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The funeral service for the third longest reigning Catholic pontiff in more than 2000 years was a religious occasion of the first order. Attended by 4 kings, 28 Prime Ministers, 53 Presidents and hundreds of VIPs, and with 600 clerics surrounding the coffin of Pope John Paul II, it became a day to remember. Although announced as an occasion of “noble simplicity and beauty”, TV coverage for an estimated 2 billion people across the world’s timezones ensured that the funeral would be an exercise in global influence for the Catholic church.

Judging by the vast number of people who travelled to Rome to attend the funeral, former US President Bill Clinton was right to observe, “he sure knew how to draw a crowd”. Seen on giant screens elsewhere in the city by thousands unable to cram into Vatican City, this visual spectacle was memorable indeed.

But as one commentator observed, “it was a considerable gamble - or an impressive act of faith in divine providence - to mount such an open air event in April”. Although high winds disturbed the solemnity of the occasion, as red robes lifted and mitres took to the air, the service for Pope John Paul II was very far removed indeed from the secrecy and simplicity that surrounded the lonely burial of the founder of the Christian church, Jesus Christ, 2000 years earlier.

God’s control of world leaders
But whether it was divine providence or not that influenced the events on April 8th, the Bible assures us that nothing happens in the world that is outside God’s control. The Bible also makes it clear that God continually controls world events - establishing world leaders and removing others from office - in order to achieve his divine purpose:

“The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.” (Daniel 4v17, 25, 32)

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse, wherever he pleases.” (Proverbs 21v1 NIV)

God works in many ways, influencing world events according to his purpose. Most of his work is unknown and unseen, but ‘divine providence’ can sometimes be seen more clearly, especially with the benefit of hindsight.

Certainly, with the fall of ‘international communism’ in the 1990’s, no one can question that “the Vatican was left as the only authoritarian ideology with global reach” (Jonathan Steele, The Guardian, April 8 th, 2005). So, while commentators and obituary writers now review the long life of Pope John Paul and find links between papal influence and the political changes of the last 30 years, any changes the late Pontiff brought about would have been within God’s power to direct and control.

Divine Providence fulfilling Bible prophecies
In stark contrast to the recent passing of another world leader, Yassar Arafat, who was a multi-millionaire, it is to his credit that the late Pope left almost nothing of value in his will, even if the church he led is renowned for its wealth. But an even more interesting passage in the Pope’s will makes reference to his own belief in divine providence. Referring to the attempt by would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Agca in May 1981 to kill him, the Pope wrote in his will:

“Divine providence saved me in a miraculous way from death. He who is the only Lord of life and death prolonged this life and in a certain sense gave me the gift of a new one.”

The political, social and religious influence of the late Pope on world events since 1981 have been significant. But will the departure of such a popular and charismatic leader of the Catholic church now make it easier for another “ideology with global reach” to take centre stage? Islam is fast becoming as influential in world events as the Catholic church.

Divine providence? - possibly. The Bible’s predictions about world events make it clear that disturbing changes are to be expected prior to Christ’s return, especially wars and conflicts that have hatred of Israel as their catalyst:

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal…” (Bible names for parts of the old USSR ) “…I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army…you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel…You and all your troops will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.” (taken from Ezekiel 38v1-9 NIV)

The Bible also predicts the destruction of those invading armies and the survival of Israel .

So the selection of a Polish Pope in 1978 heralded major political changes in subsequent years and fostered the break-up of the USSR , leaving those Islamic nations to the north of Israel free to take up arms against the Jews in the near future, as prophecied in the Bible so long ago!

Another ‘ Holy Roman Empire ’?
When the Cardinals go into their conclave on April 18 th to choose a new pontiff, they will do so in secret. A leading contender for the vacancy will be Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, the chief celebrant at the funeral of Pope John Paul. Bible students have long expected the rise of a re-established ‘ Holy Roman Empire ’ that will be dominating European politics when Christ returns. If this is God’s intention, then the choice of a German cardinal to lead the Catholic church would not be surprising. But whatever the outcome, God’s plan to establish his long-promised kingdom on earth under the rulership of Christ moves a step closer with the passing of each day, as a result of divine providence.

The Apostle Peter’s hope in the resurrection of the dead
Pope John Paul II saw his survival after that assassination attempt as a miracle that gave him a new lease of life. But it was the faith and obedience of Jesus Christ himself that ensured for his followers a ‘new life’ in the future. Should the time come for our own funeral before Christ returns, it is a comfort to share the Apostle Peter’s hope in the resurrection of the dead.

It was Peter who greatly disturbed the religious leaders in his day by “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 4v2 NIV). Later in his first letter Peter wrote about his belief in the resurrection and the hope he had in God’s kingdom to be established on earth when Christ returns:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1v3 NIV)

Later in his letter he wrote about the importance of baptism “that now saves you…by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (I Peter 3v21-22 NIV).

With the hope of the resurrection at the return of Christ such an important part of original Christian teaching, it’s no surprise that the last book of the Bible ends with the words “Amen, Come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22v 20 NIV) – the sincere prayer of all those who share the true hope of the Apostle Peter.