Ecumenical Agenda Moving Ahead: Do They Not Understand the Risk?
Patriarch Bartholomew I
The Patriarch of Constantinople now calls ecumenical unity “irreversible”:
Istanbul (AsiaNews) – The path toward ecumenism is “irreversible” in spite of difficulties in reaching the goal of full communion, said Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch, on the Feast Day of Saint Andrew, patron saint of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. A delegation representing the Holy See headed by Card Kurt Koch was present; it included Bishop Brian Farrell, Undersecretary Andrea Palmieri and papal nuncio to Ankara, Mgr Antonio Lucibello.
Bartholomew reiterated the importance of Vatican II, which changed the relations between the two Churches. He also mentioned the persistent difficulties on the path towards full unity, but stressed however the irreversibility of the ecumenical journey…
Bartholomew said…”It is our joint duty, our brother the pope of Rome and the patriarch of Constantinople, of both our Churches, to remind those who hold material power in our troubled world of the importance of charity and mercy towards those in need. Scorn for those in need could lead to social break-up with unforeseeable consequences for all of us.” http://www.asianews.it/news-en/For-Bartholomew,-the-ecumenical-journey-is-irreversible-26504.html
Does not Bartholomew I not realize that the Bible (cf. Revelation 13 and 17) shows that this will be a disaster?
But he is not the only one in favor of such unity.
Also, notice what has in an email newsletter:
The ecumenical movement continues to seek the unity of apostate churches in fulfillment of the prophesied one-world religion. In a recent article by former protestant, Keith Fournier, who has been ordained as a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, he said the two lungs of Christ’s Church must breathe together again in the Third millennium as they did in the First Millennium. On November 12, the Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of St Josaphat, a 17th century Eastern Catholic Bishop who poured himself out in imitation of Christ so that the Church would once again be one. Josaphat has been referred to as the “thief of souls”. Fournier said this about Josaphat: “I propose that heroic man was in fact plundering hell itself! He said, “I pray daily for the full communion of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches because I believe it is the will of God that ‘All May be One'” (John 17: 21). (pro-gospel.org, November 30, 2012)
If you think ecumenism is only about the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics getting together, notice also the following:
Most evangelicals do not know if Roman Catholicism represents a huge mission field to be evangelized or a valid expression of Christianity made up of brothers and sisters in Christ. Tragically, there will be more confusion regarding this important issue because of what took place in Rome on the 50th anniversary of Vatican II. A prominent Baptist historian and theologian addressed a monumental gathering of Roman Catholic bishops as brothers in Christ. Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School represented the Baptist World Alliance at the Synod of Bishops in Rome. George was a major contributor and signer of the Evangelicals and Catholics Together document in 1994. He began his address to the pope and bishops with these words, “Dear Holy Father, Venerable Fathers of the Synod, brothers and sisters in the Lord.” (pro-gospel.org, November 30, 2012)
It still amazes me that Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant leaders want ecumenical unity.
The Bible shows that an ecumenical unity for the world is coming our of Europe (cf. Revelation 13:3-4,8) and it will not be faithful to the early and true apostolic traditions or sacred scripture.
If Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestants would pay attention to what Catholic and Eastern Orthodox mystics have claimed will happen with such ecumenical unity, perhaps they would have a better grasp of its dangers, as they seemed to have overlooked what the Bible warns. Here are some Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholic prophecies (the last two are from Eastern Orthodox sources) about the coming ecumenical unity:
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).
Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (17th century): …there will be an ecumenical council which will be the greatest of all councils by the power of the Great Monarch, and by the authority of the Holy Pontiff, and by the union of the most devout princes…The Council will…be believed and accepted by everyone (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 40).
Nun Jeanne le Royer (died 1798): One day I heard a voice which said, ‘The new Constitution will appear to many other than what it really is. They will bless it as a gift from heaven; whereas it is really a gift from {haydes} and permitted by God in His just wrath. It will only be by its effects that people will be led to recognize the Dragon who wanted to destroy all and devour all (Dupont, p. 53).
