According to Biblical prophecy, at the end of the 1260 years the papacy
would receive "a deadly wound" but it would not die. Scripture reveals
that this deadly wound would heal. The papacy would experience a great
renewal of influence and respect -- "all the world marvelled and followed
the beast." [ REV 13:3 ] Already today many view the pope as the moral
leader of the world.
To a large extent, the papacy's rising influence has come as Christians
have substituted traditions, human standards, and science for the authority
of the Bible. In doing so, they have become vulnerable to "the lawless one,"
who works "with all power, signs, and lying wonders." [ 2 THE 2:9 ] Satan and
his instruments will bring about a confederation of evil, symbolized by the
unholy trinity of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, that will
deceive the world. [ REV 16:13,14; 13:13,14 ] Only those whose guide is the
Bible and who "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus"
[ REV 14:12 ] can successfully resist the overwhelming deception this
confederation brings.