ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 216

“A LOOK AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

PROM A PROPHETIC PERSPECTIVE”

Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,

Retired Professor of Theology and Church History,

Andrews University

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS

AN UPDATE ON MY CANCER RECOVERY

In the last newsletter I reported to you the healing the Lord has brought to my liver cancer. About three months ago, I was made forcefully aware that my liver cancer was active again, because my belly became like a balloon filled with fluid. Three times the Cancer Center removed over 4 liters of fluid.

On the basis of blood tests and PET/CAN scans, my oncologist, a most caring and compassionate doctor, told me that my liver was not functioning (fibrosis condition) and consequently the fluid were dispersed in my abdomen. Apparently the chimo and the radiations had damaged my liver making it unable to process fluids. The condition is usually irreversible.

To get a more accurate diagnosis of the condition of my liver, my oncologist ordered another set of blood tests, including a new PET/CAT SCAN that was scheduled for October 7. 2008. On that day I was not feeling well. At the suggestion of our daughter Loretta who is a Professor of Nursing at the Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, I rescheduled my PET/CAT scan for a week later, on October 14, 2008.

A Week of Prayer and Fasting

A major reason for the rescheduling of the PET/CAT scan a week later, was Loretta’s plan to give our family and close friends seven days to devote ourselves to fasting and prayer to plead for the divine healing of my liver. Loretta, who has developed a marvellous ministry of intercessory prayer, invited her small group of prayer warriors to join with our family every evening at 8:00 p. m. We were a group of 10 persons, 5 in Orlando at Loretta’s home, 4 in our home in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and our son Gianluca, who heads up a legal office in San Paulo, Brazil.

At 8:00 p. m. every evening we joined together in a conference call using our speaker phone and in turn each one offered a fervent prayer asking God for His healing power to bring new life into my liver. Truly I can say that hearing those fervent prayers offered on my behalf uplifted my spirit.

The healing effect of these intercessory prayers soon became evident. The first night I slept with a new sense of wellbeing. Somehow I felt that healing was taking place in my body. I woke up in the morning with a new surge of energy. I could only thank God for restoring my strength.

The New PET/CAT SCAN Results

On Tuesday, October 14, my wife and I drove to the Center for Cancer Care in Goshen, Indiana, to undergo the PET/CAT scan that had been rescheduled for a week. We were eager to see if the new test would show that my liver cancer had improved dramatically after one intense week of prayer. We were not disappointed. At 4:00 p. m. when we met with the oncologist to evaluate the results of the PET/CAT SCAN, the doctor showed us the contrast between the picture of the last PET/CAT SCAN taken over two months ago with that taken on that day.

The contrast was evident. The latest PET/CAT SCAN shows that the size of the cancer has shrinked considerably. Not only the size was much smaller but even the color was less intense than the previous picture. The doctor explained that the lighter color indicates that the activity of the cancer has slowed down considerably.

My oncologist was surprised because the shrinking of the cancer occurred without any medication. In fact the last infusion of chimo took place over two months ago. I explained to the doctor that our family and a circle of close friends had prayed intensively for God’s healing of my cancer and for us the picture of the shrinked cancer was a proof that our prayers had been answered and the healing power of God was at work.

The doctor told us that he also is a man of faith who believes that God can do what doctors and medicines cannot do. I gave him a copy of my latest book Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? together with three DVD albums. He reassured me that he would read the book.

This experience has convinced me of the truth that “the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Moreover, I have learned that I need to turn to God FIRST, not LAST when all the medical resources have failed.

Our daughter, Loretta Bacchiocchi is to be credited for proposing the seven days plan of fasting and prayer which brought our family members and a few close friends together every evening at 8:00 p. m. arount the speaker phone. It was a marvellous experience to be united by phone every evening to plead for divine healing in my body.

Loretta has given me the permission to post her email address and phone number to make it possible for any one with serious medical or spiritual needs to contact her. Her email address is [email protected]. Her home phone number is (407) 880-0336 and her cellular phone is (321) 356-4065.

She is a very busy lady with her teaching and prayer ministry, but rest assured that she will make time for you. Her intercessory prayer group meets at her home every week, to pray for those with special needs. Feel free to call her to present your request. You will find her to be a caring, compassionate lady who takes a personal interest in any person with special needs.

SPANISH EDITION OF POPULAR BELIEFS IS AT THE PRESS

GOOD NEWS!!! The Spanish edition of Popular Beliefs: Are the Biblical? translated LAS CREENCIAS POPULARES, ¿SON BÍBLICAS? will be out in two days. Next week we will process al the orders we have received for about 5000 copies..

If you know Hispanic believers and pastors, please let them know about the release of this much needed witnessing book. Some Hispanic pastors have already ordered 100 copies at the pre-publication price of $5.00 per copy, instead of the regular price of $30.00.

To introduce LAS CREENCIAS POPULARES, ¿SON BÍBLICAS? to our Hispanic pastors and church members, we are willing to email FREE OF CHARGE the PDF file of the whole book, including the cover. To receive the free PDF version of the Spanish book, simply contact us by email <[email protected]> or by phone at (269) 471-2915. We will email the PDF version as an attachment immediately. The information on how to order the Spanish book at the pre-publication prices, is given at the end of this essay.

UPDATE ON THE ENGLISH EDITION OF POPULAR BELIEFS

The demand for Popular Beliefs: are They Biblical? continues unabatedly. The third printing is almost sold out and we are now planning for the fourth printing.

A Thank You Note

Much of the credit for the unprecedented demand for Popular Beliefs: are They Biblical? goes to you readers of this newsletter. You found this book a most timely for witnessing to your friends an informed your pastors and members about it. Many of you have ordered two copies for the price of one, so that you could donate a copy to your pastor or church officer.

I wish to take this opportunity to express my whole hearted gratitude for your promotional efforts. As a result of your endeavors I am receiving every week encouraging messages from both Adventists and non-Adventists, expressing appreciation for a fresh understanding of fundamental Biblical truths which have been corrupted by human traditions.

A Wealth of Historical and Biblical Information

A thoughtful reading of Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? will give to any pastor or lay member more information than a two years seminary class in Biblical and Historical Theology. I know this to be a fact, because for 26 years I have taught CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES I & II to theology students. Because of time limitations we managed to cover about half of the information contained in this new timely book. This means that a thoughtful reading of this book will equip you with a vast amount of information that you can use in preaching, teaching, giving Bible studies, or simply discussing with friends the major Adventist beliefs.

To my knowledge Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? is the only book ever published in the history of the Adventist Church that can help Christians of all denominations to understand why most of their popular beliefs are biblically wrong, and the less-popular Adventist beliefs are biblically correct.

During the course of our Adventist history our church has published many witnessing books, but not of them compare and contrast the popular (unbiblical beliefs) held by Catholic and Protestants with the Adventist beliefs. Yet such a book is much-needed to equip our members to share their faith. The awareness of this need explains the overwhelming demand for Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical?

To make it easy to introduce your pastor to this timely book, please email us his email address and we will email FREE OF CHARGE as an attachment the PDF version of the book.

At the end of this newsletter you will find all the information on the various ways to order Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? at the special offer of $6.60 per copy, instead of the regular price of $30.00

“A LOOK AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

PROM A PROPHETIC PERSPECTIVE”

Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,

Retired Professor of Theology and Church History,

Andrews University

The last newsletter no. 215 on “The Necessity of the Cross” generated an incredible volume of responses. Over 90% of the responses were not comments on the fundamental question addressed in the Bible Study, namely, “Why Christ Had to Die to Atone for our Sins?”, but on my brief “REFLECTIONS ON THE FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.” It is evident that the passions stimulated by the current presidential campaign overshadow the importance of Christ’s atoning sacrifice for our salvation

My First Mistake

Let me state at the outset that I made two mistakes. First, I based my comments about Barack Obama mostly on an alleged interview with MEET THE PRESS that was supposed to have been conducted on Sunday, September 7, by Retired General Bill Ginn.

I assumed that the story to be accurate because it was emailed to me by a credible person. But the interview never took place. It was a pure fabrication that originated in a satire piece by John Semmens in the Arizona Conservative. Semmens did not actually quote Obama, but was instead fabricating a story as humor http://azconservative.org/Semmens118.htm, http://azconservative.org/Semmens118.htm and http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/stance.asp.

I apologize for failing to check the source. I did not think it was a truth affecting our eternal salvation. I do not attach much importance to presidential elections, because they come and go every four years, and no significant changes have taken place during the past 34 years we have lived in the USA. The only change I have seen during the administration of 6 presidents, is the constant increase in the cost of living and in all sorts of taxes,

Some of the information contained in the fabricated interview is factually correct. In the latter part of this study on the prophetic significance of the forthcoming presidential election, I will discuss the possible prophetic role of Obama, if elected, in advancing the cause of Islam in the USA. We shall see that from a prophetic perspective, the Papacy and Islam, are the two major protagonists of the endtime showdown over false worship.

Simply stated, this study suggests that while President Bush during the past 8 years fostered immensely the influence of the Catholic Church in America by surrounding himself with Catholic intellectuals, advisers, speech writers, theologians, politicians, and electing Catholic Federal judges. Obama, if elected, may do the same for Islam. His Muslim roots and the secret support he is receiving Muslim who have organized pre-registration drives in their Mosques, is well-documented. Before rejecting this suggestion a priori, I would urge you to read the rest of this newsletter. By the time you reach the end of this study, you may agree with me that my prophetic interpretation deserves serious consideration.

My Second Mistake

The second mistake that I made is to talk about the presidential candidates themselves, rather than on the prophetic significance of the forthcoming presidential election. As an Adventist student of Bible prophecy the wisest thing for me to do is stay out of the political debate, especially at this time when lies are flying thick and fast on across both side of the campaign. As an Adventist Bible student of prophecy, my focus should be on the prophetic significance of the presidential election, rather than on the candidates per se.

I do not support any political party. In fact, I have never voted in my life, partly because I left my homeland Italy when I was still a teenager. Next November 4 I was supposed to be able to vote for the first time in my life at the age of 70. Now I am told that I will not be able to vote because I failed to register at the proper time. No problem, because I would not know for whom to vote anyhow, since both candidates pose serious problems to me.

