All the World Looks to Rome

The month of April 2005 brought us two successive events of special significance in the capital of the world, Rome. Pope John Paul II went and Benedict XVI came, voted in by 100 of the 115 cardinals. The inter-national press as well as the mass media filled entire programs with their reports.

Those were two world-moving events within the Vatican which will go down in the history books. The whole world could observe the heads of state and the representatives of the various religions as they said good-bye and paid their last respects to one pope. Shortly thereafter, millions throughout the world watched as the worldly heads of state bowed to the newly elected pope and cardinals and bishops bowed their knees and all tongues confessed faithfulness and expressed their reverence to him. The entire world could participate “live” as the new pope assumed his office, thanks to modern technology. The question arose once again if the papacy has a biblical foundation or if it actually is a tradition introduced by the church.

Headlines called this event »a millennial happening« and a compari-son was made to Christ, the Lord, when He will start His reign as King. Only then will the following be fulfilled, “… every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:11; Heb. 1:6-14; Rev. 11:15; a. o.). Some people ask why such a divine glorification and honour is being bestowed upon a mere man. According to the testimony of the Holy Scripture, there is only One that is worthy to receive honour and glory, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev. 4:11).

Prophets foretold the great day when the One to Whom all power is given in heaven and on earth will start His reign, “For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations. All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him …” (Ps. 22:28-29).

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God …” (Ps. 95:6-7).

“… That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess …” (Isa. 45:23).

Then the Kingdom of God, for the coming of which we have been praying for two thousand years, will in reality be on earth with all the blessings of paradise.

What happened in the Vatican on April 24^th, 2005, exceeded in worship, in pomp and circumstance everything that we had knowledge of so far. Some commentators compared the pompous inauguration of the pope with the humble entrance of the King of Kings, the Messiah, when He rode on the foal of an ass into Jerusalem. Christ, the Lord, did not come with great glamour, He did not come to Rome, He came in simplicity and humility into Jerusalem to His people, into the city chosen by God. It was only the simple crowd that took palm branches, throwing them on the road, and the children were shouting, “Hosanna …”, as predicted in Zech. 9:9 and reported in Mt. 21:1-11. The highly esteemed clergy of the Jews did not receive Him. The scribes were performing their duties, celebrating themselves and being celebrated. Only those who received Him were given the power to become the children of God, specifically all those who believed in His Name (Jn. 1:12).

Can it be His servant, whom all the world celebrates and before whom all the mighty ones on earth bow? Is it really His vicar, to whom all pay exceptional homage? Some ask whether the Scripture is being overlooked where the Lord God Himself says, “I am the Lord/Yahweh: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another …” (Isa. 42:8). On this earth God was never worshipped or glorified in a man, only and exclusively when He personally came to us in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, Who said of Himself, “I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” (Jn. 5:41-44). Then the Lord of Glory said, “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only.” What is true scriptural belief and what is unscriptural tradition? That is the big question.

All of humanity is being confronted with the question whether salvation is acquired exclusively in the Roman Catholic Church. Can redemption solely be found in her? Can only the person who has the Church as mother have God as Father? If that was the case, then all others would be hopelessly lost for ever. Then all of them, even the 347 denominations which are presently united in the World Council of Churches, must admit to having misled their members to whom they promised salvation, salvation which they could not provide.

Can a church in the Middle East claim to be the true Church of Jesus Christ? Can the Greek-Orthodox, the Maronite, the Syrian, the Egyptian, the Coptic, etc., etc. be the one? Are they not all state churches — the churches in the various countries into which people enter by birth? Can the Anglican Church, the Church of Scotland, the Reformed Church, the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church, or any of the many others be the original Church of the living God? Can the joining of all these churches in the World Council give salvation to all of mankind?

We are facing many questions that actually no one of us can answer. But we all have a right to know the only true answer — and that is the one from above. Religiously oriented authors have dared to pose this question: Is the man within the papacy the personification of the one who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, as described in 2. Thess. 2, who puts himself in God’s place and allows others to worship him? Believe it or not, Bible scholars are asking: Could this be the “superman” of the end-time, to whom the whole world will look up to, and who was described by the reformer Martin Luther as “the real End-Christ who sits in the temple of God and reigns in Rome”? Is it already the Antichrist, the one announced by the Apostle John (1. Jn. 2), and who will step onto the world platform before the coming of Christ? Can it be this loving man? Is it his office that is being described? Sharp tongues even ask if it could be the man of Rev. 13:8, of whom it is written, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Others pose this question: Does not the title “Holy Father” exclusively apply to God? For Thus saith our Lord, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (Mt. 23:9). This is how we are taught in the Lord’s Prayer, “… therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come …”

Those who know the Scriptures question whether we have the need for both, one Father in heaven and one vicarious “Holy Father” on earth? Whose Kingdom was to come? What did John the Baptist announce in his first sermon in the wilderness of Judea, when he proclaimed, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mt. 3:2)? What Kingdom did Jesus of Nazareth announce with the same wording in His first sermon (Mt. 4:17)? Did He refer to the Church in the Roman Empire or did He point to the fulfilment of Lk. 16:16, “the law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”?

