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FINAL WORLD EVENTS IN PROPHECY FORESHADOWED 2013
That prophecy is a part of God's revelation to man; that it is included in that Scripture which is profitable for instruction (2 Tim. 3:16); that it is designed for us and our children (Deut. 29:29); that so far from being enshrouded in impenetrable mystery, it is that which especially constitutes the word of God as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Ps. 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19); that a blessing is pronounced upon those who study it (Rev. 1:1-3); and that, consequently, it is to be understood by the people of God sufficiently to show them their position in the world's history and the special duties required at their hands. (1914 Yearbook, p. 293) THE SURE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY: "A Message Whose Time Has Come"
MAJOR ESCHATOLOGICAL PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE SPECIAL UPDATING REPORTS A MENACING CRISIS AND A VERY SIGNIFICANT PROPHETIC SIGN: DISTRESS OF NATIONS WITH PERPLEXITY - A Sign of the last remnant of time CONTINUING COVERAGE OF THE GEOLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL SIGNS WHICH MULTIPLY - “the sea and the waves roaring” Luke 21:25; “Calamities, earthquakes, floods, disasters by land and by sea, will increase. . . ." - (R&H, December 11, 1900): Natural disasters and extreme weather The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System SPECIAL REPORTS SUBSIDIARITY: THE PRINCIPLE AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION A Major Path For Rome Among Many Converging through Jerusalem to Global Domination By Satan in Person - the Ultimate Antichrist (The Roman Catholic Social Doctrine - Ascendancy of the Roman Catholic dogma in the body politic of the United States.) The insight of A. T. Jones that needs to be kept in mind as Roman Catholic legislation proliferates throughout America - "The papacy is very impatient of any restraining bonds" more . . . Ellen G. White: "When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result." (GC 445.1) "When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near." (5T 451.) Spirit of Prophecy Policy on Family Planning (For full context cf. Adventists and Birth Control; Adventists and Birth Control (Concluded) A quotation to be kept in mind and applied to current events: "What the Jesuit Order is for the left wing of the Roman Catholic Church, Opus Dei is for its right wing. (Hegelian politics at its finest, for the Roman Catholic Church cannot lose if it has strong ties with both ends of the political spectrum!)" (From Opus Dei in the USA) Certain of the popular positions mentioned approvingly in some hyperlinked reports, essays, and blogs on this web page will of necessity cause reactions of strong disagreement, or at the very least discomfort, on the part of many readers. Regrettably, these positions cannot be separated from the core issues in the reports which prove the fulfillment of major end-times prophecies, and may of themselves be fulfillment of the prophecy of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Based on the sound biblical exegesis that identifies the papacy as Anti-christ and reveals the unseen spirit power behind the papal throne, this prophetic statement of Ellen G. White is relevant: "I have been shown that Satan has not been stupid and careless these many years, since his fall, but has been learning. He has grown more artful. His plans are laid deeper, and are more covered with a religious garment to hide their deformity. The power of Satan now to tempt and deceive is ten-fold greater than it was in the days of the apostles. His power has increased, and it will increase, until it is taken away." (2 SG, p. 277; emphasis added.) One can find little fault with the validity of Pope Francis' condemnation of callous and rampant capitalism and the plight of the poor. The catch is that however sincere this particular Pope may be in his concern about the neglected poor in the name of Christianity, it masks the true nature of the papacy: Pope Francis calls unfettered capitalism 'tyranny' and urges rich to share wealth Conflict with the conservatives - how will it be resolved? Why conservatives just don't get Pope Francis' anti-poverty crusade Jesus did not preach only against the neglect of the poor. He taught doctrinal Truth: "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him." John 7:16-18. Further, He said, "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7:7.) He explicitly stated that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36,) and declared a clear line of separation between Church and State (Mark 12:17; cf. Individuality in Religion - At Bookmark "VI GOD AND CAESAR.") He explained His role as Saviour and Judge of humanity; and promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide into all Truth and "convince the world of sin, and righteousness, and judgment." He taught that no man comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6.) He explicitly declared the Holy Spirit to be Himself, and as the Father dwelt in Him, so He would dwell in His followers. With such an inextricable union between the individual believer and God, what need is there of intervention by a pope, or intercession by the Virgin Mary who sleeps in righteousness in her tomb until the resurrection. It is the Holy Spirit who is God's Vicegerent on earth. THE POPE STANDS IN OPPOSITION TO ALL OF THE ABOVE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! The Pontiff is impotent to execute the functions which he proudly and blasphemously claims the power to perform. He is a would-be interloper between God and man, but is powerless to break the connection between Jesus and the one in whom the Spirit of Truth dwells, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Tim. 2:5.) The Holy Spirit is an Intercessor as He is one with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:26-27, 34.) Sadly there are billions of deluded people in this world who neither know, nor want to know the Truth. For all of the acclaim given to the Pope's pronouncements against neglect of the poor, his words do not guide the world to the Way of Truth and Righteousness. A new messenger, seducing the world into following the man identified in Rev. 13:18 - "and all the world wondered [followed] after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast" (Rev. 13:3b-4a): From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis, a New Messenger for the Catholic Church - "Emphasizing forgiveness over judgment, and acceptance over orthodoxy, the 266th pope is decidedly different from his predecessors. . . . On some issues, the church is unlikely to budge. Don’t hold your breath the church will suddenly sanction birth control or abortion. Or that priests won’t have to be celibate or that women will be allowed to become priests. . . . As the earthly successor to St. Peter, the pope is not just the spiritual leader of the world’s largest faith. He is also, according to Catholic tradition, the keeper of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s why the pope’s heraldic shield features pair of crossed keys beneath a papal crown. . . . He has captured the imaginations of believers and non-believers alike, giving the Church’s message of social justice far greater resonance. . . . Recent polls suggest the world is listening. A recent ABC News/Washington Post survey found more than 90% of Catholics approve of his performance. So do 69% of Americans, regardless of faith." (Underscored emphasis added.) New► This Pope poses no threat?: Pope Francis, The People’s Pope Time magazine names Pope Francis its ‘Person of the Year’ Is the New Pope More Liberal Than the Last Two? Why It's Hard to Tell Soon the media will discover that, like all popes, this one is no liberal. Then they will turn against him; and normality will return ("'Fr Fessio, of course, has suffered greatly at the hands of apostate fellow Jesuits, but has always kept the faith, so his opinion weighs greatly with me. This is what he had to say: 'I’m overjoyed. He is a great Jesuit, a traditional one. He’s ‘progressive’ in the sense that he loves the poor, and – more importantly – lives a life of simplicity. But he is completely faithful to the Church’s teaching. So he really is a ‘pontifex maximus’, which is Latin for ‘the greatest bridge builder’. He bridges the Old World and the New, doctrinal orthodoxy and service to the poor.'") What we are concerned with here is not whether the Pope is liberal or not, but with the perceptions that are promoting his sweeping worldwide popularity. Note what the prophecy states about the first beast, "all the world wondered [followed] after the beast." (Rev. 13:3b.) This is not enforced, but completely voluntary - a mass popular movement; but the prophecy also states of the second beast, "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." (Rev. 13:12.) It must not be overlooked that while Pope Francis is presenting a charming and harmless image to the world, the USCCB is relentlessly pushing the Roman Catholic agenda in the United States, and the Pope endorses the dogmatic basis of that agenda: How Different Is This Pope? ("Francis is, without a doubt, a far better global salesman for his cause. But it does seem like some of the pope’s new non-Catholic fans are both deluding themselves into thinking that the things they don’t like about Catholicism are going to go away, and ignoring the fact that the things they do like aren’t all that new.") Non-Shocker: Pope Francis Endorses Benedict’s Hermeneutic of Continuity - Twice! ("'After Vatican II,' explains Ronald Rychlak, Butler Snow Lecturer and Professor of Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, 'some theologians and others spoke of the pre- and post-Vatican II Church as if they were two different entities, with different teachings and understandings. That is not the case. By putting his authority behind that truth, Pope Francis not only reaffirms that point, he may also be giving us a way to understand him. Many news accounts have suggested that our new pope was breaking with the traditional Catholic teachings of his recent predecessors. That was never the case, and this statement makes that very clear.'") Pope Francis’ Consistent Pro-Life Leadership Makes Him Person of the Year Worthy It is well for SDAs to ponder why the issues of abortion and contraception are of such paramount importance to the Roman Catholic Church. Finally, a counter-attack against the Roman Catholic Bishops' encroachment on individual religious freedom by exploiting the tension between the Establishment of religion and Free Exercise of religion parts of the First Amendment! (Exemplified in the Hobby Lobby case - Does Hobby Lobby Have a First Amendment Case? Yes and No) However, the hour is late - very late! The Church of Rome's modus operandi in exploiting the conflict within the First Amendment was perceived over one hundred years ago. The Bishops' Pastoral Plan for "Pro-life Activities" in furtherance of that modus operandi was prepared and put into action nearly forty years ago, and is now being implemented by at least two branches of the Federal government, Congress and the courts, and by State and local governments. The Evangelicals are totally on board, and have long formed the spearhead of the Pastoral Plan. The authors of the Plan are fairly targeted by this lawsuit:
Catholic bishops under fire for denying reproductive
healthcare ("At issue are the same Catholic
Rome's tentacles are spread far and wide: the Churches, the Educational System, the News Media (both by suppression of the truth and by active propaganda,) the Legislative and Judicial branches of the Federal and State Governments, the Executive branch under Republican Presidents and to some degree under Democratic Presidents, Giant Corporations in the commercial realm and, significantly for her signature opposition to abortion and contraception, the hospital industry: Catholic hospitals are growing. What will that mean for reproductive health? ("The lawsuit comes in the midst of a wave of high-profile mergers between Catholic hospitals and secular systems. The partnerships have raised questions about how care will be delivered at institutions guided by religious directives, particularly in rural areas like Muskegon where patients have little choice of where to be seen. 'As the number of Catholic hospitals increases, we’re highlighting the way they can constrain care,' Louise Melling, ACLU deputy legal director, said. 'The suit is significant in that it's calling attention to what is happening at these hospitals. In some instances, the directives are governing care rather than medical guidelines.'") Cf. Legislation at State government level - Controversial abortion insurance proposal moves to Michigan Legislature The statement above, "Rome's tentacles are spread far and wide . . ." is not intended to be sensational, but to emphasize that the prophecy is sure, and the foundations are being laid to facilitate the ultimate fulfillment of Rev. 13.
In the United States, the progressive
fulfillment of Rev. 13 is plain to see, and may be
more advanced than we may think, for the very reason
that so much is happening in the open; no
longer any need for concealment. The same cannot be
said of Dan. 11:45, because so much is going on in
secret. The announcement of Rome's success in
achieving her goal of a dominant presence in
Jerusalem could come suddenly. An open question is
how that event will be co-ordinated with the
ultimate fulfillment of Rev. 13. We can only watch
with care, and take note of From [D]@gmail.com - Israel's Netanyahu and Pope Francis exchange gifts, talk policy ("The meeting was not long but covered a wide range of issues, including regional diplomacy, plans for a papal pilgrimage and bilateral issues between Israel and the Holy See." R’ Miller Fears Bibi Giving Kever David HaMelech to the Vatican ("Miller is quite concerned, apparently basing these concerns on reliable information pointing to a secret deal between the prime minister and the Vatican that involves areas of Har Tzion [Mount Zion] including the tziyun.") King receives Vatican foreign minister ("The meeting also touched on efforts to achieve peace between the Palestinians and Israelis based on the two-state solution which would see an independent Palestinian state established on Palestinian national soil with East Jerusalem its capital living in peace and security alongside Israel.") Vatican Embassy move sparks protests from former US Ambassadors.: From [D]@gmail.com - US mission in Vatican is not as important as it used to be, this is highly unfortunate – former US Ambassador to Holy See ("Former US Ambassador to the Vatican Raymond Flynn says that the move reflects Washington’s hostility towards the Catholic Church. Do you share this view? 'I think there’ve been a lot of things that have happened during the Obama administration, which have been difficult for the Church to accept and have been not in the line with the Church teachings, particularly coming after eight years of such close alignment of personal and political values of President George Bush and the Catholic Church.'") Vatican embassy move draws fire from former US envoys It is plain to see where the first loyalties of these former Ambassadors lie. As to Raymond Flynn's accusation of hostility to the Catholic Church, Obama is clearly not following George Bush's example (The effort to recruit Catholic voters . . .;) and the Church will settle for nothing less. Given the hostility Republican Party under the domination of the Roman Catholic Church to the Obama presidency, he would have to be politically naive to hold Rome in close embrace.
