Do you know that several politicians and statesmen are participating in secret international organizations working
for European unity and world control?
Do you know that several politicians and statesmen are participating in secret international organizations working
for European unity and world control?
2. Abolition of private property.
3. Abolition of patriotism and nationalism.
4. Abolition of the family (marriage and morality and the introduction of collectively controlled education.)
5. Abolition of all religion.
6. The formation of a New World order.
These 7 points were the foundation of the French Revolution, which later formed much of the foundation for the Russian Revolution led by Karl Marx. During the French Revolution they cancelled the legally elected government assembly. The elite (Illuminati = the enlightened) made their own government assembly. They burned Bibles in the street, introduced a 10 day week, and praised the goddess of freedom and immorality. Lawlessness flourished, the Christians were killed publicly in most cruel ways. 3 ½ years later the 7 day week was again established, the Christians were allowed to keep their Bibles and conditions came back to normal. All this was foreseen in Revelation (the last book of the Bible), chapter 11.
It is interesting to note that Adam Weishaupt was originally a Jew, but became a Catholic. He was not only a Catholic, but also a Jesuit. As a Jesuit, he was teaching as a doctor at the University of Ingolstadt in Germany.
The question we ought to ask ourselves today is: Do we see the 7 points of Adam Weishaupt being practised today? Isn't this exactly the trend we see through the EU and international law giving? This is a long-term plan. Those who govern the world are in the process of eliminating the power of self-government from the independent nations and removing the rights of the individual. Everything and everyone have to submit to the international laws, whether in politics, economics, religion or the military.
EU - A NEW STATE
The European Union started as a financial alliance between a few European countries. Since then it has become a political power with the legislative, executive and judiciary authority of a State.
In order to understand the EU-system and what it entails, it is important to know something of the powers behind, and what their ultimate plans are. This knowledge is what we will attempt to provide in this pamphlet.
Many believe that religion has no influence upon politics, but it turns out that much of the politics are governed by religious powers. So it is with the EU. Did you know that strong Catholic individuals were central in the formation of the EU, such as Joseph H. Retinger, the French Ultra European and strategist Jean Monnet, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Schuman, the West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, the Italian Premier Alcide de Gasperi and others. The last three mentioned were, in addition, leaders in the Catholic political parties in their native countries, the Christian-democratic parties.
Lars Bergquist, the ambassador of Sweden at the Vatican, said straight out: "We should note that the EU was founded by devoted Catholics, as (the German) Adenauer, (the French) Schumann and (the Italian) De Gasperi. All of them had the union of Europe as a target." (This took place directly following Hitler, Mussolini and Franco who failed their attempt to do the same.) Taken from "Sydsvenskan", Oct. 16, 1991 under the paragraph titled "The Road to EU goes through Rome."
An article in "The Sunday Telegraph", August 25, 1991, has the title: "Now. A Holy European Empire." Under a big photo of the pope, it reads: "In him we have the most political pope in modern time." It is quite evident that many are aware of the influence of the Vatican on the European Union.
Catholic leaders have marked EU. Jacques Delors has had the longest leadership role. He is a Catholic as
well as 
a Jesuit. We will return later to the strategy of the Jesuits. The leader today, Romano Prodi, is also a Catholic.
PYRAMID STRUCTURE
The Catholic Church has a strong influence on the political, economical and religious level in Europe, as well as in the entire world. The whole EU-system is built according to a Catholic pattern, through the so-called subsidiary principal. (Maastricht-treaty, p. 4, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 470). This word comes from the Latin "subsidium", and means `to help'. This model is based on local solutions for local problems, and when they fail to solve them, the cases are moved upwards in a pyramid structure until those involved have to submit to the rules of the EU. Therefore the EU-system is built according to a pyramid model, just like the Catholic Church. On the highest level there is a small elite, with the pope on the very top. The elite _ not the people _ is choosing who they want to include in the government. They are the superiors. They send their directives down the pyramid system, directives that become precepts for the people. The same system is used for the EU. Due to the many people within the European Union, extensive legislation has been issued in order to control the people, and it is the elite that decides these laws. This can quickly lead to misuse of power. The people can easily be made slaves under the control of an elite. Therefore it is better to govern small entities than a great one.
The Catholic Church has far more influence on the Continent than most people are aware of. The majority of individuals within the EU are Catholics. Today over 50% are Catholics, while the Protestants consist of 24%. We see that the Protestants are by far the minority. By expanding to 27 countries, the membership within the EC will consist of about 540 million people.
The EU is expanding towards the East. Soon there will be more Catholic-dominated countries uniting forces with this giant power. Meanwhile the Vatican is working hard to reunite those Catholic-Orthodox churches in the East with the Catholic Church in the West which were split in 1054. If their work succeeds, the EU will become even more Catholic-influenced, and the Protestants will be reduced to less than 20%.
The Catholic wing is in the majority in the EU, and that is exactly where the decisions are being made. It is not difficult to see in which direction it will all go. We are seeing the beginning of a European Empire, which will turn out to be the greatest Catholic European "power giant" the world has ever seen.
The EU-ministers work towards a strong integration. The representatives of the various countries are supposed to stand firmly together and they have to submit and incorporate the new EU-regulations and legislation, and, preferably do this at the right time.
Work is now being done to remove the right of the membership countries to veto constitutional amendments and to replace it with a majority vote.
EU-president, Romando Prodi, says that "time has come for Europe to move beyond the united market
and form a full-blooded `political union' with the diplomatic and military range of force as of a world power, that can ask
the people's question of what they will want to die for within the spirit of Union." (London Electronic Telegraph, May
30, 2001.) 
The EU-president is saying here, directly, that they want to have a
thoroughbred political union. In this
connection it is also natural to have a joint EU army, a federal European police force, Europol, a joint European
court-system, Corpus Juris, who ensures the incorporation of EU-laws, common currency (Euro), a common Central Bank,
a joint fishing and agriculture policy, common pensions, common energy and environment taxation, common value
added tax, a particular EU-tax and joint tax rules, etc. Most likely, if Norway becomes a member of the EU, it will lead to
the submission of the Norwegian Oil policy to the legislation of the EU.
It is moving towards a closer union, and the regulations and strategies are constantly changing. The EU is like a big ship that keeps changing direction towards a more pronounced Catholic administration model, and the membership countries just have to follow.
It is also worth noticing that all the meetings in the cabinet are closed and not documented with minutes of what the various representatives have said. All voting within the cabinet is done by ballot, just to mention a little of the secrecy within the EU.
Norwegian politicians (Norway is not a member of the EU) say they have to join in order to have an
influence, but that seems rather odd. The laws are already made - after a Catholic pattern. Besides, if Norway gets in, they
will have about 2% influence on the decision making process. It is not being told that the EU gets 98%, or rather 100%
influence upon it. When a law is made, the member countries have to adopt it, even those totally opposed to it. This
is why protestant Norway will be subject to a Catholic government, unless they refuse to join this new state.
