Discerning the World

G8 World Religions Summit – Worships Mother Earth

by · Published · Updated

Religions - The G8 World Religions SummitUniting Religions for World Change:

The G8 World Religions Summit

By Carl Teichrib,  www.forcingchange.org

A sacred fire was lit. Mother Earth, we were told, needs to hear that we love her, so give a “prayer of gratitude” to the Earth; “Because out of Mother Earth comes all we need to live…she gives us the food, the water, the medicines, and the teachings.”

We were asked to privately perform a water ritual, for this will give strength to Mother Earth. Everything that’s alive, “even the water” it was explained to the delegates and observers, has the spirit. We were told that religiously speaking, “there is not only one way, there is many ways” – and to go to the sacred fire and “invoke the spirits.”

Drummers summoned the power of the eagle spirit, because it brings “the spirit of love, it brings vision. The Eagle carries our wishes and our prayers.” And this eagle spirit will tell the Great Spirit of the wonderful things happening in this gathering.

And what a gathering! As an observer to the 2010, G8 World Religions Summit (WRS), I listened as the opening ceremonies set the tone for this remarkable event. The Secretary General of the WRS, Dr. James Christie – the Dean of Theology at the University of Winnipeg – welcomed us as religious equals, stating that what was important was that we “offer our service, and ourselves, and our lives” to the “God we know by so many names.” (1)

This multi-faith perspective was evident in full color; Hindu swamis in flowing orange attire, members of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs dressed in desert garb, Jewish yamakas, cross pendants and clerical collars, Shinto robes, Orthodox priests in black, Salvation Army uniforms, and Baha’i leaders and evangelical Christians in business suits. Religions from every corner of the planet were represented. Even so, very few people have heard about the G8 World Religions Summit, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba from June 21-23.

Compared to the G8/G20 political summits occurring days later in Toronto and Huntsville, Ontario, the WRS – the official religious parallel – was an ultra-tame affair. The security budget for the Winnipeg event was zero; nobody burnt any cars, and no windows were smashed. The only “protestors” were a group of Mennonites who, a few days before the Summit began, sang songs of support at a downtown park. (2) In fact, many of the international participants had “never heard of Winnipeg” before. (3)

Nevertheless, what occurred in Winnipeg will likely have a far more real impact at the local level than what transpired in Toronto. Why do I say this?  Because of the direct lines of influence that radiate from the World Religions Summit right down to individual bodies. It’s a top-down strategy ensuring that religious people will fall in line with an emerging global framework – a type of world theology along with an international system of socialism. And it’s going to work, particularly in the Christian community.

“We Give Thanks”

The history of the G8 World Religions Summit goes back to 2005. That year, Jim Wallis of Sojourners – a left wing Christian advocacy group – teamed up with the Archbishop of Canterbury to “raise the voices of the faith leaders of the world in unity and in a call for justice.” (4) The 2005 event was a small, ecumenical affair made up of representatives from Catholic groups, the National Association of Evangelicals, World Vision, the Salvation Army, the Mennonite Central Committee, the World Evangelical Alliance, and other church bodies.

These leaders released an “Action on Poverty” document calling for governments to alleviate poverty, and for faith communities to generate the necessary moral will. The text itself was very short and ambiguous, with a underlying socialist slant.

The next year, the G8 religious summit took place in Moscow and a host of other religions contributed; leaders from the Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, and Shinto communities – along with Christians, hashed out another declaration, this time calling for a “more systemic partnership of religious leaders with the United Nations.” In 2007 at Cologne, the emphasis was on the UN Millennium Development goals and the support for a worldwide climate change “protection agreement.” 2008 and 2009 saw the religious leaders meeting in Sapporo/Kyoto/Osaka, Japan and Rome, Italy.

Sapporo’s declaration called for religions to unite in a “commitment to peace.” It also recognized that “religious communities are the world’s largest social networks which reach into the furthest corners of the earth.” In other words, religions are powerful actors in the global field.

