Coming One World Religion (Part 2) – Reversing the Schism?

In Short:

• The Pope and St. Bartholomew I are embracing a push for “unity” among Roman Catholicism and the Orthodox Church. (an incredible move in view of the 1054 AD Schism between them)
• Many other so-called “Protestant” leaders are affirming the movement for “unity” with the Roman Church, effectually reversing the Protestant movement begun by Luther and others!
• This movement compromises Biblical truths and Protestant beliefs.
• If you oppose this movement you are considered a problem – no joke!
• This is a major fulfillment of Bible prophecy written thousands of years ago in the book of Revelation and a sign of the end just before Jesus returns!
• Read more below and see how this will affect you and all the world besides!!

The Article:

If anyone has been following religious news lately, from secular press agencies and others, they probably have not failed to notice the Pope along with his and others’ emphasis on “unity.” Having diversity, but “unity.” There is great talk about being in “unity” for the sake of Evangelism, sharing Jesus, and shaping the political landscape in favor of Judeo-Christian teaching or values. While promoting Christian values can be a wonderful thing, we have to be very careful to realize what is actually going on here and what is at stake.

Many today have not realized the incredibly large prophetic ramifications of what is unfolding before our very eyes! The final events of the book of Revelation are starting to unfold in profound ways! Compromises of faith distinctions are occurring all around us that would have made the Protestant Reformers to roll in their graves if they knew what was going on, after all the blood they and others spilled in dying for the cause of truth!

Jesus himself said that we are to worship God “in Spirit AND in truth” (John 4:23-24), and not according to the “traditions of men,” but according to the word of God which “is truth” (Matthew 7:7-9; John 17:17). Jesus did pray for unity of believers, but that unity was never to come by the compromise of truth from His word (John 17:21-23; Rev. 2:9; Matthew 4:4).

God’s Bible-believing people risked their very lives to stand up for the truth of the Bible and to separate from Rome because they knew that the Romish Church would never repent of her sins, or turn from her unbiblical teachings and traditions of men. All the Protestant Reformers unanimously pointed out the Roman Catholic Church (not the people, but the church organization), to be the 1st Beast of Revelation 13, the Little Horn of Daniel 7, the Great Harlot of Revelation 17, the “Man of Sin” in 2 Thessalonians 2, and in other words, “the antichrist” character of Scripture. They did so with incredible conviction and clear evidence from the facts and the marks of identity in the Bible.

Essentially all Protestant Christians taught that up to the mid 1800s and later. But now, with the teachings of Futurism, designed by Jesuit Scholar Francisco Ribera in the 1500s as part of the Catholic Church’s counter-reformation (a movement to reverse or destroy the Protestant Reformation), many Protestant churches and people have forgotten these things. Most people are looking off to Israel, a supposed future “antichrist,” after a hopeful “Rapture” or disappearance of the church. They have lost sight of the Protestant teachings of prophecy, the real identity of the antichrist, and are heading straight back into the arms of Rome!! Martin Luther would groan or scream from his grave if he could, in warning about the peril of such things!

Here’s what the Bible tells us: “All the world will wonder after the Beast” in the last days after its “deadly wound” was healed! (Rev. 13:3). The very beast which shed the blood of the Martyrs for 1260 years during the Dark Ages, would now be praised, honored, and extolled by all the world (Rev. 13:7). And not only that, but a 2nd Beast or Kingdom would rise up and begin to pay homage to this first beast (the Romish Church and State power). A “Beast” is a Kingdom (Dan. 7:17,23). In the case of Revelation 13 these two “beasts” are very religious and intolerant towards anybody who doesn’t see eye to eye with their religious views! Their particular views involve the compromise of God’s truth and a movement of unity that will sweep the world and draw the admiration of everyone! It will look good to many at first, but will ultimately bring persecution to God’s Bible-believing, Christ-honoring, commandment-keeping people (Revelation 13:11-18; 14:12).

The 2nd Beast or Kingdom of Revelation 13 rises with “two horns like a lamb” (Rev. 13:11), but begins to “speak like a dragon” (v.12)! In other words, this very powerful, world-influencing kingdom or government starts out good with Christ-like principles of separating the church and state to allow freedom of conscience (Matthew 12:17), but their character changes, and they begin to “speak” or make laws which are in harmony with the first beast, and telling people who and how to worship!!! This 2nd Beast is United States of America, along with a Protestant influence that apparently is no-longer Protestant, because now they want to “make an image to the beast” or the Catholic Church! They will compromise truth and praise Rome, “the beast,” instead!

The movement now sweeping the world is the very same as prophecy describes!! “All the world wonders after the beast” who has the deadly wound which heals (Rev. 13:3). He has to be very popular and well loved by many, but have a terrible history, neglect of the truth, have taken a wound, but now gets healed. Many so called protestant church are now praising the pope of Rome and are making an effort to join and unite with him! This will lead to great persecution for any Bible-believing, commandment-keeping Christians who stand opposed and vocal against such a movement! Mark God’s word, it will! (Rev. 14:12).

Now for the current facts in the news!!

In 1054 AD the Orthodox (Eastern) church split from the Catholic (Western) Church, keeping many traditions the same, but not recognizing the pope’s authority! This was called “The Great Schism!” Now, they are shaking hands and talking about working together “in unity” again, but still in a diverse body, just “in unity” with the Pope (might as well be under the Pope for all the difference that makes!).

In a CNN article, updated Mon. Dec. 1st, 2014, titled “Pope Francis begins mending the Schism with Orthodox Christians,” we find the following quotes:

“Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I — the spiritual leader of some 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide — signed a declaration on Sunday committing to unity between the two churches.”

…Neither church will submit to nor assimilate the other, the Pope said in his homily, but they will work “towards the restoration of full Communion.”

“I want to assure each one of you here that, to reach the desired goal of full unity, the Catholic Church does not intend to impose any conditions except that of the shared profession of faith,” Francis said.

Pointing to Radical Islam and ISIS as common enemies the leader of the Orthodox Church, Bartholomew I, stressed the need for working in closer “unity” with the Roman Church, and of all Christians banding together in this movement!

The article further stated,

On Friday, the first day of his visit, Francis called for religious tolerance and dialogue to counter extremism in the Middle East, as he met with Turkey’s leaders.

“Fanaticism and fundamentalism, as well as irrational fears, which foster misunderstanding and discrimination, need to be countered by the solidarity of all believers,” he said. (read more here)

It sounds like a good thing to work together, at first, for such a seemingly good cause, but at what price does this come to us? What are the dangers for this movement that Pope Francis outlines? “Fundamentalism” is an enemy that stands in the way of his goals. He says this has “irrational fears” and will “foster misunderstanding and discrimination.” He tells us this must be countered by “the solidarity of all believers.” In other words, any “fundamentalist” Bible belief system which does not want to get on board with Rome is an enemy to their “unity” and must be eradicated by “the solidarity of all believers” working “in unity” against them.

Is this not fulfillment of the words of Revelation 13? The whole world wonders after the beast (Rome) whose deadly wound is healed, but there is one smaller group who gets persecuted…that is the fundamentalist Bible group who “keeps the commandments of God and has the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12 and 13:11-18). That is, the group who doesn’t buy into this one world religious movement!

In another article by the Catholic News Agency (CNA), November 22, 2014, the Pope stressed that people need to be more open to a unified Christian movement from all various communions to “evangelize” together (meaning they are all on the same team). He pointed out that anyone opposing this movement is standing in the way of progress and should, essentially, be ashamed! He referred to them as “backbiting communities.” Essentially, these are the same as the “fundamentalists” who keep God’s word and don’t join the Pope’s unity movement!

Vatican City, Nov 22, 2014 / 01:16 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis said that divisions among Christians are a stumbling block to evangelization, and encouraged members of the Church to go beyond personal opinions and find value in what others offer.

“For the world to believe that Jesus is Lord, it needs to see communion among Christians. If, on the other hand, the world sees divisions, rivalries and backbiting, regardless of the cause, how can we evangelize?” the Pope said in a Nov. 22 audience. (Read more here)

In the same article Pope Francis pointed out “that true communion can only exist when they [various faith communities and people] are united to the hierarchal Church.” In other words, the Pope says that all must unite with Rome and her authority!!

