Syria in the end time last days prophecy
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Lasting Peace Only At Christs Return
The Times and Seasons
That is why when Jesus explained what was to happen before his Return, he very carefully emphasised the need for watchfulness. Sitting with his disciples one day on the Mount of Olives, from where he would later ascend to heaven, he gave them some general indications of what was to happen prior to his "coming and the end of the world" (Matthew 24:3). This prophecy presents a fascinating challenge, for it combines a short-term prediction about the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple, with a long-term forecast of world events.
That is why when Jesus explained what was to happen before his Return, he very carefully emphasised the need for watchfulness. Sitting with his disciples one day on the Mount of Olives, from where he would later ascend to heaven, he gave them some general indications of what was to happen prior to his "coming and the end of the world" (Matthew 24:3). This prophecy presents a fascinating challenge, for it combines a short-term prediction about the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple, with a long-term forecast of world events.
A list of the predicted events in the three Gospel accounts (Matthew 24, Mark 1 3 and Luke 24), which does not claim to be a structured sequence of prophetic events, shows the following:
- The rise of false Christianity and false Christs
- The persecution of true Christians.
- Wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation.
- Earthquakes, famines and pestilences.
- Jerusalem surrounded by armies.
- The Jewish nation dispersed.
- Jerusalem in non-Jewish occupation.
- Tribulation and distress.
- Signs in the sun, moon and stars.
- The powers of heaven shaken.
Notice how believers are warned about the rise and growth of false Christianity. It is the Lord's first concern. His words were fulfilled by the rapid development of wrong teaching in New Testament times (e.g. Acts 20:29), and are being fulfilled again at the close of this age. Elsewhere the message is that the true believers will comprise a very small remnant, compared with those who hold a distorted form of Christianity.
Antichrist
The apostles also warn about this development. Paul was emphatic that there would be manifestations of false Christianity, for he prophesied that the Day of the Lord:
The apostles also warn about this development. Paul was emphatic that there would be manifestations of false Christianity, for he prophesied that the Day of the Lord:
"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" (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4).
The apostle Paul describes the man of sin in language that refers back to the prophet Daniel, who accurately foretold the rise and fall of four empires that exercised power in the Middle East. He traced the development from them to a false religious system, involving the Holy Roman Empire and the papacy, that is opposed to Christ and his true followers. This is counterfeit Christianity, and the apostle Paul describes it as "the mystery of iniquity" which was already at work, and "a strong delusion".
The other thread of teaching in the Lord's catalogue of future events concerned trouble. There were to be wars and rumors of wars, both within and between nations; there would be natural disasters and widespread hardship, earthquakes, famines and epidemics; terrors and fearful sights would be in the heavens, causing much fear and distress. People would not know which way to turn for fear of what was about to happen on earth.
To some extent these problems are as old as man. The tendency to war against one another is evident even in the first book of the Bible, and famine features there too. But even within Bible history the atrocities of which man is capable become increasingly ugly, and since then even more widespread horrors have been seen. The powers now available to mankind are enough to make any sane person fear for the future. More than ever before, these words of Jesus are coming true:
"There shall be . . . upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men'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. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:25-27).
Tribulation
The reference to the sea and waves roaring, like others to signs in the sun, moon and stars, may be either symbolic or literal or some combination of both. The prophet Isaiah, for example, wrote about the wicked being "like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt" (57:20). Jesus may have been drawing upon such imagery to describe a world that was full of trouble because it was full of wickedness. He may also have been teaching us to look out for some upheaval of the physical order, like tidal waves, which would also be an indication of the end of the age. Certainly there have been many earthquakes and natural disasters over the past few years, all over the world. The apostle Paul described the whole world order as groaning and travailing in pain (Romans 8:22), like a woman waiting to be delivered of a child. It is thus evident that our present troubles are the birthpangs of a new and better world, soon to begin.
The reference to the sea and waves roaring, like others to signs in the sun, moon and stars, may be either symbolic or literal or some combination of both. The prophet Isaiah, for example, wrote about the wicked being "like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt" (57:20). Jesus may have been drawing upon such imagery to describe a world that was full of trouble because it was full of wickedness. He may also have been teaching us to look out for some upheaval of the physical order, like tidal waves, which would also be an indication of the end of the age. Certainly there have been many earthquakes and natural disasters over the past few years, all over the world. The apostle Paul described the whole world order as groaning and travailing in pain (Romans 8:22), like a woman waiting to be delivered of a child. It is thus evident that our present troubles are the birthpangs of a new and better world, soon to begin.
