The Antichrist, Part 4
B. But does it not seem a forced construction to suppose Michael to symbolize the “Man of Sin?”
Is not this the same Michael referred to in Daniel 12?
If it is a symbol in one case, is it not in the other?
A. No; the account in Daniel 12 is a literal statement. The resurrection and other matters there mentioned are literal, but not so Rev 12. The woman, dragon, tail, stars, horns, etc., are all symbols, and it would be out of order to have a real Michael fight a symbolic dragon.
However, it seemed puzzling at first to know why this name should be given to Antichrist, but on turning to a dictionary we find that the meaning of the word Michael is – “Who as God.” It is quite remarkable that the meaning should be in such close accord with Paul’s description – “He as God sits in the temple of God,” etc. When the dragon was cast out of heaven (out of the ruling position) it left this one (“Who as God,”) in control, or in the heavens, and from him issues the “loud voice” (great proclamation) of Verses 10-12; that is, Papacy claimed that when it assumed control “the kingdom of God and the power of his anointed,” had come to the world.
They claimed that they had overcome by the blood of the Lamb, their lives and testimonies. “Therefore, rejoice you heavens.” (Let Papacy and all connected therewith rejoice.) “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, etc.” As the church had once been persecuted when Paganism reigned, so now when she reigns, she makes the Pagans and heretics (any who do not support her claims, to) suffer. This, papacy claims as the millennium, during which it broke in pieces the kingdoms with the rod of iron.
B. But it is the dragon that causes the woe, not the church.
A. Remember that the dragon represents Rome, and that the same dragon has various heads. (See Revelation Chapter 17.) Here it had fully taken on its fifth head – Papacy (We of course do not share this original assumption, but refer you to Revelation Chapter 17, Part 16 for more on this). It was the same Rome under a new ruler, or head, and the same power which had previously persecuted the church, – the Empire and its army. Under the new ruler it persecuted pagans and heretics. Remember, therefore, that hereafter the dragon represents the empire or military power, under the control of its ecclesiastical head. This military power must be made use of by its new head, and its force was directed against the woman (the true Church) and against the remnant of her seed [not of the apostasy], which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.” [“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”] These, Waldenses, and etc., doubtless knew from the prophetic word, not only that the “same Jesus” would come again “to be glorified in his saints,” but also that there should “first come a great falling away,” and “That Man of Sin be revealed – the son of perdition,” – before the day of the Lord.
Verse 14 – To the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness [lit., the place deserted] into her place. The two wings are probably the “two witnesses,” – the word, (the New and the Old Testaments)– which now showed the true church from which papacy had sprung, her true condition – ON earth instead of, as at first, above the earth, with the moon under her feet.
These two witnesses assist her, not only to mount upward again, but to return to “the place deserted,” i.e., to a condition of harmony with God, not with the world. She was nourished in this wilderness 1,260 years, or three and a half times, (from A.D. 538 to A.D. 1798.)
Verse 15 – “The dragon (Empire) cast a flood of waters (people – army) after the woman to destroy her, but the earth helped the woman, and etc.” The army was largely made use of in furnishing dissenters, and had it not been that frequent trouble from other sources otherwise occupied it, the army might have exterminated the true church.
Now, brother B., can you see the “Man of Sin?” Has he been revealed?”
B. Yes, yes! It seems very clear and plain. Now, how about his final end?”
A. Paul says: “Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth.” To consume is to waste gradually. The spirit of his mouth is his word. This consuming of Papacy has progressed for some time now, or since God’s word began to be published, (D. 1526) and particularly since 1801, when it “the two (witnesses“) was exalted to heaven, or when it (the Bible, the Word of God) came to be reverenced.
Papacy has ever realized that “the word” (the open Bible) would be its destroyer, and has sought in every way to keep it from the people, and would to-day, as in past ages, burn every bible if it could.
B. Thank God for His Word. How we should prize it. It is the light which dispels errors and scatters the powers of darkness. Yet I often think that many of its strongest advocates are neglecters or careless readers of it. Would that all might remember that “it is the power of God unto salvation,” and that in neglecting it they neglect him. (Mark 8:38.)
A. Your remarks are good. I have noticed of late that while the nominal Christian professor becomes the more skeptical, the more matured and most earnest children of God are searching as they never did before.
B. – Paul speaks of a destruction of Antichrist as well as of his consuming – “Whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”
Will this be when Christ is seen in glory in the sky?
A. – The words you quote would be more literally rendered: “Whom the Lord will make powerless by the appearing (manifesting) of his presence.” Papacy has been losing its power gradually, (the “Roman Inquisition,” the last of its kind, being abolished in 1870.) This, too, is in harmony with our understanding of Christ’s presence: that he is now present, (invisibly) separating, purifying and gathering the wheat; and when this is accomplished, we (if gathered) “shall appear with Him.”
Oh, glorious hope! Let us “so run that we may obtain,” really overcoming the real dragon by the blood of the Lamb and the word of His testimony, that we may have part with the real anointed Jesus, in the real kingdom. Good-bye; and please call again.” R54
For more on the subject of the Antichrist we have done several other studies, which you can see here: