

Ecumenical Service (Eduardo Frei Ruiz Tagle)

COGwriter

Pope Francis met with Anglican leaders in his quest for ecumenical unity:

May 1, 2015 Pope Francis says that the cause of Christian unity is “not an optional undertaking” and that the Holy Spirit can accomplish what “humanly does not seem possible.” The Pope said this Thursday when he received in audience the members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. The group is studying the relationship between the universal Church and the local Church, with particular reference to processes for discussions and decision making regarding moral and ethical questions. The issue is key for ongoing dialogue with the Anglican Communion, which is facing internal rifts over the decision to allow the episcopal ordination of women. The Pope acknowledged “new difficulties and challenges” in the dialogue “Though we are fully aware of the seriousness of the challenges ahead, we can still realistically trust that together great progress will be made,” he said. He congratulated the commission members on the five jointly agreed statements of the second phase of the Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue, with commentaries and responses, that are soon to be published. “The cause of unity is not an optional undertaking and the differences which divide us must not be seen as inevitable,” he continued. “Some wish that, after fifty years, greater progress towards unity would have been achieved. Despite difficulties, we must not lose heart, but we must trust even more in the power of the Holy Spirit, who can heal and reconcile us, and accomplish what humanly does not seem possible.” Ecumenism of blood Pope Francis affirmed that there is a bond of unity among Catholics and Anglicans that goes beyond any division: the testimony of persecuted Christians. “The blood of these martyrs will nourish a new era of ecumenical commitment, a fervent desire to fulfill the last will and testament of the Lord: that all may be one,” he said http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-to-anglican-catholic-commission-holy-spirit-can-accomplish-the-impossible

While the Church of Rome attained unity with some Anglicans years ago, I do not believe it will voluntarily gain complete unity with them for a couple of reasons.

One is that the Anglican Church is based in England. Both biblical and Catholic prophecy tell of the English peoples being taken over. This would indicate resistance to Rome’s agenda prior to the takeover.

Another is that the ordination of women and the increased acceptance of homosexuality by the Anglicans may not be something that the Church of Rome will accept (information on female religious roles can be found in the article Women and the New Testament Church). Perhaps it will, but I am not counting on it (at least not directly–Pope Francis has made indirect comments of acceptance). The Anglicans who went with the Church of Rome back in 2009-2011 were those who did not support the ordination of women and other fairly recent changes in the Anglican church.

Now, I wish to add that I do NOT believe that God’s Holy Spirit is behind the ecumenical movement.

Notice that the Bible tells of a time of unity that comes after fleeing a Babylonian system:

6 “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord. 7 “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me. 10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. 11 “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. (Zechariah 2:6-11)

Notice that this unity happens after Jesus returns and warns against being involved with the end-time “daughter of Babylon.”

Do you understand the dangers of the ecumenical movement?

Concerns about this are not new. Notice the following from 1969:

Why are the different branches of ‘Christianity’ talking about UNION? WHY is it possible for them to make overtures toward compromise? And anyway, is it not right that they should all GET TOGETHER? WHY should Christianity be divided? The Vatican Second Ecumenical Council is making many overtures toward both Protestants and the Eastern Orthodox church. They are even taking a conciliatory attitude toward Jews. Recently Pope Paul VI assured the non – Catholic Christian world of his purpose to clear away every obstacle blocking ‘Christian unity. The BIG question is WHY is such compromise possible? Can you imagine Jesus Christ beginning to compromise and get together with the Pharisees? Did all the hundreds of differing and disagreeing sects and denominations calling themselves ‘Christian’ receive their varying faiths from the SAME SOURCE? Quite obviously not! Now we ought to begin to see the answer to the question, HOW can these differing religious groups compromise and get together?…Since [the one and only true Church] is ruled and guided by the living God, whose written Word means what it says, it cannot and will not compromise or unite with the churches of this world. (Armstrong HW Personal from the Editor. Tomorrow’s World, September 1969).

What is ‘new’ is that ecumenical unity is getting closer to happening as many in Rome, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy want it to happen.

Compromise is not what Jesus taught His Church to do. Jude wrote:

3 I felt that I must write to you encouraging you to fight hard for the faith which has been once and for all entrusted to God’s holy people. (Jude 3, NJB)

That scripture would also not suggest that doctrinal compromise is appropriate for the faithful.

The Bible does tell of a time of ecumenical compromise and it does not do so in a positive manner.

Now that the Bible clearly warns against the Babylonian system:

2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:2-5)

That is the system that the ecumenical movement trying to prop up.

Signs and lying wonders will deceive the vast bulk of humanity to one day accept it:

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) 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. (Revelation 13:1-8)

The time to stand up for the truth is now and not to wait until the signs and lying wonders appear which will deceive all who do not truly have the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). Those who wait too late to truly live like a real Christian will be deceived by what is going to come (Matthew 24:24).