Alas, That Great City by Michael Bolerjack

There has always been some debate on who or what Babylon, that great city is, in the Book of Revelation. Some say ancient Rome. But I believe, it if I may say it, that it is not the City of the World, but the City of God. How can this be? The capital of the City of God is Vatican City State. Some time, probably this week, though it may take longer, smoke will rise from her, as prophesied. In the space of one hour, she, within whom, indeed, is the blood of prophets and of saints, will fall, that is, in the space of time for the round of balloting in the conclave that will elect the last pope that will ever be. After the ballots are counted, they will be burned, in that cursed ancient manner of the Roman Church. We will see the smoke rise from her and know her doom is sealed, that the catholic faith led to the catholic fate, and that they all went down together, every man jack of them. The city was a ship, a body, a bride, a church, the biggest club in the world, the oldest institution, some say, the place they ran to escape, like running into a house on fire for safety. Their leaders knew better, but did not tell them different. As Christ said, they had the keys, but locked away the truth, and would not let others know it. The long, grievous falsehood is almost over. We should cry though, not celebrate, the passing of one who could have saved, not only itself, but the world, if it had done what its founder said. But they mistook even that, thinking they were founded on Peter, instead of on Christ. It may be that Benedict quit abruptly because Christ promised these days would be shortened for the sake of the elect. God promised Elijah a remnant, and Paul made the same promise, concerning Israel. God has mercy on those He will. God is free. So free, that in the wilderness, on the edge of the Promised Land, He broke His own promise, and said He was doing so, to Israel, who had refused to go in. The Catholic Church had the examples of martyrs and saints. The example and teaching of Christ and the Apostles were given them too. Perhaps most of all they had the example of the Virgin, who said do whatever he tells you. Yet, they exchanged the truth for a lie, and worshipped a man rather than God. They worshipped the works of their hands rather than the Creator. We found the City of God was actually a man-made thing, doomed to fail. It was not the Kingdom of Heaven some said it was. The coming of the latter will not be seen, but the fall of Rome will.