We can clearly see that the Catholic Church is on the verge of regaining its power in Europe, at least through one avenue, the European Union. In order to reach their objective, their goal is to ruin Protestantism and the independent nations, just like the long-term plan of Adam Weishaupt. This is confirmed among other plans in the complete Jesuit oath. The Jesuits are the frontline soldiers of the Catholic Church.
Before we read the Jesuit oath (which is quite shocking) and other factual information in this pamphlet, we will point out that this information is quite "hard to digest." And we feel it necessary to emphasize that we do not want any hostile attitude towards people, no matter what their status is. We are aware that we are born and brought up under various influences. Still we hope that these facts will be useful information for the individual, whether you are a part of the mentioned religious system or not. The purpose of this information is to help you recognise the dangers of this seductive system. We are not trying to unveil the Catholic Church because we have a hostile attitude towards Catholics. It is never pleasant to oppose a system that has a significant influence in many people's lives.
Because we have been made aware of the dangers of this religious system, because we see that their plans are unfolding and many people are being deceived - and last but not least because the Bible so strongly cautions against this system - we see it as our duty to pass on this information.
The following part of the Jesuit oath should be enough to reveal the actual purpose and mission of the Catholic Church.
THE JESUIT OATH
The following is an extract from portions of the Jesuit "Extreme Oath of Induction" as recorded in the Congressional Record of the United States of America, February 15, 1913, pages 3215-6. Also in "The Engineer Corps of Hell" by Edwin A. Sherman, pg. 118, 1883, Library of Congress Catalog Card #66-43354.
"EXTREME OATH OF INDUCTION"
"My son, heretofore you have been taught to act the dissembler: among the Roman Catholics to be a Roman Catholic, and to be a spy even among your own brethren; to believe no man, to trust no man. Among the reformers, to be a reformer; among the Huguenots, to be a Huguenot; among the Calvinists, to be a Calvinist; among the Protestants, generally to be a Protestant; and obtaining their confidence to seek even to preach from their pulpits, and to denounce with all the vehemence in your nature our holy religion and the Pope; even to descend so low as to become a Jew among the Jews, that you might be enabled to gather together all information for the benefit of your order as a faithful soldier of the Pope. You have been taught to insidiously plant the seeds of jealousy and hatred between states that were at peace, and incite them to deeds of blood, involving them in war with each other, and to create revolutions and civil wars in communities, provinces and countries that were independent and prosperous, cultivating the arts and the science and enjoying the blessings of peace. To take sides with the combatants secretly in concert with your brother Jesuit ... who might be engaged on the other side, but openly opposed to that with which you might be connected; only that the church might be the gainer in the end, in the conditions fixed in the treaties for peace and that the end justifies the means.
"You have been taught your duty as a spy, to gather all statistics, facts and information in your power from every source; to ingratiate yourself into the confidence of the family circle of Protestants and heretics of every class and character, as well as that of the merchant, the banker, the lawyer, among the schools and universities, in parliaments and legislatures, and in the judiciaries and the councils of state, and to `be all things to all men,' for the Pope's sake, whose servants we are unto death.
"You have received all your instructions heretofore as a novice, a neophyte, and have served as a coadjutor, confessor and priest, but you have not yet been invested with all that is necessary to command the army of Loyola in the service of the Pope. You must serve the proper time as the instrument and executioner as directed by your superiors; for none can command here who has not yet consecrated his labours with the blood of the heretic; for `without the shedding of blood no man can be saved.' Therefore, to fit yourself for your work and make your salvation sure, you will, in addition to your former oath of obedience to your order and allegiance to the Pope, repeat after me.
"I . . . , now in the presence of the Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blessed Michael the Archangel, the Blessed St. John the Baptist, the Holy Father, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, founded by St. Ignatius Loyola, in the Pontification of Paul the Third, and continued to the present, do by the womb of the virgin, the matrix of God, and the rod of Jesus Christ, declare and swear that his holiness, the Pope, is Christ's Vice-regent, and is the true and only head of the Catholic or Universal Church throughout the earth; and that by the virtue of the keys of binding and loosing, given to his Holiness by my Savior, Jesus Christ, he hath power to depose heretical kings, princes, states, commonwealths and governments, all being illegal without his sacred confirmation, and that they may be safely destroyed.
"I do further declare, that I will help and assist and advise all or any of his Holiness' agents in any place wherever I shall be, and do my utmost to extirpate the heretical Protestant or Liberal doctrines and to destroy all their pretended powers, legal or otherwise.
"I do further promise and declare, that notwithstanding I am dispensed with to assume any religion heretical, for the propagating of the Mother Church's interest, to keep secret and private all her agents' counsels, from time to time as they may instruct me, and not to divulge directly or indirectly, by word, writing, or circumstances whatever; but to execute all that shall be proposed given in charge or discovered unto me, by you, my ghostly father ...
"I do further promise and declare, that I will have no opinion or will of my own, or any mental reservation whatever, even as a corpse or cadaver (perinde ac cadaver) but unhesitatingly obey each and every command that I may receive from my superiors in the Militia of the Pope and Jesus Christ.
"That I will go to any port of the world, whatsoever, without murmuring and will be submissive in all things whatsoever communicated to me ... I do further promise and declare, that I will, when opportunity presents, make and wage relentless war, secretly and openly, against all heretics, Protestants and Liberals, as I am directed to do to extirpate and exterminate them from the face of the whole earth, and that I will spare neither sex, age nor condition, and that I will hang, waste, boil flay, strangle and bury alive these infamous heretics; rip up the stomachs and wombs of their women and crush their infants' heads against the wall, in order to annihilate forever their execrable race.
"That when the same cannot be done openly, I will secretly use the poison cup, the strangulation cord, the steel of the poniard, or the lead bullet, regardless of the honor, rank, dignity or authority of the person or persons whatsoever may be their condition in life, either public or private, as I at any time may be directed so to do by any agent of the Pope or superior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Faith of the Society of Jesus."
TOWARDS UNIVERSAL POWER Here we can see very clearly that the Catholic Church aims to destroy Protestantism. We can see these moves today as Protestantism is being fragmented and replaced by Catholicism.
It is also quite clear that the Catholic Church wants to be universal. It has never accepted the national government unless it was subdued to the norms of the Church. Through the EU-legislation and the international laws they can regain the power they had in the Middle Ages which is where they are headed (Rev. 13:3). They will use all means possible to reach their goals. Don't you think there are good reasons to react?
