John R. Rice and the Antichrist

[Protestant]

Dr. John R. Rice, a religious Baptist, asks,” Was Pope John Paul 1 a born-again Christian?”

Rice answers, “We can hope that he was, though we are not sure.”

Unlike Dr. Rice, several million Christians who lacked his affluence, influence, education and popularity knew why it was impossible for Pope John Paul 1 or any Pope for that matter to be a born-again Christian.

If it is possible for the dragon, Satan, to repent and follow Christ in humble obedience, then it is also possible for Satan’s vicar, the scarlet beast Antichrist, to repent, leaving the Synagogue of Satan to join the humble, lowly Church of Jesus Christ.

But it is not possible.

The gift of repentance has not been granted them.

God has said so thousands of years beforehand.

And He will not change His mind.

Satan will one day be cast into the Lake of Fire, as will the then reigning Pope of Rome upon Christ’s one-time only public, very loud, very glorious Return in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God.

The Popes of Rome know not God.

They worship Him neither in Spirit nor truth.

Rather, they blaspheme His name, His Son, His atonement, His Spirit, and His people.

Paul declares the Popes cursed for preaching a false Gospel.

For the Roman Catholic Gospel requires:

• faith in their Church, its anti-biblical traditions and teachings;

• faith in their Popes as infallible prophets when speaking on issues of faith and morals, and who, by the way, also possess the very keys of Heaven and Hell;

• faith in their breaden god whom they can conjure at will, calling it ‘Agnus Dei’, the Lamb of God;

• faith in the supererogatory merits and miracles of their saints;

• faith in their priests who are called ‘another Christ’;

• faith in their confessional absolutions, and, of course,

• faith in the Virgin Mary as well as her innumerable appearances worldwide throughout the centuries.

The Popes have authorized persecutions, Crusades and Inquisitions which have imprisoned, maimed, starved, tortured, burned and beheaded millions of innocent Christians.

Why?

Because born-again Christians refused to believe the Eucharist cracker of the Mass transubstantiated into the literal person of Jesus Christ which could then be offered to the Father as a propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead.

Yet the erudite Dr. Rice could not be sure as to the spiritual nature of Pope John Paul 1.

Of his replacement, Pope John 23, Dr. Rice has more assurance.

“But about Pope John 23, there is some sweet evidence of a forgiven heart, of a trusting soul, of one who personally knew the Lord Jesus and loved and trusted him.”

Lifted high on a throne, His Holiness Pope John 23 enjoys the praise and worship of a sea of faithful followers.

He sits amidst ostrich plumes dressed in kingly robes, wearing a golden two-horned miter while carrying a scepter of authority in what can only be described as a perverse pompous pagan procession.

Jesus answered and said unto Dr. Rice, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

 

[Revmitchell]

While I did not agree with him on everything John R. Rice was a godly man who loved the Lord and won more people to Christ than most people on this board combined.

By the way this thread is highly disrepsectful as his grandson frequents this boardreguarly. In fact it is down right shameful.

 

[DHK]

Dr. John R. Rice, a religious Baptist, asks,” Was Pope John Paul 1 a born-again Christian?”

Rice answers, “We can hope that he was, though we are not sure.”

Rice is correct. This is a Godly attitude and ought to be the attitude of every Christian. It is the attitude that is expressed in the Word of God:

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
--1. I also would hope that another, having heard the gospel, would be saved.
--2. It is accurate to say "though we are not sure."
What is so heretical about this. It is the Godly manner to treat those whom you have been praying for and witnessing to. Do you attack people with hate or treat people with love? Which one? though we do not know for sure.

Unlike Dr. Rice, several million Christians who lacked his affluence, influence, education and popularity knew why it was impossible for Pope John Paul 1 or any Pope for that matter to be a born-again Christian.

"Unlike Rice??"
"though we do not know for sure." Please read his words carefully.
"We would HOPE that..."
Unlike Rice there are some that condemn without the facts.

If it is possible for the dragon, Satan, to repent and follow Christ in humble obedience, then it is also possible for Satan’s vicar, the scarlet beast Antichrist, to repent, leaving the Synagogue of Satan to join the humble, lowly Church of Jesus Christ.

All of the above is false. John Paul was not the Antichrist. The Antichrist is yet to come. Clearly you are deluded.

But it is not possible.

The gift of repentance has not been granted them.

God has said so thousands of years beforehand.

And He will not change His mind.

