December 8th is the day that the Roman Catholic church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. That Feast is not celebrating the sinless birth of Jesus Christ, but the sinless birth of the Virgin Mary according to Rome’s man-made tradition. Here is an excerpt from the Vatican Information Service out of the Holy See Press Office:

“What an immense joy it is”, Pope Benedict exclaimed, “to have Mary Immaculate as our mother! Whenever we experience our own fragility and the lure of evil, we can turn to her and our hearts receive light and comfort. Even in the trials of life, in the storms that unsettle our faith and hope, we know that we are her children and that the roots of our life lie deep in the infinite grace of God. In her the Church, though exposed to the negative influences of the world, always finds a star by which to guide herself and to follow the route Christ shows her. Mary is, in fact, the Mother of the Church, as solemnly proclaimed by Pope Paul VI and Vatican Council II”. (Vatican Information Service, Holy See Press Office, December 8, 2009)

I am so happy today that I do not have to turn to the Virgin Mary in times of difficulty. I used to rattle off my Hail Mary’s just as any other “practicing Catholic” would do, for many years, until I got saved. It was then that I met the real Jesus Christ, and I was delivered from the cultish system of Rome. Read my other article entitled   ROSARY NO MORE: WHY I STOPPED PRAYING THE ROSARY to get a better understanding of this great deception. It saddens my heart to see so many Roman Catholic people still  being held captive by that same system, and worse than that, without salvation in Jesus Christ!. Here we have the present Pope Benedict encouraging people to call upon Mary when they experience their “own fragility and the lure of evil” when it is the Devil himself who is behind all prayers to Mary in the first place. I have not uttered a prayer to Mary in the past 20 years, and I can assure you that Jesus Christ is the only one that I need. Jesus is the only mediator, and the only way of salvation (1 Timothy 2:5, John 14:6, Acts 4:10-12) because it was Him alone, who shed His perfect, sinless blood  on the cross for us. Satan is clearly at work in the life of Pope Benedict, and he has worked for centuries through past Popes also. It is Satan’s desire to take your eyes off of Jesus Christ, and Him alone, and that is what he is doing with the worship of Mary within the walls of the Catholic Church. It is also unfortunate and sad, that so many evangelical “Christians”have been seduced into working hand in hand with this demonic system.

“Evangelists today are wide-eyed to the might of Communism, but tight lipped at the menace of Romanism. America would shake from coast to coast in twenty-four hours if some preacher, anointed with the Holy Ghost, gave the Roman Catholic Church a broadside! We stir national interest against the cruel, half-civilized Mau Mau (wicked enough), but powwow with, and pander to, the Roman Catholic Church! These priests who dope mens souls,these idolatrous “masses,” these Calvary eclipsing prayers to Mary, these miserable millions cheated in life and in death by the greatest forgery Lucifer ever made.” (Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill, Bethany House Publishers, 1988, Copyright 1959)

Those words were written 50 years ago in a book by Leonard Ravenhill. Mr Ravenhill was apparently very aware and concerned at the great compromise that he saw between true Biblical Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church. It is so rare to hear a preacher tell it like it is when it comes to this idolatrous system that we know as the Roman Catholic Church. Listen to Mr Ravenhill as he refers to those idolatrous “masses”(Roman Catholic Masses), and the “Calvary eclipsing prayers to Mary” in his book. What a stark difference there is in his speech, compared with that of the well known and popular preachers of today, including Billy Graham. Leonard Ravenhill was very accurate in his description of “These Priests who dope mens souls” because that is exactly what is happening. I spoke about the deception of the Roman Catholic Mass which you can read here and you will see clearly that it is truly a horrendous deception. Take heed to the warnings being given here today! Leonard Ravenhill held nothing back when he referred to Romanism (Roman Catholicism) as being “the greatest forgery Lucifer ever made.” Once again Leonard Ravenhill is speaking the truth without compromise and he gets right to the point. It has been 50 years since Leonard Ravenhill wrote those words in his book “Why Revival Tarries” and today there is scarcely an outcry against Rome from the pulpits of the mainline churches, even those who consider themselves to be “on fire” for the Lord. This has become a no-no in the modern church and it does not fit in with the lingo of this modern day. The lingo that comes from the Vatican  is all about “dialogue” and how we need to talk with each other. Be careful, because the Devil will “dialogue” your soul right into Hell, if you let him! But don’t you let him! Believe me when I tell you this, that Rome and the Vatican have but one desire and that is to bring every“Christian” and  many others under their leadership with the Pope as the leader.

Keith Green was another person who was very outspoken against Roman Catholicism. Here is a quote from the late Keith Green from his “Catholic Chronicles” series of articles.

