What gives you hope?
Pope Francis was asked this question in a recent interview that aired May 19th on the CBS news program 60 Minutes. His answer was as short as it was unbiblical: “Everything.” Speaking of heroic mothers and heroic men who have hopes and dreams, Pope Francis summed up his assessment of the human condition: “And people are basically good.”
It is one thing for a politician to appeal to “the better angels of our nature,” as President Lincoln did in his first inaugural address on March 4, 1861. Obviously, he was trying to strengthen bonds of national unity in the face of looming discord. But the head of the Catholic Church should know better than to make such statements in denial of Catholic tradition and the clear teaching of Scripture.
In direct contradiction to Francis’ claim, Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 8:23). Citing Psalm 14, Paul also observed, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).
God’s View of Mankind
This realization of true human nature was originally recorded by the Lord God. As Noah offered a sacrifice upon leaving the Ark, God said to Himself, “I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done” (Genesis 8:21). Tragically, mankind has found a way to twist and pervert even the rainbow God that marked His covenant with mankind (Genesis 8:8-17).
Far from hopeful, mankind’s natural state would render us hopeless. Left to our own devices and dependent upon our own efforts, we are condemned from the outset. But God gave us the Blessed Hope.
The same Psalm of David that Paul cited begins with this bleak observation: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 14:1). But by the end of that short Psalm, David has centered his hope on the Messiah—God’s own promise of deliverance from sin. His final verse opens with this great verse of anticipation: “Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!” (Psalm 14:7).
Like King David, I am a Zionist, because I too am awaiting the coming Jewish messiah who will reign on Mount Zion in Jerusalem in the prophetically regathered and reestablished nation of Israel. The deception being embraced by the world and casually affirmed by Pope Francis, which denies these historic, biblical, and prophetic promises to Israel, is another of Satan’s lies.
Christ-Centered Hope
We have the blessing of hindsight to know that the salvation of Israel already did come out of Zion, and not only for Israel. God’s Anointed One—His Messiah—came for Jew and Gentile alike. “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). He is our Blessed Hope and offers us assurance that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). But for those who reject Jesus Christ, there is no hope, for the wrath of God abides on them (John 3:36).
If Pope Francis is right in claiming that “people are basically good,” what need do they have for a Savior? Their flippant, if unspoken, response to Jesus’ offer of salvation is essentially, “I’m good.”
Anyone engaged in evangelism can tell you that there are two types of people who are most resistant to the Gospel: one, those who have bought into the lie that they are too wicked to receive salvation, and two, those who believe they are good enough and therefore do not need salvation. Francis has lumped the entire human race into that second category!
As a confessional Protestant, Evangelical Christian, I can attest that much Catholic doctrine and dogma has departed from orthodox Christianity. Catholic teaching has traditionally recognized the depravity of mankind and our need for a Savior. Pope Francis, in accordance with his practice of muddying clear teaching and contradicting biblical truths, has undermined the very core of the Gospel.
Pope Francis may peddle a false hope that was eagerly received by CBS reporter Norah O’Donnell, but Jesus Christ offers Himself as the Way, Truth, and Life that leads to eternal salvation. To cite the Apostle Paul once again, “Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar” (Romans 3:4).
Revelation chapter 13:1-18 there are two beasts here one from the Sea which appeared like unto leopard and his mouth like the lion and feet like unto the bear. And the dragon gave him power and great authority and upon his heads names of blasphemy and upon his horns ten crowns. And i saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death and his deadly wound healed and the whole world wnadered after the beast and worshipped the dragon that gave power unto the beast. Interpretation.
Beasts represent kingdoms and powers here we have a composite beast having elements of first the Babylonian kingdom as shown by the Lion next bear medo persian kingdom, third leopard Greecean kingdom and fourth the dragon Pagan Rome. Historically the PAPACY grew out of the ruins of the Old Roman empire. In
A.D 538 the emperor Justinan gave his seat of power to the Bishop of Rome by transfer of the seat from Rome to Constantinopole. Which is now Vatican city. Thus uniting the Church and the state which was separate. The Papacy ruled over christiandom for 42months or time,times and dividing of time or 1260years. Until in A.D 1798 when the french revolution started and the Papacy received a wound when Napolean disposed Pope Pius VI and he exiled him thus the beast was wounded to death.
The healing of the wound refers to the restoration of the Papacy when her power was given through the birth of jesuitism which countered the. Reformation and crippled the protestant reformation
Amen my brother, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said these things are going to happen in the Book of Revelation. People need to wake up and look to the East of the world were everything is taking place for the Antichrist, false prophet, and Satan to come on the world stage and the Pope is just one of the pieces to end time prophecy.
The events of Revelation are still in the future. The 1260 days are just days so it is 3 1/2 years of tribulation not 1260 years. You can read into the Bible all kinds of arrangements, but generally speaking, it is usual a literal interpretation except for Daniel’s 70 weeks of years. I have heard all kinds of interpretations through out my lifetime. Since we are getting close to the end, we will soon find out for ourselves what exactly the Book of Revelation means when we see it’s events transpire. Especially, the Rapture. Let’s hope it is SOON!
This pathetic Pope Francis is in the hands of Satan, and in direct disobedience to the Head of the Church … The Lord God Himself Jesus Christ !
We are Commanded to Preach the Gospel of Truth, The Holy Word of Christ, to all Peoples !
