666, Rome and the 'mark of the beast . . .'

In Protestant polemics (historic), often the Church at Rome (i.e. Catholicism . . .) was called 'the anti-christ.' Although irenic to the Catholic Christian Faith, Protestant Reformer (Anglican Priest) John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, did term the Church at Rome 'the anti-christ.'

But what is the anti-christ?

Well, anti-christ means anything opposed to Jesus Christ and historically (Book of Revelation . . .) referred likely to Emperor Nero, brutal persecutor of Christians. In fact, Biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger (who edited the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible), point out how '666' equals the numerical values of the letters that correspond to the Emperor Nero.

Scripture, however, also speaks of the 'spirit of the anti-christ.'

This 'spirit' is the unique, diabolical spiritual force that oppresses and criticizes Christians as Christians.

No, it is not the Democrats. No, it is not Catholicism, properly understood!

But, YES, the 'anti-christ' spirit is that spiritual force in the world that directly targets we Christians. Whether it is computer technology, cell-phones, or sheer 'dollar bills' (or European 'euros'), whenever Christians are oppressed, it is the 'mark of the beast.'

Sadly, however, this '666' is alive and well in much of world financial arrangement. Whether it is communist China attacking Christians just for being Christian, or (get this!) even a Catholic University (for example St. Leo University, just north of Tampa Bay, Florida) that actually had the nerve to include 'consumer credit history' as part of its criminal background check!

There you have it, if your poor wife gets sick and goes into the hospital destroying you financially, then good ole St. Leo will become your persecutor equating your debt with criminal behavior!

OR if you have had marital problems, divorce, or a spouse steal money (children, etc.) and you are forced under financially, then again, St. Leo University is there to make sure that you STAY UNDER . . .

666 = St. Leo University

Sorry, friends inside of 'organizational Catholicism,' it is HIGH-TIME that you each personally accept Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and SAVIOR, begin sharing the wealth, and begin caring for (rather than 'excluding' . . .) your brother and sister in need . . . (I just gave a $1 to a young fellow Catholic man needing 'bus-fare' because he was wearing a rosary blessed by his grandma or abuela . . . I ALSO told him that Cracker Barrel was hiring 200 wait-staff, bus-boys, et al because he needed a job to pursue his interest of getting a degree in computers . . .).

But, unlike Opus Dei, the Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine, St. Francis or the University of Notre Dame (under new Leadership in its Theology Department, in the person of Dr. John Cavadini . . .), St. Leo is more interested in your 'credit score . . .'

Jesus Christ, the GOD-MAN and UNIVERSAL KING of kings and LORD of lords said 'blessed are the poor . . .' St. Leo University (Pasco County, Florida . . .) says, "let me check your credit score . . ."

FOR JESUS CHRIST, FOR TRUTH, 'BOUNTY-HUNTER against ALL that is EVIL . . .'

Love in Christ Jesus, Rob