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(1) Build faith, (2) knowing "where we are in prophetic history."¹ (3) Preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. But the bottom line is: character development in our relationship with Jesus.

Now in the world we see two superpowers: (1) The United States of America, as a political and military superpower. (2) The papacy as a spiritual superpower.

These two superpowers are cooperating now and very soon, America will cooperate with the papacy not only in the context of a political superpower but also in the religious context; then she will speak as a dragon.

As mentioned before, a very important statement by Thomas A. Melody, the official United States Ambassador to the Vatican from 1989-1993. In his book entitled - The United States and the Vatican in World Affairs, p.10, he says: "I believe that the United States, as the world’s only superpower, and the Holy See, as the only world-wide moral-political sovereignty, have significant roles to play...their actions will impact the lives of people in all parts of the globe." Never has there been such a time in the history of the world in which the very last prophecy of Rev 13 is going to be fulfilled in our time. This is eyeopening evidence that these are the very last days literally.

Do you see where we are in prophetic history?

I would like to help you understand exactly where we are today and what is happening now in the United States.

Let us now consider the latest activities of Pope John Paul II. He has been working to unite the world by the year 2000. Previously in history, there have been seven efforts to unite Europe and the whole world.

1. Charlemagne - (of France) - Eighth century.

2. Charles V - (of Spain) - Sixteenth century.

3. Louis XIV - (of France) - Eighteenth century.

4. Napoleon - (of France) - Nineteenth century.

5. Kaiser Wilhelm - (of Germany) - Twentieth century.

6. Adolf Hitler - (of Germany) - Twentieth century.

7. Karl Marx, Lenin - (Communism) -Twentieth century.

8. Pope John Paul II - (The eighth beast) - Twentieth century.

This effort by the papacy to unite all the world will fail as did all previous attempts to accomplish this, because God says in Daniel 3:43; "They shall not cleave one to another."²

For how long will this unity exist? For "one hour" (Rev. 17:12), a very short time. When will this "one hour" commence? When Satan counterfeits the second coming of Jesus Christ!

The year 2000 will be celebrated as the Great Jubilee Inauguration of the new millennium of peace.

What are the two main objectives in the Pope’s preparation for this Great Jubilee of the year 2000?

FIRST is unity - not only among all Christians, but also all the other world religions and the rest of the world.

SECOND is the great celebration planned for Mount Sinai, Jerusalem and Rome in the year 2000.

The Spirit of Prophecy predicted this union: "Papists, Protestants and worldlings...they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the whole world and the ushering in of the long expected millennium."³ From this you can see that this prediction about the millennium as given by the pen of inspiration is going to be fulfilled before our very eyes in our day. Another very important statement by Ellen White: "This was the Temporal Millennium, which they (Papists, Protestants and worldlings) had been expecting for so long. The whole world was converted and in harmony with the Sunday law."⁴

From this statement, what is most important for us today? In the Temporal Millennium, the whole world was in harmony with the Sunday law. It is the International Sunday law.

The answer to these two very important questions we will find in Great Controversy: "As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and COMMANDS ALL TO HALLOW THE DAY WHICH HE HAS BLESSED."⁵

So we have answered the above question

The International Sunday law will be issued when Satan claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, "and commands all, to hallow the day which he has blessed."⁶

We have two main end-time prophecies in the book of Revelation.

THE FIRST, prophecy is in Rev 13:11-17, showing that the United States plays a leading role in this world.

When will this prophecy be fulfilled?

We find the answer in The Great Controversy: "The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamb-like horns shall cause ‘the earth and them which dwell therein’ to worship the papacy - there symbolised by the beast ‘like unto a leopard’... This prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance."⁷

"The enforcement of Sunday keeping on the part of Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of the Papacy."⁸

When will the National Sunday Law be issued in America?

There will be three different areas that must be affected to trigger Sunday agitation; first, will be financial crisis. Second, will be natural disasters and the third, moral problems of corruption.