“It is obvious by even this brief glimpse into the doctrines of mortal and venial sins, confession, penance, and purgatory, that the Roman Catholic Church has constructed one of the most unbiblical doctrinal systems that has ever been considered “Christian”. The fear, anguish, and religious bondage that such a system of “reward and punishment” creates, has tormented millions of lives for centuries, and continues to prey on those who are ignorant of the biblical way of salvation. To merely call such a system “a cult”, would be to throw it into the vast category of religions and quasi-religions that are currently making the rounds of our college campuses and city streets, snatching up many an unsuspecting youth. No, the Roman Church is not a cult. It’s an empire! With its own ruler, its own laws, and its own subjects! The empire has no borders, it encompasses the globe with its eye on every person who does not vow allegiance. It calls the members of other faiths “separated brethren” (The term used by Vatican II to describe the members of Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant churches.) and has as its goal the eventual bringing together of everyone under its flag. I know that many will not be convinced or moved by this article (or any of the others) to make such a conclusion. They are impressed by what they’ve heard about recent stirrings among the Catholics in the “charismatic renewal”. Many evangelicals (especially Charismatics) have been thrilled by the reports of Catholics speaking in tongues, dancing in the Spirit, having nights of joy and praise, even attending “charismatic masses”. Mouths that used to speak out boldly against the Church of Rome have been quieted by the times. It no longer is in vogue to speak of the pope as “the antichrist” (Although the following people unhesitatingly did: Martin Luther, John Bunyan, John Huss, John Wycliffe, John Calvin, William Tyndale, John Knox, Thomas Bacon, John Wesley, Samuel Cooper, John Cotton, and Jonathan Edwards.) or the Catholic Church as the “whore of Babylon”. Now Protestants unwittingly believe that “our differences are not so great”. Ah, that is just what She needs us to think! I’ve never completely understood why God led me to write these articles. But it becomes more clear with each day of study, and each page of research. Never has something so black and wicked, gotten away with appearing so holy and mysteriously beautiful . . . for so long!” (The Catholic Chronicles – Keith Green)

We are living in a day where there is a tidal wave of false teachings and Roman Catholicism is truly a giant tsunami in the midst of all of them. The modern day “church” is run much like the business world, and Pastors entertain many people who they know are compromising with Rome, but they say nothing because they know that “one hand washes the other.” Instead of standing for truth as people such as Leonard Ravenhill and Keith Green and the thousands (possibly millions) of faithful martyrs did, they simply remain silent knowing that few will notice what they are doing. They receive the “praise of men” as many laud them for their Christian service, but deep down they know that they are not warning the people as they should. How can they warn the people when they know that they are working with people, and receiving large monetary donations from ministries who cavort with Rome? They do not realize that they are responsible for the sheep who sit under them. They do not realize that the souls in their congregations are being “doped”  (and duped) by the modern day Ecumenical (apostasy) movement that is so crafty. Are you among them?

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

I write this post as a former Roman Catholic, and as one who has forever stopped praying the Roman Catholic Rosary. For those of you who are not familiar with the Rosary, the Rosary is a set of beads, each bead representing a prayer. The majority of those beads represent a prayer well known as the “Hail Mary” and there are 53 “Hail Mary’s” on each bead set of 5 decades. There are also larger beads which would represent the Lord’s prayer (Our Father) but there are only 6 of them on the rosary. There is a crucifix on the end, and the “Apostles Creed” would be said on that, and there are also “Glory Be” prayers that are said on that Rosary. Here is an image of a set of Rosary Beads.

Rosary Beads are big sellers in Roman Catholic stores, and they are made out of different materials including plastic, wood, glass and various metals. Some Rosary bead sets can even glow in the dark, and I owned a pair of them. People are taught to pray the Hail Mary at a very young age, and though they may not attend a Catholic Church for years, they will still remember the Hail Mary prayer. You will often hear the Hail Mary prayed in its entirety at Roman Catholic wakes inside the funeral parlour. Often the prayer is led by the local Catholic Priest. He will pray the first part which goes like this: “Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou, amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.” The Roman Catholics who are in attendance will then respond with the second part of the Hail Mary, which is as follows: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.” This would continue until all 5 decades of the Rosary were said, and it would often sound like a chant, as the Priest did his part and we did our part. It kind of made me feel good, to rattle off all my Hail Mary’s along with the rest of the people, but it never gave me any spiritual help at all in my life!

I have prayed the Hail Mary, thousands of times. I can remember praying that prayer at Roman Catholic wakes and funerals, hoping that the person who died would not suffer too long in Purgatory. I would hope that Mary would remember me at the time of my own death. Jesus was not even part of the equation in my prayers to Mary. She was the one who I called upon, and she was the one that the Catholic Priests taught me to call upon at the hour of my death.

Enter:  The Real Jesus Christ

Many years later, I came to know the real Jesus Christ, and I realized and understood that Jesus was all that I ever needed. When I was born again of the Spirit of the living God, I knew that the real Mary never even heard one of my thousands of “Hail Mary” prayers. I can remember sitting at my kitchen table, when the Lord gave me a mental picture of all the ceremonies that I had attended as a Roman Catholic, along with all the pomp and circumstance that goes with it, and the Lord flooded my heart with His joy. He showed me that all of the ceremony and pomp, was not necessary, but that SALVATION  was by SIMPLE FAITH in HIM, and it was FREE!  The Lord showed me in such a sweet way, that He was all I needed, that He was the one that saved my soul. I was truly amazed at His mercy toward me, and I knew that He truly did forgive me of my sins. Folks, that is the salvation of Jesus Christ, and it is real!

As a new born again believer in Jesus Christ, I had a new found love for the Bible, and I could not put that book down. I read scriptures such as the following and I wondered why they never taught these scriptures to me during the Catholic Mass.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:6-9)

That passage of scripture is still one of my favorites because it says so much. What great comfort there is for us all,  in knowing that Jesus Christ died for the UNGODLY (all of us). That includes every person in the entire world (including Mary herself). That is one of the hardest things for people to come to terms with, and that is what will keep them out of Heaven also. They never come to the place where they see themselves as UNGODLY in the sight of God. As a Catholic, I would rattle off my Hail Mary’s one after another, hoping that Mary would come to the rescue, but there was never a drop of peace or assurance that she would! I would sometimes see images and statues of Mary with the little baby Jesus in her arms, so I did not know Jesus as one who could really help me. It was BIG Mary and little Jesus in her arms, or in the manger at Christmas time. But when I was born again of the Spirit, I knew that Jesus Christ was in fact the Son of God, and part of the eternal triune Godhead! I knew that He came down from Heaven because of His love for mankind. I knew that it was HIS BLOOD, and HIS BLOOD alone that JUSTIFIED me in the sight of a Holy and Righteous God. I also knew that I did not need a Roman Catholic priest to transfigure a Eucharist Host into Christ Himself, and to perform the sacrifice of the Mass for me either. I knew that I was redeemed, and SAVED from the WRATH OF GOD, by what Christ did for me on the cross. The Rosary Beads along with Catholic crucifixes went outside in a large green Hefty bag, never to return. The Lord had saved my soul, and I am forever grateful for His mercy toward me to this day.

