Has the Roman Church perhaps changed its attitude and moved closer to the Protestant faith? The Vatican II council did not change one doctrine of faith, and since then the Vatican has become even more austere in its policy regarding the preservation of traditional Catholic doctrine.

Pope John Paul II revived the "Congregation for Doctrine and Faith", a new word for the organization of the Inquisition, presided over by German-born Cardinal Joseph Ralzinger. They have pressed charges against top Catholic theologians and have sacked Hans Kung from his post as teacher of Catholic theology at Tubingen University because of deviations from doctrine. The Pope has appointed tough disciplinarians to the hierarchy and stated that he is not running a democracy: "It is an institution governed by Jesus Christ, a theocratic one"; run, of course, by His Vicar, the Pope. Also, he has issued an encyclical A Refinement of Evil, in which Catholic doctrines are strongly supported.

Protestants admire his stand on social issues, particularly his stand on human rights and abortion, and are compromising their religion to seek affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope has made his stand on these issues very clear, and it is only a matter of time until an alarmed Protestant world will attempt to uphold its "Christian values" by introducing legislation enforcing these values. The double Satanic delusion (that of a false Antichrist and a unifying Charismatic movement) will bring about that which only a few years ago would have been impossible, namely glorification of the beast by the enforcing of its mark: the false Christian Sabbath.

The scriptures warn that the last events will be accompanied by signs and wonders that will deceive those that are living upon this earth.

"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

God never tempts or deludes anyone, therefore the delusion refers to God's permissive will. God permits that the devil deludes and deceives the people because He has given them ample instruction and opportunity to accept the truth. Eventually God will be the victor when He finally destroys spiritual Babylon who has deceived the nations:

"And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee; for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived."    Revelation 18:23

The world will be deceived by the great manifestations of Satanic power that are sweeping the world. The Roman Catholic church and its doctrines must be made prominent and they will be made acceptable by means of counterfeit signs and wonders but these counterfeit miracles need not deceive anyone if one is grounded in the word of God. The scriptures are being fulfilled to the letter. All over the world miracles are happening, and in churches throughout the world there are reports of healings and other wonders. In Roman Catholic churches and areas there is a mighty resurgence of signs and wonders. Statues are weeping blood, oil or tears, Eucharistic miracles are taking place (hosts turning to flesh or blood), apparitions of Mary are becoming more and more frequent and prophets and stigmatists (people who have the marks of Jesus' crucifixion) are becoming a prominent feature in Catholic churches. Some of these astounding occurrences have been recently highlighted in the book The Thunder of Justice , which has a foreword by the prominent Catholic theologian Malachi Martin, thus giving the book official backing. In this publication, mary reaffirms the prominency of the papacy and confirms that the great events of the last times could occur before the end of the twentieth century. The position of Mary and her role in the plan of salvation are made very prominent as can be seen in the various titles which are attributed to her:

The title of Co- Redemptrix, Mediatrix and advocate alone tells us that these apparitions do not emanate from the throne of God, ad the Bible is quite clear on this issue. Mary has predicted that this title will be confirmed as the last dogma in Marian history by the Catholic church. Cardinal Ratzinger, as head of the propagation of the faith of the Catholic Church is currently having this issue investigated. The proclamation of such a dogma would take the Catholic Church even further away from the Scriptures, but it is certain, that cooperation between the churches will continue in spite of this. The Biblical teaching is clear, there is only one Redeemer, Mediator, and Advocate, the man Christ Jesus:

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5 (Emphasis supplied)

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1 (Emphasis supplied)

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14 (Emphasis supplied)

Neither the sufferings of Mary nor the suffering of stigmatists or any other individual cannot in any way augment the sacrifice of the cross:

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God: from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:12-14

The statements of the apparition do therefore not comply with the conditions of Isaiah 8:20 which states:

"...to the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Nevertheless, the delusions are so overpowering, that millions are being deceived. Satan is also aware of the prophecies of the Scriptures, and knows that his counterfeit system will eventually be overthrown by God, he also knows that at the end of probation the plagues will fall and that his counterfeit system will be punished during these plagues. He must therefore devise a prophetic interpretation which will explain why the world and the papacy in particular are being affected.

