Mr Bombastic

Actually, it says it is the number of a name. Did you know that if you convert Obama's name to Hebrew it's numerical value is 666? And he's supposedly set to head the UN. Hmmm...

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

John Paul II is kissing the Islamic Qur'an in the photo below, although Islam is anti-Christ.

The Qur'an teaches in chapter 4, Surah An-Nisa (4:157)
¦And for their saying, Indeed we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah¦
they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but another was made to resemble him, to them¦
And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself.

Obviously, if Jesus was not actually crucified, and those present were merely deceived into believing that Jesus was the one crucified, Christianity would be a lie, and all Christians still dead in their sins... as Paul said in 1st Corinthians:

"If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith. In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead,"
1st Corinthians 15:13-15

Yet, John Paul II, holding the title of Pope, the man who claims to be Christ's representative on earth, had a interfaith service with Muslims, and kissed their Qur'an, many years before Pope Francis had his interfaith service in June.

Roman Catholicism accepts all religions, except Biblical Christianity. They allow their members to combine any other religion, including voodoo (as in Haiti), with their Catholic "faith," caring only that they retain their Roman Catholic attendance and financial support with them.

Pope John Paul II Kissing the Qur'an

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

My knowledge of official Roman Catholic doctrines would seem to exceed your own, as you have yet to quote one.

Discussing the official doctrines, teachings and professed beliefs of any faith, religion, cult or religious movement, based on that Institution's own writings and statements is not an insult to any one individual, - unless they choose to make it so?

There is no reason to consider it a deep personal insult to you, especially since you don't even seem to know that Roman Catholicism did not develop until after Constantine became the Emperor of Rome in 312 - 313 A.D., and that many of their claims to an earlier history have been proven to be falsified.

The Roman Catholic movement and hierarchy did not even exist during the first three hundred (300) years of Christianity.

The Biblical non-denominational Christians of today, just as during those first three hundred years, were guided solely by the Holy Scriptures and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Printing a list of twenty or so fallen Christian leaders over the last century, of a multitude of different denominations, does not in any way reflect upon my faith in the Creator Triune God in whom my faith is centered.

It is a tiny, tiny list in comparison with the thousands of Roman Catholic priests who have been charged with Sexual Assault during the last few decades... and, again, let me reiterate, that is no shame or embarrassment upon you, for you had nothing to do with their sins.

It is true that the Roman Catholic Church, since its inception, has been temporal, worldly, materialistic, seeking political power and control over entire nations, their rulers and their citizens.

It is your choice to identify yourself with that establishment.

It is everyone's right to discuss it in truth, and usually,with no malice toward you or anyone else intended... No one is even thinking about you.

However, when you insist upon being outraged and taking offense, please remember this is a public online forum, on the internet, where everyone is entitled to discuss what they know to be true, and what they believe about any subject, and to provide their documentation.

You are free to disprove it, if you can.

Mr Bombastic

Well stated!

Mr Bombastic

The whore of Babylon?

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

That's a difficult one, isn't it? I've been looking at that for years.

After assembling together every verse that touches on that subject, it is still complex:

Revelation 17 is commonly considered a "spiritual" entity, while Revelation 18 is, perhaps, supposedly, a physical, political entity...

Personally, I see the same entity in both!!!

...and then there's all those other pertinent verses to fit into that beautiful mosaic of which God' Word consists (whatever the subject may be).

Isaiah, Chapters 13 and 14, Isaiah Chapter 47 and 48, Jeremiah 50 and 51, and Ezekiel Chapter 26 ( I think), also fit with Revelation, Chapters 17 and 18.

It's early; I'll be more cohesive after coffee...

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

To clarify the validity of the previously posted picture of Pope John Pail II kissing the Qur'an; - after receiving two Private Messages (P.M.s), each captioned "FAKE NEWS" in Bold lettering immediately after posting said picture, which I deleted unopened and unread, below is the very authentic source and background of that very authentic picture:

It was taken in May 1999, during an audience granted to three Muslims at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II bowed toward the Muslim Koran, and kissed it (Christian News, Oct. 18, 1999, p. 16). The Pope has commended others religious beliefs and has said that the Muslims worship the same God and are accepted.

The news reports and quotes of the Pope's ecumenical outreach speak for themselves. These are only a portion of John Paul II travels and statements. His intention was clearly to promote Catholicism's traditional acceptance of all pagan religions.