Hence, the Sapporo text demanded a system of “Shared Security” based on interdependence, the “mysterious giftedness of all existence,” the establishment of an “Earth Fund dedicated to environmental protection,” and a binding global climate treaty. Another document was released in Japan, recognizing that the “dharmic, pantheistic and ancestor traditions of Eastern societies remain a practical tool… in defence of the environment.” And religious diversity was expounded as part of the divine, cosmic order – therefore, “we seek to be considered equal partners.” (5)

Finally in Rome, faith leaders focused on the worsening global economy and broadly called for a “new financial pact,” without really explaining what it would entail. To be fair to the Rome event, the entire summit was overshadowed by the almost simultaneous release of Pope Benedict’s encyclical Charity in Truth, which shook the international community in its brazen call for a world political authority “with teeth.” (See the Forcing Change report, “Sowing the Seeds of Global Government,” Volume 3, Issue 8)….

What all of this represents, from the first event in 2005 until Winnipeg, is the intentional move within Christendom to politically unite with other faiths “in one community.” The motivator: Social Justice – world peace, care for the Earth, and alleviating poverty. And who doesn’t want peace, a healthy environment, and the poor raised above their poverty?

These are admirable goals. But something else is going on, raising the question: What does the Christian community have to sacrifice in the name of interfaith partnering for “social justice“?

Not surprisingly, the only time the name “Jesus Christ” came up at the 2010 WRS was when He was compared with Buddha and Mohammad as a religious figure. Nobody dared present Him as “the way, the truth and the life… the only way to the Father.” (John 14:6). Love, compassion, and “spiritual law” were tossed about freely in the speeches. But nobody was willing to rock the boat by venturing into what Francis Schaffer called “true truth.”…

The interfaith approach, by default, recognizes Jesus as one spiritual leader in a long line of religious reformers. That’s all. Nothing more. Hence, at global interfaith events, like the one that took place in Winnipeg, Christian representatives remain silent on the subject of Jesus Christ as truth, “…the only way to the Father.” For to do otherwise would be divisive and contrary to the ideal of “one community.”

By default, the Christian community has to sacrifice Truth. Therefore, it was no surprise that on different occasions I heard participants criticize Christian missions and Christian “fundamentalists.”

The representative of the Pacific Council of Churches told us that everything is inter-connected, and that we need to revisit the ancient [pagan] religions and myths – those ancient ways that were “deliberately pushed aside” by Christian missionaries – in order to understand and appreciate this interdependence.

Another speaker explained that it was time to put aside the past dogmas of traditional faiths, and that the litmus test for religions in this global era was interdependence and transcendent spirituality. Religions, we were repeatedly told, needed to unify if the planet is to survive….

Notes:

1. The quotes and speech materials used in this report have been taken from my audio copies of the WRS. If otherwise, the source is included in footnotes where appropriate.
2. Brenda Suderman, “A meeting of religious minds,” Winnipeg Free Press, June 18, 2010. The “protestors” were members of the Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship Choir.
3. Ibid.
4. “History of the Interfaith Leaders’ Summits,” 2010 G8 World Religions Summit Resource Kit, p.13.
5. All of the previous G8 religious documents were given to Winnipeg delegates and observers in a single package.
6. Doug Koop, “World religions summit in Winnipeg will deliver message to G8,” Christian Week, March 26, 2010, online edition….
Please share:

Tags:

Deborah (Discerning the World)

Deborah Ellish is the author of the above article. Discerning the World is an internet Christian Ministry based in Johannesburg South Africa. Tom Lessing and Deborah Ellish both own Discerning the World. For more information see the About this Website page below the comments section.

20 Responses

  1. Elmarie A says:
    5 August, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    I found this report from the Anglican Church of Canada. One can read so much into this things are moving at a Tsunsmi speed and the deception is growing wider and wider.

    World Religions Summit final statement to G8/G20 leaders
    Anglican Church of Canada
    June 30, 2010 –

    This statement was issued at the conclusion of the 2010 World Religions Summit, which gathered over 80 interfaith leaders from the G8/G20 nations in Winnipeg, Man., from June 21 to 23. The Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, led the Canadian delegation.

    A TIME FOR INSPIRED LEADERSHIP AND ACTION
    Aussi disponible en français

    We, 80 senior leaders of the world’s religions and faith-based organizations together with 13 youth delegates, from more than 20 countries representing Aboriginal, Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, and Sikh religious traditions, have convened in Winnipeg, Manitoba on the eve of Canada hosting expanded global summits.

