One anti-Christ or many anti-Christs?

Saint Augustine's Challenging Interpretation​

From the numerous difficult and enigmatic passages contained within the sacred texts of the Bible, the most read are the prophecies concerning the end of the world. No other subject has been more discussed and disputed in the entire history of the Christian Tradition. Especially in dark and turbulent times of crisis like ours, apocalyptic prophecies are scrutinized from all angles. And within this context, the verses presenting the ‘signs’ of the consummation of the world are the most disturbing. The apostles themselves questioned the Savior Christ about these signs.

Among these, the most terrifying refers to that mysterious biblical figure called the ‘anti-Christ’ (Greek ἀντίχριστος). Alongside the book of the prophet Daniel and the Revelation of Saint John, there are enough texts that discuss, directly or indirectly, explicitly or only allusively, encrypted, symbolically, the characteristics of the greatest human adversary of Savior Christ in the entire history of the world. The biblical writings where all the key teachings about the anti-Christ are set forth are the texts of the Holy Apostle John.

The mere fact that such mysteries of sacred history are exposed in the writings of the mystical apostle, nicknamed due to the contemplative graces he received as “the eagle from Patmos,” speaks for itself. He tells us that their interpretation requires a truly inspired art guided by the same Holy Spirit that inspired and guided the apostle. Throughout the history of the Church, God has deigned to give us a few exceptional interpreters of these texts. One of them is the Holy Bishop Augustine of Hippo (354–430). He provided us with the most likely correct interpretation at one of the crucial places in the epistles of St. John. Let’s see what it is about.

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