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I am going to take you on a slight, but necessary detour. When John Paul II died and was so exclusively eulogized, I felt an anguish quite similar to what I experienced in Jerusalem. After a while, I could no longer contain what I felt in my heart. I took my pen and wrote.
Folks and friends tell us a lot about where they live and what is a priority in their lives by the things they write and or forward to us. You have allowed me to peek. I see a mighty “Soldier Saint” when I see you. Because I am allowed to see the likeness of a Joan of Arc, Esther, David or another Moses on the countenance of ordinary men and women, I now have the freedom to show you the words that have been hidden in my heart for a long time.
Jesus, also known as Yeshua, has told us that we are to be as gentle as doves and as wise as serpents. My paraphrase of His words are: Be gentle and wise, and wear combat boots. He also keeps reminding me that, “Love is our greatest weapon of warfare.”
When you read “The Pope” epistle in the letter that follows, ask the Holy Spirit to interpret it for you. You will have to read between the lines to discover the invisible words and the full intent of the epistle.
The epistle is to be circulated, but it must be circulated with wisdom and only under God’s direction. So, I am going to entrust it to you and trust Jesus in you to place the words into the right hands in the manner He shows you. You may even have to make some hard copies and send them via snail mail or hand deliver them. One person had the epistle translated into Italian and personally placed them in Rome and Florence as directed by the Holy Spirit.
Creating “The Pope” epistle was like giving birth once more. My soul was in great anguish as the words were birthed. The spiritual battle was fierce. A few wise and loving friends made valuable suggestions before I was permitted to send them to you. The epistle is like an infant and must be safely tucked away in the right hearts until it becomes a mighty invisible, yet invincible crusading army marching throughout the land and encircling the globe. The element of surprise is one of Yeshua’s weapons of warfare as demonstrated by Gideon and his army of 300 men. Share the story as directed by Yeshua, our Commander-in-Chief and Liberator.
Most of us know the professional golfer, Tiger Woods. Tiger is a tiger on the golf course. The golf course is his turf. He chooses his irons and woods with great precision. The words for “The Pope” epistle have been chosen with equal precision. They are winning words. They are liberating words. I am not their author. I have merely been asked to be God’s scribe and delivery boy.
In the name of Yeshua, our Commander in Chief,
Peter
THE POPE
APRIL 8, 2005
John Paul II is dead. He was buried today. No pope in history has been memorialized like John Paul II. No pope, president, or pharaoh has received a royal send-off into his next world like John Paul II. No pope up till now has been applauded, admired, even worshipped like John Paul II. Everything possible is being done to preserve his memory amongst his faithful followers. Historians will write books about him and analyze everything he did, said, and failed to do. Some historians are bound to blaspheme his memory, but most will call him “Blessed.” The evening news this week has preempted the time to be able to focus on John Paul II, Rome, the Vatican, and the many who are paying their last respects to their spiritual leader. No sacrifice is too great for them to be able to catch a fleeting glimpse of their Pope.
I am overwhelmed by what I see, hear, and experience in my innermost being as I view the funeral and listen to the comments of the media and the mourners. I try to fathom what is in my heart, what may be in the heart of the mourners, and in the heart of Jesus and His Father. Am I being presumptuous believing that I can know the anguish of the person sitting or standing next to me? Is there a human being alive who knows what is in their neighbor’s heart or the heart of God at this pivotal and fragile moment in history? Is the apostle Peter embracing John Paul at the Pearly Gates just now, or is Jesus weeping over the Vatican and mourners as he wept over Jerusalem?
I see Jesus standing amongst the mourners. He is still interceding, weeping over His Church. He is looking at St. Peter’s Square, the sea of humanity, and 2000 years of grace and mercy. He is walking amongst the mourners. He sees their zeal, their sorrow—their devotion to a man as fragile and human as they are. Might He be speaking these words directly to their hearts just now?
“You do not need another pope, priest, president, or king; you only need ME and my WORD. I am enough. I am able to fill all your needs. If you choose Me as your High Priest, you will never have to attend another funeral like this or mourn my passing. I have conquered death. I will never leave you or forsake you. I am alive. I love you. Make room for Me in the secret garden of your heart. Get rid of all the other stuff that is cluttering up your life. My name is Jesus. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I am the only gate to heaven. Ask Me to come quickly. Invite Me now. Don’t get ready. Stay ready.”
Most of us at some point in our life have desired and feasted on the applause and adulation of man. Like addicts or gluttons, we drank in the praise of men. We could never get enough. It was a heady, intoxicating time. Only by the grace of God did we learn that the praise and worship of man and his accomplishments could be more deadly, more addictive than heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. The WORD tells us, even warns us that we are not allowed to worship or make idols out of a man or his accomplishments. The first two commandments given to Moses clearly state this in the Book of Exodus, chapter twenty.
Only Jesus, only Yeshua, is worthy of our worship and praise. He is “The Message.” We are His messengers. He is “The Deliverer.” We are His delivery boys and girls. We must never take credit for the Message or the gifts we are entrusted to bring. But we can rejoice that we have been chosen to be His messengers.
John Paul II will not turn over in his grave if we fail to praise, worship, or remember him, but John Paul II may turn over in his grave when he sees how the church is worshipping him in place of King Jesus. Nothing is lost when we forget John Paul II; everything is lost if we forget the name of Jesus – everything, including ourselves.
Whether or not these words are taken to heart, I may never know; nevertheless, I am compelled to offer them to you. In my life, I have sampled many flavors and many favors. I made both saints and sinners my role models until my day of Grace, the day of my salvation and visitation, the day it was revealed to me that Jesus is God’s Only Begotten Son and that I was a prodigal son.