Italians Are Skeptical about their Political Leaders

I come from Italy where politicians are seen mostly as corrupt individuals. We often use the term “politician — politicante” in a deragatory way, to describe any person of dubious morals. This explains why Italians in general do not contribute to political campaigns. While in America people are willing to contribute to their presidential candidate, in Italy political candidates have to pay for people to vote for them.

The reason Italians are skeptical about politicians is simple. For the past 2000 years our country has been governed by Emperors, Kings, Princes, Popes, Foreign invaders, Communists, Socialists, and so-called Democrats, but nothing has ever changed. Corruption has always been the order of the day. The result is that Italians are generally pessimistic about political leaders. They have stopped dreaming about the possible election of a new government capable of solving the social and economic problems of the country.

Americans Are Optimistic about Electing a New President

By contrast, American are still optimistic. They believe that a new president can change the socio-economic situation of this nation and the history of the world. A major reason is that America is a young country with just over two centuries of history. Furthermore, American believe that their nation came into existence by divine design. It is like a new Land of Canaan, that offers freedom, opportunities, and prosperity to all.

Americans believe that by electing the right president, they can change the economic and social conditions of their country, and foster peace and prosperity in the rest of the world. Personally I commend the Americans for keeping their positive vision alive, because the Scripture tells us “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18).

Personally I have not yet caught the American optimistic vision of what a new president can do for this country. The reason is that during the past 34 years I have lived under six presidents, including a born-again Christian Jimmy Carter, I have not seen any significant changes. The only noticeable things that has happen is that food, fuel, sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes, state taxes, have all gone up considerably, while the income has lagged behind. Today, I am not better off financially, than I was 34 years ago. I have less saving in my bank accounts than we had when we first landed in America.

During the five years I spent at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, the Lord blessed immensely not only my studies, but also the Real Estate business that I established. My perception is that all presidential candidates promise prosperity for all, but then delivery very little. Correct me if I am wrong

The Objectives of this Newsletter

The focus of this newsletter is not to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of McCain or Obama, but to look at this important presidential election from a prophetic perspective. We live in a momentous time when the endtime signs are fast fulfilling. As Adventists we believe that the Great Controversy between true and false worship is intensifying as we draw closer and closer to the End.

Revelation 13 portrays the final attempt of the unholy trinity, the Dragon, the Sea-Beast and the Land-Beast, to lead the whole world into the false worship of God. Historically, our Adventist church has identified the Papacy as the key agency that will lead the world into the false worship of God. There is no question that the Pope influences the world today in an unprecedented way. We shall see that he uses effectively his charisma of moral persuasion to bring the whole world under the umbrella of the papacy. I have discussed the papal strategy in several newsletters (Ns 127-128-129). You can easily access them at my website by clicking this link: www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/

This newsletter focuses not only on the prophetic role of the Papacy, but also on that of Islam in the final showdown over worship. We shall see that historically the Reformers Luther and Calvin recognized in both the Papacy and Islam the two legs of the Antichrist. Islam and the Papacy came into power at the same time in the seventh century. While the Papacy influenced the Western part of the Roman Empire, Islam took over the Eastern part: Egypt, North Africa, Palestine, Turkey, and went as far as Pakistan, Agfanistan, Indonesia, etc.

Today there are one-point three billion Muslim who outnumber the one billion Catholics and are posing a major threat to Western Countries. Some studies suggest that by the year 2020, France will be predominantly Moslem. In England I have seen Muslim buying old Cathedrals and replacing them with splendid Mosques, built with money from Arab countries.

Are Muslim gaining a foothold in America as well? Could Obama, if elected president, encourage the expansion of the Moslem presence and power in the USA? These are questions that deserve our thoughtful consideration, in the light of the prophetic scenario of the endtime showdown over worship.

Lately an increasing number of thinking Adventists have been asking me: What is the role of Islam in prophecy? After all Islam is the largest religion in the world today, outnumbering even the Catholic Church. Is Bible prophecy focusing exclusively on the Papacy, ignoring Islam altogether?

This newsletters looks at the Papacy and Islam from a prophetic, historical and contemporary perspective. Our ultimate goal is to better understand the role that these two religious powers will play in the endtime showdown over worship.

ISLAM AND THE PAPACY IN PROPHECY

The prophetic connection between the Papacy and Islam has long been recognized by Christian thinkers. Thus, what I am proposing in this essay, is by no means my own original interpretation of the Antichrist. Bible students have for centuries seen the prophetic connection between Islam and the Papacy.

For example, Jonathan Edwards, the first President of Princeton University and one of the most respected American theologian, wrote in his book A History of the Work of Redemption: “The two great works of the devil which he wrought against the Kingdom of Christ are . . . his Anti-Christian (Romish or Papal) and Mahometan (Muslim or Islamic) kingdoms, which have been, and still are, two kingdoms of great extent and strength. Both together swallow up the Ancient Roman Empire; the (Papal) kingdom of the Antichrist swallowing up the Western Empire; and Satan’s Mahometan kingdom the Eastern Empire . . . In the Book of Revelation (chapter 16-20) . . . it is in the destruction of these that the glorious victory of Christ at the introduction of the glorious times of the Church, will mainly consists.”

Edwards’ view that the prophetic activities of the Antichrist have been manifested through Christian history through the Papacy in the Western Roman empire and Islam in the Eastern part of the empire, was ably defended already in the sixteenth century by the two Reformers Luther and Calvin. I am indebted to Dr. Francis Nigel Lee, Professor of Theology and Church History at the Queensland Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Brisbane, Australia, for two informative essays: “Luther on Islam and the Papacy,” and “Calvin on Islam.” These two lengthy essays of about 60 pages, provide a valuable collection of statements on Islam and the Papacy from the two Reformers. (Francis Nigel Lee, Luther on Islan and the Papacy, (Lamp Trimmers, El Paso, Texas, 2000); Francis Nigel Lee, Calvin on Islam, (Lamp Trimmers, Texas, 2000).

My plan is first to submit a brief summary of what Luther and Calvin had to say about Islam and the Papacy from a prophetic perspective. Then, we will test the views of these two Reformers by examining relevant biblical texts on the prophetic role of the Antichrist.

The interest of the Reformers for Islam and the Papacy stems from the fact that they lived at a time when Papacy had corrupted the Western Church, while Islam was swallowing up much of what was left of the Eastern Church. In many ways the Moslem threat was as real in Luther and Calvin’s days, as the threat of Muslims terrorists is today.

After the Turks became Moslems in their homeland of Turkmenistan, most of them embarked in a war of conquest, exporting Islam to many countries. In 1453 they brought to an end the Eastern Roman Empire by capturing Constantinople. Then they subjugated Greece, Bulgaria, Ukraine.

They continued their steady advance by subduing Albania in 1500, Moldavia in 1512, Romania in !516, Montenegro in 1517, Serbia in 1521, Bosnia in 1527, and reached Vienna by 1529. By the time Luther died in 1546, the Muslims controlled even Hungary and Moldovia. This means that the two Reformers lived at a time when the Muslim threat was a deeply felt as it is today.

Luther on Islam and the Papacy

Luther saw both the Papacy and Islam predicted in such places as Daniel, Revelation, Matthew 24, 2 Thessalonians 2, 1 John, 1 Peter 3. For the sake of brevity we shall refer only to few of his comments. He interpreted the two legs of the statue of Daniel 2, as representing the division of the fourth kingdom. “The left leg became the Western Roman empire, under the Papacy in Rome. The right leg, the Eastern Roman Empire, with its capital Constantinople, later succumbed to Islam.” (Francis Nigel Lee, Luther on Islam and the Papacy, (Lamp Trimmers, El Paso, Texas, 2000, p. 2.)

Luther believed that “the wrath of God had brought Muhammad and the Pope into the world” to punish Eastern and Western Christians for abandoning the pure teachings of Bible. “When the Greeks despised His Word, He took it away and gave them the Turk and Muhammad. To us Germans and to the Italians, he gave us the Pope and with him all sorts of horrible things.” (Luther’s Tischreden, 6, No. 6543; 1, No. 906.)

In Daniel 7 Luther saw the work of the Papacy and Islam represented by the emergence of the Little Horn from the ten horns of the fourth beast, which symbolizes the Roman Empire. In his Preface on Daniel, he wrote: “He also indicates that one small horn shall knock off three among the top ten horns - meaning Mohammad or the Turk who now holds Egypt, Asia, and Greece.... This same little horn will fight the saints and blaspheme Christ -- something that we are all experiencing and seeing before our very eyes.” (Luther’s Works, Weimer ed., 35:299-300.).

In a sermon on Matthew 24:15-28 Luther expresses his views that Islam and the Papacy are but two different legs of the same Antichrist. (Luther’s Works, Weimer ed., 53, 394f.) What unites the two together in Luther’s view, is the fact that both persecute Christians and promote false teachings. The difference is that Islam persecutes Christianity from outside, while the Papacy does it from inside.

In Revelation Luther found several prophetic allusions to Islam. Commenting on Revelation 9:12-13, he wrote: “The second woe is ...the shameful Mohammed with his companions the Saracens, who inflicted a great plague on the Church - with their doctrines and with the sword.” (Luther’s Works, Muhlenberg, 1932, VI:482f).

For Luther the central message of Revelation is the final victory of the Church over Islam and the Papacy. He concludes his treatment of the book saying: “We can profit by this Book.... We can know that neither force nor lies neither wisdom nor holiness, neither tribulation nor suffering, shall suppress the Church. But it will gain the victory, and overcome at last.... Great and perilous and manifold offences come upon the Church.... This has happened before now, under the Papacy and Muhammad.” (Ibid., p. 488).

Luther attempted in several ways to clarify the relationship of Islam and the Papacy to the Antichrist. In 1532 he made one of the clearest statement: “I am entirely of the opinion that the Papacy is the Antichrist. But if anyone wants to add the Turk - then the Pope is the spirit of Antichrist, and the Turk is the flesh of Antichrist. They help each other in their murderous work. The latter slaughters bodily by the sword; and the former spiritually by doctrine.” (Luther’s Tischreden, Weimer ed., 1, No. 330).