CNN debunks a false report, which was clearly a part
of the general Republican Party propaganda campaign
to whittle away at support for the Obama
Administration and Democrats: Fact Check: Obama is not planning 'to close the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican' ("But in an interview with CNN, a spokesman for the Vatican said the move was well within the Holy See's requirements for embassies and that relations with the United States are far from strained.") Fascinating Rome-Jerusalem courtship "dance" (Dan. 11:45 watch): From [D]@gmail.com - Vatican advance team to arrive to plan Pope's visit Is Pope Francis declaring Christian Zionist sentiments? From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis Praises Jewish Ties in New Missive ("'The Catholic Church, Francis wrote, holds “the Jewish people in special regard because their covenant with God has never been revoked.' [really??] . . . The pope’s 'emphasis on the ongoing Divine Presence in the life of the Jewish people and on the importance of the ‘values of Judaism’ for Christians, is particularly significant in further advancing the historic transformation in the Catholic Church’s approach towards the Jewish people,' Rosen said in a statement.") The Great Apostate (II Thess. II:3-10) speaks out against apostasy; the Persecutor decries persecution, and denies the privacy of faith that ensures individual religious freedom. Significantly, the Pope recognizes that these are the end times, and they are tumultuous. (Cf. I must read a few more statements . . .): From [D]@gmail.com - Pope: faith is not ‘private,’ worship God firmly despite apostasy and persecution ("Today, the Pope observed, people are discouraged from speaking of religion in public. 'It’s (considered) something private, no?' It’s something you don’t talk about in public, he said, pointing to the fact that religious objects have become tabu’. 'One has to obey the orders that come from worldly powers. One can do many things, nice things, but not adore God. It’s forbidden to worship. This is at the heart of the 'end of times.' It is when this pagan attitude reaches its height, that’s when the end times will come, the Pope stressed. This is when the Son of man will return in glory.") What a devil's brew! The Association of Adventist Forums, publisher of Spectrum, was a major contributor to the present apostate condition of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. AAF worked mightily to make the SDA Church what it is today - a spiritually bankrupt corporate body. Now Spectrum has the gall to make an unfavorable comparison between the SDA Church and the papacy! Pope Francis’ Message to the SDA Church Scroll down to title ("I was struck by how his vision for the Catholic Church is so relevant and applicable to the Adventist Church. This seems to be an inversion of roles. To those who still see the Papacy as “a beast,” it is undeniable that it is increasingly speaking more like a “lamb” than “dragon.” Meanwhile, the top levels of the SDA Church seems to be hunkering down in “obsessions and procedures,” in the words of Francis, which have little to do with its mission in the world. Ironically, the infamous “kingly power” of beastly religious leadership seems to apply less and less to the Catholic Church and more and more to those who fiercely criticize it." Ellen G. White wrote that there would be seducing spirits and doctrines of devils in the midst of the church. . . . Here is a shocking example, sponsored by Spectrum - The question is whether the faculty of Southern Adventist University, to whom the writer of this article attributes "spiritual discernment," can or will wake up in time to the reality that the whole corporate body of Seventh-day Adventists is in terminal apostasy, and heed the call to come out of ecumenical Babylon? (Listen to Sermon of the Month.) The Roman Catholic perversion of religious freedom was foreseen by A. T. Jones - "Thus the papacy in plain violation of the Constitution will crowd herself upon the government and then hold up that clause as a barrier against anything that any would do to stop it. And every one that speaks against this working of the papacy, behold! He "is violating the Constitution of the United States" in spirit, because the constitution says that nothing shall ever be done in respect to any religion or the establishment of it." (Sermon "The Papacy") Contraception cases have been taken up by the Supreme Court. Supporters of the Hobby Lobby Corporation are blissfully unaware that they are advancing the Roman Catholic religio-political agenda at the expense of the true guarantee by the U.S. Constitution of individual religious freedom: U.S. Supreme Court takes Hobby Lobby case ("'Everyone has a right to their religious beliefs, but religious freedom does not include the right to impose your beliefs on others,' said Louise Melling, deputy legal director of the ACLU. 'It does not mean that businesses can refuse to comply with the law based on their religious beliefs, particularly where that means discriminating against their employees.'” Supreme Court Takes Challenge To Obamacare Contraceptive Rule ("The lead plaintiff before the court is Hobby Lobby, a chain of more than 500 arts and crafts stores with more than 13,000 employees. The owners are conservative Christians who object to some forms of birth control and contend that the mandate thus abridges their religious rights in violation of both the Constitution and federal law. David Green, founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, appeared in an online video to explain his company's position. 'We do everything we possibly can to be a help to our employees of how that they can structure their life based on biblical principles,' he says." Cf. Evangelicals & Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium; (The pattern of convergence and cooperation between Evangelicals and Catholics . . .) Pope Francis says, "To put it another way: people who work must take the time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport. But this is being destroyed, in large part, by the elimination of the Sabbath rest day." He is not talking about the seventh day Sabbath, and his concept of sabbath observance completely destroys the true spiritual meaning of the eternal, universal, Sabbath of God: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis Has a Few Words in Support of Leisure ("Together with a culture of work, there must be a culture of leisure as gratification. . . . More and more people work on Sundays as a consequence of the competitiveness imposed by a consumer society.”) The spiritual beauty and profound depth of meaning of the Sabbath is explained in God's Rest Keeping up with Pope Francis: From [D]@gmail.com - Rabbi: His friend Pope Francis is strong, will make reforms despite criticism ("'He is receiving very, very harsh criticism from people who don’t like a pope without red shoes, and a pope who speaks to people in a very simple and direct language, and a pope who will transmit to people that he is close to them, that he in some way hugs them through jokes and through simple words and through simple expressions,' Skorka said. 'The criticism he is suffering from is not new for him. He already had this kind of pressures and other kind of pressures during his serving as archbishop of Buenos Aires, so he knows exactly how to handle these pressures. He’s a very strong man and he will go ahead.' Jewish leaders, meanwhile, are ecstatic about the rabbi-pope friendship. Pope John Paul II earned enormous gratitude from Jewish groups for his leadership on Jewish-Catholic relations. Benedict also made outreach to Jews a priority. But, Jewish leaders say, this is the first pope so personally involved with Jews before he was elected.") Harsh criticism; but also strong ties to the Jews, the latter possibly an aid to resolution of the Jerusalem issue. As to the criticism, it is real - Pope Francis thanks two conservative Catholics for their criticisms: report (N.B. "One of Italy’s most prominent traditional Catholics, Professor Roberto de Mattei, who is intimately involved in the debate between the different approaches to the interpretation of the second Vatican Council, was encouraged by the Pope’s letter to Archbishop Marchetto. 'In the letter the Pope has noted his opposition to the Bologna school, to the hermeneutic of rupture,' Professor de Mattei told LifeSiteNews.com. 'Thus, the Holy Father has indicated his disagreement with the approach that favours a break with the Church’s teachings and practices of the past. The Bologna school, to which the Pope has noted his disagreement, proposes alteration of the Church’s structure and organization, but also to her teachings around sexuality, contraception, women priests;'” Cf. A criticism of Pope Francis’ interviews "Francis apparently proposes a very optimistic view of human nature. But instead of being reached by means of a pelagian asceticism, this optimism is enforced by an ‘unbridled mysticism,’ immanent in man’s ‘fundamentally good nature.’ Only the modern autonomous conscience visiting a fantasy mystic world could give birth to this peculiar sort of Neopelagianism. Despite beautiful passages of real spiritual and pastoral interest, the declarations of Francis seem to try to revive something that we thought to be a dying ‘has-been,’ the Spirit of Vatican II. And this spirit kills the necessary and salvific letter of the Good News." However parsed, the words of this Pope, whether by accident or design, are neutralizing natural antagonists of the Roman Catholic Church's political agenda, and diverting attention away from Rome's "ground game" in the United States in particular, and around the world. Satan is the mastermind behind the throne (Rev. 12:9 & 13:2) There is continuity in the emphasis on evangelization, from Pope John-Paul II to the present Pope Francis. It is not the true gospel; but Roman Catholic Natural Law and its "family values" ideology - With document on evangelization, pope makes real authorial debut The U.S. Bishops seem to be falling in line behind Pope Francis - Choice of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz as president of U.S. bishops conference embraces quieter style Pope Francis has burst upon the world scene with blazing brilliance after "God" (Rev. 12:9; 13:2b) told his predecessor to resign. Is this the beginning of the final countdown to complete fulfillment of Rev. 13? The odds are on the affirmative. Satan has been given rein to marshall his forces for the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty (Luke 21:24.) He knows that his time is short: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis won the Internet. Literally ("It's official: Pope Francis is the most talked-about person on the planet.") (Cf. Why even atheists should be praying for Pope Francis.) And note this highly significant report - GOP Eyes Pope Francis for Divine Inspiration (A clear admission that the facade covers the wolf in sheep's clothing) Legislation against abortion and birth control are proceeding at all levels of government in America, and particularly below the federal level where less attention is drawn to the activity. Stealth and deviousness are often a part of the legislative process: Wisconsin proposed abortion and contraception legislation detrimental to women's rights ("On Wednesday, May 22, pro-choice and pro-life groups gathered in Wisconsin's State Capitol to debate a bill that made it into the legislature in just one short week. The bill, sponsored by Representative Andre Jacque (R-2), would make it much more difficult and expensive for a woman to get an abortion and would ban the use of public tax-payer dollars to fund abortions that fall under public employee's health insurance plans. It would also keep employers such as hospitals, schools and organizations with a religious affiliation from having to provide contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans. . . . Similarly, it is not the role of the state legislature to legalize morality. Regardless of creed, race or any other identification trait, the government does not have the right to prohibit an individual’s access to medical supplies simply because it is not the will of a religious organization that operates entirely apart from our government. The right to practice one’s own religion is undeniably protected, yet the right to separate oneself from religious practices is oftentimes ignored. To sacrifice the right to contraception, which reduces the probability for domestic abuse, neglect and poverty, because of an unwillingly accepted moral code implemented by an employer is just as equal of an injustice as religious intolerance.") Cf. Religious Groups Are Fighting To Defeat Albuquerque’s Proposed 20-Week Abortion Ban On contraception: The Roman Catholic Perspective - Birth Control The Seventh-day Adventist Perspective - Birth Control An article with an anti-abortion bias; but very revealing of how the Roman Catholic Church has brainwashed Evangelicals. Sadly, many, many Seventh-day Adventists are also captivated by the misapplication of Bible texts to the abortion issue by brilliant Roman Catholic minds: Roe v. Wade anniversary: How abortion became an evangelical issue ("There is more to the story of course. One often overlooked dimension of the story is the intersection of evangelical and Roman Catholic concerns in the emergence of a pro-life coalition. While most evangelicals were either on the wrong side of the issue or politically disengaged, Roman Catholic leaders were on the front lines opposing abortion as a fundamental assault on human dignity. By the late 1960s, the Roman Catholic Church was fighting demands for the legalization of abortion nationally and state by state - opposition that preceded the 1968 papal encyclical Humanae Vitae. By the time Roe was handed down, Catholic leaders had developed sophisticated arguments and growing organizations to fight for the pro-life cause. In 1967, six years before Roe, Catholics had led in the creation of the National Right to Life Committee. The Catholic tradition, drawn largely from the natural law, became the foundational intellectual contribution to the development of a united front against abortion. Nevertheless, for evangelicals to join the movement in a decisive way, arguments drawn directly from Scripture had to be formed and then preached from the pulpits of evangelical churches.") (Underscored emphasis added.) An interesting gambit by the Vatican while direct talks are going on between the Israelis and the Palestinians. This appears to be a sign of impatience. However, the UN has had little influence on the peace process over the decades, because of the tight alliance between Israel and the United States: From [D]@gmail.com - Vatican's UN spokesman: spare no effort to re-start Israeli-Palestinian talks Pope meets with Palestinian President; snubs Prime Minister Netanyahu - Diplomatic embarassment || Netanyahu and the Pope: The meeting that wasn't Hope for secret negotiations - Encountering peace: Secret negotiations, increasing the chances of success However, a major obstacle to reconciliation between the Israelis and the Palestinians is the religious ideology of Christian Zionism, which strongly influences US foreign policy: Christian Zionism: The New Heresy that Undermines Middle East Peace Beyond Armageddon (An old essay; but highly informative) Christian Zionism still alive in 2013 - Towards a Christian Zionist Foreign Policy To the extent that the Christian Zionists have influence with the Obama Administration, there would clearly be a divergence of interest between the Vatican and the United States. Paradoxically, major personalities in the Christian Zionist movement were enlisted to execute the Roman Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Plan, and the movement which is synonomous with the Religious Right is responsible for the enactment Roman Catholic laws in America. Christian Zionist foreign policy is a huge obstacle to the ultimate objective of the Papacy, but perhaps it is the very alliance of Rome and the Religious Right in the United States that will force a path through the impasse. Certainly the obstacle will be overcome. We have the sure Word of Prophecy - Dan. 11:45. Informed by the persecutions, wars, and massacres perpetrated in the name of Christianity by the State powers of Europe, the founders of the American nation established the principle of Separation of Church and State to protect and preserve individual freedom of religion. However, the Roman Catholic Church, initiator of the evils of State Christianity, intruded herself upon the scene from the very birth of the nation, and fellow-traveling Protestants set about following Rome's example of Church dominance over the State by pressing for religion in government even as the principles of a free democracy were being formulated by the Founders - and they succeeded in some degree, particularly in the area of prayer and the appointment of chaplains. Now, as we can clearly see the form of the Image to the Beast in the United States government, the issue of prayer is taken to a higher level than before: From [D]@gmail.com - Supreme Court to decide government’s role in public prayer Politicians on both sides of the pew hope Supreme Court case has a prayer Cf. THE TWO REPUBLICS WILL IT SUCCEED? A. T. Jones was one of the two Messengers of God on Righteousness by Faith sent to the 1888 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He was also the recognized Church authority on Freedom of Religion. Cf. Alonzo T. Jones ("In 1889, A.T. Jones spoke before a United States Congressional subcommittee; the topic of discussion was the “Breckinridge Bill” which proposed the compulsion of Sunday observance in the Washington, D.C. environs. Jones’s testimony helped to defeat this bill, and Jones became known for his abilities in defense of and knowledge regarding freedom of religion. In 1892, he was again called to speak before the U.S. Congress regarding the Sunday closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, known as “The Columbia Exposition”.") Also cf. Dateline Sunday ("New Hampshire's Senator Blair sponsored a “Lord's Day” measure “To Promote Its Observance as a Day of Religious Worship,” a measure vigorously promoted by the National Reform Association, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the American Sabbath Union, and other organizations . . . The hearings on the proposal before the Senate Committee on Education and Labor produced a long line of clergy testimonials urging passage. On the afternoon of December 13, 1888, a spirited exchange between Senator Blair and Alonzo T. Jones took place. Jones, a professor of history at the Seventh-day Adventist Battle Creek College in Michigan, took the offensive against the bill . . . The Blair bill died in committee. Later, the Senator stripped the bill of the more obvious religious implications and on December 9, 1889, introduced another Federal Sunday-closing measure. Again it failed to gain adequate support and expired." The same fate awaited the Breckinridge Bill (Cf. within Dateline Sunday;) but opposition to religious legislation was circumvented by a rider attached to the bill appropriating funds to the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The focus in the 19th century was on the enforcement of Sunday observance. Today, there is a veritable tidal wave of Roman Catholic ideology and dogma being enacted by the federal and state legislatures of America under the guise of legitimate public policy, from abortion, which plays on the emotions to obscure the enforcement of religious dogma, to the Roman Catholic doctrine of Subsidiarity (commonly called "limited" or "small" government,) and now an ecumenical issue of public prayer. A. T. Jones' "voice" has been muted by the great apostasy and the tide of ecumenism flowing in the contemporary SDA Church. SDA Minister Barry Black does not realize the incongruity of his service as Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, nor how farcical to the informed mind were his special prayers during the recent Government shutdown. The great global ecumenical movement must yet overcome some obstacles: From [D]@gmail.com - Not a criticism, but praise for the Pontiff, as it becomes increasingly obvious that Rev. 13:3b-4a is being fulfilled: From [D]@gmail.com - Ethiopian archbishop: Vatican should be credible moral source in the world ("Souraphiel said across his continent, Africans 'have great respect and great love for the Holy Father because of the emphasis he's putting on the poor, on the migrants, on the disabled, and on the simplicity of life.'") The following prophecy of the Apostle Paul applies, "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." (2 Thess. 2:9-11.) Following this introductory statement is the hyperlink to a Roman Catholic web blog which could be viewed as a gloss over of, or even an apologia for, the Vatican's role in shielding some of the Nazi war crimes perpetrators of World War II from prosecution; as well as being a summary of Vatican-Israeli relations since the Jewish State was established. One paragraph in particular is significant; it is quoted after the hyperlink: From [D]@gmail.com - The Vatican and Israel ("The Vatican has somewhat modified its position on Jerusalem. For many years the Vatican has sought the internationalization of Jerusalem and the Holy Places. It approved the UN General Assembly Resolution 181 of November 29, 1947 which called for two states and for a 'corpus separatum' for Jerusalem and its environment, giving it an international character and international guarantees. It has altered this formula to agree to a 'special statute, internationally guaranteed' for Jerusalem and the Holy Places. For its part Israel has recognized the juridical personality and authority of the canon law in the Catholic Church and its institutions." Cf. JERUSALEM - PAPAL POLICY; Dan. 11:45) From the margin hyperlinks it is worthy of note that the blogger is identified with the Tea Party as well as the Roman Catholic Church (Blame the Tea Party? Use Your Memory; The Tea Party: Last Hope for America) Credentials as Ambassador to the Vatican presented on October 21; expresses excitement on October 25 "about the ability to work so closely with the pontiff," and reveals "his shared concern with Pope Francis for those who are subject to poverty," thus supporting a facade of kindness and charity while extremely harsh policies on government social welfare programs are aggressively advanced by Roman Catholic theocons in the United States: From [D]@gmail.com - US ambassador to Vatican united with Pope in care for poor Cf. U.S. Ambassador Ken Hackett presents his credentials to Pope Francis ("Hackett's warm personality showed during his audience with Pope Francis. The two joked and laughed. But they also spoke about more serious issues, such as getting religious leaders involved in the policy-making process, and the promotion of human dignity.") New U.S. Ambassador to Holy See Ken Hackett speaks to Vatican Radio (“We shared the fact that there are things in the world that the Holy See and the United States can come together on and particularly, peace. Obviously he talked about his prayer for peace and praying for our president… these are trying times obviously and he is quite aware of what has been done.”) At best the loyalty of this Ambassador will be divided - at worst heavily weighted in favor of the papacy. (Cf. ". . . time for the Obama administration to appoint an ambassador . . .) The White Pope/Black Pope Conundrum - is the distinction now blurred by the first Jesuit "White Pope"? First, a benign explanation of the distinction: Does "the black pope" wield the true power in the Vatican? Next, Pope Francis' identity as a Jesuit: The “Black Pope” Dressed in White Cf. The Jesuits Ex-pope Benedict says God told him to resign during 'mystical experience;' ("God" told Benedict to resign) - the question is why? "Benedict said his mystical experience had lasted months, building his desire to create a direct and exclusive relationship with God. Now, after witnessing the 'charisma' of his successor, Pope Francis, Benedict said he understood to a greater extent how his stepping aside was the 'will of God'." Now it appears that there is more to the charisma than simply Pope Francis' personality. He has been involved in the charismatic movement:
