Is the Antichrist the current Pope, or a future Pope?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Throughout history, some have claimed that a pope is the Antichrist. However, the Bible describes a ruler with traits that no pope has matched. Those descriptions are as follows: (1) a blaspheming king who rises with a coalition, persecutes saints, and changes times and laws (Daniel 7:24–25); (2) a leader who makes a seven-year agreement tied to Israel, then breaks it, ending sacrifices and bringing an abomination into the sanctuary (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15); (3) the “man of lawlessness,” who exalts himself and sits in God’s temple (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4); and (4) a beast with global authority who demands worship, supported by rulers who give him their power (Revelation 13:1–8; 17:12–13). While some popes have, in various ways, misled people about Christ, none have fit the full description of the Antichrist.

Some people refer to the pope as the Antichrist based on Revelation 17:9, which describes a city “on seven mountains.” Since Rome is famously known as the city of seven hills, they argue this passage must refer to the papacy. However, the very next verse explains that the seven mountains symbolize “seven kings” (Revelation 17:10), making the image symbolic rather than a prediction of a pope.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• While not calling him the Antichrist, a name from the New Testament, Daniel’s visions describe that final ruler. He will be characterized by arrogance, self-exaltation, and hostility toward God’s people. He speaks against the Most High, persecutes the saints, breaks a covenant tied to Israel, ends sacrifices, desecrates the sanctuary, and demands honor above every god (Daniel 7:24–25; 9:27; 11:36–39). These passages consistently portray an end-times king whose pride, deception, and persecution will be unmistakable. No pope has ever behaved like this final ruler.
• Some Reformation interpreters linked Daniel’s “little horn” (Daniel 7:8) to the papacy, but the text itself points to a future, empire-level ruler rather than a church office. Reading it as a reference to a papal leader stretches the prophecy beyond its intent, especially since Daniel never (nor the rest of Scripture) talks about popes. His focus is on the actions of a final blasphemous king, not on someone emerging from within the Roman Catholic Church.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament broadens Daniel’s vision into a clearer picture of the final enemy known as the Antichrist. Paul described him as the “man of lawlessness” who will exalt himself and even sit in God’s temple, claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4). Jesus pointed to Daniel’s “abomination of desolation” caused by the final evil ruler as the specific event that triggers extraordinary distress (Matthew 24:15). John added that Satan will give the beast (the Antichrist) authority over every nation to compel worship, aided by a false prophet who enforces allegiance through signs and economic control (Revelation 13:7–17). Together, these passages show that the Antichrist will be an unambiguous figure who exalts himself in God’s place, desecrates the temple, demands worship, and rules through global coercion. No pope has ever matched the scope and power of this figure.
• Some link Revelation 17’s “seven mountains” to Rome, arguing that this connects the Antichrist prophecy to the papacy. It reads, “This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated” (Revelation 17:9). The connection made is with a later title that Rome received, namely the city of seven hills. Yet in the next verse, John clarifies that the mountains represent “seven kings” (Revelation 17:10), followed by ten kings who later give their authority to the beast (Revelation 17:12–13). The seven mountains, then, are symbolic language about multiple rulers, not a geographic location.
• Taken together, the New Testament predicts a final ruler whose actions will be unmistakable. Assigning that role to the current Pope—or even a future Pope—exceeds what Scripture teaches.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Bible teaches about the Antichrist and reveals a larger truth: evil exists, and spiritual forces oppose God’s rule. The arrival of this final figure will mark the peak of rebellion, but even now, sin and Satan corrupt people and systems in ways that lead to deception and destruction. Fortunately, Scripture assures us that their power is temporary. God has set a day when He will judge every enemy and establish His Son’s reign fully. For believers: be encouraged! Jesus has already secured the victory at the cross, and His return will eliminate all opposition. Until then, live faithfully—pray for all leaders, love your neighbors, and testify to Christ.

If you are not in Christ, this is a serious warning. The same judgment that will overthrow the Antichrist and Satan will also fall on everyone who remains in sin outside of Jesus. Revelation states that eternal punishment in the lake of fire is not only for the devil but for every unbeliever who rejects God’s offer of salvation (Revelation 20:10–15). Yet, God has provided a way to escape: Jesus took sin’s penalty, died in your place, and rose again to give eternal life to all who repent and believe. Do not wait. Turn to Him today, and you will find forgiveness, peace with God, and the sure hope of eternal life in His kingdom.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible’s Antichrist is a distinct, future world leader who will demand worship, desecrate the temple, and control global systems.
• No pope has ever displayed the scope, power, or self-deification the Bible attributes to the Antichrist.
• The prophecies in Daniel, Thessalonians, and Revelation point to a future political figure, not a religious office like the papacy.

REFLECT

• How does understanding the true nature of the Antichrist affect the way you view current world leaders?
• What is the importance of studying Scripture carefully rather than relying on speculation regarding the end times?
• How can you stay focused on Christ’s victory instead of being distracted by fears about who the Antichrist might be?

ENGAGE

• Why have some people throughout history accused certain religious leaders of being the Antichrist?
• How can we balance watchfulness for end-times signs with confidence in Christ’s ultimate authority?
• What can we learn about God’s sovereignty and timing from how the Bible describes the rise and fall of the Antichrist?