Obviously all three of those things are currently in the United States of America at this time. So the climate is rather ripe. It will only take one significant event to trigger the National Sunday Law in America.

A few days ago this significant event happened, namely: On July 7, 1998 at Vatican City there was released the Pope's 100 - page apostolic letter entitled Dies Domini (the day of the Lord).

The important question arises: How has the world been reacting to the Pope's apostolic letter?

The Washington Post Newspaper wrote an article on Wednesday, July 8, 1998, page A 20, which summarized the Pope's apostolic letter. This article says, that the pope strongly underlines the importance to observe Sabbath (Sunday). He used the word "Sabbath." The pope said the "Holiness of the Lord's day must be protected at all costs." He described the Sabbath as "a day of joy, rest and solidarity." The Sabbath (Sunday) he said, "should be a day for worship and a day for the family.

Also "The Australian" Newspaper, Wednesday, July 8, 1998, Wrote an article on the front page entitled: "POPE BIDS TO REVIVE SABBATH." This article says: "The Pope's apostolic letter - titled Dies Domini (the day of the Lord) - urged the clergy to "work tirelessly… to ensure that the value of this sacred day is understood. Pope appealed to the faithful to preserve the Christian meaning of Sunday after decades of falling church attendances on the traditional Sabbath." He also said: "Christians…are called to celebrate their salvation (on Sunday)…Sunday in a way becomes the soul of the other days." In the same newspaper on page 11, there is an article, entitled: " The Sabbath, Remember?"

In "The Catholic Weekly Newspaper" entitled: "Keep Sunday Holy, says Pontiff." Pope John Paul II said in a new apostolic letter: "Sunday prayer and rest is a human need and a religious obligation." Also the pope says: "We must re-read the great story of creation and deepen our understanding of the theology of the Sabbath to grasp the meaning of Sunday….To observe the Lord's day is not just a matter of community religious discipline, but a defining and indelible expression of our relationship with God." And also the pope says in his letter that "keeping the Lord's day holy is so important that it is included in the Ten Commandments."

We must remember that Pope John Paul II is recognized in the world as the spiritual leader of the whole world. Therefore, his apostolic letter (100 pages) entitled DIES DOMINI is a very significant event. This is the Pope’s call to Sunday observance and legislation. It is the greatest end-time signal to the whole world to agitate the importance of the observance of Sunday and legislation. This will lead to the National Sunday Law first in the United States of America and then in the whole world.

Do you see the seriousness of our times; the closing events which have already begun and have started to fulfil the last end-time prophecies indicate that we are living at the very end of the final generation.

Do you see also the world-wide economic crisis now? This financial crisis is leading to the depression of the whole world. This will lead to the fulfillment of the last end-time prophecies of Revelation chapters 13; 16; and 17 in our times.

A few weeks ago I heard the news, the smart card will be issued throughout the whole of Australia. This means it will be a cashless society. The government will be in full control of the people. In Revelation 13: 11 -17, sums up the end-time scenario and verse 17 says: "No one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name." The mark of the beast is Sunday. When you do not observe Sunday you will not be able to bay or sell anything. We conclude that through the use of the smart card Satan will work against God's end-time people. Do you see how near the end is?

Recently events have taken place, namely: "Roman Catholics get the Toronto Blessing too. 1200 Roman Catholics filled the 'Presentation Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church' in Philadelphia to experience a charismatic revival featuring Rodney Howard-Browne. The congregation laughed hysterically after they were struck with what Howard-Browne calls 'the joy of the Lord.'" (Evangelical Times, January 1998).

