India and the Beast of Revelation 13
By COGwriter
There are over 1.2 billion people who live in India, and most of them are Hindus. There are also Indians in many other countries, with majorities in places like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Will most Indian people, at least cooperate with the coming European Beast power of Revelation 13? If so, why? Does the Bible teach that they will likely also support False Prophet/Antichrist?
Are interfaith steps to set that up taking taking place even now?
What does the Bible teach related to this? What do Hindu and Roman Catholic prophecies suggest?
By what means will Indians accept, at least to a degree, the Beast power of Revelation 13?
Could the Great Tribulation come by 2025?
Do any biblical and Hindu prophecies seem to point to the same time for the end?
This article will explain that and more.
A related sermon is available on this: India, Prophecy, and the Beast in 2025?
India, the Beast of Revelation 13, and Bible Prophecy
Bible prophecy teaches that the whole world will worship the Beast of Revelation 13 and that a second Beast will assist with this:
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (Revelation 13:1-15)
The above includes people in India. The Bible is teachings that people on the earth will worship the Beast, they will be taught to do so, that signs and wonders will be involved, and the fear of death will be involved. Other passages of the Bible also indicate that religion factors (Revelation 17) economic influence (Revelation 13:16-18; Revelation 18) will also play a role.
People in India (and elsewhere) will be deceived by signs and wonders:
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. (Matthew 24:24-25)
These factors will persuade most in India to follow, to a degree, the Beast of the sea of Revelation 13:1-10 as well as the Beast of the earth of (Revelation 13:11-15). And these men will be European leaders (cf. Daniel 9:26-27; see also the video Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).
The Beast of the sea is also known as the King of the North in Daniel 11. He also seems to be the same person some Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophecies refer to as the 'Great Monarch' (see also The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies and Who is the King of the North?).
Roman Catholic Prophecy, Fatima, and Indians
Some Roman Catholic writings and private prophecies are specify to the Indian peoples.
Before getting to them, understand that the term "pagans" normally is used to refer to people who worship many gods and idols. Such is a term that has been applied to those of the Hindu faith.
Notice prophecies from some Roman Catholic mystics:
St. Bridget (14th century): Before Antichrist comes, the portals of Faith will be opened to great numbers of pagans (Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, p. 449)
Venerable Magdalene Porzat (died 1850) (Great Monarch)...shall...restore to their dominions the legitimate kings. A just and pious man born in Galacia shall be the Supreme Pontiff: then the whole world will be united and prosperous. One faith only and one emperor shall reign over the whole earth (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 38).
Cardinal La Roque (c. 18th century): A regeneration of Faith will appear in Asia (R. Gerald Culleton. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 193).
Elizabeth Canori-Mora (died 1825) ... Such is the glorious triumph reserved for the Catholic Church; she shall be praised, honored and esteemed by all men. All men shall become Catholics, and shall acknowledge the Pope as Vicar of Jesus Christ." (Connor, p.24).
Alphonse Eppinger (1867): "After God has purified the world faith and peace will return. Whole nations will adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church." (Connor, p.25)
Pope Leo XIII (1893): The Orient, courageously and successfully explored by the Portuguese, is coveted by many today for its lucrative trade. We, however, have a more noble purpose in mind ... To take care, therefore, of the preservation and propagation of the Catholic religion among the Hindus, a Hindu clergy has to be formed that could administer the sacraments and govern the Christian people properly, no matter how menacing the times ... Be sure that the role of Christianity in such remote regions becomes well known. Make your people understand that something must be done for the Hindus (Leo XIII. AD EXTREMAS ON SEMINARIES FOR NATIVE CLERGY. Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on June 24, 1893. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_24061893_ad-extremas_en.html viewed 07/19/09).
But this acceptance of the "Catholic" leaders and teachings by those of Indian heritage will not last. Perhaps it should mentioned that even many Roman Catholic writers have warned that one that they call an "antipope" will lead a changed church calling itself "Catholic" that will be an ecumenical world religion that many all over the world will follow, but should not follow (see also The Malachy Prophecies and "Peter the Roman" and Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?).
Lest anyone think that these old private prophecies are not of any relevance, it needs to be clear that Roman Catholic leaders of the 20th and 21st century have expected that some version of 'Mary' would help bring the those of Indian heritage to their faith.
Archbishop Sheen essentially thought that the appearance in Fatima was to also ultimately result in Muslims (and possibly Hindus) accepting his faith. Notice that he also wrote:
Our missionaries report the most extraordinary reaction of these peoples as the Pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried through the East. At the edge of Nepal, three hundred Catholics were joined by three thousand Hindus and Moslems, as four elephants carried the statue to the little church for Rosary and Benediction…The final evidence of the relationship of the village of Fatima to the Moslems is the enthusiastic reception that the Moslems in Africa and India and elsewhere gave to the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima…
Missionaries in the future will, more and more…be successful in the measure they preach Our Lady of Fatima….
Archbishop Sheen also wrote:
At Patna, the Brahman Hindu governor of the province visited the church and prayed before the statue of Our Lady. In one tiny village of Kesra Mec, more than twenty-four thousand people came to see the statue.
