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Objection 1: It would seem that Antichrist is not the head of the
wicked. For there are not several heads of one body. But the devil
is the head of the multitude of the wicked. Therefore Anti-christ is
not their head.
Objection 2: Further, Anti-christ is a member of the devil. Now
the head is distinguished from the members. Therefore Anti-christ is
not the head of the wicked.
Objection 3: Further, the head has an influence over the members.
But Anti-christ has no influence over the wicked who have preceded
him. Therefore Anti-christ is not the head of the wicked.
On the contrary, A gloss [St. Gregory, Moral. xv] on Job
21:29, "Ask any of them that go by the way," says: "Whilst
he was speaking of the body of all the wicked, suddenly he turned his
speech to Anti-christ the head of all evil-doers."
I answer that, As was said above (Article 1), in the head are
found three things: order, perfection, and the power of influencing.
But as regards the order of the body, Anti-christ is not said to be
the head of the wicked as if his sin had preceded, as the sin of the
devil preceded. So likewise he is not called the head of the wicked
from the power of influencing, although he will pervert some in his day
by exterior persuasion; nevertheless those who were before him were not
beguiled into wickedness by him nor have imitated his wickedness.
Hence he cannot be called the head of all the wicked in this way, but
of some. Therefore it remains to be said that he is the head of all
the wicked by reason of the perfection of his wickedness. Hence, on
2 Thess. 2:4, "Showing himself as if he were God," a gloss
says: "As in Christ dwelt the fulness of the Godhead, so in
Anti-christ the fulness of all wickedness." Not indeed as if his
humanity were assumed by the devil into unity of person, as the
humanity of Christ by the Son of God; but that the devil by
suggestion infuses his wickedness more copiously into him than into all
others. And in this way all the wicked who have gone before are signs
of Anti-christ, according to 2 Thess. 2:7, "For the mystery
of iniquity already worketh."
Reply to Objection 1: The devil and Anti-christ are not two
heads, but one; since Anti-christ is called the head, inasmuch as
the wickedness of the devil is most fully impressed on him. Hence, on
2 Thess. 2:4, "Showing himself as if he were God," a gloss
says: "The head of all the wicked, namely the devil, who is king
over all the children of pride will be in him." Now he is said to be
in him not by personal union, nor by indwelling, since "the Trinity
alone dwells in the mind" (as is said De Eccles. Dogm.
lxxxiii), but by the effect of wickedness.
Reply to Objection 2: As the head of Christ is God, and yet He
is the Head of the Church, as was said above (Article 1, ad
2), so likewise Anti-christ is a member of the devil and yet is
head of the wicked.
Reply to Objection 3: Anti-christ is said to be the head of all
the wicked not by a likeness of influence, but by a likeness of
perfection. For in him the devil, as it were, brings his wickedness
to a head, in the same way that anyone is said to bring his purpose to
a head when he executes it.
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