The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

CHAPTER TWELVE: Hippolytus and Julius Africanus

I. Hippolytus First Systematic Expositor

HIPPOLYTUS (d. c. 236), called by some bishop of Rome and by others bishop of Porto, or Portus Romanus, ¹ doubtless spent the greater portion of his life in Rome and its vicinity. Hippolytus was unquestionably one of the most learned scholars and theologians, and most voluminous writers in Greek of his day. Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria were the leading centers of Christendom in the third century. And Rome was the meeting place of East and West-a Latin church growing up around the original Greek-speaking church, where the Greek language was still preponderant in the third century. Hippolytus’ numerous works had a circulation spreading eastward from Italy, some of them being translated into Syriac, Arabic, Armenian, Ethiopic, and perhaps other languages, and some being written under various pseudonyms. Eusebius indefinitely calls him “bishop,” places him as a contemporary of Origen, and lists certain of his writings ² PFF1 268.1

An ancient statue was recovered in 1551-a venerable figure seated in a bishop’s chair ³ On the back of the chair was engraved the paschal cycle, or Easter table, of Hippolytus together with a list of some of his writings. This list furnished the key to the authorship of some of his important works hitherto unidentified. Later Greek writers, not distinguishing strictly the city of Rome from the surrounding country, had frequently called him “bishop of Rome,” and the Roman church herself placed him in the list of her saints and martyrs little suspecting, at the time, that certain of his writings were inimical to her doctrines and pretensions, and would later be brought forward in accusation against her. ⁴ PFF1 268.2

1. OPPONENT OF Two ROMAN BISHOPS

Hippolytus was an opponent of two ambitious Roman bishops of his day, ⁵ charging them with error and rebuking them for misconduct. ⁶ This shows no conception of Rome’s possessing any pre-eminent authority to which others were to defer, and attributes to the bishops of Rome anything but infallibility. He followed Irenaeus’ example, whose spirit he reflected, in withstanding contemporary bishops who merited rebuke for error in doctrine and viciousness of life. While Irenaeus sharply reprimanded Victor (about 190) for arrogance and intolerance in breaking fellowship with the churches of Asia Minor, Hippolytus went further. He devotes entire chapters in his Refutation o f All Heresies to excoriating Zephyrinus and Callistus, who had aspired to the papal chair, and who gloried in attracting the multitudes, though gaining both by unworthy means. He exposes their heresy, declaring them cunning, deceitful, covetous, and susceptible to bribes. ⁷ This book is now acknowledged, beyond reasonable challenge, to be the work of Hippolytus. ⁸ PFF1 270.1

The former rarity of this treatise-one of the most instructive and important productions of the ante-Nicene church -is easily accounted for by its offensive opposition to the contemporary bishops of the Roman church, ⁹ as it sheds much light not only on the ancient heresies but on the attitude and condition of the Roman church at the beginning of the third century. PFF1 270.2

2. REMARKABLE CONTEMPORARY EXPOSITION OF DANIEL

Hippolytus left several works on prophecy, among which are his commentary “On Daniel,” and his remarkable Treatise on Christ and Antichrist. He is said by Jerome and others to have also written a treatise on the Apocalypse. But this is apparently not extant, though some fragments are preserved Although he wrote commentaries on various prophets, his chief emphasis was on Daniel, his interpretation leaving an imperishable imprint. His Treatise on Christ and Antichrist is acclaimed by various scholars as bearing every mark of genuineness, though its attack on a contemporary Roman bishop (Callistus), resulted in its suppression, and it almost perished from the earth. ¹⁰ This treatise contains the most remarkable contemporary exposition of the prophecies left on record from the third century. Hippolytus was a decided premilllennialist, ¹¹ and regarded the prophetic page as the sacred calendar of the future, listing the successive Gentile empires from Babylon on to the finishing of the mystery of God. He declared that the mysteries of the future, foreshown by the prophets, will be revealed by God’s servants. Let us take first a panoramic view of his main outline of exposition. PFF1 270.3

3. PARALLELS OUTLINE OF Daniel 2 and 7

In the fragments from his commentary on Daniel, and also in his monumental Treatise on Christ and Antichrist, Hippolytus gives a most remarkable exposition of Daniel’s paralleling prophecies of chapters 2, 7, and 8, which he, in common with the other fathers—only more specifically—asserts pertain to the Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks, and Romans. The latter power he declares to be existent at the time of his writing, awaiting division into the predicted ten kingdoms—these in turn to be followed by the coming of the dread Antichrist, who would terribly persecute the saints. All this would then be terminated by Christ’s glorious, personal second advent, accompanied by the first resurrection—that of the righteous—to take the kingdom, with Antichrist destroyed at His coming. Then will follow the conflagration and just judgment upon the wicked. Such, in brief, was his essential belief on the prophetic outline. He stresses the second advent as the goal of all prophecy. He clearly implies a premillennial coming of Christ. ¹² PFF1 271.1

