The beginning of the chapter in verses 1-5 has been defined traditinally by many Reformers in particular as the Roman Catholic church. There is much in the color of the robes and ornate processions and the overall grandeur of Vatican City which certainly at least partially defines this apostate religion. However; we need to see the future and final fulfillment; and realistically assess the whole ecumenical movement in the last 20 years or so to realize that much of what were bastions of the faith in mainline churches such as Presbyterian; Baptist; and Methodist congregations are just as far gone; and often have traditions very similar to this. This would encompass certain elements of the Greek Orthodox and probably Coptic churches as well.
There is no reason to exclude the mystical branches of Islam (who are considered apostate by other Muslims). There is much eastern occultic influence among those who call themselves Jews today; many of which follow a cultural type of religion; and/or steeped in the Talmud which really had its roots with some of the Parasitical doctrines as well as other gnostic teachings which crept into both Jewish and Christian circles since the time of Christ.
Verse 8 is revealing because not only could it refer to the apparent resurrection of Antichrist in Zechariah 11:17 but also could refer to the appearance of Satan at the end of the Millennium period after being hidden in the bottomless pit the whole 1000 years. In either case; unregenerate men not in the Book of Life still will be drawn into the rebellion. Time simply doesn't change a man's heart; only a supernatural change (see Ezekiel 36:26). May we see that was OUR state when we once were enemies of God ( Romans 5:10) and live changed lives accordingly; fearing God and testing to see if we are inthe faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5).
The beginning of the chapter in verses 1-5 has been defined traditinally by many Reformers in particular as the Roman Catholic church. There is much in the color of the robes and ornate processions and the overall grandeur of Vatican City which certainly at least partially defines this apostate religion. However; we need to see the future and final fulfillment; and realistically assess the whole ecumenical movement in the last 20 years or so to realize that much of what were bastions of the faith in mainline churches such as Presbyterian; Baptist; and Methodist congregations are just as far gone; and often have traditions very similar to this. This would encompass certain elements of the Greek Orthodox and probably Coptic churches as well.
There is no reason to exclude the mystical branches of Islam (who are considered apostate by other Muslims). There is much eastern occultic influence among those who call themselves Jews today; many of which follow a cultural type of religion; and/or steeped in the Talmud which really had its roots with some of the Parasitical doctrines as well as other gnostic teachings which crept into both Jewish and Christian circles since the time of Christ.
Verse 8 is revealing because not only could it refer to the apparent resurrection of Antichrist in Zechariah 11:17 but also could refer to the appearance of Satan at the end of the Millennium period after being hidden in the bottomless pit the whole 1000 years. In either case; unregenerate men not in the Book of Life still will be drawn into the rebellion. Time simply doesn't change a man's heart; only a supernatural change (see Ezekiel 36:26). May we see that was OUR state when we once were enemies of God ( Romans 5:10) and live changed lives accordingly; fearing God and testing to see if we are inthe faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5).
Agape.
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