But, that is not an isolated incident. Notice the following account of a group of Hindus who visited Cova da Iria in Fatima in 2004:
Hindus…were allowed to conduct a pagan prayer chant at the altar in the sanctuary of the Little Chapel of the Apparitions…on May 5, 2004…a national television station in Portugal broadcast that a group of Hindus from Lisbon was allowed to commandeer the Shrine for a pagan prayer chant, with the Hindu “priest” standing at the Catholic altar invoking false gods in the causes of peace, while the Hindu congregation in the Little Chapel responded with a chant. This is a desecration…since Sacred Scripture teaches “the gods of the Gentiles are devils” (Psalm 95:5)
This Hindu ceremony, as expected, upset some Catholics. (Note that Psalm 95:5 in the DRB is Psalm 96:5 in the NJB/NKJV which use the word “idols” instead of “devils.”)
Notice that is not just Hindus, but the Muslims in India and elsewhere that the Church of Rome also wants to reach (some Muslims claim that Muhammad's daughter Fatima was 'the Lady' that appeared in Fatima, Portugal in 1917 and that Fatima should be a Muslim, not Catholic shrine; see the book Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions).
The fact that the Roman Catholic leaders in Fatima, Portugal allowed Hindus to conduct one of their ceremonies at a Roman Catholic shrine shows how serious the Church of Rome is to reach out ecumenically to Indians. The fact that the current Pope Francis is so Marian and Fatima-focused suggests that he too, expects to reach the Indians. On October 13, 2013, Pope Francis consecrated the world to the immaculate heart of that Fatima statue (Francis consecrated world to the ‘immaculate heart’ of an alleged ‘Fatima’ statue). This likely has appeal to Hindus and others.
Notice something else from the 21st century:
Jaffa, Israel, Aug 2, 2013 / 04:10 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Preparations for the Feast of the Nativity of Mary this September are already underway in the Holy Land, particularly among Indian migrant workers.
“Mother Mary is revered with great devotion by the Indian community as a mother and a spiritual figure of maternal protection,” said Friar Jayaseellan Pitchaimuthu OFM, head of the Indian Chaplaincy in Holy Land.
She is acknowledged as the “protector and patroness” of the Indian Chaplaincy in Holy Land because she is a “model” for the migrants, he told CNA. He noted that the Holy Family took refuge in Egypt for safety and settled for livelihood in Nazareth, and that Jesus carried out his apostolic mission in Judea, Galilee and Jerusalem.
Many Indian Catholic migrant workers “seek grace and invoke (Mary's) motherly protection,” he said...
The friar explained that the Marian feast day is particularly important in the Indian context because of its relation to other faiths.
Members of other religions, including Hindus and Muslims, “regard Marian devotions in esteem,” he said.
Thousands of devotees – both Catholics and non-Catholics – flock every week to the Marian apparition site at Velankanni, near Chennai in South India, and other shines that have recorded various miracles, he said.
In this way, the friar explained, “Marian devotion also leads to a platform for inter-religious dialogue.” (Gonzales AA. Indian migrants in Holy Land prepare for Marian feast. CNA, August 2, 2013. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/indian-migrants-in-holy-land-prepare-for-marian-feast)
There basically is an interfaith Roman Catholic plan that expects to use 'Mary' to reach those of Indian heritage. But this is a false gospel (cf. Galatians 1:6-7), and those of Indian heritage need to avoid that (cf. Revelation 18:1-5). The apparitions that are claimed to be Mary of the Bible are false (see also Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions). But Pope Francis continues to push his version of 'Mary' to reach whoever he can (see also Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?).
Furthermore, notice that Catholics are working in India to get Hindus and others in India to be trusting of their church:
BERHAMPUR, India, SEPT. 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The principal challenge facing the Church in India is not the reconstruction of buildings destroyed by anti-Catholic violence by Hindu fundamentalists, but rather the restoration of interreligious trust, says a bishop of Orissa...
Q: Why, if Christians make such a small percentage of the population, are the Hindus so threatened by the Christians in this area?
Bishop Nayak: There are many reasons why this threat perception is there. First of all, the Christian presence, though we are hardly 2%, our service in terms of education, the social services, and the health service is almost 20% -- service that we are giving.
And they say that this is the reason for the increase of conversions in the area, so this is one. They are threatened by this increase in number... if you allow Christians to grow in number they will take over India.
Q: They will eventually conquer.
Bishop Nayak: They will conquer, so that is the fear -- that is the unfounded fear...
Q: Don't they have a point? If Christianity continues to grow and the Christians are teaching that everybody is equal, it is a threat to the caste system. Is it not a reality at some point that the Dalits will say: Why should we be treated differently? We are the same and Christianity teaches us as such. So, in fact the Hindus do have a point that it is a threat to the caste system.
Bishop Nayak: Yes, it is really a threat to the caste system. Why should there be a caste system there, making people less than a cow, less than an animal?