Noting specifically the preface to his exposition on Daniel, we find that he outlines with striking clearness the four world powers before mentioned. This is so striking and so basic that it merits most careful study. PFF1 272.1

“1. In speaking of a ‘lioness from the sea,’ he (Daniel) meant the rising of the kingdom of Babylon, and that this was the ‘golden head of the image.’ ... Then after the lioness he sees a second beast, ‘like a bear,’ which signified the Persians. For after the Babylonians the Persians obtained the power. And in saying that ‘it had three ribs in its mouth,’ he pointed to the three nations, Persians, Medes, and Babylonians, which were expressed in the image by the silver after the gold. Then comes the third beast, ‘a leopard,’ which means the Greeks; for after the Persians, Alexander of Macedon had the power, when Darius was overthrown, which was also indicated by the brass in the image. And in saying that the beast ‘had four wings of a fowl, and four heads,’ he showed most clearly how the kingdom of Alexander was parted into four divisions. For in speaking of four heads, he meant the four kings that arose out of it. For Alexander, when dying, divided his kingdom into four parts. Then he says, ‘The fourth beast (was) dreadful and terrible: it had iron teeth, and claws of brass.’ Who, then, are meant by this but the Romans, whose kingdom, the kingdom that still stands, is expressed by the iron? ‘for,’ says he, ‘its legs are of iron.”” ¹³ PFF1 272.2

The image of Daniel 2 and the four beasts of Daniel 7 are declared to be identical in scope, simply with amplification in Daniel 7. These he proceeds to parallel: PFF1 272.3

“Let us look at what is before us more carefully, and scan it, as it were, with open eye. The ‘golden head of the image’ is identical with the `lioness,’ by which the Babylonians were represented. ‘The golden shoulders and the arms of silver’ are the same with the ‘bear,’ by which the Persians and Medes are meant. ‘The belly and thighs of brass’ are the ‘leopard,’ by which the Greeks who ruled from Alexander onwards are intended. The `legs of iron’ are the ‘dreadful and terrible beast,’ by which the, Romans who hold the empire now are meant. The ‘toes of clay and iron’ are the ‘ten horns’ which are to be. The ‘one other little horn springing up in their midst’ is the ‘antichrist.’ The stone that smites the image and breaks it in pieces,’ and that filled the whole earth, is Christ, who comes from heaven and brings judgment on the world.” ¹⁴ PFF1 272.4

4. PERSIAN RAM AND GRECIAN HE-GOAT

The “ram” and the “he-goat” of Daniel 8 are clearly identified, respectively, as Persia and Greece, ¹⁵ the outlines of Daniel 2, 7, and 8 thus being blended into one composite whole. PFF1 272.5

5. ANTICHRIST LITTLE HORN AMONG ROME’S TEN DIVISIONS

Hippolytus assures us that the visions of the prophets clearly and exactly disclose the future events of history, and that faithful accuracy in their exposition is required. ¹⁶ Ten kingdoms are to supplant Rome, and Antichrist is to appear among them. This bold declaration is perhaps the most comprehensive and striking paragraph in his prophetic interpretation, and the most remarkable of all expositions of the time; for although recognizing the risk assumed, he declares openly, in regard to Rome and her future, what the prophets have hidden in mystic symbol. PFF1 273.1

“The legs of iron, and the beast dreadful and terrible, expressed the Romans, who hold the sovereignty at present; the toes of the feet which were part clay and part iron, and the ten horns, were emblems of the kingdoms that are yet to rise; the other little horn that grows up among them meant the Antichrist in their midst; the stone that smites the earth and brings judgment upon the world was Christ. PFF1 273.2

“These things, beloved, we impart to you with fear, and yet readily, on account of the love of Christ, which surpasseth all. For if the blessed prophets who preceded us did not choose to proclaim these things, though they knew them, openly and boldly, lest they should disquiet the souls of men, but recounted them mystically in parables and dark sayings, speaking thus, ‘Here is the mind which hath wisdom,’ how much greater risk shall we run in venturing to declare openly things spoken by them in obscure terms! Let us look, therefore, at the things which are to befall this unclean harlot in the last days; and (let us consider) what and what manner of tribulation is destined to visit her in the wrath of God before the judgment as an earnest of her doom.” ¹⁷ PFF1 273.3

6. HISTORY AUTHENTICATES DANIEL’S PROPHETIC OUTLINE

Then Hippolytus enters into a personal colloquy with the prophets, and shows impressively how history authenticates Daniel’s prophetic outline. PFF1 273.4