So you are saying that contrary to the promises of God it is impossible for Christ to save "from the uttermost"? You don't believe that God is not able to save anyone?

Satan will one day be cast into the Lake of Fire, as will the then reigning Pope of Rome upon Christ’s one-time only public, very loud, very glorious Return in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God.

Satan will be cast into the lake of fire in Rev.20:10 where the beast and the false prophet are. That is after the Millennial Kingdom. It is at the beginning of the Great White Throne Judgement. All of the unsaved popes will already have been in hell for more than a thousand years.

The Popes of Rome know not God.

They worship Him neither in Spirit nor truth.

Rather, they blaspheme His name, His Son, His atonement, His Spirit, and His people.

Paul declares the Popes cursed for preaching a false Gospel.

For the Roman Catholic Gospel requires:

• faith in their Church, its anti-biblical traditions and teachings;

• faith in their Popes as infallible prophets when speaking on issues of faith and morals, and who, by the way, also possess the very keys of Heaven and Hell;

• faith in their breaden god whom they can conjure at will, calling it ‘Agnus Dei’, the Lamb of God;

• faith in the supererogatory merits and miracles of their saints;

• faith in their priests who are called ‘another Christ’;

• faith in their confessional absolutions, and, of course,

• faith in the Virgin Mary as well as her innumerable appearances worldwide throughout the centuries.

The Popes have authorized persecutions, Crusades and Inquisitions which have imprisoned, maimed, starved, tortured, burned and beheaded millions of innocent Christians.

Why?

Because it is a false religion. There are many false religions, both under the guise of Christendom and outside the guise of Christendom. This is not new. Why attack Catholicism alone? Why not the J.W.'s, or the Mormons, or Hindus, or Islam, etc.
Better yet, pray for them, witness to them, and try to win them to Christ.

Because born-again Christians refused to believe the Eucharist cracker of the Mass transubstantiated into the literal person of Jesus Christ which could then be offered to the Father as a propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead.

Yet the erudite Dr. Rice could not be sure as to the spiritual nature of Pope John Paul 1.

Of his replacement, Pope John 23, Dr. Rice has more assurance.

“But about Pope John 23, there is some sweet evidence of a forgiven heart, of a trusting soul, of one who personally knew the Lord Jesus and loved and trusted him.”

All false religions are just that--false religions. So?
Is it possible for God to save someone in a false religion who has been witnessed to, who has heard the gospel, who has been prayed for?
Is it wrong to hope for that person to be saved?
Is it wrong to qualify one's remarks so as not to be mistaken (by people like you) by saying, "though one cannot know for sure."

Lifted high on a throne, His Holiness Pope John 23 enjoys the praise and worship of a sea of faithful followers.

He sits amidst ostrich plumes dressed in kingly robes, wearing a golden two-horned miter while carrying a scepter of authority in what can only be described as a perverse pompous pagan procession.

Jesus answered and said unto Dr. Rice, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

That was John XXIII. John R. Rice had been around for a long time.
He saw something in John Paul that was different than the others and he said so. That was his opinion. Note, that he did not dogmatically say that he was born again. IMO, you are bearing false witness.

 

[Protestant]

The growing list of famous and highly revered professing Christian leaders who embrace the Papacy can only be described as proof the mystery of iniquity doth already work….deceiving those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8)

Jerry Falwell: “Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II are the greatest men in my lifetime.” (National Catholic Register, May 9, 1982)

“Extremists who declare that the Papacy is anti-Christ, or who dehumanize others with emotive declarations of their own bigotry, are insensitive to others and lack the love of Christ.”(The March1985 issue of Falwell’s Fundamentalist Journal , page 14.)

“The Rev. Jerry Falwell says the Antichrist is probably alive today and is a male Jew. Mr. Falwell says he also believes that the second coming of Christ will probably happen within 10 years.” (NY Times, Jan. 16, 1999)

Pat Robertson on the passing of Pope John Paul II:”I am deeply grieved as a great man passes from this world to his much deserved eternal reward.” http://www.cbn.com/about/pressrelease_popejohnpaulII0504.aspx

Trinity Broadcasting Network acknowledges the greatness of Pope John Paul II:

Their bookstore carries numerous titles which promote the false Gospel of Roman Catholic Idolatry:

http://www.understandthetimes.org/paulcrouchletter.shtml

According to famous anti-Calvinist Futurist Teacher Dave Hunt, famous Arminian TV Futurist Promoter Jack Van Impe called the Pope a born-again Christian:

“…..But Jack is not speaking the truth when he supports Roman Catholicism. He uses the faults of some who oppose its false teaching in the wrong spirit to excuse himself from bringing correction in the right way. Unfortunately, instead of correcting Roman Catholics in order to rescue them from hell, he tells them they’re okay.

