For centuries the Roman Catholic Church has been considered to be either a revered group of religious individuals, or an organization that has corrupted and perverted Biblical faith.

When we look at the role the Vatican has played in history, we should wonder about what potential prophetic part the Roman Catholic Church plays in end-time events. For much of the Church's history, Roman Catholic clergy has exuberated much power over Europe. Roman Catholics have persecuted and killed both Protestants and Jews, and much of the Church did nothing to stop the Holocaust during World War II.

Only in the past thirty to fifty years has the Roman Catholic Church significantly demonstrated a desire to "reconcile" its differences with Protestants and engage in ecumenical councils. Roman Catholic officials have also conferred with leaders of other religions, including: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and shockingly Messianic Judaism as well. Many prophecy teachers believe that the prophesied false prophet will be a highly ecumenical pope and that the Roman Catholic Church will be responsible for an end-times one-world religion of tolerance. There has also been speculation that as a result of the Mideast peace process, the Vatican may eventually administer holy sites in Israel, including the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

There are many questions surrounding the Vatican in regard to faith, its political influence, and its potential involvement in end-time prophecy. In this section of Tribnews, we analyze the Roman Catholic Church's position in ecumenical movements, its involvement in the Mideast peace process and phenomena concerning Protestant denominations or groups who feel that all of Christianity should once again embrace the authority of the pope.

Questionable Authority
by J.K. McKee

posted 01 September, 2000