An Attempt to Date
The Antichrist
July 16, 2015
G.D.O'Bradovich III
citations
The following citations are courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary. Secondary sources are in red.
a. The title of a great personal opponent of Christ and His kingdom, expected by the early church to appear before the end of the world, and much referred to in the Middle Ages.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4065
Anticrist ar þat tyme sal noght com.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 3996
Of ancrist commyng, and his pousté.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietat. Rerum (1495) xix. lxxx. 914
The egges of adders..ben wonder yelowe, slimy and gleymy: and of thyse egges comyth Cokatrice: and of the venemous juys shall come Antecrist.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22006
Nu sal yee her i wil you rede, Hu þat anticrist [Fairf., Gött. antecrist] sal brede.
a1500 in Wright Voc. 217
Hic antechristus, ancryst.
1509 Bp. J. Fisher Wks. (1876) 192
God shal make shorte the tyme of Antecryst.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan (1839) 552
He handleth the question, whether the Pope be Antichrist?
1753 E. Chambers Cycl. Suppl. Suppl. s.v.,
Hippolitus and others held that the devil himself was the true Antichrist.
1791 I. D'Israeli Curiosities Lit. (1834) VI. 247
There were to be three Anti-Christs, and..the last should be born..in the year 1790.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics I. 143
The Franciscans think..that we live in, or near, the days of Antichrist.
b. Applied by some to the Pope or Papal power.
c1370 Wyclif Against Begging Friers (1608) 24
This false heresie and tyrantrie of Antichrist.
1566 Let. Ch. Scot. to Eng. Ch. 27 Dec. 91
The Bishops and Pastors of England, who have renounced the Roman Antichrist.
1641 Milton Reason Church-govt. 22
That irreconcileable schisme of perdition and Apostasy, the Roman Antichrist.
1729 Pope Dunciad (new ed.) ii. 12
Rome in her Capitol saw Querno sit, Thron'd on sev'n hills, the Antichrist of Wit.
1868 H. H. Milman Ann. St. Paul's Cathedral x. 247
Against that antichrist the Pope.
The dominion of Antichrist.
a1638 J. Mede Wks. (1672) v. 921 Blaspheming God by another Idolatrous worship, and warring at length against his Saints and overcoming them. This I would call Antichristendom.
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to Antichrist.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. (1557) 510/1
Tindales antichristen heresyes.
1533 Tyndale Supper of Lord in Wks. III. 235
The authority of his antichristian synagogue.
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. iii. 56
The head of the church Antichristian, is the Pope.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 354
More Protestant Blood..than ever was spilt either by Rome, Heathen, or Antichristian.
1860 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. V. xxix. 475
Under no temptation would Knox have accepted an office which he believed to be antichristian.
2. Opposed to what is Christian or to Christianity. (Often anti-christian.)
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xxxiii. 617
With Mercurie, the Christian; and with Luna, the Antichristian.
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Creed (1839) 145
This was the touchstone by which all men were tried, whether they were Christian or anti-Christian.
1679 W. Penn Addr. Protestants ii. 150
All Christian Societies must uphold themselves upon the same free Bottom, or they turn Antichristian.
1865 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. Rationalism II. 82
The greatest living antichristian writer was Hobbes.
1870 W. Rossetti in Shelley's Wks. Introd 41
Shelley's antichristian opinions.
B. n.
1849 W. Fitzgerald tr. W. Whitaker Disputation 2
That..baneful and tedious night of popish superstition and antichristianism.
†1. A follower of Antichrist. Obs.
1531 H. Latimer Serm. & Remains (1845) 346
Neither pen nor tongue can divide the antichristians from their blind folly.
1561 J. Daus tr. H. Bullinger Hundred Serm. vpon Apocalips xl. 264
Daniel attributeth also to Antichristians, prosperitie.
1615 J. Wright Acct. Lady Jane Grey in Phenix (1708) II. 29
Him that call'd thee from Custom-gathering among the Romish Antichristians.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl.
Antichristians properly denote the followers or worshippers of Antichrist.
2. An opponent of Christianity.
1621 H. Ainsworth Annot. Numbers xvi. 37
Antichristians, which abuse and despise Christ's mediation.
1711 Swift Argum. abolishing Christianity in Misc. 178
Toland the great Oracle of the Anti-Christians.
1801 W. Taylor in Month. Mag. XII. 577
The answerers of the French Antichristians.
