We will let the Reformers of the Reformation speak on this topic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWe here are of the conviction that the papacy is the seat of the true and real Antichrist.<\/p>\nMartin Luther<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\nSome 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\u2026 I shall briefly show that (Paul\u2019s words in II Thess. 2) are not capable of any other interpretation than that which applies them to the Papacy.<\/p>\nJohn Calvin<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\nThe papacy is\u2026.the very antichrist, and son of perdition, of whom Paul speaks.<\/p>\nJohn Knox<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\nHe 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\u2026 He it is\u2026that exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped\u2026claiming the highest power, and highest honour\u2026claiming the prerogatives which belong to God alone.<\/p>\nJohn Wesley<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\nIt is the bounden duty of every Christian to pray against Antichrist, and as to what Antichrist is no sane man ought to raise a question. If it be not the popery in the Church of Rome there is nothing in the world that can be called by that name.<\/p>\nCharles Spurgeon<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The idea of the Pope as the antichrist is not unique to Protestants. In fact, for the 40 years where two rival Popes both called each other antichrist (1378-1417), John Wycliffe humorously pointed out that they were each half right. He wrote that they were \u201ctwo halves of Antichrist, making up the perfect Man of Sin between them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zwingli, who was a Catholic priest before his conversion to Christ, often referred to the Pope as the antichrist. He wrote: \u201cI know that in it works the might and power of the Devil, that is, of the Antichrist\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nLet 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. <\/p>\n2 Thessalonians 2:3,4<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A woman in prophecy typically represents a church. Revelation speaks of a corrupt church that would bring in false teachings and put tradition ahead of God’s Commandments, even changing them such as praying to statues and changing the Sabbath from the 7th Day to the 1st day of the week, and be responsible for the deaths of God’s people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAnd I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.<\/mark><\/p>\nRevelation 17:6<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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The Bible then identifies this church:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAnd here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.<\/mark><\/p>\nRevelation 17:9<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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What church sits on 7 mountains, or hills? Rome. The Catholic church. Rome sits atop seven hills: Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal, and Vimina.\u00a0Google it for yourself…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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