We also notice Catholic features in freemasonry. Centrally within their assembly rooms they have the Sun cross or Malte cross. When freemasons are promoted to the 8th rank, they receive the Freemason ring. Centrally on the ring the "Malte-Cross" is engraved. This is the same sign the pope bears on his clothes and ring. Hitler, who was also a Catholic, and a friend of Rome, wore the Malte cross. They send signals through symbols. The symbols show who or what they belong to. The Freemason priests offer absolution through confession like the Catholic Church. In the Bible however, in the "Lord's Prayer", we are encouraged to settle a matter with the one offended and thereby receive the final forgiveness from God. (Matt. 6:12)
The secret organizations are filled with people in leading positions of society and the government. They are lawyers, doctors, editors, leaders in all major business, such as oil and car companies, and managers in banks and in the police staff, leaders in the military etc.
It is in their secret meetings that plans are drawn up and decisions made for European and global development. They work towards a centralized international legislation, made by and for the elite.
The objective for the secret organizations fits well with the Catholic Church and their goal: power and dominion.
For many years the media have withheld a great deal of information regarding the centralized power
structure. Many of their men are within this secret system and instead of giving a true picture of the situation, they only portray
the advantages of international cooperation. They give a false impression of reality.
The Bilderberger group met for their yearly meeting, in Stenungsund, Sweeden, May 18-23, 2001. They met in secret in a property with tall fences
all around the area and the place crowded with police. The writer of this letter got in touch with the two greatest TV
channels in Norway to inform them of the gathering and get them interested in the meeting. Even though the top leaders
of this world were gathered, no word of the event was heard, no images were seen on the screen. A few newspapers
gave some superficial remarks.
Even thought the elite would think that they are getting close, there is a proverb saying: People predict, but God decides! It is true, and that is good!
THE EUROPEAN MOVEMENT
The European movement is working to join the independent nations of Europe with the European Union.
The European movement was founded 1949. It has sister organisations in more than 25 countries. Their members of Parliament have one foot in Brussels and the other in the respective native constitutions, which leads to the favour of Brussels. They are leading us to be governed by a new State which has legislative, executive and judiciary power.
An independent nation coming into the EU will end up being governed by Catholic forces. It will then be very difficult to get out again. Article 240 in the Roma treaty says, "This treaty is entered into for unlimited time." It is not correct to say like high profiled politicians: " If we want to retract, it is just to say bye, bye and leave." As a nation first joins, they are welded into the EU-chain (see logo). Then freedom really is in danger!
Let's take an example from history, and look at attempts to unite Norway with the European force:
Norway is a wealthy country because of its resources, partly because of oil. In Norway there have been two EU-elections. Both times the European Movement has tried their best to get Norway to be a part of the European Union. Now they want another poll. There have been earlier attempts to get Norway to submit to the European union. Adolf Hitler, who himself was a Catholic, had a close relationship with his church, and he practised its principles. Together with Quisling and the Nazis, Hitler tried to get Norway into a united Europe. Quisling accused as a felon by the Norwegian law in 1945, said in his speech of defence that "the court must take into consideration his idealistic motives, in that he was trying to get Norway to join a European union…." The European movement together with its supporters has a similar purpose. We do not know the motives. They can be very different from Hitler and his fellows, but the goal is still the same, to get Norway to become a member of the European Union. Hitler and his men used weapons and force, today they use diplomacy and politics while being well paid for doing it.
Many have been naive thinking that the members of the European Movement in the various national Parliaments have governed the independent countries according to the goal and principles of their constitution. Instead they have been sold out to an international organization which disregards self-government and does not want the individual nations to be free, independent, and indivisible kingdoms. We have already seen what powers are working together at higher levels than the independent countries to sell their supremacy cheaper than a pot of lentils.
UN, NATO AND THE EU-ARMY
In today's society we see that the UN and USA are playing an important role in the work of gathering the world under the control of a power elite. In other words, we can say that the UN and USA are tools in the hands of the elite. Many consider the Gulf-crisis as a part of this process, and since then several independent nations have highly contributed in making the UN and USA increasingly operational as world police. The citizens in many independent countries are more and more disarmed. The military forces in individual countries are being reduced, and instead the nation is placed under the control and command of the UN and USA while they rapidly submit to international rules made by the UN, USA and the rulers of the world. It seems that kings and governments have given up believing in self-government in their own countries, and now instead are bowing down to the ground for the superior power.
UN, NATO, and the EU-army are today forming a Catholic-characteristic international military control. Catholic forces have a strong influence in these military giants. Just like the Libyans and Ethiopians were war powers that fought for ancient Babylon, it seems that the above-mentioned global military giants will be the companions of the papacy in the end time (Dan. 11:43).
Wars are planned and created. Wars are uniting. We observed that in the Gulf-crisis, and in connection with other great conflicts in the world. When a conflict arises, we notice USA, together with UN, NATO and/or EU-army breaking in to restore "peace", and they get "peace" _ on their terms.
In Africa they also have established the African Union, with a union army. A new evidence how the leaders are linking together to overrule the people and the sovereign, independent nations.
Illuminate (=the enlightened/rulers of the world) have for a long time had the motto: "ORDO AB CHAOS" _ "order out of chaos." Chaos is planned, in secrecy, behind closed doors. It is from chaos that they will make peace/order; the New World Order, on their terms. They make the individual nation obedient to their ruling, just like the elite and the Catholic Church wants. The individual nations are not left in peace. The rulers of the world hunger for everybody's obedience. It was in this way that the Catholic Church ruled in the Middle Ages. The same system of dominion will appear in the end time. The process has already started. Religious persecution and oppression is seen in many countries. We will in the future see more and more display of power, persecution and bloodshed of the worst kind. (Rev. 18:24).
We can also see that trade unions are part of the puzzle to bind people in bundles. This has never been a part of God's plan, nor is it for the best of mankind. The Bible says that where the Spirit of God is, there is freedom (2.Cor. 3:17). This is the freedom of Christianity, the freedom of conscience. We are to be free in Christ. His standards ought to be our standards. When the authorities follow the plan of God, then let us follow their directions. As far as possible we ought to keep peace with our fellow men as authorities. However, when they deviate from God's plan, so that we can no longer listen to our conscience, then we have to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). We should let God be our authority and not allow suppressing groups to guide us, groups which are far off when it comes to biblical guidelines. We can already now see how trade unions give favours to their members. We can further expect that the controlling power from the trade unions will develop a more and more suppressing character.
Trade unions and associations bind people together in bundles. We need to free ourselves from such, as soon as possible, because they have a controlling power over people. The Bible tells us that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).
The large trade unions also move towards a European and globally centralized international pattern. They push their claimed rights - often in a rather selfish and unrefined manner - and bind their members to follow their laws.
