The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-12, titled "Questions and Answers--Part 40."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

Yesterday, they were reporting about the Pope being in Mexico, not for religious purposes, but for political. Where does he tie in with Revelation 17? There’s the beast, there’s the antichrist, and the false prophet; would he tie in with one of those?

Answer

Well, the answer to your question is yes. He will tie in with one of those. The next question is, “Which one and how?” and I’m not sure that we can be dogmatic about that. I believe that the Roman system definitely appears in Revelation 17. I mean, you can literally see the Catholic Church in Revelation 17. But, by the way, you can also see the liberal Protestant Church "sucked up"--so Protestants aren’t exempt from that. But, it tells you that it’s going to be headed up--mystery Babylon--is going to be headed up in a city with seven hills--it says that! And it even talks about some other details that would lead us to point in that direction. The antichrist rising out of Europe, out of the confederacy of Europe, and certainly Rome would be a part of that--that’s the very heart of the old Roman Empire.

So I would think that in the final world church of Revelation 17, it is wrapped around a Romish core. Now, as to the Pope, some would say he might be the false prophet, some would say he might be the antichrist… I know Dick and I have talked about this. Dick Mayhue, a few months ago, said in one of his messages--I don’t want to put words in your mouth, Dick, wherever you are--but you said that it’s probably a good educated guess to see the possibility of a Pope, some Pope, fitting the role of antichrist. That’s what you said. And I think that is accurate. We don’t know and we will not be dogmatic about that, but there is reason to believe in the text that that would make sense because, you’re asking a question based upon the fact that the Pope is operating in a non-religious political way, and that fits that scenario.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 119
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986