... building up solidarity locally among different groups of different religions will be the first, and to build up the lost trust, to bring back, again that we can live together as we have been living from time immemorial. That will be the first priority. (http://www.zenit.org/article-30328?l=english)
Although Bishop Nayak tended to downplay it, the reality is that it is the goal of his church to get the Indians in it (see also Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?).
Apparitions of Mary, inter-religious dialogue, and other factors will get the majority of Indians to support the final Beast power.
Notice the following related to a world interfaith an prayer meeting from a Hindu leader who participated:
20 September 2016
(Vatican Radio) Indian writer and activist Sudheendra Kulkarni is one of the estimated 450 religious representatives of various faiths participating in the World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi …
Kulkarni, who is of Hindu faith, heads the Observer Research Foundation, an independent think tank, based in India. He is particularly concerned with interfaith dialogue, specifically India/Pakistan dialogue for peace and cooperation.
He told Vatican Radio’s Christopher Altieri that the message of the World Day of Prayer for Peace is more relevant today than ever: … “Pope Francis is at one level the head of the Catholic Church in the world, but at another level he is the moral conscience keeper of the world. His message is for the entire humanity. Today he is one of those rare voices in the world, which is reminding us that we have to change this world. We have to change this world in a way that the poor are respected, the poor have justice, and the poor can live in a secure world. Second, he is one of those great global leaders who are speaking very spiritedly for the protection of ecology. He is in fact known as a green Pope and we in India respect him for this, and will be very happy to see Pope Francis visiting India at his earliest opportunity”. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/09/20/hindu_assisi_participant_%E2%80%98pope_francis_is_moral_conscience_/1259481
I have warned for years that Hindus will temporarily accept the Vatican’s future ecumenical/interfaith agenda. The statements by the Hindu Sudheendra Kulkarni are consistent with that assessment.
Now see also the following:
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has released a message for the Hindu festival of Deepavali or Diwali, the festival of light.
By Robin Gomes
“As believers grounded in our own religious convictions and with shared concern for the welfare of the human family, may we join hands with those of different religious traditions and all people of good will, and strive to do all we can – with a sense of shared responsibility – to build a more fraternal and peaceful society!”
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue made this invitation in a message for Diwali that occurs on Sunday, October 27. Entitled, “Believers: Builders of Fraternity and Peaceful Coexistence”, the message was signed by the Council president, Card. Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot and its secretary, Msgr. Indunil Kodithuwakku Janakaratne Kankanamalage.
Symbolically, Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, truth over lies, life over death and good over evil. 10/23/19 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2019-10/vatican-deepavali-diwali-message-2019-fraternal-peaceful-coexist.html
So, a Hindu festival is acceptable to the Vatican.
It has been claimed, "Hinduism also worships a Trinity" (https://www.angelfire.com/space2/light11/hinduism1.html accessed 01/07/21). It is not really a stretch to consider that the Vatican may tell Hindus that their deity, Braham god of Creation, is either the Father or Jesus the Son (as Brahma is is also considered to be a mortal). Atman was the son of Brahman and was in him and vice versa, so Atman is perhaps consdered the "son."
Mahabharata's story of Kunti's virgin birth (Kunti is one of five revered virgins in Hinduism) has always seemed a mesh of aspects of the biblical Virgin Mary, as perhaps does the Hindu deity and "mother goddess" Parvati Devi. It has been claimed that "Shakti (energy) is the Holy Spirit" (https://www.angelfire.com/space2/light11/hinduism1.html accessed 01/07/21), while Shakti is supposed to be a goddess, it may be pointed out that the Hebrew word for ‘spirit’ (ruwach) is feminine. Rome is likely to push these "similarities" and more!.
Perhaps it should be mentioned that the final European Beast power will feign a more compromised version of Roman Catholicism for a time, apparently long enough to get a certain following, and then later his followers will betray it according to biblical prophecy (Revelation 17:15-18).
Hindu Prophecies and Writings May Get Indians to Support the Beast and the False Prophet
It is not just goodwill gestures, doctrines, signs and wonders from Roman Catholic-connected sources that will likely persuade the Indians. As mentioned before, the Bible tells about social, persecutory, and economic pressures as well. Furthermore, there are Hindu prophecies and writings that also seem to be possible internal reasons that many in India will decide that supporting the upcoming European Beast power will be culturally acceptable.
Within Hinduism there is the prophetic belief that a leader called the Kalki who is to rise up with the promise of bring peace--and while most views suggest he is Indian, that could be a matter of interpretation--Hinduism mainly is looking for a leader to rise up.
As it turns out, certain interpretations of Hindu prophecies point to the basically same time as the Bible (though they use a 5,000 year period, which started about 1,000 years later) for certain end time events to unfold. Notice the following:
Lord Krishna says that Kali Yuga will end 5,000 years after its beginning, giving way to a Golden Age. …
Hindus believe that human civilization degenerates spiritually during the Kali Yuga, which is referred to as the Dark Age because in it people are as far removed as possible from God. …
The timeline also indicates that the ascending Kali Yuga, which is the current epoch in which we are living, will end in 2025 CE. (Cupper28. Kaliyuga Ends by 2025, Mystry. Daily English News, July 4, 2018)
Now, from a biblical perspective this is a bit too early for the new utopian age (Christians would refer to that age as the millennial kingdom of God). Yet, other Hindu writings point to this leader being a warring one.