Not only is the Pope pushing for this unity from his side, but popular American pastors like Rick Warren are now pushing for “unity” with Rome!! (See Rick Warren’s video appeal – here). In another video Rick Warren calls Pope Francis “our pope” and asserts that the pope is just like Jesus in manner, doing “everything right” (See 55 sec. video). Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, and many other well know Evangelical leaders have also offered their support for Pope Francis! (Read more on Joel here or Kenneth here about 42min into video until the end).

Prophecy is fulfilling before our eyes!

I will leave you with a few words written by a Protestant believer, student of Prophecy, and notable author just over 100 years ago!

Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome.The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.{GC 588.1}

As spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light. Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed. And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, and manifest respect for the institutions of the church, their work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power.{GC 588.2}

The line of distinction between professed Christians and the ungodly is now hardly distinguishable. Church members love what the world loves and are ready to join with them, and Satan determines to unite them in one body and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping all into the ranks of spiritualism. Papists, who boast of miracles as a certain sign of the true church, will be readily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protestants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be deluded. Papists, Protestants, and worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium.” {GC 588.3} – The Great Controversy, by E.G. White.

Surely, the time is upon us! These things are happening in our days! Let’s be ready for the coming of Jesus by surrendering all to him! Let us prepare for what is now coming upon the world! Let us arouse from our sleep and sound the battle cry! A great time of trouble is about to break onto the scene for God’s people! (Daniel 12:1; Rev. 13; Matthew 24). Jesus is coming soon!! Amen and Amen!!

Wise unto God, Fools to the World

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise” (1 Corinthians 3:18).

The Bible asserts that “the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). He knows their thoughts, “that they are vain” (v.20). The thinking and prized things of the world are quite different from God’s. Jesus even said “that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God,” simply because that which is so often prized by people of the world is completely the opposite from what God prizes, values, and promotes (See Luke 16:15).

True wisdom “begins” with “the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 9:10). That is, if the wisdom we have is not rooted, grounded, based in, and premised from “fearing,” reverencing, respecting, and choosing to obey God then our wisdom is not wisdom at all, but rather foolishness.

The world values pride and show. God values humility and self-abasement (1 Peter 5:5; Matthew 16:24-25). The world values lust and immorality. God values purity of thought, self-control, and righteousness (Philippians 4:8; Galatians 5:23-24). The world values drunkenness and selfish pleasure. God values sobriety, moral purity with integrity, and love for others that puts their best good and well-being above our own (Ephesians 5:1-3, 17-18; Philippians 2:3). The world values multiple relationships for fun with experimentation. God values life-long marriage, fidelity, and dedication without messing around (Hebrews 13:4). The list could go on!

The world may “think it strange” that we (as Christ-followers) do not run along with them in the same corrupt passions, but God who calls us to be completely distinguished and separate from the world honors us, blesses, and praises when we take that step (1 Peter 4:3-4; 2 Cor. 6:15-18; 1 John 2:15-17). Have you ever been tempted to want to be like the world in some way? Or have you been curious to learn more about their ways? Probably most of us have. I’ve found that when Christ and His word are filling my heart, the things of this world grow strangely dim (as the old Hymn puts it). I’d rather be a “fool” in this world and considered naïve by it, while being wise in God and His ways any day! The wisdom of God is true, eternal, and life-saving! Let’s put God’s wisdom first! What do you say?

Separate – Meditations on James 4

The 4th Chapter of James holds wonderful truths for God’s people! (As does the whole Bible, of course!). But, perhaps it’s been a while since many of us have read through this chapter. In reading this chapter recently I was struck by the message of God’s people being “separate” from sin and the world. At least that is, called to be separate, expected to be separate, and empowered to be separate, but in need of willingness and decision to be separate. God provides the tools, strength or power, and the direction needed – but as for the decision, that lies in our hands. James 4 makes that abundantly clear, as do so many other countless passages in the Bible! Let’s go through the chapter and pull out some points for edification. I’ll simply reference ideas and portions of text, but you’d be blessed to read the whole chapter (See James 4).

• Wars, squabbles, and fights among us come from selfishness, lust and sinfulness, which is a part of the fallen nature or old creature which Jesus wants to eradicate from us (v.1). See also Eph. 4:22 and 2 Cor. 5:17 for more detail.
• The worldly way is to fight and squabble for stuff. God’s way is that we ask in prayer, trusting Him to provide, and being thankful for what He, in His perfect wisdom gives (v.2).
• The sin of God’s people pointed out here is that they were lusting for things and fighting for them after a sinful and worldly manner. Then asking for things selfishly which were totally contrary to God’s plan from the get-go. This sinful nature in us, if followed, and not crucified (put to death) will make us to be enemies of God who are unfaithful to Him. Such a course is strongly condemned here for what it is – siding with the enemy against God (v.3-5).
• Thankfully, God gives the grace we need – but only to those who humble themselves before Him, surrender and ask for His help. The proud and sinful are on their own (v.6). – Surrender.
• “Submit…therefore to God” (surrender) and “resist the Devil” (resist sinful urges) and “he will flee from you” (the devil will be running away) (v.7). Surrender to God. Resist the devil. The devil will run away. – That’s a key for success! But, it depends on our choice. Choice to surrender to God. Choice to resist Satan.
• “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (v.8). It’s another CHOICE for victory. Draw near to God. He will draw near to you. You and me can have more of the Holy Spirit, presence, and power of God in our lives. Draw near to Him. It’s a choice. Pray, read the word, fill yourself with His holy things and surround yourself with Godly influences while cutting off the bad ones. By this very choice to “draw near to God” we are enabling ourselves with power from on High to be able to overcome sin, and to be filled with God’s presence! It’s His promise, but our choice. Draw near to God. He will come near to you. (See also John 15:4,5; Matthew 11:28-30).
• “Cleanse your hands ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye double-minded” (v.8). The problem is being double-minded. People in God’s own church have loved sin too much. We have half a mind to follow God, and half a mind to follow our sins. The apostle James hits the nail on the head! Again, it boils down to a choice. Throw away the sin – get it out of your hands. Humble yourself before God, plead for His mercies and grace, ask for Him to help you have a pure heart (See Psalm 51:10). Hide His word in your heart so that you’ll be transformed by it and will learn not to sin (Psalm 119:11). Let your mind be transformed and renewed in God (Romans 12:1,2). Once more, choose to drop your sin now, humble and plead before God for forgiveness and strength, and seek Him in His word which will transform your mind and heart!
• “Be afflicted,” “mourn,” “weep,” “let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to heaviness” (v.9). Sin is no light or laughing matter. It is life and death! We need a heart, mind, and attitude change. It’s time that we shun the worldliness and realize our true condition before God. Better to take things seriously and change our course than to dance on into destruction!
• If we humble ourselves before God, “He shall lift [us] up!” (v.10). Amen!! That’s a promise from God! HE will lift us up! He will drag us out of the mire of sin and worldliness that we’ve gotten ourselves into, but only if we are willing to truly humble ourselves before Him and seek His help!
• We are not to judge and bad-mouth each other. We should NOT speak evil of others. God Himself will take care of things as need be (v.11-12).
• Our life is just a “vapor,” here fore a little while and then gone tomorrow. We, therefore, should choose to live according to God’s will and make the best of every day for Him! Let us not be seeking worldly gain or imagining to run our own life-course according to our own wisdom. That is vain (worthless), and will get us into trouble for sure! We must trust the Lord and ask for HIS will to be done. Look for His will and follow that, as He allows, living one day at a time in perfect trust (v.13-16).
• Therefore, “He who knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin” (v.17). In other words, we have no excuses before God. When we know it is wrong then we had just better stop digging into that sin, choose to cast it aside, and start humbling ourselves before God. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Let our hands be cleansed and our hearts made pure by God’s power.