The dialogue between Catholics and Evangelicals on the doctrine of justification has been 33 years. Finally on 31 October 1999 representatives of the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church solemnly signed at Augsburg (Bavaria, Germany) the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification," which says [footnote numbers omitted]:

"The doctrine of justification was of central importance for the Lutheran Reformation of the sixteenth century. It was held to be the "first and chief article" and at the same time the "ruler and judge over all other Christian doctrines." The doctrine of justification was particularly asserted and defended in its Reformation shape and special valuation over against the Roman Catholic Church and theology of that time, which in turn asserted and defended a doctrine of justification of a different character.
"From the Reformation perspective, justification was the crux of all the disputes. Doctrinal condemnations were put forward both in the Lutheran Confessions and by the Roman Catholic Church's Council of Trent" (www.justification.org (press enter) then click DOCUMENTS and again click JOINT DECLARATION ON THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION. Then find page 2, Final Proposal, point 1). This Declaration also says: "Thus the doctrinal condemnations of the 16th century, in so far as they relate to the doctrine of justification, appear in a new light: The teaching of the Lutheran churches presented in this Declaration does not fall under the condemnations from the Council of Trent. The condemnations in the Lutheran Confessions do not apply to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church presented in this Declaration."(Ibid., p. 8, point 5, 41).

As you see, after they signed on 31 October 1999 at Augsburg the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" there is to be no more mutual condemnation from both churches. This is an extremely important end-time event, which has two very important aspects.

The first aspect: Catholics and Protestants have ended 482-years (from 1517 to 1999) of separation in Christendom. This is "a major step towards the visible unity in reconciled diversity of both communions," Catholic and Protestant Churches (see www.moehlerinstitut.de).

This aspect is a great step toward the fulfillment of the very end-time prophecies of Revelation chapters 13, 16 and 17. Also it strongly indicates the seriousness of the time in which we are living.

This provides significant insights to broader and deeper understanding, what does this all mean to us as Seventh-day Adventists from the prophetic point of view? The answer is:

In this world today among the Christians and the world itself, one trend is clear – UNITY. Therefore the final result will be to unite both the Christians and the world together. The Bible prophecy and the writings of Ellen G. White predicted this. Ellen White says:

"Papists, Protestants, and worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium" (Great Controversy, pp. 588, 589). Now we are getting very close to "the long expected millennium." Now religious powers and political powers see in it a "grand movement" where they hope "for the conversion of the world." The conversion of the world to what? To THE RELIGIO-POLITICAL NEW WORLD ORDER.

The Bible prophecy also predicted this. Its says: "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Revelation 16:13, 14).

What do these three unclean spirits - dragon, beast and false prophet - together represent?

They represent the religious powers, but what do the kings of the earth represent? The political powers. Then the religious and political powers unite, to establish the religio-political system called "The New World Order" against God’s law and God’s people. Notice, this is going be fulfilled just before our very eyes now.

The second aspect: How important it is to know what is true and what is false justification in this end-time. When the Lutheran World Federation and the Roman Catholic Church signed their agreement it was called the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification."

This aspect also shows us what will be the main dispute at the very end-time. If you do not know what is true and what is false justification, and if you have not experienced true justification in your life, then when the crisis between the counterfeit and the genuine justification comes you will be blown away like the leaves of autumn. The crisis may come to you sooner than you expect. Now is the time to understand these things and experience true justification.

Recently I have studied the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." I have came to my conclusion, namely: Ellen White employed the analogy of parallel tracks and an optical illusion created by perspective, she says: "The track of truth lies close beside the track of error, and both tracks may seem to be one to minds which are not worked by the Holy Spirit, and which, therefore, are not quick to discern the difference between truth and error" (Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 202).

If they really understood justification, then true justification by faith is accompanied by repentance and reformation. But in this agreement the law of God is not put in its right position. It is missing from its rightful position. Notice as you read the document that the phrase "justification by faith alone" occurs repeatedly. But what does the Bible say? "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17, KJV). Therefore, biblical faith is never alone. But if alone, then it becomes "cheap faith." (Please read pp. 3,4 and 122 – 129 in Book Two).