The Charismatic Renewal and the Catholic Church "When the newly
elected Pope Francis appeared at the window before the cheering crowd in
St Peter’s Square, and promptly bowed down asking the people to pray for
him, most of the public at large was charmed, but puzzled. Pope Benedict
too had asked the people to pray for him from the outset, but without
the bowed head. To some spectators,
however—including the members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and
their counterparts in the Protestant and Orthodox worlds—the gesture
came as something surprisingly familiar. In the 'charismatic' galaxy,
prayer is offered and asked for in this way by people of all
levels—specifically, prayer for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The report hyperlinked above reveals some very significant facts - (a) The tongues movement originated in the Roman Catholic Church; (b) It was introduced by Pope Leo XIII, to whom reference is frequently made in modern Catholicism; (c) It was specifically related to the unity of all Christians; (d) ". . . the action of the Holy Spirit, at the Pope’s invocation and Blessed Elena’s inspiration, gave rise to an immense tide of prayer, not in Rome but on the other side of the Atlantic and in the heartland of Protestantism;" (e) "The Holy Spirit came full circle when the Charismatic Renewal landed back in the Catholic Church in Rome, in 1970, led by Americans, both lay and religious." So again, the question arises why the premature departure of Pope Benedict and the unusual precipitation of Pope Francis onto the world scene? Is it that the power behind the papal throne (Rev. 13:2b) knows just how short a time he has remaining to accomplish his purpose? Draw your own conclusion. (Listen to A Transformed Enemy) Of course such a question as the following, and the conclusion, coming from Fox News is not surprising; but the reader will observe that it completely obscures the true character of the papacy. (Cf. Rev. 12:9, 13:2b, 18:2; The Divine Viewpoint in Meaningful Symbols): From [D]@gmail.com - Is the Catholic Church still the world's moral authority? The labyrinthine path of this "Religious Freedom" is dangerously camouflaged and does not lead to true religious liberty: From [D]@gmail.com - Restructuring America's approach to international religious freedom ("Ambassador Johnson Cook forged relationships with government officials and religious leaders alike and has enhanced the work of interfaith leaders, especially women, across the globe. Given the charged political and religious climate in the world today, her work, and that of her office, remain a central priority in the constant struggle for global religious freedom, fundamental rights, and counter-extremism." In these end times, appearances can be very deceiving. The sponsor of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act was Presbyterian Republican Representative Frank R. Wolf, and he has continued his crusade with apparent sincerity (A Congressman’s Crusade for Human and Religious Rights;) but the Roman Catholic involvement is readily apparent: Testimony before Congress on Religious Freedom ("While I am honored to be a member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, I am here today representing the views of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. I serve as a member of the Conference's Committee on International Policy. The Committee's mandate includes the promotion of human rights and religious freedom. . . . The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomes the increased attention to, and seeks greater priority for, the issue of religious freedom. The creation of the Office of International Religious Freedom in the Department of State and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom are hallmarks of a growing commitment to make international religious freedom central to US foreign policy. Our Conference vigorously advocated for the , establishment of both of these essential structures. We work cooperatively with the Office and the Commission and appreciate their efforts on behalf of religious freedom. . . .") The Roman Catholic concept of religious freedom differs drastically from that of lovers of individual liberty and separation of Church and State. Significantly, Prof. Robert P. George is centrally positioned to promote the Roman Catholic vision of religious freedom as Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (Press Release: Robert P. George Elected USCIRF Chair . . .; cf. Professor George . . .) Also, it is worthy of note that he was appointed to that position by the Roman Catholic Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner (Speaker Boehner Appoints Dr. Robert P. George to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom.) Figuratively speaking, this is setting the fox to guard the chicken house. Incidentally, Boehner's Roman Catholicism may explain much of his enigmatic behavior as Speaker of the House. Many are deceived or confused, including the Church that was appointed to be the watchman on the walls of Zion, before the Great Apostasy destroyed its commitment and mission (The State of Religious Liberty.) Palestinians and Israelis alike fall over themselves to visit the Vatican and invite the Pope to the "Holy Land." Is a breakthrough imminent for a Vatican presence in Jerusalem, thus fulfilling Dan. 11:45?: From [D]@gmail.com - Abbas meets Pope Francis at Vatican, invites him to visit Holy Land Netanyahu to meet Pope Francis and Kerry in Rome next week Note the involvement of the United States' Secretary of State. These developments demand close attention! (Cf. Ex-pope Benedict says God told him to resign during 'mystical experience;' - the question is why? "Benedict said his mystical experience had lasted months, building his desire to create a direct and exclusive relationship with God. Now, after witnessing the 'charisma' of his successor, Pope Francis, Benedict said he understood to a greater extent how his stepping aside was the 'will of God'." N.B. Rev. 13:2b) You will look in vain for a single mention of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop's Pastoral Plan in the following analyses, or any others, of the Tea Party; but it stretches credulity to attribute the current manufactured crises of American government to anything but the Hierarchy's plan of action: For the GOP, rightward ho! ("The Republican Party is at war with itself . . .") History vs. the Tea Party ("On its surface the Tea Party movement snugly fits this pattern. . .") How the Tea Party broke the Constitution ("The tea party's rapid-response activism and the constant threat of primary challenges . . .") The “Tea Party” Movement and Its Misuse of History ("The Revolution established elected government in America . . .") Seizure of the Republican Party by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy was initiated by stealth decades ago; but now the struggle by moderate conservatives to recover control is openly identified as civil war. We have the sure word of prophecy about how this will all end (Rev. 13:11-17;) but how many twists and turns lie ahead remains to be seen: Republican Civil War Erupts: Business Groups v. Tea Party ("A battle for control of the Republican Party has erupted as an emboldened Tea Party moved to oust senators who voted to reopen the government while business groups mobilized to defeat allies of the small-government movement;" (Cf. Blasting ‘big-government GOP,’ Viguerie plots ‘Takeover’) The Republican civil war is just getting started ("The recent fiscal fist-fighting ostensibly pit Republicans against Democrats, but the real power struggle was between Tea Partiers and the GOP establishment. The conflict, bubbling beneath the surface for some time, finally boiled over into a messy public spat that, even as the shutdown came to a close, showed no signs of stopping.") More on the Pope, Vatican-Israeli relations, arrogance and naked blasphemy in the face of Almighty God: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope entrusts world to Immaculate Heart of Mary The Vatican, the Jews and Israel Pope sets March date for joint pilgrimage with rabbi The deadly wound that is now healed: From [D]@gmail.com - The Vatican recovers what Napoleon once took Eagerness to cement good relations: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis: I’ll come to Israel Front agents like the Koch Brothers and Heritage Action are exposed while the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and the Pastoral Plan remain hidden; but the coercive demands are consistent with the Roman Catholic Social Doctrine, and particularly Subsidiarity, both of which advocate Limited Government with social welfare work left to private and parochial charities. Interestingly, the genie is out of the bottle and the masters have lost control: Koch brothers claim no involvement in efforts to defund healthcare reforms ("Charles and David Koch, the reticent billionaires who bankroll Republican causes and candidates, have distanced themselves from their favoured party's financial brinkmanship as corporate America reacts with growing horror to the imminent prospect of a US debt default. . . . Money from Koch sources has supported many conservatives in Congress who have led the charge to shut down the government and breach an imminent debt limit if Barack Obama does not abandon his healthcare reforms."
Koch Industries to senators: We haven't lobbied to 'defund ObamaCare'
("They have been major backers of the Tea Party movement, which has led
the push to defund ObamaCare in Congress." Strapping bombs to their financial interests figuratively, and threatening to blow up the U.S. economy - the financial holdings of the Koch brothers and other billionaires are not exempt from the consequences; so what is their objective? Are they playing a game of "chicken," or are they prepared to go all the way to further the cause of the Neocons and Theocons, both of whom are embraced by the ideology of Robert P. George, which is the right-wing theocratic version of the Roman Catholic Social Doctrine embraced by the Hierarchy in the USA: A Federal Budget Crisis Months in the Planning ("Shortly after President Obama started his second term, a loose-knit coalition of conservative activists led by former Attorney General Edwin Meese III gathered in the capital to plot strategy. Their push to repeal Mr. Obama’s health care law was going nowhere, and they desperately needed a new plan. . . It articulated a take-no-prisoners legislative strategy that had long percolated in conservative circles: that Republicans could derail the health care overhaul if conservative lawmakers were willing to push fellow Republicans — including their cautious leaders — into cutting off financing for the entire federal government. . . . The billionaire Koch brothers, Charles and David, have been deeply involved with financing the overall effort;" Cf. Wherever visible the billionaire Koch brothers') Tax Filings Hint at Extent of Koch Brothers’ Reach The Money Behind the Shutdown Crisis Tea party Republicans blame Obama for the shutdown they planned ("The government shutdown has revealed the impressive skill of tea party Republicans to say untrue things with sincerity so convincing that they almost sound as if they believe what they are saying. Michele Bachmann, with her toothy grin and startling wide-eyed stare, is especially adept at this. . . . This is the same woman who has been absolutely giddy in other interviews talking about how “very excited” she and her colleagues are, as if the shutdown is the best thing since Jesus turned water into wine. “It’s exactly what we wanted, and we got it,” Bachmann said to the Washington Post.") The truth about the Roman Catholic Hierarchy's control of the Republican Party: FROM MORAL MAJORITY TO TEA PARTY - the Role of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy THEY ARE DECEIVED!: From [D]@gmail.com - President Obama is a fan of Pope Francis Is Pope Francis Most Small-C Catholic Pontiff Ever? Anyone observing the lies and deceptions in the political propaganda raging in the United States, and who is propagating them, should have no difficulty in perceiving deception by the Vatican and the Roman Catholic hierarchy in the Pope's charm offensive The line of reasoning in this report should be viewed with absolute dismay: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis: We Need You in Washington, D.C. (Cf. FROM MORAL MAJORITY TO TEA PARTY - the Role of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy) The Roman Eucharist is blasphemy - pure and simple!: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis: sacrament of the Eucharist is not a 'magic rite' What a con game! Pope Francis continues his charm offensive, back-pedaling on the Church of Rome's political agenda with the use of words in the face of majority permissiveness in public opinion, while the right wing of the hierarchy presses on with enforcement of the Roman Catholic social agenda in the United States - and as goes the United States, so goes the world!:. Pope Francis sets out vision for more gay people and women in 'new' church Pope Says Church Is ‘Obsessed’ With Gays, Abortion and Birth Control Chaput: Right Wing “Have Not Been Really Happy” About Pope Francis (But N.B. "My sense is that practicing Catholics love him and have a deep respect for him, but they’re not actually the ones who really talk to me about the new pope. The ones who do are nonpracticing Catholics or people who aren’t Catholic or not even Christian. They go out of their way to tell me how impressed they are and what a wonderful change he’s brought into the church. It’s interesting to see that it’s the alienated Catholic and the non-Catholic and the non-Christians who have expressed their enthusiasm more than Catholics have.") Here is the "forked tongue" element - Pope: “There is no human life more sacred than another” The hierarchy and the activists will understand perfectly where their duty lies in promoting the Roman Catholic social agenda from the following, "He continued by saying that the acceptance of life strengthens moral fiber, before adding that the final objective of the doctor is always the defense and promotion of life. . . The Pope stressed that every child that is not born, but unjustly condemned to be aborted and every elderly person who is sick or at the end of his life bears the face of Christ.": Whither The Religious Right?: New Report Examines Future Of Theocratic Movement The full report of Frederick Clarkson - Christian Right Seeks Renewal in Deepening Catholic-Protestant Alliance
The marriage equality issue muddies the water for
true Bible Christians; but it is essential to look On the economic front, watching the looneydrama unfold on Capitol Hill, one is reminded of A. T. Jones' insight that the Church of Rome sees "all nations uneasy, society racked, everything going to pieces as it is" providing an opening "to exalt herself once more to the supremacy over the nations, as she did of old." (This in view of the times to come . . .) House passes GOP spending plan that defunds Obamacare Government shutdown moves closer to reality U.S. debt hike emerges as main battleground over Obamacare No matter how the Pope and the Roman Catholic hierarchy express disapproval of the economic policies of Republican legislatures and the Tea Party, the reality is that they own both the political party as it is now dominated by the Tea Party and its policies, and they are responsible for the activists who promote and enforce these policies from the time of the Moral Majority to the present Tea Party: GOP insider: Religion destroyed my party The Tea Party's religious roots exposed ‘Teavangelicals’: How the Christian Right Came to Bless the Economic Agenda of the Tea Party It all traces back to the Church of Rome: The Vatican Connection: How the Roman Catholic Church Influences the Republican Party (Cf. But who is the Religious Right . . .) (Cf. FROM MORAL MAJORITY TO TEA PARTY - the Role of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy) A call for religious freedom that is not granted in Roman Catholic countries, and confidence in the Pope's influence: From [D]@gmail.com - Jerusalem patriarch calls upon Mideast nations to recognize right to convert No doubt response to the Pope's prayer was fuelled by strong political pressure brought to bear on world leaders Advocates of futurism (Cf. Historicism, Futurism, Preterism) and Desmond Ford's "apotelesmatic principle"! You are being proven wrong every day by the unfolding of current events. The headlines scream validation of the historical method of prophetic interpretation and the "proof text" hermeneutic: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis’ peace appeal for Syria marks Vatican’s return to global stage (March, 2016 - Content now archived; for this quotation: “Francis is not resigned to a passive vision of world affairs. We must prepare for a new age of political audacity for the Holy See,” cf. How Pope Francis’ diplomacy may change everything, not just US-Cuba relations) The popularity of Pope Francis appears to be phenomenal, and remember that he is the ultimate representative of the papal institution (albeit a false front for its arrogance and corruption) - Pope Francis: pontiff with the popular touch ("Six months in, the pope has established a totally different style from his predecessor. And it's proving hugely popular." Why is the Pope so Popular? ("What is stranger than Pope Francis’ actions has been evangelicals’ reactions. Never before has a pope become so widely accepted by Protestants and evangelicals. In a recent Op-Ed for Christianity Today, Timothy George called the new pope, 'Our Francis, Too.'") Leading Atheist: Pope Francis “Is the Kind of World Leader We Need” ("I continue to be pleased with what Francis is talking about and his openness—despite papal authorities’ attempts to retract his statements [laughs]. He’s offering very universal ideas—not closing the door and saying you have to be a Catholic in order for good things to happen. This is the kind of world leader that we need in a position of power that the pope has if we want hope for a more universal community.") AND I SAW ONE OF HIS HEADS AS IT WERE WOUNDED TO DEATH; AND HIS DEADLY WOUND WAS HEALED: AND ALL THE WORLD WONDERED [FOLLOWED] AFTER THE BEAST (REV. 13:3.) Fulfillment of the last part of this prophecy is now unfolding. US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia promotes the Roman Catholic aversion to separation of Church and State, and the Social Doctrine which frowns on Government Social programs: Antonin Scalia: Capitalism Requires 'Traditional Christian Virtues' To Succeed Full text of Huffington Post Report: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia made an appearance at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, Texas on Friday, where he claimed that the success of capitalism was deeply tied to the nation's religious values. "While I would not argue that capitalism as an economic system is inherently more Christian than socialism ... it does seem to me that capitalism is more dependent on Christianity than socialism is," Scalia, a devout Catholic, said during his speech, according to the Houston Chronicle. "For in order for capitalism to work -- in order for it to produce a good and a stable society -- the traditional Christian virtues are essential. "Scalia went on to suggest that expanding government involvement in charity came at the expense of the power of Christian churches. "The governmentalization of charity affects not just the donor but also the recipient. What was once asked as a favor is now demanded as an entitlement," he said. "The transformation of charity into legal entitlement has produced donors without love and recipients without gratitude. ... It's not my place or my purpose to criticize these developments, only to observe that they do not suggest the expanding role of government is good for Christianity." During a later question-and-answer