Related to that, here is a section of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect that would like to quote:
A Hindu from India named Vijay Kumar (he refers to himself as "The Man who Realized God In 1993") makes the following claims...:
For the society to climb back to its pristine glory of the golden era... even the meek would handle metal (pick arms). Whatever the poor and the downtrodden lay their hands upon would become their weapon. In the last phase of the Kali Yuga we are passing through... the complete society has been taken to ransom by about 6% corrupt population comprising of politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary and police force…people await with abated breath the coming of Bhagwan Kalki...one who delivers the mankind from the existing ills of today. Bhagwan Kalki would be a spiritual master of the highest order with the deadly combination of a wise dictator (Chanakya of the modern era) ... (Kumar, Vijay. End of the World 2012. http://www.godrealized.com/2012.html)
Notice that Vijay Kumar's writings support a warring power—something the Bible warns against in Revelation 13:3–10. This type of warring power will not bring in a true age of peace, even though many may proclaim that it will (cf. Ezekiel 13:10-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:3).
Also notice the following about the Avatar/Bhagwan Kalki:
Whenever there is a withering of the law
and an uprising of lawlessness on all sides,
then I manifest Myself.
For the salvation of the righteous
and the destruction of such as do evil,
for the firm establishing of the Law,
I come to birth, age after age.—Bhagavad Gita, Book IV, Sutra 5, 7, 8…
In all, the Hindu text of Kalki Purana is comprised of 6100 verses describing … Kalki, who is considered the last Avtar or incarnation of Vishnu or the Supreme Being, who will establish the Age of Truth or Age of Purity on Earth.… As agreed by all the religious prophecies, the Awaited One will not be a man of peace like Jesus Christ or Buddha, but a man of war who will destroy evil and establish righteousness on the earth. (Hindu Prophecies: The Kalki Purana. http://ww-iii.tripod.com/hindu.htm)
If views like these become predominant in the future, it may be that they will help lead to Hindus at least temporarily accepting a new religion of the coming False Prophet and the authority of the coming militaristic dictator known as Beast that the Bible warns will rise up at the end. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009)
Notice that this leader is supposed to be coming and is supposed to be consistent with Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian prophecies. Thus, Hindus are likely to accept one as a major leader who is not truly a Hindu. This appears to be a type of supposed ecumenical leader--the Beast of Revelation 13, who while he will initially probably feign some version of Roman Catholicism, ultimately will betray that faith as well (Daniel 11:36-38; Revelation 17:15-19).
Essentially, a warring leader that Hindus will accept (for a time) is to possibly rise up in 2025. Since the Bible shows that “All who dwell on the earth will worship” (Revelation 13:8) the warring Beast power (Revelation 13:1-4), and since this Beast leader’s reign is 42 months (Revelation 13:5), if he were to rise up in 2025, 42 months later would be sometime in 2028 or 2029.
Based on scripture, that could coincide with the timing of the rise of the Beast.
Notice something else about the Kalki:
June 14, 2016
Aryans used to control the region thousands of years ago. They formulated a grand religion, which in a modified form is still practiced today by the inhabitants of the peninsula.
Considering this, it’s only natural that Hindus today would come to worship Donald Trump as Kalki, the savior of humanity. ...
“Trump has said Muslims should be banned from entering America. Everyone should support that,” said Hindu Sena leader Vishnu Gupta, whose group is known more for its publicity stunts than for having any meaningful support. ...
“Trump is about to become the king of the world,” Gupta said.
More than the king of the world, my brown friend. Trump is Kalki, the last avatar of Vishnu, he who will cleanse the world and end the age of darkness, the Kali Yuga, and restore the divine order to the mortal realm. http://www.dailystormer.com/hindus-celebrate-trumps-birthday-hailing-him-as-king-of-the-world-2/
The author's statements and sarcastic comments were based upon him seeing the following article from Reuters:
June 14, 2016
A Hindu fringe group celebrated the 70th birthday of Donald Trump in the Indian capital on Tuesday, calling the U.S. presidential contender the "savior of humanity" who could end the global threat posed by Islamist militants.
About 20 members of the far-right Hindu Sena, or Hindu Army, held the festivities as Americans grieved over the deaths of 49 people in the country's worst-ever mass shooting, perpetrated by a gunman claiming allegiance to Islamic State.
"Trump has said Muslims should be banned from entering America. Everyone should support that," said Hindu Sena leader Vishnu Gupta, whose group is known more for its publicity stunts than for having any meaningful support. ...
"Trump is about to become the king of the world," Gupta said. "How will we attack Pakistan without his support?" http://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-trump-idUSKCN0Z018O
Of course, Donald Trump was NOT and is not the savior of humanity, Jesus is:
23 ... Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)
Now, while I do not believe that Kalki leader is Donald Trump, I do believe the time will come when those in India, like everyone else, will worship the end time European Beast power, as the Bible teaches.