At the Universities of Calcutta and New Delhi in his 1986 visit to India, the Pope told huge Hindu audiences that he had not come there to teach them anything, but to learn from their "rich spiritual heritage." As the Vatican's worldwide diplomat-at-large for his own brand of Ecumenism, he declared: "India's mission ... is crucial, because of her intuition of the spiritual nature of man. Indeed, India's greatest contribution to the world can be to offer it a spiritual vision of man. And the world does well to attend willingly to this ancient wisdom and in it to find enrichment for human living" ( L'Observatore Romano, February 10, 1986, "Spiritual Vision of Man,"p. 5.)

2nd Corinthians 6:14-15: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”

"Pope Wins Gamble as Religions Pray in Assisi for Peace," National Catholic Reporter, VOL 23, no. 3, November 7, 1986, pp. 1, 8.).

1986 was the beginning of open interfaith cooperation led by the Pope. The Pope gave a papal invitation, to unite the leaders of the world's religions for a prayer summit at Assisi, Italy. The Pope's 1986 gathering the religions for prayer at Assisi had begun an interfaith universalist agenda. He gathered the leading figures of 12 world religions together in Assisi, Italy, to pray to whatever “God” each believed in, beseeching these deities to bring peace to the world. To justify honoring the prayers of even witch doctors and fire worshipers, John Paul II told participants that “the challenge of peace . . . transcends religious differences.

“60 Religious Leaders Join Pontiff, Streets of Assisi Ring with Prayers for Peace." (The Los Angeles Times, October 28, 1986, Part I, p. 7, continued from front page).

Sixty leaders gathered from the religions of the world to petition God (their gods). Pope John Paul II welcomed snake worshipers, fire worshipers, spiritists, animists, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and shamans, supported and attended by representatives of the World Council of Churches, Catholics with Protestants, Orthodox, Jews. and even some evangelicals.

It was reported that the Muslims sang from the Koran; American medicine men called on the “great spirit”; Buddhism's Dalai Lama, chanted rhythmically; animists from Africa; Hindus; Zoroastrians. All united said: “We will stand side by side, respectively asking "God" (our gods) to give us peace.” They all asked for peace together. How can they join in prayer unless they agree?

"Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?" Amos 3:3

What was decided is that it was not necessary to follow the prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, the only one who can bring that peace.

On the second anniversary of Assisi's historic prayer meeting, the Pope recently declared that the efforts of “Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists [etc.] ...were unleashing profound spiritual energies in the world and bringing about a 'new climate' of peace. ("The Pope Speaks," Our Sunday Visitor pp. 10-11 Nov. 13, 1988).

There is, indeed, an energy at work (some claim it’s the Holy Spirit breaking down walls). It is not, because "this spirit" embraces not only those who are not in Christ, but those who actually deny Him, a.k.a., the spirit of anti-Christ.

True Christians are not to present themselves as having common belief with other religions, God commanded they avoid this confusion.

Respect other's decisions as to what they have chosen to believe, but preach the gospel and contend for the faith with those who openly OPPOSE what we believe. This does not mean to become antagonistic or rude and argumentative, but in truth and in love.

Christians have every right, by God’s own word, even an obligation by the commands in Scripture, to challenge other belief systems in lesser gods, and are NEVER to dutifully line up with them in prayer, as though other deities are equal with our God.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Below are a beginning few verses from the chapters that seem connected to the judgement of God against the great end time religious apostasy that involves Rome and all the other man made religions on earth...

Most of these chapters also mention their hostility against Israel as a contributing factor to God's Judgment against them.

Only God knows with certainty who they are at this stage, though most of us will have our own opinions, based on our understanding of God's Prophecy.

Revelation Chapters 17 and 18

Revelation 17 The Doom of Babylon

1Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.” 3And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality, 5and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”

Revelation 18 Babylon Is Fallen

1After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. 2And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. 3“For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.” 4I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; 5for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

Isaiah, Chapters 13 and 14,

Isaiah 13 A Judgment against Babylon
1 Isaiah son of Amoz received this message concerning the destruction of Babylon 2 Raise a banner on a bare hilltop. Call up an army against Babylon. Wave your hand to encourage them as they march into the palaces of the high and mighty nobles.

Isaiah 14
But the LORD will have mercy on the descendants of Jacob. He will choose Israel as his special people once again. He will bring them back to settle once again in their own land. And people from many different nations will come and join them there and unite with the people of Israel.

Isaiah Chapter 47 and 48,

Isaiah 47 Lament for Babylon

1“Come down and sit in the dust,
O virgin daughter of Babylon;
Sit on the ground without a throne,
O daughter of the Chaldeans (moon worshipers)!
For you shall no longer be called tender and delicate.

2“Take the millstones and grind meal.
Remove your veil, strip off the skirt,
Uncover the leg, cross the rivers.

Isaiah 48 Israel’s Obstinacy

1“Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are named Israel
And who came forth from the loins of Judah,
Who swear by the name of the LORD
And invoke the God of Israel,
But not in truth nor in righteousness.