    This September, we approach the two-thirds point for the deadline to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals-eight goals that, if achieved, would bring hope to millions and be a major step toward a more sustainable global future.

    In the spirit of continuity and persistence, we carry forward important work begun in annual gatherings of religious leaders during earlier G8 summits.

    Acknowledging our common humanity and embracing the imperative to treat all persons with dignity, we affirm that no one person is more or less valuable than another. We urge the political leaders to consider first the vulnerable among us, particularly our children, and to work together to address the dehumanizing scourge of poverty and injustice, and practice and promote care for our common environment, the Earth.

    In our diverse faith traditions we have rich histories and powerful dreams for ending poverty, caring for the Earth and being peace-builders. We acknowledge our own shortcomings and inadequacies, we commit to continuing these life-giving actions in the service of the common good. While recognizing efforts already made to address many of these challenges, we expect government representatives to set aside short-term agendas and work together for a future that allows all people on this planet to thrive.

    Military power and economic dominance are the basis for inclusion in a G8 and G20 global leaders’ summit. The voices of the other 172 members of the United Nations are absent. In our faith traditions, we strive to listen to the weak and the vulnerable. Their voices must be included in decisions that affect them and all of us. At the summits in 2010, we expect leaders to put first the well-being of the majority of the world’s population, of future generations and of the Earth itself. From our shared values we call on leaders to take courageous and concrete actions:

    * to meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable while simultaneously making structural changes to close the unacceptable growing gap between rich and poor;

    * to prioritize long-term environmental sustainability and halt the harmful acceleration of climate change caused by us, while addressing its impacts on the poor; and

    * to work for peace and remove factors that feed cycles of violent conflict and costly militarism.

    Address Poverty

    Almost half the people on this planet live in poverty and insecurity in terms of the fundamental requirements for life with dignity. The most affected are women and children, indigenous peoples and people with disabilities. A record one billion people are now chronically hungry-one in seven does not have the food needed for basic life. All this is happening in the context of a growing gap between the rich and poor, worsened by current undemocratic economic and governance systems.

    The magnitude of poverty would be overwhelming were it not for the knowledge that this global inequity can be transformed into a shared life of human flourishing for all. Together, we have the capacity and the global resources to end extreme poverty and its impacts. In the past 18 years, a combination of health interventions and decreasing poverty levels resulted in a 28% reduction in global under-five mortality rates-from 90 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 65 deaths per 1,000 in 2008. Change is possible.

    A common tenet in faith traditions is that we should treat others as we would have them treat us. This “golden rule” is a basic human principle that cuts across cultures and faith traditions, and calls us to a collective standard of mutual care.

    Poverty is frequently the result of food, energy and economic crises originating in wealthier sectors of society. It is also the consequence of the culture of greed, corruption, conflict, and over-consumption. Poverty is local and international. The suffering of anyone is of concern to us all.

    In 2010, we expect inspired leadership and actions to address poverty:

    * Wealthy countries must do their share: take all necessary steps to achieve the Millennium Development Goals; invest 0.7 % of Gross National Income in development assistance in a transparent and accountable manner; cancel debts of poor countries without regressive conditions; halt capital flight from poor countries to wealthy countries; hinder the free flow of speculative money, maintain business and labor ethics, foster conditions for the development of small business, ensure workers earn living wages and receive decent treatment; and make poverty reduction a priority in trade and international financial negotiations.

    * All countries must do their part: educate girl children to high school level as one of the most effective development interventions; practice good governance; combat corruption, and put in place poverty reduction policies that ensure everyone has access to basic rights such as nutritious food, safe water, health care, education and economic opportunity.

    Care for the Earth

    All our faith traditions call us to careful stewardship of the Earth. Climate change has become an urgent manifestation of our collective abuse of the very environment that sustains the fullness of life. We see the consequences in melting ice-caps and rising sea levels, lost habitats for threatened animal and plant species, and erratic weather that threaten the lives of millions.