What is the hidden battle now – the most important battle of which our church seems unaware? This hidden battle will soon be visible and clearly evident to the mind and eyes of the whole world. The answer is: It is the battle between the true and false gospel (true and false justification) in which the law of God plays a vital role. But the enemy of God and man wants to put away the law of God from its rightful position. He is doing this by promoting his false gospel (his false justification). Do you see how important it is to know true justification? Because the real battle in the end-time will be between the true and false justification, this means the true and false gospel of which the Sabbath and Sunday will be an expression.

It is of concern to me that I have read a few times in our main church magazines (the Adventist Review and the Australian Record ) about a dialogue between the Lutheran Church and the Seventh-day Adventist Church on the Doctrine of Justification.

We can conclude: We must now study and restudy as never before what is true and what is false justification until we are absolutely sure that we really know how to be saved, what the true gospel is, and what is true justification and what is false justification? Because this is the main dispute inside of our church and soon, very soon - at the very end-time – it will also be outside of our church. Therefore, it is vitally important for God’s end-time people to know about it in order that they may be ready now for the great controversy endgame. The key question is:

There are three main reasons.

The first reason: By counterfeiting true justification Satan wants to hinder finishing God’s work in the church and in the world.

The second reason: The spirit of Prophecy through Ellen White says: "The enemy of man and God is not willing that this truth [Justification by faith] should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken" (Review and Herald, Sept.3, 1889).

The third reason: Satan wants to remove the law of God from its rightful position, because "It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people." (The Great Controversy, p. 478). "The gospel without the law is inefficient and powerless. The law and the gospel are perfect whole….The two blended – the gospel of Christ and the law of God – produce the love and faith unfeigned" (Manuscript, 53, 1890).

Jesus Christ predicted this through the Spirit of Prophecy: "Jesus, looking down to the last generation, saw the world involved in a deception similar to that which caused the destruction of Jerusalem. The great sin of the Jews was their rejection of Christ; the great sin of the Christian world would be their rejection of the law of God, the foundation of His government in heaven and earth." (Th Great Controversy, p. 22 the last paragraph). So, to summarize this quotation we can say: In the history of God’s church, there were two fatal mistakes:

First:: Rejection of Jesus Christ by the Jews.

Second: Rejection of the law of God by the Christian world.

This prophecy is going to be fulfilled just before our very eyes. But by grace and love of God and also by His providence we can read and study in the "Great Controversy Endgame"- Book Two, what is true and what is false justification.

When we understand and experience true justification, in reality we at the same time are experiencing the last great revival and also at the same time we are receiving the early rain of the Holy Spirit. This will prepare us for the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain, to empower us in order that God will finish His work now through us in the world. This is the purpose, goal and reason for the existence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the world today. Do you see how extremely important it is to know and experience true justification?

In the great Jubilee of the year 2000, the whole world is involved and participating to celebrate Jubilee of the year 2000.

"ROME, JAN 19 (ZENIT) —Politicians have not been forgotten in the plans for Jubilee. The Vatican understands that the men and women who decide policy have a unique opportunity to improve life for all citizens. To celebrate the first jubilee of Governors and Parliamentarians, to be held November 5, 2000, the Jubilee Committee has planned a special pilgrimage of preparation. The pilgrimage will begin on October 26 in Bethlehem, 1,000 politicians from all over the world will travel the length of the Mediterranean, in St. Paul’s footsteps, until they arrive in Rome on November 5 for the Jubilee proper, which will be held in the Vatican."⁹

This reminds us of the biblical prophecy which says: "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world" (Revelation 16:13, 14, KJV). Also the prophecy which says: "And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings (the whole world), which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast" (Revelation 17:12, 13, KJV). This prophecy is going to be fulfilled right before our very eyes.

As we come nearer to the end we see more and more things common between Catholics and Protestants and also "The Kings of the Earth" (Governments - Governors and Parliamentarians).

