The "vicar of Christ"
We have all heard Brother Branham link the number 666 to the Pope. Here is how this number is calculated: "This calls for wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666." Revelation 13:18
VICARIUS FILII DEI
The literal translation of Vicarius Filii Dei is “in place of Christ.”
The words “Vicarius Filii Dei” were first used when Constantine placed a large portion of the Roman Empire under the rule of the Pope.
This title proclaims that, after God, the Pope is sovereign over all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. You have probably also heard Brother Branham refer to the Pope's "triple crown."
The papal tiara (crown) resembles a three-tiered beehive to give the appearance of three crowns placed one on top of the other. This is meant to show that the Pope wears a triple crown, and that he has authority in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
Here is a statement taken from a Catholic council held in the 15th century:
“ Likewise, we define that the Holy Apostolic See and the Roman Pontiff exercise primacy throughout the universe; that this same Roman Pontiff is the successor of Blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles; that he is the true Vicar of Christ, the beloved of the whole Church, the father and teacher of all Christians; and that to him, in the person of Blessed Peter, Our Lord Jesus Christ gave full power to shepherd, rule, and govern the universal Church, as is contained in the acts of the ecumenical councils and in the sacred canons. ”
— Act of the Holy and Ecumenical Council of Florence for the Reunion of the Churches, Session XXV, July 6, 1439, Definition, in JD Mansi, ed., Sacrorum Conciliorum [Holy Councils], Vol. 31, Col. 1031 [translated from Latin]
At the end of the 19th century, Pope Leo XIII made this statement in a letter concerning the union of the Eastern and Western churches.
“ We [the Pope] hold the place of God here below, of this almighty God .”
— Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter “The Reunion of Christendom”
Here's how the calculation is done in Roman numerals:
VICARIVS FILII DEI.
The letter “V” replaces the letter “U” (“V” and “U” were the same letter, “V”, until the end of the Middle Ages).
No value is assigned to letters that are not Roman numerals.
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VICARIUS – substitute for, or in place of
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FILII - son
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DEI - GOD
The Third Exodus, 63-0630M
“But a pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph.” It is the same today: a man has arisen who has been sworn in to the—to the White House, who does not want to take an oath, to declare under oath that he believes in freedom of religion.
What does this new pope say? One… For him, there are four things. One of them is to unite Protestants and Catholics. And, according to any intellectual, that's the right thing to do. But, according to the Bible, it's the wrong thing to do. And the Bible says that's what they'll do.
Let's move on a little further. At that time, Ramses, in Egypt, was rising to power. His power was expanding. The natural man, Ramses, was rising to power.
The natural man, the Antichrist, is now rising to power. Through politics, he has already reached the White House. On the religious front, he has so thoroughly confused everyone that they are indeed ready to fall for his tricks. And the leaders of the denominations—virtually every church in the nation is already part of the confederation of churches—Ramses is gaining power. They all unite, and this is what they will have. What will be the result? It creates a power, a beast quite similar to the first.
Then there will be persecution against all those who do not join her, and a boycott. By then, it will be too late. You will have already taken the mark. Don't say, "At that point, I will act." You have an interest in acting now. Ramses was rising in power.
But remember, while Ramses' power was expanding in Egypt, God had Moses there in the desert. He, too, was rising in power. Ramses had a political system. God had a spiritual system, through a prophet ready to go down there and speak to the people.