lactantius says wickedness will grow so much worse that the present times will seem golden. Bede says the elect will be so few at Christ’s appearing that others’ indifference will hasten the end. Augustine reads “shall he find faith on the earth?” as concerning perfect faith, which is rare, not the absence of all faith. Neale and Littledale say heresy and schism have at times reduced the Church to few, as in the Arian success, and will again.
The word used as a weapon (Leo the Great, Pseudo-Zachariah, Jerome, Athanasius)
The sources are candid about how freely the charge was thrown about. Leo of Rome calls Timothy Aelurus of Alexandria Antichrist, according to the bishops in the Chalcedonian dispute; Leo also calls rioting monks soldiers of Antichrist. Jerome’s orthodox speaker calls groups named after someone other than Christ the synagogue of Antichrist. Athanasius calls the Arian persecutors forerunners of Antichrist. Every party in the fourth- and fifth-century controversies used it of the others.
Apostasy under Muslim rule (Samuel of Kalamoun, Solomon of Basra)
In the Coptic and Syriac texts of the seventh to thirteenth centuries, the falling away is pressure to convert. Samuel of Kalamoun says many Christians will deny Christ during the Ishmaelite affliction and that endurance with thanks will save. Solomon of Basra expects mass apostasy under Ishmaelite oppression, some without compulsion, and explains the Arab conquest as God’s chastisement for Christian immorality and not favour toward the conquerors.
The Scripture behind it
The Scripture on which the Fathers drew for this question is set out here in the King James text.
The man of sin (2 Thess 2:1–17)
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure … [2 Thessalonians 2:1-17]
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]
Some shall depart from the faith (1 Tim 4:1–3)
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [1 Timothy 4:1-3]
Perilous times shall come (2 Tim 3:1–9)
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. [2 Timothy 3:1-9]
They shall turn away their ears (2 Tim 4:3–4)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [2 Timothy 4:3-4]
Mockers in the last time (Jude 1:17–19)
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. [Jude 1:17-19]
Shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? [Luke 18:8]
Also relevant: quotations printed under other questions
Sibylline Oracles, Beliar will come working signs (3.4); Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Dan's prince is Satan (2.6); Tertullian, Falling away: empire falls (4.3); Hippolytus of Rome, Vespasian does not fit (5.11); Hippolytus of Rome, 2 Thess 2 quoted; restrainer unnamed (4.8); Victorinus of Pettau, 'Synagogue of Satan' gathered by Antichrist (16.7); Victorinus of Pettau, After Elijah, the devil cast down (9.19); Victorinus of Pettau, Abomination may be church heresy (6.26); Methodius of Olympus, The dragon is the devil (13.11); Pseudo-Hippolytus, Eucharist and public worship cease (6.33); Athanasius of Alexandria, Constantius, forerunner of the lawless one (6.35); Athanasius of Alexandria, Heresy prepares Antichrist's deceit (13.16); Cyril of Jerusalem, Division prepares his way (4.17); Cyril of Jerusalem, Teach the signs (13.17); John Chrysostom, A man, not Satan (6.40); Rufinus of Aquileia, The enemy counterfeits the second advent (6.42); Augustine of Hippo, Antichrist means 'contrary to Christ' (13.35); Augustine of Hippo, Dividing the Church denies Christ come in the flesh (13.37); Augustine of Hippo, Restrainer: the hidden wicked in the Church (4.26); Gregory the Great, Elias strengthens faithful; Israel converts (9.42); Miscellaneous Coptic Texts, Antichrist = denier of the incarnation (16.40); Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun, Churches turned into mosques (5.41); Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun, Ishmaelite father, Frankish mother (2.41); Bede, Spiritual reading: heresy and crime (13.50); Paulician Church of Armenia, Satan's twelve disguises (3.61); Solomon of Basra, Arab rule is God's scourge (5.55); Kebra Nagast, Roman king perverts faith (4.34); Neale and Littledale (compilers), Four stages until Antichrist (5.58).
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.
11.1. Didache: False prophets multiply, love turns to hate
“For in the last days false prophets and corrupters will multiply, the sheep will turn into wolves, and love will turn into hate.” — Didache, The Didache. Note: In the last days false prophets multiply, the flock turns to wolves and love turns to hatred. [Matthew 24:10-12]
11.2. Epistle of Barnabas: Stand firm so the Black One gets no entry
“So let us watch ourselves in these last days. All the time of our faith will do us no good unless we stand firm now, in this lawless time and against the stumbling blocks to come, as befits sons of God, so that the Black One gets no way in.” — Epistle of Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas. Note: Believers must watch in the last days and resist coming stumbling blocks so that the Black One, the devil, finds no entry.
11.3. Polycarp of Smyrna: Antichrist as denier of the incarnation
“For everyone who does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is an antichrist. Whoever does not confess the testimony of the cross is of the devil. Whoever twists the sayings of the Lord to suit his own desires and says there is no resurrection and no judgment is the firstborn of Satan.” — Polycarp of Smyrna, Polycarp to the Philippians. Note: Polycarp applies the word antichrist to anyone denying Christ's coming in the flesh, and calls those who deny resurrection and judgment the firstborn of Satan. [1 John 4:2; 1 John 2:18]
11.4. Justin Martyr: The man of apostasy persecutes Christians
“The other is the coming in which he will arrive from heaven with glory. That will be when the man of apostasy, who also speaks outrageous things against the Most High, will dare to do lawless things on the earth against us Christians.” — Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho. Note: Christ's glorious coming is placed at the time when the man of apostasy dares lawless acts against Christians. [2 Thessalonians 2:3; Daniel 7:25]
11.5. Justin Martyr: False christs are the heretics now
“‘Many false christs and false apostles will rise up, and they will lead many of the faithful astray.’” — Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho. Note: Justin cites Jesus's warning of false christs and apostles, then applies it to the heretical teachers of his own day. [Matthew 24:5; Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:24]
11.6. Irenaeus of Lyons: Many antichrists have appeared
“"Little children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that Antichrist doth come, now have many antichrists appeared; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us” — Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies. Note: Irenaeus cites John: many antichrists have already appeared, and they went out from the Church. [1 John 2:18-22]
11.7. Irenaeus of Lyons: Dividing Christ is antichrist
“"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 which separates Jesus Christ is not of God, but is of antichrist."” — Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies. Note: Irenaeus applies John's test to Gnostic divisions of Christ: a spirit that divides Jesus Christ is of antichrist. [1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 7]
11.8. Irenaeus of Lyons: Gathers all apostasy; cast into fire
“For when he (Antichrist) is come, and of his own accord concentrates in his own person the apostasy, and accomplishes whatever he shall do according to his own will and choice, sitting also in the temple of God, so that his dupes may adore him as the Christ; wherefore also shall he deservedly "be cast into the lake of fire” — Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies. Note: Antichrist freely gathers the whole apostasy into himself, sits in the temple so that dupes worship him as Christ, and is rightly cast into the lake of fire. [2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 20:10]
11.9. Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs: In last times they cleave to Beliar
“Know ye therefore, my children, that in the last times Your sons will forsake singleness, And will cleave unto insatiable desire; And leaving guilelessness, will draw near to malice; And forsaking the commandments of the Lord, They will cleave unto Beliar.” — Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (Charles translation); scanned text. Note: In the last times the sons forsake simplicity and the commandments and cleave to Beliar.