The fact that Donald Trump is NOT a Hindu nor Indian (he is of European heritage) shows that, yes, the Hindus seem, at least from a certain theological perspective, to be willing to support a non-Hindu, non-Indian, as the Kalki, King of the world (which the Bible calls the Beast and the King of the North).
Interestingly, the famous Roman Catholic nun called "Mother Theresa" encouraged Hindus to pray to the Bhagwan (or Bagwan):
“If in coming face to face with God we accept Him in our lives, then we are converting. We become a better Hindu, a better Muslim, a better Catholic, a better whatever we are .... What God is in your mind you must accept” (from Mother Teresa: Her People and Her Work, by Desmond Doig, [Harper & Row, 1976, p.156]).
“I convert you to be a better Hindu or a better Muslim or a better Protestant. Once you’ve found God, it’s up to you to decide how to worship him.” (“Mother Teresa Touched Other Faiths,” AP, Sept. 7, 1997).
“I’ve always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic” (A Simple Path, p. 31).
A co-worker of Mother Teresa’s was asked this question: “These people are waiting to die. What are you telling them to prepare them for death and eternity?” Mother Teresa’s co-worker (a nun) stated, “We tell them to pray to their Bhagwan, to their gods.” (Interview with Christian News)
The April 7-13, 1990, issue of Radio Times tells the story of Mother Teresa taking care of a dying Hindu priest. “She nursed him with her own hands and helped him to die reconciled with his own gods. (http://www.evangelicaloutreach.org/motherteresasc.htm accessed 03/15/16)
So, there is a history of Roman Catholicism tying in with the Bhagwan and Hinduism. If one thinks that the Church of Rome was repulsed by what Theresa said, understand that it considers her to be a saint.
Some of the prophecies involving the Bagwan Kalki also discuss a "White horse." The Bible warns of a rider of the white horse (the first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse) who is a deceptive religious leader, and at the end representing. the False Prophet, the final Antichrist:
1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2)
The above rider is generally considered to be the first of the four horseman of the Apocalypse. He will be a false religious leader and the final Antichrist.
Someone (perhaps the False Prophet) Bowing Before the Kalki
Around 1765, the illustration shown above was put together. Notice that it has a person with a white horse who is bowing down before the Kalki. This is consistent with biblical prophecy that the false prophet will try to cause all to worship the Beast of Revelation 13. Other Hindu prophecies have the Kalki himself riding the white horse. The Bible itself shows that the Beast and the False Prophet work together and more so after the final ride of the White Horseman of Revelation 6:2 who goes forth to conquer.
Notice also the following, which one from India:
the ‘Tenth Incarnation of Lord Vishnu’ who has been described in SRIMADBHAGWAT as KLAKI AVATAR ...
One who for a long time will pacify the earth can only be the said incarnation or the ruler who was designated by the God for this purpose. He has been described as MAITREYA in Buddhist scriptures and as RIDER OF WHITE HORSE in Christian scriptures ... http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PositiveThinkingAndMeditation/conversations/topics/15379 (viewed 09/05/13)
Even though those of India will be among those who will rebel against the final Beast power, it appears that they too will, for a while, somewhat accept him and what he advocates. And this appears to be consistent with both biblical and Hindu prophecy.
Also, the rider of the White Horse in biblical prophecy is NOT one that Christians should follow (see also Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse).
However this worship of the coming beast power will not last--various ones of Indian backgrounds will apparently be part of the revolt against it.
Does 2025 or Shortly Thereafter Tie with Other Prophecies?
Is it possible that the timing of the 5000 years for Hindu prophecies ties into biblical, Jewish, Greco-Roman, and Christian writings ending at a similar time?
Yes.
There is an old tradition that the prophet Elijah taught that there would be six thousand years for humans to rule under Satan's kingdom, followed by one thousand years of abundance in the kingdom of God.
Edward Gibbon from the 1776 work "THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE," where he documented the facts regarding the first century Christians...
"The ancient and popular doctrine of the Millennium was intimately connected with the second coming of Christ. As the works of the creation had been finished in six days, their duration in their present state, according to a tradition which was attributed to the prophet Elijah, was fixed to six thousand years. By the same analogy it was inferred that this long period of labor and contention, which was now almost elapsed, would be succeeded by a joyful Sabbath of a thousand years; and that Christ, with the triumphant band of the saints and the elect who had escaped death, or who had been miraculously revived, would reign upon earth till the time appointed for the last and general resurrection". - Vol I, p.403
Jewish tradition also seemingly attributes statements to the 'school of Elijah' or someone else. Here are two translations from the Talmud:
'It was taught in the school of Elijah: The world will endure 6000 years -- 2,000 years in chaos, 2,000 years with Torah, and 2,000 years will be the days of the Messiah' ('Talmud,' Sanh.97a).
The Tanna debe Eliyyahu teaches: The world is to exist six thousand years. In the first two thousand there was desolation; two thousand years the Torah flourished; and the next two thousand years is the Messianic era (Babylonian Talmud: Sanhedrin 97a).
