When most non-Catholic Christians look at the Catholic Church, they often question the authoritative role of the Pope and what appears to them as “Mary worship.” Many Christians misunderstand the significance of the Pope and the Blessed Virgin Mary precisely because these Christians are not familiar with the way in which the Davidic Covenant structured the Messianic kingdom. In other words, non-Catholics are not aware of the profoundly Jewish significance of the papacy and the Virgin Mary.

The royal and messianic Kingdom of David held its capital in Jerusalem, beginning with King David ca. 1004 B.C. and was eclipsed in 586 B.C. with the capture of King Zedekiah and the forced exile of those Jews who were still alive. Prior to the tragic Babylonian exile, the true King of Judah and heir of David sat enthroned in Jerusalem. Moreover, there were two other important political figures alongside the Davidic king in the messianic court of Jerusalem. Next to the king, the second most important person in the Kingdom of Judah was the Gebirah. This Hebrew title translates literally “Mighty Woman” and refers to the mother of the Jewish king. Most translators render Gebirah as “Queen Mother.”

To be continued…