“Speak with me, O blessed Daniel. Give me full assurance, I beseech thee. Thou dost prophesy concerning the lioness in Babylon; for thou wast a captive there. Thou hast unfolded the future regarding the bear; for thou wast still in the world, and didst see the things come to pass. Then thou speakest to me of the leopard; and whence canst thou know this, for thou art already gone to thy rest? Who instructed thee to announce these things, but He who formed thee in (from) thy mother’s womb? That is God, thou sayest. Thou hast spoken indeed, and that not falsely. The leopard has arisen; the he-goat is come; he hath smitten the ram; he hath broken his horns in pieces; he hath stamped upon him with his feet. He has been exalted by his fall; (the) four horns have come up from under that one. Rejoice, blessed Daniel! thou hast not been in error: all these things have come to pass. PFF1 273.5

“After this again thou hast told me of the beast dreadful and terrible. `It had iron teeth and claws of brass: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it.’ Already the iron rules; already it subdues and breaks all in pieces; already it brings all the unwilling into subjection; already we see these things ourselves. Now we glorify God, being instructed by thee.” ¹⁸ PFF1 274.1

7. ANTICHRISTS DESTRUCTION AT SECOND ADVENT

Antichrist, his coming, his fearful persecution of the saints, and his destruction are studied in connection with the second advent, the resurrection of the just at the end of the world, the kingdom of the saints, and the punishment of the wicked. These are the continuing burden of this treatise. PFF1 274.2

“It is proper that we take the Holy Scriptures themselves in hand, and find out from them what, and of what manner, the coming of Antichrist is; on what occasion and at what time that impious one shall be revealed; and whence and from what tribe (he shall come); and what his name is, which is indicated by the number in the Scripture; and how he shall work error among the people, gathering them from the ends of the earth; and (how) he shall stir up tribulation and persecution against the saints; and how he shall glorify himself as God; and what his end shall be; and how the sudden appearing of the Lord shall be revealed from heaven; and what the conflagration of the whole world shall be; and what the glorious and heavenly kingdom of the saints is to be, when they reign together with Christ; and what the punishment of the wicked by fire.” ¹⁹ PFF1 274.3

Hippolytus covers the same ground, but in slightly different phraseology and with sometimes even stronger emphasis, in his Scholia on Daniel, preserved among the Fragments, in which he also quotes supporting testimony from other commentators holding like positions. ²⁰ Then he turns to the Apocalypse for information as to the fated end of “Babylon,” which he identifies as Rome. ²¹ PFF1 274.4

8. CONCEIVES ANTICHRIST TO BE A JEW

In the interpretation of the Little Horn, Hippolytus enters the realm of speculation. His view was obviously influenced by pagan and Jewish concepts which will be clearly set forth in chapter 13. He suggested that the Antichrist, to follow Rome’s division, would be of Jewish origin, and would set up the Jewish kingdom, plucking up Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia, as the “three horns,” and in turn be overthrown by the kingdom of God. ²² He believed Antichrist, “that tyrant and king,” “that son of the devil,” would come from the tribe of Dan, ²³ as Christ came from Judah. PFF1 275.1

“For the deceiver [Antichrist] seeks to liken himself in all things to the Son of God. Christ is a lion, so Antichrist is also a lion; Christ is a king, so Antichrist is also a king. The Saviour was manifested as a lamb; so he too, in like manner, will appear as a lamb, though within he is a wolf. The Saviour came into the world in the circumcision, and be will come in the same manner. The Lord sent apostles among all the nations, and he in like manner will send false apostles. The Saviour gathered together the sheep that were scattered abroad, and he in like manner will bring together a people that is scattered abroad. The Lord gave a seal to those who believed on Him, and he will give one in like manner. The Saviour appeared in the form of man, and he too will come in the form of a man. The Saviour raised up and showed His holy flesh like a temple, and he will raise a temple of stone in Jerusalem.” ²⁴ PFF1 275.2

This conception of an individual Antichrist at the end of the world, be it noted, became the common interpretation of the Roman church; consequently, it held the field for centuries, until the rise of the interpretation identifying Antichrist as an ecclesiastical system already developing. PFF1 275.3

9. ANTICHRIST SEEN IN Daniel 11

Hippolytus also introduces a rather remarkable exposition into the latter part of Daniel, identifying the “shameless king” (Daniel 11:36) as Antichrist, who is to build Jerusalem, restore the sanctuary, and accept worship as Christ. ²⁵ PFF1 276.1

10. SEES 1260, 1290, 1335 MERELY As DAYS

Hippolytus interprets the 1260 days as the preaching of the two witnesses during the first half of the “one week”; the 1290 days as the three and a half years of Antichrist’s war on the saints, the second half of the week. To those who survive the forty-five days beyond the 1290, completing 1335 days, the kingdom of heaven comes. In the phrase “unto evening and morning” he interprets the evening as the consummation of this age and the morning as the beginning of the new age—the day of the resurrection. The fourteen hundred days, for which he gives no source, ends with the purging of the sanctuary by the destruction of the adversary. ²⁶ PFF1 276.2

