Pope John Paul II may be nearing his death. It's being reported Cardinal Godfried Danneels said John Paul's farewell at Lourdes can be taken two ways. It can be taken as a farewell to the shrine or a farewell to his life Read about it here.

I've learned to respect this man for his intellect and apparent humanity.  However, I have never respected his doctrines. You see, at Lourdes John Paul was expressing his devotion to Mary. In his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, John Paul has a chapter where he explains the reason for his devotion to Mary. Here he states:

I came to understand that true devotion to the Mother of God is actually Christocentric, indeed, it is very profoundly rooted in the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity, and the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption (pg 213).

And, he ends the chapter by saying:

I think what I have said sufficiently explains the Marian devotion of the present Pope and, above all, his attitude of total abandonment to Mary -- his Totus Tuus (pg 215).

Now the aged pope is saying farewell to the shrine dedicated to Mary at Lourdes, and perhaps also  farewell to his followers.

If so, what does this mean for us students of Bible prophecy? I think it means we may soon see the appearance of the one who is to become the False Prophet referred to in the book of Revelation. About this coming religious personality we read:

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. (Revelation 13:11-13 New American Standard Bible).

Friends, like I said: I don't agree with pope John Paul's beliefs.

But, I sure don't want to see him go.