In both Testaments we are told that the tribulation that will come at the end of human government is the final herald of the Second Coming. It will be:
"a time of trouble such as never was" (Daniel 12:1);
"the time of Jacob's (Israel's) trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7);
"great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21).
"the time of Jacob's (Israel's) trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7);
"great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21).
Will the believers waiting for their Lord have to suffer this trouble, or will they be spared? The likelihood is that present-day believers will live through this time of trouble, indeed that they have already begun to do so. Jesus promised that for the elect's sake that time would be shortened (Mark 13:20). But those who finally stand approved before the Judge are those "which came out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14).
As that trouble increases, and God pours out His wrath upon the earth, there are indications that true believers will be sheltered from that outpouring. Isaiah describes the great shake-up of human society when God intervenes:
"Come, my people, enter into thy chambers. . . hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity" (24:18-23, 26:20,21).
We must therefore consider carefully what Jesus said:
"When these things (the signs of which he spoke) begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28).
We should not wait until total disaster has struck, and there is no escape route left. It is better to learn the lesson now, that this is the time immediately before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Nation of Sign
There is one great sign which removes all doubt concerning his imminent return. The nation of Israel is back occupying the land promised by God. The history of the Jewish nation has been a guide throughout the ages to the outworking of God's purposes. They were called as a special people, because of the great promises that had been made to their Fathers. They were given the right to occupy the land we now know as Israel, conditional upon their faithful obedience to God. They were the people whose kings occupied the throne of God's Kingdom on earth.
There is one great sign which removes all doubt concerning his imminent return. The nation of Israel is back occupying the land promised by God. The history of the Jewish nation has been a guide throughout the ages to the outworking of God's purposes. They were called as a special people, because of the great promises that had been made to their Fathers. They were given the right to occupy the land we now know as Israel, conditional upon their faithful obedience to God. They were the people whose kings occupied the throne of God's Kingdom on earth.
They forfeited these rights when, after centuries of indifference, they not only refused to accept the Lord Jesus as their Messiah, but were involved, with the Romans, in effecting his death by crucifixion. Because of that rejection, Jerusalem was overthrown. Throughout the intervening centuries Jews have wandered the earth as a stateless people, hated and persecuted almost everywhere they went, just as Scripture said they would be.
But Scripture also forecast a better future for this nation of sign, not because they would change their behavior and live to deserve better treatment, but because God would take pity on their plight and act to redeem them. He would remember the promises made of old to the Fathers and act to vindicate His great name. At the time of the end they would be brought back from the nations and once more be settled in their own land-the land of promise! So the prophets said:
| ISAIAH: | "The remnant shall return . . the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion" (10:21; 35:10). |
| JEREMIAH: | "He that scattered Israel will gather him" (31:10). |
| EZEKIEL: | "I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries . . . then shall they dwell in their land . . . yea, they shall dwell with confidence" (11:17; 28:25,26). |
| ZECHARIAH: | "I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem" (8:8). |
And so it came to pass. After nearly two thousand years of dispersion and down-treading, in 1948 the State of Israel was born by the decree of the United Nations, and in 1 967 the whole of Jerusalem was repossessed by Jews. It had taken all that time for the words of Jesus to be fulfilled:
"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" (Luke 21:24).
Everything now indicates that the Times of the Gentiles are rapidly drawing to a close and the Time of the Kingdom of God is once more at hand. The bringing together of troublous times and the return of the Jews to the Land removes any doubt. Shortly King Jesus will return to Jerusalem as World Ruler, to reign over Israel and over all nations. Of all the available Signs of the Times given by Jesus and the prophets, the establishment of Israel-the Nation of Sign-is the clearest witness that the End is now at hand.
Jews and Arabs to be United By Christ
What about Ishmael and the Arabs?
Will God ignore Ishmael? We have referred to the promises made to Ishmael's descendants: "I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful... I will make of him a great nation" (Genesis 17:20). Much of this has been fulfilled already: the Arabs have been prosperous and become a great multitude, contributing much to world culture. What hope is in store for them in the future?
Will God ignore Ishmael? We have referred to the promises made to Ishmael's descendants: "I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful... I will make of him a great nation" (Genesis 17:20). Much of this has been fulfilled already: the Arabs have been prosperous and become a great multitude, contributing much to world culture. What hope is in store for them in the future?
If, like any other people, Arabs acknowledge the God of Israel and the Lord Jesus Christ they will live alongside the descendants of Isaac and Jacob, helping to rebuild the economy of the area, benefiting from the blossoming of their deserts and sharing in the joys and blessings of the kingdom. Isaiah, for example, pictures Arabs and others bringing service and worship into Jerusalem:
"The multitude of camels shall cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD... And they shall call you, The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 60:6-14)
"In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria... Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed is Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance." (Isaiah 19:23-25)
Harmony and peace will, at last, come to the family of Abraham. The Middle East will be gloriously transformed.
