The Throne Is Not in Rome

The world watches with reverence. Cameras flash. Robes are pressed. A name is announced. Applause erupts. The balcony doors open. And the smoke has barely cleared before the title is proclaimed: “Holy Father.”

But Heaven does not hold elections. The throne of Christ was not handed down, voted on, or inherited. It was secured through blood, a cross, and an empty tomb.

Psalm 2:6 says, “I have set my King on Zion.” That is final. No debate. No successor.

Men may wear titles, but none can carry the glory that belongs to Christ alone. Isaiah 42:8 declares, “I am the Lord. That is my name. My glory I give to no other.” Not even to a man in a white robe.

The Church does not need a new shepherd. She already has one. His name is Jesus. He was not selected in a secret room. He was raised in power before the eyes of angels, kings, and demons alike.

This is not about mocking a man, but magnifying the One who is truly holy.

Popes die. Priests sin. Systems fail. But Jesus? He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. No white smoke needed. The tomb is empty. The seat is taken.

Honestly, I have no reverence for the moment. I am not deceived by the pageantry. No man holds the keys of eternity. Revelation 1:18 tells us who does: “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

Pope Leo XIV may lead a billion people. But only one King leads the redeemed.

And His throne is not in Rome.

It is in Heaven.

—Mark Spence


In the past two weeks, we have seen both a pope elected within the Catholic Church and, perhaps more surprisingly, an individual from within Islam publicly claiming the title of “true pope.” These events have made global headlines and stirred debate. But beneath the ornate garments and global attention lies a deeper, more pressing issue: spiritual confusion, and the human desire to replicate divine authority.

The clarity of Christ’s throne demands more than intellectual assent—it demands full allegiance. The throne of Jesus is not symbolic or ceremonial; it is the immovable seat of cosmic authority, eternal justice, and unshakable mercy. Any attempt to replicate, replace, or redefine that authority—regardless of tradition or sincerity—is not just misguided. It is an affront to the exclusive supremacy of Christ.

In every generation, men have sought to sit where only God belongs. Titles such as “Holy Father,” no matter how ancient or respected, approach dangerous ground. Jesus Himself draws a theological line in Matthew 23:9: “Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” These are not merely cultural commands—they are divinely instituted boundaries meant to preserve the distinction between God and man.

While human institutions celebrate succession, Scripture proclaims permanence. The Church is not built on the shifting sands of elections or ecclesiastical politics. It is built upon the Rock—Christ Himself. Colossians 1:18 makes it clear: He is the head of the body, the Church. Not a council. Not a college of cardinals. Not a clerical hierarchy.

Let us not stand in awe of ceremonies Heaven does not recognize. No robe, no chant, no white smoke can rival the majesty of the risen King. The resurrection was His coronation. The ascension, His enthronement. The indwelling Spirit is our daily assurance that Christ reigns now and forever.

The Church must lift her gaze—not to the Vatican balcony, but to the right hand of the Father, where Christ intercedes for His people.

He does not need to be chosen. He cannot be replaced. He will not be dethroned.

Christ alone is worthy. Christ alone is holy. Christ alone is King.

And His throne is not in Rome. It is in Heaven.

Let these headlines serve as a call to the Church, not just a curiosity for the world. These events do not merely reveal the fragmentation of man-made religion—they underscore the unchanging truth of the gospel. The King is not elected. The King is not debated. The King does not share His throne.

The tomb is still empty. The throne is still occupied. The name above every name remains unchanged.