11.10. Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs: Dan departs in the last days
“I know that in the last days ye shall depart from the Lord, And ye shall provoke Levi unto anger, And fight against Judah; But ye shall not prevail against them” — Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (Charles translation); scanned text. Note: Dan foresees that in the last days his descendants will depart from the Lord and fight Levi and Judah without prevailing.
11.11. Tertullian: Charge of 'human Antichrist' rebutted
“But you affirm it is "a human Antichrist: "for by this name heretics are called in John. And how is it that, whoever he is, he has in (the name of) our Christ directed these duties toward our Lord; whereas withal antichrists have (ever) gone forth (professedly teaching) towards God, (but) in opposition to our Christ?” — Tertullian, On Fasting. Note: Tertullian, a Montanist, retorts that the Paraclete cannot be an antichrist, since antichrists oppose Christ, while the Spirit directs worship to Christ. [1 John 2:18]
11.12. Tertullian: Heresy as present antichrist
“Who also are the Antichrists, both now and evermore, but the men who rebel against Christ? Heresies, at the present time, will no less rend the church by their perversion of doctrine, than will Antichrist persecute her at that day by the cruelty of his attacks, except that persecution make seven martyrs, (but) heresy only apostates.” — Tertullian, The Prescription Against Heretics. Note: Heretics are antichrists now; their damage to the Church equals Antichrist's later persecution, except that heresy makes apostates where persecution makes martyrs. [Matthew 7:15; 1 John 2:18]
11.13. Hippolytus of Rome: Time, times, half-time: 3.5 years
“He indicated the three years and a half of Antichrist. For by "a time" He means a year, and by "times" two years, and by an "half time" half a year. These are the thousand two hundred and ninety days of which Daniel prophesied” — Hippolytus of Rome, Fragments - Exegetical. Fragments from Commentaries on Various Books of Scripture. Note: A time, times and half a time means 3.5 years, the 1,290 days of Daniel, for Antichrist's reign. [Daniel 12:7,11; Matthew 24:12-13]
11.14. Hippolytus of Rome: Do not admit the falling away
“And that divisions will arise when the falling away takes place, is without doubt. And when divisions arise, love is chilled. … Wherefore let us by no means admit the falling away, lest iniquity abound, and the abomination of desolation-that is, the adversary-overtake us.” — Hippolytus of Rome, Fragments - Exegetical. Fragments from Commentaries on Various Books of Scripture. Note: The falling away brings divisions that chill love; Hippolytus urges believers not to admit the apostasy lest the adversary overtake them. [Matthew 24:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.15. Hippolytus of Rome: Church flees 1260 days
“That refers to the one thousand two hundred and threescore days (the half of the week) during which the tyrant is to reign and persecute the Church, which flees from city to city, and seeks concealment in the wilderness among the mountains, possessed of no other defence than the two wings of the great eagle, that is to say, the faith of Jesus Christ” — Hippolytus of Rome, On Christ and Antichrist. Note: The 1,260 days of the woman in the wilderness are the half-week of the tyrant's reign, during which the Church flees and relies only on faith. [Revelation 12:6,14]
11.16. Secundinus of Carpis: Heretics 'progeny of Antichrist'
“It is impossible for the Holy Ghost to descend through the imposition of hands alone upon strange children, and the progeny of Antichrist, it being clear that heretics have no baptism.” — Secundinus of Carpis, The Liturgy and Ritual of the Ante-Nicene Church (Warren) (quoted by Ante-Nicene liturgy and ritual (Warren)); scanned text. Note: At Cyprian's council (AD 256) Secundinus of Carpis calls heretics 'the progeny of Antichrist', denying their baptism. [1 John 2:18-19]
11.17. Cyprian of Carthage: Cyprian: heretics are antichrists
“heretics being called enemies of Christ and antichrists according to the testimony of the gospel and the apostles, should, when they come to the Church, be baptized” — Cyprian of Carthage, On Baptism (quoted by Augustine of Hippo). Note: Augustine quotes Cyprian of Carthage's judgment that heretics are 'enemies of Christ and antichrists', so those who come to the Church must be baptised afresh. [1 John 2:18]
11.18. Cyprian of Carthage: Antichrist at hand, discipline must stand
“since, when Antichrist is at hand the faith of the militant people is disarmed by the taking away of the power of Christ and His fear?” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: Cyprian objects that lax readmission of the lapsed, with Antichrist at hand, disarms the faith of the militant people.
11.19. Cyprian of Carthage: Schismatic violence imitates Antichrist's coming
“they endeavour to imitate the coming of Antichrist, who is now approaching.” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: Rebels who threaten the bishops are said to imitate the coming of Antichrist, who is now approaching.
11.20. Cyprian of Carthage: World failing, Antichrist drawing near
“These things have been foretold as about to happen in the end of the world; and it was predicted by the voice of the Lord, and by the testimony of the apostles, that now that the world is failing, and the Antichrist is drawing near, everything good shall fail, but evil and adverse things shall prosper.” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: Wavering faith and lost concord in his day are foretold signs that the world is failing and Antichrist drawing near. [2 Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:12]
11.21. Cyprian of Carthage: Those who left the Church are antichrists
“"Ye have heard that antichrist shall come: even now there are many Antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: Cyprian uses 1 John to say those who leave the Church's unity are antichrists and the last time is here. [1 John 2:18-19]
11.22. Cyprian of Carthage: Heretics are called adversaries and antichrists
“But if everywhere heretics are called nothing else than adversaries and antichrists, if they are pronounced to be people to be avoided” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: Cyprian argues that since Scripture calls heretics adversaries and antichrists they must not be imitated.