There are still millions of Roman Catholics who faithfully pray the Rosary every single day, many even claiming to be born again. I came through the Roman Catholic Charismatic movement before leaving the Catholic Church, and my worship of Mary actually intensified. I attended Catholic Healing Masses for over two years and the Rosary was often prayed throughout the service, which often lasted several hours. Songs similar to what you would hear in Christian Evangelical Services would be sung, but the Rosary would be prayed, and the Roman Catholic Priest would still do his thing, and transform the Eucharist host into the “actual body of Jesus Christ” through transubstantiation. That is another one of the Roman Catholic false teachings that has deceived billions over the centuries, and for which many were burnt at the stake for rejecting. (I love them for standing for truth) Here is another article that I wrote entitled  THE DECEPTION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS I encourage all other Roman Catholic people to lay down your Rosary beads and to repent and believe the true Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Experience the TRUE SALVATION which is found in Jesus Christ!

MP3 AUDIO: ROSARY NO MORE: WHY I STOPPED PRAYING THE ROSARY!

The Lord Jesus Christ delivered me from the deception of  Roman Catholicism, along with it’s man made traditions that have been deceiving souls for centuries. The Roman Catholic Church has a distorted view of Mary, which most definitely is demonic at it’s very root. Every single apparition of Mary including Lourdes, Guadalupe and Fatima are from the dark side. It is absolutely incredible that so few Pastors speak out against this deceptive system. I am absolutely convinced now, that many people, professing Christians, including Television evangelists are on the road to destruction. (Hell) You cannot support a system such as Roman Catholicism with it’s false doctrines and claim to be walking in the Spirit. It is an absolute contradiction, and and insult to the Spirit of God. (Spirit of Truth) I used to pray the Rosary which is a set of beads laced together on a string, with a crucifix at the end of it. Each of those beads represent a prayer, most of which are ‘Hail Mary’s’. People will talk about praying to Jesus through Mary, and they will use slogans such as ,’God will never turn away his Mother!’ The praying of the Rosary is a central part in the life of ALL Roman Catholics. Here is an image of what a Roman Catholic Rosary looks like.

Here is an excerpt from the Vatican Information Service of October 11, 2009

VATICAN CITY, 11 OCT 2009 (VIS) – At the end of this morning’s Mass, during which he canonised five blesseds the Holy Father emerged into the atrium of the Vatican Basilica to pray the Angelus with thousands of faithful who had followed the ceremony from St. Peter’s Square. . .

The news Spanish saints, Francesc Coll y Guitart and Rafael Arnaiz Baron, “honour the best religious traditions and the profound Christian roots of their people”, said the Holy Father.

He then invited Polish pilgrims to rejoice at their new saint, Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, former archbishop of Warsaw, and entrusted to his protection “the Church of Poland, and the entire nation”.

“The Virgin Mary”, Pope Benedict concluded, “is the star that guides all journeys to sainthood. Her ‘fiat’ is the model of perfect adherence to the divine will, and her ‘Magnificat’ expresses the hymn of joy of the Church, which on earth already rejoices for the great works of God, and in heaven eternally praises His glory”.

The Vatican Information service report tells us that Pope Benedict XVI canonized five brand new saints. The only problem with that is that only God can make a saint, and a saint is any person who is a believer in Jesus Christ, who has been born again of the Spirit of the living God. The false doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church and their saints, propagates the lie that a persons life, and their good works, may earn them the place of being a saint, and it is determined by their own man made tradition. The truth of the matter is this. A person can be an absolute wretch, and live an absolutely terrible life until he reaches the point where he realizes, his need of mercy and salvation in Jesus Christ. If that same person turns to Jesus Christ for salvation, in sincerity and truth, then they are as SAVED as any person who has ever followed Jesus Christ. Not only that, but that very same person is also a TRUE BIBLICAL SAINTin the eyes of Almighty God, and that is the only thing that matters.

The Pope also entrusted the Church of Poland, and the entire nation to their ‘new saint’ Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski, former archbishop of Warsaw. Did the Pope entrust the nation to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? No he entrusted the entire nation to a man who Rome has deemed worthy of ’sainthood’, and people can begin interceding to him immediately!

This brings to memory the very last letter of the late Pope John Paul II, dated April 1, 2005, the very day before his death. The Pope entrusted the care of Poland to the Black Madonna.  In Pope John Paul II’s last letter dated April 1, 2005. the late Pope sent two crowns, as gifts to the icon of the Black Madonna. The letter said this: “I entrust our homeland, the whole Church and myself to her maternal protection” At the end of the letter the Pope added th following: “Totus Tuus! – All Yours”

Many people are unaware that the Pope had the following phrase sewed into the robes which he wore “Totus Tuus Sum Maria” which is translated “Mary I am all yours!” If you are a true Bible believing Christian your heart should weep, but more than that it should revolt against the compromisers who are all over the airwaves, and the thousands of  mealy mouthed Pastors who remain silent.

Definition of  mealy mouthed from the Freedictionary.com

adj. Unwilling to state facts or opinions simply and directly. Word History: It seems fitting that Martin Luther, a man noted for the forthright expression of his ideas, may have had a hand in giving us the contemptuous term we apply to those unwilling to state facts or opinions directly.Mealy-mouthed may come from a saying such as German Mehl im Maule behalten, “to carry meal in the mouth, that is, not to be direct in speech,” which occurs in Luther’s writings. In English we find the terms mealmouth(1546) and meal-mouthed (1576) recorded around the same time that we find mealymouthed (around 1572). Mealy-mouthed is the only form that survived to describe this trait described by Luther, which not only survives but flourishes in our time.

Below is an image of the late Pope John Paul II’s coat of arms. Do you see the letter “M” in the lower right hand corner? That  letter “M” represents MARY to whom the Pope was fully dedicated. Remember the late Pope John Paul II’s motto: “Totus Tuus Sum Maria” which is translated “Mary I am all yours!”

A man once told the late great William Tyndale the following”  “We were better to be without God’s laws then the Popes”

William Tyndale responded by saying the following: “I defy the Pope and all his laws; and added,  that if God spared him life ere many years he would cause a boy that driveth the plough, to know more of the scriptures than he did.”  [FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS By John Foxe, 138-139, Published By Whitaker House]

I don’t know about you but that stirs my soul. Hallelujah to the Lamb! What a contrast to the present day where you can go online to TBN the largest “Christian” Television Network in the world and see them peddling literally hundreds of Roman Catholic Books on their website. Do you really believe that the Holy Spirit of Truth, the same Spirit of God who delivered me from that deception, is in control of things over there? If you do, then you truly are deceived. Check out this short video:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxLvh-anV-o]

The Vatican Information Services (VIS)  reported yesterday that the Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI called upon the Virgin Mary for protection. The News report said that the Pope prayed before the “Blessed Sacrament” which Roman Catholics believe is the actual presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Blessed Sacrament is referring to the “consecrated hosts” (wafers) which they believe have become the actual body and blood of Christ after the transubstantiation by the Catholic Priest at their Mass. Here is the Vatican Information Service (VIS) service report:

POPE CALLS UPON THE VIRGIN TO PROTECT FAMILIES

VATICAN CITY, 6 SEP 2009 (VIS) – At 4.30 p.m. today the Pope visited the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of the Oak where he prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and read out a prayer to the Virgin. Among those present at the event were cloistered nuns from various convents in the Viterbo area.

Addressing the religious the Holy Father said: “To you I entrust my intentions, the intentions of the pastor of this diocese and the needs of everyone who lives in this land. In this Year for Priests I especially entrust you with clergy, seminarians and vocations. … Offer the Lord the sacrifice of your lives for their sanctification and for the good of souls”.

Benedict XVI went on to invoke “Mary’s maternal protection” on “the Successor of Peter and the Church entrusted to his care. … Queen of peace, obtain the gift of harmony and peace for peoples and for all humankind”, he said.

“Keep our families united, which today suffer threats from all sides, and make them centres of serenity and harmony where patient dialogue dissipates difficulties and contrasts. Watch especially over those that are divided or in crisis”.

The Pope called upon the Virgin to “make the will of those whom the Lord of the harvest calls to be workers in His vineyard firm and decided, so that, resisting all the temptations and pitfalls of the world, they may persevere generously in following the path they have taken and, with your maternal help, be witnesses of Christ, attracted by the brilliance of His Love”.

“Console those who weep, who suffer for human injustice; support those who waver under the burden of fatigue and look to the future without hope; encourage those who work to build a better world in which justice many triumph and fraternity reign, in which egoism, hatred and violence may end. May every form and expression of violence be overcome by the pacifying power of Christ”.

POPE BENEDICT XVI

Many people, including true born again believers have no idea that the reformers of old spoke out against the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church such as Transubstantiation, and prayers to Mary, bowing before Graven images, the Catholic Mass and many other doctrines. The truth of the matter is that many of those same reformers lost their lives, many being burnt at the stake for refusing to obey their false doctrines. It is absolutely incredible that many “big name” preachers and “ministers” of the Gospel have joined hands with the Roman Catholic Church and have no problem in being in “unity” with them. In fact the modern day Roman Catholic Church has added two more teachings since the time of the Protestant reformation regarding Mary, which is the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and the dogma of the  Assumption. The dogma of the  Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary herself was conceived without sin, and the dogma of the Assumption teaches that Mary was “assumed” into Heaven without physically dying.  So here I am as a former Roman Catholic preaching the Word of God to all who are willing to listen, warning people to come out of the Roman Catholic Church, and the modern day “on fire” preachers are working hand in hand with them.

PAPAL MASS

I have noticed a counterfeit love that has almost consumed the modern day church, and it is a great tool of Satan in keeping the true Gospel from being preached to the mass of lost souls in the world. It is a “love” that holds back the warnings which are found in the Word of God, and it works against people who are seeking to warn those who are being deceived. This counterfeit “love” will declare that people are trying to upset the “unity” of the church and must be avoided. Oh what a slick and slippery one the Devil is for sure. The Devil is well aware that he indeed is seeking a “unity”, but it is a unity that is filled with the poison of false doctrines which will ultimately damn the soul. I encourage you, the reader to read books such as Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs and Martyr’s Mirror, while they are still available, to learn about the true Christians who stood aginst the falsehoods and idolatry of Rome.

FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS

The apostle Paul warned us all about the curse that is upon the false Gospel, and he also told us that a man pleaser cannot be a servant of Christ!. Many (most) big name preachers, Pastors and book authors have been seduced by the “big money” and fame that comes with books, large churches and most of all television fame. They have been seduced  inch by inch, step by step, until they have totally swallowed the lie. Their hearts have become hardened and they just look the other way when issues such as Roman Catholicism come up. Yes, they are famous in their own eyes, and in the eyes of those who think like them, but the truth of the Gospel can never be changed. They have been deceived because they did not have a love for the truth.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:8-10)

The Holy Spirit of truth spoke through the apostle Paul about the very days we are living in. The Spirit of God declared that some would actually depart from the faith, and be seduced by the teachings of devils! Remember that true love, will always warn those who are headed for destruction.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)

I was born in 1952, and I grew up on Long Island and Queens, New York. While living on Long Island I attended a public school. We were permitted to attend ”religious instruction”classes once a week at the local Catholic School, and that’s where I was taught the Catholic Catechism.

I was taught that there were two types of sin, one was ”mortal sin” (the more serious) and the other was ”venial sin” (the less serious). I remember thinking to myself ”how can anybody keep up with all of that stuff?” I was taught that it was a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sunday which I had already done, and I knew that I had committed more than my share of ”venial sins”, so I started to become a little concerned about my soul. I was taught that there was a heaven, a hell, and another place called purgatory. Purgatory was described as a temporary place of punishment where the Catholic would stay until their love for God was perfect, and then they would proceed to heaven. Even at that young age their was enough conviction within my own heart to block out any thought of going to heaven, and even purgatory looked like a longshot to me. I went on to become an altar boy and being one of nine children I witnessed many ”First Communion” and ”Confirmation” ceremonies within my family. I must say that I always had a nagging question in the back of my mind, which was ”where would I go after I die?”

During the 1970’s I had an insatiable desire to know the truth. I would travel to a shopping mall on Long Island, because there were two large bookstores in the mall. I would head straight to the philosophy and religious section where I would browse through the books, shelf by shelf, from bookcase to bookcase. After the first bookstore I would head to the other bookstore and repeat the same process over again. I wanted to know the truth and I eventually filled a large box with books on a variety of topics. I read books on Zen and I read books on meditation. I bought books on self improvement and how to improve the mind. You name it, I bought it and I read it.

One night in late 1980 I was drinking at a club and around midnight I decided to leave. I headed out to the south shore of Long Island to check out another club. I had been drinking for a couple of hours, and I was tired, but I can remember thinking that I wanted to get my ”moneys worth” out of the weekend because it was back to work on Monday. I met my wife Cathy that night, and I remember when I left the club there was a ticket waiting on my windshield for parking on the street after 4AM. That was a typical weekend for me and many others of my age group during that time.

Cathy and I got married in July of 1981 and I still had the same desire and interest to seek out the truth. I read about a free seminar on mind control that spoke about improving ones mind power and memory. The seminar was being given a few miles from where we lived and I convinced Cathy to go with me. At the beginning of the seminar the teacher was talking about relaxation, emptying the mind, and visualization techniques. During this part of the class the teacher forgot what day it was and that just struck my funny bone. I could not stop laughing, to the point of tears, and this made Cathy laugh also. The teacher noticed us but simply smiled. The rest of the class had their eyes closed and they were in ”visualization mode.” As I look back on that day I truly believe that it was the Lord who protected us from becoming involved in that sort of thing. I believe when a person starts ”emptying their minds” that they can open themselves up to the occult, which in reality is the realm of the demonic.

During the mid 1980’s Cathy and I became aware of the Catholic Charismatic movement. The Mass was livelier and the songs were similar to those sung in Christian churches. We attended ”healing masses” which focused on healing and praying the rosary. The rosary contains prayers which are mostly ”Hail Mary’s”. At that time we became aware of what was known as the Marian apparitions at Medugorje. The ”Virgin Mary” was allegedly appearing before some young men and women and bringing forth a monthly message. We were fascinated by stories of rosary beads changing colors, from silver to gold, when people went to Medugorje.

During this same period we began visiting a church in New York City where the gospel of Jesus Christ was being preached. We heard testimonies of how people’s lives were being changed by the power of Jesus Christ. This fascinated us also because we were so accustomed to the rituals and rote prayers we said every Sunday at the Catholic Mass. As time went on we would attend Mass in the morning and visit the other church in the evening, and the power of God’s Word was bringing us into the knowledge of the truth.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32)

Cathy told a Christian woman at that other church about the alleged appearances over in Yugoslavia. The woman quoted a verse of scripture to her:

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)

This troubled Cathy and she went before the Lord and asked Him to show her the truth no matter what. She prayed before the Lord with an open Bible and an open heart, and began to see many scriptures which contradicted the messages that were coming from the ”apparition of Mary” in Yugoslavia. This was very upsetting to her because we were really into this apparition thing. We had purchased videos and invited others to come to our home to view them with us. We also handed out pamphlets which promoted the apparition. We were evangelists for Mary at that time. Cathy was convinced that this whole thing was not of God and she tried to convince me, but I was not willing to listen. This went on for several weeks until one day she came down the stairs with tears in her eyes and asked me to listen to her. Something inside my heart told me to listen, and I did, and I told her that I would pray about it.

I knew that I had a choice to make. It was either the word of God (the bible) or the messages of ”Mary” from Medugorje. I chose to believe the word of God. I can remember the day when the Lord lifted the spiritual veil of deception which had covered my eyes. I was reading the gospel of John and it seemed that the words were jumping off the page at me. I knew at that moment that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Son of God who came down from heaven. I knew that the Lord Jesus Christ was persecuted and slain on the cross for my sins. This was”head knowledge” before but now it was revelation truth from heaven straight into my heart. The Lord Jesus Christ had become ever so real to me and I knew that He died for me. A change had taken place inside my heart, and I was born again in the true biblical way. Jesus said this:

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:6-7)

Cathy and I researched the messages from Medugorje and it was as if the Holy Spirit had taken a fluorescent hi-liter pen and began to expose the contradictions and falsehoods within those messages. We did the same with the other apparitions of Mary and we found them to contain similar errors.

As new Christians we now believed what Peter said and that we were now part of the ”priesthood of believers” (1 Peter 2:9) which encompasses people from every nation on planet earth. We now knew that we did not need the Roman Catholic Mass, which is called the ”Perfect Sacrifice Continued” (item 360 Baltimore Catechism p171), and which declares as its purpose ”to satisfy the justice of God for the sins committed against Him” (Item 361 Baltimore Catechism p173). We now believed what Jesus Christ proclaimed right before His life expired ”It Is Finished” (John 19:30). We now believed what Peter told us in one of his letters:

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)

We now believed what the apostle Paul told us in his letter to the Romans. We saw the value of the blood of Jesus Christ like never before.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

We now knew that the Mass, which declares that Christ through the ministry of the priest is offering Himself to God in ”an unbloody manner” (item 357 Baltimore Catechism p168), was not in agreement with the Word of God which tells us this:

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)

We also knew from studying the scriptures that the real Mary was a sinner just like the rest of us:

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (Luke 1:46-47)

Only sinners need a Saviour, and the Bible tells us that every single one of us has come short of the glory of God.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.(Romans 3:23)

The last time that I find Mary mentioned in the scriptures is in the book of Acts:

And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (Acts 1:13-14)

Mary is listed here along with everyone else and she most certainly is not exalted above the others who are mentioned here. Mary was praying along with the rest of the other believers in Jesus Christ unto her God. None of the others are found praying to her as I did for many years and is still done today by multitudes.

One of the most striking things to me was the fact that the second commandment found in the Baltimore Catechism was not the same second commandment found in the bible. The real second commandment is found in Exodus 20 and reads as follows:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6)

In the Roman Catholic Baltimore Catechism the second commandment is listed as ”Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” (Baltimore Catechism item number 195, p 100)

How could there still be Ten commandments if the second commandment which dealt with graven images (statues) and which took up three verses in the scriptures is removed from the list?

The answer is found by taking a look at the ninth and tenth commandments in the Baltimore Catechism which are as follows:

9) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife.

10) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors goods.

(Baltimore Catechism item number 195, p100)

But the Bible relegates only one single verse to this subject which is found below.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (Exodus 20:17)

The Lord really opened up my eyes with this one because statues are found in Roman Catholic Churches all over the world. There are shrines to Mary all over the world. There are statues built to honor ”saints” all over the world. I can remember visiting a Catholic shop in search of a statue of Mary because I wanted to have my own little shrine in the attic of my home. A person had a choice of a plain white statue or one which included the colors of blue and white. I was shocked at the prices for even the smaller statues, and I never bought one. It was not long after that visit to the Catholic shop, that I got saved and saw all of these things as nothing but idolatry according to God’s word.

As the Lord continued to open up my eyes about the deception of Roman Catholicism I would share this with others including pastors. I soon found out that this is an issue which most pastors refrain from speaking about. There was so much compromise I did not know where to begin. I have to remind myself that the bible warns us about such things in the following verse:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)

If the Spirit of God, which is the Spirit of truth prophesied of such apostasy then it must certainly happen. Many pastors walk under the disguise of a “love” which is nothing but a counterfeit love which creates a false ”unity” of believers in Jesus Christ. They lay aside the truth of God’s word and accept the doctrines of devils which Paul warned us about. On the surface they appear to be ”anointed” but in reality they are crafty compromiser’s of  God’s word. Some are very aware of what is going on, but they remain silent because it is not popular to speak out against these things. True love warns people about false doctrine and calls it what it is in order to protect the sheep. True Godly and biblical love can be found in the ministry of the Jewish apostle Paul who never failed to warn the people whom he loved so dearly.

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:26-31)

You can also hear my testimony on AUDIO here.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)

Not only that but I know that the BLOOD of Jesus Christ has delivered me from the wrath to come, and I have no fear about going to this make believe place called Purgatory. Check out this article entitled:   WHAT IF THERE IS NO SUCH PLACE AS PURGATORY?

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

As a new creation in Jesus Christ, I do not need any Catholic masses to be said for me either, because the great high priest Jesus Christ, has paid the price in full for me at the cross. If the BLOOD of Jesus Christ is not sufficient to pay for our sins then nothing will ever be enough. I am saved by the mercy and grace of almighty God, and that is good enough for me.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

What we need now in this modern day is another reformation to rekindle these simple and basic Bible truths, and less of the absolute compromise, capitulation and demonic square dancing that we see in places such as TBN.

Here is an excerpt from a book  entitled “The Glories Of Mary” which is available for sale on the TBN website.

