THE POPE AND JACK VAN IMPE

Recently, Dr. Jack Van Impe, stating he has recently had a Damascus Road type experience, appears to have been "converted" to the Roman Catholic Church.  He is quoted as making the following statements:  "You Catholic people, listen to your priests.... Thank God for these Catholic leaders."  And again, "The Catholic Doctrines are right on."  On his weekly broadcast (#1347 - 11/20/13) of Jack van Impe Presents, he said,

"This new Pope, according to Catholic prophecy, will rule during this time.  His reign is when Armageddon is fought.  His reign is here on earth, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns.  That's why I believe he is the final Pope - because when Jesus is here, we don't need any more Popes, because they are the substitutes for Christ on earth.

First of all, let me say that no man is now, or ever has been, a substitute for Christ!  The fact that the Pope is called the "Vicar of Christ," is, in fact, heresy.  "Vicar" is defined as:  a substitute, or one who serves in place of another."  The exact opposite is true:  Jesus is the "Vicar" for us!  He died for us (Rom. 5:8; 8:32; 1 Cor. 5:7; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 5:2; 1 Thes. 5:10; Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:12; 1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1; 1 Jn. 3:16; etc.)!

In addition, Jesus told His disciples that He would send them a "substitute" for Himself while He was gone.  He said, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; that the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you" (Jn. 14:16-17).

Jack van Impe claims to have read the entire Catholic Catechism, and while praising its teachings on those doctrines it has in common with the Protestant churches, he makes no mention of those teachings that are totally contrary to the Word of God.  There is a great deal of irony in the fact that the man known as "the walking Bible," due to his memorization of it, either fails to see the obvious differences between the Bible and the Catechism, or he has chosen to ignore them.  What good is memorizing the Bible, if you are not going to use it as the basis for determining truth?

 

Having knowledge of God's Word is only good, if it is the standard for all truth!