We appreciate people that dare to take a stand against Rome. We believe that we cannot stop all these powers, but we will try as much as we can to inform others what the issue is all about, so that each individual has the opportunity to make the right choice. The world elite is about to rob us of our civil and religious freedom. The near future will prove that this time it has already started!
We do not doubt that there are many honest and upright people among the secret societies, in the UN, in the African Union, in the EU, in the European movement, in the trade unions, in the Catholic Church and in the apostate protestant denominations. Many do certainly believe that they are involved in a work that will promote peace on earth and safety, but they are deceived. Force and legislation cannot obtain peace. We will not see what it is all about before they practically incorporate the international legislations, when the most extreme laws are being executed.
ABOLITION OF THE NATIONAL STATE
It is interesting to note that more and more politicians of the independent nations fall for the international model where the individual nation submits to an international power-system. This way they slowly but surely lose their sovereign power - the freedom and the self-government - that is the basis of a nation's constituency. In this connection all of us should carefully think about the following statements in order to understand the `game' that is played in both Europe, in Africa, in the USA and the rest of the world.
The catholic priest Phelan, editor of the catholic paper "Western Watchman", wrote, June 27, 1912: "Tell us in a conflict between the church and the civil government, we take side of the church. Of course we do. Why, if the government of the United States were at war with the church, we would say tomorrow, TO HELL WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES; if the Church and all the governments of the world were at war, we would say: TO HELL WITH ALL THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE WORLD."
The second statement is from Pope Leo XIII's Encyclica, Shepherd-letter, 1879: "The Church of Rome is one monarchy over all the kingdoms, as the mind and soul of the body, or as God in the world. Therefore, the Church of Rome must not only have the spiritual power, but also the supreme temporal power." Pope Gregor repeated this idea when he said: "The power of the Church is superior to the power of the state." These and other declarations make it very clear that this political power is working for power - through control- over government and state-powers.
Even though this was written a while ago, the Church of Rome says about itself that is has never changed. This was confirmed in one of their own publications: "What the Church has done, what she has expressed or tacitly approved in the past, that is exactly what she will do, express or tacitly approve in the future, if the same circumstances occur." (Catholic review, Jan 1854). It is an advantage to know about the history of the Catholic Church, its strategy and use of power, to understand what is about to happen. Therefore, everyone should read the book that is advertised on page 31.
Religious powers influence politics in every country. Believe it or not, religion has a greater influence on politics than many assume. As we have seen, the EU is a Catholic marked system. Politics are mainly governed by Catholic powers. It is quite obvious that the Catholic Church is gaining a foothold in Europe and the rest of the world, the USA and the African Union included.
In the shepherd letter of the pope we read the following:
"All Catholics must make themselves felt as active elements in the daily political life in the countries where they live. All Catholics should exert their power to cause the constitution of the state to be modelled on the principles of the true church." (Pope Leo XIII, Shepherd-letter of 1890).
The Catholics are not the only ones who have become engaged in politics. Moslems, Protestants, Catholics and many others also try to gain influence. But the Bible reveals that it will be the Catholic Church that is the great deceiving power of the end-time (Rev. 13, 17, and 18.).
The Catholic Church prioritises education, and the model of career made by the elite makes sure the top positions are given to those with the best education.
Today many are surprised to see Catholics in important positions within society, industry, educational systems, Government office, the national assembly, and within the Supreme Court of Justice - yes, everywhere within Protestant countries.
A proverb says: "Rome, when in a minority, is as kind as a lamb. When in equality, it is as smart as a fox. When in majority, it is as fierce as a tiger."
We are not in the position to measure the motives of individuals, nor do we have the right to do so. Education is not something negative. It is rather good to develop one's abilities. Many seek a career for the sake of economy. However, from Catholic sources we see that they deliberately seek to gain influence in the common political life in order to sway developments according to a Catholic pattern.
MANY METHODS
Many tricks have been used to gather the nations of the world under the control of the elite. The rulers of the world bind the individual nations together through confederations and strong alliances, and through international rules made by the elite. People are overruled by an abundance of regulations, all the way into their private property. The elite squeeze people through taxes and more and higher duties. The strong becomes stronger and the weak becomes more and more suppressed. The ordinary man or woman has less power and influence. Many feel they have no more say in society. Their voice is not taken into consideration.
We observe national laws submitting to international laws. In Europe, the Catholic EU-legislation is becoming part of the laws of the member countries. Now it is the elite in Brussels who decides the laws for these once-independant countries. They have been occupied through this abundance of Catholic regulations, which ties our hands and feet. When they succeed in getting protestant countries into the EU-chain, they can later control them as they please through majority votes. The former endependent countries united to the EU-system will end up as a county commune-ruled by the EU State. The national assembly of the member countries, and the people will become like a cotter's farm under Brussels. Protestant countries in Europe, which are members of the EU, are already experiencing this, and soon the member countries of the African Union (AU) will experience the same. This union is also a union created by the elite and for the elite. It has a centralised, catholic model of government, just like EU, and the member-countries will be over-ruled, just like in the catholic European Union.
We also notice how the EU-ministers try to attractively portray the EU. Other nations have to apply for membership, even though they are forced into it because of circumstances, and then they have to pay many billions of dollars just for membership. And the money, how is it spent? Yes, we hear of one corruption after another. The finances mystically disappear, and the ministers are seldom prosecuted. Perhaps they are transferred or promoted to another position. When Catholic religion and politics consciously plan to drain out billions and billions of dollars from Protestant countries, then there are many who query this, and rightly so.
Still, it is better to struggle under a Protestant government, where Protestant freedom rules, than to be governed by an enormous extensive Catholic network of laws which binds the people to become obedient subjects - the consequences of which we have already started to notice.
The question must be put forward by protestant members: Can we count on fair play and just distributions from the elite in Brussels, or will we regret bitterly having moved the power of decision from the member countries to Brussels? It is those with the finances who have the power. Many have already signed the contract, and it is too late to regret it. Difficult times are ahead.
We also see how people are being transferred, and it seems like it is part of a plan to create internationalism within the individual countries. We see the start of a new Babel-confusion. The Bible calls us to spread out and not huddle together in centralised and unhealthy city environments (Gen. 11:1-9). The Bible also says: «And he (God) hath made of one blood all the nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitations; That they should seek the Lord, If haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us.» (Acts 17:26-27).
