|
|
Post by sog on Dec 21, 2019 15:17:05 GMT -6
Pope Francis, in Christmas Message, Says Church Must Adapt to Post-Christian Westwww.wsj.com/articles/pope-francis-in-christmas-message-says-church-must-adapt-to-post-christian-west-11576930226From link - ROME—The Catholic Church must adopt new approaches to evangelization in a post-Christian West, Pope Francis said in a Christmas message to Vatican officials. “We need other maps, other paradigms that might help us change our ways of thinking. We are not in Christianity, not anymore!” the pope said Saturday. “ We are no longer under a Christian regime because the faith—especially in Europe, but also in much of the West—no longer constitutes an obvious premise of common life. On the contrary, it is even often denied, derided, marginalized and ridiculed,” the pope said. The pope’s remarks echoed those of his predecessors St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, who spoke of a “new evangelization” to revive the faith in historically Christian lands. Pope Benedict established an office explicitly dedicated to the task. Those popes stressed a need to clarify and reaffirm traditional teachings in response to liberalizing tendencies within the church and wider society. By contrast, Pope Francis has tended to play down such teachings and focus on social causes such as economic equality, the rights of migrants and efforts to counteract global warming. Pope Francis on Saturday said the secularization of the West “necessarily entails changes” to the Vatican’s offices for doctrine and evangelization, including its missionary office, which oversees bishops in much of Africa, Asia and Latin America. However, the pope didn’t specify what sort of changes might be in store. Church officials under the leadership of an international Council of Cardinals have been working on a revised constitution for the Roman Curia, the church’s central administration in the Vatican, for more than six years but no date for its completion has been announced. A Post-Christian West?? As in America? What does he mean by that? I know America has some very wicked people, as does the rest of the world, but I could argue America is the strongest nation keeping Christianity alive. He also called it a Christian regime, as in an authoritarian government? Really? Is that what he thinks Christianity is? Sounds to me like he and the catholic church are planning for a time when Christianity is gone. Curious. What does he know? What is this “new evangelization” that he sees the catholic church at the center of? |
|
|
|
Post by sog on Mar 9, 2020 19:45:15 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by disciple4life on Mar 9, 2020 20:11:51 GMT -6
Wow, sog. That's really an amazing observation. I for one, can't believe that it's just coincidence. hmmmm based on the pattern we've seen, I suspect that in the coming weeks, we will see many many more cases here in the US. Right now, we're not testing mass percentages of the population, so the numbers are skewed. |
|
|
|
The Pope
Mar 10, 2020 9:08:40 GMT -6
via mobile
mike likes this
Post by venge on Mar 10, 2020 9:08:40 GMT -6
Well, sort of. I don’t see it as you do, but I do notice similarities. China has been persecuting Christians, rewriting the Bible, removing Jesus and replacing with the State and destruction of churches. That gives me reason to believe why it hit them hard. Italy with its paganism and lack of grace has fallen from what it should be. Instead, it looks like a Christian version of the Pharisees of sorts. But what of us? This country is not perfect towards God. God does punish the rich and prideful. And we are a nation that values wealth, 401k’s, and unlimited debt to buy things that make us feel good. What’s destined for America the great, full of pride ie. Best country in the world. Always thought the best was one complete in God, that’s not us. Have you noticed that the virus, though world wide, is mostly effecting wealthy large trade countries more than smaller, poorer ones? |
|
|
|
Post by Gary on Mar 10, 2020 10:06:14 GMT -6
Yeah don't forget Iran!
China
Iran
Italy
|
|
|
|
The Pope
Mar 10, 2020 14:06:21 GMT -6
mc likes this
Post by sog on Mar 10, 2020 14:06:21 GMT -6
Gary , Right you are! Iran is a close third. So, this is the expanded symbolism I see, adding in Iran. China, which rivals the USA as the global super power, has been, as pointed out by venge , persecuting Christians for years. They are largely a communist, secularist, idol worshipping people. China has for centuries been associated with the Red Dragon and uses that symbolism in its culture, Chinese proverbs, flags, etc. The anti-christ and or satan have also associated as the Great Dragon. So, the symbolism is thus – China = Red Dragon = False Christ - AC/Satan (However, I’m not saying the AC is coming from China! This is just symbolic) Italy. This is what really struck me. Why Italy? They haven’t been a real national super power since the Roman Empire. Yes, they were part of the Axis in WWII, but Germany and Japan were the real super powers behind that Axis of Evil. Why not Germany, France, U.K., Russia, Japan, or the USA? All are just as wealthy and probably more so. But, what Italy is, or more specifically the Vatican, is home to the World’s most powerful religion. Catholicism. Its religious wealth is unrivaled. Its Popes have been treated on par with Christ. So, the symbolism here is – Italy = Vatican = False Prophet Iran. What country represents the Muslim religion more than Iran? I could think of none. What country wants to destroy Israel more than Iran? I could think of none. The Muslim religion is basically the most anti-Christian/Anti-Israel religion of the world. The fanatics will just as soon kill you the infidel as look at you. So, the symbolism here is Iran – Muslim armies – False Religion (militaristic) what we then have is this, in order of current outbreak numbers: 1. China – The Red Dragon economic power – The False Christ - AC/Satan 2. Italy – The religion of power – The False Prophet 3. Iran – The Muslim armies of great number against Christianity – The False Religion Economic, religious, and military powers. Right now this may all be just symbolic, but also think this could be a warning shot across the bow of those countries. Find Jesus! Repent! These outbreak numbers could change, but at this moment those three are so far out ahead of other countries in total numbers that it’s striking. S Korea is close and N. Korea probably doesn’t know or is lying, but I lump them in with China anyway since its peninsula is really part of mainland China. Many smaller countries probably have no idea how many really have it. This is just the symbolism I see today. Things change daily, so we’ll see.
|
|
|
|
Post by canada on Mar 14, 2020 14:57:48 GMT -6
"So, the symbolism here is - Italy=Vatican=False Prophet."