Hopefully, as you’ve had a chance to meditate upon this chapter you’ve been able to find heaven’s blessing in it! God has a plan for us and power to be overcomers! We must be separate from this world of sin! We are called, expected, and given power to overcome sin, but we have to make the choice to follow God’s plan. “Cleansing our hands” and having our hearts made pure, we can no longer live a double-minded life. Let it be so with us to draw near to the Lord, to resist the devil and to be set free day after day in Jesus!

High in the Sky – Signs of the End – Bible Prophecies Fulfilling

 Nearly 4,300 years ago the masses of mankind had gathered themselves in the fertile plain of Shinar to build themselves a city and make a tower reaching unto the heavens! They wanted to make a name for themselves and to avoid being scattered abroad upon the face of the earth! In the Biblical story (Genesis 11:1-9), God, seeing what they were up to, decided to go and confuse the languages in order to divide up and disperse people groups into various cultures so that mankind would not be able to progress as quickly in their development, while living in sin.

The people laid their plans and said, “Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven…” (Gen. 11:4). God knew that “now nothing will be restrained from them which they have imagined to do,” since the people were “one” and they all had “one language” (Gen. 11:6). The world was at a point then in which it was dangerous to allow man to progress because they were living in sinful rebellion against God, and putting their minds together in that sinful rebellion, and quickly adding many new technologies in such a state and at such a time would spell disaster for the human race! So, God slowed mankind’s progress by dividing mankind and halting their efforts.

Today, the world has reached a point in history where we’ve come to the same crucial boiling point! After so many years of being divided by languages and cultures we’ve come to a point where most all cultures of the world are now working together in harmony again. Language barriers around the world have majorly been broken down, especially among the elite thinkers and decision-makers of the various countries, cultures, and peoples. Yet, people’s hearts have not changed. Evil still lurks in the hearts of men. Can we imagine that God will not do something now, as He did back at that early time in history? The crisis of the ages is coming upon us! The Lord will soon appear to deal with the sin problem amongst mankind! We are reaching that boiling point again!

The world’s population has all been flocking and migrating to the cities! People are building towers around the world to make names for themselves, all striving to build the tallest and the best towers, while utterly forgetting about God our Creator! There is the Burj Khalifa (in Dubai), and the two Phoenix Towers planned for Wuhan, China which are slated to be completed in 2017 or 18 and will reach one kilometer in height! The CNN article reads, “No one can accuse China of stinting in its efforts to reach for the sky” (See CNN Article). Here we are, thousands of years later, running the same kind of show that brought God’s divinely appointed division into our world anciently!

The problem is not innovation, but rather sin, and rebellion against the Creator! Mankind wants to continue in sin and rebellion against God while building up and glorifying themselves. The danger is that mankind with sinful hearts are putting their minds together to develop all sorts of technologies, which left in the hands of sinful mankind will pose terrible threats to our race. God will not allow mankind to move on terribly farther without calling in the cards and putting an end to their sinful rebellion. It happened anciently, and we can be sure that it will happen in our day too! Beyond the modern innovations of today, the world is swelling and filling with a Sodom and Gomorrah level of iniquity (wickedness/sin), and a violence akin to the days of Noah (Gen. 6), all of which Jesus said would be signs of the end! (Luke 17:24-30) World wake up!! Jesus is coming very soon! Let us repent of our sins and seek God’s mercy before it’s too late!

Peace and Prosperity Talks – Good? A sign of the end?

Peace is an experience and a word that resonates with the hearts of most people! What perhaps could be better than peace when our hearts are daily torn by sad conflicts and outbursts of evil in this world! When people from all walks of life begin to talk about peace, and sides long in opposition and violence over their various differences have begun to talk of peace it certainly sounds like music to the ears of people with aching hearts yearning for sweet rest, peace, prosperity, and harmony for all! Peace sounds so incredibly good to us all! In fact, even Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). The apostle Paul gives us a word, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in Romans 12:18, “If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.” With that said, could some world talks of peace be a sign for concern? Could some peace talks be just part of a larger plan to seize world power, trample on minority faith groups, and cast eternal truths of God aside? Let’s consider a few points of prophecy from the Bible.

The Bible speaks of a power in opposition to Christ – that is, an anti-Christ power who comes to the world and to God’s people as if he were an “angel of light.” That is, he comes as if to solve the troubles of the world, however, up his sleeve is more than one trick that he’s using to ultimately belittle the true teachings of God, and to bring persecution upon the faithful followers of God! It is a movement designed by Satan to unite the whole world and gather every possible soul under his deceptions, thus aiding him in the persecution and destruction of God’s faithful followers!

The Bible says this power “has a mouth that speaks very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows” (Daniel 7:20). In other words, he is very proud, at the core, although appearances are going to be deceptive! The Bible says this power will “cast down the truth to the ground” and “practice and prosper” (Dan. 8:12). “Through his policy also he shall cause craft [deceit] to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall he destroy many…” (Dan. 8:25). The word “peace” in that last verse is the Hebrew word “Shalvah.” It has the meanings of “security (genuine or false); abundance, peace, prosperity, and quietness.” When it says that “he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand” it is talking about “deceit” or deception. In other words, while this power talks and moves for peace to gain a large following, at his core, he is practicing “deception” as his general policy for action. Their is wickedness and evil motives under the facade of peace talks.

The Bible says that this power gains favor with people all over the entire world! He becomes the talk of the nations! Revelation 13:3 says “…and all the world wondered after the beast!” Made crystal clear in Revelation 13 is the fact that this power influences the whole world, and the whole world seems to swoon after him! Add to this what Paul said about people in the last days just before Christ’s return, “For when they shall say Peace and Safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them…” (1 Thess. 5:3). In other words, the whole world and this beast power will have a common message of peace, prosperity, unity, and safety which they will be chanting! They will be all looking for that, but to the exclusion of Bible truth! They will try to unite all things possible under the name of peace while condemning any message of truth that interferes with their goal!

Paul says furthermore of this same character that his “coming is after the working of Satan with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth…” (2 Thess. 2:9,10). Here are some common denominators that we see keep popping up: (1) A message of Peace and Safety, (2) Deception and lies at the heart of it, (3) Compromise, casting down, and disregard of God’s sacred truth! The devil is behind it, his deceptive organizations at the front, and all the world is going to buy into it, that is, if they are not rooted in the eternal truths of Christ’s true gospel message!

Jesus said that he did not come to “send peace on earth,” but instead, “a sword” (Matthew 10:34). In his very next statement, He clarified his meaning. He said that even families would be “divided” because of one believing in Christ truly, while others did not (v.35). Jesus never advocated that his followers use violence, but rather just the opposite – to be meek and lowly (Luke 9:52-56; Matthew 26:52; 11:29). However, he warned that we would be “hated of all nations” for His name’s sake, would be afflicted and also killed even for following Him and His teachings of truth (Matthew 24:9). Religious leaders in Christ’s day condemned him as Beelzebub (the devil or a son of his) and Christ said his followers could expect about the same from the world (Matt. 10:25). We are told that all who live godly in Christ Jesus “shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Revelation says that the Devil and his last day powers will persecute true believers in Christ Jesus who keep His commandments (Rev. 12:17; 14:12)! And most certainly, they will be the minority!

Knowing these things, we should realize that the devil is out to get God’s faithful people in the last days! He will unite the world and false religious movements together in an attack against God’s faithful people! A large part of their cry will be peace and safety, but under it all will be deception, and total disregard for God’s holy commandments! The message must sound so good to every ear, but the work being done underhand will be totally against the truth!

When we read of world leaders such as the Pope, reaching out to people all over the world, getting praised as “man of the year,” and talking peace and unity with the various religious leaders around the world then we should know that something is going on! Something that is fulfilling prophecy! Something that is very deceptive in nature, pleases the ear, but is working against the truth! [Read CNN article June 8, 2014 on the Pope and his peace talks with other leaders] Recently, the Pope called for prayer and peace talks with the leaders of Israel and Palestine. He advocated people living “as brothers and sisters and not as enemies.” He said, “I hope that this meeting will be a journey toward what joins us, to overcome what divides us” (see article link above for details).