“Bernard de Bustis relates that a bird was taught to say ‘Hail Mary’ A hawk was on the point of seizing it, when the bird cried out ‘Hail Mary!’ in an instant the hawk fell dead. God intended to show thereby, that if even an irrational creature was preserved by calling on Mary, how much more would those who are prompt in calling on her when assaulted by devils, be delivered from them.” [The Glories Of Mary, By St. Alphonsus Liguori, TAN Books and Publishers, Rockford, Illinois, 61105, page 67]

Folks this is what is known as SPIRITUAL INSANITY! The Devil will always steer a person away from the only hope and refuge for their soul, and that is the person of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to check out the other resources listed below for further understanding on this subject.

John Tetzel worked as a fundraiser for the Roman Catholic Church during the time when Martin Luther lived. Tetzel would go through the villages of Germany selling indulgences with the approval of the Roman Pope, with the Papal Document (Bull) being carried also. An iron chest was also carried, which was for the contributions of the people. The people were giving money so that their deceased relatives who were in Purgatory, might have their time in that place shortened. Many peasants with little money, scraped up whatever they could to help the cause of their loved ones.

John Tetzel would often repeat the phrase:

“As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs”

The selling of indulgences by Tetzel infuriated Martin Luther, and this was a great incentive for him and others in the “Protestant Reformation.”

The funds which were collected by Rome were used for the building of St. Peter’s Basilica (pictured below.)

In modern times, the Roman Catholic people continue to make donations for the purchase of Mass cards, so that Catholic Masses might be said for their deceased relatives in Purgatory. If one were to read the Bible they would not find even a hint of the Lord speaking about a place called Purgatory. Jesus Himself said the following:

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be SAVED. He that believeth on him is NOT CONDEMNED: but he that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18)

The deciding factor as to whether a person is CONDEMNED or NOT CONDEMNED is that persons decision regarding Jesus Christ. If a person has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then they are in a right standing before God, but if they reject the Son, then they are already CONDEMNED according to Jesus Christ Himself. In other words the person who was condemned, would not be able to reverse their position should they die in that condemned condition.

After Jesus Christ rose from the dead He continued to speak in similar terms:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be SAVED; but he that believeth not shall be DAMNED. (Mark 16:15-16)

Once again, the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that it was a persons faith in Him which SAVED them. The UNBELIEVER once again is shown to be DAMNED. These are very serious words indeed, because they come from the Lord Jesus Christ, and they came after He had been butchered on the cross, and had risen from the DEAD!

But God commendeth HIS LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US. Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, we shall be SAVED FROM WRATH through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

The Jewish apostle Paul, [former persecutor and murderer] said it very clearly in the verses above. Paul exalted the absolute LOVE of God, in sending His Son to die for US sinners. There is only ONE thing that can JUSTIFY any human being before a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS God, and that is the BLOOD, that JESUS CHRIST shed on the cross at Calvary. There is no special  AFTERLIFE plan, [including the Catholic Purgatory] that a person may hope for after they die. If the BLOOD of Jesus Christ cannot bring a person into a right relationship with Almighty God, then there is nothing else in this whole universe that will do it.

Jesus spoke about:

SALVATION and DAMNATION,

LIGHT and DARKNESS,

LIFE and DEATH,

HEAVEN and HELL

but He NEVER gave a hint about a person being purified after they die.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)

The beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that any person in the world, no matter the race, language, or country can be reconciled back to God because of what Jesus Christ did for us ALLon the cross.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast SLAIN, and hast REDEEMED US TO GOD BY THY BLOOD out of EVERY kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)

I encourage you to take the time to view this short mini video: Purgatory Falsehood!

An article from a recent issue of Charisma Magazine talks about a Swedish Charismatic Pastor by the name of Ulf Ekman who is calling for unity under the Pope. I will give you some excerpts from that article, and comment on them. I must let you know that I am a former Roman Catholic, who was delivered from the deception of that religious system, and I have been warning people for years about this call for a unity under the Pope. Here is an excerpt from that Charisma magazine article:

In recent years, the prominent pastor of Word of Life in Uppsala has been associating increasingly with Catholic leaders, and introducing his followers to Catholic and Orthodox theology, in particular through his teaching magazine, Keryx. Yet Ekman insists he is not adopting Catholicism but simply broadening his theology and promoting a “unity of the heart.” “God has spoken to me as powerfully concerning unity as He did concerning the faith message,” Ekman told Charisma. “With secularism and Islam taking over in Europe, revival slogans won’t suffice. The need of the hour is a powerful, effective unity including the historical churches.”

PASTOR ULF EKMAN

Pastor Ekman has been introducing his followers to Catholic, and Orthodox theology in his teaching magazine, which means that his followers are now being taught the theology of Rome. The article does not mention specifically what teachings Ekman was bringing to his followers, but some of the mainstream Catholic theology has to do with the Roman Catholic Mass, the prayers to Mary and her own “sinlessness,” purgatory, prayers to the dead, and for the dead, and many other false doctrines.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

That is what the Bible teaches us regarding the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Be careful when you hear someone say that “God has spoken to me.” Make sure that you examine the statement against the Word of God. Pastor Ekman mentioned secularism and Islam taking over in Europe, but that does not mean that the Church is called to unite with “historical churches” to fight against that, if those same churches are also preaching falsehood. The Lord will never call upon his children to join with any system that teaches false doctrine, to combat those who are in a different false system or theology. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and He is the one who called me and millions of others, out from the demonic system known as Roman Catholicism. I assure you that it is not the Spirit of the Lord who is calling Pastor Ekman to unite with them.

Viewing the Roman Catholic Church as the “whore of Babylon” is “untenable,” he added. “With so much apostasy and denying of fundamental truths among Protestants, even in Pentecostal and charismatic churches, who are we to point fingers at the Catholics?” Ekman said. “The whore is present in all denominations. But then again the body of Christ is also in all denominations and certainly in the Catholic Church.”

