Death of a Pope

“Let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of lawlessness be revealed, the son of perdition, he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called a god or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as a god. Remember ye not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he cometh to be out of its midst” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7 RVIC).

In the heart of the Vatican and the soul of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis emerged as a transformative figure whose life and teachings became a guiding light for millions around the globe. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, he rose to lead the worldwide Catholics through his position and commitment to humility, compassion, and social justice.

Beginning in March 2013, his papacy was characterized by a desire to reform the Church and make it more accessible and relevant in the modern world. While some traditionalists criticized his progressive stance on various issues, younger generations embraced his willingness to engage in challenging conversations and challenge the status quo. His message of mercy, commitment to social justice, embrace of interfaith dialogue, and candid approach to Church reform resonated with followers worldwide.

Early Papal History Shows a Dark Side

Over the years it has existed, the papacy has shaped the history of Europe, particularly in its early years with some of the worst events. Popes have schemed, murdered, bribed, stolen, and assaulted. Others committed atrocities so shocking that even their contemporaries were appalled.

This appalling behavior was especially true when the popes and the Catholic Church gripped Christendom. Some of the most heinous crimes ever committed in the name of religion, all with papal sanction, occurred during what is known as the Rule of the Harlots, when a struggle raged across Europe to eliminate any belief, practice, or opinion that deviated from the official papal line. For example, virtual genocide eliminated the Cathars, a sect centered around southwestern France. The Inquisition caught up with the 17th century astronomer Galileo Galilei, who was censured for supporting views about the Universe that were contrary to Church teachings. To illustrate the pope’s influence over world affairs, the “papal line of demarcation,” established by Pope Alexander VI in 1493 was an imaginary line drawn on a map to divide newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal. It was modified by The Treaty signed in Tordesillas, Spain, but still had significant influence over the division of the Americas between Spain and Portugal.

This period was predicted in the scriptural term “man of lawlessness” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. The Apostle Paul warned of a figure who would oppose and exalt himself above all, who would be called God. The phrase Deus vult (God wills it) was shouted in response to Pope Urban II’s speech at the Council of Clermont in 1095. This speech incited the First Crusade. Deus vult became the rallying cry of the Crusaders. The Apostle Paul said this figure would sit in the temple of God and show himself as God.

Specific characteristics attributed to this figure reflect the actions and influence of popes throughout the ages. While the recent pope, Francis, displayed compassion and humility, the papacy has generally exhibited spiritual pride and an overreach of authority, aligning with scripture’s description of the man of lawlessness. It has positioned itself as the mediator between God and humanity, emphasizing its jurisdiction in matters of faith and doctrine.

For instance, the claim of papal infallibility, formally defined in the First Vatican Council of 1870, manifests this self-exaltation. By asserting that the pope is incapable of error when pronouncing dogma concerning faith and morals, the papacy fulfills the biblical warning against setting oneself above divine authority. During the Middle Ages, popes wielded significant political power and influenced kings and territories.

Common View

The standard view among evangelical Christians is that in the last days of this age, a single literal man will fulfill everything the Scriptures predict regarding this character. It is asserted that this man will charm the whole world so effectively that, within just a few short years, he will garner the homage and worship of all people, who will easily be deceived into considering this man to be God, worshiping him in a rebuilt Jewish temple. All this is said to occur at lightning speed — three and a half years, they claim, misinterpreting the symbolic time of 1260 days (see article in this issue, “The Importance of 1799”), just as they misinterpret the symbolic “man.”

The inspired writers, however, vividly describe this as occurring sooner rather than later within the Christian church. In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul states that the “mystery of iniquity” was already at work in his day (verse 7). Daniel refers to the replacement of Jesus’ one-time sacrifice by the mass as “The Abomination that maketh desolate” (Daniel 11:31, 12:11). Jesus referred to this in Matthew 24:15. Revelation 13:1-8 depicts it as a “Beast.” This same character was also foreshadowed by a little horn, or power, emerging from a terrible beast that Daniel saw in his prophetic vision, which had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, prospered, and waged war with the saints, prevailing against them (Daniel 7:8, 21).

Not Individuals, but an Office

Here, then, is what we understand about the Papacy: it is not an opposition to the name of Christ, but rather an enemy or opponent of Christ in that it falsely bears his name, counterfeits his kingdom and authority, and misrepresents his character, plans, and doctrines before the world. Paul’s statement concerning the man of lawlessness’ fate — that he will seat himself in the temple of God, showing himself to be a god (theos), suggests that this figure will present himself as a religious ruler, exalting himself within the Church and claiming and exercising lordly authority as its chief or authorized ruler. It must have its origins in a falling away from the true Christian faith.

Papacy’s Fate

This issue’s first article shows that the Papacy was organized as a religious institution. It was “set up” in temporal power in AD 539 when Justinian bestowed and formally recognized the temporal dominion of the Pope. The French Revolution sent General Berthier, who drove the pope from Rome in 1798. He died the following year. Then Napoleon returned from Egypt, seized power in Paris, and forbade the election of a new pope. Still, after a new pope was elected in 1800, March 14 (far from Rome), Napoleon crowned himself emperor with Pius VII in attendance. Since then, the Papacy’s temporal authority over kings and peoples has waned, and those who formerly gave it support have declined (Revelation 17:16, 17). With the end of the 1335 days of Daniel 12, this gradual revelation of truth has continued to “destroy” the influence of not just this system, but all systems which stand in the way of the setting up of the Kingdom of God.