11.23. Cyprian of Carthage: Antichrists are those who leave the Church's unity
“Whence it appears, that all are adversaries of the Lord and antichrists, who are known to have departed from charity and from the unity of the Catholic Church.” — Cyprian of Carthage, Letters. Note: Cyprian defines antichrists as all who depart from charity and the Church's unity. [1 John 2:18-19]
11.24. Cyprian of Carthage: Antichrist baptizes in Christ's name
“the faithless gives faith; the wicked bestows pardon of sins; and Antichrist baptizes in the name of Christ” — Cyprian of Carthage, The Seventh Council of Carthage Under Cyprian. Note: Cyprian's council opens with the absurdity of heretics baptizing: Antichrist baptizing in Christ's name.
11.25. Cyprian of Carthage: Heresies grow as the world declines
“because even thus it must be in the decline of the world, since the Holy Spirit foretells and forewarns us by the apostle, saying, "In the last days," says he, "perilous times shall come” — Cyprian of Carthage, Treatise 1. On the Unity of the Church. Note: Heresy and schism grow in the decline of the world as the Spirit foretold by Paul. [2 Timothy 3:1-9]
11.26. Dionysius of Alexandria: Deniers of Christ's flesh are anti-Christs
“they believe some of them that he is not God nor Son of God, but others, that he never became man nor came in the flesh, but say that he was a phantasm and shadow … all these John has rightly in his epistle called anti-Christs.” — Dionysius of Alexandria, Newly discovered letters to the Popes Stephen and Xystus. Note: Dionysius calls those who deny Christ's deity or real flesh antichrists in John's sense. [1 John 2:18]
11.27. Victorinus of Pettau: Rejects an earthly millennium
“Therefore they are not to be heard who assure themselves that there is to be an earthly reign of a thousand years; who think, that is to say, with the heretic Cerinthus. For the kingdom of Christ is now eternal in the saints, although the glory of the saints shall be manifested after the resurrection.” — Victorinus of Pettau, Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John. Note: This closing note rejects an earthly thousand-year reign as Cerinthian; Christ's kingdom is now eternal in the saints. [Revelation 20:4-6]
11.28. Methodius of Olympus: Fallen stars are heresies
“And the stars, which the dragon touched with the end of his tail, and drew them down to earth, are the bodies of heresies” — Methodius of Olympus, Discourse 8.-Thekla. Note: The stars the dragon sweeps down are, for Methodius, the assemblies of heretics. [Revelation 12:4]
11.29. Lactantius: Decline before the end
“Therefore, as the end of this world approaches, the condition of human affairs must undergo a change, and through the prevalence of wickedness become worse; so that now these times of ours, in which iniquity and impiety have increased even to the highest degree, may be judged happy and almost golden in comparison of that incurable evil.” — Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Book 7. Note: Wickedness will grow so much worse near the end that the present times will seem golden by comparison. [2 Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:12]
11.30. Alexander of Alexandria: Arian apostasy: precursor of Antichrist
“there have gone forth lawless men, and adversaries of Christ, teaching men to apostatize; which thing, with good right, one might suspect and call the precursor of Antichrist” — Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy. Note: Alexander of Alexandria calls the Arian teaching an apostasy and a precursor of Antichrist. [2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.31. Pseudo-Hippolytus: Apostles on many antichrists
“John the theologian, and the beloved of Christ, in harmony with him, cries, "The children of the devil are manifest; and even now are there many antichrists; but go not after them. Believe not every spirit, because many false prophets are gone out into the world."” — Pseudo-Hippolytus, Dubious and Spurious Pieces Attributed to Hippolytus. Note: The author gathers apostolic warnings: Peter, John and Jude on last-days scoffers, false teachers, and many antichrists. [1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:1; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 18]
11.32. Pseudo-Hippolytus: Corruption of church before the end
“The temples of God will be like houses, and there will be overturnings of the churches everywhere.The Scriptures will be despised, and everywhere they will sing the songs of the adversary. … And, on the whole, from among those who profess to be Christians will rise up then false prophets, false apostles, impostors … The shepherds will be like wolves; the priests will embrace falsehood; the monks will lust after the things of the world” — Pseudo-Hippolytus, Dubious and Spurious Pieces Attributed to Hippolytus. Note: Before the end, even among professing Christians there will be false prophets, wolfish shepherds, worldly clergy and monks, despised Scriptures and ruined churches. [Matthew 24:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:1-5]
11.33. Revelation of John (apocryphal): Holy things removed from the earth
“Then will I send forth mine angels over the face of all the earth, and they shall lift off the earth everything honourable, and everything precious, and the venerable and holy images, and the glorious and precious crosses, and the sacred vessels of the churches, and the divine and sacred books” — Revelation of John (apocryphal), Revelation of John. Note: Before Antichrist's reign, angels remove holy things, including crosses, church vessels and sacred books, from the earth. [1 Thessalonians 4:17]
11.34. Hilary of Poitiers: Church worn by his spirit
“But Christ coming in the end shall find His Church wearied, and tossed by the spirit of Anti-Christ, and by the troubles of the world. And because by their long experience of Anti-Christ they will be troubled at every novelty of trial, they shall have fear even at the approach of the Lord, suspecting deceitful appearances.” — Hilary of Poitiers, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 2 (chapters 11–21) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Hilary says Christ will find the Church wearied and tossed by Antichrist's spirit and so fearful of deceit that it fears even His approach. [Matthew 14:25-26]
11.35. Athanasius of Alexandria: Arian apostasy a forerunner
“certain lawless men, enemies of Christ, teaching an apostasy, which one may justly suspect and designate as a forerunner of Antichrist” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Deposition of Arius. Note: In the deposition letter, Alexander's circular (in Athanasius's collection) calls the Arian teaching an apostasy and a forerunner of Antichrist. [2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.36. Athanasius of Alexandria: Nearer to Antichrist than earlier heresies
“have justified the other in comparison of themselves, as approaching nearer to Antichrist. Wherefore they have been excommunicated and anathematized by the Church. We grieve for their destruction, and especially because, having once been instructed in the doctrines of the Church, they have now sprung away. Yet we are not greatly surprised, for Hymenaeus and Philetus did the same, and before them Judas, who followed the Saviour, but afterwards became a traitor and an apostate. And concerning these same persons, we have not been left without instruction; for our Lord has forewarned us; "Take heed lest any man deceive you … While Paul, who was taught these things by our Saviour, wrote that "in the latter times some shall depart from the sound faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, which reject the truth” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Deposition of Arius. Note: The Arians are said to approach nearer to Antichrist than earlier heresies; the author cites Christ's warning about many coming in His name and Paul on departing from the faith. [Matthew 24:4-5; 1 Timothy 4:1]
11.37. Athanasius of Alexandria: Last heresy, harbinger of Antichrist
“one heresy, and that the last, which has now risen as harbinger of Antichrist, the Arian, as it is called” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Four Discourses Against the Arians. Note: Athanasius calls Arianism the last heresy and the harbinger of Antichrist, arraying itself in Scripture language to deceive. [1 John 2:19]
11.38. Athanasius of Alexandria: Arianism called antichristian
“condemned the Antichristian heresy, and all avoid it, as they would a serpent” — Athanasius of Alexandria, History of the Arians. Note: Athanasius says the people in every Church, keeping the faith they had learnt, condemned the Arian heresy as antichristian and avoided it as a serpent.
