Dr. Couch, in your view do you believe the Pope is the Antichrist? The Reformers and the Puritans thought so. What is your opinion?
ANSWER:
Your question had an IS in it. When we discuss the revealing of
the Antichrist we’re talking about the period of the seven year
tribulation. The Reformed folks are wrong in that they do not study well
the projection of Daniel 9 that shows there is still seven years to go
in God’s final dealing with Israel and the world. That is the period of
the wrath and the tribulation. It is at that time that the Antichrist
will be revealed.
Thus the revelation of the Antichrist is yet
future. He will be a false prophet and a worldwide religious leader. If
the rapture took place today and the world was thrown into the
tribulation, what great world religious leader might be that
personality? You made mention that today the Pope and Catholicism in
general stands against abortion, homosexuality, etc., but the issue is
about the future. In the terror of the tribulation there will be
compromise, accommodation, evil pragmatism, etc.
It must be stated too, that it is speculation
to say the religious beast, as he is called in Revelation, could be some
future Pope. When I speculate or say, “It could be,” I am not being
dogmatic but simply saying, “It seems it could play out this way!” In
fact, every good and well-trained prophecy teacher I know does that. It
is just that the opposition elects not to hear that disclaimer!
Thanks for asking,
Dr. Mal Couch