Calvin on Islam and the Papacy

Calvin’s views on the prophetic role of Islam and the Papacy are strikingly similar to those of Luther. Calvin’s comments were largely inspired by his concern over the threat posed by the Moslem Turks, who had invaded Romania, Hungary, and besieged even Nice in France.

In 1543 Calvin in Switzerland wrote to Philip Melanthon in Germany, saying: “It is not without the bitterest grief that I hear of the sad condition of your Germany! Nor are the evils which I dread, of a less serious kind than those which I bewail.... The Turk again prepares to wage war with a larger force. Who will stand up to oppose his marching throughout the length and breadth of the land, at his mere will and pleasure?” (Selected Works of John Calvin: Tracts and Letters, Grand Rapids, 1983, I:373-75).

In the light of the Moslem’s threat to the survival of Western Europe, Calvin acknowledges that Islam and the Papacy are two manifestations of the Antichrist power that will attempt to subvert the truth and destroy God’s church. In his Sermons on Deuteronomy (18:15 and 33:2), Calvin explains: “As Mahomet says that his Al-Coran is the sovereign wisdom, so says the Pope of his own decrees. For they be the two horns of Antichrist.” (J. Calvin, Sermons on Deuteronomy, p. 666). For Calvin the common denominator between the two powers, is their appeal to higher revelations that supercede the Scripture: “Mohammed and the Pope have this religious principle in common -- that Scripture does not contain the perfection of doctrine, but that something higher has been revealed to them.”(J. Calvin, The Gospel according to St. John, II:82).

In his Commentaries on Daniel, Calvin explains that the fourth empire represented by the iron legs of the statue of Daniel 2, is the Roman Empire which was later divided into the “Western-Roman Papal and the contemporaneous Eastern-Roman Islamic Empire.” (Francis Nigel Lee, Calvin on Islam, p. 5). As noted earlier, Calvin calls them “the two horns of the Antichrist.” “The Turks have spread far and wide, and the world is filled with impious despisers of God.” (J. Calvin, Commentaries on the Book of the Prophet Daniel I:167,182).

In his commentary on Daniel 7 Calvin explains that the Fourth Beast represents the Roman Empire. Calvin notes that the Little Horn that sprung up from the Fourth Beast is interpreted by some to refer to the papacy and by others to the Turkish kingdom. He prefers to adopt a more inclusive interpretation.

Calvin advocates a more inclusive view of the Antichrist, which allows for the manifestation of both powers: the Papacy and Islam. In his Commentary on Second Thessalonians, Calvin clearly identifies the rising of the “Man of Sin” mentioned by Paul in 2 Thess 2:3, with the Papacy. However, Calvin saw in the unprecedented “apostasy” predicted in the same text (2 Thess 2:3), the outcome of the Moslem invasion of Christian countries.

“The defection has indeed spread more widely! For, since Mohammed was an apostate, he turned his followers, the Turks, from Christ. . . . The sect of Mohammed was like a raging overflow, which in its violence tore away about half of the Church. It remained for [the Papal] Antichrist to infect with his poison the part which was left.” (J. Calvin’s Commentary on Second Thessalonians in his The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Romans and to the Thessalonians, p. 400).

ARE ISLAM AND THE PAPACY TWO MANIFESTATIONS OF THE ANTICHRIST?

Were Luther and Calvin correct in viewing the papacy and Islam as two manifestations of the prophetic Antichrist? Were their views based on a correct interpretation of the relevant Bible texts or were they influenced by the Moslem threat to the survival of Western Europe? Can we today legitimately embrace the Reformers’ view of the Antichrist as including both the power of the Papacy and of Islam?

We shall attempt to answer these questions by examining what the Bible has to say about the nature and work of the Antichrist. Our procedure will be simple. First we will define the major prophetic characteristics of the Antichrist, and then we shall ask if the Papacy and Islam equally fulfill these characteristics.

Please note that what I am submitting for your consideration, represents simply a feeble attempt to understand more fully the prophetic role of the Antichrist in the light of the historical persecution of the church and perversion of truth accomplished by both the Papacy and Islam.

I am submitting is a “working hypothesis,” not a dogmatic truth. I am always prepared to change my views when someone shows me the flaws of my methodology and conclusions. Please do not flood me with “hate mail.” If you cannot stand what I have to share, simple ask me to remove your address and your request will be fulfilled. Let us act as mature Christians, able to disagree without becoming disagreeable to one another.

Definition of the Antichrist

The term “Antichrist” appears in the Bible only in two of John’s letters. He refers four times specifically to “the Antichrist” (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7). It is noteworthy that by the time of John’s writing (A. D. 90-100), Christians had coined a specific term, “the antichrist,” to designate the expected appearance of “false Christs and false prophets.” Presumably such a term was yet unknown few decades earlier, since Paul uses other designations: “the man of lawlessness,” “the son of perdition” (2 Thess 2:3).

Linguistically, the term “antichrist” can denote a “substitute” or an “opponent” of Christ since the Greek preposition “anti” can mean either “in the place of” or “against.” In John the term is used primarily in the latter sense. The “antichrist” is not a messianic pretender but one who opposes Christ by denying His incarnation and messiahship.

“Who is the liar,” writes John, “but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). “Every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:2-3).

The genuine incarnation of Christ was denied in John’s time by Gnostic sects. In their view matter was altogether evil, and consequently they taught that Christ could never have assumed human flesh. His body was not genuinely human but only had a human appearance.

In John’s view this teaching was a deadly heresy because it undermined the validity of Christ’s atonement. Thus he identifies the propagators of this heresy with “the antichrist”: “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 7).

In this passage “the antichrist” is singular and specific (preceded by the article - ho antichristos), but it is used to describe not one specific false teacher, but the “many deceivers” who were misleading the believers. In fact, in 1 John 2:18 the plural form is used (“Now many antichrists have come”) to describe these false teachers. This indicates that John sees the antichrist as a principle of hostility and opposition to God, manifested especially by those who denied the incarnation of Christ. This principle is designated by John as “the spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3).

Islam and the Papacy as the Antichrist

John’s definition of the Antichrist fits perfectly Islam’s denial of the divinity, incarnation, and crucifixion of Christ. The Koran teaches that Jesus, called Isa, was simply a human being, born to a virgin called Mariam, who was the sister of Aaron and Moses (Surah 19:28) While still a virgin (Surah 6:12; 19:19-21), Mariam gave birth to ‘Isa alone in a desolate place under a date palm tree (Surah19:22ff). Christ was not killed or crucified, and those who said he was crucified lied (Surah 4:157). “Isa [Jesus] did not die, but ascended to Allah.” (Surah 4:158).

Muhammad adopted these teachings from gnostic and Arian sects that had been exiled to Saudi Arabia. In other words, the very teaching condemned by John as “the Spirit of the Antichrists,” eventually influenced Muhammed to adopt a unitarian view of God and a strict human view of Christ that discredited His divine nature and redemptive mission.

The term “Antichrist” can also be applied to the Papacy, not in the sense of John’s definition of the denial of the incarnation, but in the meaning of “taking the place of Christ.” This is a legitimate use of the term which fits the historical claims of the Pope to be the Vicar of Christ and God’s representative on earth.

The Antichrist as the Little Horn of Daniel 7

A fuller description of the nature and work of the Antichrist, is found in Daniel 7. This chapter contains the well-known vision of the four beasts, representing the succession of four empires: Babylon, Media Persia, Greece, and Rome. Out of the Fourth Beast emerges the “Little Horn” - a power which has been rightly associated with the work of the Antichrist. Much of the discussion of the prophetic outworking of the Antichrist derives and depends upon Daniel’s vision of the Little Horn. Therefore, let us look at some of the identifying marks of the Antichrist Little Horn of Daniel 7 to see if they equally apply to the Papacy and Islam.

A Small Beginning

The name “Little Horn” (Dan 7:3) suggest a power that had a small beginning. Its roots existed prior to the Fall of the Roman Empire, because it uproots three existing horns or kingdoms. Gradually this small power was to become a dominant despot that “shall wear out the saints of the Most High” (Dan 7:25).

This distinguishing mark of the Little Horn fits well both the Papacy and Islam. The beginning of the Papacy was small. Initially the Bishop of Rome was regarded as “unus inter pares,” that is, “one bishop among equal.” But gradually, geographical and political factors contributed to the development of the primacy of the Bishop of Rome. With the election of Gregory I in 590, (known as the first medieval pope), the papacy became a dominant religious and political power that exercised enormous influence during the Middle Ages.

Like the Papacy, Islam also had a small beginning. When Muhammad began preaching Islam in 610 in Mecca, he faced considerable opposition and was forced to flee with his band of followers to Medina in 622. But gradually he consolidated his power and systematically subdued all the tribes living in Saudi Arabia.

During its first century of Islam’s expansion from 632 to 732, Muhammad’s successors subdued Egypt, Palestine, Syria, part of Turkey and all the countries of northern Africa. In 711 they crossed from Africa to Spain and crossed the Pyrenees into southern France until they were stopped in 732 by the Frankish ruler Charles Martel. The expansion continued for the next thousand years. Truly the description of the Little Horn as a power that began small but became exceedingly powerful fits well not only the Papacy, but also Islam.

A Different Kingdom

The Little Horn “shall be different from the former ones” (Dan 7:24). The difference is suggested by its political and religious agenda. He “shall speaks words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High” (Dan 7:25). It would be a kingdom, but its rulers would be both political and religious leaders.

Again, this distinguishing mark fits well both the Papacy and Islam. Both powers claim the right to control people’s souls as well as their bodies. They have been different from all previous kingdoms, because they have exercised political power to promote their religious agenda. To this very day, leaders of fundamental Moslem countries like Iran, act as both political and religious leaders of their people.

Uproots Three of the Ten Horns

The Little Horn power would come into prominence after the breaking up of the Roman Empire. The aggressive thrust of the newcomer “shall put down three kings” (Dan 7:24). The text says that “three of the first horns were plucked by the roots.”