11.39. Athanasius of Alexandria: A prelude to Antichrist's coming
“It is not simply persecution, but more than persecution, it is a prelude and preparation for the coming of Antichrist.” — Athanasius of Alexandria, History of the Arians. Note: Giving churches to heretics goes beyond persecution: Athanasius calls it a prelude and preparation for the coming of Antichrist.
11.40. Athanasius of Alexandria: The devil prepares Egypt for Antichrist
“in order that when his herald Antichrist shall come, he may find that the Churches in Egypt also are his own” — Athanasius of Alexandria, History of the Arians. Note: Athanasius says the devil stirs up Arians so that when his herald Antichrist comes he will find the Egyptian churches and the Meletians already his own.
11.41. Athanasius of Alexandria: Meletians prepare Antichrist's way
“For behold, `they have not spared Thy servants, but are preparing the way for Antichrist.' For the Meletians will never resist him, nor will they care for the truth, nor will they esteem it an evil thing to deny Christ” — Athanasius of Alexandria, History of the Arians. Note: The Meletians are said to prepare the way for Antichrist, whom they will not resist, and to deny Christ readily. [Psalm 79; Matthew 24]
11.42. Athanasius of Alexandria: Persecutors called Antichrists
“For although the forerunners of Antichrist have by the power of this world done everything to put out the lantern of truth, yet the Deity by your confession shews its light all the clearer, so that none can fail to see their deceit. Heretofore perhaps they were able to dissimulate: now they are called Antichrists” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Letters of Athanasius. Note: Writing to Lucifer of Cagliari, Athanasius calls the Arian persecutors forerunners of Antichrist who can now openly be called Antichrists.
11.43. Athanasius of Alexandria: Antony: Arianism forerunner of Antichrist
“he denounced the Arians, saying that their heresy was the last of all and a forerunner of Antichrist” — Athanasius of Alexandria, Life of Antony. Note: Athanasius says Antony came down from the mountain to Alexandria and denounced Arianism as the last heresy and a forerunner of Antichrist.
11.44. Basil of Caesarea: Is this the falling away?
“Has the last hour come, and is "the falling away" thus coming upon us, that now the lawless one "may be revealed the son of perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God and is worshipped"? … Brothers, martyrs' crowns await you.” — Basil of Caesarea, Letters (part 1 of 2). Note: Basil wonders in a time of trial whether the falling away has come and the lawless one is about to be revealed, and urges the afflicted to endure and await Christ. [2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 10:13]
11.45. Basil of Caesarea: Perhaps the approach of Antichrist
“unless indeed the apostasy is now nigh at hand, and the events that have lately happened are the beginnings of the approach of Antichrist” — Basil of Caesarea, Letters (part 2 of 2). Note: Basil tells exiled Bishop Barses the troubles may be only temporary, like Israel's captivity, unless the apostasy is nigh and these events begin Antichrist's approach; then pray to be preserved unvanquished.
11.46. Apostolic Constitutions: Heretics are false christs and prophets
“For these are false Christs, and false prophets, and false apostles, deceivers and corrupters, portions of foxes, the destroyers of the herbs of the vineyards” — Apostolic Constitutions, Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book 6. Note: The Constitutions label heretics who war against Christ under the name of Christ and Moses as false christs and prophets. [Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:24]
11.47. Apostolic Constitutions: Heretics multiply as the end nears
“when the end of the world draws nigh, will be more in number and more troublesome, of whom said the Lord, "Will the Son of man, when He comes, find faith on the earth? " and, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” — Apostolic Constitutions, Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book 6. Note: As the world's end nears, heretics grow more numerous, in line with the Lord's words about waning faith and love. [Luke 18:8; Matthew 24:12; Matthew 24:24]
11.48. Cyril of Jerusalem: The falling away is now
“Thus wrote Paul, and now is the falling away. For men have fallen away from the right faith ; and some preach the identity of the Son with the Father , and others dare to say that Christ was brought into being out of nothing . And formerly the heretics were manifest; but now the Church is filled with heretics in disguise … This therefore is the falling away, and the enemy is soon to be looked for: and meanwhile he has in part begun to send forth his own forerunners , that he may then come prepared upon the prey. Look therefore to thyself, O man, and make safe thy soul. The Church now charges thee before the Living God; she declares to thee the things concerning Antichrist before they arrive” — Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures. Note: Cyril says the falling away is already present in heresy and itching ears; the enemy has begun to send forerunners, and the Church warns of Antichrist beforehand. [2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:3]
11.49. Cyril of Jerusalem: Bishops against bishops foretold
“If thou hear that bishops advance against bishops, and clergy against clergy, and laity against laity even unto blood, be not troubled ; for it has been written before” — Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures. Note: Strife among bishops, clergy and laity, even unto blood, is a foretold sign and should not trouble the believer. [Matthew 24:10-12]
11.50. Optatus of Milevis: Schismatics are antichrists
“who it is that lies under the judgement of John, the Apostle, when he declared that many Anti-Christs should go forth without, 'because they were not of us, for if they had been of us they would have remained with us.' Therefore, he who was unwilling to remain with his brethren in unity has followed the heretics, and gone forth without, as an Anti-Christ.” — Optatus of Milevis, Against the Donatists. Note: Optatus applies John's 'many antichrists' who went out because they were not of us to the Donatists, who left the unity of the Church. [1 John 2:18-19]