That sounds like a wonderful message! Certainly something we all might be thankful for on the surface level, but according to Bible prophecy, there are things at stake! There is also deception at work! All these kinds of events will rally the world together, in a union that will eventually lead to the persecution of God’s faithful commandment-keeping people. Let us not forget that it was the Roman Church that banned the Bible in the Dark Ages, which led the crusades killing millions of innocent people who disagreed with her views, which burned protestants at the stake and any religious group who did not seem to see it her way! Has that organization changed her views? Some might think so, but she has never renounced a single one of her teachings! Getting the world to rally behind her again, leading the way, and taking back power and influence, we should be fearful to see what things will come next!

Prophecy is quickly fulfilling! While the world powers and favor are aligning with false religious systems such as Rome, we should be keenly aware that the final events are fast coming upon us! Let us be faithful in Christ Jesus, strong in Him, and doing His work for dark times are just ahead of us! “The night is coming when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Marriage in God’s view or Society’s?

Since the 70s, views of marriage in society, and the nature of it being a life-long durable commitment, have gotten progressively worse in the U.S. These shifting attitudes towards marriage have taken away much of the societal supports that used to exist to encourage the durability of marriage. These shifting views have really hurt marriage’s durability and even its quality in our world. It’s time for God’s people to put forth the truth that Jesus put forth, and stop being twisted by society around us. Let’s do some twisting of our own in the direction of Christ’s words, “…the two shall become one flesh…Therefore, what God has joined together let no man separate” (Matthew 19:5,6).

We ought to remember what God says about vows, “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” (Numbers 30:2). Vows are a serious matter before God and He expects us to perform exactly as we have vowed and promised! A vow is not to be a useless formality as the sinful society around us has portrayed it! The whole world these days doesn’t seem to care much for keeping vows, and unfortunately too many of God’s own people have bought into the lies. Enough is enough! Let your word be your bond. “Til death do us part” means exactly that, and so does “for better or worse.” Society doesn’t seem to take or hold those words seriously anymore, viewing them as little more than a formality. That’s a challenge to weaken anyone’s resolve for sure! In fact, even the world of social sciences is telling people they owe it to themselves to “divorce” from anyone who doesn’t make them “happy” all the time. That is baloney from the devil himself.

The world is all about self-serving these days, as always, and they care nothing about integrity, righteous resolve or enduring commitment! While the world is living for the moment, let God’s people live by God’s eternal principles and remember that Christ taught us to give “self-sacrificing” love which looks out for the good of others and is bestowed even upon the most unworthy, in a continual endeavor to awaken true love in the cold hearts of those receiving it.

Just listen to these telling statements from a book by Linda Waite, “…adopting favorable ideas about divorce actually tends to lower the quality of a person’ marriage. …Using data from a survey of almost 1,300 married couples, two scholars found that ‘those who adopted less supportive attitudes toward divorce reported a decline in marital conflict between 1983 and 1988, whereas those who adopted more supportive attitudes toward divorce reported an increase in marital conflict.’ …When people aren’t certain their marriage will last, they invest less time in the relationship and take fewer steps to resolve disagreements” –The Case for Marriage, p.181-182.

Our attitude towards marriage greatly affects the quality of it, and also the chances for its success. After all, when failure is not an option, then failure is not an option! Thus, we better work to get it right! Let’s take Christ’s words more seriously, and throw out the twisted ideas from a godless society. “…the two shall be come one flesh…Therefore, what God has joined together let no man separate”-Jesus (Matthew 19:5,6).

Compulsive homosexual services or Liberty of Conscience?

The question was asked, “Should a Christian in business have the right to refuse services to a homosexual couple?” In general every day transactions such as buying food, gas, clothes, etc. where buying something should have no concern or orientation to someone’s sexuality I think the answer is NO. A Christian or any person should not bring into consideration your personal lifestyle at all. However, if a Christian (or another person of conviction) is being asked to participate in something they are deeply morally opposed to then I believe the answer is YES, they should have the right to refuse services.

For example, a Christian Photographer in New Mexico was recently asked to take pictures of a homosexual wedding. She declined, on her personal moral basis, because she did not want to participate in that kind of event. She was sued by the party, and the State commanded her to pay about $5000 USD for saying “No.” The Supreme Court also refused to hear her case (article here). Read more from Fox News. In another case, in Denver (Lakewood), Colorado, 2012, a Christian baker was asked to make a cake for a homosexual wedding (which of course includes the idea of what kind of plastic figures you are putting at the top, etc.). He declined on moral basis, and was ordered by the court that he had to bake the cake. Still, he refused. See more here.

The issue extends to other matters as well. Should a Christian doctor (or other person of strong moral conviction) be forced against their moral conviction to perform a sex-change operation on someone or an abortion? Again, I believe the answer is clearly, “No!” They should have the right to decline. People should have the right to live by their moral convictions of right and wrong, which is also protected in our First Amendment rights, “…Congress shall make no Law respecting the establishment of a religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” But even just on the simple principle that people hold something to be wrong or a sin should mean they have liberty to say no according to their conscientious belief. Yes. It is their conscientious right to say NO, I will not participate in sin. Just as much as we should have the right to say NO, I will not help you to commit a bank robbery or murder or an adultery against your spouse. This is not a hate-crime to say "No." It’s the right to stand up for what you believe to be right and wrong at the very core of your being and to say, “I will not participate in something that I believe to be wrong or to be a sin.” You can love a person as a person, but, and still, in that love say “No” I do not approve of this choice or activity and will therefore not or cannot participate in such an activity. As a business reflects the moral and ethical principles of those who run it, and their hand is the one behind the work, they MUST be allowed the fundamental right to say “No” to a certain job on moral grounds! 

How did unique animals migrate to other continents after the flood?

 

People under the persuasion of the Evolutionary model for development of various animal life forms often try to challenge Creationists by the idea that there are unique animals on islands far from the place where Noah’s ark is said to have landed and released it’s animals. Some of these animals cannot be found on other continents. For example, the only place having Kangaroos today is Australia, a large continental island which is separated by large oceans from the continent where Noah’s ark would have landed. So, how did animals get from Noah’s ark to places like Australia? Let’s consider a few points.

From a biblical model, all the animals came off the Ark around Mt. Ararat in Turkey (See Genesis 8:4). From there they would have spread out. As people spread out, which largely happened after the Tower of Babel incident in Genesis 11, they would have likely taken some animals with them. Josephus (the famous Jewish Historian in the 1st Century AD) says that some people spread out by ships to various islands.** It is likely that certain animals, though not all obviously, would have been taken with them. Kangaroos or a similar/related creature could have been taken along on those ships to Australia and then gotten well established there. At the same time, populations of such animals in other places could have been sparse and were either killed off or died off for various environmental reasons (i.e. Existing predators, famines, etc.). Some animals can establish well in one climate while others establish themselves better in another. It is a fact that today we see Kangaroos living naturally only in Australia, just as one example. Their population is well established there.

Various animal populations by kind do vary in size and location over time. Sometimes certain creature populations die off in one area for one reason or another. Often they keep to a certain region and climate in which they can survive and thrive. One example is that of the American Bison (commonly called the “Buffalo”). This precise animal is unique to America (i.e.Bison Bison). However, there is a related and very similar Bison called the wisent which lives in Europe (this animal also became nearly extinct at one time there, but has come back a bit number-wise thanks to preservation efforts). There were other ancestors of a slightly different variety living in Asia and even Canada at one time but these groups have slowly died off and disappeared for various reasons. You can learn more about the Bison by clicking here.

There is also the very real possibility that God could have guided certain animal groups in patterns of migration, just as He also had led the various animals onto the ark to begin with (See Gen. 6:20, i.e. Noah did not have to gather them – instead, God had divinely led them). This kind of factor would have worked in harmony with the factors mentioned in the previous paragraphs.

Another possible way for certain animals to have spread to places like Australia, other than ships, are land bridges which could have been crossed had certain points of earth been higher in the past or had the waters themselves been lower because of higher percentages of iced-over polar areas immediately after the flood, or maybe a combination of both. Even Evolutionists will assert that this is how people got to the Americas (over a supposed ancient land-bridge from Asia/Russia through Alaska and on down). Looking at a map of Australia it would not be hard to envision some land bridges coming down from South-east Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and onto the Australian continent.

