Here is a witness to what traditional protestants believed. There has been a significant change recently, and its pretty clearly all about politics. Its easier to attribute the end times to something fantastic, instead of a rich priest down the street. Consider the pedophile scandal.
This is posted just for historical truth. You might not believe it (although I agree with them) but the fact that it has changed is significant.
(List is long, but by no means complete)
--Wrote this in another thread but its relevant here--
yup, many people dont know about this. Martin Luther and many of the forefathers of the protestant movement believed the Catholic church ( Catholic system not Catholic people) is the beast (antichrist) spoken about in Daniel and Revelation. Bible says this beast would rise from sea (sea=populated area) and surrounded by seven hills (Rome is also know as city of seven hills). Luther believed it was the Catholic church that was being spoken about in Daniel that says it would rule for 1260 years. This prophecy began in AD 538 when Rome was freed from Arian control and Bishop of Rome begins his reign (church and state together). Add 1260 years and you get 1798 exactly when Rome got captured by French army during French revolution. Pope got taken prisoner and ended the Catholics persecution of Protestants, other Christians and influence on Europe (deadly wound on beast in revelation).
Interestingly, right after the deadly wound of the beast in Revelation it says another beast would rise up (beast=nation) from the earth (earth=unpopulated area) and that this beast would be like a lamb (lamb=Christ in bible) but would begin speaking (legislating) like the dragon (dragon= referring to the first beast- Roman Catholic system) having church and state together. Ends with the the lamb like beast giving power to first beast (wound healed) and being the enforcer (policeman) of the world.
So, there's supposed to be a nation that rises to power in about 1798 in a relatively unpopulated area that was founded with Christian principles, with church and state being seperate but will later begin to legislate morality like the Roman Catholic system did. The Roman Catholic system will revive in Europe and the lamb like beast would serve as the policemen of the world. Theres no doubt that this is speaking about America.
Unfortunetly, this way of interpreting the prophecy called historicism, which was how the forefathers of the protestant movement interpreted the bible was basically done away by the Jesuits infiltrating the church and teaching that Catholic system was not the antichrist but that the antichrist would rise somewhere in Europe and would take seat in Israel. Thats why everyones focus has shifted to Israel. This way of interpreting which was brought about by Jesuits is called futurism. Little do people know that the Christians here in American will begin having too much power in government and begin legislating their morality and that this will bring about another movement like the Roman Catholic system. Roman Catholic system (church together with state) will also be revived in Europe. This will the beginning of the New World Order. Sad part of this is that this will be brought about by the "Chritians" themselves.
There's only one candidate running for Presidency that I can see speeding this up. Huckabee.