Page:Mahometanism in its relation to prophecy - or, an inquiry into the prophecies concerning antichrist, with some reference to their bearing on the events of the present day (IA mahometanisminit00philrich).pdf/113

 statements of the Apostle Paul concerning the general characteristics of the Man of Sin, and we have found that the apostolic prediction is fully borne out by the history and character of Mahomet: but there is another fact foretold by the Apostle, which we have not yet considered, but which greatly increases the evidence that Mahomet is the Man of Sin, the Son of Perdition. The Apostle tells us that he would not only come, as we have already shown, "in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish," but he adds, "therefore God shall send them the operation of error to believe a lie: that all may be judged, who have not believed the truth, but have consented to iniquity."

How remarkably was this prophecy fulfilled in the early history of Mahometanism. We lave already seen, that both from the expression of St. Paul, "the mystery of iniquity already worketh," and that of St. John, "already are there many Antichrists," a preparation for the revelation of the Man of Sin was going on from the very beginning of the Church; and St. John had shown that this preparation was wrought by the early heretics and separatists, for, speaking of these Antichrists, he says: "They went out from us; but they were not of us; for if they had been