This distinguishing mark fits better Islam than the Papacy. The traditional Adventist interpretation found in the SDA Bible Commentary and in Merwyn Maxwell’s God Cares, maintains that the three horns uprooted refer to the eradication of the Heruli in 493, the Vandals in 534, and the Ostrogoths in 538. The problem with this interpretation is that none of these three Germanic tribes were really eradicated. Furthermore, the Papacy never gained controlled of their territories.

Justinian’s triumph over the Ostrogoths in Italy was short lived. First, because under their new leader, Totila, the Ostrogoths quickly recaptured most of their lost territories. Second, because three years after Justinian’s death in 565, another Germanic people, the Lombards, invaded the Italian peninsula and weakened the Papal power. In other words, the Papacy never really displaced three kingdoms or nations to establish its power.

Even with the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire in 800 by Charlemagne, the power of the papacy was still constantly restrained by the ambitions of emperors, who went as far as deposing certain popes and replacing them with men of their own choosing. For example, the German Emperor Otto III in 996 entered Rome and, after putting down a faction of Roman nobles, he forced the election of his own cousin Bruno as Gregory V.

By contrast, the application to Islam of the uprooting of the three horns of Daniel 7:24, poses no serious problems. The reason is that Muhammad’s successors, known as the Califs, who like him combined the priestly and kingly dignity, within ten years of the Prophet’s death, ruthlessly subdued Egypt, Palestine, and Syria - three major centers of primitive Christianity and of the Roman Empire. Their wars of conquest continued within and without the boundaries of the empire, extending their territories all the way to India and Afghanistan.

Arrogant Appearance and Blasphemous Speech

Another distinguishing characteristic of the Little Horn is his arrogant appearance and blaphemous speech: “The horn which had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and which seemed greater than its fellows” (Dan 7:20). “He shall speak words against the Most High” (Dan 7:25).

This identifying mark of the Little Horn, fits well both the Papacy and Islam. The classical example of the arrogance of the Papacy is Pope Gregory VII’s humiliation of the Emperor Henry IV at the castle of Canossa. The emperor was kept in the outer court of the castle for three days with uncovered head and naked feet during an unusual cold winter weather. When the Emperor was practically frozen, the door of the castle was open and the Pope accepted his confession and granted him a pardon.

The Little Horn “shall speak words against the Most High” (Dan 7:25). Later parallels (Dan 8:25; 11:36; 2 Thess 2:3,4), suggest that the Little Horn would magnify himself by claiming the place of God. History records many examples of such bold claims by the Papacy. At the Fifth Lateran Council in 1512, the Pope Julius II, who distinguished himself as a military leader, a pope in arms, was acknowledged, not only as Shepherd, Physician, and Governor, but also as “another God on earth.”

Similar blasphemous claims have been made by popes in more recent times. For example, on June 20, 1894, Pope Leo VII asserted in his Pastoral Letter “The Reunion of Christendom,” that “we [the popes] hold on this earth the place of God Almighty.”

The arrogant and blasphemous nature of Islam is self-evident. Islam is arrogant in accusing Christians of blasphemy for teaching that God is a triune Being and that Christ is His Son. “They do blaspheme who say: God is one of three in a Trinity, for there is no God except One God” (Surah 5:76).

Islam is arrogant in claiming that Muhammad is the greatest prophet sent by God, superceding even Jesus Christ Himself. It is arrogant in boasting that the Koran is the absolute and uncorrupted word of God, replacing the earlier revelations of the Old and New Testaments.

Islam is arrogant especially in commanding Muslims to slay the people who do not accept their faith: “Fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war). But if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity [become Moslem], then open the way for them” (Surah 9:5).

A Persecuting Power

A significant distinctive mark of the Little Horn is his persecution of believers: “He shall wear out the saints of the Most High” (Dan 7:25). During the course of its history, the Antichrist power represented by the Little Horn, was to become known for persecuting God’s people.

This identifying mark of the Little Horn as a persecuting power has been historically fulfilled by both the Papacy and Islam. Regarding the persecuting power of the Papacy, it is significant that recently the Pope himself has apologized for the atrocities committed by the Catholic church against Jews, Muslims, and dissenting Christians. Unfortunately, his apology does not undo the suffering and loss of countless innocent lives.

The persecuting power of the Roman Catholic Church has been manifested in the extirpation of the Albigences by means of a crusade, the establishment of the Inquisition, the cruel attempt to suppress the Waldenses, the bloody wars to exterminate the Bohemians, the burning of Hus and Jerome, and the countless other Christians executed before the Reformation. After the Reformation ferocious cruelties were practiced by the Catholic Church in England during Queen Mary’s reign; in France at the massacre of Batholomew and the persecution of the Huguenots; in Spain, Italy, and Poland in the attempts to suppress by the sword those who had embraced the Protestant faith.

Comparing to the Papacy, Islam has persecuted Christians far more intensively and extensively. During the first century of Islam’s existence, Muslims armies, inspired by intense fanaticism, conquered the Eastern part of the Roman Empire, extending their control all the way from North Africa, to Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and part of Turchey. They succeeded in practically uprooting the Christian presence in these country by means of the sword and forced conversions.

The persecuting nature of Islam is inspired by the example and teachings of its Founder, Muhammad. He fought all the pagans, Jews, and Christians in Saudi Arabia, until he subdued them, forcing them to accept Islam. For him fighting was a way of practice his religion: “My livelihood is under the shade of my spear, and he who disobeys my orders will be humiliated by paying Jizya [tribute]” (Hadith 4:162b). Muhammed’s example was followed by his fanatical followers who systematically exterminated Christians or reduced them to a condition of virtual servitude.

A Lawless Power

Another distinctive characteristic of the Little Horn is his disrespect for God’s sacred times and laws. “He shall think to change the times and the law” (Dan 7:25). The “times” are the religious times, as indicated by the translation “sacred seasons” in the Smith and Goodspeed version. Paul alludes to the same characteristic of the prophetic Antichrist by calling him “the man of lawlessness” (2 Thess 2:3). Rebellion against God is manifested in disobedience to His commandments.

In 1 King 12:25-33 we find an interesting example. King Jeroboam of Israel was determined to wean his people away from the worship of God at the Jerusalem Temple. To accomplish this he built two altars, one in Bethel and the other in Dan (1 King 12:29) and he appointed a feast for the people to attend on the fifteenth day of the eight months. The date suggests that he wanted to lead the people away from the worship of the true God, by changing the annual feast of Tabernacle, which was the most important gathering of God’s people, from the fifteenth day of the seventh months to the fifteenth day of the eighth month. By changing the time and the place of worship, Jeroboam led the Israelites into apostasy.

The most sacred time appointed by God to worship Him as Creator, Redeemer, and Restorer, is the weekly Sabbath. In the Scripture great blessings and curses are associated with its observance or nonobservance (Ez 20:12, 20; 22:26-31; Is 58:13,14; Jer 17:19-27). This is the one commandment that affords us an opportunity to show in a concrete way our commitment to God, by giving priority to Him in our thinking and living during the seventh day.

It is not surprising that Daniel predicted that the Antichrist power represented by the Little Horn will attempt to change the sacred times (Dan 7:25) for worship. After all the day in which we worship tells a lot about HOW we worship and WHO we worship. Revelation speaks of the false worship promoted by the beast, which in many ways is the counterpart of the Little Horn of Daniel 7. Those who accept the false worship receive a mark on their right hand or forehead. In view of the close connection between the time and manner of worship, the mark of the beast is most likely connected to the day of worship.

This identifying mark finds its fulfillment in the work of both the Papacy and Islam in changing the Biblical Sabbath day of rest and worship. In chapter 6 of my dissertation From Sabbath to Sunday I have submitted compelling documentation, showing the theological, social, and liturgical methods used by the Papacy to lead Christian away from Sabbathkeeping to Sundaykeeping. The change was not merely one of numbers of names, but of meaning, authority, and experience. It was a change from a HOLY DAY into a HOLIDAY.

The Pope urged the abandonment of the Sabbath to show separation from the Jews and promoted the adoption of Sunday to prove the Christian identification and integration with the cycles of the Roman society. The Sun-god with its Sun-day became dominant in the pagan society beginning from the early part of the second century.

Muhammad, like the Pope, promoted the abandonment of the Sabbath to show separation from the Jews, but adopted Friday instead of Sunday as the weekly day for prayer and worship. Why? I intend to investigate this question more fully, when I prepare this essay for publication.

At this point it seems to me that Muhammad chose Friday, the Day of the Creation of Man, because he wanted his followers to differ not only from the Jews and Christians who observed the seventh day Sabbath, but also from the pagans and Christians who worshipped on the Day of the Sun. His abhorrence for idolatry most likely caused him to reject the Day of the Sun, because of its association with pagan Sun-worship.

Summing up we can say that in different ways and for different reasons the Papacy and Islam fulfilled the prophetic role of the Little Horn regarding the change of the sacred time of the Sabbath for the worship of God. This historical change has greatly affected the quality of religious experience of countless people through the centuries.

Conclusion

The preceding analysis of the identifying marks of the prophetic Antichrist, represented in Daniel 7 by the imagery of the Little Horn and in Revelation 13 by the symbol of a Beast, has shown that both the Papacy and Islam fulfil the qualifying marks of this prophetic power. Had time allowed me, I would have examined the prophetic role of Islam in the book of Revelation, especially in the light of Revelation 9, 13, and 16.

The tentative conclusion that emerges at this point, is that the claim of two Great Reformers, Luther and Calvin, that the Papacy and Islam are the two legs or the two horns of the Antichrist, deserve serious consideration. We have found that both powers fulfil the prophetic identifying marks of the Antichrist. Both powers emerged out of the divided territories of the Roman Empire, both promoted false worship, both persecuted God’s people, both attempted to change the sacred Sabbath time of worship.