While traditions should never supersede scripture, the above is certainly an interesting and ancient tradition is it shows that the idea of a 6,000 year plan followed by Christ establishing His kingdom on the earth was a common teaching among the early ones who professed Christ (see also Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).
Furthermore, from the Jewish writings above, it should be clear that the Messiah was to come 2000 years ago, which Jesus did. We in the Continuing Church of God call the time from Acts 2 to present the 'church era,' which is consistent with the Talmud (as far as the Torah goes, that time was closer to 1400 years than 2000 as it was not finalized until after the Exodus--see also Timelines and Early Church History and When was the Exodus? Did it Happen?).
Here are specific traditions related to the millennium from the Jewish Babylonian Talmud:
R. Kattina said: Six thousand years shall the world exist, and one [thousand, the seventh], it shall be desolate, as it is written, And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day {Isaiah 2:11}.
Abaye said: it will be desolate two [thousand], as it is said, After two days will he revive us: in the third day, he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight {Hosea 6:2}.
It has been taught in accordance with R. Kattina: Just as the seventh year is one year of release in seven, so is the world: one thousand years out of seven shall be fallow {Leviticus 25:1-7}, as it is written, And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day,' {Isaiah 2:17} and it is further said, A Psalm and song for the Sabbath day {Psalm 92:1}, meaning the day that is altogether Sabbath -- and it is also said, For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past {Psalm 90:4}.
The Tanna debe Eliyyahu teaches: The world is to exist six thousand years. In the first two thousand there was desolation; two thousand years the Torah flourished; and the next two thousand years is the Messianic era (Babylonian Talmud: Tractate Sanhedrin Folio 97a).
And while there are some errors in the above, it appears that there is a six thousand year plan, that the current two thousand years essentially represents the Church/Messianic era, and that a one thousand year period remains.
Note: I inserted the scriptures quoted or alluded to above within {} as they are in the footnotes associated with the above.
Now, some Jews believe that the Messiah is to come at the end of the 6000 years. And that is essentially true, but, of course, Jesus already came. Here is one Jewish source on this:
The Messiah and 6000 years
How do we know that the world will end in the year 6,000? There are many differing contexts of the coming of the Messiah has anyone sorted out the contexts so that we can gauge a clear view?
Here are some sources for the world lasting six thousand years:
Talmud, Tractate Sanhedrin [97a]: “Rav Kattina said: ‘The world will exist for 6000 years and one (thousand) of destruction’ ... We have a teaching which is in agreement with Rav Kattina, as the seventh is the sabbatical year – one in seven years. Likewise the world will rest 1,000 in 7000 … ‘a thousand years in Your eyes are like yesterday which has passed …’ [Psalms 90:4].”
Talmud, Tractate Avodah Zarah [9a]: “The world will exist for six thousand years: two millennia of void (‘tohu’); Two millennia of Torah; and then two millennia of the age of Moshiach.”
Nachmanides, Commentary on the Torah (Genesis 2:3), quoting Kabbalistic sources: “Each of the Six Days of Creation corresponds to a 1,000 year period of future history.”
As for a clearer view of what it will be like when Moshiach comes, the basic answer is: a lot better than this.
From the Prophets, Talmud and Midrashim, we know what universal changes Moshiach will bring about. Among them: the whole world will return to God and His teachings; the entire Jewish People will be gathered back to the Land of Israel; the royal dynasty of King David will be restored; Jerusalem and the Third Temple will be rebuilt; the Temple service will be restored, along with the keeping of the Sabbatical Year (Shmitah) and the Jubilee Year (Yovel); the Sanhedrin, the religious supreme court of the Jewish people, will be reestablished. http://www.jewishanswers.org/ask-the-rabbi-category/the-basics-of-judaism/the-messiah/?p=998 accessed 09/19/17
There is also something else from another Jewish source. In the Midrash (a term that means “exposition” or “investigation”), Pirke De-Rabbi Eliezer comments:
Six eons for going in and coming out, for war and peace. The seventh eon is entirely Shabbat and rest for life everlasting: (Pirke De Rabbi Eliezer, Gerald Friedlander, Sepher-Hermon Press, New York, 1981, p. 141)
Notice also the following from the Bible:
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord. 3 Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; 4 but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. 5 What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land. 6 And the sabbath produce of the land shall be food for you: for you, your male and female servants, your hired man, and the stranger who dwells with you, 7 for your livestock and the beasts that are in your land — all its produce shall be for food. (Leviticus 25:1-7)
Some Protestants have pointed to the passages in Leviticus 25 as part of the reason that the Bible shows that there is a 6,000 year plan:
The law of Moses laid a great deal of stress upon the sabbath, the sanctification of which was the earliest and most ancient of all divine institutions, designed for the keeping up of the knowledge and worship of the Creator among men; that law not only revived the observance of the weekly sabbath, but, for the further advancement of the honour of them, added the institution of a sabbatical year: In the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, v. 4. And hence the Jews collect that vulgar tradition that after the world has stood six thousand years (a thousand years being to God as one day) it shall cease, and the eternal sabbath shall succeed—a weak foundation on which to build the fixing of that day and hour which it is God's prerogative to know. This sabbatical year began in September, at the end of harvest, the seventh month of their ecclesiastical year: (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Leviticus 25:1-7. PC Study Bible Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All Rights reserved.)