Today I can say alongside the apostle Peter, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16). Today, Jesus is my only role model. Jesus is my true NORTH. My heart’s compass does not recognize any other name. May these words hasten the day of Grace for those who read them. That is my prayer for the sea of humanity in Rome and beyond.
Furthermore, I must now ditto the words of my namesake, the apostle Peter. I am compelled to herald them into this, the 21st century:
THE BOOK OF ACTS 2:29-41
Dear brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Responses to the “Pope Epistle”
And here are responses to the epistle that will let you know that the writer is not a “Lone Ranger.” Others share his burden and have responded in ways that comfort and encourage his heart.
 Dear Peter,
Your grasp of the situation in Rome today rings with a clarity that is rare among men. As presidents and dignitaries, saints and sinners file reverently past the earthly remains of what was certainly a great man, I wonder how many are now steeped in fear and dread. The dictionary defines the word vicar as a substitute or replacement; how frightening it must be to face even a few days without the object of one’s faith and hope. Millions of people today are experiencing that fear. They’ve no idea – and would even think it blasphemous -- that John Paul II was just a man.
In all the memorializing that I’ve heard and read so far, not once has anyone described the Pope as one who loved Jesus. Not once have I heard anyone remark that John Paul is now in the presence of the Almighty, but only that he “has gone to a better place.”
While the members of the Catholic Church continue to pray for their Pope, my prayers are for those left behind, those who have been taught from birth to pray to the saints and to Mary and now to John Paul II. I pray that in these days during which millions gather, waiting for hours and hours to view the body of a dead man, the Holy Spirit will move among them and open their eyes to the Truth. Jesus lives! Jesus saves! The relics of long-dead saints are just that: lifeless relics. The power and glory of God does not reside exclusively in the bodies of those who have risen among the ranks of the clergy, and – thankfully – one need not find a priest to enter into the Throne Room. In large part, I have you to thank for teaching me this truth. Little by little, I’m learning to go to the Source. Hopefully, those who mourn the passing of the Pope today will come to know that truth for themselves.
I love you, Peter.
Stacy
Dear Peter,
I am really moved by the expressions of your heart towards our Jesus, and the image of Him weeping over the city and the people touched me very deeply. Thank you so much for your deep, deep love for our Lord.
Love, Janie
Dear Peter,
Thanks for sharing the epistle with me. As I’ve watched the news covering the death of the pope I felt the same way you did. Sometimes I guess we walk by sight without even noticing. That was such a great word about Jesus being your only role model. That hit me in the spirit. It is something I need to focus on in my life. I oftentimes look unto godly men and think to myself “I wish I could be more like them,” people like my pastor or even you, Peter. I think if you would’ve lived back in the old times, God just may have used you in his Word. Nevertheless you are right, our focus needs to be 100% on Jesus and I will begin to do that every day. Thanks again Peter, and say hi to Rebekah for me, O.K.
Love from one of many spiritual sons
Hello Peter,
As I was reading your letter, I saw a vision of Jesus standing among the mourners for Pope John Paul; and I saw how grieved His heart was. I felt him saying, “How long, how long till they see that I am all they need; that I AM their King, but they continue to cry out, Give us a king, give us a king.”
The Lord is coming! Praise be to our Lord and King!
I have been sending the Pope story to those whose hearts are open and to those who hearts still have the Pope sitting on a throne in a part of their heart. Jesus said, “You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free.” I am listening to the Holy Spirit as to whom to send the story now and to whom a little later. Sad to say there are many more open and receiving hearts in Africa and India then in our land. So we will reach those who have ears to hear wherever they may be! Praise God!
You of course do know that the enemy will not take this sitting down. He will try to retaliate. But we bind him from coming against us in any way and our family, finances and brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus’ I pray.
Abbie
Dear Peter,
Your words have struck once again the core of my being. So much truth was spoken that God revealed dirt that I had been placing in my own well. After having confirmation through a highly respected
| prophet about the direction the Lord is calling me in the ministry, I have been consuming CD’s, teachings and books of men of God that were used mightily in the past & present. Upon reading and listening, my prayers became more like copies than originals. I wanted to use the methods they did to get the results that they did. I know we are to follow by example and learn from past generations. I just began to think that if I could get an impartation from this person and a prophecy from that one then I could do what they have done. Your email opened the door so I could see my folly. Here I was seeking this person and that one to give me what they had received from Jesus and I had direct access to HIM the whole time.
I was not really affected by the pope’s death (maybe because of not being Catholic) so the Lord said, “What if that was Benny Hinn or Peter?” Now I could feel the pain and realization
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of what so many are now going through. But as I read on, the powerful truth of your words began to take effect. Was Jesus crying over John Paul or the many of the church who looked at this man for spiritual guidance rather than the Son of Man, Christ Jesus? Have I been following after great men rather than the Master? In many ways, yes, I have and in doing so I see that they only got where they are from following Jesus. I had thought about having you record more of your encounters with the Lord and you praying in tongues for an hour because there is such power when you pray. All the time the one you received it from was waiting for me to come and fellowship directly with Him and receive freely from Him.
Thank you for your words and “yes” you can use my letter. I give you authority to use any and everything I send you to glorify the Lord. I totally know what you mean about being “zealous”. I swear I don’t have spiritual brakes and I just keep going and going and going. Thank God for Brian who tends to use the gift of discernment a lot more than I do when it comes to knowing when to quit. I am so thankful that Jesus used your words to bless me and mine to bless you. I love the Lord’s system. Thank you once again. Only eternity will tell of the souls you have touched because you touched me.
Your emails are always right on time and exactly what I need to hear to get my focus off of myself, the problem, the solution, man and back on God, the author and finisher.
Thank you for your faithfulness and obedience,
Son of the Most High,
Michael
“The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail” by Rebekah Laue
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