But the promises extend more widely than to just the nations of the Middle East. God's purpose is something personal and vital to every one of us, of whatever nationality, if we wish to be part of the divine plan for the future. Jesus is the Saviour of men and women from every race, language and creed on earth - if they truly believe in him. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
No-one will be excluded, who changes his life to be a follower of Jesus Christ. God's plan is a world-wide plan of salvation: remember the promise that through Abraham "all families of the earth" will be blessed. That includes Gentiles and Jews. The apostle Paul was a converted and baptized Jew and he wrote to baptized Gentiles:
"As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ ... And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:27-29)
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
U.S.A The DEMISE OF A ' SUPER-POWER
U.S.A . . . DEMISE OF A ' SUPER-POWER '
Since 9/11 in 2001 , the United States has been accelerating towards disaster. The 9/11 Attack seemed to be a symbollic death-knell , signalling the ' beginning of the end ' for this world super-power. In the 12 years since , America has suffered an ever-increasing string of catastrophic natural disasters. From Hurricane Katrina to Superstorm Sandy , to record Wildfires , Droughts & Heatwaves ; to historic Blizzards & epic Floods ; & unprecedented Tornado seasons - it has seemed that America has literally been the subject of divine wrath ... & it HAS been !!!
There are two fundamental reasons for America's demise. Firstly , the United States has forsaken its roots. As a nation , it was founded on godly Bible-based values , its Founders , its Consititution & its Laws were established upon Biblical principles & tenets. In recent years , America has become a largely godless & secular society , having turned its back on God's Ways & embraced immorality & idolatry , such as materialism , humanism , promiscuity & liberality. As a nation , she is reaping what she has sowed.
Since 9/11 in 2001 , the United States has been accelerating towards disaster. The 9/11 Attack seemed to be a symbollic death-knell , signalling the ' beginning of the end ' for this world super-power. In the 12 years since , America has suffered an ever-increasing string of catastrophic natural disasters. From Hurricane Katrina to Superstorm Sandy , to record Wildfires , Droughts & Heatwaves ; to historic Blizzards & epic Floods ; & unprecedented Tornado seasons - it has seemed that America has literally been the subject of divine wrath ... & it HAS been !!!
There are two fundamental reasons for America's demise. Firstly , the United States has forsaken its roots. As a nation , it was founded on godly Bible-based values , its Founders , its Consititution & its Laws were established upon Biblical principles & tenets. In recent years , America has become a largely godless & secular society , having turned its back on God's Ways & embraced immorality & idolatry , such as materialism , humanism , promiscuity & liberality. As a nation , she is reaping what she has sowed.
U.S. FINANCIAL CRISIS & SEQUESTRATION
U.S. FINANCIAL CRISIS & SEQUESTRATION
After two costly wars in Iraq & Afghanistan , United States is war-weary & financially drained. Coupled with a ballooning $17 Trillion national debt & a big-spending Govt that is disinterested in financial responsibility - the USA is in the midst of the death rattles. It is no longer able to be the ' world's policeman '. It is BANKRUPT. The ongoing budgetary crises & political grid-lock has brought America to its knees , forcing severe cut-backs to its military & even forcing a withdrawal of one of its two aircraft carrier battle groups from the critical Persian Gulf region. Almost unthinkable given the volatile & crucial oil corridors there. Traditional foes around the world , Russia , China , Iran , North Korea , Syria & Islamists sense America's weakness & so we see these nations ' testing & challenging ' USA's declining global reach & influence. The Bible speaks of a coming time of ' global economic hardship ' just before ' the final conflict of nations '
The LORD maketh the earth empty & maketh it waste & turneth it upside down & scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. The earth mourneth & fadeth away, the world languisheth & fadeth away , ' the haughty people ' [ ' prideful ' USA ? ] of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof ; because they have transgressed the laws , changed the ordinance , broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath ' the curse ' devoured the earth & they that dwell therein are desolate : therefore ' the inhabitants ' of the earth are ' burned & few men left ' [ coming nuclear war ] - Isaiah 24 v 1-6
