No, this isn’t about the book in the canonical Bible, but rather an apocrypha text. In case you are unaware, there are a handful of texts that have the name of “Apocalypse of John” / “Revelation of John”, and I plan to highlight a few of them in the near future. This particular text I am showcasing today is titled “The Revelation of John about Antichrist” (yes, there is no “The” before Antichrist). It is a Latin text that exists in several copies. I am using the New Testament Apocrypha (edited by Tony Burke) as my source. The date of this text is unknown but thinking has it at least 1000 years ago, so in terms of apocrypha, it’s not quite so old as other tales. What is interesting about this particular version is it’s description of the “Anti-Christ”. The text is only four pages long and since the translation by Charles D. Wright is in copyright, I can not relay it word for word but rather will do a synopsis.

The text starts with John the Evangelist/Theologian asking the Lord about the end of the world. The Lord responds with this parable about various signs of the world and that the antichrist will reign and perform great wonders and signs among the people. John asks what will these signs be so everyone will know how to spot him. Now we get to a very interesting part where the Lord gives a detailed description of him. It is as such:

  • Born of a harlot from the tribe of Dan in Israel
  • 600 cubits in length of his body and 400 in width (!!!!)
  • One eye
  • One ear
  • His lip hanging down to his chest
  • No upper teeth or knees
  • soles of his feet will be round like wheels
  • One rib will be visible on his left side but not the others
  • Black hair, which is also described as “terrible”
  • A threefold fume will go through his nose and reach heaven like a sulfurous flame
  • He will be raised in Chorazin and will dwell in the city of Bethsaida, but only for a few days.

Now that is one heck of a description!! Not sure how anyone could not know something was up with this fella! lol

John is then told that no one will be able to hide from this antichrist, that all of God’s elect will die because of him. Those who believe in this antichrist will receive a mark (single letter) upon their forehead and it will not be removable. The dead will rise, rivers reverse, trees uprooted, etc… Typical end of the world scenarios. I do think the alternation of the mark to just a single letter is interesting.

On the day of the birth of the antichrist, everyone will know as fathers will kill sons (and vice versa), brother and brother, women will no longer conceal themselves from men, churches destroyed, priests will lament, people will no longer have any thought for relics or bodies of the saints. Nation against nation, etc.. etc… The typical “signs” of an end times prophecy.

The next section is pretty interesting as it mentions that Enoch and Elijah, who are witnessing this from heaven, decide to wage war against this antichrist. They both are killed and lie dead in the streets for three days and nights. On the fourth day they arise into eternal life and on the fifth day, God sends down the archangel Michael to slay the antichrist, who proceeds to slice him in half! The time line of all this transpiring is that of three years and six months. I like the fact that Enoch and Elijah make an appearance in this story! These two are suggested to be the two witnesses in the canonical Revelation. They are also the two witnesses in the apocrypha “The Apocalypse of Elijah” and the “Gospel of Nicodemus“.

After Michael killed the antichrist, a great silence fell over the earth and heaven for forty days and nights. Once those days were up, angels went to the four corners of the earth and cried out “Arise, arise, arise” and all the dead began to be resurrected. Thus ends this short alternate version of the Apocalypse of John.

I found the description of the antichrist figure to be the most note worthy aspect of the story. It is an interesting description to say the least. Enoch and Elijah making an appearance was fascinating as well. I plan to review more of these alternate apocalypses in the coming months!

Featured photo was made by Martin Schongauer, circa 1480-1490.

bP

Published by bP

A gnostic wanderer