The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

counterfeits of Christianity and blasphemous claims were quite generally believed and
acknowledged, who saw in this system the fulfillment of the predictions of Daniel (7:8,20-
26) and St. Paul (2 Thess. 2:3,4) concerning Antichrist, it was not until Luther's day that
this false claim was so fully exposed as to enable large numbers, even of the world, to see
it, and thus cause a most remarkable weakening of its power and influence over the
nations, as also the consciences of men. In October, 1520, Luther was first made aware of
the Pope's bull of his excommunication. His words on receiving it, as recorded by the
historian, were: "I rejoice in having to bear such ills for the best of causes. Already I feel
greater liberty in my heart; for at last I know that the Pope is Antichrist, and that his
throne is that of Satan himself."