The papal historic pilgrimage to the "Holy Land" (March 2000) is the most significant of all his visits to other countries of the world. "The Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, was in no doubt about what the Papal visit signified. He greeted the Pope with the following solemn words: ‘Here, right now, time itself has come to a standstill. This very moment holds within it 2000 years of history ’ " During his visit, the whole world could see him in every T.V. news bulletin and also could read about him in all the newspapers, presenting him as the most important individual in the world. This is the preparatory event to the soon, very soon fulfillment of the end-time prophecy, which says: "All the world wondered after the beast" (see Rev. 13:3, KJV). Therefore, this papal visit is a strong sign for us that the end is VERY near.

Also in March of this year 2000 the Pope astonished the world by apologizing for past atrocities committed by the Roman Catholic Church. This appeal for reconciliation was predicted by God through Ellen White when she wrote in The Great Controversy, page 571, she said: "The Roman church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today" (The Great Controversy, p. 571).

THE FIRST end-time Bible prophecy is in Revelation 13:11-17, where the United States of America plays the main role in the world in cooperation with the Papacy. "This prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance" ( The Great Controversy, p 579).

THE SECOND end-time prophecy is in Revelation 17, where the papal power revives as the eighth beast and plays the main role in the world. The fulfillment of this prophecy begins with Satan’s counterfeit Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the whole world "will give their power and authority to the beast" (Rev. 17:13, NKJV).

These two main prophecies are going to be fulfilled now, before our very eyes.

Now I would like to summarize what we have already learnt, in order that we as God’s people may clearly see and understand: Where we are today in prophetic history, where we are going, and how near is the end or how near is the Second Coming of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

We must observe the activity of the Papacy and the Protestants of America and also "the Kings of the Earth" (Governments – Governors and Parliamentarians), because these relate to the very end-time prophecies.

The following questions arise: What is the very end-time prophecy concerning the Protestants of America? The answer is found in Rev. 13:11-17. And what is the very last prophecy concerning the Papacy and "the kings of the earth"? The answer to this question is found in Revelation 17 and 16:13,14 and is also found in equivalent prophecy Daniel 11:40 – 45.

These apocalyptic prophecies are relevant to our times and especially demand our study. As we study them, we must also observe current events that occur in the world which have relevance to the end-time prophecies. But we must understand that we have now arrived at the times in which we must look at these current events with a new perspective. What does it mean "look at current events with a new perspective"?

This means that we should divide them into two types of events. (1) Events which are preparatory to the fulfillment of the end-time prophecies. (2) Events which are a direct fulfillment’s of the very last prophecies. For example: what is an event which is direct fulfillment of the last prophecy of Revelation 13:11-17? The Spirit of Prophecy answers: "This prophecy will be fulfilled when United States shall enforce Sunday’s observance."¹⁰

As you see the direct event, which is the end-time prophecy of Rev. 13:11-17, is in the issuing of the National Sunday Law in the United States. But what are the preparatory events which lead to their direct fulfillment? The preparatory events are:

1) After the collapse of communism, America became the only political and military superpower and began to "speak as a dragon" in the political and military context. We have heard her voice at the time of the Gulf war in Iraq and Kosovo.

This preparatory event is leading to "speaking as a dragon" in the spiritual and religious context.

2) We see that the United States plays the main role in the world.

3) In the United States there is a strong movement called "The Christian Coalition;" this is a gathering of Protestants, Roman Catholics and Jews. These people have come together with a common goal and aim. Their common purpose is to bring America back to God. They want to see the Church controlling the government of the United States. They want prayer in schools. They also want Sunday to be the family day, the day when all people go to church. They already have control of the Republican party.

4) Evangelicals and Catholics together have already signed the document.