While Leviticus 25 is not, of itself, complete proof, it does add scriptural support to the belief (cf. Isaiah 28:9-10). See also the article on the Feast of Trumpets.
Consistent with the views of early Christians and some associated with them, some believe that since God made/recreated the world in six days and rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-3), that humans will have 6000 years to live on the earth under Satan's influence. Remaining humans will have a 1000 year period to be under Christ's reign (the original creation of the universe may have been billions of years earlier c.f. Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 45:18; How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation?). The 6000 plus 1000 years equals God's seven thousand year plan.
The Bible teaches that a thousand years seems to be as one day to God. This is a concept from both the Old and New Testaments:
4 For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past (Psalm 90:4).
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8).
Notice also the following:
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17)
How long was Adam's day before he died?
5 So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died. (Genesis 5:5)
So, Adam died "in the day"--a day that was not too much less than 1000 years long.
A day is to God as 1000 years as that is part of His plan.
Based upon certain calculations that I am currently aware of, it seems that Adam and Eve were created and/or apparently left the garden of Eden between roughly 3959-3972 B.C. (it is most likely that the 6000 years began once Adam sinned as Adam had not rebelled before then).
This would mean that when Jesus began to preach (roughly 27 A.D., over four thousand years later) He started preaching late in day four and then into day five. Day four is the middle of seven prophetic thousand year days, hence is not one of the "last days."
Thus, days five and six would have been considered as part of the "last days" by the early disciples.
That being so, this helps explain why some New Testament figures indicated that they were in the last days:
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:14-17).
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things (Hebrews 1:1-2).
If there is no 6,000 year plan of human rule followed by a 1,000 year millennial reign, then the New Testament statement above about then being in the last days make little sense. But, since God does have a 7,000 year plan, these statements do make sense. And that also explains how come the end has not come yet--there is still a little more time in "the last days."
Since Jesus was preaching into “the last days,” He must have been doing some of that in day five of the seven one thousand year days.
Now, since Acts 2 appears to have been c. 31 A.D., this would suggest that the 6000 years should be up by 2031--if not earlier.
Jesus was, of course, alive before 31 A.D., and perhaps the last days began as early as 28 to 30 A.D.
It also needs to be understood that there are two types of last days referred to in the New Testament. When some were stating that they were in the last days, this indicates the latter days of the 7,000 year week. However in other places, New Testament writers sometimes are referring to the time of the final generation before Jesus returns as being the last days, as they indicate that this was not for the same time as they were writing (cf. 2 Peter 3:3).
The end really is coming relatively soon.
Indians Will Be Among the First to Rebel Against the European Beast Power
Jesus warned about a future time of a great tribulation:
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:21-22).
Since this great tribulation affects the whole world, it will affect the Indians as well. It will start with the Babylonian European Beast, King of the North power, invading the USA (Daniel 11:39) and some of its Anglo allies (Daniel 118:24-25). The Beast power will be successful (Daniel 11:39; Revelation 13:4).
In Revelation 16, we also see that God will issue punishment to nearly all of humanity after Babylon (the European Empire) falls:
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great (Revelation 16:17-21).
God sent the punishments to get all humans, including the Indians, to repent, but most will refuse at first:
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory (Revelation 16:9).
A significant part of the 200,000,000 man "kings of the east" army of Revelation 9:16 will gather at Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16). Those who are persuaded by demonic signs and wonders (Revelation 16:13-14) and fight against the returning Jesus will be destroyed (Revelation 19:19-21). It will take seven months to bury the dead (Ezekiel 39:11-16). Seemingly, India and Pakistan, etc. will be among those nations that provide troops for this army.
Now, in order to provide light to people, such as the Indians, God will provide a strong witness to the entire world during the time of the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord:
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth ... 7 Now when they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. ... 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. (Revelation 11:3-4,7-9,11).
Hence when people see the two witnesses rise up performing miracles and preaching against the future European Beast power, they should not resist. The Bible is clear that people of "of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues" (Revelation 7:9) will respond to God during this time. This would have to include some of Indian background.
Lest any have the wrong impression that the Indians are not a discerning people, it needs to be understood that they will be among the first to recognize the falsehood of this European power. But before that, there will likely be increased military cooperation among many of the Asian nations, that will seem to need to involve India.
Indians and other Asians will finally see that the European Beast power, also called "the King of the North" in the Bible, is not something to be worshiped or trusted. (See also The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy.)
Why do we in the Continuing Church of God teach that? Because there are certain verses in both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation that appear to be discussing Asia (including India) and the European Beast power.
Notice from the Book of Daniel:
"40 At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Daniel 11:40-45).
Notice that the end time King of the North (the European Empire) will overwhelm the King of the South (a Moslem empire), but that those from the east and the north shall trouble the King of the North. This appears to be referring to Russia, China, India and other Asian nations. And notice that they will be used to help cause the King of the North to come to his end.
However, even though they will be engaged in war, war is not their ultimate destiny. Deification is (see also our free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation).
