Four KJV Passages on "Spirit of Antichrist"
The King James Version mentions the spirit of antichrist in these four passages:
1. 1 John 2:18
"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."
2. 1 John 2:22
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."
3. 1 John 4:3
"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."
4. 2 John 1:7
"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."
Connecting the Anti-Christ Spirit to the Papacy
According to Ellen White's writings, particularly in
The Great Controversy, the "spirit of antichrist" finds its fullest institutional embodiment in the Papacy. Here's how she connects the dots:
Key Characteristics from 1 John Applied to the Papacy
1. Denying the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22) White argued that the Papacy obscures Christ's unique mediatorial role by:
- Elevating Mary and saints as mediators alongside Christ
- Teaching doctrines that diminish Christ's sole priesthood
- Creating a system where the Pope claims authority that belongs to Christ alone
As White wrote:
"The main characteristic of the antichrist is the subtle denial that Jesus Christ is the begotten Son of the living God" (from Adventist prophetic interpretation sources).
2. Not Confessing Christ Come in the Flesh (1 John 4:3, 2 John 1:7) Adventist pioneers taught that the Papacy's doctrines regarding:
- Transubstantiation (changing the nature of Christ's presence)
- The mass as a re-sacrifice of Christ
- Various Marian doctrines ...all work to obscure the true incarnation and Christ's finished work.
Connection to Daniel's Prophecies
Daniel 7: The Little Horn Ellen White wrote in
The Great Controversy:
"The little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy."
The characteristics match:
- Speaks "great words against the most High" (Dan 7:8, 25)
- Wears out the saints (persecution of true believers)
- Attempts to change "times and laws" (the Sabbath commandment)
- Reigns for "time, times, and dividing of time" (1260 years, AD 538-1798)
Daniel 8 & 11 The same power is seen in:
- Daniel 8: The little horn that magnifies itself against the Prince of princes
- Daniel 11: The king who exalts himself above all gods
Connection to Revelation
The Sea Beast (Revelation 13) White identified this as the Papacy because:
- Receives power from the dragon (Satan)
- Has a fatal wound healed (1798 papal capture, then recovery)
- Receives worship from all nations
- Makes war with the saints
- Blasphemous names
The "Man of Sin" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) Though not one of the four "spirit of antichrist" passages, Adventists connect this to the same power:
- Exalts himself above all that is called God
- Sits in the temple of God (claims divine authority)
- Works lying wonders
The Personification Argument
According to this interpretation, the Papacy becomes the
personification of the antichrist spirit because:
- Institutional embodiment: While "many antichrists" exist (1 John 2:18), one power embodies the spirit most completely
- Historical continuity: The 1260-year period shows sustained opposition to Christ's kingdom
- Doctrinal opposition: Core teachings contradict the gospel of grace
- Persecution: Historical persecution of those who maintain biblical truth
- Claiming Christ's prerogatives: The Pope's titles ("Vicar of Christ," "Holy Father") claim what belongs to Christ alone
Important Context
This interpretation comes from:
- Historicist prophetic interpretation (shared by early Reformers like Luther, Calvin, Knox)
- Seventh-day Adventist theology (developed in the 19th century)
- Ellen White's writings (particularly The Great Controversy, 1888)
Note: This is one theological perspective. Many Christian traditions interpret these passages differently, viewing antichrist as:
- A future individual (futurist view) = Dispensationalism
- Any opponent of Christ (general spiritual sense)
- Multiple powers throughout history
