"16. The
followers of Antichrist will be marked with a character in imitation of
the sign that St. John saw upon the foreheads of the servants of God.
This indicates that Antichrist and his prophet will introduce ceremonies
to imitate the Sacraments of the Church. In fact there will be a
complete organization ――
a church of Satan set up in
opposition to the Church of Christ. Satan will assume the part of
God the Father; Antichrist will be honored as Saviour, and his prophet
will usurp the role of Pope. Their ceremonies will counterfeit the
Sacraments and their works of magic be heralded as miracles. A
similar project was attempted in the fourth century when Julian the
Apostate counterfeited Catholic worship with pagan ceremonies in honor of
Mithras and Cybele. He established a priesthood and instituted
ceremonies in imitation of Baptism and Confirmation."
Rev. E. Sylvester Berry, D.D.
The Apocalypse of St. John
Discussion on Apoc: xiii, 16.
John W. Winterich, Columbus, Ohio, 1921