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 rewards for those Who serve him as the devil signified to Christ on the mountain: "All these (kingdoms) will I give to thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me." Antichrist accepts this infamous bargain and receives the empire of the world, "Who shall be able to fight against him?"

5-8. The power of Antichrist will be of short duration (three and one-half years), but during this time he will pour out blasphemies against God and against the Blessed Sacrament of the altar (the tabernacle of God). He will also maign and vilify those who remain faithful to God and to His Church. He will be given power to wage war against the Church and to overcome it for a time. He shall rule over many nations and many peoples will adore him: his kingdom shall have the semblance of catholicity or universality. This is the great revolt of the nations foretold by St. Paul, but it shall not be truly universal; one nation, at least, shall remain faithful to the Church in those days, and the elect whose names are written in the book of life will not adore Antichrist.

9, 10. These two verses contain consoling promises to the faithful, but dire warnings for the wicked; hence the solemn admonition: "If any one have an ear, let him hear." Antichrist and his followers, at first victorious, shall soon be overcome and destroyed. As they