“He claims that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is mostly biblical. In fact, it is filled with the unbiblical teachings of Rome. Jack called the Pope a born-again Christian. He knows better, so how he can with good conscience so badly lead Catholics and others astray is a mystery. God knows his heart, but we must judge what he says.

“No Bible-believing person could ever call the Catechism of the Catholic Church even 20 percent biblical! Instead of rescuing Catholics with the truth, Jack is encouraging them with flattery on their way to the Lake of Fire, robbing multitudes of salvation in Christ!” (Jan. 14, 2013 https://www.facebook.com/TheRealDaveHunt/posts/10152438329040175)

NB: Mr. Hunt passed on April 5, 2013 and is now no longer an anti-Calvinist Futurist after taking a personal meeting with the Lord and His myriads of martyrs.

 

[DHK]

The growing list of famous and highly revered professing Christian leaders who embrace the Papacy can only be described as proof the mystery of iniquity doth already work….deceiving those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8)

Jerry Falwell: “Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II are the greatest men in my lifetime.” (National Catholic Register, May 9, 1982)

It appears Jerry Falwell has a better grasp of Scripture than you do.
He at least recognized that John Paul II was not the antichrist. The man is dead. The antichrist may indeed be alive, but we don't know for sure. If he is he will reveal himself in due time.
The pope will not be the antichrist. Perhaps the false prophet, but not the antichrist. The antichrist will be a political, like Hitler, whom many speculated at that time was the antichrist, but of course he wasn't, for now he is dead. Falwell understands the Scripture. Apparently you don't.
His opinion about John Paul II is his own. He doesn't speak for me, nor for all Baptists. We do have soul liberty in this nation, except that you (like all the popes of Rome) don't believe in it, and would rather do away with it.

“Extremists who declare that the Papacy is anti-Christ, or who dehumanize others with emotive declarations of their own bigotry, are insensitive to others and lack the love of Christ.”(The March1985 issue of Falwell’s Fundamentalist Journal , page 14.)

“The Rev. Jerry Falwell says the Antichrist is probably alive today and is a male Jew. Mr. Falwell says he also believes that the second coming of Christ will probably happen within 10 years.” (NY Times, Jan. 16, 1999)

Is Falwell referring to you?
Are you the extremist declaring that the Papacy is anti-Christ?
I agree. Falwell is right. The Papacy is not "the antichrist," though the doctrines of the RCC in general are against Christ in general. So are many other religions.

Pat Robertson on the passing of Pope John Paul II:”I am deeply grieved as a great man passes from this world to his much deserved eternal reward.” http://www.cbn.com/about/pressrelease_popejohnpaulII0504.aspx

Trinity Broadcasting Network acknowledges the greatness of Pope John Paul II:


Their bookstore carries numerous titles which promote the false Gospel of Roman Catholic Idolatry:

http://www.understandthetimes.org/paulcrouchletter.shtml

This doesn't even warrant an answer. It is so foolish.
The thread is about John R. Rice.
Now you are comparing his doctrine to Pat Robertson, and other who appear on TBN, other Charismatics. John R. Rice was a fundamental Baptist. He was as far away from the Charismatic movement as one could be. This slander is ridiculous.
Those on TBN (many of them) believe:
--the trinity has nine persons .
--we are all little gods.
--Jesus made a bargain with the devil to atone for our sins.
--Some of them believe that tongues are necessary for salvation; all of them believe in tongues for a second blessing (you are not as spiritual if you don't have this blessing).
Shall I go on.... These are serious problems.

According to famous anti-Calvinist Futurist Teacher Dave Hunt, famous Arminian TV Futurist Promoter Jack Van Impe called the Pope a born-again Christian:

John R. Rice was not Calvinist either.

“…..But Jack is not speaking the truth when he supports Roman Catholicism. He uses the faults of some who oppose its false teaching in the wrong spirit to excuse himself from bringing correction in the right way. Unfortunately, instead of correcting Roman Catholics in order to rescue them from hell, he tells them they’re okay.

“He claims that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is mostly biblical. In fact, it is filled with the unbiblical teachings of Rome. Jack called the Pope a born-again Christian. He knows better, so how he can with good conscience so badly lead Catholics and others astray is a mystery. God knows his heart, but we must judge what he says.

