Selections of E. Sylvester Berry’s Writings on the Jews

Rev. Elwood Sylvester Berry, D.D. (1879–1954) was an American Catholic priest, scripture scholar, and professor of apologetics and dogmatic theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He is best known for his 1921 commentary The Apocalypse of St. John, which received the Nihil Obstat of Joseph Molitor, D.D., and the Imprimatur of Bishop James J. Hartley of Columbus, Ohio. He later published The Church of Christ: An Apologetic and Dogmatic Treatise (1927). Both works contain substantial passages belonging to the classical Adversus Judaeos tradition.

Berry’s treatment of the Jews is rooted in the exegetical tradition of the Church Fathers and the standard pre-conciliar Catholic theology. He identifies the Jews collectively as rebels against the God of Israel who rejected and crucified the Messias, as the originators of the persecutions against the early Church, as the people whose refusal to receive Christ constitutes a form of ongoing blasphemy against the Faith, and as the nation that will — through movements such as Zionism — collectively receive and acclaim the Antichrist as their Messias before the end of the world. His commentary on the Apocalypse is therefore simultaneously a work of biblical exegesis, a theology of Jewish reprobation, and a critique of the Zionist project as a preparation for the reign of Antichrist.

The passages reproduced below are drawn exclusively from two works verified against digitised primary-source texts: The Apocalypse of St. John (1921, Columbus, Ohio: John W. Winterich) and The Church of Christ (1927, St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co.). They cover the following themes: the theological enmity between Jews and Christians; the Jews as the “Synagogue of Satan”; Judaism as a form of blasphemy; Jewish persecution of the early Church; the Jewish origin of Antichrist; Zionism as the mechanism by which the Jews will gather to acclaim the Antichrist; the Jews‘ acceptance of Antichrist as their Messias; the supersession of Judaism by the Church; and the counterfeit church of Satan as imitating the Church of Christ.

I. The Jews as Enemies of the Gospel and the “Synagogue of Satan”

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 2:9, pp. 36–37 (Columbus, OH: John W. Winterich, 1921)

(Commenting on Our Lord’s words to the Church of Smyrna — “thou art blasphemed by them that say they are Jews and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan” — Berry lays down the foundational supersessionist principle: the true Jew is the Christian, and those who call themselves Jews are rebels against their own God, the first and most bitter enemies of the Gospel.)

“The real Jew—the true son of Abraham—is the Christian who has accepted Christ as the Messias promised to Abraham of old. These who call themselves Jews are but rebels against the God of Israel and the prophets of old. They are the ‘Synagogue of Satan.’ Wherever the Gospel was preached the Jews were its first and most bitter enemies. Tertullian writes: ‘The Jewish Synagogues are the source of persecutions.'”

II. The Jews‘ Active Part in the Persecution of the Martyrs

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 2:10, p. 37 (1921)

(Berry notes that the Jews of Smyrna succeeded in bringing on the persecution that claimed St. Polycarp, citing the patristic record as evidence that Jewish enmity toward the Church was not merely theological but active and murderous.)

“These Jewish enemies of the Gospel will succeed in bringing on a persecution, but it shall be of short duration. The Christians must suffer for their Faith, yet there is nothing to fear; he who perseveres will obtain the crown of eternal life. This prophecy found a fulfillment in the persecution which raged for a short time at Smyrna about the year 155 A.D. St. Polycarp was its most illustrious victim. An account of his martyrdom was written by his brethren to notify the neighboring churches of their bishop’s death. This work, known as the ‘Martyrdom of Polycarp,’ shows that the Jews took an active part in the persecution.”

III. The “Obstinate Jews” and the Synagogue of Satan

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 3:9, p. 52 (1921)

(Commenting on the promise made to the bishop of Philadelphia — that he shall make converts from the Synagogue of Satan — Berry describes the Jews as “obstinate” and identifies them explicitly with the “Synagogue of Satan” of the Apocalypse.)

“He shall even have the grace to make converts from among the obstinate Jews, from that ‘Synagogue of Satan.'”

IV. Judaism as Blasphemy — On a Par with Atheism and Arianism

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:1, p. 130 (1921)

(In the opening commentary on the chapter treating Antichrist, Berry catalogues the great heresies and blasphemies that deny the Faith, placing Judaism explicitly alongside atheism, Arianism, and Mohammedanism as a form of doctrinal rebellion against God.)

“All heresies blaspheme by denying some dogma of Faith; thus, for example, atheism denies the existence of God; Arianism rejects the divinity of Christ; Mohammedanism denies both the divinity of Christ and the Trinity of God, while Judaism refuses to recognize our Lord as Messias.”

