Page 20 - BV9

The fact that John especially mentioned a prominent false doctrine of that time -- the teach-
ing that Yeshua had pre-existed before his birth -- does not infer that Antichrist would be limited
in his denial to the same doctrines that those apostates held. Neither those who hold the futurist
view or those who hold the fulfilled view, limit the errors of Antichrist to this one point of
doctrine.

The Meaning of "Antichrist"

Some suppose John's use of the word "antichrist" simply means a person against Christ.
But millions of people have been against Christ. Paul, before his conversion, was against Christ
or Yeshua. Jews, pagans, and members of non-Christian religions in varying degrees have all been
against Yeshua. However, if John used the word "antichrists" concerning people who professed to
be Christians -- but who were against Yeshua because of their false doctrines -- we have a very
specific point of identification! Since these "antichrists" were a type of the Antichrist to come,
there is a very strong inference indeed that Antichrist would profess to be a Christian, supposedly
for Yeshua, yet actually against him because of false doctrine.

It is a well-established fact that the word "antichrist" can mean one of the following: (1)
Against (in opposition) to Christ, (2) instead of (in the place of) Christ, or (3) both meanings.
States Edward Elliot in Horae Apocalyticae: "When anti is compounded with the noun signifying
an agent of any kind, or functionary, the compound word either signifies a vice-functionary, or a
functionary of the same kind opposing, or sometimes both" (Vol. 1, pps. 67, 68).

A good example of the word having both meanings can be found within the terminology of
the Roman Catholic Church itself. At times in Catholic history two men at one time have claimed
to be pope. The one who was considered to be a hostile, self-substituted, usurping pope, was
called an "antipope." Such a "pope" positioned himself in place of the Pope, as the pope, but was,
as such, against the Pope -- thus an "antipope." For a man, then, to claim to be the head of the
Church, in place of Christ, what is this but to be, in reality, against Christ -- or ANTICHRIST?
The very reason for this is quite simple: In Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; and Colossians 1:18
CHRIST (Yeshua) alone is the head of the Church!

In an interesting aside to this, the very title which the Pope of Rome bears -- "Vicar of
Christ" -- can only be turned into Greek as "Antichristos" -- that is, the Vice-christ, substitute
Christ, or Antichrist! Therefore, the popes have claimed to themselves a title which is the equiva-
lent of the word coined by the apostle John!

Just like the "antichrists" of whom John wrote, so also have the Popes DENIED YESHUA
by promoting false doctrines that cause men to stray from the faith once delivered. They have even
dared to oppose Yeshua by teaching things that are the exact opposite of what Yeshua and the
apostles taught!

The Counter Interpretation

Hundreds of books have been written in the contest between Catholics and Protestants. So
great was the uproar that in 1516 the Fifth Lateran Council rose up FORBIDDING anyone to write
20