In the communications of Mary to various visionaries, she confirms the dream of the Catholic Saint John Bosco, that the papacy will succeed in anchoring the gospel ship between the twin pillars of Eucharist adoration and devotion to Mary before the year 2000. This can only be achieved, if the world acknowledges the leadership of the papacy in religious affairs. By acknowledging his leadership, they also acknowledge his doctrines:

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Romans 6:16

It is claimed that through miracles and permanent signs , the world will be led to believe that the Roman Catholic Church truly is the representative of God on this earth. Even the Jews will be led to acknowledge this when the lights in the sky and areas sacred got the church (supposedly representing the Shekinah glory) will lead them to believe that god is with the Papacy. The world will experience disasters because of the moral decline and departure from the teachings of the Church, and this will lead the world leaders to cooperate with the church to restore morality.

The sequence makes is possible to explain the plagues, even after the world has cooperated with the Church in introducing legislation which will control the conscience. Supposedly, the chastisements are meant to cleanse the church of wrong influences so that the way will be prepared for the coming of Christ. In real terms it means, that the world will be led to misapply the prophecies regarding the plagues (which according to Scripture come after probation has closed). Mary has predicted, that she will make the warnings prominent by appearing more and more, and if necessary in every household. Since the appearance of the Thunder of Justice, Marian apparitions have indeed become more frequent and universal. In this regard, a CNN News Flash (Monday 9:12 am, 19 December, 1996) reported that a figure of the virgin Mary appeared on the front windows on a building in Florida. It showed the rainbow colored stain of the window on TV and it did represent the same shape as Mary holding the Jesus child as is often depicted in Catholic cathedrals. "It was frightening to see it. Masses joined the worship of this phenomenon in front of this building, praying with rosary and crucifix in hand, while others broke out in ecstatics of tongues or glossolalia."

On June 18, 1997, Mary supposedly appeared to a group of children over a Croatian football field and hovered therefore 20 to 30 minutes. Some children claimed she was holding a cross, rosary and a baby whilst she was crying for the world. (Reuters News Service). Whether the predictions of the new visionaries come true or not, one thing is certain, we are living in a time of signs and wonders, and the scriptures warn that many will be deceived by such events. It is not for us to predict the time of Christ's coming, but we may observe the unfolding of events which indicate that his coming is near. We need to be firmly grounded in the Scriptures and the Rock, so that when the storms come, we will not be swept away.

"'It is a measuring basket'. And he added, 'This is the iniquity of the people throughout the land.' Then the cover of lead was raised and there in the basket sat a woman. He said, 'This is wickedness,' and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed the lead cover down over its mouth. Then I looked up and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings; They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth. 'Where are they taking the basket?' I asked the angel who was speaking to me. He replied, 'To the country of Babylonia to build a house for it. When it is ready, the basket will be set in place.'" Zechariah 5: 6-11 NIV

A measuring basket was a standard of measure. Zechariah sees that the standard of the world is dictated to by a woman - a church. The standard of the world is revealed as a wicked lawless standard (this occurred during the reformation), however, the lid of the basket was to be replaced so that the standard of wickedness would once more be hidden from the world. Zechariah then sees two women (churches) having wind (which can also be translated as 'spirit') under their wings. The wings are described as those of the stork, which is an unclean bird, thus representing an unclean spirit giving power to these churches. The prophet sees in vision how the churches of the world - Protestant and Spiritualistic - lift up the woman who represents the evil standard (Catholicism that has changed the law of God), and enthrones it as the standard for Babylon. We need not fall into this trap if we adhere to the teachings of the Scriptures.

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."
Ephesians 4:14.

Ecumenism is just another movement toward the establishment of that super-church, Babylon the Great, who will eventually persecute those who do not conform themselves with her. How true are the words of John Knox in 1547 with reference to the Papacy,

"Flee from Babel, if you do not want to partake in her destruction"  (Der Reformator Schottlands,  Brandes, p. 494)

The second angel's message declares,

"Babylon is Fallen, is Fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Revelation 14:8

Revelation 18 pictures a similar message as the second angel,

"Babylon the Great is Fallen, is Fallen .... And I heard another voice from heaven saying, come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:2,4

The second angel's message is a message of separation from Babylon, whereas the ecumenical movement is a message of uniting with Babylon. Compromise is impossible. God is calling a people to make a stand for His truth. There are only three definitions of truth in the Bible: Jesus is the truth, His Word is the truth, and His law is the truth. (John 14:6, 17:17, Psalm 119:142) God is gathering a people. The reformers were willing to die for what they believed. They had studied the prophecies that clearly identified the papacy as the antichrist. Let us not reject the prophets and may the following words of Jesus not apply to us.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not." Matthew 23:37