The Passion of the Christ continues to ignite controversy. People are debating its accuracy, whether it is anti-Semitic, if it is too violent. Yet people continue to flock to theaters to watch it. The results of one major news service poll indicated that 59 percent of people (in the United States) who intend to see the film have not yet done so. That could mean that the total box office take will rival the highest sales for any movie ever made.

Protestant pastors and leaders see the movie as a tool of evangelism. Catholic bishops and priests see the movie as a motivator to cause their members to renew their faith.

Could something else be happening? Could Protestants be warming towards Catholics and vice versa? Protestants have long thought of their denominations as a universe apart from Catholic theology and seem to be shocked—and pleased—to see that the two religious philosophies are actually in the same universe. They revolve around the same core. They believe in Christ. They believe He died for the sins of humanity. They put much stock in "the passion," the torment and eventual execution of Christ. They focus on "the cross."

Many in both major faith groups appear to be concluding, "We aren't that different from each other."

In light of this, could the most significant consequence of The Passion of the Christ phenomenon be an ecumenical movement? Bible prophecy indicates a coalescing of religions at the end of the age. For more information on this timely segment of prophecy, see our booklets You Can Understand Bible Prophecy and The Book of Revelation Unveiled. WNP