To summarize, it would NOT have been hard for animal populations to migrate over land bridges to various locations or to be introduced to some new areas by human beings traveling by ship to new places of permanent settlement. Certain populations could thrive in some areas (by absence of predators or the presence of advantageous climate), while dying off and not becoming well established in other areas.

From the Answers in Genesis website there are some other great points on this very question. You can view their article here.
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**“After this they were dispersed abroad, on account of their languages, and went out by colonies everywhere; and each colony took possession of that land which they lighted upon, and unto which God led them, so that the whole continent was filled with them, both inland and the maritime countries. There were some also who passed over the sea in ships, and inhabited the islands; and some of those nations do still retain the denominations which were given them by their first founders; but some have lost them also…” – Josephus, Bk. 1, Chap. 5.

Do the Dead Sea Scrolls Reveal the Rapture?

 

In 2005 a well-known Christian ministry, Jack van Impe ministries, produced a video to support the rapture theory, and also made it as an online message “for those left behind after the rapture” to take hold of and to find their way (such videos online have been multiplying). In the video a quote was shared to trace back the history of the rapture belief even to the early time of when the Dead Sea Scrolls were buried (predating and going into the 1st Century AD). In this short article, we want to explore that claim.

What did this ministry post?

Jack van Impe read the following in his broadcast, introducing it as “a late breaking report” supposedly provided by “the journalist David Augustine” with headline reading, “A Newly Discovered Dead Sea Scroll Has Revealed Who Will be Left Behind When the Rapture Comes a Leading Scholar Reports.” (Jack van Impe Ministries, June 16, 2005)

Quoted on the screen as the “leading scholar” in the article was a person referenced as Dr. William Harold, professor of Canon Law, at the Theological Seminary of Essex, GB [Great Britain]. The following two quotes were attributed to this Dr. William Harold.

“Without doubt, this is the most important discovery in the history of Biblical archeology. The scroll, written in Aramaic, the language spoken in the Holy Land during Jesus time on earth, was found in a cave on the shores of the Dead Sea by geologists conducting a survey for the Israeli government.”

The scrolls read:

“The Rapture will occur suddenly. And countless thousands will vanish from the earth. Swept up to heaven to live with Jesus and escape the torment of the Tribulation, the others will be left behind.” — The Dead Sea Scrolls

A few thoughts and comments:

Upon first hearing such an idea, those who believe in the rapture might be overjoyed to find some kind of evidence for their belief dating all the way back to the first century AD at least! However, upon further investigation of these claims serious questions and doubts begin to arise. Here they are in list format with some additional thoughts on them.

• A journalist name and headline were given. No media organization was given. Why not? The point of giving quotes and references is so that others can verify your source and decide for themselves if the evidence is correct or strong enough to put stock into. Upon Google searching the supposed “headline” which was supposed to have been “late breaking news” and the journalist name, not a single reference to any kind of original article appears! That’s very strange for such a discovery as the one mentioned to be “late breaking news.” We live in an international world today where news hits the other side of the planet moments after something takes place. All noteworthy news agencies put their information online (both local and world news). Again, why did we not receive a media organization name and why does a headline Google search on the stated headline along with the journalist name reveal nothing? In fact, it only brings up Jack van Impe ministry references alone, or internet sites which referenced Jack van Impe ministries for their primary source regarding this article and claim. If the information was reliable and genuine, why not give us the news agency where this was supposedly reported from?
• Next, we ought to at least be able to find the “leading scholar” who made these claims in the first place, if not the news agency. To research him, we only need to make contact with the “Theological Seminary of Essex” in Great Britain [GB]. However, upon Google searching for the stated Seminary we find that it strangely has no web presence! That surely seems impossible for a university of any shape or size today! Especially one that has “leading scholars” and large departments! After researching for Seminaries in the UK, nothing by that name ever comes up! The closest possible match was the University of Essex who did in fact have a webpage (click here to visit). However, after looking over all their departments they have no department in Theology, no religion department, and no mention whatsoever of any Seminary.  A bit strange, huh? Must not be the right place.
• Finally, our next best bet would be to look at the quotes themselves to see what can be uncovered. The first statement doesn’t seem like a surprising one in any case no matter what the DSS (Dead Sea Scroll) discovery had been. The second quote, if true and verifiable would be an incredible reference for history of the rapture theory if in fact it was true. Again, a simple Google search of both quotes by themselves turns up nothing more than a number of blogs referencing Jack van Impe ministries’ statement made from their broadcast. The primary source of information for anybody always seems to rest upon Jack van Impe ministries, which doesn’t say much of anything to legitimate the claim. It only seems to suggest that this information primarily originated with them, and not any outside sources.
• Furthermore, every scroll and fragment found in the 11 caves at Qumran near the Dead Sea, between 1946 and 1956, have been meticulously categorized for reference and are very well and carefully preserved for researchers! They are listed by cave number they were found in, and also scroll or fragment name or number. For example, fragment number 27 found in Qumran Cave 1 would be 1Q27. Fragments 299-301 found in Qumran Cave 4 would be 4Q299-301. All the fragments and items found and labeled as part of the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) are referenced in this way! So, why does the quote from Jack van Impe ministries simply say below his prize jewel of a quote, “The Dead Sea Scrolls.” With over 981 texts having been discovered and categorized from these 11 caves that is an extremely vague kind of a reference! And this also makes it unverifiable! Why not give us a specific reference since this would be such an earth shattering discovery for the theory of the rapture? No evidence has ever been produced that such a statement has ever been found among the Dead Sea Scrolls other than the claims of Jack van Impe ministries. Again, that is cause for very serious doubts as to the validity of such claims.

Conclusion

There is no evidence whatsoever that the Dead Sea Scrolls ever make a single reference to the idea of the rapture. The statements and quotes provided by Jack van Impe ministries do not pan out when attempting to verify them. (1) There is no evidence of any such article or journalist existing, (2) No news agency given, (3) No such theological seminary or stated “leading scholars” were able to be verified, (4) No outside sources verifying the claims on Google other than Jack van Impe ministries claim itself, and (5) No specific Dead Sea Scroll reference or materials coming up to match these claims. The quote given by the Jack van Impe ministry is therefore an unreliable and useless reference for anybody wanting to talk about the history of the rapture theory. The use of it by said ministries brings the ministry itself into question and the kind of resources they like to use.

Corrie Ten Boom – Christian Holocaust Survivor – A Rapturous Warning

 

Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian, was a woman who went through the Holocaust of Nazi Germany in the 1940s. Her father, family, and her were helping Jews to escape during that time and were caught by Nazi authorities and imprisoned. She survived! While there she encouraged many others by faith in God though also witnessing the death of many! In the after years of her life she spent much time to help and encourage fellow Christians, as well as to help prepare them for further trials that we, as God’s faithful, must witness along the way before we all reach the gates of Heaven!

In 1974 she wrote a letter to fellow Christians expressing a very real concern for the kind of teaching that was going on and becoming popular! One of the express teachings that she mentioned was the teaching of the rapture! Many Christians had been (and still are today) teaching that “the church” is going to be raptured away before ever having to face a terrible period of tribulation. In her letter she warned Christians about the dangers of this teaching! She noted how notions of an idea that we’d escape all the difficulties of life when close to God had severely failed Christians who had to go through the atrocities of the holocaust.

In her letter she also noted how Christians in China had been terribly misled by the false teaching that Christians would be “raptured” away before facing the Tribulation. Soon after they all faced terrible times of persecution and were virtually unprepared to do so! They had not properly prepared to face persecution because of false and pleasing fables! In reflection leaders said, “We should have made the people strong for persecution,” but how they had failed to do so.

You can read her letter here from this website, or view a PDF form of it here. Additionally, you can view a great Youtube presentation of it here. You can read more about Corrie Ten Boom Here.

