Study on Disproving Accusations that the Pope is the "Beast" and that the Catholic Church is Evil

The accusation that the Pope is the "Beast" of Revelation or that the Catholic Church is an evil institution has persisted, particularly among certain Protestant groups, including the Seventh-Day Adventists. Central to these claims are misinterpretations of the number 666 in the Book of Revelation, selective readings of prophetic passages in Daniel and Revelation, and attempts to associate the papacy with the "Whore of Babylon." This study thoroughly rebuts these accusations by exploring the biblical, historical, and theological evidence.

1. The Title "Vicarius Filii Dei" and the Number 666

Fabricated Title

One of the most common claims is that the Pope bears the title "Vicarius Filii Dei" (Vicar of the Son of God) and that when the Roman numerals in this title are added together, they total 666. However:

1. The title "Vicarius Filii Dei" is not an official papal title:
   • The Pope’s actual title is "Vicarius Christi" (Vicar of Christ). The title "Vicarius Filii Dei" has no basis in Catholic doctrine and appears only in the Donation of Constantine, a medieval forgery that has no bearing on Church teaching.
   • Official Catholic documents, including papal encyclicals and Church councils, do not use this title.
2. Flawed Numerology:
   • Even if the title were legitimate, the calculation of 666 using Roman numerals is highly arbitrary. Names such as "Martin Luther," "Ellen G. White," and even "Barney the Dinosaur" can be manipulated to produce the number 666 using creative numerology.
   • This arbitrary approach shows that such numerological interpretations are unreliable and lack scholarly credibility.

Biblical Context of 666

In Revelation 13:18, the number 666 is described as "the number of a man." Biblical scholars widely agree that the number is symbolic rather than literal and represents human imperfection in contrast to divine perfection.

1. Symbolism of 6:
   • In biblical literature, the number 7 often symbolizes completeness and divine perfection, while 6 represents incompleteness and failure. The triple repetition of 6 (666) intensifies this symbolism, representing humanity’s ultimate failure when it opposes God.
2. Historical Context—Emperor Nero:
   • Many scholars associate 666 with the Roman Emperor Nero, whose name in Hebrew gematria (a system assigning numerical values to letters) adds up to 666. Nero was a tyrant who persecuted Christians, making him a fitting representation of the "Beast" described in Revelation.
   • This interpretation aligns with the historical context of early Christian persecution under Rome.

Early Church Father Interpretations on this Matter:

Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 AD)

Against Heresies, Book V, Chapter 30

“The number is that of a man, and the number of his name is six hundred threescore and six (666). This number is found by counting the letters in his name. It is more certain, however, to wait for the fulfillment of the prophecy rather than to make bold declarations... But the name ‘Lateinos’ (Λατεινός) contains the number 666, and this is significant, as it refers to the Roman Empire.”

Victorinus of Pettau (c. 270 AD)

Commentary on the Apocalypse of John, Chapter 13

“Some interpret this as referring to the time of Nero, whose name in Hebrew letters gives the number 666.”