11.51. Tyconius: Tyconius: plagues as power to persecute
“Thus far under the name of plagues is described the final persecution, which Tyconius wants to be understood all oppositely. A plague, he says, is incurable, and a great wrath to receive the power of sinning especially against the saints” — Tyconius, Commentary on Revelation (quoted by The Venerable Bede). Note: Bede reports Tyconius's opposite reading of the bowls: the 'plague' is the incurable wrath of being given power to sin against the saints, while the Church's humiliation is her glory. [Revelation 16:1-21]
11.52. Gregory of Nyssa: Eunomianism a prelude of Antichrist
“Do ye not yet consider that this preaching of godlessness has been set on foot by the devil as a rehearsal, preparation, and prelude of the coming of Antichrist?” — Gregory of Nyssa, Against Eunomius (part 2 of 2). Note: Gregory of Nyssa says Eunomius's doctrine was set on foot by the devil as a rehearsal and prelude of Antichrist's coming, since he exalts his words above Christ's. [2 Thessalonians 2:4]
11.53. Ambrose of Milan: Heretics (the Arians) are Antichrists
“John, likewise, saith that heretics are Antichrists, plainly marking out the Arians. For this [Arian] heresy began to be after all other heresies, and hath gathered the poisons of all. As it is written of theAntichrist, that "he opened his mouth to blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His Name, and to make war with His saints," so do they also dishonour the Son of God, and His martyrs have they not spared. Moreover, that which perchance Antichrist will not do, they have falsified the holy Scriptures” — Ambrose of Milan, Exposition of the Christian Faith. Note: Ambrose says John calls heretics Antichrists, plainly marking the Arians, whose heresy gathered all earlier poisons and who, like the beast, blasphemed and made war on saints. [1 John 2:18; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 13:6]
11.54. Ambrose of Milan: Third: Arius, Sabellius
“There is also a third Antichrist, as Arius and Sabellius and all who with evil purpose lead us astray.” — Ambrose of Milan, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Luke, part 2 (chapters 11–24) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Ambrose names a third Antichrist: Arius, Sabellius and all who deliberately lead the faithful astray. [Luke 21:20; 1 John 2:18]
11.55. Pseudo-Ignatius: Rejecting the incarnation is antichrist
“And he that rejects the incarnation, and is ashamed of the cross for which I am in bonds, this man is antichrist.” — Pseudo-Ignatius, Spurious Letters Ascribed to Ignatius. Note: Whoever rejects the incarnation or is ashamed of the cross is called antichrist. [1 John 4:3]
11.56. Macarius Magnes: Manes, Montanus, Marcion as antichrists
“as these are Anti-christs, or contrary to God, their followers are no longer willing to bear the name of Christian, but like to be called, after the name of their leaders, Manichaeans, Montanists, Marcionists, Droserians, and Dositheans. Do you see the baneful armies of many Antichrists terribly inflamed against Christ and the Christians” — Macarius Magnes, Apocriticus. Note: Macarius names Manes, Montanus, Marcion and others as many Antichrists, fulfilling the Saviour's warning. [Matthew 24:5; 1 John 2:18]
11.57. John Chrysostom: Error beside truth from the beginning
“the devil always setting up error by the side of truth. God from the beginning promised good, the devil came too with a promise. God planted Paradise, the devil deceived, saying, "Ye shall be as gods." (Gen. iii. 5.) For as he could show nothing in actions, he made the more promises in words. Such is the character of deceivers. After this were Cain and Abel, then the sons of Seth and the daughters of men; afterwards Ham and Japhet, Abraham and Pharaoh, Jacob and Esau; and so it is even to the end, Moses and the magicians, the Prophets and the false prophets, the Apostles and the false apostles, Christ and Antichrist … In short, there was no time when falsehood was not set up in opposition to truth. Let us not therefore be distressed. That it would be so, was foretold from the beginning” — John Chrysostom, Homilies on 2 Timothy. Note: Heresy is nothing new: the devil always sets error beside truth, down to Christ and Antichrist, so believers should not be distressed. [2 Timothy 3:1]
11.58. Jerome: Heretics put Antichrist for Christ
“These people take the text in the sense of their heresy, to see an Antichrist in the place of Christ” — Jerome, Commentary on Jonah. Note: Commenting on Jonah 2, Jerome says certain heretics read the text in their own sense, putting an Antichrist in the place of Christ and seizing the Churches.
11.59. Jerome: Not of Christ means of Antichrist
“He that gathers not with you scatters; [Matt. 12:30] he that is not of Christ is of Antichrist.” — Jerome, Letters (part 1 of 3). Note: Writing to Pope Damasus, Jerome says whoever is not gathered with Rome's communion is not of Christ and therefore of Antichrist. [Matthew 12:30]
11.60. Jerome: Antichrist's disciple governs the Church
“O misery! Antichrist's disciple governs the Church of Christ.” — Jerome, The Dialogue Against the Luciferians. Note: In the dialogue, a speaker laments that when the bishop teaches error, an 'Antichrist's disciple' governs the Church of Christ.
11.61. Jerome: Sects are the synagogue of Antichrist
“you may be sure that you have there not the Church of Christ, but the synagogue of Antichrist” — Jerome, The Dialogue Against the Luciferians. Note: Jerome's orthodox speaker says groups named after someone other than Christ, such as Marcionites or Valentinians, are the synagogue of Antichrist, because they arose after the Church's foundation. [2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.62. Jerome: Luciferian: 'synagogue of Antichrist'
“it ought more correctly to be called the synagogue of AntiChrist than the Church of Christ” — Jerome, The Dialogue Against the Luciferians. Note: The Luciferian speaker in Jerome's dialogue charges that a church accepting Arian bishops should be called the synagogue of Antichrist; Jerome gives this as his opponent's claim.