2“For they call themselves after the holy city
And lean on the God of Israel;
The LORD of hosts is His name.

Jeremiah 50 and 51, and

Jeremiah 50 Prophecy against Babylon

1The word which the LORD spoke concerning Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, through Jeremiah the prophet:

2“Declare and proclaim among the nations.
Proclaim it and lift up a standard.
Do not conceal it but say,
‘Babylon has been captured,
Bel has been put to shame, Marduk has been shattered;
Her images have been put to shame, her idols have been shattered.’

3“For a nation has come up against her out of the north; it will make her land an object of horror, and there will be no inhabitant in it. Both man and beast have wandered off, they have gone away!

Jeremiah 51 Babylon Judged for Sins against Israel

1Thus says the LORD:
“Behold, I am going to arouse against Babylon
And against the inhabitants of Leb-kamai
The spirit of a destroyer.

2“I will dispatch foreigners to Babylon that they may winnow her
And may devastate her land;
For on every side they will be opposed to her
In the day of her calamity.

Ezekiel Chapter 26 Judgment on Tyre For Opposing Israel

1Now in the eleventh year, on the first of the month, the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2“Son of man, because Tyre has said concerning Jerusalem, ‘Aha, the gateway of the peoples is broken; it has opened to me. I shall be filled, now that she is laid waste,’ 3therefore thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and I will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. 4‘They will destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; and I will scrape her debris from her and make her a bare rock. 5‘She will be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea, for I have spoken,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘and she will become spoil for the nations. 6‘Also her daughters who are on the mainland will be slain by the sword, and they will know that I am the LORD.’”

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

A brief search brought up two more instances of persecution by the Roman Catholic Church. They go back to 1994. This is their policy.

In February of 1999 speaking in Mexico, Pope John Paul II instructed Catholics to rebel against [evangelical] Protestants that were becoming a strong influence.

The first report was in Brazil at their Bishop's Conference, the second in Mexico.

(Charisma, May 1994).

Latin American Bishop Declares
‘Holy War' on Soul Winners

Issue Date: July/August 1994

Evangelical churches in Brazil have been threatened with "holy war" if all soul winning of Catholics does not stop immediately.

Bishop Sinesio Bohn, head of a new anti-evangelical movement, demands that the 13 largest Protestant churches and denominations sign a "no proselytizing" treaty.

In return, he said Catholics would agree to stop persecuting Protestants. We will declare a holy war; don't doubt it," he announced at a recent National Conference of the Bishops of Brazil. "The Catholic Church has a ponderous structure, but when we move, we'll smash anyone beneath us." When questioned later, he admitted that such a holy war would "cause a mobilization of decidedly unchristian hatred," but still insisted that such a war was unavoidable unless Protestants agree to stop all evangelism efforts in Brazil.

Evangelicals number more than 30 million of Brazil's 156 million. "Our churches are exploding here," said Caio Fabio, president of the Brazilian Evangelical Association. He described the revival as a "holy plague" because of its rapid spread.

One church has planted 1,000 congregations with 750,000 members in just 15 years. Evangelicals in Latin America now exceed 50 million, up from approximately 4 million 20 years ago.

What will "holy war" mean? And what does the good bishop mean by his promise to stop "persecuting" Bible believers if they sign the treaty?

Since then, several further stories have recently emerged from Roman Catholic dominated Mexico.

The Feb. 20, 1994 Denver Post reported that "an estimated 15,000 people… have been expelled, sometimes at the point of a gun, from their homes and lands because of the religion they practice….

The ‘expulsados' are evangelicals and other protestants…who were thrown out of their communities by local authorities who are Catholics."

One missionary who visited Chiapas State, was told of dozens of brutal attacks on non-Catholics.

One woman's house was torched and she was shot in the face with a shotgun when she tried to rescue her children.

She escaped through a corn field to another Christian's house who took her three hours on foot to a hospital. Her children were found later either dead in the fire or mutilated by machete blows.

When she recovered, she was forced to join a slum camp with thousands of other Christians whose homes had also been confiscated by their Roman Catholic attackers.

Even when the authorities make an effort to bring the assassins to justice, they are only given token jail sentences or none at all.

For Latin American Christians, this may be only the beginning. In his recent visits to the area, the pope admonished Roman Catholic leaders there to resist the growing "sects."

The only defense the Bible believers have against this "ponderous structure" which has vowed to "smash anyone beneath us" is to continue winning their people to Christ.

Mr Bombastic

I'm guessing that the world religion of the end times will be a combination of a Islam and Catholicism. They have a lot in common. Especially since they both worship the same "god".