To call, or denounce as, antichristian.
a1718 W. Penn Tracts in Wks. (1726) I. 609
How did they Antichristian all Force on Conscience, or Punishment for Nonconformity?
2. The quality of being opposed to Christianity; an antichristian act or belief.
1590 J. Greenwood Answere Giffords Def. 35
That the Church may professe Christianisme and Antichristianisme, both at a tyme.
1659 N. Hardy First Epist. John (1865) xlvii. 302/2
Yea, which is the worst kind of antichristianism, Pseudochristianism is the brand of our times.
1717 D. Defoe Mem. Church of Scotl. i. 2
Charg'd with so many Heresies, Errors, Schisms, and Antichristianisms.
1883 F. Cook in Word & Wk. 7 June 371/2
Corrupt Christendom possesses a large amount of the spirit of Antichristianism.
Obs.
1. = antichristianism n. 1.
1555 R. Taylor Let. in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1563) 1074/1,
I dyd also affyrme..Popery Antichristianity.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie iv. iii. 175
Popery being Antichristianitie, is not healed, but by establishment of orders thereunto opposite. The way to bring a drunken man to sobrietie is to carry him as farre from excesse of drinke as may be.
1670 R. Baxter Cure Church-div. Pref. sig. A7v,
To suspect them of Antichristianity.
2. = antichristianism n. 2. ‘Contrariety to Christianity’ (Johnson).
1680 R. Baxter Moral Prognostication i. §91. 21
To call things lawful, by the name of Sin and Anti-christianity.
1687 Good Advice 19
Christianity should be propagated by the Spirit of Christianity, and not by Violence and Persecution, for that's the Spirit of Antichristianity.
1731 in N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. ; whence in J. etc.
1. An enemy or opponent of Christ.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4227
Fals anticristes he sal þam calle.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 John ii. 18
Now many antecristes ben made.
c1475 (▸?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 54
Ilk one contrary to Crist is anticrist.
1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 255
He is defamed of more than heresie, and proued to bee an antichrist.
1646 J. Gaule Select Cases Conscience 20
A Witch is an Anticrist.
1738 E. Chambers Cycl. (ed. 2) (at cited word),
Jews, Infidels, &&c. may be said to be antichrists.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 587
The first Anti-Christ, Simon Magus, was said to have met his death in some attempt to fly.
1. The system of Antichrist.
1588 Marprel. Epist. (1843) 22
The former poynt of Antichristianisme.
1659 Milton Civil Power in Wks. (1851) 308
No less antichrist in this main point of antichristianism, no less a pope or popedom then he at Rome.
1701 R. Fleming Rise & Fall Rome Papal (1844) 36
When the reign of Antichristianism or the Papacy, began.
Become or made antichristian.
1596 J. Norden Progr. Pietie f. 55v,
Such as carrie the titles of Christians, & will yet seeke Antichristianlie, to impose themselues against him.
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 109
That expected eminent False-prophet who does Antichristianly oppose himself against the Spirit of Truth.
1701 T. Beverley Grand Apoc. Question 24
Empire Lost as a Vengeance on an Antichristianiz'd State.
1701 T. Beverley Grand Apoc. Question 34
So Antichristianly Bitter.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 77
That people might not use it [the name Jehovah] irreverently or anti-Christianly.
a. The title of a great personal opponent of Christ and His kingdom, expected by the early church to appear before the end of the world, and much referred to in the Middle Ages.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4065
Anticrist ar þat tyme sal noght com.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 3996
Of ancrist commyng, and his pousté.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietat. Rerum (1495) xix. lxxx. 914
The egges of adders..ben wonder yelowe, slimy and gleymy: and of thyse egges comyth Cokatrice: and of the venemous juys shall come Antecrist.
a1400 (▸a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22006
Nu sal yee her i wil you rede, Hu þat anticrist [Fairf., Gött. antecrist] sal brede.
a1500 in Wright Voc. 217
Hic antechristus, ancryst.
1509 Bp. J. Fisher Wks. (1876) 192
God shal make shorte the tyme of Antecryst.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan (1839) 552
He handleth the question, whether the Pope be Antichrist?
1753 E. Chambers Cycl. Suppl. Suppl. s.v.,
Hippolitus and others held that the devil himself was the true Antichrist.