11.63. Palladius of Galatia: Is the falling away beginning?
“Can it be that it is the last hour, and the falling away of which Paul speaks is being ushered in by these events, "that the son of perdition, who opposeth, may be revealed"?” — Palladius of Galatia, Dialogue on the life of St. John Chrysostom. Note: In Palladius's dialogue a deacon wonders, amid the persecution of Chrysostom's supporters, whether the falling away of 2 Thessalonians is beginning and the son of perdition near. [2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.64. Augustine of Hippo: Faith on earth: perfect faith rare
“Our Lord speaks this of perfect faith, which is seldom found on earth. See how full the Church of God is; were there no faith, who would enter it? Were there perfect faith, who would not move mountains?” — Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Luke, part 2 (chapters 11–24) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Augustine reads 'shall he find faith on earth?' as concerning perfect faith, which is rare, not the absence of the Church's faith. [Luke 18:8]
11.65. Augustine of Hippo: Stars fall: believers give way
“Then shall the stars fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken, because many, who seemed to be shining in God's grace, shall give way to their persecutors, and shall fall, and even the stoutest believers shall be shaken.” — Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 3 (chapters 22–28) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Augustine reads the falling stars as many apparently graced believers falling under persecution, even the stoutest being shaken. [Matthew 24:29; 2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.66. Augustine of Hippo: All who leave the Church are antichrists
“Certainly all who go out from the Church, and are cut off from the unity of the Church, are antichrists; let no man doubt it” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine asserts that all who go out from the Church and are cut off from its unity are antichrists, and goes on to argue the point with the Donatists. [1 John 2:18-19]
11.67. Augustine of Hippo: Arians, Eunomians, Novatians as antichrists
“Ask the Arians: they confess "that Jesus Christ came in the flesh: ask the Eunomians; they confess "that Jesus Christ came in the flesh: ask the Macedonians; they confess "that Jesus Christ came in the flesh: put the questionto the Cataphryges; they confess "that JesusChrist came in the flesh: put it to the Novatians; they confess "that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Then have all these heresies the Spirit of God? Are they then no false prophets? Is there then no deception there, no seduction there? Assuredly they are antichrists; for "they went out from us, but were not of us."” — Augustine of Hippo, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John. Note: Augustine notes that Arians, Eunomians, Macedonians, Cataphrygians and Novatians all confess Christ come in the flesh, yet he calls them antichrists because they went out from the Church. [1 John 4:2-3]
11.68. Augustine of Hippo: Legislator = Antichrist's tyranny
“Or, if you will, you may take the legislator in S. Augustine's sense, as referring to Antichrist; that since man has so far forsaken GOD and so resolutely persisted in his "We will not have this man to reign over us," such continued rejection of the King of Peace shall be followed by the tyranny of Antichrist.” — Augustine of Hippo, A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 1 (Psalms 1–38) (part 1 of 2) (quoted by Neale and Littledale (Commentary on the Psalms)); scanned text. Note: Neale and Littledale give Augustine's reading of the Vulgate 'legislator' as Antichrist: persistent rejection of the King of Peace will be followed by his tyranny. [Psalm 9:20]
11.69. John Cassian: Spirit of Antichrist
“"Every spirit," he says, "which confesseth Jesus come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that dissolveth Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of Antichrist, of whom you have heard already, and he is now already in the world. … Do you recognize him, O you heretic? Do you recognize that it is plainly and markedly spoken of you?” — John Cassian, The Seven Books on the Incarnation of the Lord,. Note: Cassian, writing against Nestorius, applies John's 'spirit of Antichrist', which dissolves Jesus, to the heretic who does not confess that Jesus is God. [1 John 4:3]
11.70. Socrates Scholasticus: Alexander's letter: forerunner of Antichrist
“lawless and anti-christian men, teaching apostasy such as one may justly consider and denominate the forerunner of Antichrist” — Socrates Scholasticus, The Ecclesiastical History. Note: Socrates reproduces Alexander of Alexandria's letter calling Arius and his supporters lawless anti-christian men whose apostasy is the forerunner of Antichrist. [2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.71. Apocalypse of Sedrach: Impenitent perish with Antichrist
““Peccatores enim non salvantur,” for their hearts are like rotten stone: these are they who walk in impious ways and who shall be destroyed with Antichrist.” — Apocalypse of Sedrach, The Apocalypse of Sedrach. Note: In this Apocalypse the Lord says that sinners who walk in impious ways and do not repent will perish together with Antichrist; Sedrach pleads for mercy for them. [Luke 5:32; 2 Thessalonians 2:8]
11.72. Leo the Great: The Tome: dissolving Jesus is Antichrist
“and every spirit which dissolveth Jesus is not of God, and this is Antichrist. Now what is to dissolve Jesus, but to separate the human nature from him” — Leo the Great, The Tome of St. Leo. Note: The Tome of Leo, accepted at Chalcedon, cites John to say that dissolving Jesus, by separating His human nature from Him, is the spirit of Antichrist. [1 John 4:3]
11.73. Testament of Our Lord: Shepherds deny Christ, trust a corruptible king
“But the time shall come when some of them will deny Me, and will stir up confusions in the earth, and put their trust in a corruptible king. But they who in My Name endure unto the end shall be saved.” — Testament of Our Lord, The Testament of Our Lord (Cooper and Maclean translation); scanned text. Note: Among the evil shepherds some will deny Christ and trust a corruptible king, while those who endure are saved. [Matthew 24:10-13]
11.74. Theodoret of Cyrus: Denying Christ's flesh is the spirit of Anti-Christ
“But that you may know that they who deny the flesh of the Saviour are of the opposite spirit, hear the great John in his Catholic Epistle saying "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God, and this is that spirit of Anti-Christ.” — Theodoret of Cyrus, Dialogues. Note: In the Eranistes, Theodoret's Orthodox cites John to show that those who deny Christ's flesh have the spirit of Anti-Christ. [1 John 4:2-3]
11.75. Leo the Great: Eutyches' denial of Christ's flesh is Antichrist
“Nor has he any fear of the blessed apostle and evangelist John's declaration when he says, "every spirit which confesses Jesus Christ to have come in the flesh, is of God: and every spirit which destroys Jesus is not of God, and this is Antichrist . But what is "to destroy Jesus," except to take away the human nature from Him” — Leo the Great, Letters. Note: In the Tome to Flavian, Leo applies John's 'this is Antichrist' to Eutyches' denial of Christ's human nature, saying to 'destroy Jesus' means taking His nature away. [1 John 4:2-3]
11.76. Leo the Great: Eutyches and Nestorius promote Antichrist
“(Condemning the Latrocinium and maintaining that Eutyches equally with Nestorius promotes the cause of Antichrist.)” — Leo the Great, Letters. Note: The heading to Leo's letter 75 states that Eutyches, like Nestorius, advances the cause of Antichrist.
11.77. Leo the Great: 'Abomination of antichrist' on Alexandria's throne
“in preventing the abomination of antichrist any longer occupying the throne of the blessed Fathers” — Leo the Great, Letters. Note: Leo congratulates Timothy on his election at Alexandria, saying the emperor has prevented the 'abomination of antichrist' from still occupying the throne of the Fathers, meaning the heretic predecessor.