After two costly wars in Iraq & Afghanistan , United States is war-weary & financially drained. Coupled with a ballooning $17 Trillion national debt & a big-spending Govt that is disinterested in financial responsibility - the USA is in the midst of the death rattles. It is no longer able to be the ' world's policeman '. It is BANKRUPT. The ongoing budgetary crises & political grid-lock has brought America to its knees , forcing severe cut-backs to its military & even forcing a withdrawal of one of its two aircraft carrier battle groups from the critical Persian Gulf region. Almost unthinkable given the volatile & crucial oil corridors there. Traditional foes around the world , Russia , China , Iran , North Korea , Syria & Islamists sense America's weakness & so we see these nations ' testing & challenging ' USA's declining global reach & influence. The Bible speaks of a coming time of ' global economic hardship ' just before ' the final conflict of nations '
The LORD maketh the earth empty & maketh it waste & turneth it upside down & scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. The earth mourneth & fadeth away, the world languisheth & fadeth away , ' the haughty people ' [ ' prideful ' USA ? ] of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof ; because they have transgressed the laws , changed the ordinance , broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath ' the curse ' devoured the earth & they that dwell therein are desolate : therefore ' the inhabitants ' of the earth are ' burned & few men left ' [ coming nuclear war ] - Isaiah 24 v 1-6
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
History of false doctrines of Christendom
Departure from the Truth
dates are as accurate as possible
THIS PROCESS, WHICH BEGAN SOON AFTER
THE ECCLESIAS WERE FORMED
IN THE FIRST CENTURY AD,
WAS PROPHESIED IN THE WORD OF GOD
Some of these prophecies are set out in full below…
their fulfilment is illustrated by the facts following…
the dates are as accurate as possible by the records -
the facts are indisputable, and are readily accepted
by believers who are the modern-day equivalents of
those to whom Jesus spoke these wonderful words-
"But blessed are your eyes, for they see:
and your ears, for they hear"- Matthew 13v16.
As shown elsewhere we must be able to clearly identify &
witness against the apostacy which the word of God has
told us must arise...and any way in which this apostacy can
turn attention away from itself has been used - link to
'apocalypse'..'the Lord's day'-5th Vision. We can clearly
identify the modern-day equivalent of ancient Babylon, as
the apostacy is termed, in Revelation 17v5-
'MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER
OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH'.
The comment of the then head of the 'Roman Catholic
church',when in 1962 he welcomed sympathetic 'Protestant'
observers to the 21st 'Ecumenical Council', is a damning
identification of both parties when he stated the following-
"ROME WELCOMES YOU AS A MOTHER"
this harmonises with
"The Roman Church is
the Mother and Mistress of all the churches"
( 'Council of Trent' 1545-1563)
If Rome is the "mother"
who then are her "daughters"?
The family likeness is obvious, by the sharing
of false teachings, which came from paganism
("Babylon") via Rome- being dressed up in a
'Christian' garb to deceive the unenlightened-
which teachings include– "the trinity", "imm-
ortal souls", "a fallen-angel devil", etc. etc.
"Babylon" signifies'confusion'. Such confusion
is evident in these self-contradictory doctrines
which are totally opposed to the Scriptures.
"Mystery'' identifies the modern-day apostacy
with the"mystery" religion of Babylon, so well-
known to historians and Bible scholars. It is a
means which any hierarchy utilizes to retain
power by the use of fear of the unknown, which
only "the initiated leaders" can interpret.
And "the great" demonstrates the world-wide
expansion of this pagan-derived apostacy.
Link to 'Bible'- 'satan'- 'apocalypse'- 'foundation'.
Also link via 'Index' to 'God', 'spirit', 'mortal', 'devil', 'baptism'.
Further identification is evident with the adoption, under other
names, into the modern-day calendar, of "the goddess of fertil-
ity" and the "birthday" of "the sun-god"- link to page 2.
Those who desire to be saved must be separate from all this.
In 'The Two Babylons' Hislop clearly identifies the links between
the ancient pagan days of worship & the modern Catholic equi-
valents. Refer particularly to chapter iii-'Festivals', including the
9 month period between the feasts of 25 March&25 December.
See the gestative period of the harlot– below*
In the course of his comments Hislop states:
"To conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity,Rome, pursuing
its usual policy, took measures to get the Christian and Pagan fes-
tivals amalgamated, and, by a complicated but skilful adjustment
of the calendar, it was found no difficult matter, in general, to get
Paganism and Christianity– now sunk far in idolatry - in this, as in
so many other things, to shake hands"-page 105, 1969 edition.
prophecies of the apostacy
Matthew 24v4-13- "..And many false prophets shall rise, and
shall deceive many.. the love of many ("the many"-RV, Diag-
lott, John Thomas- i.e. 'the majority') shall wax cold. But he
that shall endure unto the end shall be saved".