    As scientists discover new accelerators of climate and ocean change and note the compression of time available to avoid irreparable damage, it is clear that bold action is needed now. We must move beyond short-term political interests and arguments over who pays. In our indivisible planet we all pay — and future generations will pay dearly — if we continue to delay decisive action now.

    The Earth, our home, is a gift from the Creator. Our faith traditions call us to relationships of mutual care and nurture between people and ecosystems. Faith communities see the environment through a lens of life on the planet as a unified whole, not unlike the cells of a body, infinitely differentiated in form and function yet deeply interdependent. In this framework, industrialized countries have caused a disproportionate amount of environmental damage. The strategy of promoting endless development and high consumption lifestyles must be challenged.

    The roots of this crisis are spiritual and moral. Consequently, we need a renewed eco-ethic that restores right relations between North and South by generating new economic paradigms and policies that are compatible with the Earth’s regenerative abilities and by promoting just distribution of resources. The need for a new generation of rights related to ecology is becoming apparent. As faith communities, we must move to action-oriented results, networking, and building morally sustainable communities.

    In 2010, we expect inspired leadership and actions that care for the Earth

    * Wealthier countries must come to a more profound understanding of the interdependence of life and take courageous steps needed to care for the planet. In the realm of climate change, concrete plans must be implemented to ensure global average temperatures do not exceed a 2 degrees Centigrade increase from pre-industrial levels.

    * In developing countries, the challenge is complex since growth, poverty reduction and environmental stewardship must journey together. This requires innovative leadership in these countries along with increased collaboration between rich and poor countries to protect agricultural lands from tourism and industrial developments, and support climate change adaptation and mitigation.

    Invest in Peace

    The well-being and shared security of all can only be realized when grounded in justice. Shared security focuses on the fundamental inter-relatedness of all persons and the environment (World Religions Summit, Sapporo 2008). Civilians in the world’s poorest countries are the primary victims of war, insurgencies, criminal activities and other forms of armed violence. At the same time, we are collectively affected and implicated in global turmoil through our common humanity and through the priorities we set.

    One clear example of misplaced priorities is global military spending, estimated to be US$1,464 billion for 2008, while support for United Nations peace-keeping operations is only US$9 billion. NATO countries account for over 2/3 of this global military spending; these payments for military services are more than 20 times the annual world financial contributions to Official Development Assistance. Another example of misplaced priorities is the continuing threat of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction that represent a moral affront to human dignity and a grave danger to life.

    We are aware that there are those who use religion to justify violent acts against others, and thereby offend the true spirit of their faith and the long-standing values of their faith communities. We condemn religiously motivated terrorism and extremism and commit to stop the teaching and justification of the use of violence between and among our faith communities. Our faith traditions are steeped in the promotion of love for one another and deep respect for all humankind; peace and justice walk hand in hand. Our most inspiring teachings are stories of reconciliation and compassion. We will collaborate to create paths of peaceful and sustainable coexistence.

    In 2010, we expect inspired leadership and actions that invest in peace

    * We call on governments to halt the arms race, make new and greater investments in supporting a culture of peace, strengthen the rule of law, stop ethnic cleansing and the suppression of minorities, build peace through negotiation, mediation, and humanitarian support to peace processes, including the control and reduction of small arms that every year are the cause of over 300,000 deaths globally.

    * We call on states with nuclear weapons to make immediate and substantial cuts in the number of nuclear weapons and to cease the practice of having nuclear weapons on hair-trigger alert. Let these be the initial steps in a defined process leading to the complete and permanent elimination of nuclear weapons.

    * We call for the establishment of transparent and effective dialogue mechanisms between international organizations and faith communities that takes advantage of the peace-making potential of religion.

    Our Commitment

    We recognize that we share responsibility to be and act for the change we want to see. We reaffirm our own commitment to call on our communities and members to:

    * demonstrate solidarity with the poor and vulnerable in our society and the globe;

    * monitor the compliance of our governments in meeting the Millennium Development Goals and, whenever possible, hold them publicly accountable for such compliance;

    * confront consumerism, reduce consumption and change our lifestyle to give testimony to better stewardship and live more lightly on the Earth;

    * cultivate the positive peacebuilding influence of religion and invest in building the capacity of our communities to participate in peacebuilding and peacekeeping activities;

    * promote co-existence among different religious and ethnic communities while welcoming immigrants and refugees; and

    * grow the collaboration of faith traditions to provide leadership, research and action, work to engage our own communities on the issues, and maintain continuous consultation and evaluation of these global political summits in the coming years while building political support for the changes we seek.