11.78. Anonymous of Cyzicus: Arianism as forerunner of Antichrist
“lawless men, enemies of Christ, have come forward and are teaching an apostasy which one might reasonably suspect to be the forerunner of the Antichrist” — Anonymous of Cyzicus, Ecclesiastical History of the Council of Nicaea. Note: In this Nicaea history, Alexander's letter calls the Arian teaching an apostasy that one might reasonably suspect to be the forerunner of the Antichrist. [2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.79. Joshua the Stylite: Disasters are chastisement, not the end
“From these words then of our Lord and of His Apostle we understood that these things did not happen to us because it was the latter time, but that they took place for our chastisement, because our sins were great.” — Joshua the Stylite, Chronicle composed in Syriac in A.D.507. Note: He concludes that the calamities of 502-3 were God's chastisement for sin, not proof that the last time had come. [Matthew 24:6-7]
11.80. Pseudo-Zachariah of Mitylene: Leo calls Timothy Antichrist
“And they censured the consecration of Timothy, whom Leo, … the bishop of Rome, even named "the Antichrist."” — Pseudo-Zachariah of Mitylene, The Syriac Chronicle. Note: In the Chalcedonian dispute the bishops report that Leo of Rome called Timothy (Aelurus) 'the Antichrist'. [1 John 2:18]
11.81. Gregory the Great: Signs fulfilled; the end near
“Of all these things, we certainly see some already accomplished, and we dread others as soon to come. For we see nation rising against nation and their pressure bearing down upon the lands more in our own times than we read of in books. How often we have heard from other parts of the world that earthquakes have destroyed countless cities, you well know. We suffer pestilences without ceasing. Signs in the sun, and moon, and stars we do not yet see openly, but that these too are not far off we gather from the very changes in the atmosphere.” — Gregory the Great, 40 Homilies on the Gospels. Note: In a homily on Luke 21, Gregory says many of the predicted signs, such as wars, earthquakes and pestilences, are already fulfilled, and the remaining ones are not far off. [Luke 21:10-11,25]
11.82. Gregory the Great: Some who seem to shine fall away
“Now a portion of the stars is drawn by the dragon's tail, in that, in the last efforts of Antichrist to win men, some that appear to shine will be carried off.” — Gregory the Great, Morals on the Book of Job (part 1 of 5). Note: Gregory reads the dragon's tail drawing a third of the stars as showing that in Antichrist's last efforts some who seem to shine will be carried off. [Revelation 12:4]
11.83. Coptic Martyrdoms and Lives: Day comes suddenly; be prepared
“Let us be afraid lest that day come upon us suddenly (or, unexpectedly), and we are found to be naked, and in a miserable state. For it shall come suddenly, and we shall not know how to repent” — Coptic Martyrdoms and Lives, Coptic Martyrdoms and Lives in the Dialect of Upper Egypt (Budge translation); scanned text. Note: The monk's exhortation warns that the day will come unexpectedly and leave no time to repent. [Matthew 24:38-39]
11.84. Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun: Oppression due to Christians' sins
“Their actions, of which you are witnesses, are because of the sins committed by my people, because they have rejected my commands and my ordinances in order to resemble this nation.” — Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun, The Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun. Note: Christ tells the martyrs the Arab oppression results from His people's sins in imitating the oppressors. [Daniel 12:7]
11.85. Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun: Endure to the end; many deny
“he who accepts the correction of the Lord with thanks and patience, when it happens to him because of Christ, will be saved according to the word of the holy Gospel: "He who perseveres until the end will be saved. As for he who is impatient and doubts, woe to him forever. Indeed, many of the Christians in that time will disavow Christ because of the short time [of trial] which will pass away.” — Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun, The Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun. Note: Endurance with thanks will save; many Christians will deny Christ during the Ishmaelite affliction. [Matthew 24:13]
11.86. Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun: Apostasy through lack of teachers
“Some will disavow Him because of the difficulties which they will have and because (f. 28 v. they will not find anybody to instruct them nor to comfort them in their sorrows” — Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun, The Apocalypse of Samuel of Kalamoun. Note: Some will deny Christ for lack of teachers and comforters; others through fashion, pleasure and idleness. [Matthew 24:12]
11.87. Coptic Apocalypse of Daniel: Godless last king
“He is without decency and he will forget the fear of God. He will not remember the law of Ishmael his father, nor of his mother, who is Roman; he will be arrogant, continuously drunk” — Coptic Apocalypse of Daniel, The Coptic Apocalypse of Daniel. Note: The last Ishmaelite ruler is portrayed as godless, arrogant and drunken, forgetting the law of both parents.
11.88. Bede: Few elect at His coming
“When the Almighty Creator shall appear in the form of the Son of man, so scarce will the elect be, that not so much the cries of the faithful as the torpor of the others will hasten the world's fall.” — Bede, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Luke, part 2 (chapters 11–24) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Bede says the elect will be so few at Christ's appearing that the indifference of others will hasten the world's fall. [Luke 18:8]
11.89. Bede: Heretics and bad Catholics as antichrists
“He calls heretics Antichrists; but also those who, by perverse actions, destroy the Catholic faith which they profess, are rightly called Antichrists, that is, contrary to Christ; who all bear witness to that great Antichrist who will come at the end of the age, as to their head. … although this one only harassed the Church with foul tongues, that one will torment with fierce swords.” — Bede, Bede's Commentary on the Catholic Epistles. Note: Bede says heretics and perverse professing Catholics are antichrists who witness to the great final Antichrist as their head; their persecution resembles the last, but with tongues, not swords. [1 John 2:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7]
11.90. Bede: John's 'Antichrists' are heretics
“John wrote his Epistles and the Gospel much later, who, after the Lord's assassination, returned from exile and found the Church troubled by heretics in his absence, whom he often names Antichrists in his Epistles.” — Bede, Bede's Commentary on the Catholic Epistles. Note: Bede explains that John wrote his Epistles after returning from exile to find the Church troubled by heretics, whom he often names Antichrists. [1 John 2:18]
11.91. Bede: Cast alive into the lake of fire
“This seems to indicate that the devil and the Antichrist will be punished with a greater penalty than other humans or demons … Whether you understand the Antichrist as the false prophet or heretics” — Bede, Commentary on Revelation. Note: Bede says that being cast alive into the lake of fire indicates a greater penalty for the devil and Antichrist than for others, and allows that the false prophet may mean heretics. [Revelation 19:20]
11.92. Bede: Final persecution: stars fall, Church hides
“when the ministers of Antichrist are allowed to attack the servants of Christ. [Revelation 6:12] -- And the whole moon became like blood. The Church will shed blood for Christ more than usual. … Those who shine outwardly in the Church, driven by the wind of the final persecution, will be shown to have been earthly.” — Bede, Commentary on Revelation. Note: Bede reads the sixth seal as the ministers of Antichrist attacking Christ's servants: bloodshed, nominal Christians shown to be earthly, and the Church retreating discreetly out of sight. [Revelation 6:12-14]
11.93. Bede: Heretics precede open war of Antichrist
