Irenaeus warned the church about the last days.
Church father Irenaeus compared the last days to the days of Noah and the persecution during the Babylonian captivity. Obviously, the church wasn’t affected by either historic event. But, for good reason, he used them to warn the church. Many Christians believe that the church will escape the terrible events of the end of the age. If that’s true, why would a church father warn believers about the actions of the Antichrist in the last days?
Read on to find out.
We shouldn’t trust a so-called ‘church father’ just because he wrote something. The test of sound doctrine is the Bible. When we discover that a church father taught false doctrine, then we should point that out. Some of them did. But in this case, we find this writer was in agreement with Jesus’ warning regarding Noah and the final days.
Irenaeus, writing in approximately 175-185 AD, compiled some of the earliest documents that warned against heresy and false doctrines. There are numerous online sites where you can research the original documents of the earliest Christian writers. I’ve added one such site below.
Church Fathers
The following are early church fathers and apologists of the first and second centuries. The first eight or nine documents are also known as the Apostolic Fathers. The writers known as the church fathers represent the ancient orthodox church as opposed to other elements of ancient Christianity such as Gnosticism. These are the church fathers and apologists that can be read on the Early Christian Writings web site. (This information is found here on the early Christian writings. I recommend you take a look and study for yourself.)
In the quote below we find an argument that suggests that the church will indeed face the test of the Antichrist’s kingdom. I ask you to read the following quote and think for yourself. The impulse for many Christians is to run back to the teachings of their favorite pastors. And that’s fine if that’s where you feel comfortable. But a better idea is that you compare scripture with scripture. And follow the example of the Bereans who listened to the Apostle Paul. They checked the scriptures to see if those things he taught were accurate. And when they found that he spoke the truth, they believed.
Acts 17:11
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
(The titles found in the quote box below are mine in order to break up the text, but the words that follow are from Irenaeus.)
Irenaeus and the number of the beast
And there is therefore in this beast when he comes, a recapitulation made of all sorts of iniquity and of every deceit, in order that all apostate power, flowing into and being shut up in him, may be sent into the furnace of fire. Fittingly, therefore, shall his name possess the number six hundred and sixty-six. Since he sums up in his own person all the commixture of wickedness that took place previous to the deluge, due to the apostasy of the angels.
Irenaeus and Noah’s flood & Babylonian captivity
For Noah was six hundred years old when the deluge came upon the earth, sweeping away the rebellious world. For the sake of that most infamous generation which lived in the times of Noah. And [Antichrist] also sums up every error of devised idols since the flood. Together with the slaying of the prophets and the cutting off of the just. For that image which was set up by Nebuchadnezzar had indeed a height of sixty cubits, while the breadth was six cubits. On account of this Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, when they did not worship it, were cast into a furnace of fire, pointing out prophetically, what happened to them. The wrath against the righteous which shall arise towards the [time of the] end.
Irenaeus and the image of the beast
For that image, taken as a whole, was a prefiguring of this man’s coming. Decreeing that he should undoubtedly himself alone be worshipped by all men. Thus, then, the six hundred years of Noah, in whose time the deluge occurred because of the apostasy, and the number of the cubits of the image for which these just men were sent into the fiery furnace, do indicate the number of the name of that man in whom is concentrated the whole apostasy of six thousand years, and unrighteousness, and wickedness, and false prophecy, and deception. For which things’ sake a cataclysm of fire shall also come [upon the earth]. Against Heresies, 5.29.2
A few closing thoughts:
Nebuchadnezzar’s image was a symbol of the future Antichrist ruler. This church father also made some unique observations regarding the number of his name which is 666. Irenaeus compared the fiery furnace in Daniel, to the final years of Christian persecution. He also believed the whole of human apostasy would end after six-thousand years of futility. If you’re not too good at math, I’ll add it up for you. We’re right on the cusp of six-thousand years. (But not there yet.)
The Old Testament chronology gives us approx. four-thousand years. The New Testament Chronology adds the other two-thousand years. So, if my math is correct, things are going to get difficult in the coming years.
Consider yourself warned. I know I do.
Let me know what you think.