Ellen White predicted this unity between Catholics and Protestants. She stated: "Protestants and Catholics uniting."¹¹

All of the above events are preparatory events which lead to the direct fulfillment of the end-time prophecies of Rev. 13: 11-17, which will be "when the United States shall enforce Sunday’s observance."¹²

What is the event which is the direct fulfillment of Rev. 17? The direct fulfillment of this prophecy will begin when Satan counterfeits Jesus second coming. Rev. 13: 3 the last part and 4, KJV, says: "All the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying , Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" And the whole world "will give their power and authority to the beast" (see Rev. 17:12, 13). This is the direct fulfillment of Rev. 17. But what are the preparatory events which are leading to the direct fulfillment of the end-time prophecy of Rev. 17? The preparatory events are:

1) Marian apparitions which began at Fatima and are continuing until today, with the modern apparitions of Mary seen all around the world. Her predictions and messages are that the second coming of Jesus is at hand, and the end is very near, be ready! I will refer to just one such apparition which took place in 1994 when Satan made a most important statement through his medium Mary to Father Gobbi, and she said: "I confirm to you that, by the great Jubilee of the year 2000, there will take place the Triumph of my Immaculate Heart, of which I foretold you at Fatima, and this will come to pass with the return of Jesus in glory to establish His reign in the world" (a 90 minute video documentary based upon the voices of the visionaries).

The Catholic Church has a prophecy, which says: "When Jesus Christ comes, then He will give the Pope the keys and also will bless him. " The book The Keys of this Blood on page 639, confirms this: "John Paul is and will be the sole possessor of the keys of this blood on that day," which day? The day when Satan counterfeits the second coming of Jesus Christ. Then the whole world "will give their power and authority to the beast" (Rev. 17:13, NKJV). Then this prophecy will be fulfilled. According to the Mary apparition and the author of The Keys of This Blood, the present Pope will take the keys. He is getting old and feeble. Do you see how near the end is?

2) Now, Pope John Paul II has been working toward uniting the world by the year 2000. Ellen White predicted this. She stated: "Under one head - the papal power - the people will unite"¹³ It is the climax of satanic planning for the unification of the world."¹⁴ As I mentioned before (p. 47), the latest news (May 1999), namely: the appeal to all Christian churches by "Joint Anglican – Roman Catholic Recommendation," to accept the pope as the leader of all churches, and later the whole world is the preparatory event to fulfilling the last end-time prophecy in our days.

3) The Pope’s preparation for the great Jubilee of the year 2000. It is "the great celebration planned for Mt Sinai, Jerusalem, and Rome."¹⁵ This is the inauguration of the millennium of peace. Ellen White predicted this. She stated: "Papists, Protestants and worldlings. They will see in the union a grand movement for conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long expected millennium."¹⁶

4) As you know, recently in the United States there were peace talks between the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, and the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. The very last sticky point was Jerusalem city. The Israeli Prime Minister said that the capital city of Israel was, is, and always will be Jerusalem city. The Palestinian President said that the capital city of Palestine forever will be Jerusalem city. These were their last words. After that I heard on the T. V. news that Pope John Paul II said: that "Jerusalem city should be the international city, because the three biggest religions of the world (Judaism, Christian and Moslem) are convinced that Jerusalem is their holy city."

Do we have in the Bible a very last end-time prophecy about Jerusalem that is still unfulfilled? Yes, we have. It is Dan. 11: 45, which says: "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." What is "the glorious holy mountain"? The answer we will find in Dan. 9:16, which says: "O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain."

From this we can clearly see that Jerusalem is the holy mountain, which will be the center point for the Papacy and Satan in the last days of the history of this earth on which we are now living.

Almost all Christian religions of this earth believe in the MILLENNIUM, that when Jesus Christ will come, then he will establish His kingdom on the earth – the MILLENNIUM OF PEACE. But soon, very soon Satan will counterfeit the Second Coming of Jesus and he will establish Jerusalem as the capital city of the world.

