INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE COMPILER
In the theological thinking of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Antichrist is not understood as a single individual who professes to be an atheist, but as an apostate religious-political system, well organized. Based on prophetic historicism, Adventists identify this figure with the Roman Papacy. They foresee that in the last days it will ally itself with apostate Protestantism to impose a false form of worship.
The interpretation is based on three main lines:
1). The Papacy as the historical Antichrist:
Through the analysis of Daniel chapters 7 and Revelation 13, Adventists see the «little horn» and the «beast» as symbols of the Papacy. According to Adventist theology, this political-religious system has historically changed God’s law (e.g., by changing the weekly rest from Saturday to Sunday in various official catechisms) and has claimed divine prerogatives, such as the forgiveness of sins.
2). The Role of the United States of America and the Mark of the Beast:
Adventist apocalyptic prophecy predicts that the United States of America, represented by the beast with the horns of a lamb, Revelation 13:1, will force the entire world to worship the first system (the Papacy). The imposition of Sunday rest is considered the future «mark of the beast», a test of loyalty that will separate the true church from the apostate one (See notes 212,213,214).
3). Satan’s Final Counterfeit:
In addition to the papal system, Adventism believes that before Christ’s return, Satan will engage in spiritual deception through spiritualism and personally appear on earth in the guise of Christ, seeking to lure all humanity into his final deception (See note 215). For detailed theological insights and exegetical explanations, we invite you to consult these four sections by Frank Yost, dedicated to the history and prophecies that address this topic of great importance to Christians.
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The author F.H. Yost (1894-1958) was an American Adventist minister, historian, seminary professor, and editor of the religious magazine Liberty. He was a fearless defender of the principles of religious freedom and the separation of Church and State.
Antichrist in History and Prophecy (By Frank H. Yost)