session, the Chronicle reported that Scalia railed against the Constitution's establishment clause, which declares that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." "The most disreputable area of our law is the establishment clause," he said, responding to a question about "the greatest miscarriage of constitutional justice" during his tenure. "A violation of the establishment clause that does not affect someone's free exercise -- there is no reason why you should have standing." Scalia has long believed that the establishment clause shouldn't disqualify religious beliefs from being given a voice in the public square, including in schools. In one of his more notable opinions on the issue, Scalia argued in Edwards v. Aguillard that the constitutional clause shouldn't be used to forbid legislators from acting "upon their religious convictions." In his dissent, Scalia defended the constitutionality of Louisiana’s Creation Science Act, which held that any public school curriculum that taught evolution must be accompanied by creationism. (Underscored emphasis added.) The Israelis and the Vatican continue to work on improving their relationship. Rome has her sights set on achieving what is prophesied in Dan. 11:45, while the winds of strife continue to blow in Egypt (King of the South) and Syria ( a central part of the King of the North's extensive territory,) and eventually the pattern of conflict predicted in Dan. 11:40-44 should become apparent: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis meets Jewish leaders ahead of Rosh Hashana The Vatican is greatly concerned - the Syrian conflict is an immense obstacle to inter-faith ecumenical union: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope calls international day of prayer for peace in Syria Vatican Peace Vigil Will Be Biggest in Decades A conflict of immense complexity - difficult to see how fulfillment of the prophecies of Dan. 11:40- 44 (Syria was a part . . .)will eventually emerge; and yet, the prediction of wars and the identification of the opposing forces is clear. Here is a classic example of the need for intense watchfulness as final events unfold in this world: Christians in Syria concerned about military action, says agency Syrian Christians Caught between Rock and Hard Place Syrian Christian Support For Assad Regime May Turn Out To Be A Losing Strategy Jesuit Priest Kidnapped by Rebel Forces Linked to al-Qaeda in Syria? A part of the complexity of the Syrian crisis and the inevitable involvement of the Vatican: From [D]@gmail.com - Negotiations 'the only option' for Syria: Vatican The Vatican is clearly opposed to military action against Syria at this time. Rome's overwhelming interest at present is in peace and ecumenical unity; and yet in the end she will wage war, according to prophecy: Doubts About the Case for a U.S. Strike on Syria ("One group of naysayers, such as the U.S. bishops, are skeptical of the value of any military intervention and advocate for a poliitical solution involving all relevant parties in Syria, as well as foreign governments, such as Russia and Iran. Another group would only approve a strike if the U.S. can get backing from both its allies and the UN.") Given the lack of public support for UK involvement in military action against Syria, and the queasiness about Middle East involvement after the disastrous Iraq war, it seems counterintuitive to suggest Vatican influence on the negative House of Commons vote; and yet Rome's influence on the outcome should not be discounted: Blow to Cameron's authority as MPs rule out British assault on Syria ("Sir Menzies Campbell, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, highlighted the magnitude of the vote by saying that he could not remember a government defeat on a such a major foreign policy issue.") Holy See Urges U.S. to Seek Peaceful Resolution to Syria Crisis ("The Holy See is using diplomatic channels to convince the U.S. government and its allies not to take military action against Syria and to pursue a political solution to the conflict instead.") Whatever is going on behind the scenes, a slowdown has been accomplished: Obama will seek approval from Congress to strike Syria Obama's stance on Syria leaves him in a lonely place (Note that the Vatican is not on the best of terms with the Obama Administration.) A part of the powder keg element in the crisis: Despite words of warning, Israel wants to stay out of Syria conflict Israel calls up reservists, deploys missile defenses against Syria - But again note that the prophecy identifies the target of the "King of the North" as the Papacy (see immediately below.) Syria was a part of the Seleucid Empire (the King of the North.) In fact, the final capital of the Seleucid Empire was Antioch in Syria. As is the case with Egypt (the King of the South,) events in Syria, and particularly the conflicts, need to be watched closely; although with the prophecies of Dan. 11:40-45 concerning the King of the North and the King of the South, how they will be fulfilled is still unclear. A VITAL FACTOR IN THE PROPHECIES IS THAT BOTH THE KING OF THE NORTH AND THE KING OF THE SOUTH WAGE WAR AGAINST THE KING OF FIERCE COUNTENANCE, IDENTIFIED BY SOUND BIBLICAL EXEGESIS TO BE THE PAPACY. HEREIN LIES THE PRESENT DIFFICULTY IN PERCEIVING HOW AND WHEN THE PROPHESIED WARS WILL OCCUR. THIS WILL BECOME CLEAR AS CURRENT EVENTS UNFOLD: US plans for missile strikes against Syria as questions swirl about the endgame Syria crisis: US weighs military options Syria crisis: Where key countries stand Iran warns west against military intervention in Syria Iran backs Assad in Syria crisis and blames 'warmongering' US Cf. Peres Tells Pope: Middle East is "Disintegrating" ("Israeli President Shimon Peres warned Pope Francis Tuesday that the Middle East is 'disintegrating' and said the pontiff 'has an important role' to play in bringing peace to the region and the world.") The work is far advanced in America; now the Pope plans to perform his work of "consecration" on the whole world - not at all a modest ambition, but it will be accomplished: From [D]@gmail,com - Pope Francis to consecrate the world to Immaculate Heart of Mary And the blasphemy of the Eucharist - EWTN priest speaks about Blessed Mother (" The body of Christ conceived in Mary’s womb is the same body Catholics receive in the Eucharist. Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa, EWTN TV and radio host, made that point in his talk, 'Mary, Mother of the Eucharist,' at St. Bernadette Parish Saturday. . . . Many people also leave Protestantism for Catholicism, and he has never heard them call their former denomination 'The Whore of Babylon' or known them to smash its sacred items, he said. They love the good they received there, but see that Catholicism completes it. Cf. ECCLESIA IN AMERICA (A privileged place is given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in this plan of encounter which the Church in America seeks to follow under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. . . .A powerful appeal is directed to the agents of evangelization in America to announce with renewed fervor the Social Doctrine of the Church in the midst of grave problems of the social order." (Cf. HOW THE ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIAL DOCTRINE IS ADVANCING IN AMERICA; SUBSIDIARITY IN THE UNITED STATES) Inter-denominational Christian leaders of the ecumenical movement are now dismayed by the violence in Egypt, but it is predicted to spread from this "King of the South" against "the King" at some stage in the fulfillment of Dan. 11:40-45: From [D]@gmail,com - Christian leaders in Jerusalem pray for end of violence in Egypt The evidence is overwhelming that the papacy has made tremendous strides in the United States since President Jimmy Carter invited Pope John-Paul II to the White House and the Pope "blessed" the Nation and its leaders assembled there. However, two succeeding Democratic Presidents have slowed the progress of events fulfilling Rev. 13; although they have aided and abetted some aspects of Rome's objectives (Eg. Debunking Charitable Choice; FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES): From [D]@gmail.com - Obama Administration Mulled Ending Holy See Ambassadorship - (Caution is in order with this right-wing website; but the article is supported by other sources) - Vatican Unhappy with Obama’s Ambassador Picks (2009) ("Now, it is time for the Obama administration to appoint an ambassador and if early reports are true, the administration has taken, at the informal level, an even less conciliatory approach to who should represent the US. . . . At the same time, one need wonder whether the US routinely allows countries to decide who our ambassador should be? And whether our ambassador’s job is to represent the positions of the US to the Vatican or to represent the Vatican’s views to a president who presumably needs educating. It was most certainly Ray Flynn’s approach. He spent more time trying to convince Clinton to follow the Vatican line on stem cell research and abortion than vice versa.") Obama's Pope Francis Challenge: Appoint a New Ambassador to the Vatican ("The ambassador is not in Rome to dispute U.S. domestic policy with the church; the church, through its various arms, will engage with the administration directly on those matters. The ambassador is there to work with the church on various global initiatives—such as dialogs between leaders in the Middle East, climate-change initiatives, and foreign aid. While the two sides don’t see eye-to-eye on everything, they do engage in a respectful diplomatic dance." The Vatican is implacable and the Obama Administration has conceded- For the Vatican, Obama Sends "Relief" – Retired CRS Chief Tapped as US Holy See Ambassador ("A surprising result – yet one reportedly lobbied for by some senior domestic hierarchs – the nomination caps a months-long cycle of speculation and campaigning for the prized Vatican posting, which had earlier been rumored to be heading toward a key "bundler" (fundraiser) for the Democratic president's re-election campaign. In the end, though, the nod has gone to one of the US church's most trusted lay hands, signaling an olive branch to the bishops amid the ongoing fight over the Obama administration's controversial contraceptive mandate in health care plans." Cf. Barack Obama: Enemy of the Church?; Is the Obama Admin Really Attacking the Catholic Church By Placing the Vatican on a Financial Crimes List? That the advance of the papacy's agenda has slowed under Democratic Presidents is clear. Could the reason be a prophecy of Rev. 7? - Rev. 7:1-4; What Does “Hold! hold! hold! hold!” Mean? A massive threat to inter-faith ecumenism - essential to world domination by the Papacy. The spirits of Rev. 16:13-14 will find a way before the final moment of truth comes in fulfillment of Dan. 11:40-45: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope and world churches leader join call for dialogue in Egypt More on the pattern of power and influence in the Middle East, the prophesied scene of armed conflicts "at the time of the end." (Dan. 11:40-44): ANALYSIS | Arab leaders tacitly back crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt Saudi Arabia Pleased With Morsi’s Fall SDAs - beware the wine of Roman Babylon, to which the Church's leaders, by their own declaration, no longer have an aversion: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis urges Catholics to pray the Rosary in the fight against evil Cf. In the same Brief . . .; also The first, second, and third angels' messages are to be repeated . . .) The immediate prophetic significance of this internal conflict is murky, but Egypt is the King of the South, and this end-time prophecy appears to remain unfulfilled: Egypt's Brotherhood loses grip as anger boils Profile: Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Meanwhile Israeli-Palestinian peace talks get underway, facing huge obstacles. How much longer will the peace process difficulties obstruct the fulfillment of Dan. 11:45 remains to be seen: Israelis and Palestinians meet for peace talks Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks Won’t Solve the Jewish State Problem A paradox of the realm of the spirits of Rev. 16:13-15, bringing the world together within the ecumenical embrace of the woman of Rev. 17:3-5 while underlying antagonism of the Muslim world towards "Christianity" persists, and ultimately unleashes the prophesied hostilities of Dan. 11:40-44 which appear to be still future (Cf. These reports are included . . .): From [D]@gmail.com - Vatican: Papal Visit to Show IDF ‘Imprisoning’ Christian Population "In Palestinian controlled areas, including Bethlehem, what remains of the Arab Christians population are virtual prisoners in their own homes. At the same time, Israeli controlled areas are the only places in the entire Middle East where the Christian population has been rising." The reason for the reference to the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) in the title is obscure. Perhaps the IDF is being blamed for the plight of the Christian population in the Palestinian controlled areas and throughout the Middle East. A report that is pregnant with prophetic significance: From [D]@gmail.com - A revolution underway with Pope Francis ('"There has been a worldwide change in attitudes toward the papacy since the election of Francis,' said veteran Vatican watcher Marco Politi, a columnist for the Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano. 'There has been a great outpouring of sympathy, not only among believers but also from people who are very secular or far from the church.' . . . There's also a sense in which Francis is the 'Teflon pope,' in that nothing bad seems to stick. When anything scandalous happens, reaction isn't to blame the pope, but to see it as additional proof of why he's needed.") Behind the benign facade the Dragon (Satan) accelerates the execution of his plans. This is Rev. 17:3 in action, and the platform for the launch of Rev. 17:12 & 8, Isa. 14:13-14, and Isa. 2:2-3 From [D]@gmail.com: Pope Francis I and Egypt’s Tawadros II - A tale of two popes and preserving Mideast Christianity ("The Roman Catholic Church considers itself the world’s “one true church” and the only church to which Jesus gave explicit authority through his apostle Peter, who later became the first pope, in a process known as apostolic succession, according to the Catholic doctrine. . . . Like the Catholic Church, the Coptic Church of Egypt goes back to the foundations of Christianity. According to tradition, their church was established by one of Jesus’s apostles, Mark, in 42 CE, from which it derives its apostolic legitimacy.") The reality is that neither Pope is a legitimate representative of the true Christian Church. Almighty God appointed no Popes. Jesus said, ". . .I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN cometh unto the Father, but by me, (John 14:6; upper case emphasis added) - not by the Popes, and not by Mary. These Brazilian SDA youth are described as demonstrating Christian hospitality; but the entire report reflects ecumenical fraternity. How much does Adventist News Network report about the papacy as the Antichrist, and warn against receiving the Mark of the Beast? Contemporary Seventh-day Adventists are astonishingly indifferent to the Church's accomodation with Roman Catholicism: From [D]@gmail.com - In Brazil, Adventists demonstrate Christian hospitality This is the spirit that is abroad in today's Seventh-day Adventist Church - Letting Roman Catholics Off the Hook (Note Author Loren Seibold's friendship with Bert B. Beach)
Conflicting portrayals of Roman Catholic policy on Government Social
Welfare programs: House Republicans pass budget that will devastate programs for the poor Editorial: Congress' ideological battle hurts the neediest What is the truth of the matter concerning the Church of Rome and Government Social Welfare programs? The answer is that the hands of the Popes and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops are far from clean. There has been a serpentine path of Roman Catholic involvement in US politics AND the Republican Party in particular since the USCCB's Pastoral Plan of 1975: Two vast movements - This report reveals that (1) The USCCB unleashed influental neoconservative/theoconservative personalities on the American nation, wielding the spear of opposition to abortion. (2) They corraled and duped prominent Evangelical Protestants into promoting their agenda. The Vatican was then enabled to take over the Republican Party (cf. After winning the Republican primaries) and secure the elections of right-wing Roman Catholics and their Protestant allies. This was followed by the process of enacting the Roman Catholic Social Doctrine, of course including abortion legislation, which is now very substantially advanced. Not only were Roman Catholic Neocons/Theocons unleashed on the nation by the Pastoral Plan; they had direct lines of communication with Popes John-Paul II and Benedict XVI (Catholic neoconservatives; This group is spearheaded. Cf. The crusade against "Big Government" rages) Despite all of the cant in the National Catholic Reporter and other Roman Catholic publications, there is clear evidence that responsibility for the Republican assault on government anti-poverty programs lies squarely on the shoulders of the Popes and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. New alarming information about the NSA surveillance program. It will probably be curtailed for the time being; but here is a technology that will undoubtedly be a major instrument for exercising the total control predicted in Rev. 13:17. All around us we see the shape of things to come. (Note what we cannot reasonably say is visibly shaping up): New NSA tool exposed: XKeyscore sees 'nearly EVERYTHING you do online' The Church of Rome does not recognize the exclusive authority and absolutes of the Bible, but has created her own absolutes of dogma (e.g. Immortality of the Soul and Immaculate Conception governing the abortion issue.) In the apparent absence of dogma governing homosexuality, which is endemic in the Roman Catholic hierarchy (the laity being victims,) the Pope is free to compromise, and incidentally increase his popularity in a world which has repudiated the moral absolutes of the Bible: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis calls for inclusion of gays in society, saying he has no right to ‘judge’ (Closing paragraph - “I think there’s a palpable sense that people want to see the church succeed. . . . I think there is this palpable sense that Pope Francis might be that agent of renewal who enables people to say, ‘It’s cool to be Catholic.’ ” Cf. Pope Is Quoted Referring to a Vatican ‘Gay Lobby’; The pope on gays Style matters; High ranking clergyman Battista Ricca's 'gay romance' with Swiss guard shocks Vatican) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Rev. 18:2-4 (In these final events; SDA LAITY!!! - HIGH TIME TO AWAKE OUT OF SLEEP!!!) Here is a sense of urgency and purposeful determination. This presumably includes the central Jerusalem issue: Israeli-Palestinian aim: A peace deal in 9 months From increasingly frenzied activity in the United States under Rev. 13 to renewed activity in Palestine under Dan. 11:45, prophetic events continue to unfold: US says Israelis, Palestinians to resume peace talks on Monday in Washington Kerry announces Resumption of Peace Talks -- Who Blinked? Resumption of peace talks gives Netanyahu the chance of a lifetime The Roman Catholic concept of piety and cleansing through the Confessional - the worship of man; this is Christianity??: With pope in Rio, sin-city revelry yields to piety ('“I feel very pure,” she said, standing on a street corner, surrounded by friends nodding in agreement. “I feel almost lighter.”') The Antichrist works his marvellous deception Cf. THE DIVINE VIEWPOINT IN MEANINGFUL SYMBOLS.) Only the TRUE CHRIST can cleanse from sin by His ministration in His office as Melchisedek the High Priest in the heavenly Sanctuary. Incipient wave of the future - will it recede for awhile, or will it swell into a tidal wave sweeping across the Nation? Note the pattern - control of legislature, executive, and courts, and the trap snaps shut tightly. On the federal level there is one branch of Congress and the Executive still relatively free of control by the Beast and his Image; but note that the US Supreme Court has the last word: NC Passes Voter Suppression Measures as DOJ Moves to Protect Voting Rights in TX What’s the Matter With North Carolina? How One Multi-Millionaire Is Turning North Carolina Into A Tea Party Utopia In media spotlight, Pope issues non-denial over role in ending NC clean elections Cf. Poll: Tea Partiers aren’t libertarian but Religious Right "What the church has done in the past for others, she will now do for the United States . . ." Whatever she may have done for others in the past, she was at the time of the statement in accomodation with Prussian militarism, followed by WWI, then Fascism, WWII and the Holocaust - the Church of Rome always present, involved and/or accomodating. Satan hates humanity, and especially the Jews, devoted as they are to the Old Testament (Many are now a part of the Image to the Beast in fulfillment of Rev. 13:3 and 2 Thess. 2:11-12.) Papacy Collection: It's in the nature of the Beast - Pope Francis's judgment in question after priest named in gay sex scandal From [D]@gmail.com - Rev. 13:3, 12 - Pope Francis Twitter Beats Obama For Top World Leader Spot Mariolatry - Pope prays at Roman Marian icon for all world's youth Is this the Roman Catholic Social Doctrine (Natural Law) in action - Subsidiarity running riot?: Boehner: ‘Judge us by how many laws we repeal,’ not how many new laws created (Abortion is a glaring exception to this anti-legislation statement, and it is a Roman Catholic priority.) The ultimate end of events in the United States as predicted in Rev. 13 is unbelievable except to those who have faith in the prophetic Word of God; but the prophesied end is rapidly approaching, and the shape of things to come is clearly visible in the present chaotic state of government.