"The world a theatre ; the actors, its inhabitants are preparing to act their part in the last great drama."¹⁷

What is this last great drama? "A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama – Satan coming as Christ."¹⁸

Right now, all leaders and the people of this world are looking for someone who will bring peace, justice and prosperity.

· The Jews are waiting for Messiah - His first coming.

· The Christians are waiting for Jesus Christ – His Second Coming.

· The Buddhists are waiting for Buddha (his fifth incarnation)

.· The Hindus are waiting for Krishna.

· The Moslems are waiting for Imam Mahdi.

· The New Age Movement waits for Maitreya – the cosmic Christ.

When Satan counterfeits the second coming of Christ, they will all welcome him as their "Saviour," then Satan, together with the Pope will promise peace, justice and prosperity to the people of the world.

At that time a small group of God’s people will say: "This is the false Christ, who will deceive the whole world." I only hope that you will be in this group! Then, they will bring accusations against God’s people, saying, "they are against peace, justice and prosperity!"

Without a shadow of doubt, we are now entering into the last end-time prophecy just before the close of probation. The above Bible prophecy confirms this because Daniel 11: 45 is the last prophecy before the close of probation. What is after this Dan. 11:45 prophecy? -Dan. 12:1 says: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book."

This provides a significant insight into understanding how the last end-time prophecies will be fulfilled. It helps us to see the last stages of Satan's preparations for the counterfeit second coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of Jerusalem as the international capital city of the religio-political New World Order with "the ushering in of the long – expected millennium" of peace. The Spirit of Prophecy confirms this, namely: "Papists, Protestants and worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long expected millennium."¹⁹

From this you can see that this prediction about the millennium given by the Spirit of Prophecy is going to be fulfilled before our very eyes in our days. The pen of inspiration also says: "The spirit of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven."²⁰

"Fallen angels upon earth form confederations with evil men. In this age Antichrist will appear as the true Christ, and then the law of God will be fully made void in the nations of our world. Rebellion against God's holy law will be fully ripe. But the true leader of all this rebellion is Satan clothed as an angel of light. Men will be deceived and will exalt him to the place of God, and deify him. But Omnipotence will interpose, and to the apostate churches that unite in the exaltation of Satan, the sentence will go forth, 'Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.’ "²¹ This is going to be fulfilled just before our very eyes.

Do we see in what time we are living? The time is short, the Lord is coming!!! But remember that before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ - soon, very soon - will be Satan's counterfeit of Jesus Christ's coming.

The messenger of the Lord says the following about this Satanic counterfeit:

"As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: ‘Christ has come! Christ has come!’ The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion."²²

These above prophetic statements are in conjunction with the very last end-time prophecy of Dan. 11:45, which soon, very soon is going to be fulfilled just before our very eyes.

In the light of the facts and evidence presented to you, do you see clearly that now we are witnessing the final events of the fulfillment of Bible end-time prophecies? Do you see the urgency and the seriousness of our times? God’s end-time people must be aware and know the significance of the events occurring in the world today and in the immediate future in order that we know where we are today in prophetic history, where we are going and how near is the end.

The following is the chart illustrating the history of the Papacy:

    Footnotes for Chapter Eight.

1. Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 716.
2. Dan. 2:43, KJV.
3. The Great Controversy, pp. 588, 589.
4. Maranatha, p. 209.
5. The Great Controversy, p. 624.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid., pp. 578, 579.
8. Ibid., pp. 448, 449.
9. The Sydney Morning Herald, March 27, 2000.
10. The Great Controversy, p. 579
11. The Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, Melbourne Australia, 1887.
12. The Great Controversy, p. 579.
13. Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 182.
14. The SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 857.
15. Sunday’s Coming, p. 137.
16. The Great Controversy, pp. 588, 589.
17. Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 27.
18. Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 28.
19. The Great Controversy, pp. 588,589.
20. Ibid., p. 624.
21. Testimonies to Ministers, p. 62.
22. The Great Controversy, p. 624.