The Chief Archon, the Papacy, and the Spirit of the Antichrist

The Chief Archon, the Papacy, and the Spirit of the Antichrist

In the Greek language, the word archon refers to a ruler, chief, or leader. In ancient Greek society, archons were principal magistrates, often holding significant political and judicial authority. The word archon carries the connotation of power and governance. In biblical and apocryphal texts, this term extends beyond just civil rulers, often being used metaphorically to describe spiritual leaders or figures that govern over belief systems. In the context of early Christianity, the archons also came to symbolize those who mislead or control the faithful, a role which would later be attributed to the Papacy.

"The rulers wanted to fool people, since they saw that people have a kinship with what is truly good. They took the names of the good and assigned them to what is not good, to fool people with names and link the names to what is not good. So, as if they were doing people a favor, they took names from what is not good and transferred them to the good, in their own way of thinking. For they wished to take free people and enslave them forever." (Gospel of Philip)

In this passage from the Gospel of Philip, the rulers (or archons) are described as those who deceive others by manipulating names and symbols. These rulers, referring here to the religious authorities, use names of goodness to create associations with what is inherently bad. They sought to lead the people away from true freedom and towards a false form of enslavement under their own control. This practice of deception through naming is a fundamental tool used by those in power to maintain control over others.

The rulers in this passage can be understood as the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church—the chief archon—who have used their positions to impose false doctrines and bind people to a distorted view of God. The Papacy and its system have historically represented the archons of Christianity, individuals who, by twisting the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, have established a false religious structure. They did not merely seek to deceive people with words; they used these names as masks to cover the truth of God’s unity and led many to worship a divided deity—an image of God distorted into three parts, which is not the true nature of God.

"They took the name of those that are good [holy] and gave it to those that are not good [false religious doctrines], so that through the names [the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—the false doctrine of the Trinity] they might deceive men and bind them to those that are not good." (Gospel of Philip)

Here, the archons are said to have taken the name of goodness—an essential part of the true God—and attributed it to false doctrines. The false doctrine of the Trinity, as taught by the Papacy, is the primary deception being referenced here. By baptizing individuals in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Papacy has essentially bound people to a false concept of God, obscuring the true, indivisible nature of God and replacing it with a divided and constructed "Trinitarian" deity. This false understanding of God, akin to a mask, has deceived countless followers into worshipping an image of God rather than the true, unified Creator.

The Papacy and its religious system have utilized this form of spiritual deception to gain power over individuals, ensuring that they remain bound to doctrines that mislead and oppress. These teachings, however, are not new—they have been part of the Antichrist spirit that works to lead people astray from the true knowledge of God. Just as the archons in the Gospel of Philip manipulated the names of the good for their own purposes, the Papacy has taken the names of holiness and used them to enforce its own teachings, thus keeping people enslaved to false beliefs.

"They created images or 'personas' of God in the form of the Trinity, using these false masks to deceive people. By assigning distinct 'faces' or 'roles' to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they obscured the true, indivisible nature of God, leading people to believe in a divided deity."

The Trinity doctrine, a product of the Papacy and its religious influence, is an example of how these archons have used masks to deceive the faithful. By assigning different roles to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they have created a distorted image of God. This deception binds people to a false understanding of God, leading them to worship a constructed persona rather than the true, unified Creator. The false image of God, represented by these masks, has been used to manipulate the faithful into serving an institution that seeks power and control, much like the archons in the Gospel of Philip.

The Papacy, as the chief archon, has perpetuated the spirit of the Antichrist by teaching doctrines that obscure the true nature of God. The Antichrist is not just a figure; it is a spirit of deception that denies the truth of God’s nature. By teaching the false doctrine of the Trinity, the Papacy has created a barrier between the people and the true God, leading them away from the path of salvation.

"These things they [the church leaders] knew, for they wanted to take the free man [ransomed, free from sin, born again, sanctified] and make him a slave to them forever."

The Papacy has continually sought to bind individuals to its system of control, using deception and false teachings to enslave them spiritually. The chief archon, the Papacy, has deceived people into believing in doctrines that lead them away from the truth of God and the freedom that comes from understanding His true nature. This manipulation of truth is the essence of the Antichrist spirit, which seeks to dominate and control, rather than liberate and reveal the truth of God’s love and freedom for His people.

The Papacy, with its false teachings and corrupt practices, embodies the spirit of the Antichrist. By distorting the image of God and deceiving the masses, the Papacy continues to fulfill its role as the chief archon, leading people away from the truth and into spiritual bondage. The false doctrine of the Trinity is just one example of how the Papacy has manipulated the names of the good to enslave people to a false understanding of God, binding them to a constructed image of the divine that is not true.