[He] opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that
is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing
himself that he is God (II Thess. 2:4): Vatican: Get time off in purgatory by following Pope on Twitter ("The concept of indulgences date back to the 1300s, when popes began to teach that because the church had the power from Christ to forgive sins, the church also had the power to reduce the amount of time one spent in purgatory, said Hornbeck") In this solemn judgment hour the Seventh-day Adventist Church flaunts a worldly image: From [D]@gmail.com - What God requires in this solemn judgment hour is exactly the opposite - SOUL AFFLICTION - Children of the Translation; The Message of the sanctuary; With this feast day. "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" (Joel 2:15-17.) (Cf. Here we see that the church; The great apostasy; The Messenger of the Lord) Continuing the Jerusalem watch (Dan. 11:45): From [D]@gmail.com - Israel and Vatican close to signing Holy Land accord "National Sunday Law Coming Near You" - This was the subject title of a forwarded group e-mail containing a hyperlink to the following article: Catholic Church works to stop shopping on Sundays in Italy Here is the full context of the Sunday shopping issue in Italy and Europe - Italians, backed by the Catholic Church, aim to stop Sunday shopping Fight grows in Europe to safeguard a secular Sabbath Sunday closing laws have been in effect in Europe for a very long time (even centuries - Stores in Britain Rebel Over Sunday Closing Law.) The bottom line is that you cannot extrapolate from European Sunday laws what is happening or likely to happen on a NATIONAL basis in the United States. In fact to the contrary; European nations are trying to follow the American model of 24/7 shopping. So what is the true situation in the United States? There is absolutely no sign that a National Sunday Law is high on the legislative agenda of the US Congress or even faintly discernible. It makes no sense to continue beating the drum about a National Sunday Law while ignoring the Image to the Beast of Rev. 13 which is in plain view and relentlessly engaged in legislating the Roman Catholic Social Doctrine in the United States. Simultaneously, Rome is openly working on the world stage to accomplish her purpose in Jerusalem, which should focus our attention on Dan. 11:40-45, and the prophecy of Isa. 2:3. The advance towards fulfillment of Dan. 11:45 is well documented in FINAL WORLD EVENTS IN PROPHECY FORESHADOWED for 2013 and earlier years. The evidence points to the stage being set for the prophecy "out of Zion shall go forth the law" to be fulfilled, which is consistent with the prediction of Ellen G. White in "Let the Trumpet Give a Certain Sound," R&H, December 13, 1892, Para. 2 ("This false Sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law.") Reading the signs - the Roman Catholic Church may have a direct line of control over the FISA Court through Chief Justice John Roberts: Questionable exercise of law-making power by the FISA Court - In Secret, Court Vastly Broadens Powers of N.S.A. Questionable make-up of FISA Court - The judges who preside over America's secret court The absolute discretionary power of Chief Justice John Roberts to appoint judges to the FISA Court with a bias in favor of the government - Who’s In Charge Of The FISA Court? John Roberts, And Apparently Just John Roberts What is known with certainty about Chief Justice John Roberts AND what is reasonably suspected - John Roberts' Catholic Connections PHOTO: Chief Justice John Roberts Has Escaped To Malta (Knights of Malta symbol in the background) These reports are included on this page because Egypt is the "King of the South," prophesied to play a prominent role in the final movements of history (Dan. 11:40-45;) however, it continues to be difficult to discern a clear connection between current events and the prophecies. Events in Egypt call for watchfulness by the follower of the prophecies of Dan. 11:40-45; evidently events in Iran as well (verse 44.): Egypt coup: the military has not just ousted Morsi. It has ousted democracy (Cf. Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt Becoming Dictatorship, Says Founder of the Free Egyptians Party; How Can Egypt Break Free From a New Fascism?) As to verse 44, Iran was a part of the Seleucid/King of the North Empire; so were Afghanistan, parts of Northern India (Pakistan?) and Turkey - The Seleucid Empire (323–64 B.C.) Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all lie to the East of Palestine. Iran is currently the most threatening, while Afghanistan and Pakistan should not be ruled out for involvement in this prophecy. Cf. Papal Militarism in History and Prophecy Politics makes strange bedfellows - religio-politics also makes strange bedfellows; coming together in a march of events towards the fulfillment of prophecy (updated): From [D]@gmail.com - Pope slams anti-Semitism in meeting with Jewish heads Rabbi Block meets the Pope - Update The historical indictment cannot be denied A devout Catholic and former priest tries to pin the blame on the Gospels; but acknowledges the Church of Rome's role in anti-semitism "The Worst Thing About My Church" (Cf. A case to answer) All talk and no action on jobs, all action on abortion - legislatures dance to the Roman Catholic puppetmaster tune. The conventional wisdom appears to be that The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act passed in the US House of Representatives on June 18, 2013, was simply pandering to the Repubican Party's conservative base; but this is a grave misreading of the times. Of course, with the prevailing unbelief in the prophetic Word which predicts the world ascendancy of the Papacy, it is understandably difficult to comprehend that a religious institution could gain a stranglehold on the governance of the greatest democracy the world has ever known: Trent Franks Sidelined as Abortion Ban Passes House A poignant account of one mother's tragic experience - Abortion Law: Mother Denied Abortion, Then Had To Watch Baby Die It's time they heard the truth (Linked only for full facts, and not to recommend involvement in political activism.) A tangled web of tortured rationalization created by Roman Catholic theology - Is Nebraska’s Fetal Pain Bill Cruel? ("After teaching the principle of double effect . . .") The dilemma of a Roman Catholic Democratic Party leader - Pelosi Lashes Out at Reporter's Question on Morality of Late-Term Abortions Activity in the States - Several States Forbid Abortion After 20 Weeks Federal Appeals Court Permanently Blocks Arizona 20-Week Abortion Ban The birth control by use of contraceptives aspect - Doug Cox, Republican Lawmaker, Lambasts Oklahoma GOP For Anti-Birth Control Crusade Restricted Access to Birth Control is Counter-Productive to Women's Health The continuing campaign demonstrates the critical importance of the issue to the Church of Rome, and requires attention to the underlying dogmas of the Immortality of the Soul and the Immaculate Conception - IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL RANKS WITH SUNDAY SACREDNESS. Relentless drive towards interfaith unity - Who is this "Same God"?: From [D]@gmail.com - Cardinal Timothy Dolan Tells Muslims 'We Love God and He is the Same God' Cosy relationship between Pope and President helps pave the way for achievement of Vatican objective (Dan. 11:45): From [D]@gmail.com - Pope sends Peres an early happy birthday This web page recently turned the spotlight on the limiting or elimination of federal government welfare programs as one of the goals of legislating the Roman Catholic Social Doctrine of Subsidiarity (Skeptical or bored . . .) The US House of Representatives, now aggressively implementing Roman Catholic ideology, is providing corroboration of the charge that Subsidiarity is opposed to central government Social Welfare: House Rejects Farm Bill as Food Stamp Cuts Prove Divisive ("The surprise defeat of the farm bill in the House on Thursday underscored the ideological divide between the more conservative, antispending Republican lawmakers and their leadership, who failed to garner sufficient votes from their caucus as well as from Democrats.") House Members Cite Jesus in Farm Bill Debate; One Favors Food Stamp Cuts, Accepts Farm Subsidies ("'Mr. Vargas, I, too, am a follower of Christ. Jesus Christ is my personal savior. I read Matthew 25 to speak to me as an individual. I don't read it to speak to the United States government. So I take a little bit of umbrage with you on that,' said Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), a Southern Baptist, in an irenic tone.") Rep. Fincher's stand on food stamps evokes cries of hypocrisy ("During a recent hearing of the House Agriculture Committee, Fincher invoked biblical verses to back up his belief that food stamp spending, which totals $80 billion annually, needs cutting — by at least $20 billion over the next 10 years, about a 3 percent cut.") Cf. The crusade against "Big Government" rages; Sequester stalls Meals on Wheels programs; Sequester cuts weigh on Head Start programs The question is whether this is the final stage of fulfilling Dan. 11:45, or is there yet to be a last phase of internationalization? Either way, agreement in the bilateral talks is profoundly significant; and keep in mind that while this is a report on the bilateral negotiations, simultaneous international diplomacy is also focused on settling the issue of Jerusalem's status. Sudden announcements are probable: From [D]@gmail.com - Bilateral Vatican-Israel Commission meets in Rome New► Orwellian invasion of privacy or necessity for national security - the debate rages; but a logical deduction from 9/11 is that it was set up by Satan to lay the foundation for the persecuting power predicted in Rev. 13: NSA spying scandal: what we have learned Obama pressured over NSA snooping as US senator denounces 'act of treason' U.S., British intelligence mining data from nine U.S. Internet companies in broad secret program We are living in the time of the end. The fast fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 11. Skeptical or bored with this "subsidiarity" thing in the United States? Well, it continues to be on a legislative roll impacting the lives of all Americans - the sequester, defunding government welfare programs etc., and now Tea Party legislators are focused on "shrinking" (destroying?) central government, which is the right-wing Roman Catholic implementation of "Subsidiarity," the buzzword being "limited government.": Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Mike Lee: When Freshmen Attack Tea Party Senators jump the shark Tea party vs. old guard in GOP Senate rift Christian Zionists and their Jewish supporters have their say; but they are attempting to swim against the tide of unfolding prophetic history - Vatican-Israeli government negotiations are where the tide flows: From [D]@gmail.com The tide flowing towards fulfillment of Dan. 11:45 - Israel-Vatican deal on land use said imminent The vain hopes of the Christian Zionists - US, Israeli, EU lawmakers to call for united J'lem Ironically, the Christian Zionists give aid and comfort to Rome with their dispensationalist interpretation of Bible prophecy, a creature of Futurism, which was born of Roman Catholicism's efforts (sadly very successful with Protestants blinded by apostasy) to deflect the prophecies which identify her as the Little Horn and Antichrist Cf. Sevenfold Errors of "Dispensationalism" - 'Misconception of Antichrist.—The dispensationalist has reversed the historic Protestant position in regard to the antichrist, and is teaching the error that was invented by the doctors of the Catholic Church in order to combat the Reformation. Protestantism pointed the finger of prophecy at the Papacy; but Rome declared that the antichrist was a man yet to come who would rule for three and one-half years at a future period of "tribulation." Dispensationalists are the proponents of this papal error;' A dispensationalist calculation error; Christian Zionists back 'united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty'; Christian Zionism: The new heresy that sways America - "At the core of Christian Zionist support for Israel’s claim to the Occupied Territories lies the conviction that Jerusalem is, and must remain, the exclusive and undivided Jewish capital. Attempts to reach agreement in the wider Arab-Israeli conflict have so far stalled or stumbled over the final status of Jerusalem. Christian Zionists are strongly opposed to any proposal for joint sovereignty or the creation of a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem." Significantly, the spirit power inspiring and driving the Christian Zionist movement is confirmed by their views on the Temple Mount set out in Christian Zionism: The new heresy that sways America, which dovetail neatly with Satan's objective (Isa. 14:13; Isa. 2:2-3.) This is one of the clearest examples of fulfillment of the Apostle Paul's prophecy in 2 Thess. 2:10-12. Is this the Pope for an accelerated pace of final world events?: From [D]@gmail.com Promoting the blasphemous rite of "transubstantiation" and the bloodless sacrifice - Vatican organizing worldwide, simultaneous eucharistic adoration June 2 Francis links Eucharist with global solidarity (Cf. The Roman Eucharist) Looked to for reconciliation and peace between faiths - Pope could help in interfaith peace talks: Israel's Peres Carried away by missionary zeal - Not so fast: Vatican says Pope Francis got it wrong, atheists do go to hell (His predecessor reached out - Pope Reaches Out to Atheists, Agnostics - but apparently this Pope's missionary zeal had to be curbed) Significant progress towards fulfillment of Dan. 11:45 (Cf. JERUSALEM - PAPAL POLICY): From [D]@gmail.com - Vatican, Israel near agreement on pact after 20 years of negotiations The religio-political ramifications - Pope to get seat over the Tomb of King David Vatican Radio anticipates Israel relinquishing control of Cenacle Shrine on Mt. Zion A sign of the times! - From the sublime to the ridiculous in attempting a natural explanation for a supernatural event (Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8, last part): From [D]@gmail.com - When May 19 became the day of darkness THE REAL EVENT, prophecy of Matt. 24:29 fulfilled - Sun Turned Into Darkness ("On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled. It was not an eclipse. Timothy Dwight says, "The 19th of May, 1780, was a remarkable dark day. Candles were lighted in many houses; the birds were silent and disappeared, and the fowls retired to roost. ... A very general opinion prevailed, that the day of judgment was at hand." Quoted in Connecticut Historical Collections, compiled by John Warner Barber (2nd ed.; New Haven: Durrie & Peck and J.W. Barber, 1836, p. 403.") Movement towards full ecumenical unity continues at an accelerating pace; and it is not based on the Bible (Cf. ASTONISHING DIMENSION OF THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT): From [D]@gmail.com - 2 popes praying: Egyptian Copt and Pope Francis A sign of the times! - Specious reasoning that is a deadly snare for the many who are no longer well-versed in the Scriptures: CORRECT DOCTRINE? (UPDATED MAY 22, 2013) Fetal Homicide - legislating the Roman Catholic "life begins at conception" teaching under the radar: Should Ariel Castro Be Prosecuted for Fetal Homicide? Abortion Is Murder, According to Fetal Homicide Laws THE ROOT OF THE ABORTION CONTROVERSY - THE DOGMAS OF THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL AND THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PLUS THE CONCEPT OF "ENSOULMENT" "What is going on here? What is developing behind-the-scenes? What secret diplomatic activity is happening? Will there be a new "holy basin" plan?" It is reasonable to anticipate a sudden announcement. Prophecies to be fulfilled Prophecies to be fulfilled in the last remnant of time - Dan. 11:45-12:1; Isa. 14:12-14: What's up with PM Netanyahu and the Temple Mount? "POPE-PERES (UPDATED) Apr-30-2013" From [D]@gmail.com: Israeli president invites pope to visit Israel, 'the sooner the better' Israeli President Shimon Peres honored by the Italian State and the Vatican: From [D]@gmail.com - President Peres to meet with Pope Francis ("The statement said Peres plans to discuss various issues with the pontiff, including the peace negotiations with the Palestinians, ties between Israel and the Vatican and improving relations between Christians and Jews.") Israeli president to meet new pope next week ("Israel and the Vatican have been discussing the status of church properties in the Holy Land and other issues." Did Shimon Peres make a deal with the Vatican? - (Cf. Daniel 11:45 & 9:16) Shimon Peres - The Vatican's President of Israel ("In March 1994, the newspaper Chadashot revealed a most remarkable secret of the Middle East "peace" process. A friend of Shimon Peres, the French intellectual Marek Halter (pictured to the right), claimed in an interview that in May 1993, he delivered a letter from Peres to the pope. Within, Peres promised to internationalize Jerusalem, granting the UN political control of the Old City of Jerusalem, and the Vatican hegemony of the holy sites within. The UN would give the PLO a capital within its new territory and East Jerusalem would become a kind of free trade zone of world diplomacy.") The Vatican's Jerusalem Agenda ("On Sept. 10, '93, just three days before the signing of the Declaration of Principles in Washington, the Italian news magazine La Stampa reported that part of the peace deal was an unwritten understanding that the Vatican would receive political authority over the Old City of Jerusalem by the end of the millenium. The newspaper reported that Shimon Peres had promised the pope to hand over the holy sites of Jerusalem the previous May and that Arafat had accepted the agreement. . . .") A statement believable only by those who "received not the love of the Truth," against whom the prophecy warns "And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie" 2 Thess. 