1791 I. D'Israeli Curiosities Lit. (1834) VI. 247
There were to be three Anti-Christs, and..the last should be born..in the year 1790.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics I. 143
The Franciscans think..that we live in, or near, the days of Antichrist.
b. Applied by some to the Pope or Papal power.
c1370 Wyclif Against Begging Friers (1608) 24
This false heresie and tyrantrie of Antichrist.
1566 Let. Ch. Scot. to Eng. Ch. 27 Dec. 91
The Bishops and Pastors of England, who have renounced the Roman Antichrist.
1641 Milton Reason Church-govt. 22
That irreconcileable schisme of perdition and Apostasy, the Roman Antichrist.
1729 Pope Dunciad (new ed.) ii. 12
Rome in her Capitol saw Querno sit, Thron'd on sev'n hills, the Antichrist of Wit.
1868 H. H. Milman Ann. St. Paul's Cathedral x. 247
Against that antichrist the Pope.
The dominion of Antichrist.
a1638 J. Mede Wks. (1672) v. 921 Blaspheming God by another Idolatrous worship, and warring at length against his Saints and overcoming them. This I would call Antichristendom.
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to Antichrist.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. (1557) 510/1
Tindales antichristen heresyes.
1533 Tyndale Supper of Lord in Wks. III. 235
The authority of his antichristian synagogue.
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. iii. 56
The head of the church Antichristian, is the Pope.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 354
More Protestant Blood..than ever was spilt either by Rome, Heathen, or Antichristian.
1860 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. V. xxix. 475
Under no temptation would Knox have accepted an office which he believed to be antichristian.
2. Opposed to what is Christian or to Christianity. (Often anti-christian.)
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xxxiii. 617
With Mercurie, the Christian; and with Luna, the Antichristian.
1659 J. Pearson Expos. Creed (1839) 145
This was the touchstone by which all men were tried, whether they were Christian or anti-Christian.
1679 W. Penn Addr. Protestants ii. 150
All Christian Societies must uphold themselves upon the same free Bottom, or they turn Antichristian.
1865 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. Rationalism II. 82
The greatest living antichristian writer was Hobbes.
1870 W. Rossetti in Shelley's Wks. Introd 41
Shelley's antichristian opinions.
B. n.
1849 W. Fitzgerald tr. W. Whitaker Disputation 2
That..baneful and tedious night of popish superstition and antichristianism.
†1. A follower of Antichrist. Obs.
1531 H. Latimer Serm. & Remains (1845) 346
Neither pen nor tongue can divide the antichristians from their blind folly.
1561 J. Daus tr. H. Bullinger Hundred Serm. vpon Apocalips xl. 264
Daniel attributeth also to Antichristians, prosperitie.
1615 J. Wright Acct. Lady Jane Grey in Phenix (1708) II. 29
Him that call'd thee from Custom-gathering among the Romish Antichristians.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl.
Antichristians properly denote the followers or worshippers of Antichrist.
2. An opponent of Christianity.
1621 H. Ainsworth Annot. Numbers xvi. 37
Antichristians, which abuse and despise Christ's mediation.
1711 Swift Argum. abolishing Christianity in Misc. 178
Toland the great Oracle of the Anti-Christians.
1801 W. Taylor in Month. Mag. XII. 577
The answerers of the French Antichristians.
To call, or denounce as, antichristian.
a1718 W. Penn Tracts in Wks. (1726) I. 609
How did they Antichristian all Force on Conscience, or Punishment for Nonconformity?
2. The quality of being opposed to Christianity; an antichristian act or belief.
1590 J. Greenwood Answere Giffords Def. 35
That the Church may professe Christianisme and Antichristianisme, both at a tyme.
1659 N. Hardy First Epist. John (1865) xlvii. 302/2
Yea, which is the worst kind of antichristianism, Pseudochristianism is the brand of our times.
1717 D. Defoe Mem. Church of Scotl. i. 2
Charg'd with so many Heresies, Errors, Schisms, and Antichristianisms.
1883 F. Cook in Word & Wk. 7 June 371/2
Corrupt Christendom possesses a large amount of the spirit of Antichristianism.
Obs.
1. = antichristianism n. 1.
1555 R. Taylor Let. in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1563) 1074/1,
I dyd also affyrme..Popery Antichristianity.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie iv. iii. 175
Popery being Antichristianitie, is not healed, but by establishment of orders thereunto opposite. The way to bring a drunken man to sobrietie is to carry him as farre from excesse of drinke as may be.
