Roman Eschatology and Roman Political Ambition -- By: J. Dwight Pentecost

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 118:472 (Oct 1961)
Article: Roman Eschatology and Roman Political Ambition
Author: J. Dwight Pentecost


Roman Eschatology and Roman Political Ambition

J. Dwight Pentecost

[J. Dwight Pentecost, Th.D., Chairman, Bible Department and Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary.]

Leo XIII, in his encyclical letter entitled The Reunion of Christendom, said, “We (the Roman Catholic Church) hold upon this earth, the place of Almighty God.” How could an individual make such a claim for that system of which he is the titular head?

There are three systems competing for control over men today. First, there is atheistic Russian communism that has been engulfing individuals and states in unprecedented numbers and with unequalled rapidity, which recognizes only political power and denies any authority other than the state. Secondly, there is the democratic system, which, as we enjoy it today in our country, affirms the separation of church and state, recognizing the validity of both church and state, but with different spheres of authority. Thirdly, there is the Roman Catholic system, which has as its aim the subjugation of the whole earth to its authority. Its goal is to bring every individual into subjection to itself as the sole political and religious power in the world. This system believes that it is the kingdom of God on earth and unites both political and religious authority in one system under one head and consequently has a God-given right to rule in both political and religious realms.

Because of these conflicting ideologies it is necessary to see the divine purpose in human government. Government began at the time of creation, when God said in Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man in our image and after our likeness and let him have dominion.” This dominion was to be exercised over the earth, and over everything that was created upon the earth.

How long man stayed in this estate in which all creation was subject to the authority of Adam, and consequently to the authority of God, we do not know. According to the third chapter of Genesis there was rebellion against the constituted authority of God. The creature refused to acknowledge the sovereign right of the Creator to rule in His own creation. Man, by that rebellion, became a fallen, sinful being and under the curse and the wrath of God.

After the flood, in which God dealt in judgment with a corrupt civilization, God said to Noah: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, and upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered” (You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe

visitor : : uid: ()