“No Bible-believing person could ever call the Catechism of the Catholic Church even 20 percent biblical! Instead of rescuing Catholics with the truth, Jack is encouraging them with flattery on their way to the Lake of Fire, robbing multitudes of salvation in Christ!” (Jan. 14, 2013 https://www.facebook.com/TheRealDaveHunt/posts/10152438329040175)

NB: Mr. Hunt passed on April 5, 2013 and is now no longer an anti-Calvinist Futurist after taking a personal meeting with the Lord and His myriads of martyrs.

You seem to be getting Jack Impe and Dave Hunt confused.

Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Idle words; nothing but idle words.
You ought to learn your doctrine first.
The Scripture did not begin at the Reformation.
It began with the prophets and the apostles. Christianity was around long before the Reformers were ever born.

 

[Gerhard Ebersoehn]

.
.

This is today's 'Christianity',

<<The antichrist may indeed be alive, but we don't know for sure.>>

.

 

[Yeshua1]

The growing list of famous and highly revered professing Christian leaders who embrace the Papacy can only be described as proof the mystery of iniquity doth already work….deceiving those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8)

Jerry Falwell: “Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II are the greatest men in my lifetime.” (National Catholic Register, May 9, 1982)

“Extremists who declare that the Papacy is anti-Christ, or who dehumanize others with emotive declarations of their own bigotry, are insensitive to others and lack the love of Christ.”(The March1985 issue of Falwell’s Fundamentalist Journal , page 14.)

“The Rev. Jerry Falwell says the Antichrist is probably alive today and is a male Jew. Mr. Falwell says he also believes that the second coming of Christ will probably happen within 10 years.” (NY Times, Jan. 16, 1999)

Pat Robertson on the passing of Pope John Paul II:”I am deeply grieved as a great man passes from this world to his much deserved eternal reward.” http://www.cbn.com/about/pressrelease_popejohnpaulII0504.aspx

Trinity Broadcasting Network acknowledges the greatness of Pope John Paul II:

Their bookstore carries numerous titles which promote the false Gospel of Roman Catholic Idolatry:

http://www.understandthetimes.org/paulcrouchletter.shtml

According to famous anti-Calvinist Futurist Teacher Dave Hunt, famous Arminian TV Futurist Promoter Jack Van Impe called the Pope a born-again Christian:

“…..But Jack is not speaking the truth when he supports Roman Catholicism. He uses the faults of some who oppose its false teaching in the wrong spirit to excuse himself from bringing correction in the right way. Unfortunately, instead of correcting Roman Catholics in order to rescue them from hell, he tells them they’re okay.

“He claims that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is mostly biblical. In fact, it is filled with the unbiblical teachings of Rome. Jack called the Pope a born-again Christian. He knows better, so how he can with good conscience so badly lead Catholics and others astray is a mystery. God knows his heart, but we must judge what he says.

“No Bible-believing person could ever call the Catechism of the Catholic Church even 20 percent biblical! Instead of rescuing Catholics with the truth, Jack is encouraging them with flattery on their way to the Lake of Fire, robbing multitudes of salvation in Christ!” (Jan. 14, 2013 https://www.facebook.com/TheRealDaveHunt/posts/10152438329040175)

NB: Mr. Hunt passed on April 5, 2013 and is now no longer an anti-Calvinist Futurist after taking a personal meeting with the Lord and His myriads of martyrs.

Do you see any catholic being able to be saved by the grace of God, or does belonging to that church mean none can be?

 

[PreachTony]

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

That was in John's day. Now, some 1900+ years later, are we not still in the last days? Are we not merely living through what Peter described as the "longsuffering" of God, who is not willing that any [of the elect] should perish, but that all [the elect] should come to repentance? (amended for my Calvinist friends :smilewinkgrin

 

[DHK]

.
.

This is today's 'Christianity',

<<The antichrist may indeed be alive, but we don't know for sure.>>

.

That is an accurate statement.
But when he does reveal himself as the antichrist, I don't plan to be here.

 

[Protestant]

Do you see any catholic being able to be saved by the grace of God, or does belonging to that church mean none can be?

Let’s examine what Scripture says:

Without holiness no man shall see the Lord

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

All the religious leaders named in my many posts who either claim the Popes to be great men of God, born again of the Spirit of God, or claim, in their judgment, the Pope exhibits the sweet evidence of Christ in his life and, as such, stands a blessed chance of having been born again.