    Our Deep Desire for 2010

    As people of faith and as concerned global inhabitants, we urge our communities to do our part to end poverty, care for the Earth and invest in peace, including building a movement of political participation that makes seemingly impossible change possible. In a spirit of positive collaboration, acknowledging that both political leaders and faith leaders carry tremendous responsibility for setting the parameters for our common life, we will monitor the decisions our government leaders take, including decisions made at the 2010 political leaders’ summits in Canada. We expect follow-through on past promises. We expect bold new actions based on the values and recommendations outlined here. If we fail in these goals, we fail our children who look to us to secure a viable future for them. Our prayers and wishes for wisdom and compassion are with our political leaders at this critical moment.
    http://news.anglican.ca/news/stories/2246

  2. Deborah (Discerning the World) says:
    5 August, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    Ahhhhhh see here:

    * to meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable while simultaneously making structural changes to close the unacceptable growing gap between rich and poor

    Communism here we come… http://www.discerningtheworld.com/2010/08/05/redistribution-of-wealth-on-the-way/

  3. Deborah (Discerning the World) says:
    5 August, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    I consider myself most vulnerable …… gimme all your stuff lol

  4. Elmarie A says:
    5 August, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    Deborah (Discerning the World) wrote:

    I consider myself most vulnerable …… gimme all your stuff lol

    lol lol lol You can have it all my dear……….lol lol When will you collect lol lol

  5. Elmarie A says:
    5 August, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    tagh oh my goodenss Debs the world has gone mad !!!!

  6. Elmarie A says:
    5 August, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    Zambia: LAP Green to inject $125 million in Zamtel
    Wednesday, August 4, 2010, 15:48

    The Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAP), the Uganda Telecom parent company, will invest at least $125 million in , Zamtel. LAP GreenN, the group’s telecom arm, recently acquired the operations of Zamtel.

    Mr Hans Paulsen, the newly appointed chief executive officer of Zamtel told Daily Monitor in Kampala last week that the money will be invested in the telecom operations in the next two years under the LAP Green Network. He said: “The investment will mainly go into restructuring the company; acquiring new technology, building a 3G network, extending network coverage and at the same time re-launch the brand.”

    The plan comes on the back of LAP’s 75 per cent stake in the company leaving the Zambian government with a 25 per cent interest. The investment will also reinforce LAP’s ambitious plan of increasing Zamtel’s subscriber base from 300,000 mobile phone and landline subscribers to 1 million subscribers by the end of 2010. Mr Paulsen said: “Our target is to cross the one million mark before the end of the year.”

    LAP GreenN has operations in eight African countries including; Uganda, Rwanda, Niger, Ivory Coast, Zambia, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Togo. It has a total subscription platform of 5.2 million customers compared to MTN’s 100 million plus and 42 million for Zain Africa operations.

    [Daily Mirror]http://www.lusakatimes.com/?p=28297

  7. Elmarie A says:
    5 August, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    LAP Green to inject $125 million in Zamtel ? They should then give this to the most vulnerable.. lol lol

  8. Elmarie A says:
    5 August, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    oh Debs deception and lies is on the order of the day. Ok now I wil go calm down………..hmmmmmmmm

  9. Deborah (Discerning the World) says:
    11 August, 2010 at 1:38 am

    It would appear that Zamtel is very vulnerable. Or is it that the Ugandan people are in dire need of telecommunications, hence the money is being delivered to them that way haha.

    The race to make sure every African will be able to have affordable internet in order to view the anti-Christ perform on their cell phone is on. Also how will them bad guys connect the world? through the internet? FIFA was a test to see if we could do it from SA, which was a given.

