The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

VII. Lapide Supports Ribera and Censures Alcazar

CORNELIUS OF LAPIDE (15671637), Belgian Jesuit, professor of Biblical exegesis at Louvain and later at Rome, famous for his Bible commentaries, ⁶³ followed Ribera and Viegas in his explanation of the Apocalypse. At the same time he censured Alcazar, the Preterist, for making assertions without proof, and for his employment of allegorical interpretation. Lapide con tended that the seals, trumpets, and vials belonged to the future and asserted that the first beast of Revelation 13 was Antichrist, and the second his precursor and assistant. ⁶⁴ Notwithstanding Alcazar’s exposition of the Apocalypse, and despite its own defects and the criticisms of other famous Jesuits, the Lapide commentary established itself, because it defended the church and its primate against the Protestant application of the term Antichrist. Said Lapide: PFF2 503.4

“‘Ch. 17. I say that Babylon, both in this chapter and the following, is Rome; not Christian, as she now is, but unbelieving and Pagan, as she was in St. John’s time, and as she will be again in the time of Antichrist. This may be proved; first, because Pagan Rome is that great city which had dominion over the kings of the earth; and in the last verse St. John says that the woman Babylon is that city. She has, moreover, seven hills, as it is said in verse 9, which agrees with no other city than Rome. Secondly, St. John declares that the name of Babylon is not to be taken here literally, but mystically, for he says, A mystery; Babylon the great.” ⁶⁵ PFF2 504.1

On the great controversy over 2 Thessalonians 2, Lapide declared: PFF2 504.2

” ‘Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God. The Apostle here explains the name of Antichrist; namely, that he is one who will oppose himself to Christ, and to God, and to all divinity. Ridiculously, therefore, does Wolfgang Musculus [Protestant] say:—Antichrist means Vicar of Christ, which the Pope pretends to be, therefore he is Antichrist.... PFF2 504.3

” ‘Moreover, if Antichrist means Vicar of Christ, then Peter and Paul, and all the Apostles, were Antichrists, for they acted as vicars of Christ. “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead.” Now an ambassador performs his embassy in the stead of a king, and is a king’s vicar.’ ” ⁶⁶ PFF2 504.4