THE EU-FLAG
The EU-flag is dark blue with 12 yellow stars in a circle. In a Dutch, Catholic periodical "Middelares en Koningin," April 1974, we find the headline: "Under the protection of Mary." It says among other things: "We Catholics will always, when we see the blue colour, perceive it as the colour of the Queen of Heaven" (it is also called Maryblue). On the imprint on the new EURO we also find 12 stars on both coins and paper money. No matter how many members the EU will consist of, there will always be 12 stars. Why just 12 stars? Why not the number of membership countries? Much indicates that the 12 star circle on the EU-flag has its inspiration from the worship of Mary in the Catholic church. In the Roman Catholic Church the Queen of Heaven, Mary, with the 12 stars around her head, is a well-known motive. We find the same motive in the glass window in Notre Dame cathedral at Strasbourg, and at the Catholic Church resort at Magleås by Birkerød in Denmark, we see the motive on mosaic, copper dishes, etc. We find the same image in the book of Revelation, the 12th chapter, but there it has a completely different meaning. There the 12 stars are a symbol of the 12 disciples of Jesus, who stand as representatives of God's Christian Church.
Another interesting fact is that the European Council chose to use the European flag, or "the Mary flag", on December 8, 1955, and that all three zealous champions of the star banner were good Catholics. Acceptance of the Europe flag took place on the very day of the 101st anniversary for Pope Pius IX's doctrine of Mary's Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1854. The European Council's receiving of the "Mary flag" on this day is hardly a coincidence. The EC (now EU) took possession of the flag in 1986. Underway at this moment is a large-scale campaign to proclaim a new Catholic doctrine, that Mary should be regarded as Co-redeemer (Co-Redemptrix) and mediator of all grace, advocate for God's people. It is not strange that they would seek to link the European Union flag together with the worship of Mary. A European article entitled "Europe, Mary, Peace" explains that the European flag is a symbol of Mary. (More information can be found in the tract entitled "The Marian Apparitions".)
On another Mary day, Annunciation day, the Roman Treaty was signed. This was on March 25, 1957, while all the Vatican's church bells proclaimed a new era in the Mary Age that Pope Pius had heralded in 1953.
The Catholic Church, with the pope in the lead, is worshiping Mary and statues of Mary. By doing this they are breaking the second commandment, found in Exodus 20, verses 4-6, which forbids us to make images and worship them.
On the 9th of September, 1978, Bishop Graber stated: "I have claimed a Mary-an European International.... We pray and ask in peace that the West once more may be what it was: an "Imperium Marium" [a Mary kingdom].
We understand that the European flag is a symbol of Mary. There is ample evidence that the Vatican and the Catholic Church's supporters want "the flag of Mary" to be raised atop all flag poles in Europe. In this way will many un-knowingly, symbolically exalt the queen of heaven." But when this becomes known it will be too bad for people and nations, whose beliefs are not Catholic, to use this religious symbol which claims worship and subordination.
It is noticable how the global powers are tightening the lasso and gradually making those of us who are not part of the elite to become slaves to their system. Over time we have seen the gradual merging of businesses, banks, companies and corporations. The big ones become bigger and receive more power. Power is obtained through legislation, and in order to insure that these laws are enforced, controls are set in place, such as EU and AU-control, EU and AU-directives and Internal-controls. At the same time standard requirements are set up, which small businesses are not able to keep up with. The demands are too difficult and costly, and they bow under the pressure - while the strongest and wealthiest survive and receive power and dominance. This is the design of the elite in order to receive power and domain. When the people are weak and have little money, they have little resistance, and it is easier for the elite to rule them as they want to.
Those who live in the periphery can perhaps best note the pressure. Small local post offices, bank branches, companies, etc. are gradually phased out. Hundreds of small farms, established through modest living and hard toil, will also gradually be given up. And so the country becomes very poorly armed for crisis, which is likely to come soon. Earlier the barns were full of cows, sheep and chickens; potatoes, vegetables, apples and berries were in the gardens. Because of these provisions people were able to weather the crisis in 1940-45. But today's politics are set up in such a way that nearly everyone must go to the store in order to get their food, and the large supermarkets are located either in or near the cities. Everything is becoming centralized. Think what a grip the elite will have on their subjects in a coming crisis. Food is a necessity, and in a crisis common citizens must adapt to the directives of the elite. They have to be loyal citizens in order to get food.
When all is centralized, people's movements are easily controlled. Would you like to be in bondage under the elite in this way? You may consider this to be extreme. "Could it actually become so bad?" you might say. But the Bible speaks of a time just before Jesus' Second Coming, when no one can buy or sell without having the mark of the beast. How will we manage?
When we come out to the country, we will experience nature, the beauty, peace and calm which is good for the mind. Work in the garden is good therapy. Fresh air, clean water and healthful foods are also a part of natures own healing agents. To seek God in these surroundings gives peace of mind. Do you see the advantages of country living? The sooner we move into the country, the better we will have it now, and we will also better master the crisis that is to come.
We have seen the development in the European Union. They will first link Europe together on the economical domain. The next step is to tie Europe together politically, with common politics and laws. The last step, which is likely the most important for the Catholic system, is to bind Europe together religiously, with common doctrines.
Are you surprised that the former independant countries, now linked to the European Union, gradually must give up their sovereignty and come under Catholic government authority? The countries that are linked to the United Nations must also give up their soverenity under the command of this world power. The countries in Africa united to the African Union also will be overruled by the laws of this union. In this way we see that the countries in the world are linked together. The Bible's end-time prophecies tell us that the world powers will unite just before Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, comes again. It is written: "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon,
and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." (Rev. 16:13, 14)
Don't we see the gradual fulfillment of this gathering today, in the economical, political, religious and military sectors? The Bible says further:
"The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who HAVE RECEIVED NO KINGDOM AS YET but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast THESE WILL MAKE WAR WITH THE LAMB, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Rev. 17:12-14)
Here we catch a glimpse of the powers' strategy. Today the world is divided into ten regions. The Bible says that the world's ten rulers in the end time are of one mind, and they will reign for a short time together with the beast. This shows how unified and planned the strategy is for world dominion. There will be a universal bond of union, one great harmony, a confederacy of Satan's forces.
We read: "They will give their strength unto the beast". "Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanism.
In this warfare to be waged in the last days there will be united, in opposition to God's people, all the corrupt powers that have apostatized from allegiance to the law of Jehovah. In this warfare the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will be the great point at issue; for in the Sabbath commandment the great Lawgiver identifies Himself as the Creator of the heavens and the earth." ("llen. G. White, Manuskript 24, 1891).
As we have read in Revelation 17: 14 it says that it is these world powers which war against the Lamb, Christ, and all that stand on His side. This is the final war in a nutshell. All of the world's destroying powers will come together - for what? What is it we are waiting for? Yes, just as they have implemented common standardized regulations in the political arena, they will also implement religious regulations. They will implement the beast's mark.
The Bible tells us that the world's rulers will be deceived by the "harlot's" sorcery. In the Bible a woman symbolizes a church. A virgin symbolizes a pure church (2 Cor. 11:2). Therefore "the harlot" must be a church who has fallen from the plain teachings of the Bible (Jer. 3:20, Ezek. 16:35). This church is not just any church, but one which is described as the "mother of harlots" (Rev. 17:5) - accordingly "the Mother Church", as the Catholic Church calls herself. (See also the identifying marks of the harlot, in the pamphlet "Watch Out For The Power Elite and The Global Union".)
