Understanding the Papacy, Apostasy, and the Antichrists

By Juliana Joosabba

The Meaning of Papacy

Papacy (noun):

1. The office or authority of the Pope.

2. The system of church government under the Pope.

3. The term of office of a specific Pope.

4. The succession or line of Popes.

I am choosing the fourth definition for the purpose of this article. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that this succession of Popes—from the first to the current—is what scripture refers to in Revelation 13:18 by the word “man,” which actually means “mankind.”

There have been 369 Popes who have died, and one currently reigning (Pope Francis), totaling 370 Popes in this “line of succession.” Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I understand that this line of Popes represents the Antichrists—not one person, but many. Scholars often misinterpret the word “man” in Revelation 13:18 as referring to a single individual, but the Holy Spirit revealed to me that it refers to mankind—specifically this line of religious leaders known as the Papacy.

The Five Key Words Representing the Papacy:

• MAN (Revelation 13:18)

• MANKIND

• LINES OF POPES (Succession of Popes)

• ANTICHRISTS

• PAPACY – The office or place occupied by the Antichrists

Meaning of Apostasy and Apostate

• Apostasy is a formal abandonment or rejection of one’s faith or religious belief.

• An Apostate is a person who commits apostasy.

The apostate Papacy—this line of Popes—is a falling away from the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a rebellion against the gospel and the Lord’s authority.

Biblical Foundations – 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12

The Apostle Paul, through the Holy Spirit, warned us of this falling away and the rise of the “man of sin.” Some key terms from this passage are explained below.

Important Words and Their Meaning

1. Opposeth (2 Thess. 2:4)

To oppose is to resist, stand against, obstruct, or act as an enemy of the truth. The Antichrist (Papacy) exalts himself as God and claims authority over the church, which is blasphemous.

2. Vicar

The Papacy refers to the Pope as the Vicar of Christ. This term means substitute, representative, or deputy. According to their own definitions, they equate the Pope with God—saying he is God’s representative or even God on earth. This is blasphemy. No one can take the place of God or Christ.

3. Letteth (2 Thess. 2:7)

Letteth means to restrain or hold back. The Roman Empire was the force that “let” or restrained the full revelation of the Antichrist. But when the Roman Empire fell, that restraint was removed, and the Papacy began to rise in power.

4. Withholdeth

To withhold means to hold back, to refuse, or to restrain something. The Roman Empire held back the rise of the Antichrists for a time, but once it fell, the door was open for the Papacy to begin its spiritual rebellion.

5. Deceivableness / Deceive

To deceive is to mislead or cause someone to believe something false. The Antichrists (Popes) deceive by presenting themselves as God’s representatives while spreading false doctrines and leading people away from Christ’s truth.

On the Word “Christmas”

The word “Christmas” can be broken into two parts:

• CHRIST – The Savior of the world

• MAS – Derived from the Latin “Missa” meaning “go forth” or “send out”

The Antichrists took this phrase and twisted it for their own agenda, using it not to send people with Christ’s message but to promote false teachings. People have been unknowingly celebrating a phrase and practice that lacks biblical foundation, focusing on rituals instead of the person of Jesus Christ.

The Fall of the First Bishop of Rome: Linus

According to the Holy Spirit, the first bishop of Rome, Linus, began the great falling away—a rebellion against Christ’s truth. He led the Romans into practices of sun worship and introduced a day of rest not ordained by God. His collaboration with Emperor Titus shows how the apostasy started as a political-religious alliance. This marked the beginning of a religious system that replaced Christ with man.

Falling Away Compared to Lucifer’s Rebellion

Just like Lucifer fell from heaven through pride and rebellion, the Papacy has fallen from the truth of Christ. The Lord foresaw this long before the world was formed. In Isaiah 14:13–14, Lucifer said:

“I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the most High.”

In the same way, the Antichrists exalt themselves as equal to God—claiming His authority on earth.

Emperor Constantine: A Misunderstood Figure

Many have wrongly called Emperor Constantine a Christian. In truth, he was a Roman Catholic, born and raised in idolatry. Though he helped institutionalize Christianity in the Roman Empire, it was not the faith of the early Church. Constantine was a military man, not a follower of Jesus in truth. The Roman government saw Christianity as a threat, and the church was heavily persecuted before and even during Constantine’s time.

Rome – The Evil Prophet

Rome’s empire was used by Satan to persecute and control. They invaded nations, enslaved people, and forced idolatry. God allowed their destruction, and what remains today—the European Union—contains the names and remnants of the old Roman Empire.

Now, in this present time, the Lord Jesus Christ is revealing the truth through His Spirit. The Antichrist, who began as the beast of Revelation 13, has been exposed. He emerged from the very ministry that Paul warned about in 2 Timothy 4:21. God will judge this religious system for its hatred of Jesus Christ and for spreading false doctrine.

God’s Eternal Knowledge of the Antichrists

Before the foundation of the world, God knew about this rebellion. He warned that no one should add to or take away from His words (see Daniel 7:25). Yet the Antichrists did exactly that. But Jesus did not leave His Church powerless—He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

John 16:7–15 – The Promise of the Holy Spirit

“When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth…”
John 16:13

The Holy Spirit reveals the true Word of God and exposes the lies of the enemy. He empowers Christ’s faithful to recognize and reject false doctrine.

Final Words

This message is not to attack any individual, but to reveal the truth given by the Lord Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit. It is a call to return to the true gospel, the true Church, and to reject the apostasy that has taken hold in much of the world.