The religious world has been thoroughly shaken by news of the Pope caving in to the homosexual agenda. Calling for the establishment of legal unions for gay couples, Pope Francis has said: “Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They are children of God…”1 So the head of the Roman Catholic Church, bastion of all things conservative for centuries, capitulates to the world’s view on morality.
This is not entirely surprising, however, as it has fast been heading this way for some time. Pope Francis had indicated a softening of his position on an in-flight press conference a few years ago. And having committed to working together for peace with a top Muslim cleric only last year as part of an accord with so-called ‘Abrahamic faiths’, the highway to full apostasy is now surely complete.
Betrayal of the faith
In February 2019, the man Catholics claim to be St Peter’s successor signed a joint declaration with a Grand Imam in Abu Dhabi, stating that the “diversity of religions” is “willed by God”. This of course flagrantly contradicts the uniqueness of Christ and is thus a betrayal of the Lord Jesus.2 And now the Pope has further undermined the truth of God’s unchangeable word, fully revealed in the One who claimed: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no-one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
There are no doubt bishops who will take issue with his stand, as happened over the Islamic accord; for the Pope has also betrayed millions of Catholics who expect him, of all people, to uphold Christian truth. If successive popes were really the rock upon which Christ built his Church, the biblical reference for which in fact relates to Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah, then I’m afraid the rock is being swiftly crushed into sand on which no true Christian can surely build their faith.
The Pope has also betrayed millions of Catholics who expect him, of all people, to uphold Christian truth
As recently as 2003, the Vatican declared gay relationships to be harmful, “gravely immoral” and deviant.3 Yet now they are deemed acceptable. So who do we trust; the Pope, or 3,000-year-old biblical texts that have stood the test of time? The shifting sands of Western culture, or God’s eternal word?
Church of England betrayal
Meanwhile the UK’s Anglican archbishops have issued a joint statement berating Boris Johnson over Brexit negotiations. But they too are silent on issues of morality – and indeed the gospel itself, which alone holds the answer to our nation’s troubles. When did you last hear them criticise the government over its increasingly liberal abortion laws, or speak out against the undermining of traditional marriage between a man and a woman?
A landmark was reached in the House of Lords on 18th July 2000 when, instead of voting for an amendment calling for children to be taught that the ideal family unit should involve a married couple, the nine bishops present all voted against it and thus prevented it from becoming law.4 We have since been sliding down the slippery slope with increasing speed, in no small way helped by the Church of England’s lack of leadership. For too long, the C of E has prided itself on being a ‘broad church’, tolerating both evangelicals and liberals and everyone in between with their see-saw religion that lacks an authoritative voice.
We have since been sliding down the slippery slope with increasing speed, in no small way helped by the Church of England’s lack of leadership
Powerful delusion
Jesus spoke of a great falling away (apostasy) in the days immediately preceding his return, and we are now viewing it in full outrageous colour. He also said: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matt 7:13f).
We are witnessing a great rebellion, not just of the people, but of religious leaders, and it is all part of the “powerful delusion” spoken of by the apostle Paul that will come upon the world towards the end of the age (See 2 Thess 2). In his letter to Timothy, Paul warns that we should have nothing to do with those who are found in the last days, “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim 3:5). And bearing in mind the doctrinal issues we have discussed, he adds: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (2 Tim 3:16).
House of God or ‘house of good’? 
Jesus tells us to walk the narrow road, like this one in ancient port of Jaffa (Joppa). Photo by C. Gardner
At this point I should like to acknowledge the many helpful comments received of late, and assure you that I do read and appreciate them – the kind remarks as well as the challenging points. And I hereby quote from them in support of my argument. Trevor Griffiths and Roddy Porter both expressed their sadness at the Church’s failure to be a voice and a model for the nation, while Crystal told how a radio journalist spoke of his relief that the Church had moved on from being the House of God to being the house of good!
As has often been suggested on this site, we believe Christians in this country are about to enter a severe test, something even recognised by my non-believing physio, who brought up the subject of the man removing a cross from a church5 during my recent treatment, adding that he felt it was a ‘tipping point’ ushering in a period of persecution for Christians.
It’s worth reminding ourselves that facing insults and the like is one of the certainties of following Christ, as – again quoting from Paul’s letter to Timothy – “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12).
Referring to this end-time surge of opposition to believers, Jesus said: “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matt 24:10f).
This is a time to stand firm in the faith, fill our lungs and sing: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
1 Daily Mail, 22nd October 2020
2 ‘Pope turns Judas’, Prophecy Today, 13th September 2019
3 Daily Mail, 22nd October 2020
4 Clifford Hill, Beyond the Pandemic, (SPCK) p95
5 ‘Man charged after removing large cross from London church’, Prophecy Today ‘News in Brief’, 23rd October 2020