A Covenant Israel Perspective on Bible Prophecy and the Antichrist
Understanding who the Antichrist is, according to Bible prophecy, is one of the most important questions a Christian can ask. The answer to this question shapes how we interpret Scripture, understand history, and prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. Yet, across the Christian world today, there is confusion and disagreement—caused in large part by the rise of Futurist and Preterist interpretations that have clouded the clear vision once held by the Reformers and those aligned with the Covenant Israel Message.
From the viewpoint of Historicism, the answer is clear and historically grounded: The Antichrist is not a future global dictator, nor a figure confined to the ancient world, but a long-standing religious-political power that arose out of Rome—the Papal system, or the office of the Pope.
This article will examine this truth in depth and show how it aligns with both Scripture and the testimony of history, especially as understood by those who believe the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic, Scandinavian, and kindred peoples of the Western nations are the true descendants of the House of Israel.
Historicism: The Biblical Lens for Prophecy
Historicism is the prophetic framework that understands the books of Daniel and Revelation as a continuous unfolding of prophecy through time—not confined to the past, nor projected entirely into the future, but revealing God’s plan throughout the centuries. Unlike Futurism, which looks for a single future Antichrist, and Preterism, which restricts prophecy to the Roman Empire of the first century, Historicism identifies prophetic fulfilment throughout the Church Age.
This approach, held by the Protestant Reformers, offers a powerful and cohesive vision of how God’s covenant purposes play out, especially among the nations of the West, who have been instrumental in spreading the Gospel and preserving biblical truth.
The Biblical Profile of the Antichrist
The Antichrist is not a name, but a title that describes the great enemy of Christ who seeks to usurp divine authority, persecute the saints, and promote false doctrine. The Bible describes this power using different terms:
- The Little Horn (Daniel 7:8)
- The Man of Sin and Son of Perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4)
- The Beast (Revelation 13)
- Mystery, Babylon the Great (Revelation 17)
Each of these prophetic titles refers to the same persecuting power—one that would arise within the context of the Roman Empire and oppress the true Church over many centuries. The signs are unmistakable:
- It arises from among the ten horns (Daniel 7:8), i.e., among the divided nations of the Western Roman Empire—modern Europe.
- It has a mouth speaking great things against God (Daniel 7:25).
- It wears out the saints of the Most High (Daniel 7:25)—a long period of Christian persecution.
- It seeks to change times and laws, including God’s holy law.
- It rules for 1,260 years (Revelation 12:6; Daniel 7:25, in prophetic days).
The Papacy Identified: The Antichrist of Prophecy
When we examine the identity of the Antichrist in light of Scripture and history, only one power fits all the prophetic marks: The Papal office of the Roman Catholic Church. Not individual popes, but the entire Papal system which rose after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and claimed supreme spiritual and temporal authority over the kings of Europe.
Key Fulfilments:
- The Papacy rose out of the remnants of Rome, gaining political power after the collapse of imperial Rome in the 5th century.
- It subdued three rival kingdoms (Heruli, Vandals, Ostrogoths) in its rise—just as Daniel 7 prophesied.
- It claimed to be the vicar of Christ, even “God on Earth”, fulfilling 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
- It persecuted millions of believers during the Dark Ages and Inquisition, aligning with Revelation 13:7.
- It reigned uninterrupted for 1,260 years—from A.D. 538, when Emperor Justinian gave the Pope authority, to 1798, when Napoleon’s general Berthier captured the Pope, ending the Papal state.
No future dictator or ancient Roman emperor fits the timeline, geographical position, or characteristics of the Antichrist like the Papal system does.
The Reformation: A Prophetic Awakening
The Protestant Reformers were unanimous in identifying the Papacy as the Antichrist:
- Martin Luther called the Pope “the true Antichrist.”
- John Knox declared the Pope “the very antichrist, and son of perdition.”
- William Tyndale, translator of the English Bible, saw the Pope as “the great enemy of Christ.”
These men stood upon the Word of God and rejected the corruption, false doctrine, and persecution that flowed from Rome. Their understanding was historicist, and it was rooted in the belief that the nations of the West—particularly those influenced by the Reformation—were heirs to the covenants of Israel.
Thus, the Covenant Israel Message and the Historicist interpretation walk hand-in-hand. As the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic, Scandinavian, and kindred peoples of Western Europe, Great Britain, and later America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand broke away from Rome, they were fulfilling prophecy—not just religiously, but nationally—as Israel regathered in new lands under divine providence.
Why the Papacy Still Matters Today
Some may argue that the Papacy is no longer relevant. But prophecy shows that this system continues to play a role in world affairs:
- The Papacy has regained much moral and political influence, especially since 1929 when Mussolini restored the Vatican’s temporal power.
- It leads interfaith movements, seeking to merge world religions, in opposition to biblical truth.
- It promotes globalist agendas, counter to biblical nationalism and the identity of God’s covenant people in the West.
The final struggle is not yet over. Revelation 17 speaks of the Whore riding the Beast, influencing global powers. In this, the Antichrist system is still active, awaiting its ultimate judgment.
The Role of the Western Nations and Covenant Israel
The Covenant Israel Message teaches that God preserved the Lost Tribes of Israel, not in the Middle East, but in the West—especially among the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic and Scandinavian nations. These people have historically resisted the Antichrist system, upheld the Bible, and carried the Gospel across the globe.
They are:
- The spiritual heirs of the Reformation
- The nations that translated, published, and spread the Word of God
- The peoples who fought against tyranny, preserved liberty, and upheld God’s law
It is no coincidence that the nations most opposed to the Papal Antichrist have been those descended from ancient Israel—the covenant people scattered and regathered in new lands.
Conclusion: The Antichrist Revealed Through Historicism and the Covenant Israel Message
The Antichrist is not a mystery. He is not a future politician or a first-century Roman. He has been present throughout history as the Papacy, deceiving millions, opposing Christ, and persecuting the true Church. Only Historicism reveals this truth clearly—and only when joined with the Covenant Israel Message can we see the full picture of how God used the Western nations to resist the Antichrist, preserve His truth, and prepare for Christ’s return.
As we look to the future, we must remain vigilant. The Antichrist system still seeks to deceive. But God’s people—Israel in the West—must stand strong, continue proclaiming the Gospel, and await the return of our King, who will destroy the Man of Sin with the brightness of His coming.