Acts 20v26-32-"For I know this,that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them".
(Jesus prophesied of this- Matthew 7v15-20; John 10v12,13).
(Jude 4 testifies this process had then begun- "For there are
certain men crept in unawares..before of old ordained").
2nd Thessalonians 2v1-10- " ..the day of Christ..shall not
come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of
sin be revealed,the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalt-
eth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;
so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing him-
self that he is God..And now ye know what withholdeth that
he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity
doth already work; only he who now letteth will let ("only
there is one that restraineth now"- RV) until he be taken out
of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed..whom the
Lord..shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even
him, whose coming is after the working of satan (original =
'the satan'- link to 'satan')..because they received not the love
of the truth, that they might be saved".
(Note the prophecy of "the mystery of iniquity", later to be
fulfilled as "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT".
Also, the "man of sin", later to be fulfilled as the "man
child" and the "man"- Revelation 12v5; 13v18-see below-
the "one that restraineth", i.e. Pagan Rome was "taken out
of the way" in AD312-324, allowing "that wicked..man of
sin..(to) be revealed" at the head of the apostacy).
1st Timothy 4v1-3- "..in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils (orig. 'demons', supposed demi-gods); Speaking
lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from
meats, which God hath created to be received with thanks-
giving of them which believe and know the truth".
(Note the pagan 'demons' (demi-gods) have been replaced by
"patron saints"; priests are "forbidd(en) to marry"; meat is
not to be eaten on Fridays;all of which is absolute apostacy.
Daniel 11v39 (Hebrew)speaks of "the bazaars of the protect-
ors (guardians)"- prophesying of the apostate "churches" &
their"patron saints"- & the sale of "indulgences / penances"-
"with a strange god"- identified below as the Roman bishop).
The Roman bishop is "the god of protectors" Dan.11v38.
Link to page 2 - AD 375,600,787,995 re "patron saints"
AD 1190,1473 re "indulgences" etc.
2nd Timothy 4v2-4- "Preach the word..For the time will
come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables (Grk.'the fables').
THE FABLES AS PROPHESIED ARE SET OUT BELOW.
DEPARTURE FROM THE TRUTH– AS IT HAPPENED
Note-dates are as accurate as possible
AD33 The death and resurrection of Jesus. Then - the
outpouring of the spirit on the Day of Pentecost - the
early ecclesias formed- the beginning of the apostacy-
"the mystery of iniquity doth already work" (original
has connotations of WORKING INWARDLY, as with
the formation of a child). No longer " a chaste virgin un-
to Christ"2nd Corinthians 11v2, this corrupted "whore"
Revelation 17v2, impregnated with the seeds of apostate
formalism and pagan philosophy, carefully nurtured the
child from her harlotry within. The gestation period of a
woman is 280 days. In the Scriptures, 1 day represents
1 year in prophetic terms- cp Numbers 14v33,34; Ezek-
iel 4v4-6.This gestative period* ended after 10 day-years
of birth-pangs (persecution) in AD313 by a decree, & the
harlot-woman of the apocalypse gave birth- Rev.12v1-5.
Her "man child" Constantine began to set up in power
those who had left the Truth . These apostates were no
longer, as commanded, "strangers and pilgrims" (1st
Peter 2v11). They became power-brokers of the world!
In fact many of them took up arms in the service of Con-
stantine– defying Christ (Matt.5v38-48)- now "friend(s)
of the world..(and thus)..enem(ies) of God"- James 4v4.
From AD 312-324, Constantine consolidated his power
over the Roman Empire, and set up apostate Catholic
bishops over his subjects. Though nominally "Christian"
it was now in reality pagan- because it was founded
upon PAGAN TEACHINGS, and not scriptural truths.
Edward Gibbon, the noted historian, wrote that though
"Christianity" emerged triumphant, it was at the cost
of the adoption of many pagan teachings. Scripture corr-
oborates his independent testimony, as we have shown.
Remarkably, the "man child" (Constantine) was fully
revealed in AD324, when he became the sole ruler over
the Roman Empire, now to become 'Pagan-Christian'.
In AD330 he laid the foundations for his Eastern capi-
tal upon the soil of the Greek colony Byzantium, and
named it Constantinople. In this year also the Basilican
church of 'St. Peters' in Rome was erected. It was later
pulled down and replaced by the present edifice.
Another gestative period began, which was to end in
AD604-610, when the decrees of Phocas, then emperor,
finally established the bishop of Rome as the supreme
head over all Catholics. The "man of sin" was now fi-
nally revealed, as Paul had prophesied, that "he as God
sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is
God"-2nd Thess. 2v4;cp Dan.7v8,11,20,25;Rev. 13v5,6..
see proofs below, which could be greatly multiplied..