These religious men have no understanding of what it means ‘to be born again.’

The necessity of the new spiritual birth is due to the total depravity -- the all-encompassing sinful nature -- of our first fleshly birth.

Nothing in us is left sinless.

Holiness can only come through the effectual work of the Holy Spirit.

To insinuate holiness in the leader of Mystery Babylon, the Church of Rome, the apostate church predicted in 2 Thess. 2 and 1 Tim. 4 (who fell away from the true faith it once held), is to insinuate:

(1) The grace of God is not able to effectually sanctify, through belief in the truth, the very man who claims to be the Vicar of Christ and yet remains willfully opposed to eternal truth at every turn.

(2) The Spirit of God is not able to make a new creation out of the Vicar of Christ, leaving him in his original sinful, idolatrous state.

(3) God is a liar when He says what is impossible with man is possible with God.

(4) God is a liar when He says sanctification and belief in the truth go irresistibly hand in hand.

(5) God is a liar when he says His calling is to holiness.

(5) Idolatry – spiritual fornication – is not unclean or unholy.

(6) Worshiping other gods is not unclean or unholy.

(7) Usurping the offices of Christ is not unclean or unholy.

1st Conclusion: If those things be true, then we might as well burn our Bibles and declare private opinion to be the standard of our faith and conduct.

2nd Conclusion: But these things are not true. Therefore, the Popes of Rome never had the Spirit and grace of God, though they are called 'His Holiness' and 'Holy Father.'

3rd Conclusion: The fact that the religious leaders named in my previous posts either do not understand or believe what it really means to be born of the Spirit – i.e. to be led out of the unclean and into that which is holy -- is proof that they, themselves, have not the Spirit and grace of God.

For if they had the Spirit and grace of God, that Spirit of truth would have infallibly and powerfully revealed these essential truths to these most respected religious leaders who claim God’s calling to the ministry.

But, alas, He did not.

These men have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof.......

........the power to cleanse and make holy.

For those whom He calls He actually and powerfully sanctifies by His Spirit through belief in the truth.

RE: Your initial question…..The power and grace of God is absolutely effectual in opening the blind eyes and deaf ears of those Elect in the Church of Rome.

Christ is the good Shepherd who leads His people out of apostasy into the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Remember, we are not talking about side issues.

We are discussing what it actually means to be born again of the Spirit of the living God.

We are talking about God’s plan, purpose, and power to save.

Sanctification is an ongoing process.

The new or young believer is not held to the same rigorous standard as are those religious leaders who are lifted up, having millions of followers believing their every word or judgment.

The Bottom Line: In eternity when God chose to love a sinner, He also determined to save that same sinner from his sinful uncleanness.

And God always accomplishes His purposes……..which why He is God and there is no other.

declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose (ESV)

 

[Protestant]

While I did not agree with him on everything John R. Rice was a godly man who loved the Lord and won more people to Christ than most people on this board combined.

By the way this thread is highly disrepsectful as his grandson frequents this boardreguarly. In fact it is down right shameful.

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

 

[Protestant]

But when he does reveal himself as the antichrist, I don't plan to be here.

Fasten your seatbelt, you're in for a very bumpy ride, Mr. Wannabe Outta Here. :thumbs:

 

[Protestant]

.
.

This is today's 'Christianity',

<<The antichrist may indeed be alive, but we don't know for sure.>>

.

Amen and Amen!

 

[DHK]

Fasten your seatbelt, you're in for a very bumpy ride, Mr. Wannabe Outta Here. :thumbs:

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

James Black fully expected the return of Christ before all else, and to be raptured when that time would come. He lived in the latter half of the 19th century.

Paul said "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
I believe what he says.

The mystery of iniquity will not be revealed until the Holy Spirit which restrains iniquity be taken out of the way. How will he be taken out of the way. The believers restrain iniquity. They are the salt of the earth. They, via the rapture, will be taken out of the way.

 

[DHK]

RE: The Pope.
What has been written is indeed all speculation.
When one reads articles like this one:

Islamic State (ISIS) is moving toward an alliance with the Nusra Front, the largest Al-Qaida affiliate in Syria, as a U.S.-led coalition continues strikes against IS positions in the northeastern part of the country.
Nusra Front, or Jabhat al-Nusra, has been facing mounting pressure from its own members to reconcile with its rival and form a united front against the air strikes, which began in Syria last week, after the American fight against Islamic State began in Iraq in August.

http://www.worthynews.com/top/haaretz-com-news-middle-east-1-618222/


One can easily see that the coming antichrist, the one who will unite all the nations of the world together, will not be the Pope, but rather the head of a great Islamic state as they continue to grow at an alarming rate.

