Antichrist Speculation — Nothing New

I have long been interested in the doctrine of Antichrist, a fascinating subplot in redemptive history (see my book The Man of Sin ). If you know anything about me and the Riddleblog, you know that it is my contention that much of the Antichrist speculation of late strays very far afield from the biblical text. The reason for much of this speculative over-reaching is due to a preoccupation with geo-political events in the Middle East (especially the goings on in Israel and its neighbors) or fears about the potential destructive power of AI, should it fall into the hands of a maniacal end-times figure.

This Letter on Life and Times of the Antichrist was likely written in the mid–10th century (c. 950–954) by a Benedictine monk, Adso of Montier-en-Der, who was Abbot of the monastery of Montier-en-Der, in France. His work—a treatise written to Gerberga, the Saxon Queen of West Francia—is one of the most influential medieval treatments of apocalyptic expectation. Written in the style of the lives of the saints then popular (only in reverse since Antichrist is an “anti-saint”), Adso’s work was hugely popular, given the fact the critical edition of his treatise was based upon 171 manuscripts—demonstrating a wide distribution of copies. It did much to establish the future course of addressing the subject [1].

Adso lived during a time of increased eschatological speculation. The years he was active were those immediately prior to the end of the first millennium (1,000 CE)—a date which provoked all sorts of worries and apprehensions just as Y2K did in our own recent past.

Furthermore, the Roman church was struggling with corruption and bad-behavior among the highest ranks of the Papal court. The Holy Roman Empire was on its heels as well. Islam had pushed back the expanse of the Eastern part of the empire into fortified Byzantium. Regions which had long been “Christian” (e.g., Egypt, North Africa, the Levant, Asia Minor, and even most of Spain) had fallen to Islamic armies. There were also legions of war-like pagans beyond the Danube yet to be evangelized.

In the minds of those like Adso, these things were very likely harbingers of the return of Christ and the final judgment.

In explaining why he composed his treatise, Adso writes “to the most excellent queen, endowed with royal dignity, beloved of God and dear to all the saints, mother of monks and leader of holy women, my lady Queen Gerberga—Adso, the least of all your servants, wishes glory and everlasting peace.” He does so “to give you a certain account concerning Antichrist.”

His Letter addresses the following matters, many of which have been part and parcel of Antichrist speculation both before as well as since. I had heard much of this before in the evangelical circles of my youth, though more recent Antichrist speculation reflects American political tribalism and worries about the technological revolution.

Here are the main points from Adso’s letter to Queen Gerberga:

1). The Antichrist Has Historical Antecedents

This Antichrist, therefore, has many ministers of his wickedness, many of whom have already gone before in the world—such as Antiochus, Nero, and Domitian. Even now, in our own time, we know that there are many Antichrists. For whoever—whether layman, canon, or monk—lives contrary to justice, attacks the rule of his order, and blasphemes what is good, is an Antichrist and a minister of Satan.

2). He Will Be a Jew from the Tribe of Dan

Therefore, as our authorities say, Antichrist will be born from the people of the Jews, from the tribe of Dan, according to the prophecy which says: “Let Dan be a serpent in the way, a horned viper in the path.” For just as a serpent he will sit in the road and lie in the path, so that he may strike those who walk along the paths of justice, and kill them with the poison of his malice.

3. He Will Be human, Yet Indwelt by the Devil

And just as the Holy Spirit came into the womb of the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, overshadowed her with His power, and filled her with His divinity, so that she conceived of the Holy Spirit and what was born was divine and holy; so likewise the devil will descend into the mother of Antichrist, and will fill her entirely, surround her entirely, hold her entirely, and possess her wholly, within and without, so that—through the cooperation of a man with the devil—she will conceive, and what is born will be wholly wicked, wholly evil, wholly lost. Hence that man is called the son of perdition, because, as far as he is able, he will destroy the human race, and he himself will be destroyed at the end.