This subject is so important — it cannot be brushed aside and cannot be explained away. No one who sincerely searches for the truth can continue on in the usual way after April 2005. Looking at the Church of Rome from the biblical standpoint can also bring clarification in regards to our own churches. What is our personal lesson from this?

Some people could not help but think of the end-time events, called eschatology, when they saw the pictures of the dignitaries dressed in scarlet-red and of the mighty ones on earth, of whom it is written, “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.” (Rev. 6:15-17). At the moment when the apocalyptic judgements will strike the earth, not even the dignitaries and the mighty men of the earth shall be spared.

Many religiously oriented journalists wrote articles in regards to that great event. They did, however, leave more questions open than they could answer. Some even wanted to know if this great event in the “eternal city” has to do with the city from Rev. 18:16, unto which the threat is pronounced, “Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!” Whoever has seen the pictures on TV or in the various magazines of the ones dressed in scarlet could come to the conclusion that this comparison to Revelation is not too far-fetched.

On April 26^th, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the representatives of all religions, ending his statement with the words, “At the beginning of my pontificate I invite all of you, the believers of natural religions and all that search for the truth with sincere hearts, that together we will become builders of peace and pledge to understand, respect, and love each other.” Does this multiplicity have anything to do with the believers of the Holy Scripture? Is the search for truth the real search for the divine truth, as expressed in the statement of the Apostle Peter, “And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (1. Pt. 1:25), or is it something that is only declared to be the truth and indeed is an entirely different gospel from the one preached by the Apostles Peter and Paul, namely one that is under a curse (Gal. 1:1-10)? The Apostle Paul foresaw that another gospel, another christ under the influence of another spirit would be preached (2. Cor. 11:3-4).

On May 12^th, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the diplomatic representatives from 174 countries. The diplomatic corps welcomed him with great applause before he spoke to them. And again sharp tongues were referring to Rev. 17:18, “It is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” The pope is both, as it was emphasised, he is the head of the church and also the head of state. Thereby the Vatican, unlike any other country on earth, unlike any church and any religion, has direct access on the diplomatic and the religious level in every country. The Vatican is represented wherever world politics are made. That is the only way real globalisation and the much-wanted unification of the world family, which is divided into world religions, can be achieved, by leading it into a true unity under the forum of the world government.

In an article of a renowned publication we find this statement, “Protestants, what now?” At the end of point three we read, “Return to your roots! Should Protestantism not come back to its roots — the Bible and the confession —, then it will disappear!” But obviously the Protestants are no longer concerned with “Sola Scriptura”, as it was emphasised by the reformer Martin Luther, but rather with the unification. It must also be asked if this is the unity Jesus Christ spoke about in His special prayer in Jn. 17:21, which some presently refer to. However, it only applies to those who truly belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, “… Father, I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.”

Pope Benedict XVI described the believers in all the various reli--gions as disciples who eagerly strive for peace. Some noticed that he did not mention the Jews and that the Islamic religion found special mention. His emphasis was that bridges of friendship must be built and that the unification and peace process, as set forth by his predecessors, must continue. All the world religions must therefore submit themselves if they wish to survive. And all countries must belong to the WTO — World Trade Organisation, otherwise they will not be able to buy or to sell.

The concern now is the predicted constellation for the new and final world order. No other religion possesses such worldwide power in politics, religion, and commerce. The European Union is increasingly taking over the role of the leader, regardless of how a referendum on the European constitution in the 25 base countries would turn out, or if it is even granted. The spiritual power dominates the worldly power and holds the reins in its hands (Rev. 17).

Some even ponder if those who do not submit and bow to this unification process will have their freedom of faith and speech restricted and be persecuted. This especially applies to the faithful Bible believers who will never join any ecumenical movement, as they cannot possibly agree to any compromise at the expense of the truth. They must obey God over any man.