In another study I discuss the new partnership that the Pope is determined to build with the Muslims. In the light of the prophetic role these two powers have played in promoting the false worship of God and the persecution God’s people, we can legitimately assume that this new partnership will play a major role in bringing about the final showdown that will usher in Christ’s glorious Return.

THE FUTURE OF THE PAPACY

Historically, the pope has been an actor on the political stage. At various times, the pope has commanded armies, ruled territories, collected taxes, and humbled (as well as been humbled by) secular potentates. Even today the pope is the head of a tiny state that enjoys full diplomatic exchange at the ambassadorial level with 172 countries.

But since 1870 when Pope Pius IX was forced to give up the Papal States that consisted of central Italy, the papacy has lost its temporal political power. The pope resisted to the bitter end the loss of the temporal sovereignty over the Papal States tht run from Naples to Ravenna. Pius IX refused to recognize the loss of temporal power and became a “prisoner” in the Vatican. His successors followed his example until the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which restricted the papal sovereignty to the Vatican City.

A New Method of Papal Engagement with Political Powers

But as the old edifice of papal temporal power was crumbling, a new method of papal engagement with political powers began to emerge. This new development can be traced from the end of World War I through the pontificates of Pius XI, Pius XII, John XXII, Paul VI, and, especially, the present popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. In essence, the new method consists in achieving political effectiveness through the charisma of moral persuasion, rather than through the normal instruments of political power.

A good example is the pontificate of John Paul II. The impact of his pontificate is evident throughout the new democracies of east central Europe, Latin America, and East Asia. His critique of capitalism has helped define the moral issues facing developed western democracies.

In an insightful article “Papacy and Power,” George Weigel, author of Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, notes that through the power of moral persuasion John Paul II ignited in Poland a moral revolution that made the 1989 Revolution possible, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of Communism. He argues that John Paul II has shown that profound moral conviction can be translated into effective political power.

Gradual Shift from Political to Pastoral Leadership

The shift from a political to a pastoral model of the papacy has been gradual. After all the Vatican maintains diplomatic relationship with 172 countries and uses diplomatic channels to negotiate agreements favorable to the Catholic Church. But the Papacy has deliberately adopted a dual strategy. On the one hand, he uses the diplomatic corp to achieve whatever they can, but on the other hand he appeals directly to the people, arousing them to a new, nonviolent form of action.

The loss of the Papal States in 1870, has liberated the papacy from the burden of direct political involvement in world affairs and has created the condition for the pope to function as a pastoral leader. The future power of the papacy will lie in the charism of moral persuasion used by the pope to achieve political effectiveness. The political alliances that have plagued the papacy in the past, will no longer exist. The pope is now engaging world powers with his own instruments of moral persuasion.

THE GROWING CATHOLIC INFLUENCE IN AMERICA

The endtime prophetic role of the Papacy can be seen in the growing Catholic influence especially in America today. For the sake of brevity I will limit my remarks to the influence of Papacy during the past 8 years of President Bush’s presidency.

In the late 1950s, J. F. Kennedy’s Catholicism was a political albatross. He sought to divorce his religion from his office. Upon accepting the Democratic nomination in 1960, he declared that his religion was “not relevant.”

By contrast, The Washington Post reports that “Bush and his administration have had no such qualms about their Catholic connections. At times, they’ve even seemed to brandish them for political purposes. Even before he got to the White House, Bush and his political guru Karl Rove invited Catholic intellectuals to Texas to instruct the candidate [Bush] on the church’s social teachings. In January 2001, Bush’s first public outing as president in the nation’s capital was a dinner with Washington’s then-archbishop, Theodore McCarrick. A few months later, Rove (an Episcopalian) asked former White House Catholic adviser Dean Hudson to find a priest to bless his West Wing office” (The Washington Post, Sunday, April 13, 2008).

President Bush Captivated by the Catholic Liturgy

President Bush is captivated by the power of the Catholic liturgy. This was evident at the funeral of John Paul II, which brought together the single largest gathering of heads of state in history, surpassing the funeral of Winston Churchill. The picture of President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton, kneeling together before the casket of John Paul II will long be remembered as a telling evidence of the outpouring of respect and devotion for the pope by American presidents. It is hard to believe that three American Presidents would kneel in prayer before the casket of John Paul II. No other religious leader has ever been so honored by American Presidents.

As President Bush flew back from Rome to the United States on Air Force One, he talked with reporters “in extraordinarily personal terms, saying it [the funeral] strengthened his own belief in a ‘living God.’ He remarked on how affected he was by the services, particularly the music and the sight of the plain casket being carried out with the sun pouring down on it. . . . ‘I knew the ceremony today would be majestic but I didn’t realize how moved I would be by the service itself,’ the president said. ‘Today’s ceremony, I bet you, was a reaffirmation for millions” (AP article). He also admitted that witnessing firsthand the outpouring of respect and devotion to John Paul II, was “a high point of his presidency.”

President Bush’s testimony reminds us of Ellen White’s description of the captivating power of the Catholic liturgy: “Many Protestants suppose that the Catholic religion is unattractive and that its worship is a dull, meaningless round of ceremony. Here they mistake. While Romanism is based on deception, it is not a course and clumsy imposture. The religious service of the Roman Catholic Church is a most impressive ceremonial. Its gorgeous display and solemn rites fascinate the senses of the people and silence the voice of reason and of conscience. The eye is charmed. . . . The ear is also captivated. The music is unsurpassed. The rich notes of the deep-toned organ, blending with the melody of many voices as it swells through the lofty domes and pillared aisles of her grand cathedrals, cannot fail to impress the mind with awe and reverence” (Great Controversy, p. 566).

The captivating funeral service served to promote worldwide in a subtle and deceptive way such fundamental Catholic heresies as the veneration of Mary whose name was carved on the coffin with a large letter “M,” and the intercession of the saints, a host of whom were invoked during the so-called “Litany of the Saints.” The saints were petitioned to help John Paul’s soul to ascend immediately to heaven without suffering in Purgatory. This would make it possible for John Paul, as expressed in the eulogy of Cardinal Ratzinger, to bless the crowd in St. Peter’s Square from “the window of heaven” —an allusion to the custom of the pope to bless the crowd from the window of his residence.

It is evident that President Bush does not realize that the majesty and splendor of the Catholic liturgy is based on a host of heresies such as immortality of the soul, survival of the soul in Purgatory, Hell, or Paradise, and the veneration of Mary and the Saints. All these heresies are traced historically and examined biblically in my latest book Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? Most likely Bush’s Methodist religious education never helped him to understand the pagan origin of Catholic beliefs and rituals.

President Bush Saw “God” in Benedict XVI’s Eyes

Perhaps the most impressive example of President Bush sheer reverence for Pope Benedict XVI, is the affirmation he made on Friday, April 11, 2008, when he answered the last question posed him by Raymond Arroyo, anchor of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Arroyo asked the President, “You said, famously, when you looked into Vladimir Putin’s eyes you saw his soul.” The President replied, “Yes.” Arroyo followed with this final question: “When you look into Benedict XVI’s eyes what do you see?” The President replied “God” (ZENIT.org News Agency, April 13, 2008).

This is a shocking affirmation that speaks volumes about Bush’s misconception of God. For the President to see “God” in the eyes of Benedicts XVI, means to ignore the historical role that the papacy has played in promoting false worship and persecuting sincere Christians. The “god” represented by the Pope, is not the biblical God, but a Catholic-made god, who claims divine titles, like “God on Earth, Vicar of Christ, Holy Father,” The Pope is a god fabricated by the Catholic Church to lead sincere people away from the true worship of God into the false worship of a church-made god.

For a Methodist President to see “God” in the pope’s eyes, means to have lost sight of the biblical commandment not to identify God with “anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath” (Ex 20:4). It means that he has been brainwashed by those Catholic theologians whom he has invited at his Texas residence and at the White House to teach him the fundamentals of the Catholic Faith.

President Bush Welcomes Benedict XVI

A sign of Bush’s great respect and admiration for Pope Benedict XVI came on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, when in a rare gesture, President Bush traveled from the White House with first lady Laura Bush to greet Pope Benedict XVI after his plane landed Tuesday afternoon at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, D.C.

This was the first time that Bush left the White House to greet a foreign dignitary, and the first official papal visit to the United States since the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the United States and the Vatican 24 years ago. “The president said that the pope is a worldwide spiritual leader and that millions of American citizens are excited about having him in this country and that he, the president, wanted to go to Andrews Air Force Base as a sign of respect.”

In an interview with Eternal Word Television Network, a Catholic news agency, Bush said that the White House “robust welcome for Benedict reflects the pope’s immense significance as a religious and moral leader. . . . I want to honor his convictions” (The Washington Post, April 15, 2008).

With pomp, pageantry, a 21-gun salute, military honor guard, the Lord’s Prayer from soprano Kathleen Battle, and an impromptu chorus of “Happy Birthday,” Pope Benedict XVI was welcomed in grand fashion at the White House before a record crowd of 13,500 people, the largest ever for an arrival ceremony there.

The fact that President Bush pulled out all the stops to give Benedict XVI an unprecedented welcome, shows the special attraction that he has for the Pope and the Catholic Church. The warm reception and ecstatic admiration of the Pope by the President of the United States and by millions of Protestants, clearly points to an unprecedented acceptance of the religious leadership role of the papacy. The gulf of separation between Catholicism and Protestantism is truly being bridged, but the bridge is being built at Protestant expenses. This represents an unpecedented fulfilment of the endtime prophetic role of the papacy.

THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF ISLAM IN AMERICA

The growing influence of the Catholic church in America is matched by the growing influence of Islam. This is not fiction but fact. If you enter “The Rise of Islam in America” in GOOGLE, you will be overwhelmed by the number of articles and studies that discuss the unprecedented growth of Islam, not only in Western Europe, but also in the USA.

For the sake of brevity, I will only quote from a few studies. In his article “Islam Grows Into a Strong Presence in America,” James Dretke writes: “Is Islam the fastest growing religion in the world? Is it the fastest growing religion in America? The demographics tell us that the answer is yes to both questions.” (http://www.arabicbible.com/christian/islam_in_america.htm).

