By Bryan & Wanda Holloway

While the European Union didn’t become official until the early nineties, its idea goes back to just after World War 2. The Bible tells us that the anitichrist will emerge from a 10-nation union (read Daniel chapters 2 and 7) which will be the rebirth of the Roman Empire. Because of this, prophecy scholars worldwide were paying close attention in 1981 as Greece became the 10th nation to join the E.U., however that number has continually climbed (28 as of today). Now, the number of nations that belong to the E.U. is becoming smaller as members exit, one by one (Ex. Brexit = “British Exit”). Once again these Bible scholars are paying attention to the number of nations in the E.U. and watching for it to dwindle back down to 10!The legs of the statue in Daniel chapter 2 depicted the Roman Empire, but it’s very important to remember this fact:THE STATUE HAD TWO DISTINCT LEGS (JUST LIKE THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAD A WEST AND AN EAST)!…traditionally, Bible scholars have focused on the WEST LEG, however the EAST LEG became the Bynzatine Empire in 330 A.D., which later became Islamic.So, have these prophecy scholars been missing it, well you be the judge: It is interesting to know that there are a sequence of end time events prophesied in the Quran (Koran) that also play into the end time events of the Bible (only backwards).In Islam,-The hero ends up being the equivalent of the Bible’s antichrist.-The villain is a lying, one-eyed man riding on a donkey, claiming to be the Son of God.Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? – Matthew 16:3

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THE FIRST GROUP OF APOSTOLIC FATHERS WERE THE AFRICAN FATHERS. THIS IS THE GROUP THAT WAS SITUATED SOUTH OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA (WEST OF ROME). THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE ALEXANDRIAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND INCLUDED THE GREAT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO. THESE WERE THE 1ST REAL BIBLE STUDENTS. IN THIS GROUP WAS TERTULLIAN OF CARTHAGE.

“As a young adult, Tertullian was sent to Rome to study law, a vocation that made good use of his sharp mind and powers of analysis and persuasion. He soon became a proficient and noted public speaker. However, while in Rome, he became impressed by the unflinching courage of Christians in the face of persecution. Many believers were being thrown to the lions or burned publicly, yet without compromise or fear. Their bold witness had a profound effect on Tertullian, exposing his self-righteousness and bringing him under strong conviction. Through the witness of suffering Christians, he was dramatically converted to Christ around the age of forty”. – Steven J. Lawson

DURING THE 2ND AND 3RD CENTURIES A HERESY CALLED MONARCHIANISM DEVELOPED. THIS HERESY CAME IN THE FORM OF 2 FALSE TEACHINGS

1. ADOPTIONISM: HELD THAT CHRIST WAS A MERE MAN, MIRACULOUSLY CONCEIVED, BUT CONSTITUTED THE SON OF GOD SIMPLY BY THE INFINITELY HIGH DEGREE IN WHICH HE HAD BEEN FILLED WITH DIVINE WISDOM AND POWER. THIS VIEW WAS TAUGHT AT ROME ABOUT THE END OF THE 2ND CENTURY BY THEODOTUS, WHO WAS EXCOMMUNICATED BY POPE VICTOR, AND TAUGHT SOMEWHAT LATER BY ARTEMON, WHO WAS EXCOMMUNICATED BY POPE ZEPHYRINUS. ABOUT 260 IT WAS AGAIN TAUGHT BY PAUL OF SAMOSATA.

1. MODELISM: HELD THAT WHEN SCRIPTURE USED THE WORDS “FATHER” AND “SON” IT WAS ONLY DIFFERENT MODES OF THE ONE GOD.

IT WAS TAUGHT BY PRAXEAS, A PRIEST FROM ASIA MINOR, IN ROME ABOUT 206 AND WAS OPPOSED BY TERTULLIAN IN THE TRACT ADVERSUS PRAXEAN (C. 213), AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.
TERTULLIAN DEFENDED THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY AGAINST THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF MONARCHIANISM. HE INSISTED (ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES) THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD IN THREE PERSONS AND THAT EACH OF THESE PERSONS WAS FULLY DIVINE. HE ALSO INSISTED THAT JESUS IS FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN.

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