V. Antichrist Will Spring from the Jewish Race

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:1–2, pp. 130–131 (1921)

(Berry presents the patristic and theological consensus that Antichrist will be a Jew — that his claim to be the Messias will require Jewish ethnic descent — and identifies his coming as the decisive eschatological conflict between the Church and the powers of hell.)

“It is a very general opinion that Antichrist will set himself up as the Messias. This opinion seems to be supported by the words of our Saviour: ‘I am come in the name of my Father, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.’ This pretension to Messiasship will make it necessary that he spring from the Jewish race. The coming of Antichrist opens the decisive conflict between the Church and the powers of hell. It shall be the complete realization of the prophecy of Genesis: ‘I will put enmities between thee and the woman and thy seed and her seed.’ The seed of the serpent is Antichrist and his followers; the seed of Mary, the woman, is Jesus Christ and his faithful disciples.”

VI. “If Antichrist Be of Jewish Extraction, as He Probably Will…”

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:11, p. 134 (1921)

(Commenting on the “beast from the earth” — the false prophet of Antichrist — Berry states as his probable opinion that Antichrist will be of Jewish extraction, and that the sea from which he rises therefore signifies Judaism itself.)

“If Antichrist be of Jewish extraction, as he probably will, the sea from which he arises signifies Judaism. Then the earth whence comes the second beast is a symbol of the Gentile nations in revolt against the Church.”

VII. Antichrist, Zionism, and the Jewish Proclamation of the False Messias

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:12, pp. 134–135 (1921)

(In what is perhaps the single most important passage in Berry’s work for the present collection, he argues that a movement such as Zionism will gather a great number of Jews in Jerusalem, where Antichrist will establish himself and be acclaimed as Messias by the Jews who will then assist him in his warfare against the Church.)

“Antichrist will establish himself in Jerusalem where a great number of Jews will have gathered through some such movement as Zionism. The vast majority of Jews have ever clung to the belief that God will one day restore the kingdom of Israel through a Messias an ‘Anointed one’ of the house of David. When Antichrist manifests himself to those in Jerusalem with his ‘lying wonders’ they will immediately proclaim him their king and Messias. Then through the power of false miracles the prophet will soon lead the Gentile nations to adore him as the true Messias promised of old by the prophets.”

VIII. The Jews Will Accept Antichrist and Assist in His War Against the Church

The Apocalypse of St. John, Part III Commentary (on Apoc. 20), p. 176 (1921)

(In his treatment of the universal reign of Christ that follows the defeat of Antichrist, Berry states explicitly that at the time of Antichrist the Jews — still unconverted — will accept him as their Messias and actively assist in his warfare against the Church. Only after the defeat of Antichrist will they finally accept the true Christ.)

“The Jews still unconverted, will accept him as Messias and assist in his warfare against the Church. Only after the defeat of Antichrist and the return of the Gentile nations to the Faith, will the Jews accept Christ as the true Messias. Then shall begin the universal reign of Christ over all peoples, and tribes, and tongues.”

IX. Antichrist‘s Counterfeit Church — Satan Imitating the Holy Trinity

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:13–15, pp. 135–136 (1921)

(Berry describes the complete satanic organization that Antichrist and his prophet will erect in opposition to the Church, imitating the Sacraments, the hierarchy, and the miracles of the true Faith. This is directly connected to the Jewish context because Antichrist‘s kingdom will be centered in the new Jewish kingdom of Jerusalem.)

“Antichrist and his prophet will introduce ceremonies to imitate the Sacraments of the Church. In fact there will be a complete organization — a church of Satan set up in opposition to the Church of Christ. Satan will assume the part of God the Father; Antichrist will be honored as Savior, and his prophet will usurp the role of Pope. Their ceremonies will counterfeit the Sacraments. A similar project was attempted in the fourth century when Julian the Apostate counterfeited Catholic worship with pagan ceremonies in honor of Mithras and Cybele. He established a priesthood and instituted ceremonies in imitation of Baptism and Confirmation.”

X. The Number of Antichrist and the New Jewish Kingdom

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:18, p. 137 (1921)

(Berry argues that the cryptogram giving the number of Antichrist should be solved using Hebrew letters, not Latin or Greek — because, as he explains, Hebrew will be the official language of the new Jewish kingdom of Jerusalem over which Antichrist reigns.)

“In computing the number of Antichrist authors are divided in their opinions as to whether the Latin, Greek, or Hebrew letters should be used. The prevailing opinion today regards the use of Hebrew as the most probable. In the new Jewish kingdom of Jerusalem the use of Hebrew will certainly be encouraged if not made obligatory.”

XI. Satan Will Set Up a Church of Satan in Opposition to the Church of Christ

The Church of Christ: An Apologetic and Dogmatic Treatise, p. 119 (St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co., 1927)

(In his later systematic work, Berry repeats and confirms his prophecy of the satanic counterfeit church, linking it directly to the reign of the Antichrist who will assume the role of the Jewish Messias.)

