Pope Francis To Resign?
June 21, 2022. Rumors are mounting that Pope Francis will resign due to health reasons. The 85-year-old Pontiff has had several health concerns in the past few years, with a portion of his colon removed last July, and reduced mobility due to knee and sciatica issues.
Some Vatican sources indicate the rumors are untrue but that hasn’t stopped watchers of the Vatican from speculating on his replacement.
The Last Pope
Students of Bible Prophecy understand the importance of the Papal office in history, and the future — specifically the time just before the return of Jesus Christ.
Anytime there is a change in the office of the Pope, interest stirs regarding the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy, and who will fill the role of a prominent figure mentioned numerous times in The Holy Bible.
And rightly so. The last head of the Roman Church is specifically identified in the Bible as a most dynamic figure in the important prophecies of the “end time.” But not in a good way.
Church and State
Americans recognize that the founding fathers of the United States clearly rejected state-controlled religion, while insuring freedom of religion for citizens of the new nation. They understood that the Bible guaranteed individual freedoms, and that Europe had suffered for over 1,000 years because of the unholy alliance of Church and State, often ruling over the nation/states of Europe in tyranny.
Individual freedoms and liberties, descended from the Holy Bible, were the inspiration of the liberties guaranteed under the Bill of Rights and Constitution of the United States.
The framers of the United States Constitution were well aware of the abuse of power when the Church and State colluded against the common man. Their understanding of the history of the Roman Church and the Church of England guided them to establish freedom of choice, not the enslavement of one church sponsored religion.
Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Washington — were well aware of the dark history of the major power structure in Europe for a millennium — The Holy Roman Empire!
Europe and Religion
Although interest in the Papacy and the Roman Church is high in Europe, according to the Pew Research Center, only 28% of Western Europeans believe in the God of the Bible.
In the 21st century, few understand that the times in which Europe was most powerful was when the Church ruled with the State in an alliance that emulated and honored its Roman heritage, both politically and religiously. Bible Prophecy shows a startling change in the secular attitude that now prevails in Europe.
The final leader of the Roman church will force the entire earth to worship the final resurrection of the Roman Empire:
Revelation 13:13 “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”
Not only will this leader have supernatural power, but he will also possess the power of life and death. In European history, the first group to receive the persecution of the “Great Inquisition” were a Sabbath keeping group called the “Waldensians,” followers of Peter Waldo, who were members of the Church of God in 12th century France.
As history repeats itself, this great, yet dark, powerful church will persecute all who refuse its mysterious “mark.” (Revelation 13:16-17) The “mark of the Beast” is enforced Sunday worship, preventing dissent by limiting the ability to conduct commerce, having a job, or being able to buy or sell unless Sunday is observed as the day of rest.
The Holy Roman Empire Through History
In February 2021, World News & Prophecy Review published the article “Who and What Is The “Beast” of Revelation?” This essay covered the important history of the combined governments of Church and State in Europe, which is now all but forgotten in the modern world. But Bible Prophecy predicts the imminent rise of two governmental bodies, working in conjunction with one another — a large, powerful governmental colossus, working hand in hand with the most powerful church government in human history! You can read about some of the important details by following this link: Who and What Is The “Beast” of Revelation?”
This article explains the important symbols of Bible Prophecy, which the Bible itself interprets. “Beast” and “horn(s),” are synonymous with governments, both civic and religious — poised to dominate the world scene.
Who Will Be Next Pope?
Who will succeed Pope Francis if he resigns his office, and will his successor be the final Pope of the Catholic church?
Observers of Vatican politics speculate on two prominent Cardinals, Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, from the Philippines, and Peter Turkson, from Ghana. Either of these choices would ensure the same progressive agenda of Pope Francis.
But will the Pope of Revelation 13:11-16, Daniel 7:20-21 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 (man of sin) be a liberal and progressive Pontiff, agitating for gay marriage, speaking out on climate change and advocating for green energy?
The individual described in these passages is also mentioned in Daniel 7:26-25 as a “different” horn (leader). Though appearing as Christ like (Revelation 13:11, like a lamb, but in reality, speaking like Satan) and will be blasphemous toward God, persecute the saints (members of the Church of God) and change the calendar.
Unlike today, where the current church authority is impotent and lacks influence, the final Pope will be the most influential personality on earth!
We do not know who the last Pope will be. If the history of the Holy Roman Empire is a guide, the final Pope will be of Italian descent. After all, each Pontiff presiding over the ancient revived Roman Empire, including the past six revivals, (Justinian, Charlemagne, Otto the Great, Charles the Great, Napolean, and Garibaldi through Hitler/Mussolini) were Italian.
These revivals of the Roman Empire are summarized in Revelation 13:3, with the fall of the Empire in 476 A.D. being the “mortal wound,” which was prophesied to be “healed.” In 554 A.D., emperor Justinian claimed the “restoration” of the Roman Empire, uniting Constantinople and Rome, and recognizing the Papacy of Rome pre-eminent. The work of Justinian seemed to “heal” the wound.
The previous verses outline a future time in which the grandeur and scope of the ancient Roman Empire and Church will once again unite. The Bible describes two sinister men, a civil leader and Church leader who together will rule the world with an iron fist — and the earth will accept them. The population of the earth will “marvel” (Revelation 13:3, Revelation 17:8) or be amazed, astonished and wonder at the “Beast,” and “False Prophet.”
Although we are given only an outline of their activities for 3 1/2 years, their crimes against humanity will be so heinous, they are both captured at the return of Jesus Christ, and thrown into the “lake of fire.” (Revelation 19:20)
The Coming Kingdom
The change in the Papacy that will lead the world to its final gigantic conflagration of war, with the nations opposing the rule of Jesus Christ at His return, will eventually be turned to 1,000 years of peace, success, blessing and unity.
Micah 4:1 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it.
Will the successor to Pope Francis be the final Pope? Not if Francis has influence in the selection!
World News & Prophecy Review
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