As I said at the start, all Catholics can feel free to offer an alternative interpretation and tell me why this well established understanding of the scripture should be discarded. I didn't create this thread just because I stumbled across Ian Paisley's site, or just because I'm a Scottish Protestant. In the past I just always presumed the Catholic Church was Christian but maybe a little corrupt, when I came across the doctrine first it was in Calvin's 'Institutes' (a very thorough book on doctrine indeed), and that's what made me wonder and take it more seriously.

If you are an atheist and dismiss Revelation, then fine. But if you are a Catholic, can somebody please tell me why I shouldn't believe John speaks of Rome? Or if that is conceded, then why I should think he only speaks of Imperial Rome despite the evidence in the OP to the contrary? Or why the early Bishops of Rome appear to denouce specific actions of their successors as those of antichrist?

And this thread isn't an unprovoked attack on the Catholic Church. On the contrary, I am concerned at the leading role that the Pope is taking in the ecumenical movement. One thing I do use Mr.Paisley's site for is the more up-to-date stuff (its up-to-date compared to 17th century theologians anyway), and this piece is a good example of where the ecumenical movement leads. Notice how this all isn't a modern fringe view, but instead the historic articles of the Protestant faith are being abandoned right left and centre.

First of all the Pope's no longer the antichrist, then idols appear in churches, then people indulge in the superstition of holy days, then they walk around town waving palm leaves about, then people are attending joint services with Catholics at the chapel. Protestants have conceded this, what ground has Rome given? None. Of course, this is the fault of liberal Protestants themselves, but it's happening nonetheless.

The Pope seems is granted more spiritual authority every century, and Protestants will increasingly look to him for leadership as the churches decline. This isn't my mind looking for conspiracies, Catholics will as readily admit it as anyone else. Orthodox, Anglican, and now even Presbyterians look to Rome. They will soon be one church. This is all real, it's prophecy in fulfilment, right here, right now.