11. FIRST RESURRECTION AT SECOND ADVENT

Hippolytus identifies the concluding events of Daniel with those of the Apocalypse, applying them alike to the second advent, which would be marked by the literal resurrection of the righteous dead. ²⁷ PFF1 276.3

12. CHURCH FLEES DURING ANTICHRIST’S RULE

The woman of Revelation 12 is, he declares, the church; the twelve stars are the twelve apostles; the man-child is Christ. The church flees to the wilderness while Antichrist rules during the time of tribulation. ²⁸ PFF1 276.4

13. Two BEASTS—ROMAN EMPIRE AND ANTICHRIST

The first of the two beasts of Revelation 13 was, he believed, the Roman Empire, the same as the fourth beast of Daniel. The second beast with two lamblike horns (Revelation 13:11-18) he applied to the kingdom of Antichrist, the two horns representing Antichrist and his false prophet. This would revive the image of the old Roman Empire by healing its deadly wound through governing after the manner of Roman law, thus giving it life and making it speak. ²⁹ This application, it might be observed, will occur again and again through the march of the centuries, not only in early periods, but in Reformation times as well, and even in the great second Advent Awakening of the early decades of the nineteenth century. PFF1 276.5

14. MYSTICAL NUMBER (666) FROM LATEINOS

AS to the mystical number, 666, Hippolytus follows the solutions of his master Irenaeus, enumerating Lateinos, Evanthas, and Teitan, but without dogmatism, believing, however, that the name is somehow tied up with the Latins. ³⁰ PFF1 277.1

15. SEVENTY PROPHETIC WEEKS OF LITERAL YEARS

Although Hippolytus cites Daniel 8:14 for 1300 days [sic] of Antiochus’ desolation of the temple, he follows the long-established usage in interpreting Daniel’s seventy prophetic weeks, to be weeks of literal years. He makes the “forty-nine” years its first section, from the first year of Darius the Mede to Ezra, with the “434 years” reaching between Ezra and the birth of Christ. ³¹ Hippolytus used a novel sixteen-year cycle-which, however, is not astronomically correct—in interpreting the seventy weeks. ³² PFF1 277.2

16. ARBITRARILY SEPARATES LAST WEEK FROM 69

Hippolytus places the period of Antichrist’s predicted domination of three and one-half “times,” or 1260 days, in the last half of the “last week” of Daniel’s seventieth hebdomad, or week of years, which he arbitrarily separates by a chronological gap from the preceding sixty-nine weeks, placing it just before the end of the world ³³ and dividing the seventieth week between the two sack- cloth—robed witnesses (Enoch and Elijah) and the Antichrist. ³⁴ Hippolytus is believed to be the first to have projected such a theory, ³⁵ making the sixty-nine weeks reach from the first year of Darius the Mede to Christ’s first coming, and the seventieth to begin separately after a gap, just before Christ’s second coming. Most early expositors explain Daniel’s hebdomads as having their full accomplishment in Christ’s death, or the consequent destruction of Jerusalem by Roman armies, and having no reference to the future Antichrist. PFF1 277.3

17. 6,000-YEAR EXPECTATION AND SEPTUAGINT CHRONOLOGY

Hippolytus was, moreover, apparently the first to fall into the error of setting a specific date for the second advent by calculation, fixing upon A.D. 500, on the basis of the generally held six-thousand-year theory of the world’s duration. ³⁶ He assumes, like Irenaeus his teacher, that, inasmuch as God made all things in six days, and these days symbolize a thousand years each, in six thousand years from the creation the end will come. This he definitely connects with the prophecies of both Daniel and the Apocalypse, concerning the Antichrist, dating the incarnation in the year of the world 5500 ³⁷ (which would end the six thousand years about 250 years after Hippolytus’ day). These figures were evidently based on the erroneous and misleading Septuagint chronology, which is several centuries longer than the Hebrew. PFF1 278.1

Though sadly mistaken in some points, Hippolytus was nevertheless a profound believer in the second personal advent of Christ in glory to raise the dead literally, to destroy the coming Antichrist, and to glorify His saints in their eternal dominion. ³⁸ He lived at a critical moment, and was obviously seeking to calm the minds and confirm the faith of those agitated by severe persecution, who believed that the end was at the door. PFF1 278.2

His was a remarkable grasp as concerns the leading prophetic symbols, and the outline prophecies terminating in the advent—doubtless the peak of advent witness before the great perversion of all five fundamental factors turns the church from truth to the error of a false position and expectation. PFF1 279.1