  10. Deborah (Discerning the World) says:
    11 August, 2010 at 1:41 am

    Elmarie

    I said: I consider myself most vulnerable …… gimme all your stuff lol

    You said: lol lol lol You can have it all my dear……….lol lol When will you collect lol lol

    I said: No I only want your jewellery and cash……and the beagle

  11. Elmarie A says:
    11 August, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Deborah (Discerning the World)

    No I only want your jewellery and cash……and the beagle

    he he hmmmm the Beagle Thaka may be a problem. Baby Snoopy will soon be home lol lol

  12. Elmarie A says:
    11 August, 2010 at 10:41 am

    Deborah (Discerning the World)

    The race to make sure every African will be able to have affordable internet in order to view the anti-Christ perform on their cell phone is on. Also how will them bad guys connect the world? through the internet? FIFA was a test to see if we could do it from SA, which was a given

    Some one told me the other day there was a discussion on radio 702. The Government has a deal with India to import laptop computers at R175-00 EA but SA wants it cheaper and it will be sold at about R300 to every University going student and also to High school children and make it a compulsary. I will go scratch around for exact info.

  13. Phillip Mills says:
    23 August, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    Reading the above article (WRS) has shocked me unbelievably as I am out of touch with world events because I do not watch TV and I do not buy newspapers for the past 15 years.

    In mid March 2010, the ‘heavenly messengers’ wanted to know if I had a question/s. I asked “When will the antichrist start ruling?”

    Answer “In 36 months time, they (the antichrist) will be at it for 12 months”

  14. Elmarie A says:
    23 August, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    Phillip Mills

    Answer “In 36 months time, they (the antichrist) will be at it for 12 months”

    The anti-christ is not in power yet.
    The One World Government, One World Economy and One World Religion must first be in place and the prep work is being done at a Tsunami rate. The false prophet must also finalize his work before he hands over to the Anti-Christ.

    Great Falling Away after the Departure of the Church
    Johan Malan, University of the North, South Africa

    Abstract: The revelation of the Antichrist (the man of sin) can only occur after the departure of the true church of Christ.

    The departure (Gr. apostasia) of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 will precede the revelation of the Antichrist. The rendering of apostasia as “rebellion”, “apostasy” or “falling away” in most English Bibles is unfortunate since these are secondary, or derived, meanings of the word. Its primary meaning is “departure” which, in this verse, refers to the rapture of the church. In consequence of the rapture, great apostasy will occur on earth while the Antichrist institutes his lawless and utterly sinful reforms. That time will be characterised by a world-wide moral and spiritual falling away.

    Speculation is rife about the rapture and the revelation of the Antichrist. Some people spiritualise these concepts, others accept the two events but place them in the wrong chronological order, while many others deny them altogether or allege that the Antichrist was one or other historical figure.

    These conflicting opinions cause great uncertainty and confusion among many Christians. However, it is not the first time in the church history that contradictory views and wrong teachings on the end-time gave rise to anxiety among believers. It happened in the first century in the congregation of Thessalonica.

    In his first letter, Paul taught the congregation that the Lord Jesus will come at the end of the church dispensation to take the true believers away to heaven:
    “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words” (1 Thes. 4:16-18; the word rapture is derived from catch up (Gr. harpazo) in verse 17).

    In Paul’s preaching to the Thessalonians, and also in his subsequent letter to them, a clear promise was made that the Lord Jesus would remove the Christians before the revelation of the Antichrist and the commencement of the judgements of the Day of the Lord during the great tribulation. He exhorted them “to wait for [God’s] Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thes 1:10). “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes. 5:9).

    As in the case of Noah and Lot, the Christians will be saved from hour of God’s wrath over a sinful world. They will escape the time of judgement by way of the rapture, as promised by Jesus in His Olivet Discourse: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Lk. 21:36). Those who pursue a false, humanistic peace outside Christ will not escape the judgements of the tribulation. The destruction of the Antichrist’s reign of terror and the judgements of God will suddenly befall them (1 Thes. 5:3).

    The congregation in Thessalonica believed this exposition of end-time events. They were eagerly looking forward to the salvation that the Lord Jesus promised to them through the rapture. They had a “blessed hope” to look forward to (Titus 2:13). In terms of this expectation they comforted and exhorted one another to remain faithful to the Lord.
    False teachings

    The persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire caused considerable anxiety among believers and gave rise to many questions about the end-times – also in Thessalonica. Under the instigation of enemies of the gospel, a letter containing false teachings was written in the name of Paul and distributed among members of the congregation. Other people claimed to have had ‘spiritual revelations’ to the same effect. In these false teachings it was alleged that the day of the Lord (the time of judgements and tribulation) had already begun and that the Christians would have to go through it. In this way the doctrine of the rapture before wrath was contradicted and scoffed at.

