Episcopal Ecumenism Meeting in Netherlands

Orthodox Depiction of the Apocalypse

Some Episcopals want to expand ecumenism:

Episcopal and European churches seek to fortify ecumenical bonds

May 16, 2011 by Matthew Davies

Two Christian denominations in Europe -- one in full communion with the Episcopal Church and the other exploring the potential for such a relationship -- welcomed Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori for key talks and a keynote address.

Following a three-day visit to the (Lutheran) Church of Sweden, with which the Episcopal Church is hoping to formalize a full-communion partnership, Jefferts Schori traveled to Utrecht in the Netherlands to deliver the annual Quasimodo Lecture, hosted by the Old Catholic Church, Episcopal News Service reports.

The Episcopal Church entered into full communion with the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht on the basis of the Bonn Agreement in 1934....{Jefferts Schori } said. "The constant peril of ecumenism is thinking too small." http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2011-05/episcopal-and-european-churches-seek-fortify-ecumenical-bonds

Actually, I would suggest that the constant peril of ecumenism is that the Bible warns about the world worshipping a false leader, known as the Beast, in the Book of Revelation (also known as the Apocalypse):

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. (Revelation 13:3-8)

The reality is that is where ecumenism is heading. The fact that the Episcopals are making efforts towards ecumenism is simply a small step that ultimately will align with prophecy. Currently, ecumenical efforts are happening between the Church of Rome, the Eastern & Russian Orthodox., the Lutherans, the Anglicans, and other Protestants. Many of the Buddhists and other religions also are working towards this goal toward ecumenical unity.

Of course, Rome’s objectives are that all will unify under it and accept its authority. This is not what most Protestants nor Orthodox currently want, but the Bible prophecies that because of signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 13:11-15), economic pressure (Revelation 13:16-17), compromise (Revelation 17:1-5), and military exploits (Revelation 13:3-4), this will basically happen.

While many Catholics wish to have ecumenical unity with the Eastern Orthodox Catholics, Biblical, Catholic, and Orthodox prophecies seem to have parts that warn against such ecumenical unity (though some Catholic/Orthodox prophecies look forward to it).

Notice carefully the following Catholic prophecy:

Frederick William Faber (died 1863):…Antichrist…Many believe in a demonical incarnation—this will not be so—but he will be utterly possessed…His doctrine as apparent contradiction of no religion, yet a new religion…He has an attending pontiff, so separating regal and prophetic office (Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 87).

That prophecy suggests that there soon may be a change to the “Catholic” religion that will make it the religion of the final Antichrist. A different religion, that keeps the old militarism but with something new, is expected according to the Bible (Daniel 11:36-38).

Also notice the following warning from a Catholic nun:

Anna-Katarina Emmerick (October 1, 1820): The Church is in great danger…The Protestant doctrine and that of the schismatic Greeks are to spread everywhere. I now see that in this place (Rome) the (Catholic) Church is being so cleverly undermined, that there hardly remain a hundred or so priests who have not been deceived. They all work for the destruction, even the clergy. A great destruction is now at hand…

(April 22, 1823): I saw that many pastors allowed themselves to be taken up with ideas that were dangerous to the Church. They were building a great, strange, and extravagant Church. Everyone was admitted in it in order to be united and to have equal rights: Evangelicals, Catholics, sects of every description. Such was to be the new Church (Dupont, pp. 66, 71).

Notice that the Protestants and Orthodox are expected to be part of this, and that seems to be consistent with Bible prophecy (Revelation 17:5). Various events around the globe, and in Europe in particular, suggest that people of many faiths are getting to the point where they are likely to accept some type of ecumenical religion.

Here is a warning from a Roman Catholic priest:

Priest Paul Kramer (21st century): The errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church, it will be an ecumenical church because the Anti-Pope will be recognized by the world—not by the faithful, but by the world—by the secular world and the secular governments. (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004.THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 4/15/08)

There is an Orthodox understanding of the last false religious power coming from Rome:

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos (20th century): The army of Antichrist is made up of the worldly powers, mainly the Roman Empire, symbolized by the two beasts and the harlot woman (Rev. 11:7; 13:1-17; cf. Dan. 7:11-12)… The final confrontation with evil is presented in chapters 19 and 20…The war is waged by the beast and the false prophet. Both of these are organs of Satan, representing the political and religious authority of Rome (Rev. 13:1-18). (Gerasimos, Bishop. At the End of Time: The Eschatological Expectations of the Church. Holy Cross Orthodox Press. October 5, 2004, pp. 28-29)

So, there are both Roman and Orthodox Catholic writings that warn against some type of future unifying developments–and some recognize that the Bible prophesies this (though I suspect that the Orthodox bishop meant to refer to Revelation 17, not 11:7, and that the above was somewhat mistranslated above). Yet, around the world and in Europe, ecumenical steps are happening.

Some type of global religious unity is prophesied in scripture before Jesus returns (Revelation 13:4,8) and not in a favorable light. All, Catholic, Episcopal, etc. should be cautious about where current ecumenical hopes and talks will lead.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?