EUCHARISTIC UNIFICATION

In our last program we mentioned that a Lutheran bishop has called for the Vatican to develop a joint statement on the Eucharist to mark the 500^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017. I concluded by saying we would tell you today why this was so significant. Stay tuned for the answer.

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I have been following the Roman Catholic Church’s agenda to evangelize the world for about a decade. It is a fact that many evangelical Protestants are unaware there is an agenda. It is also a fact that some are aware, but simply don’t care. They agree Christianity should no longer be burdened by doctrine and different beliefs that are divisive. Let’s be all one, they say.

However, there are those who study Bible prophecy who have grave concerns. They believe the scriptures warn about a time of great spiritual deception that occurs before Jesus returns. They believe the deception takes place in His name and many will be deceived. When we hear statements made by leaders saying “unity at any cost” without giving regard to “the finished work of the cross,” they are urged to sound a warning. This is why I am doing today’s program.

In our last program we documented that Bishop Hanson, head of the Lutheran World Federation and also the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, called for the formation of “a global Christian council” to discuss the problem of Christians who take a “fundamentalist-millenialist-apocalypticist” view of the Scriptures. This elite council would be made up of Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and Lutherans, who, according to Bishop Hanson, have a much more biblical view.

Further, Bishop Hanson is calling upon the Vatican to facilitate unity of the brethren by making a “Eucharistic Sharing Agreement”.

Here is what an article titled “Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Assembly Hears Presiding Bishop’s Report” stated about this agreement:

Hanson reminded the assembly that “the unity of the church as the Body of Christ is not a goal to be attained, but in fact to be recognized… In that regard, Hanson referenced the ecumenical work of the ELCA in establishing five full communion partnerships and the recommendation for an interim Eucharistic Sharing agreement with the United Methodist Church that will come about before the assembly August 11. He then suggested that the ELCA “explore the possibility of a joint declaration of the Eucharist” with Roman Catholics “as one way of celebrating the 500^th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in 2017.” [1]

So, what does this mean? There are two things that are significant. While Hanson is promoting Eucharistic unification with Rome, he is also concerned about those who resist such unification. These are the narrow-minded “fundamentalist millennialist” kooks who believe in “apocalypse next” and not “the Kingdom of God, now.”

What you are not told, is that the Roman Catholic view on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist is a fixed position – not negotiable. If and when a statement is made by the Vatican regarding a “joint declaration on the Eucharist” there will be one and only one condition – you will be believe in the Catholic view that the Eucharistic Jesus requires a priest to conjure up His presence.

If you disagree, please wait and see. And of course, keep reading your Bible.

I am Roger Oakland. This is a biblical perspective to help understand the times.

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