The world rulers believe they will receive economic favor through their connection with the papal power, which, in reality wishes to receive religious promotion and have the support of the rulers to implement the "mark of the beast." We see that the plans to unite the different churches are being fulfilled today through the ecumenical movement.
The distinguishing characteristics of the different denominations are today being worn down, and the Protestant denominations are being split up and torn apart from within, by infiltration and liberal currents. When this takes place and discontentment is created, unity will be appealing. The various Protestant denominations will first form an ecumenical unity, and this apostate Protestant block will later join with the Catholic Church. The unity will be based upon Catholic principles, as it is Catholic powers that stand behind the unifying endeavors. This has been their special task since the second Vatican Council (1962-65). This is the development we see today. We see this through the Poorvoo Treaty, the Joint Declaration, and others. On June 2nd 2002, an ecumenical service was held in St George's Chapel, Windsor, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth ll. The press reports showed her Majesty presiding over the signing of a covenant by four of the major protestant religions in England to express their unity, and their desire to work towards unity with the Roman Catholic Church. It was summarised on the news as the beginnings of a single Christian community for Britain.
Doesn't the Bible admonish Christian unity? Of course! Jesus' appeal for those who believe in Him is this: "...that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in me, and I in You: that they also may be one in Us..." (John 17:20-26). But the distinction is that unity must be based upon what Jesus said and did, so that we are in agreement with His will. When the Holy Spirit gains entrance into our lives, decisions are made in harmony with His will. The decisions made by Christians will be based upon a "THUS SAITH THE LORD," and "IT IS WRITTEN", not upon diplomatic solutions and popular vote as is often the case in ecumenical circles, where the clear word of Scripture is often contradicted.
The Bible says clearly that "the mark of the beast" will be the last test before the return of Jesus. All of us will be tested, whether we worship God as the creator, or worship the beast and receive his mark (Rev. 13:16-17; Rev. 14:1-12; Neh. 13:16-21).
THE MARK OF THE BEAST
The Bible clearly describes the mark of the beast as being the last test people will have just before Jesus comes again. All will be tested on whether they will worship God as Creator, or worship the beast and take its mark. (Rev. 13:16-17, 14:1-12, Neh. 13:16-21)
"But, what is the mark of the beast?" you might ask. Well, in short, each of the Bible's descriptions for the power of the anti-Christ , "the beast", fit the papal power. (For more information, see the descriptions in the issue: "666..") Martin Luther said among other things: "the sign which characterizes anti-Christ according to Scripture, fits perfectly to the Papacy and its adherents."
One of the signs is that the beast has a mark. The Catholic Church itself claims to have a mark. They claim Sunday as the mark of their authority, and that others acknowledge the church's authority by Sunday observance (From Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons and the Douay Catechism, p. 59). The church therefore says plainly that their mark of authority is their implementation of Sunday, the Biblical first day of the week, as the day of rest, in place of the Sabbath, which is kept from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday (Mark 15:42-47, 16:1-6l; Leviticus 23:32; Nehemiah 13:15-21). The Bible speaks of only one day of rest in the week, which is the Sabbath. This is the only day of rest, which God has hallowed and blessed, from creation onward. In the Ten Commandments we are instructed to keep the seventh day, the Sabbath, as the day of rest (Gen. 2:1-3, Ex. 20:8-11, Acts 18:4). In the ten commandments of the Catechism, which originate from the Catholic Church, the text commanding us to keep the Biblical seventh-day Sabbath holy, is taken away.
Now they want the Protestants to join the catholic European Union, and in fellowship, uphold Sunday as the day of rest. Sunday is spoken of in the Social Charter in the Maastricht Treaty. The implementation of the mark of the beast will be the trump card in the European and global unification we see today, and Sunday as a day of rest is something both Catholics and the majority of other denominations can stand together on.
It appears as a master plan that the religious dimension, as a gathering point, should come last. In this way it appears to be a point of less wait or importance. This is a clever strategy, since once they have acquired unity in the economical, political and military dimensions, unity in the area of religion naturally follows.
Jaques Delors calls for
ONÉ soul, ONÉ mind and
ONÉ spirit in the European institutions ("Dagen" Sep. 29, 1992). In the EU this model is
built upon. They will also have common religious standardized regulations. This is where Sunday as a day of rest comes
in, and then all members must conform on this point as well. In this connection it is interesting to note that the EU
president Romano Prodi will have a common religious legislature in the European Union, which will be a part of the new EU
constitution. Then all the member countries have to accept this.
A priest from Denmark asked one of the bureaucrats in Brussels: "What is the most important of Maastricht?" He answered "Keep Sunday holy!"
Dear reader! Will you be loyal to God and keep His law, including the Sabbath of the fourth commandment? Or will you be deceived by the harlot's (the papacy's) sorcery and be loyal to a human power and keep the unbiblical day of rest, Sunday? Each Sabbath is actually a test of who we will honor and serve. Are we willing to worship the Creator on the day that he has set aside? (Is. 58:13)
John writes in one of his letters, that "He who says `I know Him,' and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:4-6). And later Jesus' disciple writes: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:2-3) And Jesus says "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) When we discover what Jesus has done in order to save us, it will not be a burden or a yoke to follow Christ, but we will desire to follow in his footsteps with joy in our hearts. John understood this when he wrote that God's law was not burdensome.
The signs of the times give evidence that we are living in the last days, and the Bible says that the last events will be rapid ones (Romans 9:28 and 1 Thess. 5-1-7). Does it seem to you that change is rapidly taking place today? Don't you think the time to follow God is now?
THE CHURCH AIDED BY THE STATE
The Bible says that it is not "the beast", the papacy, which will impose its image or its mark, but another power. It is described this way: "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon." (Rev. 13:11) That this beast rose up out of the earth would mean that this nation arose in an unpopulated area and grew up like a plant. The horns of a lamb stand for youth and innocence, and republicanism and Protestantism as characteristics of this nation. Therefore this must signify the United States of America. The U.S. has been designated as a land of religious freedom. However, time will show that this nation will suppress religious freedom through legislation, and speak as a dragon.
In Europe many countries have a state-church system. But this is not so in the United States. Therefore it is quite remarkable that this country will be the one to use state power in order to enforce the mark of the beast. State and church will work together.
They will implement a method of government that the papacy stands for. They will implement the mark of the beast. (Rev. 13:11-17) (See also the pamphlet "666" for more detailed explanation.)