2:10-11 (NKJV) From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis: "It Is Not Possible to Find Jesus Outside the Church" Pope Francis During Feast of St. George Mass: ‘It is Not Possible to Find Jesus Outside the Church’ ("Catholic Online reporter Andrew Greenwell also agreed with the Roman Catholic insinuation of the message - 'In his short sermon on the Feast of St. George, Pope Francis spoke to the assembled Cardinals about the importance of the Church’s mission of evangelization, a mission that includes introducing people to the Catholic Church ‘because it is not possible to find Jesus outside the Church,' he wrote.") The prophetic Word of God reveals the delusive nature of the Pope's statement. A reminder from [I]@yahoo.com that the final movements will be rapid ones - "fraternal delegates of churches, ecclesial communities and international ecumenical bodies, representatives of the Jewish people and of non-Christian religions, gathered in Rome for the celebration of the official start of [the] ministry [of Pope Francis] as Bishop of Rome": Pope's Address to Representatives of the Churches, Ecclesial Communities and Other Religions "For the first time since the Great Schism of 1054 split the main Christian community into East and West, the ecumenical patriarch attended the installation Mass. Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, first among equals of the Eastern Orthodox, sat in a place of honor near the papal altar." (Pope begins ministry with biblical symbols, signs of universal ministry) What a clever strategy! The "stick" of UN sanctions and the "carrot" of postponing them. There can be little doubt that Rome and the Palestinians are co-coordinating their policies (Cf. Vatican, PLO approve accord on Jerusalem.) Rome's objective is clear - Dan. 11:45 From [D]@gmail.com Israel allows UNESCO mission into old Jerusalem A voice that will not be heeded! Diligent students of Bible prophecy recognize that the Image to the Beast is formed. How long now before Rev. 13:15-17 is fulfilled? We Need Less Religion in our Politics and Less Politics in our Religion ("Still, it must be acknowledged that American politics has crossed a line . . . ") Pope Francis gets off the mark with a defiant statement against the Bible, while the ecumenical embrace tightens, and international interest in the fate of Jerusalem continues unabated: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Francis: "The Word of God Precedes the Bible and Surpasses It" With highlights by the Contributor Pope Francis embodies the saint who talked peace with Muslims A made-in-Canada plan for Jerusalem No longer just activism - now many Statehouses are in the clutches of the Republican Party and the Church of Rome; and now it is relentless legislative action. Why? Because Roman Catholicism's opposition to abortion and birth control is based on two deadly dogmas - the Immortality of the Soul ("ensoulment") and the Immaculate Conception (Cf. Natural Law and Abortion): Kansas state legislature passes sweeping anti-abortion measures Kansas set to enact life-starts-"at fertilization" abortion law ("The Kansas bill comes on the heels of anti-abortion measures passing in states across the country, including one in Arkansas banning abortions in the 12th week of pregnancy and a law in North Dakota that sets the limit at six weeks." This appears to be a maneuver to bypass Israeli intransigence on settlement building and the Palestinians' refusal to negotiate unless there is a freeze. Is the way being opened to a breakthrough for Rome? (Dan. 11:45): From [D]@gmail.com - Palestinians kick off Jerusalem bid by ceding Holy Sites Custodianship to Jordan’s king (Cf. Barack Obama: Israeli settlement activity not constructive to peace) A local action - not a significant sign of progress, but a portent of the future large presence of the papacy in Jerusalem, as prophesied in Dan. 11:45: From [D]@gmail.com - Inauguration of Vatican Street in Jerusalem A once faithful watchman on the walls of Zion imbibing the wine of Roman Babylon - "How has the faithful city become a harlot" (Shall We Be Found Wanting?, Testimonies, Vol.8, p. 250; cf. ELLEN G. WHITE'S CHOICE OF WORDS ΤΟ DEFINE FINAL BETRAYAL OF THE SACRED ΤRUSΤ): Adventist Churches with Easter Events Increasing, Recognized by Official Media (Cf. Why the Easter Emphasis?) Carried along with the Romanist tide - willingly receiving religio-political indoctrination with a global dimension: Scholars to Address Social Justice and Peace Issues at Washington Adventist University (Cf. "A JESUIT POPE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND DARK SHADOWS FROM THE PAST" immediately below.) Note the identity of the scarlet-colored beast carrying the woman of Rev. 17:4-6: Rev. 12:3, and Rev. 17:3 - cf. EXEGESIS OF REVELATION -THE HARLOT AND THE BEAST) A JESUIT POPE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND DARK SHADOWS FROM THE PAST The goal is to broaden the papacy's embrace to include all nations of the world: From [D]@gmail.com - Pope Appeals for More Interreligious Dialogue Among the envoys of the nations to the Vatican, the Israeli envoy always stands out - the focus is on Palestine and Jerusalem: From [D]@gmail.com - Israeli ambassador formally invites pope to visit Jewish leaders misguided in their hopes that the Vatican archives might be opened - could what is there ever see the light of day? From [D]@gmail.com: As Jewish Leaders Meet With Pope, New Hopes On Pius XII Archives Cf. Pope Francis I Speaks on Holocaust, Israel and Jews in Only Book (It is certain that the drive will continue for a presence in Jerusalem and ecumenical unity) From [D]@gmail.com: Vatican: Pope Francis appreciated by Jews in Rome, Jerusalem An under the radar policy eroding the wall of separation between Church and State, and advancing implementation of the Roman Catholic Natural Law principle of Subsidiarity: Election 2012: Subsidiarity ("In our own time, the most obvious policy initiative to embody the principle of subsidiarity has been the Faith-based initiative begun by President George W. Bush and continued by President Obama. The idea behind the initiative is to empower local groups, including religious ones, to help address social problems, rather than adopt a one-size-fits-all federal approach.") Obama's stimulus pours millions into faith-based groups ("But the stimulus is also the largest-scale embodiment of what was, not long ago, a conservative priority: directing tax dollars to "faith-based initiatives," as President George W. Bush called them. . . . The story of the Obama administration's large-scale spending on faith-based groups has been largely untold, perhaps because it cuts so sharply across the moment's intensely partisan narrative.") The Vatican-Israeli dialogue continues unabated in the transition to a new papacy - From [D]@gmail.com: Vatican: Pope Francis appreciated by Jews in Rome, Jerusalem - "Pontiff, dialogue now. On the 19th inauguration of pontificate" The following relate to extremes of permissiveness on the one hand, and politicization on the other, both deadly foes of the Christian gospel of salvation from sin: THE CORROSIVE INFLUENCE OF PERMISSIVENESS? Concurrently, forces of religious intolerance have been unleashed over a generation of time and are now nearing complete fulfillment of Rev. 13:11-17 - up-to-date facts of history describing the decline of America from a proudly upheld standard of separation of Church and State to delusional Theocracy, deceiving Christians who are heedless of the prophetic Word: The GOP and the Christian Right: A Viral March to Irrelevance; Highlighted copy (A title reflective of the reaction in society at large towards the hypocritical Christian Right, yet not a predictor of their ultimate success in establishing theocracy "The messages of the Republican Party are those as delivered by the protégés of the Christian Right. At this point it really doesn't matter which was the host and which the carrier, for one cannot separate itself from the other. Both the Republican Party and the Christian Right are suffering from a virus that, like all viruses, will simply have to run its course, which I don't see happening any time soon." (Bible prophecy predicts that the virus is here to stay, with increasing virulence.) Note this statement carefully; it reveals one of the snares set for the unwary - "Clearly the great majority of those surveyed who consider themselves evangelical would define 'Christian values' in keeping with the Christian Right standard of unacceptable sin, e.g. primarily homosexuality. Such is clearly a bi-product of Christian church leadership instilling in their congregations a political, rather than biblical, mission agenda." (The true nature of this agenda is revealed in the Scriptures; we have not been left without guidance. The warnings are unmistakably clear; yet an astonishing number of sincerely misguided Christians have jumped onto the bandwagon.) America's Religious Right: Saints or Subversives? (5-Part essay on historical and contemporary personalities and events advancing the cause of totalitarian religion) The crusade against Big Government rages, and it is a crusade to impose "Subsidiarity" on the nation. Subsidiarity is an organizing principle of Roman Catholicism's Social Doctrine. "Limited Government" is on a roll in the "Sequester" crisis. The first Beast of Revelation 13 has dug his claws into the governance of the nation (United States,) and will not let go this side of eternity: Federal budget debate brings new attention to church's social teaching ("Prominent in the debate are the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity and the common good. Wisconsin Republican Rep. Paul Ryan, a Catholic, has repeatedly cited the principles in recent weeks as justification for the fiscal year 2013 budget plan he drafted, which was approved by the House of Representatives March 29 [2012] in a largely party-line vote." Kevin Schmiesing: Catholic Social Teaching and the Sequester ("In a story about looming budget cuts associated with the federal sequestration, Acton Research Fellow Kevin Schmiesing was called on by Aleteia to suggest 'ways Catholic social teaching might be used to guide the cuts.' Schmiesing pointed out that the 'cuts' are really only a slow-down in the rate of growth in federal spending.'") Rep. Paul Ryan: Catholic ‘subsidiarity’ rejects ‘big government’ Subsidiarity's Ecclesiastical History ("It is worth expanding on Paul Ryan's explication of the principle . . . Not that the church understands subsidiarity as a substitute for capitalism. The church has never denied that self-interest and competition have a vital economic function. Rather, that the principle calls for individual responsibility within a framework of social premises. So, for example, Pius XI would declare, in 1931, that capitalism 'is not to be condemned. And surely it is not vicious of its very nature' (Quadragesimo Anno, 101.") Is the Default Position Shifting to Subsidiarity? ("It remains true that concern for the poor and marginalized must be a significant political priority, reflected in how we conceive and use government. But what too many Catholics missed for much of the twentieth century was that solidarity is not really a political virtue at all, whereas subsidiarity is.") Concordat Watch: Subsidiarity ("This anti-government principle has been take[n] over by opponents of the state, those whose interest is primarily financial. In the US the rightwing Republican Party made plans to transfer social programmes from the federal government to the states. This was expected to weaken them, since the states are far more captive than the federal government to special interests, both commercial and religious, and they have far less oversight by government inspectors and journalists.") But on one aspect of this article note Lev. 18:22 and Rom. 1:26-27, the rejection of which sweeping the world is also a sign of the end time. On Subsidiarity as a principle, note An excellent portrayal of hypocrisy) Further informative reading: Subsidiarity Over Social Justice ("We’re hearing a lot about 'social justice' lately. If only we heard half as much about 'subsidiarity.' When it comes to truly helping the needy, few words are so instructive. Unfortunately, very few Catholics have even heard of this core Catholic social-economic teaching;") The Right’s ‘Limited Government’ Scam. "Everyone believes in 'limited government' – unless you’re a totalitarian or a fan of absolute monarchies. Liberals, conservatives, socialists, free-market ideologues and pretty much everyone in between believe in limitations of government power. The point of having a constitution is to set the limits and rules for a government. That is what the Framers did with the U.S. Constitution in 1787. They set limits, but they also vastly expanded the central government’s powers, a fact that today’s Right doesn’t want to acknowledge." SDAs - A warning whose time has come: When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf . . . THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN UPHEAVAL EXCERPT: Catholics in crisis ("Not every Catholic is troubled by the church’s dwindling membership. According to some conservative priests and thinkers, the sex scandals and conflicts with the Vatican have shaken out the fair-weather believers. The conservatives want a return to the Latin Mass and an end to challenges to the Vatican’s authority. A return to tradition would likely result in 'a smaller but much more fervent and evangelizing church,' says the Rev. John McCloskey, a former Wall Street executive who’s an outspoken advocate of the traditionalist movement." There is obviously more to fear from a "lean and mean" Roman Catholic Church than from a popular one. The dwindling population of Roman Catholics in Europe and the United States is meaningless in connection with Rome's rise to world domination. She has always operated at the highest governmental levels, AND the sure Word of Prophecy identifies the United States, in her role as "the False Prophet," as the nation which "causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed" (Rev. 13:12) last part.) Rome's dwindling active membership in the USA is more than counter-balanced by the fervor of the apostate Protestant Christian Right. The central birth control struggle continues - New Round, Old Fight - Why The Religious Right Rejects The Obama Compromise Over Birth Control ("An issue that had been dormant for many years suddenly sprang to life. It’s now being seriously argued that an individual’s private decision to use birth control somehow offends the alleged religious liberty rights – and the “conscience” – of giant corporations. The most amazing thing about this argument is that some courts are taking it seriously.") 'Conscience', Contraception And The Court The Birth Control Battle - Courts Must Safeguard Religious Liberty For All ("The Roman Catholic hierarchy and its Religious Right allies are trying to deny millions of Americans access to safe and affordable birth control. Disturbingly, they’re using a distorted definition of religious liberty to do it.") Cf. A. T. Jones on the Papacy and America A prominent spokesman for the Religious Right and the Republican Party - Senator Calls For Federal Subsidy Of Religious Schools The headlines confirm the sure Word of prophecy (Dan. 11:45): From [D]@gmail.com - Despite progress, work remains for next Pope on Israel-Vatican ties With highlight by the Contributor A Seat for the Pope at King David's Tomb (" The Church has long been working to reduce Jewish rights in Jerusalem and in the Old City. Now, after the Muslim Waqf authority expelled the Christians from the Temple Mount and turned it into a mosque, it’s the turn of the Vatican to lay its hands on the Jewish Jerusalem.") Israeli Prime Minister preparing to bow to the inevitable? Israel dares not buck the nations that are allying with the papacy - Netanyahu Thanks Pope Benedict for Improving Ties With Jews and Israel The papacy maneuvers carefully, under a cloak of secrecy, between the Muslims and the Israelis as she advances steadily towards her goal revealed in the sure Word of Prophecy - Dan. 11:45: From [D]@gmail.com - Jordan condemns alleged deal between Israel and Vatican over Jerusalem; ("Jordan's Minister of Endowment and Islamic Sanctuaries and Affairs, Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Abbadi, has condemned reports by Israeli newspapers which assert that a historic deal between Israel's Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vatican Representative in the Holy Land was ratified on the 29th of the last month") Israel's chief rabbi praises pope, wishes him good health A dagger poised to strike a death-blow to the heart of an already flawed democratic process in America - and it is probably unstoppable; if successful, a Republican president will be poised to usher in the fulfillment of Rev. 13:15-17: GOP Vote Rigging 2013: Why the Republican Plan to Gerrymander the Electoral College Could Destroy Democracy; ("While I have written elsewhere about the problems with the current system, Columbia University statistics and political science professor Andrew Gelman writes of the 2012 election, 'Romney needed about 50.5% of the national two-party vote to have had a 50/50 chance of winning in the Electoral College.' He notes that this is certainly a bias that should be fixed. However, Professor Gelman continues, 'in contrast, the bias that would ensue if the electoral vote were conducted via congressional districts — that would be huge.'")
