Tags
Ecumenism, Ignatius Loyola, James Robison, Joel Osteen, John Arnott, Kenneth Copeland, Martin Luther, Pat Robertson, Protestant Reformation, Rick Warren, Roman Catholicism, The Reformation, Tony Palmer
Over the last few months the Lord has been showing me the fulfillment in the present day of specific scriptures (2 Timothy 3:1, 1 Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 6:4-6, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Luke 21:8, Matthew 24:23-28). Though I had always wondered what the “great deception” would look like and the “great falling away” I never thought it would look like what I’m seeing. What makes it so surreal is that the people who are being influenced by this deception do not realize that they are a part of it; that’s how deceiving it is!
I am compelled to share what God has been revealing to me in order that you too may not be deceived by the great evil that is sweeping unhindered through the Church like a great tsunami, wave upon wave upon wave.
Let’s start with Ecumenism.
Roman Catholicism is trying to mingle with Protestant Christianity. Actually, they’ve been trying to do this since the days of the bloody Inquisition and Ignatius Loyola. But, now they are attempting to do so peacefully in the name of unity, brotherhood and humanitarianism. Numerous Christian leaders in 1994 signed a document entitled, “Evangelicals and Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium.” Those leaders included Charles Colson (Prison Fellowship), Pat Robertson (700 Club), Dr. Mark Noll (of Wheaton College), Bill Bright (Campus Crusade), Richard Neuhaus (Roman Catholic scholar), and Dr. J. I. Packer (of Regent College). The main theme seemed to be that “Evangelicals and Catholics are brothers and sisters in Christ” (In the “We Affirm Together” section), and we are called to be unified, ONE. John MacArthur in a sermon entitled, “The Pope and the Papacy” addresses this shocking celebration of “a common faith and a common mission” http://webmedia.gty.org/sermons/Low/90-291.mp3.
More recently, many from different denominational backgrounds have met with Pope Francis already, and have come back with glowing accolades regarding the Pope and Roman Catholicism. These Protestant leaders are excited to unify with Rome for the sake of humanitarian efforts around the globe as well as to fulfill the prayer of Jesus in John 17 about the Church being unified. Such ministers as James and Betty Robison (Life Today), John and Carol Arnott (Toranto Blessing), Kenneth and Gloria Copeland (Believer’s Voice of Victory), Joel Osteen, and Rick Warren (Purpose Driven Church) are just a few of these Protestant leaders http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/44555-why-id-copeland-robison-meet-with-pope-francis, http://www.charismanews.com/world/44601-pope-francis-meets-with-kenneth-copeland-james-robison-high-fives-ensue, and http://standupforthetruth.com/2014/06/common-ground-meeting-pope-meets-mormon-senator-joel-osteen/. Indeed, they have even gone so far as to agree with the late Tony Palmer (Episcopal priest and friend of the Pope) that “Luther’s protest is over” http://prophecynewswatch.com/2014/March11/111.html.
To begin with, Luther did not merely protest; he called for Church REFORM, and when the Roman Catholic leadership instead of repenting of their unbiblical actions and doctrines tried to silence him, Luther and others separated from the Catholic church. The movement was called “the Reformation”, not the Protest. And Martin Luther did make those reforms, thus starting what is now referred to as the Lutheran church and inspired the birth of many Protestant denominations.
The Reformation is not null and void simply because Tony Palmer or Kenneth Copeland say that it is. Have they forgotten what that Reformation was about? Have we today forgotten what the Reformation was all about??? Has Roman Catholic doctrine changed that we might now as Protestant Christians unify with them? What radical transition has taken place in order for “Luther’s protest to be over”?
As Christians, we must carefully and seriously think this through! Is what Pat Robertson, Joel Osteen, J.I. Packer, Kenneth Copeland and James Robison doing correct? Is it Biblical? Is it a fulfillment of John 17? The answer to this question is found by unveiling what Roman Catholicism truly is, and whether or not Christianity ought to be unified with it.
To Be Continued…