Cathy Lynn Grossman reports on the growth of Islam in the United States, saying: “Islam in America is wider, deeper and more diverse than ever in its history, and Muslims are poised to bring their faith, politics and culture into the mainstream of national life, according to a new, comprehensive study, The Mosque in America: A National Portrait.” (http://www.islamfortoday.com/america04.htm.)

The article continues, saying: “According to most reports, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. For example, in Europe, according to United Nations statistics, between 1989 and 1998 the Islamic population grew by more than 100 percent . . . . At the current rate of growth it is estimated that Islam’s [world] population by the year 2025 will be 1.9 billion (about 24 percent of the total European population).”

In an Islamic guide for non-Musims, entitled Islam Guide, there is a section entitled “The Phenomenal Growth of Islam,” which says: “It is well known that in the USA and the whole world, Islam is the fastest-growing religion. The following are some observations on this phenomenon:

• “Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people...” (Hillary Rodham Clinton, Los Angeles Times).1

• “Moslems are the world’s fastest-growing group...” (The Population Reference Bureau, USA Today).2

• “....Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country.” (Geraldine Baum; Newsday Religion Writer, Newsday).3

• “Islam, the fastest-growing religion in the United States...” (Ari L. Goldman, New York Times).4 For the references see www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch1-7.htm

Statements like these could be multiplied. But the issue is not the fast growth of Islam in America and in the rest of the world, but what is the agenda of Islam? What is the driving mission of Islam and does this relate to the endtime controversy over worship?

The Agenda of Islam

In newsletter 84 I posted an insightful article by Moshe Sharon, Professor of Islamic History at the Hebrew University, in Jerusalem. The article is entitled “The Agenda of Islam: A War Between Civilization.” I would urge anyone who wishes to understand the Islamic vision of the world, to read this article. (www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/eti_84.html)

Prof. Sharon explains: “Islam was born with the idea that it should rule the world. Let’s look, then, at the difference between these three religions. Judaism speaks about national salvation -- namely that at the end of the story, when the world becomes a better place, Israel will be in its own land, ruled by its own king and serving God. Christianity speaks about the idea that every single person in the world can be saved from his sins, while Islam speaks about ruling the world. . . . “Allah sent Mohammed with the true religion so that it should rule over all the religions.”

Islamic Penetration by Infiltration

To achieve world dominion, according to Prof. Sharon, “The Islamic world has not only the attitude of open war, but also the method of war by infiltration. One of the things which the western world is not paying enough attention to is the tremendous growth of Islamic power in the western world. What happened in America and the Twin Towers is not something that came from the outside. And if America doesn’t wake up, one day the Americans will find themselves in a chemical war and most likely in an atomic war-- inside the U.S.” What all of this means is that the growth of Islam, poses serious political and religious threats to the future of America.

The Moslem Vision of the End

What I found helpful in Prof. Sharon’s essay is the simple and clear way in which he explains the difference between the Moslem vision of the End, and that of Judaism and Christianity.

While both Judaism and Christianity envision the End as a new world where peace prevails among the nations and evil is eradicated, Islam sees the End as a world totally dominated and ruled by Muslims. The latter believe that eventually they will succeed in eradicating the presence of Christian, Jews, and all other kinds of “infidels” from the face of the earth.

Frankly, I find this exclusivistic, intolerant, and arrogant eschatological Moslem vision of the End, frightening, to say the least. Such a vision can drive Moslem nations that are developing biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons to use them in order to advance the cause of Islam and hasten the establishment of the Moslem Kingdom upon this earth. What all of this means is that what the Moslems are ultimately fighting for, is not merely for more territory for the Palestinians in the Middle East, but for a total control of the territory of this planet.

It is imperative for political leaders and Christians to understand that the agenda of Islam extends beyond Palestine, to embrace the whole world. The Christian response to the Moslem agenda is to find creative ways to reach the Moslems with the Good News of the Gospel. We need to help our Moslem friends understand and experience the Power of the Gospel, which is personal peace with God in this present life, and global eternal peace in the world to come. The latter peace is achieved , not by the domination of any particular nation, but by the establishment of the Kingdom of God after the eradication of all forms of evil.

The unprecedented growth of Islam today in the world and in America represent a significant prophetic fulfilment of the Antichrist. We noted earlier that prophetically the Antichrist has two legs, the Papacy and Islam. Both of them play a key prophetic role in leading the world into the false worship of God. Both of them are influencing the American people in subtle but pervasive ways

COULD BARAK OBAMA, IF ELECTED, FOSTER THE GROWTH OF ISLAM IN AMERICA?

A final question we need to address is: Could Obama, if elected, foster the growth of Islam in America today? Many of the respondents to my last newsletter rejected my proposal as preposterous, because they claim that Obama has no Moslem roots, no Moslem upbringing, no significant Muslims’ support, and no present connection with the Moslem faith.

I have taken time to examine these claims and under close scrutiny I found them to be contradicted by credible sources. Let us take a brief look at the se claims:

• Obana has no Moslem roots

• In his childhood Obama received no Moslem religious training

• Muslims are not actively supporting Obama and he has made no attempt to court their vote.

Obama’s Muslim Roots

Obama has taken great precaution to conceal his Muslim background and roots. His official campaign site has a page titled “Obama has never been a Muslim, and is a committed Christian.” The page further states, “Obama never prayed in a mosque. He has never been a Muslim, was not raised a Muslim, and is a committed Christian who attends the United Church of Christ.”

But when confronted with records that dispute the campaign claim that Obama was never a practicing Muslim, the campaign changed its tune, by issuing a slightly different statement to the Times stating “Obama has never been a practicing Muslim.”

Numerous investigations have been conducted by different media organizations into Obama’s Muslim roots and the results are posted in various websites. Essentially they are all in agreement on the basic early childhood education and upbringing of Obama. For the sake of brevity, I will quote several paragraph from Jon Christian Ryter’s article “Obama’s Muslim Connention,” posted on January 16, 2008. (www.newswithviews.com/Ryter/jon212.htm) Ryter works for Washington Times.

Ryter writes: “When Obama broke onto the national political scene in 2004, not only did he attempt to erase all traces his Islamic childhood, but he also tried to erase the nature of his relationship with Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr, the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ. (When your country is at war with Islamic extremists being a Muslim is not the shortest route to the White House.)

“Obama announced his candidacy on the steps of the old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois—where Abraham Lincoln announced his candidacy—on Feb. 10, 2007. Obama sees himself as an archtype of Lincoln who will “free his people from the tyranny of the oppressor.” What people are those? The inner city people of color whom Dr. Wright believes are part of the Black Value System? Or does he see himself as the man who will free the Muslim world from the Great Satan since his first action, he says, as President of the United States will be to pull all Americans troops out of the Middle East? The voters need to figure out exactly who Barack Obama’s constituents really are because when I add 2 + 2 + Obama, it doesn’t come out four.

“When Obama’s early history and his Islamic upbringing was first reported, Obama’s website posted a statement dated Nov. 12, 2007 with the headline: “Barack Obama is Not and Has Never Been a Muslim.” The statement reiterated that Obama was not a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim, and is a committed Christian.

“On Dec. 22 at the Smoky Row Coffee Shop in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the locals asked Obama about his Muslim roots. He said: “My father was from Kenya. A lot of people in his village were Muslim. He didn’t practice Islam. Truth is, he wasn’t very religious.” That was a lie. Obama’s father and stepfather were devout Islamics. Both faithfully practiced their religion. His stepfather, who had a much greater impact on Obama’s upbringing, was a radical Wahabbi Muslim.

“ ‘My mother was a Christian from Kansas.’ That was also a lie. Obama’s mother, his maternal grandmother and grandfather were all atheists. “They married and then divorced. I was raised by my mother. So, I’ve always been a Christian. The only connection I’ve had to Islam is that my grandfather on my father’s side came from that country. But I’ve never practiced Islam...For a while I lived in Indonesia because my mother was teaching there. And that’s a Muslim country. And I went to school—but I didn’t practice Islam.” Another lie.

“Obama’s mother married Lolo Soetoro, a Wahabbi extremist who lived in Indonesia. When Obama’s mother moved to Indonesia—before she married her second Muslim husband—she enrolled her son in Francis Assisis Catholic School. He was enrolled as a Muslim because he was a Muslim. The enrollment form required each student to choose one of five state-sanctioned religions when enrolling: Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, or Protestant. Had he been a lifelong Christian, or even a recent convert, he—or his mother—would have circled Protestant.

“When confronted with this information, Obama said he couldn’t understand how such an error could have happened. Los Angeles Times reporter Paul Watson, who dug into Obama’s allegation of error, said “...his former Roman Catholic and Muslim teachers, along with two people who were identified by Obama’s grade school teacher as childhood friends, says Obama was registered by his family as a Muslim at both schools he attended. The registration meant that during the third and fourth grades, Obama learned about Islam for two hours each week in religion classes. The childhood friends say Obama sometimes went to Friday prayers at the local mosque. (Something else Obama claims he never did.)”

Essentially the same report is found in several websites. See workingclassconservative.blogspot.com/2007/01/obamas-muslim-roots_22.html, www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1769771/posts, http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/09/christian-leade.html

Summing up, the investigation conducted by several newspapers and TV reporters shows beyond the shadow of doubt that Obama early upbringing and education was Muslim.

Barack Obama Without his Hand over his Heart while the U.S. National Anthem is Being Played

Devout Muslims who give his allegiance to Allah cannot give their allegiance to the flag of the country they inhabits. This may explain why Obama chose not to place his hand on his heart during a playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at an Indianola, Iowa, steak fry attended by the six top Democratic presidential candidates.

The incident is capture is a photograph published by Time and “shows Barack Obama standing with his hands clasped just below his waist, while New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, New York senator Hillary Clinton, and Ruth Harkin (wife of Iowa senator Tom Harkin) stand with their hands held over their hearts.” (www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp)

The ABC NEWS video of the event shows Obama with his hands below his waist dring the whole singing of the National Anthem. We cannot judge the motives for Obama’s action, but the possibility exists that he was influenced by Muslim teachings.

