Many times in history, people have looked at the Pope—the leader of the Catholic Church—and, perhaps misunderstanding or misinterpreting the Book of Revelation, declared him to be the Beast. But if we delve deeper into the teachings of the Catholic Church, as well as the context of the Bible, this claim does not stand. Let’s take a closer look to understand why.
The Nature of Biblical Prophecy
First, it’s important to recognize the symbolic nature of Biblical prophecy. Especially in the Book of Revelation, symbols and visions are meant to evoke understanding but aren’t always meant to be taken literally. The Church teaches that the Bible is the “sacred and inspired word of God” but must be read in its proper context, which includes understanding the type of literature we are dealing with, such as apocalyptic literature in the case of Revelation (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 105-110).
What Revelation 13 Actually Says
The 13th chapter of the Book of Revelation describes two beasts. The first beast emerges from the sea, has seven heads, ten horns, and is given authority by a dragon. The second beast emerges from the earth and directs all to worship the first beast. There are people who assert that the Pope is one of these beasts, often citing his religious authority and influence.
However, according to Scripture, the first beast receives its power from the dragon, who is explicitly identified as Satan (Revelation 12:9). The Church unequivocally teaches that the Pope receives his authority from Christ, not Satan. Jesus told Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18, NRSV).
The Pope’s Role as the Vicar of Christ
The Pope is considered the Vicar of Christ, a representative who stands in for Jesus on Earth until His return. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered” (CCC, 882). The Beast in Revelation, on the other hand, seeks to turn people away from God, to worship other gods and to blaspheme.
The Unchanging Nature of Church Doctrine
One of the arguments against the Pope being the Beast is that the teachings of the Church have remained consistent since its formation, based on the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The Catholic Church holds that its teachings are protected from error through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a belief grounded in the Bible. Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13, NRSV).
The Mark of the Beast vs. Papal Symbols
Revelation 13 speaks of the mark of the beast as a symbol of loyalty to this evil power. Critics often draw parallels between this mark and the vestments, symbols, or titles used in the Catholic Church. However, none of these papal symbols match the description of the ‘mark’ in the text of Revelation.
Moreover, the Church never encourages worship of these symbols or of the Pope himself; instead, they serve to point to Christ. This is distinctly different from the role of the Beast in Revelation, who directs worship to himself and the dragon.
The Beast and the Anti-Christ: Not Synonymous with the Pope
While the Book of Revelation does describe the Beast as a blasphemous power that opposes God, the term “anti-Christ” actually comes from other books in the New Testament, specifically the letters of John. The anti-Christ is described as anyone who denies Jesus as the Christ and who lies about the Father and the Son (1 John 2:22).
The Pope does neither of these things. In fact, the Pope serves to lead people toward Christ, reaffirming Jesus’ role as the Messiah and the true Son of God.
Distinction Between Church Teaching and Theological Opinion
It’s worth noting that while many of the points above represent the universal teachings of the Church, there are various theological opinions about the end times, including the role of the Beast and the anti-Christ. However, the position that the Pope is the Beast of Revelation is not supported by the official teachings of the Catholic Church.
Conclusion
Reading the Book of Revelation requires a nuanced approach, taking into account its symbolic and apocalyptic nature. Comparing the Pope to the Beast of Revelation not only misrepresents the text but also misunderstands the role of the Pope within the Church and contradicts the teachings of the Catholic Church. Therefore, it is inaccurate and misleading to identify the Pope as the Beast described in Revelation 13.