WITHIN a few weeks of the outbreak of this European war, Pope Pius X died. The papers throughout the world have devoted considerable space to telling of the feelings that the late pope had at the thought of the faithful subjects of his church being engaged in this bitter strife in opposing armies. It has been stated over and over again that the pope's death was hastened by the grief he suffered because of this. The new pope, Cardinal Chiesa, has been promptly elected; and among his first utterances, he expresses his grief because of this war, and his determination to do everything within his power to bring it to an end.
Men in all nations are standing aghast that such a cruel war should break out under the strong light of twentieth century civilization. A great tide has set in, particularly in this country, in favor of peace. Men are calling for it. The president has appointed a day on which we are especially to pray for it. Men rightly think that such barbarous butcheries should not be continued. But we have the spirit of war in the world, as is shown by the great preparations that have been made for fighting. And yet many men honestly desire peace, and are looking for some power that can bring it about.
It is recognized on all sides that some international organization that can come in touch with all parts of the world will have to be set in operation in order to produce universal peace. The papacy is the only great influential international organization in existence; and men more and more are turning to the papal power, believing that it is the one agency that can give us international peace.
These very conditions, even in the hands of some of the best-meaning Protestant men and women, as well as in the hands of statesmen and world leaders in general, are laying the foundation for the restoration of the papal power. We will yet see the world turned as one man toward the papacy as the only thing that can give this world peace. And we say this not on the authority of men, but on the authority of the prophetic Word itself. As shown in the first part of the thirteenth chapter of Revelation, the papacy was to receive a deadly wound. It received this deadly wound through the Reformation, the culmination of which brought the papal power to that low state of influence in the world that permitted the French under Napoleon, in 1798, to take the pope of Rome a prisoner and carry him away into exile.
It looked at that time, to every intelligent person, as though the power of the papacy were forever broken. But that same prophecy stated that the deadly wound would be healed, and that all the world would wonder after the beast. And in the seventeenth chapter of Revelation we are told that "the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." Rev. 17: 12, 13.
This beast power in the book of Revelation refers to that union of the church and the state which will compel the consciences of men under civil pains and penalties. This has been one of the leading characteristics of the papacy all through its history. Professing Protestants also have fallen into the same error; and according to another prophecy in this book, they will join the papacy in this last great world movement. And while the papacy will stand at the head, yet all will unite in establishing an ecclesiastical despotism, while in their own minds they are working for world peace.
The majority of mankind has discarded the Bible, even while professing to teach it. The higher critic doctors of divinity of this age are using language concerning the Bible that is almost identical with the language of Thomas Payne, Voltaire, and other noted infidel speakers and writers. And thus the world is prepared for Bible prophecies to be literally fulfilled by men who professedly are following the sacred Book.
This is no new thing in the history of the world. The Jewish nation fulfilled the predictions of the prophets when they crucified Christ and persecuted His followers. This restoration of the papacy will be the climax to the fulfilment of all prophecy; and when that time is reached, the end will come.
It is important that Catholics as well as Protestants study the Bible for themselves. God has given His book to each individual, and His Spirit is promised to guide us into a knowledge of what that Book teaches. We are not dependent upon doctor of divinity, priest, or church for the interpretation of the Word. When Christ was here in person, it was said that "the common people heard Him gladly." And He has so constructed His word that the common people may hear Him just as gladly now.
The papal power is coming to the front throughout the world with astonishing rapidity; and one of the most astonishing things in connection with it is the indifference of Protestants, and their failure to see what the Bible teaches in regard to its significance.