The image of the beast symbolizes that form of apostate Protestantism that arises when the Protestant denominations seek help from the civil authorities in order to force others to follow their norms. We have already seen over the years how the worldly rulers are in the process shaping an image of papal rulership. In the Catholic system, the state and the church stand as one. The church uses the state in order to enforce religious legislation and the Bible points to the United States (as it fulfills the signs of this prophecy) as the leader in enforcing Sunday as the day of rest, or the mark of the beast. Today we see how bishops and priests are working together with labor unions in order to enjoin and uplift Sunday as the day of rest. As we have seen, Sunday is also proposed as the common day of rest in the European Union.
As of late, in the pope's pastoral letter, "Dies Domini", he exhorts the individual to uplift Sunday as the day of worship. And we expect to see special efforts being made in the near future, to unite apostate Protestants and Catholics especially on this point. It is sensational that apostate Protestantism will help the papacy to implement the image of the beast, and that they will help the papacy to enforce the unbiblical day of rest. The Bible reveals that the United States will lead in this movement to introduce the mark of the beast, and other nations will follow the example of the USA, EU included. It is the 13th chapter of Revelation and verses 11-17 that lays this out clearly for us. But every genuine Protestant will stand on the Bible and the Bible only on this issue as well, and the Bible commands us to keep the true seventh-day Sabbath, not the counterfeit, Sunday, which is the first work day of the week according to the Bible. (Luke 24:1-6, Genesis 1:1-5) The Bible says that those who refuse to receive the mark of the beast will not be allowed to buy or sell, and orders will be given to kill them. (Rev. 13:15-16)
After the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the United States has come into focus. Thousands of people were killed, many wounded, and even more are mourning their loved-ones that were slaughtered. Terrorism is an evil deed, which can not be justified, and now terrorists are hunted. They are regarded as fundamentalists. But how will all of this unfold?
The Bible clearly describes that the United States will later be in pursuit of another group of fundamentalists. Some call them Bible fundamentalists, or in other words, those who choose loyalty to God and His Word, no matter the cost. They refuse to accept the image of the beast and its mark. When the commands of worldly leaders contradict those of Scripture, their faith and loyalty will be on the side of God's Word, and these leaders will not tolerate it. The world leaders want to have loyal subjects, who will conform to their laws. Let us pray for these leaders, that they will not be a part of those who trample the truth with their laws. Perhaps some will humble themselves.
In every age there has been a persecution of God's people, but none will be worse than in the last days. It is a spiritual war, in which those who place themselves on God's side will be given eternal life while the others will be lost (Rev. 20:4, 15:2). What is here written is to urge the individual to place him or herself on the side of God now, in order to receive the divine power and experience with God that every individual needs. Only then can we stand against all the trials, which are to come perhaps sooner than we imagine! We understand that difficult times are ahead for anyone who dares stand against the rulers of the world, but don't be afraid! When God is on our side, there is no defeat. Even if our earthly lives are lost for God's sake, He will lead us through!
The mark of the beast is still in the future. When we are required by law to keep Sunday holy, then the mark of the beast is fulfilled. But it is also important that we take a stand regarding this question today, because it is a test of loyalty today for all who know this truth (James 4:17). As Christians we must always be willing to follow in the steps of Christ. (1 Pet. 2:21)
Ellen G. White, who has written much on the subject of end times, states the following: "The people of the United States have been a favored people; but when they restrict religious liberty, surrender Protestantism, and give countenance to popery, the measure of their guilt will be full, and "national apostasy" will be registered in the books of heaven. The result of this apostasy will be national ruin."
Many don't believe these things can happen:
1. The United States, the land of religious freedom, will begin to speak as a dragon and suppress the truth.
2. This nation will experience national ruin.
But time will show us that this is possible and will happen.
Even though the Catholic Church, together with the rest of the powerful elite of the world, have their plans to rule the world, God also has His plans for a new heaven and a new earth where justice will abide. It is God who has control, and He will, at the proper time, come to the rescue of His children when they are exposed to the trials in connection with the beast's mark (2 Peter 3:8-14). He will come again to take His people home, where he is _ in heaven (Rev. 14: 13-20 and 16:1-21, 1 Thess. 4:15-17.) In vision the apostle John saw the redeemed at home in God's kingdom. They "had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name" (Rev. 15:2). They had battled against powers, against authorities, against the rulers of this darkness, against the armies of evil (Eph. 6:12). But they fought in the power of God and won the victory, a spiritual victory. Thanks be to God!
In Luther's time, the Catholics called Protestants "heretics". Today they are called separated brethren. The Catholic Church has clothed itself in sheepskin in order to gain acceptance in Christian circles; but don't be deceived. This church has not changed or left a single one of its unbiblical doctrines, which made the reformation a necessity. They continue to teach that the pope is Christ's substitute here on earth. They still pray to Mary and the saints. Every day the priests read mass for both the living and the dead. They "create" and offer up Jesus anew with every communion as they believe the bread and wine to be His literal flesh and blood, although the Bible states that He was sacrificed ONCE for all, and when we observe the Lords Supper, we do it in remembrance of His sacrifice for us (Heb. 7:27, 1 Cor. 11-23-25, John 3:16).
In addition, the Catholic Church has incorporated many unbiblical practices and
traditions, such as infant baptism, confirmation, and unbiblical Easter celebration and the doctrine of the immortality of the
soul. The Bible teaches something else. (See the following texts: Mark 16:16, Acts 8:12, Romans 6:3-6, Eccl. 9:5-10, 1
Tim. 6:16, 1 Cor. 15:51-54) We have also seen the changing of the Ten Commandments in the Catechism, and the
substitution of the first day of the week as the day of rest, instead of the seventh day of the week, the Sabbath. These are
some of the points, which demonstrate that, although the Catholic Church claims to be Christian, it stands for completely
different values than Jesus stood for. Unfortunately most Protestant denominations have accepted many of the
unbiblical Catholic practices, and are therefore seen as apostate Protestant churches. (Rev. 17:5) To all of God's children
connected with these denominations, the Bible cries out a command: "COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE!" Why?
The answer comes in the next sentence of the verse. So that you shall not be partakers of her sins, and receive her plagues.
(Rev. 16 and 18:4)
When we in this pamphlet inform about some of the falsifications that are done by the Catholic Church, when we warn against this system, then it is not done to condemn Catholics as individuals. We believe that there are many sincere and honest people in this denomination - and also in other denominations all over the world - that desire to do what is right. God alone will judge who will be saved and who will be lost. This is not our task. But we hope that this information can be useful for both you and all of us, so that we will not be deceived but instead be able to make right decisions! We desire that everyone will be saved, Catholics, Moslems, Protestants - whoever, no matter what system they belong to. But nobody will be saved just because they have some kind of faith. It is only through Jesus Christ that we are saved. (John. 14:6) Therefore the Bible summarizes it the following way: "Here is the patience of the saints, here are they which keep God's commandments and the faith of Jesus." (Rev. 14:12)
WHAT ABOUT US? We understand that Protestantism and the independent nations are about to be destroyed, but what about us? Do we manage to keep our soul in this corrupt condition that exists today? How can we find peace and harmony in our lives? Jesus says to every repenting sinner: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27) The world rulers cannot give peace of mind. When we come to Jesus and get rid of our burden of sin, only then will we receive true peace.