1670 R. Baxter Cure Church-div. Pref. sig. A7v,
To suspect them of Antichristianity.
2. = antichristianism n. 2. ‘Contrariety to Christianity’ (Johnson).
1680 R. Baxter Moral Prognostication i. §91. 21
To call things lawful, by the name of Sin and Anti-christianity.
1687 Good Advice 19
Christianity should be propagated by the Spirit of Christianity, and not by Violence and Persecution, for that's the Spirit of Antichristianity.
1731 in N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. ; whence in J. etc.
1. An enemy or opponent of Christ.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4227
Fals anticristes he sal þam calle.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 John ii. 18
Now many antecristes ben made.
c1475 (▸?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 54
Ilk one contrary to Crist is anticrist.
1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 255
He is defamed of more than heresie, and proued to bee an antichrist.
1646 J. Gaule Select Cases Conscience 20
A Witch is an Anticrist.
1738 E. Chambers Cycl. (ed. 2) (at cited word),
Jews, Infidels, &&c. may be said to be antichrists.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 587
The first Anti-Christ, Simon Magus, was said to have met his death in some attempt to fly.
1. The system of Antichrist.
1588 Marprel. Epist. (1843) 22
The former poynt of Antichristianisme.
1659 Milton Civil Power in Wks. (1851) 308
No less antichrist in this main point of antichristianism, no less a pope or popedom then he at Rome.
1701 R. Fleming Rise & Fall Rome Papal (1844) 36
When the reign of Antichristianism or the Papacy, began.
Become or made antichristian.
1596 J. Norden Progr. Pietie f. 55v,
Such as carrie the titles of Christians, & will yet seeke Antichristianlie, to impose themselues against him.
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 109
That expected eminent False-prophet who does Antichristianly oppose himself against the Spirit of Truth.
1701 T. Beverley Grand Apoc. Question 24
Empire Lost as a Vengeance on an Antichristianiz'd State.
1701 T. Beverley Grand Apoc. Question 34
So Antichristianly Bitter.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 77
That people might not use it [the name Jehovah] irreverently or anti-Christianly.
citations in chronological order
The following are the citations in chronological order to the year 1800.
1340 Of ancrist commyng, and his pousté.
1340 Anticrist ar þat tyme sal noght com.
1340 Fals anticristes he sal þam calle.
1370c (1608) This false heresie and tyrantrie of Antichrist.
1382 (Wycliffite, E.V.) Now many antecristes ben made.
1398 (1495) ... shall come Antecrist.
1400a (▸a1325) ... þat anticrist [Fairf., Gött. antecrist] sal brede.
1475c (▸?c1400) (1842) 54 Ilk one contrary to Crist is anticrist.
Before the year 1500, there is only one primary reference work "Pricke of Conscience" and we remind the reader that Wycliffe was not published until the 19th century.
1500a Hic antechristus, ancryst.
1509 (1876) God shal make shorte the tyme of Antecryst.
1531 (1845) ... can divide the antichristians from their blind folly.
1532 (1557)Tindales antichristen heresyes.
1533 The authority of his antichristian synagogue.
1555 (1563) ..Popery Antichristianity.
1561 ... to Antichristians, prosperitie.
1566 ...have renounced the Roman Antichrist.
1579 ...and proued to bee an antichrist.
1585 The head of the church Antichristian, is the Pope.
1587 ... the Antichristian.
1588 (1843) The former poynt of Antichristianisme.
1590 ... and Antichristianisme, both at a tyme.
1593 Popery being Antichristianitie, is not healed, ...
1596 ... & will yet seeke Antichristianlie, to impose themselues against him.
In thee 16th century there are ten primary citations.
1615 (1708) ... the Romish Antichristians.
1621 Antichristians, which abuse and despise Christ's mediation.
1638a (1672) This I would call Antichristendom.
1641 ...and Apostasy, the Roman Antichrist.
1646 A Witch is an Anticrist.
1651 (1839) He handleth the question, whether the Pope be Antichrist?
1659 (1839) ...whether they were Christian or anti-Christian.
1659 (1851) No less antichrist in this main point of antichristianism,...
1659 (1865) Yea, which is the worst kind of antichristianism...
1664 ...Antichristianly oppose himself against the Spirit of Truth.
1664 ...notoriously Antichristianize, ...any Antichrist can doe.
