Jesus erklärte: "Und es werden Zeichen geschehen an Sonne, Mond und Sternen, und auf Erden wird den Völkern bange sein" (Lukas 21,25; Matthäus 24,29; Markus 13,24-26; Offenbarung 6,12-17). Wer diese Vorboten seines Kommens sieht, soll wissen, "daß er nahe vor der Tür ist" (Matthäus 24,33). GC, 37.38/GK, 37 (1911)
Die römische Kirche zeigt sich der Welt heute von einer guten Seite. Die Berichte über ihre schrecklichen Grausamkeiten werden mit Entschuldigungen zugedeckt. Sie hüllt sich in christusähnliche Gewänder, aber in ihrem Wesen ist sie unverändert geblieben. Jeder Grundsatz der Papstkirche, der in der Vergangenheit definiert wurde, besteht auch heute noch. Die Lehren, die in den finsteren Tagen des Mittelalters formuliert wurden, werden noch heute vertreten. Es täusche sich niemand! Das Papsttum, dem die Protestanten heute so freundlich begegnen, ist dasselbe, das die Welt in den Tagen der Reformation beherrschte, als sich Menschen unter Lebensgefahr erhoben, um seine Bosheit bloßzustellen. Es besitzt das gleiche Selbstbewusstsein und erhebt denselben vermessenen Anspruch, mit dem es einst Könige und Fürsten beherrschte und es besteht auf Vorrechten, die nur Gott gehören. Seine Wesensart ist heute nicht weniger hart und gebieterisch als zu der Zeit, in der es die menschliche Freiheit niederwarf und die Heiligen des Höchsten vernichtete.
t’s a Revelation prophecy seminar unlike any you’ve ever witnessed.
Seventh-day Adventist filmmaker Christopher Hudson has crafted an exploration of the Roman Catholic Church and Revelation 13 into a hip, fast-paced film that has gone viral on YouTube and even won accolades from some unlikely quarters in pop culture.
The film, “Leopard Vision (Vol. 1),” traces the history of the Catholic church while underscoring what Hudson sees as the central theme of the last book of the Bible: that the book is a revelation of Jesus Christ, not of political powers or false systems of worship.
“It is my earnest desire that this film will help millions to realize that the events that are now taking place on planet Earth are sure indicators that the word of God is true and that Jesus Christ is coming back to this world very soon,” the 38-year-old Hudson told the Adventist Review.
Protestants in America have a history of mistrusting the Catholic Church, but attitudes are rapidly changing as many—from all faiths and no faith at all—are opening their arms to welcome Pope Francis on his first visit to the United States. Is this a good sign? He believes in protecting the environment. He is committed to social justice. He dresses modestly and reaches out to the marginalized. He has washed the feet of prisoners and opened Vatican doors to the homeless. Who wouldn’t like this pope? Baptists, Methodists, Jews, Muslims, former Catholics, and even atheists are all speaking favorably about Pope Francis.
In a recent CNN article titled, “The Pope: Not just for Catholics anymore,” Jessica Ravitz writes, “A variety of celebrities and other public figures across a variety of faiths have expressed support for Pope Francis.” [1] Though he is the “head honcho of the world’s largest Christian church,” she explains, “he’s captured hearts across religious—and even nonreligious—lines.”
How has the “Francis effect” been catching the attention of leaders toward the head of the Roman Catholic Church? It’s quite apparent as America gears up for his big visit to Washington, D.C., New York, and Philadelphia from September 22 to 27, 2015. Not only has a slew of memorabilia been created (T-shirts, mugs, coins, bumper sticks, and even a life-size pop-ups of the pontiff), but congress is rolling out the red carpet. The pope will speak to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on September 24. The following day he will address the United Nations General Assembly.
In the wake of his popularity, a chorus of voices is saying we should put aside the past, focus on unity, link hands across faith differences, find common ground, and concentrate on loving others. Even the president of Maryland’s Islamic Affairs Council went so far as to say, “Theological differences should be set aside in the pursuit of a better world for all.” [2]The United States has not always been so welcoming of Catholics. In his article, “America’s dark and not-very-distant history of hating Catholics,” Rory Carroll highlights several examples of discrimination. Quoting Kenneth Davis of the Smithsonian, he states this “dwindled in the 20th century, especially after John F. Kennedy became the first Catholic president, bequeathing a sort of amnesia.” [3] But should we completely forget about why there have been concerns?
