Pope Leo vs. God’s Word

In a showdown between Pope Leo and God’s Word, no one has to second-guess which has the greater authority, because that’s clear!

Nonetheless, Pope Leo XIV, the 267th spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church has pitted himself in a match against the scriptures, inspired by the Almighty, suggesting that he knows better than God when it comes to the nation of Israel, bequeathed to the Jewish people.

Claiming that “the only solution in the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people is one that must include a Palestinian state,” he “reaffirmed the Vatican’s position,” arguing, “We all know that at this time, Israel still does not accept that solution, but we see it as the only solution.”

It is that presumptuous statement which places the pontiff, along with the church he leads, in an adversarial position with the Author of the scriptures whose plans for the Jewish state could not be more straightforward.

Is it likely that the pope would be unfamiliar with the prophetic words in Joel 3:1,2 stating, “I will enter into judgment with all nations on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land.”

It’s hard to believe that Pope Leo wants to be numbered among those harshly judged by God for taking the side of a two-state solution. But to align himself with such a position places him in that unenviable category - at the receiving end of God’s wrath.

Ironically, at the same time, the pope contends, “We are also friends with Israel and we are seeking to be a mediating voice between the two parties that might help them close in on a solution with justice for everyone.”

Why would the pontiff think that God needs his help to bring justice to the land that He established, preserved and continues to protect? In some ways, it’s almost as if he’s assuming the place of the Creator of heaven and earth, by offering up an alternative solution. 

The Roman Catholic Church is essentially injecting itself into a divine plan which God, Himself orchestrated since before the foundations of the earth – one which needs no human wisdom or intervention.

When anyone tries to supersede God’s intentions, it usually doesn’t end well. Take the example of the fall of Lucifer, recorded in the prophetic book of Isaiah as it details how his rebellion turned him into God’s archenemy.

Interestingly enough, the 14th chapter begins with the words, “The Lord will have compassion on Jacob, once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.”

In that same chapter, we witness a conversation taking place where God is recalling how it all started, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphone.  I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” (13, 14)

The notion that anyone could rise to the place reserved only for the Master of the Universe is an act of effrontery to all that has breath. Undoubtedly, Pope Leo is well-acquainted with this biblical account.

While the leader’s visit to Lebanon may have been represented as “a search for hope, as he issued a call for peace,” such aspirations, first and foremost, begin with the humble acknowledgement that only God, Almighty can bring about true reconciliation, unity and the end of conflict as men look to Him as their only solution.  

Anything else is a counterfeit and man’s best efforts, which still fall very short of the divine redemption, only accessed when we are willing to recognize our limitations, inabilities and proper order as the creation rather than the Creator!

Sadly, it is always these human efforts which dare to offer a Utopian world but always bring us back to the same morass where mankind is in “stuck mode,” unable to extract ourselves from the mess of our own doing. 

That is where we find ourselves today, and the pope, must come to an understanding that he, too, is subject to God’s plans, which have been clearly laid out for all to see.  

Leaders who strive to direct others to the truth, must be able to recognize it first. That truth is contained in the scriptures which give us the specific formula of God’s plan and how it must be implemented as it relates to the land He chose.

The divine covenant, made with Abraham, promised that his descendants would inherit the land from the river of Egypt to the great river of the Euphrates. (Gen. 15:18) That land was to then be divided amongst the 12 tribes of Israel (Numbers 26:53) and the ultimate solution was that “God would plant them on their land, never again to be uprooted.” (Amos 9:15)

That’s what’s written, and anyone who attempts to alter or modify it will find themselves fighting God and His purposes.  

To further enflame the situation, the terror group Hezbollah sent a message to the pontiff, outlining their personal take on the cause of this ongoing conflict. Claiming that it stems from “the disavowal of commitment by some people to recognize the rights of other human beings, whether due to differences in religion, color, race, language or interest, they lay the full blame at the feet of the “Zionist occupiers.”

It is this disingenuous attempt to use the familiar modern-day language of “intolerance” in order to manipulate those who know nothing about God’s personal plan for Israel. By doing so, they dishonestly frame the conflict as one which exists as the result of the oppression employed by Jews towards the disenfranchised. If only these interlopers could respect others as “we” do, peace would be doable!

But look who’s making the case for intolerance – those whose raison d'être is to destroy God’s chosen people in order to be the counterfeit replacement. It’s all pretty transparent that this is a battle between good vs. evil. The great tragedy in all of this is that the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church appears to be unaware that the decision has already been made when it comes to Israel.

Consequently, the pope’s role is to defer to the Almighty who has already figured this one out!

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