Pope Francis speaks before record crowd in Philippines–where is this leading?

Ariel view of outdoor mass attendees in Philippines

Pope Francis apparently broke a record today:

January 18, 2015

An estimated 6 million Filipino faithful were present, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Holy Father on the final day of his apostolic visit to the Philippines.Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said that the attendance at the Mass was the largest in papal history. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-each-child-is-a-gift-to-be-welcomed

January 18, 2015

Pope Francis delivered Mass for millions of Filipinos gathered under a steady rain in Manila’s Rizal Park and surrounding areas on Sunday – the final day of his four-day visit to the Philippines.

Authorities say some six million people waited for the pope’s motorcade to pass near the park and attended the Mass, surpassing the five million record set by Pope John Paul the Second at the same park in 1995. …

During his homily, Francis urged Filipinos to reject “social structures which perpetuate poverty, ignorance and corruption,” a theme he stressed when he spoke to President Benigno Aquino and other officials on Friday. http://www.voanews.com/content/pope-delivers-mass-to-millions-in-philippines/2603265.html

January 18, 2015
Pope Francis concluded his trip to Asia on Sunday with an open-air Mass for a rain-drenched crowd in Manila that the Vatican and the government said drew up to seven million people, the largest ever for a papal event.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the office of the president told the Vatican that between six and seven million attended the Mass in Manila’s Rizal Park and surrounding areas.

“We are not able to count all these people, obviously, or to verify this, but in any case, we have seen so many people that we believe that it is possible,” Lombardi told a briefing.

“If this is true, and we think it is, this is the largest event in the history of the popes,” he said, noting that Pope John Paul drew some five million to the same area in 1995.

The 78-year-old pope, wearing a transparent yellow poncho over his white cassock, was driven through the ecstatic crowd in a “popemobile” modified from a jeepney, the most popular mode of transport in the Philippines which is based on a U.S. military vehicle used in World War II.

He stopped often along the route to kiss children and bless religious statues on the day the Philippines celebrates the feast of the infant Jesus. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/vatican-popes-mass-in-manila-draw-record-crowd-of-6-7-million/article22510158/

Notice the portion I bolded above. Pope Francis is encouraging and promoting idolatry.

Additionally, Pope Francis supports a false ecumenical and interfaith agenda which attempts to pretend that doctrinal and biblical truths are not as important as his Babylonian form of unity–a unity that the Bible warns against (Revelation 18:1-8; Zechariah 2:6-7).

Pope Francis claims to be a successor to the apostles. Now notice what the longest living apostle, John, wrote as a warning, at the end of his first epistle:

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:21)

Pope Francis is doing the opposite. He is encouraging people to get closer to idols, which are what the ‘blessed statues’ essentially are. Notice also what the Apostle Peter wrote:

18 … knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers (1 Peter 1:18).

The Apostle Peter wrote against traditions involving corruptible things–many idols have some silver and/or gold.

Yet, millions flocked to here Pope Francis.

So where is this leading?

Pope Francis has increased the popularity of the Vatican. He has also been involved in political issues (like Cuba). He recently again came out in support of efforts to deal with ‘climate change.’ He pushes an ecumenical and interfaith agenda. He keeps pushing for economic changes.

The Bible warns of an ecumenical faith that rises up in the time of the end (Revelation 13:4,8). It warns people to flee from it (Revelation 18:1-4; Zechariah 2:6-7). The Bible warns that a powerful city of seven hills (Revelation 17:4-7) has/will improperly influence the world (Revelation 17:18). The Bible warns that one with religious and secular authority (called the two-horned beast) will cause people to engage in false worship and be part of a changed economic system (Revelation 13:11-18).

While Pope Francis may or may not (his age is a factor against) be the final two-horned beast of Revelation 13:11, he has some of its characteristics. Notice:

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. (Revelation 13:11)

While Pope Francis may look like a lamb to many, many of his words and actions are those of Satan the dragon (Revelation 12:9). Pope Francis should stand against idolatry and not encourage it as he regularly does, and as he did today.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians?
Pope Francis and the Famine of the Word Pope Francis made some comments indicating that violence is appropriate when one is offended and that freedom of expression should not offend the religions of others. Is that biblical? What will his interfaith agenda lead to? Might his comments be a factor in the prophesied ‘famine of the word’ that the Prophet Amos wrote of? Should Christians refrain from making statements that might offend other? What did Jesus and His disciples do? What should you do? This is a video. A written article of related interest is: Pope Francis pushing for limits of speech and seemingly justifies violence.
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future?
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they? A related sermon is titled Tradition and Scripture.
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
COGwriter Position on Other Churches and Religions What is the fate of those who do not know Christ? What about those who profess Christ outside the Church of God?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
The Last Pope Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Why might Pope Francis be the last pope? What happens if he is? Biblical and other prophecies help explain what to expect.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Amazon Book What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roman”? This 186 page book provides information and answers.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of the printed book which is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. Two related sermon links would include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. In Spanish: Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.