This turning against the Beast may happen once a “loathsome sore” comes upon those who either worshipped the Beast or had his mark (Revelation 16:2)—and this would affect some in Asia. It will likely be that the Indians will realize that once this and the other events in Revelation 16 come to pass, that the “great” Western leaders that they have been following do not have the power to stop this and thus finally conclude that they do not really represent God.
According to the Bible, those from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka will likely rebel (Revelation 9 & 16). Even some Roman Catholic writings support that:
Countess Francesca de Brilliante (20th Century). "I see yellow warriors and red warriors marching against Europe. Europe will be completely covered with a yellow fog that will kill the cattle in the fields. Those nations that rebelled against the law of Christ will perish by fire. Europe will then be too large for them who survive (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 78).
Nostradamus (16th century): Meanwhile the great Asiatic Empire will spread across the sea and continents to destroy the Christian world (Culleton, p. 168).
It seems likely that to fulfill Daniel 11:44 and Revelation 16:12, that those of Indian heritage will actually cooperate militarily with other Asians against the future European Beast power. And they will do this apparently by supporting a coming confederation biblically known as the "kings of the east" (Revelation 16:12).
Then What Happens at the End of this Age?
After all these battles and punishments, the tribulation will end. And Christ will return:
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-30).
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).
This will usher in a kingdom that will be established for 1,000 years:
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).
And people of many nations, including those of Asia, will be part of this kingdom. Notice:
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).
After the thousand years are over, there will be problems, and then all will be resurrected--there will be a second resurrection:
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:7-13).
It is important to note that all remaining are judged at the second resurrection, but not all are eternally condemned. However, prior to the second resurrection, apparently a Russian-led confederation (apparently of Asians) will rebel and attempt to attack God's people (apparently in Jerusalem)--but they will not be successful (see also the article Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future). They will be destroyed, but will be raised in the second resurrection.
When is Salvation Available?
The mainstream "Christian" view correctly teaches that there is salvation in no other than Jesus (Acts 4:10-12), as "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (vs.12).
But what happens to the multitudes in Asia who have not even heard the name of Christ? And those who will not respond as they possibly could (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)? And what happens to those born before Christ's earthly ministry? Recall that the Bible teaches that after Adam sinned, humankind was blocked from the tree of life as God had it guarded so that humans would not be able to access it on their own (Genesis 3:22-24).
Even the basic Protestant view is that unless one professes belief in Jesus prior to the first death, then salvation will be unavailable. It is perhaps because of the difference between this view and that of the real Church of God, that Protestants and various naysayers tend to label real Church of God as a cult. The fact that our doctrines actually come from the Bible does not seem to stop them from such labelling.
The Continuing Church of God specifically teaches that God is only calling a relatively few during this age with the Day of Pentecost (also called the Day of Firstfruits, Numbers 28:26) partially explaining this. "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:18).
Jesus and the Continuing Church of God teach, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44). And that will be few at this time, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14), "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14).
Protestants and Catholics tend to feel, correctly, that God uses ministers to preach (Romans 10:14). Yet, the message is not always clear. In Isaiah 6:9-11 God teaches,
"Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed." Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered: "Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate".
In other words, the bulk of the people are not to understand until after a time of great desolation.
Furthermore, the Bible reveals that God has prohibited idolaters to have proper understanding:
And the rest of it he makes into a god, His carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, Prays to it and says, "Deliver me, for you are my god!" They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, And their hearts, so that they cannot understand (Isaiah 44:17-18).
They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20).
Thus, is God going to condemn those who worship idols for what He has not let them understand?
Protestant and Catholic theology tends to say yes.
Those in the Continuing Church of God say no.
Unless the idolater has committed the unpardonable sin (which is unlikely) they will be judged as other uncalled people are.
Hence, the billions throughout history in Asia and Africa (and elsewhere) are not condemned to suffer forever for following practices they really do not understand.
Those who were uncalled in this age (including most people and nearly all of the Asians, including those that have long been dead) will be offered an opportunity for salvation. This will happen after the second resurrection.
And nearly all of them will accept it. The Continuing Church of God teaches that God will ultimately give every individual an opportunity for salvation--and that nearly every individual will accept that opportunity (see also our free online book Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation).
The vast majority of human beings ever born will ultimately be in God's family.
This means that ultimately that nearly all Asians will be in the permanent kingdom of God. Notice some of the descriptions from the Book of Revelation:
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:2-4).
All should recall that Jesus taught:
29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last (Luke 13:29-30).
Those from the east and north will include the Asians (the south would be those in Africa, Latin America, and many islands). Yes, there will be some from the west, but notice that those in the west are no more prominent than those from the other regions. Many then in Asia will be among those who are first in the Kingdom of God.
We in the Continuing Church of God understand that God will offer salvation to everyone in this age or the age to come (Matthew 12:32; Mark 10:30).
And nearly all the Indians will accept it.
Thiel B. India and the Beast of Revelation 13. http://www.cogwriter.com/india-beast-revelation-13.htm (c) 2013/2014/2016 2020 2021 0109
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