Then the thought was expressed that the office of Benedict XVI, the 265^th pope, will only be transitional. The “Pope of peace” — “Gloria olivea” was to be in office when peace would be achieved between the Arab nations and the Jews. After him there should only be one more, “Peter, the Roman” who will once again crown himself with the tiara bearing the inscription VICARIUS FILLII DEI — the numerals of which add up to the number 666 (Rev. 13:18). In the Cathedral in Washington the tiara of Paul VI is the main attraction for the tourists and, of course, a very good source of income. The 266^th pope is to be the last one, with whom the end-time events are to find their fulfilment, right to the destruction of Rome. But before that happens, this proclamation is to be made, “Now there is peace and safety!” (1. Thess. 5:1-3). The world peace process shall soon be successful, by way of a “Roman treaty”, spelling out a compromise over Jerusalem between Israel and the Arab nations. As the Oslo Treaty suggests, it will provisionally be made for the duration of seven years.

On October 11^th, 1962, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council attended by 2,500 delegates with the statement of the German Cardinal Constantine Bea, “Let us speak the language of our separated brethren, so they may understand us!” And they all understood that language! It was also Pope John XXIII who insisted that the accusatory statement, the Jews are guilty of murdering Jesus Christ, was taken out of the Good Friday mass. Pope John Paul II spoke all the important languages, also the Slavic language of the communists, and all understood him. Pope Benedict XVI speaks all of the six main languages fluently, even Hebrew, and all will understand what he says.

On Thursday, May 24^th, the Embassy of Israel in Rome, which is situated near the Holy See, announced that in commemoration of the 85^th birthday of John Paul II on May 18^th, they would issue an extra souvenir stamp in Israel, showing him at the Wailing Wall. They immediately followed through on that announcement. The communication in all languages with all nations and religions is making pro-gress, even with Israel.

On May 13^th, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Mgr. William Joseph Levada, the archbishop of San Francisco, USA, to be his successor as prefect of the faithful congregation. The insiders say this could mean that he might be elected as the next pope. Mgr. Levada together with then-Cardinal Ratzinger composed the latest version of the Catholic catechism in the years 1986-1993. It is indeed a masterpiece to present the Roman Catholic faith in a believable manner. Of course it must be said that, even though many Scriptures were quoted, the catechism in comparison to the Word of God, which remains for ever, does not represent the scriptural belief of the Church of Jesus Christ in doctrine and in practice, but rather the belief of the Church of Rome.

Should it happen that Mgr. William Joseph Levada is elected as the next pope, then it would be the fulfilment of what the man of God, William M. Branham, USA, said on December 19^th, 1954, in the sermon “Acts of the Holy Spirit” in Jeffersonville, “I believe, one of these glorious days, when this united confederation of church goes together, and the new pope is brought out of the United States and put over there according to prophecy, then they’ll form an image like unto the beast. And I tell you, the true Church of God will be drove together. The real, true believers out of Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Pilgrim Holiness, whatever they’ll be, will go together and cemented by the love of God, that’ll make the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ, all the believers. And agnostics and shallow-minded will be cast to one side; they’ll go right on into the confederation of churches.…”

Pope Benedict XVI expressed his respect towards other religions and cultures, certainly with the unmistakable goal of bringing all of them together under the patronage of Rome. He urges that Europe must re-turn to its original “Christian roots”. The question arises if that would mean the time when Christianity was forced upon the people of Europe in connection with the forced baptism by the Roman Church, which extended right to the time of Charles the Great. During that epoch the European soil was saturated with blood, especially by the slaughtering of the 4,500 Saxons in the year ad 782. Another question to consider is what kind of seed it was that took roots. Was it the seed of the Word, the true Gospel of Jesus Christ as preached and sown by Peter and the other apostles, or was it the seed of the interpretations brought forth by the so-called church fathers? All churches and religions as well as the papacy have the right to present their faith, but if they refer to Jesus Christ then they must stand the test of God’s Word. Only thus can we know without fail if we are dealing with religious traditions, into which we were all born, or with the true scriptural proclamation, teaching, and practice.

In the book Introduction into Christianity by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, he provides in its 340 pages a fundamental declaration from the Catholic viewpoint, in a remarkable manner. However, our concern is the introduction into God’s plan of Salvation according to the divine viewpoint. The term “Christianity” is not once found in the Bible. We only read that those in Antiochia who believed in Jesus Christ were called Christians (Acts 11:26). The word “Christ” means “the Anointed One”, and the believers in Him who were anointed — by the Holy Spirit — were those who had actually received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 3:11; Acts 2; a. o.); therefore they were called “Christians”, because they were indeed “anointed” (2. Cor. 1:21-22).