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).
Priest Laurence Ricci, S.J. (died 1775): … a valiant duke will arise from the ancient German house which was humiliated by the French monarch. This great ruler will restore stolen Church property. Protestantism will cease… This duke will be the most powerful monarch on earth. At a gathering of men noted for piety and wisdom he will, with the aid of the Pope, introduce new rules, and ban the spirit of confusion. Everywhere there will be one fold and one shepherd.” (Connor p.37)
H. Tzima Otto (2000): Many Catholic prophecies speak of the victory of the ‘true Catholic faith’, while Orthodox prophecies, although they agree on everything else, predict a victory of the ‘true Orthodox faith’…When we speak of the future Council, it is bound to be ecumenical…there will come a true re-unification of the Christian Churches…This Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is not going to be Roman Catholic as understood today…The error-free Orthodox faith…The Orthodox did not experience a Vatican II, they did not begin to rewrite Scriptures…Hence, error-free in the sense that it has not been contaminated by satan…(Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenikia Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, pp. 120-122)
Saint Nelios the Myrrh-Gusher (died 1592): During that time the Eighth and last Ecumenical Synod will take place, which will satisfy the contentions of the heretics…(Tzima Otto, p. 111).
While it is always best to rely on Bible prophecy, and not ‘private prophecy,’ the above selected quotes are consistent (to a degree) with what the Bible indicate will happen. And the reality is that Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox leaders keep taking steps consistent with those ‘private prophecies.’
Historically, the Eastern Orthodox have believed that there have been seven ecumenical councils/synods, and the eighth (which would be the next one) is to lead to ecumenical unity and will satisfy heretics. It may be of interest to note that nearly three years ago, Patriarch Bartholomew I indicated that it would take a synod for ecumenical unity to be finalized (see Bartholomew I Patriarch of Constantinople Opposes Those Who Warn Against Catholic Unity). So, it is clear that an eighth ecumenical synod is currently on the agenda for the Eastern Orthodox.
Yet by satisfying “heretics”, clearly this council/synod compromises and changes the religion. If heretics are truly heretics, should their complaints be satisfied? If the Catholics and Protestants were willing to have a council/synod and agree to embrace the true biblical practices and beliefs of original Christianity, that would be a fantastic. Yet, nothing I have heard from the ecumenical discussions leads me to believe that they plan to do much more than figure out how beliefs can be compromised enough that a certain unity will be achieved via human effort, not through uniting around biblical truth.
The Bible teaches that the true faith has already been delivered, and that is what Christians should advocate:
3…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)
Thus, there is no biblical reason for human compromise to come up with an ecumenical faith that will disagree with the faith that Jude and the other original apostles held.
Does anyone believe that compromise with actual heretics is a biblically good idea? Well, that is what will happen. In additional to what has been publicly reported in the media, years ago, I personally visited the Patriarchate of Constantinople and verified for myself with an English-speaking representative of the Patriarch that the ecumenical unity IS to involve doctrinal compromise.
COGwriter leaving the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople ‘s Administrative Building May 2008
The ecumenical religion that will form (which will likely originally calls itself Catholic) will not be the faith of the Bible and is so apostate that it will be destroyed (Revelation17, 18).
Ecumenical unity will be a disaster for the world (cf. Revelation 13, 17, & 18). Catholics and Protestants will find such unity with the Eastern Orthodox especially disturbing if they understood the plan of the Orthodox in this area.
Many things are happening behind the scenes, but enough are being publicly reported that those who want to know what is going on should be able to see.
More details can be found in the following:
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Do Protestants realize what the goal of the ecumenical Catholics is?
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?
Hope of Salvation: How the Genuine Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
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.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Genuine 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. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a verdadeira igreja do deus? Tambien Español: ¿Que es fiel: La Iglesia Católica Romana o la Iglesia verdadera de Dios? Auch: Deutsch: Welches ist treu: Die römisch-katholische Kirche oder die Kirche Gottes Original?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years. It also discusses the concept of church eras.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
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