Let’s take the warnings seriously and not be misled by false teachings or pleasing fables! Let us prepare properly for all that is ahead of us! For those who believe in the rapture theory, please also view the other scripture study blogs on this subject: A short article here and a more at length one here.

The Rapture – Are Christians likely to vanish at any moment?

 

It is widely taught today among Christians that there is a coming “Rapture” in which sincere Christians – “the church” – are destined to simply disappear without a moment’s notice! They’ll simply be gathered up to Jesus in the twinkling of an eye and disappear! It could even happen one second from now or while you’re reading this. Is this, however, really what the Bible teaches?

According to this teaching the Christians will be gone for seven years in heaven, while all hell breaks loose on the earth, involving Israel, a conflict in the middle east, and the anti-Christ or “man of sin” figure arising to prominence, etc. Then at the end of seven years Jesus will return gloriously with all his followers – “church” – from heaven to put an end to things and to collect any who became believers while on earth during that seven years. Interestingly enough, this idea was not taught among Christians for nearly 1800 years. Only since the early to mid 1800s, and much more pervasively since the mid to late 1900s has this idea been gaining ground. Had the Church missed something for all those years? What does the Bible really say? Let’s find out!

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 are commonly quoted as a reference to this teaching. These verses read, “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

At this point the Lord will gather up all of His people! That is very clear from the above text! The “dead in Christ” will resurrect to life and then be caught up at the same time as the living Christians to the meet the Lord in the air. That is also very clear! Another thing that is clear is that it involves “a shout,” the “voice of the archangel” and “the trumpet of God.” That means that this event is most certainly not a silent or quiet event of disappearing into silence as many have suggested! It’s a very noticeable event as the dead in Christ are coming from their graves and going up visibly to meet the Lord in the air along with the other Christians who’ve never seen death! This is one of the primary texts quoted in favor of the rapture view since it includes the term “caught up” which in Latin is translated “Raptura,” meaning the same idea. It should be noted the text does present a bit of a different idea than a mere “silent” disappearance as many are expecting. Also, those who hold that there will be one grand, glorious, climactic coming (instead of a two part, Rapture and then a Glorious coming) also use this text with ease in favor of their view.

John 14:1-3 which is commonly referred to as a rapture text as well simply states that Jesus will return for His people and will gather them up. This text is easily understood also by those who support a one part all glorious coming because it says nothing of a two-part coming either. There is no unique distinction here to support the idea of a two part coming with the rapture occurring first.

Matthew 24:28-31 also pictures the return of Christ with the sound of the trumpet to gather His people! But it also pictures the wicked dying and mourning in terror at that time. Seems to match with 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 based on the trumpet call and all the gathering, but it says nothing of a silent rapture, and in fact in comes after what is called the “Tribulation.”

Let us consider also 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. This is probably one of the most compelling passages on the whole subject! “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (Emphasis added).

The Bible is here in 2 Thess. 2:1-3 talking about “our gathering together unto Him,” that is, when he comes with the trumpet to get or gather together His people. The Bible says do not be troubled or deceived by any sort of message “that the day of Christ is at hand,” in other words that it could just or simply come at any moment unexpectedly! Paul warns that some certain things must come first! That is (1) there would be a general falling away from the true message of God among His people (and certainly this item has already happened!) (2) the “man of sin” would be revealed. This “man of sin” is commonly referred to by all Christians as the “Anti-Christ.” The Bible says Christ will not come to “gather” His people until these items occur FIRST! We should believe no word other than that. This fact spells trouble for the rapture theory since many Christians have been taught to believe that Jesus will come to rapture away all the Christians in an instant and then that the anti-Christ will come afterwards during some “7 year” period to cause trouble. The Bible order is (1) Anti-Christ figure appears “first” (2) The real Jesus Christ will come to “gather” His people. The rapture theory is entirely backwards; rapture, then antichrist.

Finally, let’s consider Revelation 16:15 and its implications for these ideas. As the words of Jesus, it reads, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” The Christ coming as a “thief” concept is always associated with the idea of the “rapture” in the minds of every Christian who believes the theory. That is how it is taught! The belief is that Christ will come as a “thief” and rapture away all the sincere Christians before the time of trouble, the anti-Christ, and all the plagues of Revelation. However, this verse again, is a problem if one holds to that theory. The reason is that Revelation 16:15 is a prophesied proclamation which comes from Jesus Christ as an encouragement to His people to remain faithful. It comes towards the end of final plague number 6, just before the 7th and final plague. That means that Christ comes “as a thief,” for His people, after the plagues have already been occurring. This is contrary to the popular rapture theory of today. Not to mention, so is 2 Peter 3:10 which tells us that when Christ does come “as a thief” all the heavens will burn up and melt with fervent heat, even the elements will be on fire. That in no way fits the popular concept of the rapture!

Christ’s people will be here through the time of the plagues, just like God’s people were in Egypt through the time of the ten plagues anciently. And just as God kept them safe in ancient Egypt, while punishing the wicked who had been abusing them, God will also do the same at the end of the world. Read Psalm 91 and you will see how we are there to behold such punishment of the wicked but that “no plague” will “come near” to us because God is protecting us. And in the last plague, which is the most severe, involving an earth shattering earthquake, the Lord gathers us up into the air to meet Him! Do not buy into the fear tactics of popular preachers. We will be safe during this time if we are trusting in God!

Oh, and one more thing. Is the period of tribulation and plagues really “seven years” long? There is not a single verse in the Bible that ever says so. You cannot find it in Revelation (try though one might) and you cannot find it in Ezekiel, or even Daniel. The verse popularly used to get that period is Daniel 9:27. It never says the phrase “7 years of tribulation.” It does say that someone will “confirm a covenant with many” for a period of seven years. That someone is Jesus, Messiah, who confirmed the new covenant of His blood with His people, the Jews for a period of seven years (3.5 by His personal public efforts and 3.5 by His disciples to the Jews). Then on to the Gentiles. The offerings and sacrifices stopped because Jesus died on the cross for us as our lamb! (See Hebrews 10). That “seventy 7s” period (490 years) began in the days of ancient Persia (457 BC) and continued to the Messiah. It spoke of His ministry. The opposing power there was speaking of the Roman armies who soon after (in AD 70) tore apart the Hebrew Temple in Jerusalem (ref. Luke 21:20-24; Matthew 23:27-24:3,15,16; note there is also a last day application to these verses in terms of seeing God’s warnings and fleeing for safety in the final crisis). To rip off the last seven years and float it down at the end of time, applying it to some kind of antichrist figure is a perverse twisting and misuse of Scripture. The 490 year time prophecy began in the days of ancient Persia and naturally would have expired in the 1st Century BC at the time of Jesus, Messiah.

From all these scriptures we can see that the “rapture” theory is not really holding water. Perhaps we need to study our Bible’s more closely and to consider that just maybe the church really did have it right for 1800 years. And perhaps we need to be ready for what is coming and for all the deceptions that Satan has been putting in place. The devil is aiming to deceive us! Let us not be moved by “fear” and the popular gimmicks of famous (and often well-meaning) preachers but let us rather be moved by love and trust in the Almighty hand of God who will protect us in all things! Let us be ever careful not to buy into Satan’s last day false and popular teachings which would lead us to not prepare for what is coming, to be taken by surprise in a storm of trouble, and to be deceived by the antichrist who IS coming first before the return of Jesus to gather us!

One Text, One Paragraph, Problems for the Rapture. Really?

 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (Emphasis added).

The Bible is here in 2 Thess. 2:1-3 talking about “our gathering together unto Him,” that is, when he comes with the trumpet to get or gather together His people. The Bible says do not be troubled or deceived by any sort of message “that the day of Christ is at hand,” in other words that it could just or simply come at any moment unexpectedly! Paul warns that some certain things must come first! That is (1) there would be a general falling away from the true message of God among His people (and certainly this item has already happened!) (2) the “man of sin” would be revealed. This “man of sin” is commonly referred to by all Christians as the “Anti-Christ.” The Bible says Christ will not come to “gather” His people until these items occur FIRST! We should believe no word other than that. This fact spells trouble for the rapture theory since many Christians have been taught to believe that Jesus will come to rapture away all the Christians in an instant and then that the anti-Christ will come afterwards during some “7 year” period to cause trouble. The Bible order is (1) Anti-Christ figure appears “first” (2) The real Jesus Christ will come to “gather” His people. The rapture theory is entirely backwards; rapture, then antichrist.