(we hesitate to record such blasphemies; however they
must be provided for the information of the viewer).
'If to serve God truly is to reign, while thou servest Leo thou
reignest; for Leo is God on earth'- App. to Roscoe's Leo X.
'All the kings of the west held the pope to be a God upon earth'.
- Gregory II, AD727.
'The Pope is God because the Vicar of God'
- Innocent, from his Decretals.
'It is certain that the Pontiff was called a God by the pious
prince Constantine: and it is manifest that God cannot be judged
by men..Our Lord God the Pope'- Canon Law, Gratian,12thC.AD
'The pope..the supreme judge of heaven and earth, the judge of
all..God himself on earth'- The 'New York Catechism'.
'We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty'-
the Great Encyclical Letters of Pope Leo XIII.
'For thou art the shepherd..thou art another God on earth'-
Mansi (ed.) in Sacrorum Conciliorum.
As noted elsewhere,we deny any legitimacy to such titles as "pope"
applied to mere mortal fallible men. "And call no man your father
upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven"- Matt.23
v9. And to assume the title of "God" is the height of blasphemy.
The Roman bishop promotes the above claims. And the "church"
admits her decrees would be "terrible presumption and blasphemy"
without the authority of Christ (Australian 'pastoral letter' 1962 ).
Link to 'foundation' explaining Matthew 16 & 18 for the refutation
of these blasphemies, and the real meaning of Christ's teaching.
Revelation 13v18** tells us that the "number" of the
"man" i.e. the "man of sin" prophesied by Paul, is 666#.
One of many titles used of or by the Roman bishop =
'Vicarius Filii Dei'-i.e. 'The Vicar of the Son of God'.
The total numerical value of these Roman letters = 666.
In addition, 'Lateinos' and 'The Latin Kingdom' when
given the Greek numerical equivalents add up to 666.
Latin clearly identifies the "man of sin" with Rome..
(..a pagan custom was to designate their "gods" by the
numerical equivalents of their names- the above iden-
tification therefore reveals Rome's pagan associations)
**note the connection between the "mark" and the "num-
ber" of the apostacy– Revelation 13v15-18– see page 2.
Further, note the prophecy of Daniel 7v8,20 re "the eyes of
(a) man" and the shocking fulfilment as "the holy see".
..ask yourself, are these things "just co-incidences"?
Or are they, in actual fact
the demonstration of the truth of Bible prophecy?
#concerning the number '6' link to the following-
'the Lord's day'-6th Vision-'structure'-'signs'-the 6th
The "mystery of iniquity" prophesied by Paul was later
revealed as "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT" in
Revelation 17v5. This identifies the modern-day
"church" apostacy with the well-known ancient "mys-
tery" religion of Babylon. It teaches "the trinity", which
is called "a mystery". Julius III is said to have removed
"mystery" from the tiara because of Protestant jibes..
(the tiara represented the three states seized & lost by
Rome, as prophesied- Daniel 7v8; Rev. 16v13;17v16).
Edward Gibbon, the noted historian, wrote-
"The creed of MYSTERY and superstition..in the
7th century disgraced the simplicity of the Gospel".
Departure from the Truth-page 2
SIGNIFICANT DATES
Before we look more closely at the history of how the
various unscriptural teachings & practices have been
added over the centuries, let us note the main epoch-
al dates fulfilling Biblical prophecies of the course of
the apostacy
AD33- the beginning of the "in-working" of the apostacy
by heretic Jewish and pagan influences to be re-
vealed after 280 gestative day-years.
AD303- the "birth-pangs" of the harlot woman of the
Apocalypse, about to give birth to the "man
child" Constantine, the champion of Catholics.
Persecution by pagan emperors for 10 day-years.
AD312-324- the wars of Constantine against the pagan
emperors, by which the rulership of the Roman
Empire is changed to apostate "Christianity".
AD312- the beginning of prophecies of 1260 day-years of
persecution of "the remnant of (the woman's)
seed" and dissenters by the Catholics.
AD313- the "birth" of the "man child" marked by his
decree of "toleration" of all religions; which was
also marked by the elevation of the Catholics.
AD324-Constantine assumes total control- the beginning
of the 2nd "in-working" of 280 day-years.
AD330- Constantine in this year lays the foundations for
his Eastern capital upon the soil of the Greek
colony Byzantium. He names it Constantinople.
The old 'St. Peters' in Rome erected.