GOP Vote Rigging Stalls in Virginia and Florida but Pushes On in
Wisconsin and Michigan -- Why?; ("These electoral vote-rigging
proposals come after a 2011-2012 term where Republicans proposed
restrictive voter ID and registration requirements to suppress
Democratic turnout, legislation which can be traced back to "model"
bills from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC has
also lobbied against efforts to implement a national popular vote to
replace the electoral college system which, of course, is currently
being rigged for partisan gain.") The fatal flaw in the following address by Jonathan Cahn is the claim of a parallel between Ancient Israel and America. The United States was not established as a theocracy by God or man - rather the contrary. The representation by prophecy is a separation of Church and State (a lamblike Beast with two horns, Rev. 13:11, first part;) but the character of the Beast changes - Rev. 13:11-17 (cf. The Image to the Beast; The Forming of the Image To the Beast Is It Now Accomplished?) Jonathan Cahn's is a voice of the Image to the Beast: From [s1]@bigpond.com, attention was directed to the following - Jonathan Cahn's Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast Message Transcript (Annotated) Jonathan Cahn's Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast Message Transcript (Web link to another transcription) "So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures." Great Controversy, p. 593 And from the desk of Webmaster - President Obama correctly states, "Our goal should not be to declare our policies as biblical. It is God who is infallible, not us," but he is not exempt from criticism for his embrace of the language and trappings of religion in governance (union of Church and State/the Image of the Beast.) National Prayer Breakfast: President Obama’s speech transcript Discovered online on this date, February 9, 2013 - Adventist Review: Notes From a Papal Observer ("We have seen video images of three U.S. presidents—two past, one present—kneeling in apparent homage before the bier of Pope John Paul II. We have seen an emerging confederacy between politically active Catholic and Protestant forces in the United States. It seems not to have shaken many Adventists to read Chuck Colson’s comments in the national media: 'In truth the gulf between Catholics and Protestants, opened by the Reformation, has been bridged.'") (Cf. Bush in Rome: Extraordinary Scene; JPII on bier;.Bush Says He Sees God in Eyes of Pope) The hour is late, VERY LATE!! Apostate Protestantism adopted the spurious methods of interpreting Bible prophecy devised by Jesuits and blinded themselves to the identity of the Antichrist. Now they are in ever tighter embrace with the Church of Rome and are aptly identified in Bible prophecy as the False Prophet (Cf. Mark of the Beast): From [I]@yahoo.com - U.S. Roman Catholic Church And Protestant Denominations Agree To Recognize Each Other's Baptisms ("Currently, the Protestant churches recognize Roman Catholic baptisms, but the Catholic church does not always recognize theirs. The mutual agreement on baptisms, a key sacrament in the churches, has been discussed between denominational leadership for seven years and hinges in part on invoking trinity of the "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" during the baptism." "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" in Roman Catholic dogma contradicts the revelation of the Godhead in the Bible. Cf. Our Wonderful God.) The catch is that these religious institutions receive government funding in violation of the Constitution, and should not expect exemption from government policy: From [D]@gmail.com - Obama administration offers new 'compromise' on HHS mandate (Cf. The Right Way to Accommodate Religious Objections to the Contraception Coverage Mandate) The inexorable march of events - Daniel 11:45 looms ahead: From [D]@gmail.com - Vatican: Holy See-Israeli Commission meets in Jerusalem Israel, Vatican edge closer to resolving property, tax disputes The Beasts of Revelation 13 have begun to bare their fangs of late; but the ecumenical fever continues unabated, and the Middle East plays a central role (Cf. Astonishing Dimension of the Ecumenical Movement): From [D]@gmail.com - Pope: peace through dialogue for Holy Land and the Christians who live there ("May the Middle East, 'so important in God's plan of salvation, be led, through constructive dialogue and cooperation, to a future of justice and lasting peace.' Today's meeting with members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, gave the Pope occasion to renew his hopes for peace in the Holy Land and for the ecumenical journey.") Pope: Historical divisions among Christians one of the most serious sins that disfigure Church ("Experts often say that the ecumenical momentum in Churches - especially non-Catholic ones- is fading. But Benedict XVI fondly remembers 'the vigil I celebrated about a month ago, in this square, with thousands of young people from across Europe and the ecumenical community of Taizé: a moment of grace in which we experienced the beauty of being one in Christ.'") There is a saying that "when the big wind blows, the tree must bend of break." The big wind is Rome - the tree is the Israeli government's policy on Jerusalem, which impedes Rome's agenda (Dan. 11:45): From [D]@gmail.com - London warns of ‘perfect Mideast storm,’ calls for intense peace push UK: Next Israeli government has last chance for two-state deal More on the peace process and the status of Jerusalem: From [D]@gmail.com - Israeli Ambassador to Holy See on papal discourse to diplomats (On the subject of Jerusalem, which Pope Benedict described as a “prophecy, a city of peace and not division,” Ambassador Evrony reiterates his country’s position claiming the city as the “united” capital of Israel. “Jerusalem of course will be one of the issues that will have to be resolved - the future of Jerusalem - through negotiations.”) With highlights by the Contributor The fulfillment of Luke 21:24 promises the Second Coming of Jesus within one generation (vv. 25-28, 32.) With 1980 being the latest date for the completed fulfillment of the prophecy, time is fast running out as confirmed by the following events: From [D]@gmail.com Fed up, Obama says Israel ‘doesn’t know its own best interests’ Britain and France 'spearheading new Middle East peace plan' These two reports clearly point to an accelerated pace towards fulfillment of Dan. 11:45, the prophecy which precedes an avalanche of prophetic climaxes described in Isa. 2, Rev. 17-18, Dan. 12:1, and the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ in Rev. 19 (Cf. Rome is determined; Related evidence of Rome's impatience with Israeli intransigence.) From the desk of Webmaster: The following is predictive of a final dictatorship by an intolerant minority against both the majority and minority rights of Liberal Democracy (Cf. Majority Rule/Minority Rights: Essential Principles; A different view: God’s law, not majority rule, guarantees democracy and rights, says Pope): RNC's Priebus Proposes to Rig Electoral College so Losing Republicans Can 'Win' Playing Constitutional Hardball with the Electoral College Cf. Related actions of Republican Legislatures and activists Entry revised on June 13, 2015 Some history on Vatican-US diplomatic relations:- From [D]@gmail.com: From the archive, 11 January 1984: Vatican and US to establish full diplomatic relations The Vatican announced yesterday that the United States will have full diplomatic relations with the Holy See for the first time since 1867. . . On hearing a rumour that the Pope was going to forbid American Protestants to hold services within Rome's city walls - services which were already being clandestinely held in private homes - the US Congress passed a resolution in 1867 saying that no federal funds could be used to maintain a diplomatic mission in Rome. . . Cf. The following critically important history and analysis:- Without the Ranch, Reagan's son Michael once said, "the [Berlin] Wall still stands." And without Bill Wilson, the United States would still be stuck in 1867, the year Congress repealed funds for diplomatic relations with the Vatican. That didn't stop Reagan from appointing his friend Bill as a Personal Representative of the President to the Holy See in February of 1981. He even complained in his diary that the State Department was too slow in processing the appointment and suggested that someone ought to "get off his ass" and get this done. Reagan then maneuvered his way through a Democratic Congress to establish full diplomatic relations with the Holy See and elevated Wilson to Ambassador. Reagan was anxious to meet the newly elected Pope John Paul II and wanted Wilson to help develop a historical relationship. In June of 1982, Reagan and the Pope sat alone in the Vatican Library for almost an hour discussing their "divine mission." Reagan said to the Pope of their surviving assassination attempts: "Look how the evil forces were put in our way and how Providence intervened." As Paul Kengor explains in his spiritual biography God and Ronald Reagan, "Reagan and the Pope translated their divine mission into a practical mission to maintain Solidarity." A close Cardinal to the Pope admitted that "the Holy Father and the President committed themselves and the institutions of the church and America to such a goal." Reagan and Wilson sought, and received, the Vatican's invaluable participation in assigning the Soviet Union to the ash heap of history. One sentence began US-Vatican relations; Only Helms objected Repeal of that 1867 prohibition took a single, very long sentence: Public Law 98-164 Sec. 134. In order to provide for the establishment of United States diplomatic relations with the Vatican, the Act entitled "An Act making Appropriations for the Consular and Diplomatic Expenses of the Government for the Year ending thirtieth June, eighteen-hundred and sixty-eight, and for other purposes", approved February 28, 1867, is amended by repealing the following sentence (14 Stat. 413): "And no money hereby or otherwise appropriated shall be paid for the support of an American legation at Rome, from and after the thirtieth day of June, eighteen-hundred and sixty-seven. Thus began America's unfortunate and formal diplomatic recognition and reciprocity with the Holy See. THE VATICAN IN WORLD POLITICS (This is an out of print book online. The entire book is profoundly informative; but for present purposes, search internally for the chapter on THE VATICAN AND THE UNITED STATES.) (Cf. Making America Catholic.) The following is a Roman Catholic perspective (legislative, judicial, and educational actions that the writer approvingly describes as "outstanding evidences of Church and State cooperation in the United States" have actually been violations of the constitutional separation of Church and State: Co-operation of Church and State - Part I In American Legislation (Cf. The Two Republics, by A. T. Jones, Chapters XXIV-XXVII)) Calculating statements and actions with an overriding objective - "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain" Daniel 11:45a: From [D]@gmail.com: Calling Jews 'enemies' is 'unacceptable,' Vatican spokesman says Mention of the campaign against abortion cannot be avoided at the beginning of another year. It continues aggressively as a manifestation of the influence, if not outright control, of the Roman Catholic Church over a Republican Party dominated by an unholy alliance of apostate Protestantism and Roman Catholicism (" . . . and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed," Rev. 13:12b.) Make no mistake about it; this involves worship ("Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey . . . ," Rom. 6:16a;) and the Mark of the Beast involves worship. Rome's current position (it has not been consistent) ignores both what is omitted and what is expressly countenanced in the Bible. Moreover, in the doctrinal positions of "ensoulment" and "limbo" are hidden the major dogmas of the "immortality of the soul," (the first and great lie of Satan,) and the Immaculate Conception. It is too easy to allow emotion to govern our thinking, rather than the facts of the Bible and history (Cf. Natural Law and Abortion; Overview: Evolution of Roman Catholic positions on abortion) - Early reports on legislation and statistics: Virginia Abortion, Contraception Bills Proposed In New Legislative Session About 40 abortion restrictions OKd in '12 Some important history. What will be the course of events in 2013?: From [D]@gmail.com: This Week in History: Israel, Holy See forge ties Bookmarked Entries SAVIOUR For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17.) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matt. 12:36); JUDGE And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (Mark 6:11); For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation[Gr. judgment]; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:22-30); And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. (John 9:39); Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:31-32.) (Underscored emphasis added.) HOLY SPIRIT Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:7-14.) THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CHRIST And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16-18) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matt. 28:20.) (Underscored emphasis added; cf. Cumbered with humanity.) CHRIST WITHIN . . . for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you . . . (John 14:17) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. . . . And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:23, 26.) (Underscored emphasis added.) HOLY SPIRIT AS INTERCESSOR Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. . . . Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:26-27, 34; underscored emphasis added.) The pattern of convergence and cooperation between Evangelicals and Catholics is, in large part, a result of common effort to protect human life, especially the lives of the most vulnerable among us. With the Founders, we hold that all human beings are endowed by their Creator with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The statement that the unborn child is a human life that-barring natural misfortune or lethal intervention-will become what everyone recognizes as a human baby is not a religious assertion. It is a statement of simple biological fact. That the unborn child has a right to protection, including the protection of law, is a moral statement supported by moral reason and biblical truth. We, therefore, will persist in contending-we will not be discouraged but will multiply every effort-in order to secure the legal protection of the unborn. Our goals are: to secure due process of law for the unborn, to enact the most protective laws and public policies that are politically possible, and to reduce dramatically the incidence of abortion. We warmly commend those who have established thousands of crisis pregnancy and postnatal care centers across the country, and urge that such efforts be multiplied. As the unborn must be protected, so also must women be protected from their current rampant exploitation by the abortion industry and by fathers who refuse to accept responsibility for mothers and children. Abortion on demand, which is the current rule in America, must be recognized as a massive attack on the dignity, rights, and needs of women. Abortion is the leading edge of an encroaching culture of death. The helpless old, the radically handicapped, and others who cannot effectively assert their rights are increasingly treated as though they have no rights. These are the powerless who are exposed to the will and whim of those who have power over them. We will do all in our power to resist proposals for euthanasia, eugenics, and population control that exploit the vulnerable, corrupt the integrity of medicine, deprave our culture, and betray the moral truths of our constitutional order. (From Evangelicals & Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium) The Republican Party is at war with itself. It's divided over how best to shrink the federal budget and how to undo President Obama's healthcare law. It hasn't been notably successful at either, which helps explain why the GOP's standing in the eyes of most voters has plummeted to depths not seen in three decades of modern polling. None of this was planned, of course; parties don't flirt with political suicide on purpose. But it wasn't accidental either. Behind the GOP crackup over the government shutdown lies a much bigger battle for control of the party. On its surface the Tea Party movement snugly fits this pattern. An organized grass-roots revolt, its influence was decisive in the 2010 elections, when an energized base propelled Republicans to enormous gains in the House, helped secure Senate victories for fresh faces like Rand Paul and Marco Rubio and captured as many as 700 seats in state legislatures. The movement drove the Republican agenda to the right, making stars of legislators like Senator Jim DeMint and Representative Paul Ryan, and did much to [shift the political debate from the jobless recovery to the growing national debt. . . INTELLECTUALS were instrumental as well in the next great conservative insurgency, Ronald Reagan’s challenge to President Gerald R. Ford in 1976. The campaign drew on arguments in books like Mr. Rusher’s “The Making of a New Majority Party,” Kevin Phillips’s “Mediacracy” and Patrick J. Buchanan’s “Conservative Votes, Liberal Victories.” Each posited that the blue-collar Democratic constituency rooted in the New Deal had grown increasingly conservative, alienated from “big government.” Parallel arguments could be found in The Public Interest, the policy quarterly that specialized in rigorous [critiques of federal antipoverty initiatives and pension fund “socialism.” How the Tea Party broke the Constitution The tea party's rapid-response activism and the constant threat of primary challenges has made it difficult for Republican members of Congress to exercise the kind of independent judgement the Founders envisioned. That is producing a kind of slow-motion constitutional crisis, as our elected leaders find it harder and harder to reach the compromises necessary to keep the system functioning. (Cf.The constitution as it reads was made for the direct purpose of opposing Rome.) The “Tea Party” Movement and Its Misuse of History The Revolution established elected government in America; after that, the militant methods of 1773 no longer applied. There were, to be sure, tax revolts after the Revolution – but most Revolutionary leaders condemned them. Taxes were now passed by majority consent through elected legislative assemblies, and were binding on majority and minority alike: extra-legal risings such as the tea action were no longer considered legitimate. Many, of course, from the founding era on up, complained that taxes were too high, or that government was getting too big and too intrusive. But the Revolution had changed everything: government policy was determined by majorities of the people’s representatives. Those out of power have always had every right to challenge policies they dislike. Yet the route to redress was now through elections and the courts. Dissenters could not deny the legitimacy of elections they disapproved, or reject the rule of law because they disagreed with the majority’s decisions. It would surely be well if senior politicians such as Boehner considered these facts, before tossing around words like “rebellion.” The “Tea Partiers” openly and proudly denounce our elected leaders as socialists, fascists, foreigners, and a good deal more besides. Defining themselves and their sympathizers as the only “real” Americans, they want a veto over the will of the actual voting majority. The leaders and thinkers of the American Revolution would have no tolerance for such tactics. (Cf. It is too easy to indulge in wishful thinking) The Sign of the End of Time Excerpt:
As this period neared its end, Jimmy Carter was in the White
House. When Pope John Paul II visited the United States in 1979, the
President invited him to the White House. "It was the first time, not
only that a pope has visited the White House, but the first time any
pope had called on a governmental leader anywhere." (RNS, Oct. 6, 1979)
Here on the North Lawn, Protestant, Baptist Jimmy Carter clasped hands
with the Roman Catholic Pontiff, symbolized in Bible Prophecy as "the
little horn" of Daniel 7; the second phase of "the abomination of
desolation" of Daniel 8, and the wounded but restored head of the beast
of Revelation 13. In welcoming the pope, Carter said, "I welcome you to
the White House the symbolic home of all our people. On behalf of every
American of every faith, I also welcome you into our nation's heart."
