Who can sketch the face of Antichrist?

Who can sketch the face of AntiChrist?

Of course the name of this evil entity is found exclusively in the Book of Revelation, the Apocalypse.  For many years we have seen this person appearing in comic strips, heard of his appearance in street walkers pronouncing the end of the world, and many ministers preaching the onslaught of his atrocious activities to take the Catholic Church down from its adherence to Almighty God.

Why the Catholic Church?  Because we are the only denomination in Christianity to keep the traditions that Jesus taught and promised to be with until the end of the time!  “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”  (Mt 28: 20).  Naturally the other denominations in Chrisadom will take offense at this statement, but the words of Christ himself put a stranglehold on that belief.  “You are Peter, and upon this rock (Peter’s confession that Christ is the Messiah) I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.  I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  (My 16: 18 - 19).  

Here of course are the words that have separated the Catholic Church from other denominations stating that only God can forgive sin;  following the words of the Pharisees; “Why does this man speak that way?  He is blaspheming. Who but God  alone can forgive sins?”  (Mk 2: 7).  

I heard an Episcapol priest preach that the Catholics believe these words signify their position as the only one true church.  However, every Christian denomination throughout the world has taken their beliefs from the Roman Church and it wasn’t until Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the Church in Wittenberg, Germany that the worldwide separation from Catholicism began.  So, in spite of all the separations around the world, Roman Catholicism still is the original Church that began with St. Peter, the Rock of ages.  

Now, going back to the one rampart of Satan’s attack on God, via Jesus Christ, when the AntiChrist begins his final battle of turning the Catholic Church to his way of worship we know that our trust in God begins through the Chair of Peter; the Cathedra.  

Will this well-known enemy of Christ and his Church be someone we all could identify with modern man, someone we all would not have suspected, or a person yet to be born.  There are many candidates in the wings right now, in 2024, and naming him might be like a quiz show with a surprising end to one we never expected.  

Artists have tried for centuries to paint what they believe are facial images of Jesus.  No one has actually come up with one that fits their imagination.  But, as of this writing no one has been able to identify what the AntiChrist will look like.  It is certain that he will be charismatic in his approach to stand as a divine person with attractions to our deepest needs spiritually and mentally as well.  Revelation tells us:  “The ten horns that you saw and the beast will hate the harlot; they will leave her desolate and naked; they will eat her flesh and consume her with fire.  The woman you saw represents the great city that has sovereignty over the kings of the earth.”  (Rv 17: 16, 18).  Move now to 1 John:  “This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God.  This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world.”  (1 Jn 4: 2 - 3).  The term “already” in the world can be taken metaphorically;  Experts in scriptural understanding are claiming the Chair of Peter may be the antichrist.  Pope John the 23rd said that following him would be the four last popes before the end times.  Pope Paul the VI, John Paul I, St John Paul II, and Benedict the XVI.  There you have it, more than a few pronouncements beginning with St. John, the Apostle. 

Look at the very instances that are appearing on the world stage at the Vatican and the eye opening examples of the anti Catholic events that are synonymous with our Church.

The one truth we as Roman Catholics must retain is belief in the Truth Christ taught us and our faith which is the only way our souls will endure now and in heaven.

Get your pencils and start drawing the outline of this entity that will pull all of us down adhering to Satan's final blow on humanity.    

Ralph B. Hathaway