Pro-Obama Muslim-led Voter Registration in Mosques

The news report I have heard have never mentioned any active Muslim campaign to register voters for Obana. The impression one gets is that Muslims are not actively involved in promoting the election of Obama. But that hardly seems to be the case.

An organization called Muslim Americans for Obama [MAFO] states in its mission statement that it was organized “to provide a vehicle for Muslim-American supporters of Barack Obama to organize and mobilize our fellow citizens to get out the vote to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States.”

Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch, argues that MAFO may be skirting the law. “When they are running these voter registration drives at mosques, really it’s essentially illegal because they are clearly trying to get people to vote for Obama -- and that’s in violation of their tax-exempt status.” He contends that if a group called “Christians for John McCain” ran a registration drive in churches, it would be all over the media and create a huge scandal and embarrassment for the McCain campaign. (www.onenewsnow.com/Election2008/Default.aspx?id=273884)

Muslim See Obama as One of Them

In an article entitled “Obama and the Arabs: Why Muslims see Him as One of Them,” posted in the New York Post, Amir Taheri writes: “‘OBAMA! Inshallah!’ - Obama! Allah willing! That slogan, scribbled on walls in Gaza, indicates the hopes that Barack Obama has inspired among Arabs.

“While Obama has tried to push his origins into the background, his ‘Islamic root’ have won him a place in many Arabs’ hearts.

“One columnist, Mohamed Al-Menshawi, hails Obama as ‘the candidate with Muslim roots’ and as the ‘harbinger of solidarity between Americans and the Muslim world.’ Obama especially appeals to pan-Arab nationalists angry at the United States for having ousted Saddam Hussein. Obama’s promise to leave Iraq gives pan-Arabs their only chance (albeit slim) to destroy the new Iraqi democracy.” (http://www.nypost.com/seven/10282008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama__the_arabs_135632.htm)

Other significant Obama’s views on abortion, marriage, same sex marriage could be presented to give a fuller picture of the man, but for the purpose of our study on the prophetic significance of the forthcoming presidential election, it suffices to note that in spite of his efforts to distance himself from the Muslim, Obama has Muslim roots, upbringing, and has won a place in many Arab’s heart who see him a defender of their cause.

CONCLUSION

This newsletter has covered a lot of ground. We started out by looking at the prophetic role of the Papacy and of Islam in the final showdown over worship. We noted that historically the Reformers Luther and Calvin recognized in both the Papacy and Islam the two legs of the Antichrist.

We tested the Reformers belief about the Antichrist biblically and we found that both the Papacy and Islam fit the prophetic description of the Antichrist. Then we applied our findings to the contemporary situation. We found that both the Papacy and Islam are fast growing and influencing the world and America.

During the past 8 years President Bush has fostered the power, presence, and influence of the Catholic Church in America. Could it be that if Obana is elected, he will do for the Muslims what Bush has done for the Catholic Church? Time will soon tell if this prediction is correct. Only God knows the future. But the prophetic endtime signs He has given us, tells us that the Great Controversy will soon come to an end. Let us watch, pray, and work diligently while we wait the glorious coming of our Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENTS OF SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

UPCOMING SEMINARS FOR OCTOBER

As a service to our subscribers, I am listing the seminars scheduled for the month of October 2008. We wish to extend a warm welcome to those of you who live close to the location of our seminars. Our new seminars with Words and Songs will touch your heart and expand your mind.

OCTOBER 3-4: LOS ANGELES: ROLLING HILLS SDA CHURCH

Location: 28340 Highridge Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274.

For directions and information call Pastor Jeff Rosenthal at (310) 541-1819

OCTOBER 10-11: MURRIETA SPRINGS SDA CHURCH

Location: 32477 Starback Circle, Murrieta, CA 92562

For directions and information call Pastor Lyndon Parsons at (951) 313-1668.

OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1: ROSEVILLE SDA CHURCH

Location: 914 Cirby Way, Roseville, CA 95661 (Near Sacramento)

For directions and information call Pastor Roger at (916) 543-0287.

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR OF MY BOOKS

At this time I am pleased to announce also that Ivan Jakovac, an Australian Adventist who operates a Storage Business, has requested to distribute my books and recordings in Australia at a considerable cheaper price than in the USA. The reason is that he has ordered a large quantity that is being shipped by sea-freight, which costs a fraction of the airmail.

This is the name and address of the distributor:

Ivan Jakovac

Albury Storage

107 North Street

Albury NSW 2640

(Near Melbourne, Australia)

Phone 02 6021 8088

Mobile 0406 854 500

email: <[email protected]>

web site: <http://www.alburystorage.com/>

If you live in Australia, feel free to contact Ivan Jacovac by phone or email. You will save time and money. For example, the cost of airmailing to Australia one copy of Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? is $40.00, that is, $30.00 for the book and $10.00 for the airmail. You can order the same book from Ivan Jakovac for less than half of the price. The reason is that I have shipped the books to Ivan by sea-freight, which costs a fraction of the airmail.

TANZANIAN DISTRIBUTOR OF MY BOOKS

In the last newsletters I made a call for Adventists with marketing skills, interested to distribute my books in major English-speaking countries. The response has been encouraging. Several Adventists have contacted me and are now exploring the possibility of distributing my books in their countries.

At this time I am pleased to announce that Mr. Lazarus Lokaji Mollel from Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania has requested to become an official distributor of my books in Tanzania and neighboring African countries. He has already wired me the money for 1300 books which have been delivered to a sea-freight company in Chicago. The shipment should arrive in Dar-Es-Salaam in about a month. By shipping the books in large quantities by sea-freight, it reduces their cost by over 50%.

This is the complete name and address of Mr. Mollel:

Mr. Lazarus Lokaji Mollel (B.Sc Eng, Dip Dev, FRS, CLS. FIST)

P. O. Box 11191

184/W Magomeni,

Dar-Es-Salaam,

Tanzania

Office phone (255) (22) 2121894, Fax 2138962, mob +255784784471

Home phone Tel (255) (22) 2171944

Email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]

If you live in Tanzania, feel free to contact Lazarus Mollel by phone or email. You will save time and money. For example, the cost of airmailing to Tanzania one copy of Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? is $40.00, that is, $30.00 for the book and $10.00 for the airmail. You can order the same book from Lazarus Mollel for less than half of the price. The reason is that the cost of sending the books by sea-freight is a fraction of the airmail.

For a description and picture of each book, click at this link:

http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26

MORE DISTRIBUTORS NEEDED

If you find my publications and recordings timely and biblically sound, you may wish to consider becoming a distributor in your own country. On my part I will support your endeavors by shipping you all my 20 books and 14 albums at a fraction of the retail price. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] for details or by calling me at (269) 471-2915.

SPANISH TRANSLATION OF POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

Hispanic readers of Biblical Beliefs: Are They Biblical? have been urging me to translate and publish the book in Spanish as soon as possible. In fact, some of them have raised the money to pay for the translation, editing, art-work, and lay-out of the book.

The translation has been completed by Claudia Blath, a professional translator of the Asociacion Casa Editora Sudamericana. She has produced an excellent translation in a record time. The Spanish edition LAS CREENCIAS POPULARES, ¿SON BÍBLICAS? has already gone to the press and will ready for distribution by October 31, 2008. You can see the cover of the Spanish book and read a description by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/spanpop

To facilitate a massive distribution of Las Creencias Populares, ¿Son Bíblicas? we are offering the book at a special pre-publication price of $5.00 per copy on quantity orders. For details click at this link http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_39 or call us at (269) 471-2915.

Your personal effort to inform Hispanic pastors and believers about the availability of Las Creencias Populares, ¿Son Bíblicas? is much ppreciated.

UPDATE ON POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

The third printing of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? came out few days ago. We have now resumed the shipment to churches and institutions in the USA and overseas.

Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? is proving to be by far the most popular and best-selling book I have written. The reason is that the book meets the urgent need for a witnessing publication that Adventists can give with confidence to people inquiring about our faith.

Many Adventists have emailed me messages of appreciation, saying that they have waited for years for a book like Popular Beliefs that shows why the most popular Catholic and Protestant popular beliefs are unbiblical, while the less-popular Adventist beliefs are biblically correct.

Popular Beliefs Adopted by Adventist Colleges and Seminaries

Popular Beliefs is widely used not only for witnessing, but also for teaching at our colleges and theological seminaries. For example, we received orders from the School of Theology of Friedensau Adventist University in Germany. Prof. Denis Fortin, Dean of our Andrews University Theological Seminary, requested a supply for the class he teaches on Roman Catholic Theology.

Several professors told me that Popular Beliefs is ideal for some of their Bible classes, because it traces the historical origin and theological development of the major Catholic and Protestant heresies popular today.

As a church historian by training and profession, I have spent 15 months tracing historically and examining biblically 10 popular beliefs (heresies) in a calm, objective, and non-confrontational way. The ultimate goal is to lead ruth-seekers to appreciate the biblical validity and contemporary relevance of our Adventist beliefs.

Has your Church Received a Supply of Popular Beliefs?

If your church has not yet received a supply of Popular Beliefs, we will be glad to send you at this time as many copies as needed, since we have just received the third printing.

Popular Beliefs is an ideal gift for any non-SDA attending evangelistic meetings this Fall. As you know, evangelistic lectures can only touch on the highlights of our message, leaving many questions unanswered in the mind of the visitors. Popular Beliefs fill in the gaps by offering compelling answers to frequently asked questions.

To make it possible for many Adventist Churches to use Popular Beliefs for evangelistic outreach and for the personal growth, we offer the book at this time for only $6.60 per copy for a case of 30 copies, instead of the regular price of $30.00 per copy. This means that for $200.00, your church can order a case of 30 copies of Popular Beliefs. We will pay the mail expenses to US destinations. The details for ordering the book are given at the end of the newsletter or by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_35 or call us at (269) 471-2915.

Two Copies for the Price of One

At this time I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the pastors and lay-members who have actively promoted and distributed Popular Beliefs to their church members. Without your promotional efforts, the book would not have been reprinted three times in three months.