“the fifth, the greater infestation of heretics preceding the time of the Antichrist; the sixth, the open war of the Antichrist and his followers against the Church” — Bede, Commentary on Revelation. Note: Bede reads the fifth trumpet as a greater infestation of heretics before Antichrist's time and the sixth as the open war of Antichrist and his followers on the Church. [Revelation 8:2-13]
11.94. Remigius: False brethren are Antichrists
“As the capture of Jerusalem approached, many rose up, calling themselves Christians, and deceived many; such Paul calls false brethren, John Antichrists.” — Remigius, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 3 (chapters 22–28) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Remigius says the false brethren Paul names are the Antichrists of John, who arose before Jerusalem's capture. [Matthew 24:10-11; 1 John 2:18]
11.95. Remigius: Many depart; he sends false prophets
“But the whole passage might be referred to the end of the world. For then shall many be offended, and depart from the faith, when they see the numbers and wealth of the wicked, and the miracles of Antichrist, and they shall persecute their brethren; and Antichrist shall send false Prophets, who shall deceive many” — Remigius, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 3 (chapters 22–28) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Remigius refers the passage to the end of the world: many will leave the faith at the sight of the wicked and of Antichrist's miracles, and he will send false prophets. [Matthew 24:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.96. Theophylact: Dwelling-place of every sin
“For when Antichrist has come, then shall men become wanton, given up to abominable vices, as the Apostle says, Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. For if Antichrist is the dwelling-place of every sin, what else will he then implant in the miserable race of men, but what belongs to himself.” — Theophylact, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Luke, part 2 (chapters 11–24) (quoted by Thomas Aquinas); scanned text. Note: Theophylact says that under Antichrist, the dwelling-place of every sin, men will grow wanton and given to vice, as in the days of Noah and Lot. [Luke 17:26-29; 2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.97. Anselm: Persecutor with miracles, martyr none
“That fearful persecution of Antichrist, when, if it were possible, the very elect should fall away,—that terrible trial of faith when, as S. Anselm says, the persecutor shall glitter with miracles, and the Martyr shall perform none” — Anselm, A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 1 (Psalms 1–38) (part 1 of 2) (quoted by Neale and Littledale (Commentary on the Psalms)); scanned text. Note: Neale and Littledale, citing Anselm, say Antichrist's persecution will be a trial when the persecutor glitters with miracles and the martyr performs none. [Psalm 10:13; Matthew 24:24]
11.98. Solomon of Basra: Mass apostasy under Ishmael
“The feeble will deny the true faith, the holy Cross, and the life-giving mysteries; and without compulsion many will deny Christ, and become rebels and slanderers and boasters, denying the faith.” — Solomon of Basra, The Book of the Bee (Budge translation); scanned text. Note: Under the Ishmaelite oppression many Christians will apostatise, some without compulsion.
11.99. Solomon of Basra: Clergy dishonoured
“Honour shall be taken away from the priests, and the pastors shall become as the people.” — Solomon of Basra, The Book of the Bee (Budge translation); scanned text. Note: The clergy will lose their honour and become indistinguishable from the laity in these last days.
11.100. Thomas Aquinas: Antichrist the last great winnowing
“And first the Jews winnowed it, then the Gentiles, now the heretics, and after a time shall Antichrist thoroughly winnow it. For as when the blast is gentle, only the lighter chaff is carried off, but the heavier remains; so a slight wind of temptation carries off the worst characters only; but should a greater storm arise, even those who seem stedfast will depart.” — Thomas Aquinas, Catena Aurea: Commentary on St. Matthew, part 1 (chapters 1–10); scanned text. Note: An anonymous comment says the Church has been sifted by Jews, Gentiles and heretics, and Antichrist will winnow it most thoroughly, so that even seeming steadfast ones depart. [Matthew 3:12]
11.101. Neale and Littledale (compilers): Church dreads the great apostasy
“Again ; it is the prayer of the Church, looking forward to the great apostasy of the latter days, and dreading lest her love, waxing cold, should expose her to yet more terrible losses” — Neale and Littledale (compilers), A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 2 (Psalms 39–80) (part 2 of 2); scanned text. Note: The compilers read the aged Church's prayer as looking toward the great apostasy of the latter days, fearing her love may grow cold. [Psalm 71:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:3]
11.102. Neale and Littledale (compilers): He uses learning and literal Scripture
“The various reading is said by another to apply to the Church of the last days, resisting the wiles of Antichrist, who will bring to bear all worldly learning, and even a bare literal rendering of Holy Writ, to aid his cause.” — Neale and Littledale (compilers), A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 2 (Psalms 39–80) (part 2 of 2); scanned text. Note: Neale and Littledale cite one commentator who applies a variant reading of the psalm to the Church of the last days resisting Antichrist, who will use worldly learning and bare literal Scripture. [Psalm 71:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9]
11.103. Neale and Littledale (compilers): Every age thinks it near the end
“They take it of the coming of Antichrist in the last times, when the faith of the Church has become weak, and from Augustine in the fifth century to Parez in the fifteenth, each accounts his own days as near the end, and finds all the marks of decrepitude in the belief and lives of Christians” — Neale and Littledale (compilers), A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 2 (Psalms 39–80) (part 2 of 2); scanned text. Note: The compilers say commentators read 'forsake me not in mine old age' of Antichrist's coming, with each age from Augustine to Parez judging itself near the end amid weakened faith. [Psalm 71:18]
11.104. Neale and Littledale (compilers): Church's seven ages to Antichrist
“They see in it the pilgrimage of the Church from the days of Adam to those of Antichrist, counting the seven ages of man's estate in this wise.” — Neale and Littledale (compilers), A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 2 (Psalms 39–80) (part 2 of 2); scanned text. Note: The compilers say the Fathers read Psalm 71 as the pilgrimage of the Church from Adam to Antichrist, in seven ages of a human life. [Psalm 71:1]
11.105. Neale and Littledale (compilers): Church reduced to few in his days
“which sometimes, as in the days of Arian success, have reduced the Church to a few, and will do so again in the last days, during the manifestation of Antichrist.” — Neale and Littledale (compilers), A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 3 (Psalms 81–118) (part 2 of 2); scanned text. Note: The compilers say heresy and schism have at times reduced the Church to few, as under Arian success, and will again during Antichrist's manifestation. [Psalm 107:39-40]
11.106. Neale and Littledale (compilers): Great destroying of God's law
“And that night is foreshadowed here, looking forward to that great destroying of GOD's law which shall be in the time of Antichrist, when, above all other times that the Church has known, she will need to make this prayer.” — Neale and Littledale (compilers), A Commentary on the Psalms from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers, volume 4 (Psalms 119–150) (part 1 of 2); scanned text. Note: The compilers say 'It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand' looks ahead to the great destroying of God's law under Antichrist, when the Church most needs this prayer. [Psalm 119:126; John 9:4]