A few days before Kenneth Copeland and other evangelical leaders met with Pope Francis, Joel Osteen, evangelical pastor of the 16,000-member Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, paid a visit to see the pope. The meeting was in response to the pope’s invitation to evangelical leaders to discuss the question, “Can we find common ground in order to advance the life and ministry of Jesus so more people can experience the joy of Christian faith?”
Though the meeting was unofficial, Osteen said “it was a great honor to represent the pastors of America in the meeting with the pontiff.” Osteen described the pope as “full of joy.”
Also in the short meeting was U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, a Mormon, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and former Senator, Dirk Kempthorne, a Methodist, Tim Timmons, a pastor and author from Newport Beach, CA, Gayle D. Beebe, President of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, and 10 others. Osteen is pastor of the fastest growing mega-church in America and ministers to 52,000 people every week, and perhaps millions more through his books and TV ministry.
It is not hard to imagine the joy the pope would have over so many influential evangelical pastors and political leaders coming to Rome to meet him and work for unity. These are the people that have a lot of influence on their congregations and the American public at large. Osteen also attended Mass in St. Peter’s Square with approximately 100,000 people the day before the meeting. Also during their visit in Rome, the pope met with more than 50,000 Roman Catholic charismatics in Olympic Stadium.
“I like the fact that this pope is trying to make the church larger, not smaller,” Osteen said. “He’s not pushing people out, but making the church more inclusive. That resonated with me.”
Francis Rooney, former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican said, “I think the Pope, in reaching out, is broadening the concept of ecumenical dialogue, and he’s reaching out to people who can touch other Christians…”
As usual the pope asked the group to pray for him and for peace in the Middle East. The International Foundation, the main organizer of the U.S. National Day of Prayer, arranged the multi-day visit to Rome to promote interfaith understanding and ecumenical prayer. Osteen also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and at dinner with another cardinal.
“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled,” Revelation 17:17.
For the nations to give their power and strength to the beast (Revelation 17:13), they need the support of religious leaders. The ecumenical movement is a powerful means of breaking down prejudice so that unity with Rome is possible. This will open the way for global leaders to give their kingdoms to the control of Rome.
Also, it should be noted that the group was a mix of political and religious leaders. Uniting church and state is what the Papacy is all about, and is described in the Bible as fornication. See Revelation 17:2.
“When Protestant churches shall unite with the secular power to sustain a false religion, for opposing which their ancestors endured the fiercest persecution, then will the papal sabbath be enforced by the combined authority of church and state. There will be a national apostasy, which will end only in national ruin,” Evangelism, page 235.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him…” Revelation 13:8.
Comments
Brother Sean Taylor
Tuesday July 22nd, 2014 at 01:18 AMThe Protestant churches of America are in darkness. Prophecy is surly being fulfilled in our day and the last movements will be rapid. Get ready get ready time is running out so very fast! May the grace of God be with us all. A-men
Sis Theresa Gatling
Tuesday February 24th, 2015 at 11:10 AMAmen…The End is near
Regina
Wednesday May 4th, 2016 at 10:36 PMAmen. God guide us all
P. A . Howell
Tuesday July 22nd, 2014 at 08:17 PMTO ALL MY FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS: It is full time we stop playing church! For the sake of our Great Redeemer, Jesus Christ who shed His precious blood for all human kind, let us look up,our redemption draws near! Jesus use the parable of Autumn ,when the leaves are falling, that winter is near. It is time to lay aside all that clutters our minds/hearts, and prepare for this crisis ahead of us..for some probation is closing as I speak . Study God’s word,prepare for His soon coming !! Let us not take these words lightly .May God have mercy on us all.
Carl Waylon Nelson
Wednesday July 23rd, 2014 at 02:29 AMBabylons wine……..
K. George Barnett
Thursday August 14th, 2014 at 01:48 AM“Said the angel, “Deny self; ye must step fast.” Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn and much to learn again. Those who would not receive the mark of the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision now to say, Nay, we will not regard the institution of the beast. {EW 67.2}
May the Lord find us faithful
Caleb
Friday May 27th, 2016 at 11:14 AMPastors Mother mary
Molly
Monday February 13th, 2017 at 10:46 AM“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of wickedness in HIGH PLACES.” We must daily put on the whole armour of GOD. Pray and keep on praying. Times are short. And our adversary the devil is out after us! Stay strong fellow believers in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.