18    The Bible and the Future of the World 

symbolizes and foreshadows future Popes. That is why Jesus takes Peter up 

the mountain, but not all the Apostles. 

    Notice that Jesus also takes James and John, along with Peter, to witness 

the Transfiguration. In the garden, when Jesus' suffering begins, Jesus also 

sets James and John, with Peter, apart from and above the other Apostles. 

James and John represent two offices in the Church, apart from and above 

the authority of the other Bishops and Cardinals, but below and under the 

authority of the Pope. These roles do not yet exist in the Catholic Church. I 

think that these offices, these roles, will be created when all the  Protestant 

Churches and the Orthodox Church repent and are united with the Catholic 

Church (during the early 2020's). Or, they might be created at the time that 

the Pope suggests building three places for the three religions. 

    In the book of the prophet Zechariah, God says,  In one month I 

destroyed the three shepherds.  (Zech 11:8). This chapter from Zechariah 

contains prophesies for the future of the Church. I think that the three 

shepherds are the Pope and the two other leaders of the Church, who will 

hold these two new roles of leadership represented by James and John. In 

one month all three will die by the will of God. This occurs prior to a time of 

suffering (Zech 11:9). 

    Do you find these things hard to believe? I tell you, this very generation 

will see the most amazing changes in the Church and the world. There will 

be great suffering. And the Church shall be transfigured. When the suffering 

is complete, there will be a time of renewal and peace and holiness. 

The Temple Tax (Mt 17:24 27) 

     When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half shekel tax 

went up to Peter and said, `Does not your teacher pay the tax?' He said, 

`Yes.' And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, `What do 

you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tribute? 

From their sons or from others?' And when he said, `From others,' Jesus 

said to him, `Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, 

go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when 

you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for 

me and for yourself.'   (Mt 17:24 27). 

    Capernaum is a prophetic symbol of the time of the Church's greatest 

trials and sufferings, the time of the ten kings and Antichrist. This is clear 

from Luke's Gospel,   `And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to 

heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.'   (Luke 10:15). Capernaum 

is the place where Antichrist will first begin to take power, and it represents 

the time of his power.