(ibid.)
At the largest reception of the Carter administration, and
possibly the largest ever held at the White House, attended by
representatives of all three branches of the American government, the
pope, at the conclusion of the reception, surprised the assembled
dignitaries and guests by saying, "The pope wants to bless you -- with
the permission of the President of the United States."
(ibid.) Such an apostolic blessing by the
pope for United States governmental officials would not have been
possible a decade earlier.
An interesting correlation between this event, coming near the
close of the achri hou of Luke
21:24 in 1980, and 1967 is the fact that Jimmy Carter stated, prior to
his election, "In 1967, I had a profound religious experience that
changed my life." ("Carter and Religion," Oroville, CA,
Mercury Register, May 7, 1976) 1And after these things I saw
four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four
winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on
the sea, nor on any tree. 2And I saw another angel ascending
from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he What Does “Hold! hold! hold! hold!” Mean? Revelation 7:1: And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a voice of deep pity cried, "My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!" Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, "Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads." I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go; but while their hands were loosening, and the four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed, and He raised His hands to the Father and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels and bid them hold, until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads. (Early Writings, p. 38) M. Blowitz has said that Pope Leo XIII was engaged " in open conflict with him who seemed to everyone to be the giant of contemporary politics," and that the Pope once said to him in conversation : "Bismarck is a power, but so I am a power. Only, his power is perishable, for he seeks it in himself, while mine is imperishable, because I seek it in Him Who can not perish, and yet Bismarck refuses to recognize that fact. . . . He and I, however, if he did but escape this error, could do great things, and bring about among men that peace on earth of which they have so vast a need." VIII. There is an old question that is magnificent in its absurdity: "If an irresistible force were to meet an immovable body, what would result?" Bismarck had thought himself irresistible : he proved at last that he was not, when he met the immovable conscience of the Papacy. He might grant some of the Pope's requests, if only the obnoxious Cardinal Ledochowsky were exiled from the Vatican. Non possumus, came back the firm reply. "I can not drive into exile, from this place where he has found shelter, a prince of the Church, and, at such a [price], purchase the good graces of Germany by an act of condescension unworthy of the Vicar of Jesus Christ." Narfon, in his Life of Pope Leo, says that the Protestant Geffckcn remarks : "The Church could wait, but the Chancellor became ever more anxious for the end." Eventually, in 1884,Bismarck,who had solemnly declared, four years previously, that any revision of the May Laws was impossible, was obliged to consider seriously their revision. He took refuge in an assertion that "other hands" had spoiled the great plan conceived by him; but, as (Geffcken shrewdly observes, that was Bismarck's usual excuse when events disappointed his hopes and upset his carefully contrived combinations. Geffcken facetiously urges the ex-chancellor to do homage to the truth, and reveal to the world whose were the " other hands." As a matter of fact, one oppressive and subversive law after another was abolished in Germany by the very man who had framed them, and the Church stood forth again, from persecution, prison and exile, in glorious triumph and splendid strength. "No real statesman," said Bismarck in open Parliament, " desires to make combat with a permanent institution."' He might have added, with the Abbe Guillemin, in emphatic words: "How struggle against a resistance that has its foundation and its resources in conscience ? " The brave Centre had remained loyal to Catholic principle, ever guided by their bishops and their bishops' great leader at Rome. Calmly, prudently, patiently, the Pope had kept his eye on all sides of the momentous conflict, — conciliatory to the government in matters that admitted of toleration, but firm as adamant where doctrine and principle and necessary ecclesiastical administration were concerned ; always superbly courteous and self-restrained, governed by higher rules than those of courts, the law of God. And the Pope conquered at last. POPE LEO XIII. AND THE KULTURKAMPF The prophetic Word of God reveals the delusive nature of the Pope's statement: Within the Roman Catholic Church the "presence" is not that of Jesus Christ, but of His antagonist in the Conflict of the Ages - Identity of the Dragon, the power behind the papal throne - "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Rev. 12:9;) "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies . . ." (Rev.13:2-5.) Believed by billions to be a Saint, the Apostle Paul exposes what lies behind the facade - "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; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God . . . And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2 Thess. 2:3-4, 8-9.) (Cf. The Spirit Speaketh Expressly "The word translated "Wicked," in the Greek is anomos, and is defined by Thayer in this instance as "he in whom all iniquity has fixed its abode." Fenton translates the ninth verse stating - "This outlaw's arrival will be accompanied by the energy of Satan with all powers, and signs, and terrors of falsehood." Here is an example of the deceptive power of apostasy. The Bible describes the man clothed in white as he in whom all iniquity has fixed its abode, yet millions hail him as the "holy father." It is the deception that will take the world captive. But why? Paul states clearly why. Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.") Pope Francis is a Jesuit, and they were all Jesuits who laid the foundation for the great deception by destroying belief in the Word of God, and especially the prophetic Word which condemns the Papacy as the representative of Satan - Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, known for simplicity and conservatism lists the iniquitous achievements of the Jesuits, including "Preterism" (Jesuit Luis de Alcasar) and "Higher Criticism" (Jesuit Alfonso Salmeron.) Glaringly omitted is "Futurism" (Jesuit Francisco Ribera.) Why? Obviously because Futurism is the underpinning of Dispensationalism, which became increasingly popular for the interpretation of Bible prophecy by Protestants from the time of John Nelson Darby and the Plymouth Brethren movement in the 19th century. Dispensationalism has spawned other unbiblical ideologies which deceive millions of Christians. Escape all of the tentacles of deadly error but one (Futurism,) and you are still fatally ensnared! Still, it must be acknowledged that American politics has crossed a line, perhaps with Jimmy Carter, perhaps with Ronald Reagan, perhaps when the Democrats “got religion” after the stinging Kerry defeat in 2004. We now have two religious parties in the United States, with Democrats and Republicans alike working to connect the dots between their public policies and the teachings of the Bible. Likewise, religious organizations and leaders are shading over into politics, mostly on the right but also on the left. There are a few ways out of this overabundance of religion in our political life. I have been arguing for some time that an injection of religious literacy into our body politic would inoculate our civic space against many of the silly religious arguments that pervade our public square. If U.S. citizens knew more about the Bible, would politicians still be able to get away with simplistic (and often erroneous) claims that their views on abortion or capital punishment or tax policy are “biblical”? But the best way to restore some church/state balance in our public life is for American citizens to say, “enough is enough”—something they may have been saying at the ballot box on November 6. The true nature of this agenda is revealed in the Scriptures Matt. 24: 11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. . . 24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25Behold, I have told you before. 2 Cor. 11: 13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Further indication that Rome is determined to undermine Jewish sovereignty over Jerusalem as she advances her own ambitions: From [D]@gmail.com: Palestine: Violating Vatican Vows (the author underrates the papacy) Not a "judenrein" (free of Jews) policy; but Rome's determination to advance to the pinnacle of power - she will have her way, and tolerates no opposition. The Israeli government's policy is an obstacle in the way of Rome's objective for Jerusalem - Israel's sovereignty must be limited: From [D]@gmail.com Op-Ed: EXPOSÉ: Is the Vatican the Palestinian Arab Spokesman?” 22 UN General Assembly Resolutions Targeted Israel This Year, 4 for Rest of World, Holocaust Revisionist Endorsed (Cf. A significant step) (Cf. PAPAL OBJECTIVE IN PALESTINE) Related evidence of Rome's impatience with Israeli intransigence: A significant step in the movement towards fulfillment of Daniel 11:45? Probably! An interesting correlation - only the Vatican has the same status of "non-member state." The following includes a contribution from [D]@gmail.com: Palestinians win de facto U.N. recognition of sovereign state Why the jubilant reaction of Rome? Clearly the Vatican sees a way around recalcitrant Israel to achieve its goal (Cf. Vatican, PLO approve accord on Jerusalem) ► Vatican praises new UN status for Palestine, urges full sovereignty Vatican Hails UN Palestinian State Vote, Calls For Special Status For Jerusalem (Cf. Roman Catholicism and Zionism are Irreconcilable - “We are unable to favor this movement. We cannot prevent the Jews from going to Jerusalem – but we could never sanction it. The ground of Jerusalem, if it were not always sacred, has been sanctified by the life of Jesus Christ. . . .") Immediate ramifications ► Palestinian Statehood at the UN Israel lashing out; Israel to build thousands of new homes in occupied West Bank but she is becoming increasingly isolated. Unwavering support by the United States has been strongly related to the Jewish vote; and even moreso, the influence of Christian Zionism on the Republican Party - "The 1980 Presidential election campaign found the Evangelicals joining the conservative wing of the Republican party, where over 80% swung to Reagan. The election of Ronald Reagan ushered in not only the most pro-Israel administration in history but gave several Christian Zionists prominent political posts." (from Beyond Armageddon, below) (Cf. Challenging Christian Zionism's Christian Zionism, Evangelicals and Israel, A Catholic Narrative of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict; but this is changing (Cf. Challenging Christian Zionism's Beyond Armageddon.) ► How Israel Lost Europe (What part did papal policy play in Europe's desertion?; cf. The European Union) Related actions of Republican Legislatures and activists:
After teaching the principle of double effect
last week, I had a student approach me this Thursday
questioning whether inducing labor in Danielle
Deaver’s case would qualify. My student said he was
“really disturbed that doctors wouldn’t induce labor
for a woman when both her and her unborn child were
experiencing such severe suffering. It seems cruel.”
. . . Nebraska’s Fetal Pain Bill bans abortion after 20 weeks on the relatively controversial basis that preborn babies can begin to feel pain at this point. What is not controversial is that Danielle Deaver gave birth, not to a fetus, but to a baby. The tragic circumstances surrounding her pregnancy do not change the fact that her baby’s humanity was undeniable. Nebraska’s law is in place as a reminder that her baby’s dignity, and all the rights attached to that dignity, must also not be denied. Foremost among these rights is the right to her own life, the right to not be killed. . . Theoretically, an induced labor in Danielle Deaver’s case could be justified under the principle of double effect. The object of the act is inducing the labor, with the foreseen but probable unintended consequence of resulting in the death of the baby. It is not clear, however, that the good would outweigh the evil. The good would presumably include less psychic turmoil for Danielle, but it is unclear what further good could be added to the equation in comparison to the way the pregnancy actually ended a little over a week later. An induced labor saves nobody’s life and does little to ease or prevent suffering. Danielle would still have to mourn the loss of her daughter, just a few days earlier. In fact, an induced labor could have resulted in more evil than good by precluding the possibility that the baby could reach a healthy stage of viability (this website is dedicated to such “miracle” instances). An induction in Danielle’s case does not seem to me proportionate. The good does not clearly outweigh the evil. More importantly, the principle of double effect should really only be used in extreme circumstances, when there are no alternative actions that are less morally questionable. In the case of the ectopic pregnancy, the mother’s life is in danger. In Danielle’s case, her life was not in danger. She was not in any extreme pain. It does not seem that the baby was suffering in any way that would have been solved by inducing labor. The less morally-questionable course of action seems to be exactly what the doctors and the Deavers did—wait it out and see what happens. It is important to reemphasize how tragic this case is. Most of us cannot imagine how Danielle must have felt when her water broke, when she realized she would have to continue carrying the pregnancy, and when she held her dying daughter in her arms. In debating this case, it is important that we do not judge the Deavers. But it does seem to me that the new law in Nebraska did exactly what it was supposed to do. It protected the dignity of Danielle’s baby and reminded us all that at 22 weeks, what is in question is not a fetus, but a person. A Message for Frequent Appearance.--In the twenty-first chapter of Luke Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem, and with it He connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of this world just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (CW 23-24) Luke 21: 24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. . . . 32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (See Biblical Research Institute Report on the Eleventh Chapter of Daniel) O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain. Isaiah 14 12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 2 1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. 6Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. . . 10Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty. 11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. 12For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: . . 17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. 18And the idols he shall utterly abolish. 19And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 20In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? Rev. 13 11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. Rev. 16: 13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. . . 16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. Rev. 17 1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6And 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. 7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 4These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. |