To make it possible for all our pastors and local church leaders to become acquainted with this timely book, we are offering until October 31, 2008, two copies of Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? for the price of one. This means that for $30.00 you can order two copies, one for yourself and to give to your pastor or a local church leader.

After reading Popular Beliefs many pastors have ordered the book by the case of 30 copies for only $6.60 per copy. Many churches have ordered 100 copies at the special offer of $5.00 per copy, to give to non-SDA attending the Mark Findley’s Satellite program Discoveries 2008 or other evangelistic meeting in the Fall.

But, there are still many pastors and churches that are unaware of the release of this powerful witnessing book Popular Beliefs. This newsletter reaches only about 35,000 readers. Thus I need your help in promoting this timely book.

Thank you for introducing your pastor and local church officers to this timely book. To facilitate your effort, I am offering you two copies for the price of one. The details for ordering the book are given at the end of the newsletter or by clicking at this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_35 or call us at (269) 471-2915.

SPECIAL OFFER ON POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

To facilitate a massive circulation of Popular Beliefs, I have decided to continue to offer the book at the following substantially discounted prices:

        2 copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? for the price of one, namely $30.00 for two copies. Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $10.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

        10 copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $10.00 per copy, postage paid, instead of the regular price of $30.00 ($100.00 for 10 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $50.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

        30 copies (one case) of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $6.65 per copy ($200.00 for 30 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $100.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination.

          100 copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $5.00 per copy, postage paid. ($500.00 for 100 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $300.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination. 

NOTE: We can ship by sea-freight up to 1000 copies of Popular Beliefs (that is, up to a cubit meter) to any foreign destinations for only $500.00. This reduces the cost of mailing to only ¢50 per book. Fee free to contact me for further details.

HOW TO ORDER POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

You can order Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? in four different ways:

(1) ONLINE: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_35

(2) PHONE: By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.

(3) EMAIL: By emailing your order to <[email protected]>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date.

(4) REGULAR MAIL: By mailing a check to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, USA. We guarantee to process your order as soon as we receive it.

THE PDF VERSION OF MY BOOKS CAN BE DOWNLOADED

At the request of American and Overseas readers who need immediate access to my books, often for a personal research project, we have decided to make it possible to download all the 20 books offered online in a PDF version.

The advantage is speed and saving. You can immediately download a PDF version of any of my books for only $15.00, instead of waiting for days or weeks to receive a printed copy which costs $40.00 to airmail overseas.

To download a PDF copy of my books simply click this link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=37&osCsid=a5769f896270d26a770e18e1354ce7f1 If you have a problem, we can take your order by phone. Call us at (269) 471-2915.

FIRST TIME INCREDIBLE OFFER!!!

THE COMPLETE PACKAGE OF 14 DVD/CD ALBUMS FOR ONLY $150.00, INSTEAD OF THE REGULAR ONLINE PRICE OF $1650.00.

This offer may sound too good to be true. At this time we are offering together as a package all the 14 DVD/CD albums which contains 41 live, video lectures for only $150.00, instead of $1650.00.

This package contains 41 professionally recorded live, video lectures with all the lectures of Prof. Bacchiocchi, Prof. Jon Paulien, Prof. Roy Gane, Prof. Graeme Bradford, and Soprano Cristina Piccardi.

Until now these recordings were sold separately, costing considerably more. But to make it possible for many to benefit from all these timely messages, we offer them together as a package for only $150.00, instead of the regular price of $1650.00.

You can view the picture of all the 14 ALBUMS and read a detailed description of them, just by clicking at this link:http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/albumoffer.htm

The Package Includes the Following 14 Albums:

1) PROF. BACCHIOCCHI AND CRISTINA PICCARDI’S DVD Album with Sabbath Seminar with Words and Songs recorded at the Loma Linda SDA church. The album contains three DVD disks with 6 hours of lectures and sacred songs.

2) PROF. BACCHIOCCHI’S newly recorded DVD ALBUM called ABUNDANT LIFE SEMINAR. The album contains 2 video powerpoint lectures: The Christian and Alcoholic Beverages and How to Build a Happy and Lasting Marriage. These two lectures summarize the highlights of Bacchiocchi’s two books Wine in the Bible and The Marriage Covenant. Two separate files with 225 powerpoint slides are included.

3) PROF. BACCHIOCCHI’S DVD ALBUM containing 10 video powerpoint lectures on the SABBATH/ADVENT SEMINAR.  Some of the lectures show the documents Prof. Bacchiocchi found in Vatican libraries on the role of the papacy in changing the Sabbath to Sunday. This album contains the popular powerpoint SABBATH/ADVENT seminars Prof. Bacchiocchi presents in many countries.

4) PROF. BACCHIOCCHI’S DVD ALBUM on CRACKING THE DA VINCI CODE. The album contains a two hours video lecture, professionally taped with a virtual studio as a background. A separate file with 200 powerpoint slides is included. The two video lectures reveal the prophetic significance of Dan Brown’s neo-pagan false worship promoted through his book and film. The two hours video lectures will help you appreciate the role that The Da Vinci Code plays in the prophetic endtime battle between true and false worship.

5) PROF. BACCHIOCCHI’S DVD ALBUM on THE MARK AND NUMBER OF THE BEAST. The album contains two hours professionally recorded video lecture and a separate powerpoint file with the 200 slides used for the lecture. The project was commissioned by Prof. Jon Paulien and Prof. Ranko Stefanovich, who are the foremost authorities on the book of Revelation. With the help of 200 beautiful slides the video lecture shows the origin and historical use of 666. You will see stunning pictures of papal tiaras, including disputed one with the pope’s tittle Vicarius Filii Dei.

6) PROF. BACCHIOCCHI’S CD ALBUM with all his BOOKS AND POWERPOINT LECTURES. The album consists of two disks. The first disk has all his 20 books and over 200 articles. The second disk has the 2000 slides and script of 25 of Prof. Bacchiocchi’s popular PowerPoint presentations.

7) PROF. BACCHIOCCHI’S DVD ALBUM on THE PASSION OF CHRIST.  The album contains the 2 hours live interview conducted by 3ABN on Prof. Bacchiocchi’s book The Passion of Christ in Scripture and History. The live video interview show that that this movie is a strict Catholic film that in a subtle and deceptive way promotes fundamental Catholic heresies.

8) PROF. BACCHIOCCHI’S MP3 AUDIO ALBUM which contains 2 disks with 22 AUDIO LECTURES on on Marriage, Music, Temperance, Dress, Sabbath, Second Advent, State of the Dead, and others. You can enjoy these lectures while driving, working, or relaxing. Ideal for listening in your car while driving.

9) PROF. JON PAULIEN’S newly released DVD ALBUM video seminar on Simply Revelation. The four live video lectures focus on the essential messages of Revelation and their relevance for today. This mini Revelation Seminar will offer you and your congregation fresh insights into the Book of Revelation. Currently, Prof. Paulien is preparaing a new Revelation Seminar at the request of the General Conference

10) PROF. JON PAULIEN’S CD ALBUM with a dozen of his books, and all his articles. You will find in this collection a priceless resource to enrich your understanding and experience of biblical truths. Prof. Paulien examines fundamental biblical beliefs in a profound and yet popular way. He is a recognized expert on the book of Revelation. Several of his books will help you to unlock the secrets of Revelation.

11) PROF. GRAEME BRADFORD’S DVD ALBUM with a two hours video lecture on Ellen White. He shares the highlights of his book More than a Prophet. The album contains also Prof. Bradford’s the publications and articles. A searchable data base enables you to access Prof. Graeme Bradford’s published and unpublished writings, including his the latest book More than a Prophet.

12) CRISTINA PICCARDI’S CD ALBUM REJOICE IN THE LORD. The album consists of 11 sacred songs recorded with Marcelo Caceres, Professor of piano at Andrews University. The CD Album includes Gospel songs like How Great Thou Art, He Shall Feed His Flock, Softly and Tenderly, The Holy City, etc. You can play this audio recording in your car CD player, or on any CD or DVD players you have in your home.

13) CRISTINA PICCARDI’S DVD ALBUM SING UNTO THE LORD. This DVD Album contains 12 sacred familiar songs that were recorded during a live sacred concert presented at Andrews University Pioneer Memorial Church. This is a video recording that you can enjoy in your living room and play in your church.

14) CRISTINA PICCARDI’S DVD ALBUM BY HIS GRACE. This DVD album consists of 16 sacred songs recorded in Loma Linda with four high-definition cameras. The songs cover the major themes of God’s creative and redemptive love. Her marvellous singing will touch your heart and inspire you to devote your life more fully to the Savior.

FOUR WAYS TO ORDER THE 14 ALBUMS PACKAGE

You can order the complete package of 14 DVD/CD Albums, which contain 41 live video lectures and powerful soprano singing, for only $150.00, instead of the regular online price of $1650.00, in four different ways:

(1) ONLINE: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/albumoffer.htm

(2) PHONE:  By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to give us your credit card number and postal address.

(3) EMAIL: By emailing your order to <[email protected]>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date. For security reasons, you can email your credit card number in two separate messages. In the first message you email me the first 8 digits and in the second message the last 8 digits, plus the expiration date. Be sure to include your postal address.     

(4) REGULAR MAIL: By mailing a check for $150.00 to BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 4990, USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.

INCREDIBLE NEW OFFERS ON HITACHI PROJECTORS

HITACHI has released the new CP-X401 3000 lumens projector, which has an impressive high resolution, low fan noise, and a wealth of connectivity options. The most impressive feature of this projector is the incredible price of only $1000.00 to help especially our churches and schools in developing countries. The projecor can be purchased with or without accessories such as the REMOTE PRESENTER to control the flow of images in the lap-top.

To receive detail information about this projector as well as on other models offered to us by HITACHI at a substantially discounted price, feel free to call us at (269) 471-2915.

DOES YOUR CHURCH OR SCHOOL NEED A SCREEN?

If your church/school is looking for a screen, the DA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY, the largest manufacture of screens in the world, has agreed to offer their line of screens to our Adventist churches and schools at about 30%