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| Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew |
In the late 1st century A.D., the apostle John received an incredible vision from God that he recorded into what became known as the Apocalypse or the Book of Revelation. John's vision revealed the end times on earth concerning the rise of a one-world government and a powerful ruler who will be known as the Antichrist who will lead this government.
But that's not all John witnessed. He saw something else that was extremely unusual; a garishly dressed prostitute that sat high atop a huge red beast that possessed seven heads and 10 horns. (Revelation 17) John was familiar with the beast--it's symbolic for the future world government that will feature 10 nation groups headed by seven powerful kings who will be under the authority of the Antichrist.
But what about this mysterious woman? Who is she? John wrote this: "Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries." (Revelation 17:3-4)
Furthermore, John saw this message stamped on the woman's forehead: Mystery Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Prostitutes And Of The Abominations Of The Earth. (Revelation 17:5) And then, John wrote this: "I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus." (Revelation 17:6)
Who is this metaphorical woman? She represents a powerful religion that will be partnered with the global government. But what religion is this? John received an additional clue: The woman resides in a city that's surrounded by seven hills. (Revelation 17:9)
Only two cities fit that description: Rio de Janeiro that's located in Brazil and Rome that's located in Italy. The Vatican is located in Rome and is the world headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. When John recorded the Revelation in about 90 A.D., the Catholic Church didn't exist and wouldn't come into existence for another 250 years.
But that's not all. The colors of the harlot's dress--purple and scarlet--are the colors worn by the Roman Catholic priesthood. And Mystery Babylon? That's a moniker that the Catholic Church has used for centuries to describe herself. And the golden cup that she held in her hand resembles the golden chalice used in the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist.
Whose blood is this woman drunk with? The blood of Christian martyrs. For centuries, the Catholic Church persecuted many non-Catholic Christians who refused to join the church and serve the Roman papacy. During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church slaughtered tens-of-thousands of Albigensians and Waldensians for refusing to join the church.
How does all of this fit in the end times? Isn't the Catholic Church in decline? Hasn't she lost millions of members over the past 100 years? Indeed, she has. But she's going to recover. But how? Through an explosion of counterfeit miracles that will spread across the world and will eventually usher in the Antichrist.
When will this happen? We don't know. But we do know this; when the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox churches reunite after their 1,000 year separation, then the end will be near. Last fall (November 2014), Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met in Istanbul to discuss this inevitable reunion. Afterward, they indicated that the two churches are getting closer to reuniting.
And when that happens? The apostle Paul prophesied this: "The coming of the lawless one (Antichrist) will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
What's so significant about this reunification? It will open a prophetic door to the Antichrist. But how? He will come from Russia where the Orthodox Church holds great power. http://www.prophecyreviewonline.org/apps/articles/default.asp
And so, keep your eyes on the Catholic Church. She's going to play an important role in the rise of a world government, and in the Antichrist as well.
But that's not all. The colors of the harlot's dress--purple and scarlet--are the colors worn by the Roman Catholic priesthood. And Mystery Babylon? That's a moniker that the Catholic Church has used for centuries to describe herself. And the golden cup that she held in her hand resembles the golden chalice used in the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist.
Whose blood is this woman drunk with? The blood of Christian martyrs. For centuries, the Catholic Church persecuted many non-Catholic Christians who refused to join the church and serve the Roman papacy. During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church slaughtered tens-of-thousands of Albigensians and Waldensians for refusing to join the church.
How does all of this fit in the end times? Isn't the Catholic Church in decline? Hasn't she lost millions of members over the past 100 years? Indeed, she has. But she's going to recover. But how? Through an explosion of counterfeit miracles that will spread across the world and will eventually usher in the Antichrist.
When will this happen? We don't know. But we do know this; when the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox churches reunite after their 1,000 year separation, then the end will be near. Last fall (November 2014), Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met in Istanbul to discuss this inevitable reunion. Afterward, they indicated that the two churches are getting closer to reuniting.
And when that happens? The apostle Paul prophesied this: "The coming of the lawless one (Antichrist) will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
What's so significant about this reunification? It will open a prophetic door to the Antichrist. But how? He will come from Russia where the Orthodox Church holds great power. http://www.prophecyreviewonline.org/apps/articles/default.asp
And so, keep your eyes on the Catholic Church. She's going to play an important role in the rise of a world government, and in the Antichrist as well.
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