    Paul wrote his second letter to the congregation with the following objectives: (1) To refute the false teachings about the end-time; and (2) to answer certain questions that were raised by members of the congregation on the second coming and related matters. He starts Chapter 2 by referring to the rapture as “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him.” After that he explained and reconfirmed the correct order of end-time events:
    “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

    “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thes. 2:1-12).

    In this chapter, Paul clearly states the basic facts about the departing of the one who withholds, the revelation of the Antichrist and also the swift judgement that will befall him during the coming of Christ.
    read complete article here: http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Departure.htm

    And also read this article on this blog:

    and the following also on this blog:
    # Demonic Attacks on Believers’ Faith throughout the Ages
    # The Rapture – An Article to Blow Your Hair Back!
    # The Church Is Not Israel – God Deals With Each One Separately
    # Eternal Security – Genuinely Saved, Always Saved!
    # Final Preparations to Receive the New Age Christ
    # Anti Christian Globalism Approaches the Final Stage

  15. Elmarie A says:
    23 August, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    Phillip Mills

    In mid March 2010, the ‘heavenly messengers’ wanted to know if I had a question/s. I asked “When will the antichrist start ruling?”

    ‘heavenly messengers’ ?? please explain Phillip.

  16. Phillip Mills says:
    24 August, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    ‘heavenly messengers’ ?? please explain

    It is the same messenger which informed me about not going to MMC (“stay away”), not to watch ‘Aan die anderkant’ – Marietta Theunissen), one morning at 5am – “that bad habit of yours (smoking), forget about it, it is gone!” (never again thought about a cigarette after that), giving me the details about the number off and ID of the demons possessing a known person, ‘training’ me step by step about satan and his demons as well as spiritual warefare and many many other ‘messages’ over a very short period recently.

    The information came in the form of visions and messages. A vision such as a book which will be opened – only the relevant text will be in bold and the rest in light grey for an example.

    One morning 5am again – “get up and open your Bible to read” I then proceded to read without comprehending (was half asleep), however, when I woke up later that morning, I went back to the scripture which was given to me to read –

    Isaiah 56:9 to 57:1
    9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

    10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

    11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

    12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

    57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

    Another vision – a picture of the possessed person in the centre and the demons pictures (6 off) arranged around the centre picture. These demons were also cast remotely. This is a substantial story by itself and I don’t think this is the relevant thread to discuss it.

    When I tested the source of the messages, this was the reply – ” All messages are from God the father”.

  17. Grant C says:
    26 August, 2010 at 1:10 am

    Philip Mills

    It is the same messenger which informed me about not going to MMC (“stay away”)

    Philip, you are receiving messages from the dark side. I’m not trying to be argumentative, I certainly have no time for that pointless pursuit, but your statement in itself is not biblical. In another thread you tried to accuse Christian people who have good intentions, of having inferior biblical knowledge to yours. Your biblical knowledge is poor to the extreme. Either that, or you refuse to speak the truth according to the Scriptures.

    Please read on; forget the anger thing for now, forget the perceived competition, it is meaningless, there are no prizes up for grabs …!

    Your Christian answer should have been to provide Scripture to assist the addressees of your tirades. Pride, jealousy, conceit, lies, covetousness, personal importance are what you are portraying. You are NOT important. You do NOT have superior knowledge. You are NOT an apostle or a prophet or a god. You will NOT convince Christians to accept false religions, visions or messages.

    I then proceded to read without comprehending

    God will not do that. God will speak to you with absolute clarity. God expects you to be of clear mind to be able to serve Him. Where does Scripture indicate that confusion is participant to God’s message to mankind? Your incomprehension was due to the demonic attack on your clarity, only Satan will use half-asleep soldiers, because then they are oblivious to his deception. Like being drugged. You need to seek Jesus, seriously.