AD529-535- the laws of Justinian giving authority to the
bishop of Rome over his rivals for power.Beginn-
ing of 1st application of prophecy of 1260 day-
years of persecution by the established apostacy.
AD604-610- the laws of Phocas giving supreme ecclesias-
tical power to the bishop of Rome. The final rev-
elation of the "man of sin"after another 280 day-
years. Beginning of 2nd application of prophecy
of 1260day-years of persecution by the apostacy.
AD1572-the massacre of St.Bartholomew when the apos-
tacy murdered thousands of dissenters, and also
struck a medal in celebration- thus fulfilling the
1260 years of persecution which began in AD312.
AD1789-1795- the French Revolution which began to dis-
member, as prophesied, the temporal (political)
power of the apostate "church". This ended the
1st period of 1260 years from AD529-535.
AD1864-1870- the dissolution of the temporal (political)
power of the apostate Roman "church" by the
taking away of her 3 states by the new Italian
kingdom. This ended the 2ndperiod of 1260 years
beginning AD604-610. Having lost the power to
persecute, the Roman bishop proclaims his own
infallibility. The "man of sin" is now termed
"the false prophet"- i.e. one who can only falsely
claim to be a teacher, having no power to enforce
his dogmas on others. The above also fulfilled the
first period of 1335 years.
It likewise pre-figured future judgments.
Daniel 2v31-33,40;7v19-26;11v36-38;12v5-13;
2nd Thessalonians 2v1-12;
Revelation 11 &12;13v1-10;16v13,14;17v16.
MORE- link to 'page 1'-'apocalypse'-'the time of the end'
departures from the Truth-
as they occurred in history
note- dates as accurate as possible
AD37- "And certain men which came down from Judea"-
Acts 15 records the first organized resistance to
the purity of the Faith, which has been shown in
its various forms to persist until the present time.
The first error involved the placing of redundant
laws upon the Gospel, which in its practical effect
nullified salvation by faith- link to 'grace'..
The Truth gradually became further corrupted by
the entrance of pagan philosophies, such as:
"immortal souls" origin=Egypt
"the trinity" origin=Babylon
"a fallen-angel devil" origin=Persia
Holy spirit gifts ceased by the early 2nd century AD-
link to 'spirit'-page 1. Corrupt evil men then began
to usurp power to themselves, becoming "lords over
God's heritage" - link to 'foundation'-pages 1 & 2.
Thus began the unscriptural "clergy"/"laity" divide,
which persists to this day, to the ruin of the Truth.
Contrast Matthew 23v8 -
"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master,
even Christ; and all ye are brethren".
AD37-324-we reproduce comments taken from 'Eureka',
an incomparable exposition of The Apocalypse, by
John Thomas, which summarise this period..
"The invention of this lie (i.e. the teaching of the Judaizers
in Acts 15) was the beginning of troubles to the body of
Christ. Its inventors found their advantage in propagating
it in defiance of the apostles. They made proselytes to their
tradition both among the elders and private members of the
flock; and wherever they succeeded in establishing their in-
fluence, there, and to the same extent, the authority of the
apostles was set aside. They became the adversaries of these
holy and self-denying men, and are therefore styled in the
Apocalypse "the Satan", and their "church", "the syna-
gogue of the Satan"...But others arose after these, and added
new elements to "the lie". Truth is fixed, but lies never di-
minish in circulating, but always increase. Pious Jews began
the work of corrupting the faith; and pious Gentiles, who
had been subverted, added some of their "philosophy" and
"gnosis", or "science falsely so called", to the original stock,
and in their combination, produced what Paul styles, in 2
Thess. 2:7, musterion tes anomias, THE MYSTERY OF IN-
IQUITY. This, he says, was "already working"; and in its
working through Judaizing and philosophizing teachers,
gave him all the trouble and mortification he laments in the
several epistles". 'Eureka', 1861.
Compare Acts 20v17-38; 1st Corinthians 15v1-17; 2nd Cor-
inthians 11v12-28; Galatians 2-5; 2nd Timothy 2; 2nd Peter
2v1-3; 1st John 4v1-6; Jude - whole epistle - & also please
link to page 1-'satan'- 'committees'.
