Prophetic Intelligence Briefings
Vatican City State: Small but “Great” · February 23, 2009
“Despite its small size,” wrote Zenit on February 13, 2009, “Vatican City State is great in other aspects…” According to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone the Vatican Secretary of State, the Holy See is “small but great; the greatest in the world from any point of view.”
Bertone was speaking at a conference marking the 80th anniversary of the Lateran Treaty of 1929 which established the current Vatican as an independent city state and recognized its sovereignty.
“Cardinal Bertone said the anniversary ‘is an appropriate moment to recall the lofty objective of its existence and action, to evaluate how this objective has been applied in the course of the past eight decades, and to attempt to intuit the future modalities that the state’s mission might assume.’
Those who understand prophecy recognize that the Vatican will have a larger role to play in the future of global politics. It will also have a major role to play in the closing scenes of this earth’s history, as the power that exalts itself above God’s law and declares that the fourth commandment is no longer in force.
Cardinal Bertone “also mentioned the important events that have taken place in Vatican State during its 80-year history: The Second Vatican Council, the synods of bishops, the celebrations of the jubilee years, especially the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.
“Cardinal Bertone noted in a special way the funeral of John Paul II and the election of Benedict XVI, ‘which brought to Rome the top political authorities of the world and massive crowds.’”
Perhaps the pontificate of John Paul, the second longest in history, and perhaps the most influential in recent times from a global perspective, elevated the popularity of the papacy to unprecedented levels, which greatly enhanced its political influence and power.
There are a number of ways in which the Bible also identifies the papacy as great.
For example, Daniel 7:25 says that the popes “speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws.” If ever any organization was great in changing God’s law and speaking against the truth of the God of heaven, it is the Vatican. If ever any organization wore out the saints of the Most High by persecuting them, it is the Catholic Church, even while creating a great many so-called “saints” of her own.
Revelation 13:5 says that “there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies…” while Revelation 17:1 calls her “the great whore that sitteth upon many waters.”
Revelation 18:7 says that “she hath glorified herself,” which is the same as saying that she made herself great. Also this verse says that “she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” Obviously her arrogance is also great. The Cardinals very words were part of this arrogance.
The Bible even speaks of the Vatican City State: “What city is like unto this great city!… wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness!” (Rev. 18:18, 19) And speaking of the great whore it says: “And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”
The Vatican is indeed great in every way. Cardinal Bertone was not speaking idly when he said that the Holy See is the “greatest in the world from any point of view.” Perhaps he wasn’t referring to the Bible’s definition of the greatness of the Vatican and the Holy See, but from the prophetic point of view, he inadvertently confirmed the words of sacred scripture nevertheless.
We should remind ourselves of one other, yet future greatness of the Vatican City State. Revelation 18:7 informs us that her punishment will be great, and in proportion to her greatness against God. “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her…”
The Prophet Jeremiah, who spoke of literal and spiritual Babylon predicted in Jeremiah 51:54 that a “cry cometh from Babylon, and great destruction from the land of the Chaldeans.” Revelation 18:17 tells us that “in one hour so great riches is come to naught.”
And lastly Revelation 14:8 tells us why the Vatican city state will be punished. “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 18:2 adds that “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
Yes the Vatican City State is great indeed. And her sins will come up before God who will punish her.
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