You say: "America will never allow it."
Don't be fooled. America is weak from within. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, both inside and outside America. As it continues to grow America's efforts to destroy it continue to weaken.
Remember: the majority (even in history) is not always right; in fact rarely right.

 

[PreachTony]

RE: The Pope.
What has been written is indeed all speculation.
When one reads articles like this one:

http://www.worthynews.com/top/haaretz-com-news-middle-east-1-618222/


One can easily see that the coming antichrist, the one who will unite all the nations of the world together, will not be the Pope, but rather the head of a great Islamic state as they continue to grow at an alarming rate.

You say: "America will never allow it."
Don't be fooled. America is weak from within. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, both inside and outside America. As it continues to grow America's efforts to destroy it continue to weaken.
Remember: the majority (even in history) is not always right; in fact rarely right.

This sort of discussion is wonderful, but I'm going to stand by what I wrote earlier. The Bible, through the pen of John, tells us that we await the coming Antichrist, but in fact many antichrists already are. John told his readers some 1900 years ago that the spirit of Antichrist was already in the world.

We battle daily against the spirit of antichrist. Why keep looking down the road when the fight is already in our back yards, schools, politics, and yes, churches?

 

[DHK]

This sort of discussion is wonderful, but I'm going to stand by what I wrote earlier. The Bible, through the pen of John, tells us that we await the coming Antichrist, but in fact many antichrists already are. John told his readers some 1900 years ago that the spirit of Antichrist was already in the world.

We battle daily against the spirit of antichrist. Why keep looking down the road when the fight is already in our back yards, schools, politics, and yes, churches?

We look back. The Bible commands us to when, over and over it admonishes us to "Remember these things." The history of Israel is to be remembered. History is studied in almost every educational institution I know of. I am sure that you have studied the history of your nation, correct?
But why? That is the basic question you are asking.

We study the present. The Bible written more than 2,000 years ago is applicable to us today. We are in a battle with present day forces. In that you are correct.

We study the future. John did, as so did all the rest of the apostles and the prophets as well. It is called eschatology and takes up a good portion of the Bible. The Bible itself says that "all Scripture (not just a portion) is inspired of God and is profitable..."
Concerning the same Scripture Paul said:
"Study to show yourselves approved unto God..." That included the prophetic scriptures as well.

John specifically said:
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
--There is a special blessing to those who study and heed the words of the prophecy of the book of Revelation.

Study Revelation chapter 13. There is an antichrist to come and a false prophet to come; a one world political leader and a one world religious leader. John looked into the future and told us of these things. He wasn't writing for the good of his own health. He was writing for our admonition. It is the inspired Word of God. It is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

[Protestant]

This sort of discussion is wonderful, but I'm going to stand by what I wrote earlier. The Bible, through the pen of John, tells us that we await the coming Antichrist, but in fact many antichrists already are. John told his readers some 1900 years ago that the spirit of Antichrist was already in the world.

We battle daily against the spirit of antichrist. Why keep looking down the road when the fight is already in our back yards, schools, politics, and yes, churches?

So true. What the secret Rapture Futurists neglect to grasp is the fact that according to their doctrine there is no reason for them to scour current events or postulate future events which include their mysterious unknowable Antichrist because they will not be here on earth to identify him or warn others that he is come.

They and they alone will escape great tribulation.
They and they alone need not fight the good fight.
They and they alone need not be Christian soldiers.
For when the going gets tough, they will be going........far away from the fight.

 

[Revmitchell]

Johnof Japan I am sorry someone would post such an attack agaisnt your grandfather. This poster that started this thread is not an example of the typical person on this board and neither do they represent a majority view. This Westboro Baptist Church tactic is just ashame.

 

[Protestant]

One can easily see that the coming antichrist, the one who will unite all the nations of the world together, will not be the Pope, but rather the head of a great Islamic state as they continue to grow at an alarming rate.

Do I discern a prophecy has just been uttered?

Goodness, gracious. I knew not there was a Charismatic hiding under Baptist wool.

But before I believe you the Lord has set up a few ground rules:

1. You must have other witnesses who agree to the truth of the prophecy.
2. The prophecy must come to pass.

So I ask, who on this Board will step forward in agreement that the world will be united by an Islamic extremist terrorist?

Perhaps the good 'Reverend'?