Read the full article on this topic by clicking here!

Many Christians will really be caught off guard! They will not be ready to face the troubles that are coming upon us and are being prepared to easily be led astray by the false teachings of the anti-Christ, who comes with a Christian guise! They are not expecting to be here when he arrives! Additionally, many will be unprepared to face the tribulation that is soon to come upon us! Please view the warning of Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom on this very point – she speaks of experiential facts and even the idea of the rapture!

One World Religion – Coming to a City Near You?

 

The times we are living in are startling! Shocking events are occurring all around us which are fulfilling prophecies from the Bible and God’s faithful messengers throughout the ages! Christ Jesus told us that before His coming the world would be like it was in the days Noah and of Sodom and Gomorrah – violence, unbelief, sexual perversion of every kind, disrespect for the sanctity of marriage, and hatred for those who wish to call sin by its right name (Matthew 24:9-12, 37-39; Luke 17:26-30; Gen. 6:5-13; 19:4-7,9,14,15). All of these signs are receiving a striking fulfillment in our day!!

But do we have any other signs that the very end of the world is right at hand before us? Most definitely, “Yes!” More than time permits to entertain here! But let us focus upon one major prophetic point – that is, the polarization of religious groups into two basic camps! Is that really foretold in prophecy? You bet it is! Multitudes will join hands with deceptive false religion and the world together! But just a remnant will remain faithful to the Lord God and His commandments! Let’s investigate a little bit further, and look at the evidence all around us too! It’s shocking! We’re going to have to choose sides – the world, or the Lord! So, we’d better have a clear picture of just what is going on in our world today and how prophecy is fulfilling!

Revelation says, “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration” (Revelation 17:6). She has committed fornication with “the kings of the earth” and they with her (Rev. 17:2). When the Bible describes this “harlot” woman it is talking about an impure church (see the historical biblical references on this point here, Ezekiel 23:1-5, 36-39) who has affected the entire world with her abominable and corrupt teachings and practices. She has hurt many who were aiming to be faithful to the Lord! She is laden with horrible sins! She has also been “in bed” or mixed up with the “kings” or governments of the world in many ways to further her corrupt practices. Her influence blankets peoples and cultures from all around the world, and she sits upon the ancient city which ruled the world in the Apostle John’s day, and was known as the city of “seven hills” (Rev. 17:15,18,9). As Wikipedia put it, “City of Seven Hills usually refers to Rome.” (See article; also here.).

The woman is riding upon a “beast” having “seven heads and ten horns” (Rev. 17:3) and this is also pictured in Revelation 13:1. The Bible identifies this symbol of a “beast” as being a government or kingdom (See Daniel 7:17,23). So, this woman (church) is riding upon a government power (the power of state) to do what she likes to do more easily. The church and state are mixed together. The Bible also points out that this woman is covered or clothed in “purple” and “scarlet color.” Additionally, she is filthy rich (See Rev. 17:4; 18:2-5,16,17). See the fulfillment here. I don’t know any other worldwide church (or, “woman”) colored like that, and sitting in abundance or luxury upon a city of “seven hills” than the Roman one. Do you? Please remember that this prophecy is talking about a false religious system, who has defected from the pure and true teachings of Jesus Christ. It is NOT talking about loving, sincere, Christian people who are unknowingly involved. God DOES in fact have sincere people there today, and He is calling them to take hold of something better (See Rev. 18:4-5). Find out who all the Protestant Reformers believed this to be (View quotes here).

“All the world wondered after the beast” (Rev. 13:3). This woman and her state power are quite the spectacle for the world to look at and to admire. She has a religious manner that attracts many! She is very popular with the entire world! After ruling with great power over the “kings of the earth” for many years during what we call the dark ages, her “beast” or state power was to receive a “deadly wound” (Again, see Rev. 13:3). She lost her state power. It was a deadly blow! However, the Bible says that wound was to be healed! She would regain it, and then again she would begin to become very powerful! In fact, so powerful and popular that a later last day governing power, influencing the whole world, would “make an image” to her, an “image to the beast” (Rev. 13:11-14). All would be led to “worship” her! This makes her (“the beast”) more than just a government alone, but rather a religious-political system. People are led to “worship” this character. You have the corrupt church (the harlot woman) and the state combined. Worship is the central issue here and all the world is led to follow this corrupt system (power of state being one of the primary means by which this takes place). The Bible says if we go along with it then we’ll not be saved (Rev. 13:8).

God’s group, on the other hand, say “with a loud voice” to worship God the Creator alone (our Father, Lord Jesus, and Holy Spirit), and to reverently “keep His commandments” (Revelation 14:6,7,12). They warn everybody in the world to NOT follow this corrupt and wicked system which is call “Babylon,” represents confusion, and dishonors God’s commands (Rev. 14:8-11).

Now for the shocking and surprising evidence of what is going on today and how the prophecies are fulfilling before our very eyes!

Certain Protestant Groups and Catholics Moving Together towards each other

There has been a movement slowly gaining steam in the Protestant and Catholic worlds (which today is moving much faster and becoming more prominent). It has been a movement to heal the breach between the two and to come together in oneness again; To work together in unity with each other while making light of their doctrinal differences. It is a movement of linking together and bridging the gap of separation. It’s a movement that will pay homage to the pope.

Recently, the new Pope Francis (Catholic) and Tony Palmer (Anglican, and a personal friend of the Pope) have been making an effort to join together two separate worlds into one Christian fellowship – Catholicism and Charismatics/Pentecostals. According to Tony Palmer, similar unions with Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists have already been made since 1999. This he refers to as “the post-Protestant era.” In this video Palmer states that we are not to be “spiritual racists”, but should realize our need to connect with the Catholic church upon “spiritual grounds” and to not be concerned with doctrinal differences. This video is about 30 minutes long. First, Palmer gives an introduction to his ideas, then he shows a conference of Charismatic leaders receiving a message from him and Pope Francis (by video). The Pope called for spiritual brotherhood. See the video, “The Miracle of Unity has Begun,” here on YouTube. Furthermore, you can view the video of the whole conference on YouTube in which Kenneth Copeland makes a heartfelt response to accept the Pope’s invitation (towards the end at video time 38:42).

The agreement Tony Palmer mentioned in the video above between the Catholic Church, the Lutherans, and Methodists is concerning the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. This was one of the major points that Luther had cried out against in his protest (Salvation by grace through Faith alone – “Sola Gratia”), but it is obviously not the only point on which the reformer brought issue against. There were many others as well – it was his 95 Thesis paper. The point that Catholics, Lutherans, and Methodists have now joined together on this point is a fact. See the Wikipedia article here under the subheading “recent activity.” You can view the actual points agreed upon either at the EWTN website or at the Vatican Website.

As for Anglicans making a movement to reunite with Rome, in 2010 there were 100 US Anglican Parishes who decided to reunite with the Catholic church. Some further developments took place in 2011. You can read about this in an article listed here by the Telegraph.

The US Roman Catholic church and a number of other “Protestant” churches recently agreed to recognize each others’ baptisms. That’s a very historical movement and a sign of the seriousness of our times! This was reported January 29, 2014 in the Huffington Post. Catholic leaders, and certain “Protestants” have been pushing for “unity.” You can see the whole article here. Here’s a small excerpt from the end of the article showing involvement, “The agreement was first approved in 2008 by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). American Catholic leaders voted on the it in 2010 and the agreement was later approved by the governing bodies of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, Reformed Church in America and United Church of Christ” [bold added for emphasis of which churches were involved].