You got that right brother ... the word Vatican is derived from the word "vatic" which means "prophet or prophecy". |
|
|
|
Post by fitz on Apr 5, 2020 16:59:25 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by mike on Apr 6, 2020 9:07:51 GMT -6
Interesting write up. He thinks to change times of Catholics and perhaps by extension all Christians |
|
|
|
Post by venge on Apr 7, 2020 8:45:25 GMT -6
Interesting write up. He thinks to change times of Catholics and perhaps by extension all Christians Just my opinion, but-- It is interesting, especially when the link says: Would love to see what verse specifically says Peter is granted the power of the keys of the church. If this is referring to Matthew 16:18, I trust those here understand the text. Its important to recognize that Peter is a stone, not the rock on which we stand firm. Christ was also a stone (1 Peter 2:4) (Psalm 118:22), but he is THEE stone. The chief cornerstone that holds all other living stones together. Peter could never be the corner. The disciples were all living stones like Peter, that fit in the framework of a living temple (1 Peter 2:5) and its built on the 12 apostles of the N.T. and the prophets of the O.T. Peter was what Christ said :Thou art a stone. But it was upon this rock "Christ speaking of himself" that he will build his Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Peter was to follow Christ's redemptive work. Not to build up his own Church after himself because he was above all others. This is the man that Christ called "Satan" (Matthew 16:23), denied Christ 3 times (Matthew 26:34), rebuked Christ for his death (Matthew 16:22), wanted to erect taberncales for Moses and Elijah making them coequal with God (Matthew 17:4) and drew his sword on the priest's servant to slay him (John 18:10). Peter did become a wonderful follower of Christ and we can learn from his examples. But he was never the rock and God's church was never Peter's church. Man's church will always fall because its not built on a rock, but sand. |
|
|
|
Post by fitz on Apr 7, 2020 9:00:21 GMT -6
Yes, the whole premise of the RC Pope is false.
Jesus is the Rock!
|
|
|
|
Post by mike on Apr 7, 2020 10:02:12 GMT -6
venge That is how I understand the interpretation is for Catholics. Peter is incorrectly referred to as the rock built upon. Matt 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.For context Jesus asked the disciples who people were saying he was, then pivots to them. What do you (12) say about me. Peter being himself (bold, forward, quick-tempered...) speaks his mind and Jesus says to him "my Father has shown you who I am, and I tell you that you are Peter the son of Jona" then referring to Himself (Jesus) says upon this Rock (Himself) I will build my church EDIT - As I was writing a thought occurred to me - was Jesus referring to the rock as the revelation that the Father gives that He would build the church upon?
|
|
|
|
Post by sog on Apr 7, 2020 11:01:35 GMT -6
Video from Barry Scarbrough about pope francis being The False Prophet. Also interesting he says we are in small "t" tribulation at the beginning and again at about the 27 minute mark. So if the FP is revealed, are we already in the first half of tribulation?
|
|
|
|
Post by mike on Apr 7, 2020 13:05:42 GMT -6
this is the first I've watched this brother although I realize many of the trusted brethren do recognize his 'stuff' as valid or at the very minimum not a false teacher. I could agree that if this pope is not the FP he is a forerunner for certain. I'm not 100% sold on it like he is
|
|
|
|
Post by stormyknight on Apr 7, 2020 15:18:38 GMT -6
Just my two cents: for the last 2000 years, Satan has had to be ready for God's plan to play out, so having the catholic church set up with a pope in charge kinda helps with the prep work for the False Prophet. It was in September of 2015 that the pope Francis addressed the U.S. Congress and first stated that he comes in his own name. Could that have been when Satan was first seeing that the end was actually near? We can't know that. But the pieces started falling into place that Francis could very well be the False Prophet. There are other markers that point him out as well, but I won't go in to those now. Let's just say he fits the mold very well.
We don't know who the man of lawlessness is, but we will before we leave. 2 Thess. 2:3. I'm wondering, since "the mystery of lawlessness is already at work." v.7a, and "he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." v.7b, will the 'falling away' happen because the Holy Spirit is removed? Perhaps those who don't have enough faith, the five unwise virgins, will falter? That doesn't mean they will lose their salvation, just that when the door is being shut, they will have to wait for when it is open to all? Pure speculation on my part.
I'm about 99% convinced that Francis is or will become known by the whole church as the false prophet soon. What else does the FP need to do that Francis hasn't already done? Perform great signs and miracles? Give voice to the beast? What would that entail? Vouching for a certain entity on the world stage or at the U.N.?
Things are happening fast. I'm wondering if things could start changing by the hour instead of by the day.
|
|
