We have linked and quoted on here many times from Lighthouse Trails Research Ministry. They have a weekly newsletter with articles addressing current trends and events in modern Christianity. They have also been a huge resource on understanding the contemplative/emerging church practices that are hitting the churches today.
In their recent newsletter, they address the upcoming event called “Together 2016”. This event takes place in Washington, D.C. and is put on by a movement called PULSE, “a prayer and evangelism movement on mission to empower the Church and awaken culture to the reality of Jesus.” (source)
This event is scheduled for 7/16/16 and Pope Francis is also scheduled to speak with them via video streaming.
Nick Hall, the founder of PULSE, stated this about the Roman Catholic pope speaking for this event:
“That His Holiness would choose to speak into this historic day is a testament to the urgency and the need for followers of Jesus to unite in prayer for our nation and our world. We are humbled and honored by his involvement and are eager to share his message with the crowd that gathers at Together 2016.” (source)
That evangelical Christianity would unite with Catholicism is all in the plan for all churches to unite as one. This is incredibly real and dangerous. You might be thinking that it hasn’t reached you. That it hasn’t touched you.
For the majority of you . . . you are wrong.
If you at all shop in a Christian bookstore or follow certain Christian leaders, this has already affected you. At this event, there are a number of leaders who are scheduled to speak or sing – and most of us will recognize their names.
Jennie Allen (IF: Gathering)
Casting Crowns
Ravi Zacharias
Ann Voskamp (One Thousand Gifts)
Josh Mcdowell
Michael W. Smith
Mark Batterson (The Circle Maker)
Hillsong United
Francis Chan
Christine Caine
“The times call for this moment,” said Nick Hall, founder of PULSE. “It is time to gather on a large scale and draw our attention back to where it really matters. Our hope and our help are found in Jesus, not in political leaders. We are going to come together, seek God, pray for our nation and pray for unity. Our goal is to gather as a unified front, seeking Jesus and change for our nation through prayer and worship.” (source)
Yet God has a different plan for the end of this world:
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Matthew 13:30
I am going to post the short article that Lighthouse Trails put in their newsletter regarding this event. They have many links you can follow to verify this information. Click on the title below to see the full newsletter.
Dress Rehearsal For a False Revival: Evangelical, Charismatic, Emerging Leaders & Pope Francis Unite for “Together 2016” in Washington, DC
According to a news release from PRWire titled “Pope Francis To Address Americans At National Mall Event ’Together 2016’ With Special Video Message,” Pope Francis will be joining (via video) evangelical leaders such as Ravi Zacharias, Luis Palau, Michael W. Smith, and Josh McDowell, emerging-church leaders such as Francis Chan, Ann Voskamp, Jennie Allen (IF), and Mark Batterson (Circle Maker) and charismatic leaders such as Sammy Rodriguez and Hillsong for an event motivated by a goal to bring unity to all those who “love Jesus.” The event is called “Together 2016,” subtitled Fill the Mall.
Nick Hall, the organizer of the event who hopes to draw one million people to the National Mall on July 16th, stated: “Together 2016 is about laying aside what divides us to lift up Jesus who unites us.”1 Hall told one news source, “We are coming together in historic unity to pray for a reset for our nation.”2
It’s been over fifteen years since contemplative pioneer Richard Foster shared his vision of Catholics and evangelicals coming together3 and over two decades since Chuck Colson helped author a document titled “Evangelicals/Catholics Together.”4 It’s been over a decade since Rick Warren announced his hopes to bring about a second reformation that would include people of different religions.5 In more recent days, evangelical leaders such as Beth Moore,6 Franklin Graham,7 and Kenneth Copeland8 have played their parts in helping to remove the barriers between the evangelical/Protestant church and the Roman Catholic Church (something the Catholic Church calls the New Evangelization program9).
According to the Bible, we know a time is coming when a global one-world religion will serve alongside a global one-world government, both of which will reject Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Lord. Whether they realize it or not, the leaders and musicians participating in Together 2016 are helping to make that global religion a reality as they participate in this ongoing relay race of breaking down the walls that divide different faiths in the name of unity at all costs.
Right now, in America, evangelical and charismatic leaders are calling for a nation-wide revival. But will their revival be a revival from God; or will it be a false revival? And is Together 2016 nothing more than a dress rehearsal for this false revival?
We believe in the inerrancy and sufficiency of the Scriptures. Jesus said, “Thy Word is truth.” And so we not only believe it, we also base our worldview upon it.