>>> Continued from previous message

>LL>However, do not expect this pope (or any pope) to
>LL>allow subordinates complete control.  Especially on doctrinal
>LL>matters.

SA>Especially when it will, potentially, have quite an impact on the
SA>non-Catholic world ... hmmm, would a Pope stoop so low as to have
SA>a religious equivalent of "9/11" to move his agenda along?

A pope has two powers - temporal and spiritual.  Prior to 1960 or
thereabouts, popes had much temporal (or political) power.  But today,
such temporal power is almost non-existent.  On matters of faith and
morals, the pope has much authority.  But that is in reference to
Catholics, not non-Catholics.  Of course a pope is recognized as being
a spiritual leader, even among non-Catholics and non-Christians.
That is one of the main reasons why JPII was so vocal in opposition
to the invasion of Iraq.  Unfortunately, his words had little or no
effect on GWB (who claims to be a born-again Christian), who went
ahead and invaded Iraq anyhow.

>LL>along with Muslims and Jews.

>SA>Finding a political / spiritual leader which appeared to be
"Christ",
>SA>"Messiah", "Mahdi" (etc) might be a means of
unifying humanity, and
>SA>deceiving them into accepting an imposter, whose number is 666.

>LL>That is why Antichrist is more likely to come as "spiritual"
>LL>leader, rather than a "political" leader.

>SA>Who ever he proves to be, I think any Pope can be ruled out, unless
>SA>the Jews suddenly accept him as Messiah. Hasn't happened over the
>SA>last 2000 years, and does not appear likely in the near future;

>LL>Antichrist will appear suddenly, out of nowhere.  It won't be the
>LL>pope, but it could be an anti-pope.

SA>Maybe, but he would need popular appeal outside the RCC church, as
SA>well as within it.

Antichrist has probably already infiltrated the ranks of the RCC
priests, and perhaps some of the bishops.

>SA>with all the books / literature portrating or identifying the Pope
>SA>as the Antichrist / "vicarius filii dei" etc etc, I suspect he
>SA>will just be a handy scapegoat, possibly at the hands of the real
>SA>antichrist.

>LL>The Antichrist will use deception in order to get folks to believe
>LL>a lie.  He will use the powers of darkness to his advantage, but
>LL>most will not recognize such darkness until it is too late.  It is
>LL>even possible that Antichrist might get the pope to believe the
>LL>lie, thus leading many Catholics to believe the lie.

>LL>Of course, there is always the False Prophet, kind of like a
>LL>modern-day John the Baptist.  ;)

>SA>As I understand things, when the Jews check out the "credentials"
>SA>of the one they accept as Messiah, it will be with the help of
>SA>that very "prophet", acting as a pointer to the [false] messiah.

>LL>There is a mini-series on television, "Revelations", that I am
>LL>taping. The first two parts have been aired, with four more parts
>LL>remaining. It's an interesting take, about the end of days.  I'll
>LL>post a few messages on the subject, but it won't be complete until
>LL>I have watched the entire series.

SA>I have heard about it, and it will more than likely be shown here,
SA>perhaps sooner rather than later.

If you liked "The Omen", you'll definitely like "Revelations".

--Lee


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