The Rulers, The Archons, and False Religious Leaders

**The Rulers, The Archons, and False Religious Leaders**

In religious texts, the term *archons* often refers to rulers, but their meaning goes beyond the political or governmental figure. Initially, *archons* were principal magistrates in Greek society, serving as rulers or governors in various capacities. The term itself is derived from the Greek word **"archon"**, a masculine noun that signifies a ruler, leader, or chief. In its general use, it denotes those in positions of power, including civil magistrates and government officials (cf. **Acts 16:19, 20; Romans 13:3**). Within the Jewish context, the term also applied to official members of the assembly of elders or the leadership of the synagogue (**Luke 23:13, 35; Acts 3:17**). Over time, however, the meaning of *archon* evolved, particularly in the context of Christian teachings, as the term was applied to religious authorities.

The *archons* in the **Gospel of Philip** refer not to supernatural beings, as often depicted in some Gnostic texts, but to religious leaders who misled their followers, specifically the *apostate bishops and deacons* within the early Christian Church. The *archons* are described as deceptive rulers who misused their authority to manipulate people and hinder true knowledge. The **Gospel of Philip** provides a striking portrayal of these figures as individuals who wished to deceive the people by associating the names of the "good" with that which is "not good," ultimately enslaving the followers spiritually:

**“The rulers wanted to fool people, since they saw that people have a kinship with what is truly good. They took the names of the good and assigned them to what is not good, to fool people with names and link the names to what is not good. So, as if they were doing people a favor, they took names from what is not good and transferred them to the good, in their own way of thinking. For they wished to take free people and enslave them forever.”** (**Gospel of Philip**)

This description captures the spirit of manipulation, where those in power, instead of guiding their flock with wisdom, sought to entrap them in spiritual bondage. The rulers in question, like the Pharisees and scribes of Jesus’ time, are portrayed as individuals who, although in positions of knowledge, chose to hoard this knowledge and deceive others.

**"Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.”** (**Luke 11:52**)  

The **Gospel of Philip**'s condemnation of these corrupt religious leaders echoes the rebuke of Jesus to the legal experts and religious authorities who withheld true understanding from the people. The false rulers, the bishops and deacons in the Christian context, had transformed the role of the *archon* from a civil ruler to a spiritual oppressor. These men, who were meant to lead with humility and grace, instead used their positions to prevent others from gaining true knowledge, thus keeping them bound.

Additionally, the **Gospel of Philip** emphasizes that while these rulers thought they acted by their own will and power, it was ultimately the Holy Spirit working through them—though they were unaware of this spiritual truth. The text reads:

**"The rulers thought they did all they did by their own power and will, but the Holy Spirit was secretly accomplishing all through them by the spirit’s will."** (**Gospel of Philip 9**)

This passage likely refers to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, where the *archons* (the rulers) believed that their decisions and actions were their own, but in reality, they were unknowingly fulfilling the divine will of the Spirit. The passage reveals that even those who oppose God's plan may, unknowingly, serve its purpose. The power of the Spirit transcends human intentions, reminding us that divine influence operates even through those who may not fully recognize it.

To further clarify, **the Gospel of Philip** elaborates:

**“The rulers (archons) wanted to deceive man, since they saw that he had a kinship with those that are truly good [the ‘rulers,’ although having some knowledge of the truth, had no love for their brothers and kept it for themselves in selfish pride and covetousness]. They took the name of those that are good and gave it to those that are not good [they created images or ‘personas’ of people who are loyal to the deception in order to confuse people].”** (**Gospel of Philip 9**, commentary added)

This illustrates the manipulation of religious leaders who created false representations of goodness, all the while keeping true wisdom from the people. The rulers are depicted as self-serving, desiring not only to control others but to perpetuate their own positions of power. The commentary further explains how these *archons* “bind” people spiritually, leading them into servitude for their own gain.

The theme of **spiritual theft** is clearly portrayed in the **Gospel of Philip** and its commentary:

**"And afterward, what a favor they do for them! They make them be removed from those that are not good [who are actually good] and place them among those that are good [who are actually not good].”**

Ultimately, the *archons* of the **Gospel of Philip** represent those who, in their pursuit of power, manipulate religious truth for personal gain, leading people astray from the true path. The *rulers* are condemned not just for their ignorance but for their deliberate actions to bind others in spiritual servitude, keeping them from the true freedom of knowledge and salvation. This condemnation is not just a historical critique but a timeless warning against the abuse of religious authority.