4). He Will Come from Babylon

Behold, you have heard how he will be born; hear also the place where he is to be born. For just as our Lord and Redeemer foresaw Bethlehem for Himself, that there He might assume humanity for us and deign to be born, so the devil knows a fitting place for that lost man who is called Antichrist, from which the root of all evils must spring—namely, the city of Babylon. For in this city, which was once renowned and glorious, a city of the Gentiles and the head of the kingdom of the Persians, Antichrist will be born. And in the cities of Bethsaida and Chorazin he is said to be nourished and to dwell—cities which the Lord reproaches in the Gospel, saying: “Woe to you, Bethsaida; woe to you, Chorazin.”

5). He Will Be Enabled By Occultists of All Manner

Antichrist will have magicians, sorcerers, diviners, and enchanters, who—being inspired by the devil—will nourish him and teach him in all iniquity, falsehood, and wicked arts. And evil spirits will be his leaders, his companions, and his inseparable associates. Then, coming to Jerusalem, he will slaughter by various torments all Christians whom he cannot convert to himself, and he will establish his seat in the holy temple. He will also restore the destroyed temple which Solomon built for God, rebuilding it to its former state; and he will circumcise himself and falsely claim to be the Son of Almighty God.

6). He Will Convert Kings and Princes

He will first convert kings and princes to himself, and then through them the other peoples. The places through which the Lord Jesus Christ walked he too will tread, and he will first destroy what the Lord had glorified; then he will send messengers and his own preachers throughout the whole world. His preaching and his power will extend from sea to sea, from the east to the west, from the north to the farthest regions.

7). He Will Perform False Signs and Wonders

He will also perform many signs, great and unheard‑of miracles. He will make fire come terribly from heaven; he will cause trees suddenly to blossom and to wither; he will cause the sea to be troubled and suddenly calmed; he will change natures into various forms; he will turn the courses of waters and their order; he will stir the air with many winds and disturbances; and he will perform other innumerable and astonishing wonders—even raising the dead in the sight of men—so that, if it were possible, even the elect may be led into error. For when even those who are perfect and elect of God see such great signs, they will hesitate whether he is the Christ who, according to the Scriptures, is to come at the end of the world, or not.

8). There Will Be a Period of Great Tribulation for Three and One-Half Years

Then there will be such tribulation as has never been upon the earth from the time when nations began to exist until that time. Then those who are in the field will flee to the mountains, saying: “Fall upon us,” and to the hills: “Cover us.” And whoever is upon the housetop will not come down into his house to take anything from it. Then every faithful Christian who is found will either deny God or—if he remains steadfast in the faith—will perish either by the sword, or by the fire of the furnace, or by serpents, or by beasts, or by any other kind of torment whatsoever. But this terrible and fearful tribulation will last three years and a half in the whole world. Then the days will be shortened for the sake of the elect. For unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved.

9). He Appears Suddenly and Unexpectedly When Restraint Ceases (the Roman Empire Falls), and Then a Time Rebellion Occurs

Therefore Paul the Apostle says that Antichrist will not come into the world until the rebellion comes first—that is, until all the kingdoms have first departed from the Roman Empire, to which they had previously been subject. But this time has not yet come, because although we see the kingdom of the Romans destroyed in great part, nevertheless, as long as the kings of the Franks endure—who ought to hold the Roman Empire—the dignity of the Roman Empire will not wholly perish, because it will stand in its kings.

10). After His Destruction, the Lord Grants a Brief Respite (of Forty Days) Before the Final Judgment

You must also know that, after Antichrist has been killed, the day of judgment will not come immediately, nor will the Lord come at once to judgment. Rather, as we understand from the book of Daniel, the Lord will grant forty days to the elect, that they may do penance, because they were deceived by Antichrist. But after they have completed this penance, whatever span of time then follows until the Lord comes to judgment—no one knows; it remains in the disposition of God, who will judge the world at that hour which He appointed before the ages to be the time of judgment.

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The entire text of Adso’s treatise The Origin and Time of the Antichrist, has recently been translated by Jason Colavito. It makes for interesting reading,and is highly recommended.

[1] Bernard McGinn, Antichrist: Two Thousand Years of Human Fascination With Evil (New York: Columbia University Press, 2000), 100-103.