So let’s Pray for His lost Soul, and the lies being told to millions of People in the Roman Church,
Purgatory, Infallibility, Transubstantiation of Bread which never changes and wine that is only wine,
Failure to Teach Jesus Commands in John Chapter 3- re: The Spirit Birth, and The Rapture of the Born Again Believer. And most of all … The
Baptism of Christ which is the Promise of Yhe Father … The Holy Spirit Baptism ! And with the Evidence of Speaking in tongues unknown ! And the Great Freedom of Pardon from all Sin for the one who receives Jesus Christ into their life !
I appreciate your comments, but are you suggesting that speaking in tongues is required for salvation?
Lamb & Lion continue to preach the true Gospel. King David knew his Blessed Hope was centered on the Messiah. Romans 11:25 All Israel will be saved. I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; God’s purpose to sum up things in Christ and especially for both Jew and Gentile, (will be His mercy, to be included in His kingdom.)
We are forgiven by the mercy of God….his mercy is based on repentance and faith. Zechariah 12:10.
It’s important not to listen to false teachings that lead us astray, especially in the last days. Only God’s word shall give us that truth. Romans 3:10 “There is no one righteous, not even one; We are all under the power of sin.
Righteousness Through Faith.
Romans 3: 21. But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.
So the veil has been torn and the true face of Catholicism has emerged. Catholicism is PROVING it is NOT a CHRISTIAN FAITH! Folks labor to equate Catholicism with Christianity and it simple is not! Never has been. They follow a FALSE CHRIST and ALWAYS have. The REAL Ha’Mashiach does NOT share the ability to SAVE and REMOVE our sins with His mother, who’s just a woman. You can NOT pray or pay for the lost out of Hell, once they die, the die has been cast. Yeshua does NOT share worship with saints, popes, or anyone! The ONLY person we are to call ‘Father’, “Father” is YWHW or YESHUA! Calling a priest ‘Father’ or the Pope, “The HOLY FATHER” is straight up Blasphemy! Praying to Mary or Praying to the Saints is a NO-NO as well!
So Why is it so surprising that the Pope finally drops the Façade and comes out and embrace the Worldly ways!? If we agree that Catholics are ‘Christian’; Followers of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, then we must accept Mormons and other False Christians as ‘Christians’, when they are NOT!
This should be a monumental Red Flag with flashing lights and sirens to the members of that religion that they are following a FALSE Christ and they are NOT SAVED! This isn’t my opinion it’s Biblical Fact! A Catholic is no more saved than a devout Jew or Buddhist. The Catholic Teaching flies in the Face of the Bible (Yeshua)’s teachings, yet Catholics ignore the Contradictions their religion creates and sheepishly follow the doctrine of MAN!
The rest of us that smile and go alone with Catholics calling themselves “Christian”, own some of the blame as well. Not saying to berate them and beat them over the head with a Bible, but never back down from stating the facts the Bible presents, when Catholics bring up their false teachings. If you refer to a priest as “Father”, you are condoning their Blasphemy! As for this Pope, pray that this evil will result in many Catholic awaking and casting off the Catholic False Teachings and turn instead to the TRUE CHRIST of the Bible and FINALLY BE SAVED!
I know many Catholics who have rejected the way this Pope is leading their church. As you may or may not know, modern Catholics are allowed to read the Bible for themselves and are not told what THE WORD says by priests, laymen, etc.
Instead of harboring anger or judgment against Catholics, rejoice instead that all the Lord has told us that would happen IS coming to pass. Pray for them and all who are lost instead.
Enjoyed this response, Mark B! May all people’s eyes be opened to the Truth of Jesus Christ which is found in the Holy Bible!!! God bless!!! 🙂
The Catholic church was never really a Christian church to begin with. It has, through the centuries, persecuted true believers. It believes in a “works salvation” that all these prayers, rosaries and indulgencies will somehow save you. It does not believe in the Gospel and never has. I know because I am a former Catholic. Also, all their weird stuff like “the sacrifice of the Mass” which is a complete sacrilege, is based on paganism. So it’s no wonder the Pope is the way he is. He is more of a representative of the devil than he is of God. You should read up on Catholic dogma before you say that the Catholic religion has always taught the Gospel. It never has and never will. It is, along with other world religions, a part of the Whore of Babylon. And will usher in the Antichrist some day.
Great article! Thanks Lamb and Lion for speaking out about this!
I was a Catholic once but not anymore I am a member of the church of Christ the Catholic practice many things that the Bible preach against example calling a priest father canonized saints the Bible says the only to call father is God our father in heaven paul says we are all saints people going to priest to confess their sins prayer to Mary and other statues of men who they canonize as saints purgatory that is false the church for their souls to get out that is so false in the book of deuturonomy it says not to make statues of angry above or below to serve the church has a big cross of supposedly Jesus still on the cross Jesus is alive and well sitting at the right hand if God in heap as we wait for his return I believe the Catholic Church is a religion that practices many things that the Bible says is wrong
People should read Dr. Reagan’s book. The Man of Lawlessness… The Antichrist in the Tribulation.) Get an understanding of who the man could be and what motivates him. Revelation 13:2,7. And the Dragon, (Satan) gave him his power and his throne and great authority….And It was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. Planet earth is in rebellion against God, and has been for 6000 years ever since Eve was enticed by Satan to sin. Satan desires to overthrow the very throne of Heaven and to be worshipped as God by all mankind.
The Pope may have a role in the end times Bible prophecy. It is possible that he will serve as the right hand man, referred to the Scriptures as the False Prophet. Revelation 19:20. (The False Prophet is pictured as serving as the head of the world wide religion that supports the rule of the Antichrist.) The word Vicar means stand-in or substitute. Does the Pope consider himself to be a substitute for Christ? The Vicar of Christ is the Holy Spirit, not the Pope.