1670 To suspect them of Antichristianity.
1679 ... or they turn Antichristian.
1680 ... by the name of Sin and Anti-christianity.
1680a (1759) ... either by Rome, Heathen, or Antichristian.
1687 ... for that's the Spirit of Antichristianity.
In the 17th century there are eight primary references.
1701 (1844) ...of Antichristianism or the Papacy, began.
1701 Empire Lost as a Vengeance on an Antichristianiz'd State.
1701 ... Til it Antichristianiz'd.
1701 So Antichristianly Bitter.
1711 Toland the great Oracle of the Anti-Christians.
1717 ... Heresies, Errors, Schisms, and Antichristianisms.
1718a (1726) How did they Antichristian all Force on Conscience...
1729 ...Thron'd on sev'n hills, the Antichrist of Wit.
1738 E Jews, Infidels, &&c. may be said to be antichrists.
1753 ., ...the devil himself was the true Antichrist.
1791 (1834) ... three Anti-Christs...the last should be born... year 1790.
In the 18th century there are five primary references.
1340 Of ancrist commyng, and his pousté.
1340 Anticrist ar þat tyme sal noght com.
1340 Fals anticristes he sal þam calle.
1370c (1608) This false heresie and tyrantrie of Antichrist.
1382 (Wycliffite, E.V.) Now many antecristes ben made.
1398 (1495) ... shall come Antecrist.
1400a (▸a1325) ... þat anticrist [Fairf., Gött. antecrist] sal brede.
1475c (▸?c1400) (1842) 54 Ilk one contrary to Crist is anticrist.
Before the year 1500, there is only one primary reference work "Pricke of Conscience" and we remind the reader that Wycliffe was not published until the 19th century.
1500a Hic antechristus, ancryst.
1509 (1876) God shal make shorte the tyme of Antecryst.
1531 (1845) ... can divide the antichristians from their blind folly.
1532 (1557)Tindales antichristen heresyes.
1533 The authority of his antichristian synagogue.
1555 (1563) ..Popery Antichristianity.
1561 ... to Antichristians, prosperitie.
1566 ...have renounced the Roman Antichrist.
1579 ...and proued to bee an antichrist.
1585 The head of the church Antichristian, is the Pope.
1587 ... the Antichristian.
1588 (1843) The former poynt of Antichristianisme.
1590 ... and Antichristianisme, both at a tyme.
1593 Popery being Antichristianitie, is not healed, ...
1596 ... & will yet seeke Antichristianlie, to impose themselues against him.
In thee 16th century there are ten primary citations.
1615 (1708) ... the Romish Antichristians.
1621 Antichristians, which abuse and despise Christ's mediation.
1638a (1672) This I would call Antichristendom.
1641 ...and Apostasy, the Roman Antichrist.
1646 A Witch is an Anticrist.
1651 (1839) He handleth the question, whether the Pope be Antichrist?
1659 (1839) ...whether they were Christian or anti-Christian.
1659 (1851) No less antichrist in this main point of antichristianism,...
1659 (1865) Yea, which is the worst kind of antichristianism...
1664 ...Antichristianly oppose himself against the Spirit of Truth.
1664 ...notoriously Antichristianize, ...any Antichrist can doe.
1670 To suspect them of Antichristianity.
1679 ... or they turn Antichristian.
1680 ... by the name of Sin and Anti-christianity.
1680a (1759) ... either by Rome, Heathen, or Antichristian.
1687 ... for that's the Spirit of Antichristianity.
In the 17th century there are eight primary references.
1701 (1844) ...of Antichristianism or the Papacy, began.
1701 Empire Lost as a Vengeance on an Antichristianiz'd State.
1701 ... Til it Antichristianiz'd.
1701 So Antichristianly Bitter.
1711 Toland the great Oracle of the Anti-Christians.
1717 ... Heresies, Errors, Schisms, and Antichristianisms.
1718a (1726) How did they Antichristian all Force on Conscience...
1729 ...Thron'd on sev'n hills, the Antichrist of Wit.
1738 E Jews, Infidels, &&c. may be said to be antichrists.
1753 ., ...the devil himself was the true Antichrist.
1791 (1834) ... three Anti-Christs...the last should be born... year 1790.
In the 18th century there are five primary references.
conclusion
There two works that are assigned a date before Erasmus' New Teachings and we suspect that these works are incorrectly dated.