MATTHEW HENRY, one of the most esteemed of Christian writers commenting on 2 Thessalonians 2 v4 writes: 'To whom can this better apply than to the Bishop of Rome'.  On Revelation 17 he says, 'This Beast is the Papacy'.

WILLIAM BURKITT writes on 2 Thessalonians 2, 'By the Man of Sin understand not a particular and individual person, but a society and succession of men.  Such as is found in and among the Papacy'.  On Revelation 17 he writes: 'The present Papal Church of Rome deserves this name, the great Whore having been guilty of the greatest defection and apostasy from the true evangelical doctrine and worship that ever was in the world'.

JOHN TRAPP - Spurgeon said of him, 'He who shall excel Trapp had need rise very early in the morning'.  Trapp applies the whole of 2 Thessalonians 2 to the Papacy and on Revelation 17 he comments thus: 'The Romish Whore condemned of God'.

ADAM CLARKE - Among Methodist scholars few could surpass him.  On 2 Thessalonians Clarke spends six pages on the evidence of scholars and in his summary says, 'The most pointed part of the evidence here adduced tends to fix the whole on the Romish Whore and on no other'.  On Revelation 17 he writes: 'This Woman is the Latin Church she affects the style and title of our Holy Mother Church; but she is, in truth, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth'.

BISHOPS ELLICOTT - On Revelation 17 he writes : 'Is it then, the question must be asked, Papal Rome?  The answer is: In so far as Papal Rome has wielded tyrant power, turned persecutor, stood between the spirits of men and Christ, depraved men's consciences, withheld the truth, connived at viciousness, sought aggrandisement, and been a political engine rather than a witness for the Righteous King, she has inherited the features of Babylon'.  Even Dante the Poet and Writer applies this passage to Rome.

JOHN WESLEY - He applies these prophecies of Revelation to the Roman Church in considerable detail.

DEAN HENRY ALFORD - On Revelation 17 says, 'I do not hesitate therefore to maintain that interpretation which regards Papal Rome as pointed out by the Harlot of this vision'.

CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH, CANON OF WESTMINSTER, BISHOP OF LINCOLN, DOCTOR OF DIVINITY - 'Nearly eighteen centuries have passed since the Holy Spirit prophesised by the mouth of John, that this mystery would be revealed in that city which was then the Queen of the earth, the city on seven hills, the city of Rome.  Age after age rolled away.  Then the form of the mystery became more and more distinct.  The seven hills and the Woman sitting upon them became visible.  Her voice was heard, strange sounds of blasphemy were muttered by her.  Then they became louder and louder.  The golden chalice in her hand, her scarlet attire, her pearls and jewels, glittering in the sun.  Kings and nations were seen prostrate at her feet, and drinking her cup.  Saints were slain by her sword.  Now the prophecy became clear, clear as noonday; and we tremble at the sight, whilst we read the inscription in large letters, 'MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT' written by the hand of JOHN guided by the Spirit of God, on the forehead of the Church of Rome'.

DR H GRATTAN GUINNESS - One of the greatest scholars of the historical school writes: 'Read this wonderful prophecy concerning Babylon the Great in the clear and all revealing light of history.  I ask those of you who have read the history of the last eighteen centuries did not Rome Christian become a Harlot?  Did it not glorify itself to be as a Queen, and call itself the mistress of the world?  Did it not ride upon the body of the Beast, or fourth empire and govern its actions for centuries?  Did not Papal Rome array itself in purple and scarlet, and deck itself with gold and precious stones and pearls?  Is not this its attire still?  We appeal to the facts.  Go to the Churches and see.  Look at the priests; look at the Cardinals; look at the Popes; look at the purple robes they wear; look at their scarlet; see the encrusted jewels; look at the luxurious palaces in which they live; look at the 11,000 halls and chambers in the Vatican; and the unbounded wealth and glory gathered there; look at the gorgeous spectacles in St Peters at Rome, casting even the magnificence of Royalty into the shade.  Go and see these things or read the testimony of those who have seen them.  Shamelessly Rome wears the very raiment, the very hues and colours, portrayed on the pages of inspired prophecy.  You may know the Harlot by her attire,as certainly as by the name upon her brow'.

JOHN WYCLIF - He identified Romanism as the fulfilment of Daniel's 'Little Horn'.  Wyclif then said, 'Why is it necessary in unbelief to look for another Antichrist'?

MARTIN LUTHER - Luther said that the papacy is, 'Nothing else than the kingdom of Babylon and of every Antichrist.  For who is the man of sin and the son of perdition but he who by his teaching and his ordinances increases the sin and perdition of souls in the Church; whilst he yet sits in the Church as if he were God'?

PHILIP MELANCTHON wrote: 'It is most manifest and true without any doubt, that the Roman Pontiff, with his whole order and kingdom, is very Antichrist'.

JOHN CALVIN says: 'Rome indeed was once the Mother of all Churches, but since she began to be the seat of Antichrist she ceased to be what she was'.  He further says, 'The Roman Pontiff has inpudently transferred to himself the most peculiar properties of God and Christ, there cannot be doubt that he is the leader and standard bearer of an impious and abominable kingdom'.

JOHN KNOX - He launched the Reformation in Scotland with an exposition of Daniel 7.  Of Rome he said, 'For your Roman Church as it is now corrupted I no more doubt that it is the synagogue of Satan, and the head thereof called the Pope, to be the man of sin, of whom the Apostle speaketh, than I doubt that Jesus Christ suffered by the procurement of the visible Church of Jerusalem'.

HUGH LATIMER said, 'Yes, what fellowship hath Christ with Antichrist therefore it is now lawful to bear the yoke with Papists'.

NICHOLAS RIDLEY - 'The See of Rome is the Sea of Satan, and the Bishop of the same, that maintaineth the abominations thereof, is Antichrist himself indeed'.

THOMAS CRANMER - 'Antichrist of Rome hath extolled himself above his fellow bishops, as God's Vicar, yea, rather as God himself'.  As regards the exposition of Daniel 7 and Revelation he said, 'Whereof it followeth Rome to be the seat of Antichrist, and the Pope to be very Antichrist himself.  I could prove the same by many other Scriptures, old writers and strong reasons'.

Now these men were not simpletons but front rank scholars and spiritual leaders in their day.  In these days when faith is held so lightly and error embraced so easily you would do well to give attentive ear to their one voice.

THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH, Chapter 25, Section 6 reads, 'There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, the man of sin, and the son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ and all that is called God'.

In the light of today's ecumenical/charismatic climate it is surely significant to read of propositions that this passage be removed from the confessions of faith.

DR WALTER CRISWELL, Pastor of the great first Baptist Church Dallas Texas expounded Revelation 17 in these words, 'The worship of Mother and Child throughout the whole world, from Babylon to Assyria, to Phoenicia, to Pergamos, and finally to Rome itself.  There the Roman Emperor was elected Pontifex Maximus and when the Roman Emperor passed away, that title of the rites and mysteries of the cult Mother and Child, the Babylon Mystery of Idolatry was assumed by the Bishop of Rome'.

Why then all these quotes?  To show you that the application of these prophetic passages to the Church of Rome is no new thing.  It is the persistent interpretation of the Protestant Evangelical faith for nearly 1800 years.  To maintain this stand is to be unpopular with ecumenicals, charismatics and so called evangelical Christians many of whom believe that Rome is a Christian Church; nothing could be further from the truth.

To speak of the Papacy in terms of uncompromising condemnation is not an easy thing.  However, it would be dishonouring to God if we failed to expound the Scriptures.  Silence is a shame on the believer.  All that is needed for the triumph of evil is that good men remain silent.