More thinking aloud on this isse:
Partial preterism and historicism both seem to agree that Antichrist is associated with Rome (cf. Rev. 17). One posits the civil authority, Nero, and the other posits the ecclesiastical authority, the Bishop of Rome, the Papacy, the so-called "Vicar of Christ on Earth." Both assume the title of Deity. As Emperor, Nero and the Caesars claimed divinity. Likewise, "Pope Innocent III enacted in writing, "˜We may according to the fulness of our power, dispose of the law and dispense above the law. Those whom the Pope of Rome doth separate, it is not a man that separates them but God. For the Pope holdeth place on earth, not simply of a man but of the true God.´ I Book of Gregory 9 Decret. C3. The Lateran Council, addressing Pope Julius II in an oration delivered by Marcellus states, "˜Take care that we lose not that salvation, that life and breath which thou hast given us, for thou art our shepherd, tou art physician, thou art governor, thou are husbandman, thou finally ART ANOTHER GOD ON EARTH´ Council Edit. Colm. Agrip. 1618. Pope Nicholas assumed the title of God. His words are:"”"˜I am all in all and above all, so that God Himself, and I, the Vicar of God, hath both one consistory, and I am able to do almost all that God can do . . . Wherefore, if those things that I do be said not to be done of man, but of God. WHAT CAN YOU MAKE ME BUT GOD? Again, if prelates of the Church be called and counted of Constantine for gods, I then, being above all prelates, seem by this reason to be ABOVE ALL GODS. Wherefore, no marvel if it be in my power to dispense with all things, yea, with the precepts of Christ.´ See Decret. Par Distinct 96 Ch. 7 Edit Lugd. 1661." (Ian Paisley, Antichrist Exalts Himself Above God,
http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=antichrist_18). Scripture does teach that Antichrist sits in the temple of God: "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (2 Thess. 2.4). In my view, the clearest fulfillment of this verse is the Papacy.