United States Government Relations with today’s Vatican

It is shocking to see the developments going on here as well. The United States began as a government primarily consisting of Protestant leaders and principles! This was because many of the early people coming to this country were doing so for the sake of freedom! Europe had been filled with religious persecution and intolerance! This is why the “Separation of Church and State” was so highly prized as a tenant of the American Constitution! Congress was not to establish a state religion or to prohibit the free exercise of people’s faith. This is part of the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”.

Those principles were entirely the opposite from those which the Catholic church had maintained! Just look at the history of Europe! The Roman Church felt it their divine duty to crush out “heretics” and to wield a sturdy hand of power over all the state powers, inasmuch as was possible. The US government proposed an entirely different approach which flew in the face of established Roman Church practices. For reasons such as this, Vatican and USA traditionally did not have a close relationship. However, over time, the barriers have been breaking down.

Not only that, but the leadership of the US government has been changing in many key areas from Protestant to Catholic. At the beginning of the US government, nearly all the Supreme Court justices were Protestant. Now, as of 2013, six of them are Roman Catholic and three are Jewish. Click here to view the Wikipedia article on the Supreme Court (scroll to point#5, “Religion” to view the line up).

Now, John Boehner, a House Speaker (and a Roman Catholic), has invited Pope Francis to come and address a joint Session of Congress! This is a very historical “open invitation” and the first ever of its kind. This was reported by ABC News, March 13, 2014. Read the ABC Article online here and you can also view the original letter of invitation which is also posted there. The article caption reads, “Pope Francis has been invited by House Speaker John Boehner to speak to a joint session of Congress.”

In the ABC article, proponents pushing for this invite were trumping Pope Francis to be a great “moral leader” and one who is aiming “to promote love and understanding among faiths and nations.” Further comments made it sound as if his leadership was an answer for correcting many of the problems and challenges our world is facing today!

As you consider who are some of the key leaders in our nation please also consider that according to the Roman Catholic church, if you are a Catholic, then your highest duty and responsibility is to the Catholic Church and to furthering its work. Your highest duty is not to any earthly government, besides Rome.

Eastern Religions pushing for love and unity among all faith groups!

Perhaps at first glance, including something here from Eastern Religions may not seem relevant to this conversation. However, we may quickly see that it is! I’ll give two examples.

First, a Buddhist Master by the name of Chin Kung, who began in China and later moved to Taipei, Taiwan, has been pushing for a movement of peace, love, unity, and harmony among all peoples from various faith groups! He wants to see all people from different religious walks coming together with each other on all sorts of common points for the good of mankind and then not dealing with or dwelling upon differences and peculiarities of faith. In other words, this message goes right along with the idea of Catholics and Protestants uniting! The message of this man is becoming more and more popular and he has been asked to teach and to share at numerous colleges, universities, and conferences around the world. Take a look at the following excerpt from his website:

“It began in November of 1998 that Master Chin Kung took the initiative to visit organizations of major faiths in Singapore, including Muslim, Catholicism, Methodist Church, Hinduism, Taoism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism. In that same year, he supported the project of Multi-faith Centre of Griffith University. In the year 2000, Master Chin Kung has helped to organize a delegation of leaders from nine religions in Singapore to visit religious organizations in China for two weeks. This trip was very successful.” To view more please visit his website.

Secondly, The Bahai Faith. This faith began about 150 years ago and today has nearly 5 million followers, located all around the world! People are saying this faith “…brought to humanity a stirring new message of peace and unity.” From a webpage about this faith we can also read these fundamental beliefs behind it, “For a global society to flourish, Bahá’u’lláh said, it must be based on certain fundamental principles. They include the elimination of all forms of prejudice; full equality between the sexes; recognition of the essential oneness of the world’s great religions; the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth; universal education; the harmony of science and religion; a sustainable balance between nature and technology; and the establishment of a world federal system, based on collective security and the oneness of humanity.” You can gather more information from www.bahai.org .

The point here is that these particular eastern religions are pushing spiritualistic messages of “peace and unity” which cater to the secular world very well! They are also aiming to promote their ideas among Catholic and Protestant groups and have been actively doing so! Obviously, Christians who cling to their Bibles would never go for sacrificing the peculiar and particular points of their faith, but watered-down “Protestantism” and Catholicism have never really been too particular about following the distinct points of the Bible. The idea of having “Peace, love, harmony, and unity” is precisely the idea behind these Eastern Faiths and also behind the unions of Catholics and “Protestants” reuniting with each other on common ground, thus “meeting in the middle,” as Bishop Tony Palmer quoted from Pope Francis.

Are we not on our way to having a “one world religion” under the “Catholic” (meaning “universal”) church head? Cannot the Pope, with his nearly 1.18 Billion followers from around the world take a major role of leadership in just such a movement of unity? By the recent looks of things, it seems that he is aiming to do just that, if possible! And who is behind it all? None other than the Devil himself, hidden under a clock of righteousness and apparently white garments! [Statistical church membership was taken from a Vatican 2009 report to USA Today, boasting to be the largest church in the world and having a membership that works out to be about 1 in 5 people among the world’s population today. See article here].

One final thought to consider – An incredible message! (Even Prophetic!)

A little over 100 years ago, there was a female religious author who was one of the most prolific female authors of all history, and also one of the most translated as well! She wrote a book called “The Great Controversy” which traces out Christian History from the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, through the early centuries, the Reformation, the Pilgrims to America, later Revivals, and the final events described in the Bible prophecies of the book of Revelation!

The book is well worth the reading, and in light of all the recent developments in our world today, could even be said to be prophetic! Please consider the following excerpts from the chapter entitled, “The Impending Conflict.”

“….the fact that a movement to establish error is connected with a work which is in itself good, is not an argument in favor of the error. We may disguise poison by mingling it with wholesome food, but we do not change its nature. On the contrary, it is rendered more dangerous, as it is more likely to be taken unawares. It is one of Satan’s devices to combine with falsehood just enough truth to give it plausibility. The leaders of the Sunday movement…” [Note: That was and is in reference to an ongoing movement to establish Sunday as a common day for rest and worship. This happened in ancient Rome when Pagan sun worshipers united with the Roman church. Catholicism has pushed that repeatedly throughout history by legal means. It has been pushed in the United States before, and is being pushed in Europe strongly even today. View European Sunday Alliance official webpage. Such laws can create problems for people who desire freely to worship God on other days]. Continuing, “…The leaders of the Sunday movement may advocate reforms which the people need, principles which are in harmony with the Bible; yet while there is with these a requirement which is contrary to God’s law, His servants cannot unite with them. Nothing can justify them in setting aside the commandments of God for the precepts of men. {GC 587.1}

Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. {GC 588.1}

As spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light. Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed…” [Blogger’s Note: See also Rev. 13:11-14 on this point]. “…And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, and manifest respect for the institutions of the church, their work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power. {GC 588.2}

The line of distinction between professed Christians and the ungodly is now hardly distinguishable. Church members love what the world loves and are ready to join with them, and Satan determines to unite them in one body and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping all into the ranks of spiritualism. Papists, who boast of miracles as a certain sign of the true church, will be readily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protestants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be deluded. Papists, Protestants, and worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium. {GC 588.3}

Through spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; but at the same time he works as a destroyer. His temptations are leading multitudes to ruin.”

You might consider reading the whole book, “The Great Controversy,” by Ellen G. White, and getting the full context our our Christian History that led us up to this day and place! The book is very well referenced and informative! It’s a really incredible and helpful read! You can get the book here on Amazon or Google it to find free MP3 audio versions for download. You can even find free text versions online such the one found here.

It’s pretty incredible how these statements written well over 100 years ago are describing the events of our world today!

The Take Home

The evidence is all around us that Jesus is coming soon! The world is falling into line with the last day events described throughout the Bible’s prophecies! The question is, are we ready to meet the Lord? Are we ready for what is about to come upon the earth? Will we be among those who stand strong and faithful for the Lord amidst the perils of the last days or will we be swept away by the tides of evil and compromise that are washing through our world! Let us pray, prepare, and labor to be among the faithful! Let’s be ready! The end of all things as we know them here is at hand! Though we know not the day nor the hour, yet Jesus is soon to come! The seasons are changing! (Matthew 24:32-34). “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20). Amen.