AD300 prayers for the dead
AD300 making the sign of the cross**
AD320 wax candles
AD325 teaching that Christ is equal to God
AD325 "Easter"- from 'Astarte' (pagan goddess )= =
AD325 priests to refuse marriage after "ordination"<<
AD337 sun-god birthday now "Christ-mass"- Julius I= =
AD375 image-worship, veneration of angels, "dead saints"^^
AD381 personality of holy spirit, its equality with God
AD385 married priests' celibacy after "ordination"<<
AD394 beginning of daily "mass"
AD5thC sun-god birthday fixed as "Christ-mass"= =
AD431 exaltation of Mary as "mother of God"^^
AD451 final form of "the trinity"
AD500 priests begin to dress differently to "laymen"
AD526 beginning of "extreme unction"
AD529 prohibition of work on sun-god birthday("Christ-mass")= =
AD593 teaching of purgatory - Gregory I
AD600 latin used in prayer and worship - Gregory I
AD600 prayers directed to Mary, angels and "dead saints"^^
AD607 universal power to Roman bishop - Boniface III
AD709 kissing the Roman bishop's foot
AD727 Roman bishop called "a God upon earth"
AD750 temporal power of Roman bishop
AD787 veneration of images of Christ, Mary, "dead saints"^^
AD850 "holy water" mixed with salt & blessed by a priest
AD890 worship of "St. Joseph"^^
AD927 beginning of "college of cardinals"
AD965 baptism of bells - John XIII
AD995 "canonization" of "dead saints"- John XV^^
AD998 fasting on Fridays and during "Lent"<<
AD11thC "mass" proclaimed "a sacrifice", & obligatory
AD1074 pledge of celibacy demanded of trainee-priests<<
AD1090 "the rosary" (= mechanical prayer via beads)
AD1122 concordat of Worms; Roman bishop & emperor
AD1123 nullification of all clerical marriages<<
AD1184 the first "inquisition"-council of Verona##
AD1190 beginning of sale of "indulgences"<<
AD1215 transubstantiation proclaimed - Innocent III
AD1215 auricular confession of sins to priests by "laity"
AD1220 adoration of the wafer ("host")
AD1229 Bible forbidden to "laymen"
AD1237 Spanish "inquisition" begins - Gregory IX##
AD1251 scapula invented by English monk
AD1252 torture for "heresy" - bull of Innocent IV##
AD1311 final decree substituting "sprinkling" for baptism
AD1416 cup at "communion" forbidden to laity
AD1414-1418 concurrent competing Roman bishops>>
AD1439 "purgatory" proclaimed as dogma
AD1439 doctrine of "seven sacraments"
AD1473 sale of "indulgences" extended to the dead<<
AD1508 the "ave Maria"^^
AD1534 Jesuit order founded by Loyola
AD1545 tradition declared as equal to Bible
AD1546 apocryphal books added to Roman Bible
AD1572 massacre of Huguenots
AD1560 Roman "church" creed against "protestants"
AD1854 "immaculate conception" of Mary proclaimed^^
AD1864 "syllabus of errors" condemning freedoms etc.
AD1870 Roman bishop proclaims own infallibility
AD1908 "inquisition" re-named "holy office"
AD1930 public schools denounced by Roman "church"
AD1941-45 Roman bishop does not condemn holocaust
AD1950 "assumption" (bodily ascent) of Mary^^
AD1962 Rome "welcomes (protestants) as a mother"00
The above is only a selection of the abominations which
have been committed..more details may be obtained from
'Vicars of Christ' by Peter de Rosa, first published 1988.
**this clearly identifies Rome with the apostacy -
link to page 1 re the "mark" and the "number" of the
apostacy - compare Revelation 13v15-18.
<< ^^a further identification with the Roman apostacy - link
to page 1 re 1st Timothy 4v1-3, Daniel 11v38,39.
== apostacy - link to page 1 & 'the last "Christ-Mass"'
##cp Revelation 13v7,10,15; 17v6; 18v24.
>>termed by Catholic bishops -"an intolerable scandal and
a running sore"- 'pastoral letter' re 1962 Ecum. Council..
similar schisms have happened on many occasions.
00 identifies Rome as "the mother of harlots" Revelation 17v1-5
Note – we refuse to refer to the Roman bishop by his more
common title, see Matthew 23v9..we also will not allocate
to any mortal the reverence due to God alone, Psalm 111v9.
WE HAVE THE CHOICE AS TO WHICH OF THE TWO
'WOMEN' WE SHALL BELONG – LET US CONSIDER:
will it be "the great whore..having a golden cup in her hand
full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication..drunk-
en with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus"-
or will it be "a chaste virgin to Christ…..a glorious ecclesia,
not having spot,or wrinkle, or any such thing..holy and with-
out blemish..the wife..of the Lamb (who) hath made herself
ready"? Rev.17v1,4,6; 2nd Cor.11v2; Eph.5v27; Rev.19v7.
TODAY WE HAVE THAT CHOICE.
Tomorrow it may be too late.
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