“The prophecies of the Apocalypse show that Satan will imitate the Church of Christ to deceive mankind; he will set up a church of Satan in opposition to the Church of Christ. Antichrist will assume the role of Messias; his prophet will act the part of Pope; and there will be imitations of the Sacraments of the Church. There will also be lying wonders in imitation of the miracles wrought in the Church.”

XII. Christ Coming in the Clouds — Those Who Pierced Him Shall Behold Him

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 1:7, p. 22 (1921)

(Commenting on the verse “Behold he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also that pierced him,” Berry affirms the patristic teaching that those who put Christ to death on the Cross will themselves behold His power and majesty at the Second Coming — a direct reference to Jewish culpability in the Crucifixion.)

“At His second coming Christ will be manifest to all; even those who put Him to death on the cross shall behold His power and majesty. Then will all nations mourn because of the judgment that awaits them.”

XIII. The Supersession of the Jewish Nation: St. Michael Guards the Church

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 1:4–5, p. 21 (1921)

(Berry notes that St. Michael, who was the special protector of the Jewish nation in the Old Dispensation, has now transferred his protection to the Church — a classical statement of supersessionism in which the Church has inherited all the privileges once belonging to Israel.)

“St. Michael, the special protector of the Jewish nation, now guards the Church against her enemies that she too, may enjoy the peace that comes from God.”

XIV. The Abomination of Desolation — Antichrist Seated in the Temple

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:12, p. 134 (1921)

(Berry interprets St. Paul’s prophecy of the “man of sin” sitting in the Temple of God as referring directly to Antichrist establishing himself in Jerusalem and seating himself at the altar to be adored as God — thus completing the sacrilegious logic of the Jewish rejection of the true Messias.)

“St. Paul clearly states that Antichrist will give himself out as God: ‘He opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God.’ Many theologians believe that Antichrist will rebuild the temple of Jerusalem in which he will establish his throne and be worshipped as God.”

XV. The Abominations in Catholic Churches — A Foreshadowing

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:12–13, pp. 134–135 (1921)

(Berry contrasts the historical profanations of Catholic churches — which he treats as foreshadowings of the coming reign of Antichrist — with the ultimate abomination of Antichrist himself seated at the altar.)

“The ‘abomination of desolation’ has been wrought in many Catholic churches by heretics and apostates who have broken altars, scattered the relics of martyrs and desecrated the Blessed Sacrament. At the time of the French Revolution a lewd woman was seated upon the altar of the cathedral in Paris and worshipped as the goddess of reason. Such things but faintly foreshadow the abominations that will desecrate churches in those sorrowful days when Antichrist will seat himself at the altar to be adored as God.”

XVI. The Universal Reign of Christ — Conversion of the Jews as the Final Consummation

The Apocalypse of St. John, Part III Commentary (on Apoc. 20:1–6), p. 175 (1921)

(In the eschatological conclusion of his work, Berry places the conversion of the Jews at the very end of the age, as the final event before the universal reign of Christ over all peoples — making Jewish conversion the capstone of Christian supersessionism and the fulfillment of all prophecy.)

“After the defeat of Antichrist the Gentile nations will return to the Church and the Jews will enter her fold. Then shall be fulfilled the words of Christ: ‘There shall be one fold and one shepherd.'”

XVII. Antichrist‘s Deception of the Gentile Nations Through the Jews

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:12, p. 135 (1921)

(Berry describes how the Jewish acclamation of Antichrist as Messias in Jerusalem will serve as the instrument by which the false prophet seduces the Gentile nations to adore him — making the Jews the active agents of the final universal apostasy.)

“Then through the power of false miracles the prophet will soon lead the Gentile nations to adore him as the true Messias promised of old by the prophets.”

XVIII. Through the Power of Satan, Antichrist Will Perform Lying Wonders

The Apocalypse of St. John, Commentary on Apoc. 13:2–3, p. 131 (1921)

(Berry places Antichrist‘s lying wonders in the specific context of deceiving the Jews and the world into accepting him as the true Messias, directly citing St. Paul’s prophecy of the “working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders.”)

“Through the power of Satan, Antichrist will perform great wonders to deceive the people and lead them to accept him as the true Messias. St. Paul says that the coming of Antichrist will be ‘according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders.’ Our Lord also warns the faithful of false miracles in those days: ‘For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold I have told it to you beforehand.'”

Sources

All passages are drawn from the following primary sources, verified against digitised and transcribed editions as indicated. Page references are to the original editions.

Primary Works of Rev. E. Sylvester Berry

Secondary and Reference Sources