Jesus Christ has done all to save us. He has given His life so that you and I can live. The Bible says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." "Sin is transgression of the law", and "the wages of sin is death." We are all - to start off with- lost (Rom.3:23; 1.John 3:4; Rom.6:23). But through Jesus Christ we have received a Saviour. It is only through Him that we can find grace with God and be saved. (John 3:16).
Just think: he who was God could degrade himself and come down to become a man. Even though he was God he clothed his divinity in humanity. He came to put himself on our level, to save us from the curse of sin. Where mankind had fallen in sin, He had to gain the victory. Yes, He had to gain the victory in all things to save us. That's what Jesus did. He had such a close relationship with God that He received power to gain the victory over all temptations. He could not brag about having attended a regular school, but was taught in a home-school by his mother to love and serve God and to offer His all for the salvation of others. He had to rely fully on God. He was exposed to demonic temptations, persecution, mobbing and ridicule. They whipped him until He was bleeding and they judged him unfairly. He was accounted as a robber, even though He had done nothing wrong. He did not open His mouth to defend Himself, but only to defend the truth. He had to carry the cross. We also need to take up our cross and follow Him. As Jesus gained the victory we need to gain the victory. We can gain the victory with God's power. We need to have such a close relationship with God as the branch to the vine-stem (John15:3-4). Then we will constantly receive the power from God to live for Him. We need to use prayer and the Word of God, as Jesus did. "To the law and the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light in them."(Is.8:20)
Paul describes Jesus' humiliation as follows: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil.2:5-11)
Some days after Jesus had given his life for you and me on the cross, so that everyone who believes in Him can have eternal life, Jesus told his disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him before their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:8-11)
At another place Jesus said: "If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3). Jesus was taken up to heaven, where he is serving as an intermediary between God and mankind. He is speaking on our behalf to the Father and he is judging (Hebr.9:24-28; Dan.7:9-10). Before he returns it will be decided who will be saved and who will be lost. (Math. 25:31-46; 1.Tess.4:13-18). It is therefore important that we receive salvation in Jesus Christ now, so that we can inherit eternal life (Rom.6:23). If not, we'll be judged according to our works and suffer a terrible punishment in the lake of fire, which will annihilate the sinner. (Rev.20: 12-15; 21:8).
We do not know when we will die. Today is the day of our salvation. Therefore: "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts!" (Heb. 3:7-8)
CONSEQUENCES, HOPE AND A FUTURE The Problem in this world is sin. We have already seen that Jesus can free us from the burden of sin. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to save us from sin. (Matt.1:21). Jesus says therefore: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) John puts it this way: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). This tells us very clearly that there is no other way to receive salvation than through Jesus Christ. The call to the EU opponents, EU supporters, Catholics, Protestants, Moslems, and to all mankind is: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-6). "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matth. 3:2). The Holy Spirit asks you to make this decision now! The one who gives a positive answer to this call, who acknowledges his sin, and in prayer puts them down at Jesus' feet and asks for forgiveness, the same one will receive forgiveness. The Bible confirms it in this way: "When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). Jesus' righteousness will become your righteousness, undeserved and by grace and faith. (Eph.2: 8-10). It is up to you and me to receive the gift of salvation. The Holy Spirit inviting you to make this decision now. (John 16:5-15). It is liberation and a joy for all that have been set free from the sin in their lives. That is what all of us need. (John 8:32-36). When we come to Jesus in such a way, we will also be clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
"But what does it mean to be clothed with Jesus' righteousness?" you may ask. Jesus answers: "I have obeyed my Father's commands." (John 15:10). By His perfect obedience Jesus has made it possible for mankind to keep God's commandments. When we surrender to Christ, our hearts will be united with His heart. Our will will be melted together with His will. Our mind will become one with His. Our thoughts will be taken captive to obey Him. We will live His life. That is what is meant when they say that you are clothed with His righteousness. (2 Peter 1:4; Heb 11).
To say `YES' to Jesus will results in our lives - then our life with Christ begins. It will entail that our ego will not rule any longer, that we answer `NO' to our fleshly lusts, and to the worldly temptations and pleasures, and `YES' to the Holy Spirit so that He can enter our lives. As long as we live in this world, we will be tempted to do what is wrong, but when we work together with God and let the Holy Spirit lead in our lives, we won't give in to temptations. (Rom 8:4-14; 1 John 3:4-9). In the strength of the Lord we will gain the victory over Satan's temptations, as Jesus gained the victory. Jesus' standard _ as revealed in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) - will be seen in our lives, and not in the standards of the world. We will receive help to turn away from uncleanliness, deception, cheating, adultery, covetousness and all that has to do with sin. We shall no longer love the world, but love Christ. We shall receive a new mind, new purposes and new motives. We shall become servants and not rulers. People will notice that our lives have been changed. The fruits of the Spirit will be revealed in our lives, such as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness etc. (Gal 5:16-24). Christ's character will be reflected in our lives (Heb 1: 3; 1 Cor 5:49; 2 Cor 3:18) and we will be God's true witnesses (Acts 1:8). It is this type of people God wants to use to carry forward his last message of salvation and warning to the world, as described in the Bible in Revelation 14:6-12.
Whoever surrenders completely to God will experience real freedom, because the Bible says: "When the Son sets you free you are free indeed." (John 8:36), and "where the Spirit is there is freedom!" (2.Cor. 3: 17).
Let us not become slaves to Satan, the power-elite, or the burden of sin in our lives but with God's help break away and become free in Christ. Then we have turned from death to life. Let us make this decision now, while it is still the day of salvation!
Dear reader! The Bible tells us that nothing unclean will enter heaven (Rev.21:27). We must therefore understand that the change of character and the continued connection with Christ must happen now, so that we can be ready to meet our Savior when He comes soon to receive His own (1 Thess 4:13-18). As Christ was glorified on the day of Pentacost, so will He again be glorified in the closing work of the gospel, when He shall prepare a people to stand the final test, in the closing conflict of the great controversy.
The signs in times shows us that Christ soon will come back to take His own where He is - to heaven (John. 14. 1-3 and 1. Tess. 4. 15-17). Let us, with God's help, decide to be ready when Jesus comes to take his people home - to heaven - where we can experience a greater freedom than here. A perfect freedom! Both inside and outside!