    Now I remind you again, I know you will even more be angry by now. I know this because I’ve been there too, while I ignored the complete Truth. We have something in common now, you see?

    …ID of the demons possessing a known person, ‘training’ me step by step about satan and his demons…

    You are allowing yourself to become obsessed by your interest in Satan and his demons, while you are being blinded to the opportunity to learn about Jesus and His offer of salvation to you. You are being brought under extremely false impressions that you can emulate and mimic the Almighty. That age old deception is exactly what Satan used on Eve. If you choose Jesus, focus on Him only, and you will be set free from the nonsense you are believing as the gospel truth.

    …not to watch ‘Aan die anderkant’ – Marietta Theunissen),..

    It is my understanding that you have had access to the Holy Bible since you could read and comprehend the Word of God. Please explain why it would have been necessary for you to have received messages from a modern supernatural ‘messenger’ to warn you about something as obviously demonic as ‘Aan die anderkant’.

    Do you think Christians are fools? Even children who have been taught only the essentials pertaining to the love of Jesus Christ would know, at a very young age, that something like ‘Aan die anderkant’ is simply demonic.

    Philip Mills, my fellow man. I sincerely, and from the most compassionate reaches of my sinful soul, and with all the love I can muster in my heart, regardless of your attack on our Lord Jesus Christ, implore that you ask Him to assist you in understanding the simple peace which is available to you in accepting His offer of salvation, just as He has made clear in His Word. Ignore your ‘messenger’, whoever he would like you to believe he is. He is a deceiver. You do not need another messenger – Jesus has Himself been here to deliver the message.

  18. Phillip Mills says:
    26 August, 2010 at 5:27 pm

    Grant / Elmarie

    “regardless of your attack on our Lord Jesus Christ” – I do not have a clue what you are refering to here so you must be confused.

    “Your Christian answer should have been to provide Scripture” – I did, it was not inline with Elmaries understanding of the same scripture and therefore not published other than a note saying I am a false prophet – how’s that for arrogance.

    Satan provides training / information to destroy his own and expose him (satan)- another lol. Some very basics which you obviously do not seem to understand.

    etc, etc – what a joke this blob ehh blog is…

    I am not even going to reply further to your (Grant & Elmarie) utter rubbish and misguided evaluation.

    Please remove all my posts from this site as I certainly do not want to be associated with it. There is a shortage of warriors in spiritual warefare here…

  19. Word Publish says:
    26 August, 2010 at 7:26 pm

    Phillip Mills
    Your lies will not be tolerated. You are way off the topic on this thread please comment at the applicable thread. We have noticed your are jumping around between threads and some of your comments are way of the topic. Personal attacks on individuals will also not be tolerated.

  20. Grant C says:
    26 August, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    It so often seems pointless, time and time again trying to point people like this Philip Mills to the simplicity of Scriptural truth and the saving reality of faith in Jesus Christ. The deceit pouring from their New Age / Emergent / Mystic beliefs is so tragic, their blindness is so real.
    2Co 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

    They will not even read postings done with all the best intentions in the world. It never fails to amaze, how people who have harmful intent at heart, come to Christian sites and blogs etc, voice their anti-Christian opinion and when believers try to assist them, they attack the Christian faith. A case in point is Philip Mills, when he attacks the Lord Jesus Christ with his ‘demon slaying’ and demonic ‘visitations’. (No Philip, I am not confusing it with anything else, you are imagining yourself to be a god, with a supernatural agenda).

    These are spiritual warriors indeed, warring against the Holy Spirit. But this is nothing new, and I suppose this persecution of the Christian faith is to be expected especially when a blog is out there publicly exposing them.
    Luk 12:51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
    Luk 12:52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.

    It certainly always proves that there is such a fine line between acting in love on the one hand, and throwing your pearls to the pigs on the other. The duty we have to perform between:
    1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
    AND
    Mat 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

    Brothers and sisters, let us try, and I know it’s ‘hard’ to remember, that it is God’s power and grace that saves people, not our efforts. The best and most we can do is pray for them, witness to them, and live the Christian life in front of them. And when the Philip Mills’ cross the path of the Christian to also bear in mind the words of our Lord:
    Mat 10:14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *