Which Lion Should We Follow? BLOG 31
5-15-2025
by Jeff Flanick
Direct Comments to:
As with watching television, sometimes the regular programming is interrupted by breaking news. This week was no different due to the excitement of a new Pope coming into power. I’d like to take a moment toreflect on some observations and what this means.
As mentioned, there is much excitement, enthusiasm, and interest concerning this newly elected Pope’s views on current events, culture, church history, social issues and so forth. But curiously, I have seen scant discussion, if any at all, concerning Scripture, or the exhortation to follow God’s Commands in the public square. Interestingly enough, Pope Leo the XIV appears to be treated in the manner of a political figure, someone who has an agenda and policies to institute. He is seen as a “leader” who will be charged with promulgating his vision of how the church should behave internally, as well as externally, in relating to the world at large.
Journalists around the world, along with clergy within the Catholic Church itself, were very concerned about who the next Pope would be. These individuals were worried about his political leanings and what part of the world he would come from. Onlookers were interested in his age, ethnicity, and nationality. They were weighing the pros and cons of the new Pope’s geographical place in the world. Pundits remarked on the importance of what continent the Pope was from, placing high value on selecting a Pope that was factually different in upbringing. Many wanted a Pope from an area of the world uniquely different from Europe- hoping to break the tradition of the past.
So, I wondered; are these the questions, qualities, and concerns, that are most important when determining who should lead people in following the True Messiah of Israel, Jesus Christ? You would think it should be understanding the Word of God and having the ability to clearly teach from the Scriptures themselves––that should have preeminence in choosing who should lead any group of people in this endeavor––don’t you think?
Now this does not imply I accept the hierarchy of the Catholic Church itself, I’m just stating the obvious fact that any assembly that purports to evangelize to the world (on the supposed behalf of our Messiah) should indeed, evaluate its new leader solely upon the merits of his understanding of Biblical principles and interpretation.
Natalia Imperatori-Lee, the chair of religious studies at Manhattan University said, “I think it is going to be exciting to see a different kind of American Catholicism in Rome…’ Why, are there “different” types of Catholicism? God does not change; “He is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb. 13:8)! Remember; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Jas. 1:17).
Setting aside the many false doctrines of the Catholic Church, I simply ask: should the church “change” direction, so to speak, simply because one Pope has died, and another has taken his place? There is no mandate in scripture for a governing structure, as exemplified by the Catholic Church, to change its approach. There is no authority with the Pope because Peter was not the first Pope. There is no Biblical evidence in fact Peter ever went to Rome. Strangely enough, we know that Paul was in Rome for two trials and it was Paul, not Peter, who wrote the epistle to the Romans.
In one of the articles I read regarding Pope Leo the XIV’s selection, it mentioned deceased Pope Francis had been invited to travel to Turkey to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Clearly, this council was a landmark event in Christian history in the year 325 A.D. The council is infamous for its detrimental aftermath concerning those who wish to Worship God in Spirit and in TRUTH.
The Council of Nicaea paved the way to officially “change” the Sabbath to Sunday, initiated the introduction of the doctrine of the Trinity, and fully replaced God’s Passover with a solar calculated “Easter” (in a convoluted and twisted formula) to “justly” separate themselves from Jewish worshippers of the “Way” concerning Pascha {Passover}). The Council, in conjunction with Emperor Constantine, paved the way to institutional ‘religion’ and the marriage of church and state.
(Please take note, I’ve provided some links for your consideration about the First Council of Nicaea at the end of this article. I’m sure you will find them very interesting and quite educational!)
The new Pope, previously known affectionately to some as “Father Bob”, has taken on the name of Pope Leo XIV. The Pope chose this name as a reference to Pope Leo XIII in the last century. It was to give notice to his promise of commitment to social issues, just as the former Pope was acclaimed to have done.
Pope Leo XIII issued what was considered to have been the church’s first social encyclical (a formal letter or decree). The name Leo in Latin signifies lion: a brave and regal leader. The position and title of the Pope is manmade and unbiblical. The Catholic church bestows the title of Pope upon a fallible, sinful man. We must always remember Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Will you follow this ‘lion’? I hope not! There is only One Lion worthy of our worship and admiration; and that’s the Lion of Judah–– Jesus the Christ, Yahshua Messiah!
Revelation 5:1-5 The Lamb Takes the Scroll
“And I saw in the right-hand Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.! Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?”! And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it
So, I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.! But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals”
Only Christ our Lord, and our Father in heaven are worthy of such praise and admiration.
Hallelujah!
The Council of Nicaea and the Sabbath – The Sabbath Sentinel
The Sin of Nicaea – United Methodist Insight
The Doctrine of the Trinity at Nicaea and Chalcedon
First Council of Nicaea – Wikipedia
The Nicene Creed: an expression of Christian identity – Vatican News