Ekman’s views are being welcomed by many Swedish church leaders as interest in Catholic and orthodox spirituality, Catholic pilgrimages and monastery like retreats grow rapidly in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles. . . .

Others are deeply worried. In April and October evangelicals gathered in Örebro, Sweden’s evangelical center, to point out that to Catholics unity always meant, and still means, bowing to the pope. Arborelius seemed to affirm that view, saying: “We cannot bypass the personal wish of Jesus that all unity must relate to the apostle Peter,” that is, to the papal office.

I thank God that there are still some Christians who stand up for truth and speak out when they see that demonic serpent of false unity rearing it’s ugly head. They have every right to be alarmed, and they are right on when they say that “Catholic unity always meant and still means, bowing to the Pope.”

Did you catch those words from the Roman Catholic Bishop Anders Aborelius who seemed to affirm their very concerns! Read it again:“We cannot bypass the personal wish of Jesus that all unity must relate to the apostle Peter,” that is, to the papal office.” What? Folks this is absolute spiritual insanity! The Roman Catholic Bishop of Sweden, Anders Aborelius is telling us that it is the personal wish of Jesus that all unity must relate to Peter, meaning the Papal office with the Pope in charge and control of the church. Oh for people to rise up in this present day against this system of falsehood.

Listen to these words from Leonard Ravenhill, the powerful street evangelist from England, in his book “Why Revival Tarries.

“Evangelists today are wide-eyed to the might of Communism, but tight lipped at the menace of Romanism. America would shake from coast to coast in twenty-four hours if some preacher, anointed with the Holy Ghost, gave the Roman Catholic Church a broadside! We stir national interest against the cruel, half-civilized Mau Mau (wicked enough), but powwow with, and pander to, the Roman Catholic Church! These priests who dope mens souls,these idolatrous “masses,” these Calvary eclipsing prayers to Mary, these miserable millions cheated in life and in death by the greatest forgery Lucifer ever made.” (Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill, Bethany House Publishers, 1988, Copyright 1959)

Whoa! Does that sound like a call to Christian unity under the Pope? I hardly think so. Although that book was written nearly fifty years ago, the words still stand as true today as when Leonard Ravenhill first spoke them. There have been surface changes made in the Roman Catholic system but their doctrines remain exactly the same as they have for centuries. Here is another excerpt from that Charisma magazine article:

A Lutheran priest before he planted his independent charismatic church, Ekman often sparred with his former denomination in the 1980s and 1990s because of his prosperity message. But in 2007, Ekman preached at the Oasis Pentecost Conference, and in 2008 he was a guest of honor at the Oasis Summer Conference, taking a seat on the platform during the sermon of the event’s most renowned speaker—the pope’s “personal preacher,” Franciscan monk Raniero Cantalamessa.

Ekman has also invited Arborelius to a “night of exchange” at Word of Life, intentionally not confronting him with controversial questions and hugging him as a brother in Christ. “My heart is to do away with prejudices,” Ekman said. “We need to discover and recognize each other. Unity begins at heart, not with theology.”

Ekman said he does not feel “under obligation” to address the theological issues dividing Catholics and Protestants—”that is not where we are at.” But supporters and critics alike interpret Ekman’s new thrust in theological terms.

Sirens should be sounding in your heart, after reading that, if you are a genuine born again believer in Jesus Christ. Ekman hugging the Roman Catholic bishop as a brother in Christ, and telling us all that UNITY begins in the heart and not with theology. Ekman said that he did not feel under obligation to address theological issues dividing Catholics and Protestants. Huh? Is that not the job of the shepherd and leader of every church congregation?

The apostle Paul warned his fellow believers over and over about false teachers and doctrines of devils.

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:25-31)

The Holy Spirit spoke through the apostle Paul in his first letter to Timothy regarding Christians who would depart from the faith as a result of false teachers:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)

All believers must take the warnings in the Bible to heart, and they are there for that very reason. Paul wrote those words almost two thousand years ago, and the false doctrines have been multiplied many times over!

Particularly upsetting to many critics is Ekman’s involvement with the Ostanback monastery, located an hours drive west of Uppsala. Though nominally Lutheran, the monastery’s leader, Abbot Caesarius Cavallin, is an ardent advocate for uniting all Christians under the pope, and he publicly refers to Ekman as a “pillar of support.”

The Holy Ghost sirens are sounding once again. Folks it is high time for all Christians to stand up for truth. The reformers of old were put to death for standing against the false system of Rome. They were burned at the stake for defending the Gospel, and they made it possible for everyday people like you and me to have a Bible in our hands. Do not be deceived by what is happening around the world with this false and bogus unity. Do not be impressed with people in the pulpit, no matter how big their church is, and no matter how big their “name” is either. Pastor Ulf Ekman is certainly not alone in his compromise with the system of Roman Catholicism. Many well known people such as Billy Graham, Pat Robertson and Charles Colson are among the more famous who have compromised with Rome. I encourage my fellow Christians to keep your guard up, and your eyes opened wide, as this Satanic False Unity gathers momentum. Remember the words of our faithful brother in Christ which he spoke before he died:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

A woman named Maryann recently commented on my personal testimony which I have posted on this blog. In my testimony I tell of how the Lord delivered me out from the darkness of Roman Catholicism. Maryann testified of how she also left the Catholic church as a teen, after she questioned the teachings of the church. Maryann’s mom told her that she was an atheist when she heard her daughter say that she believed the apparitions (appearances) of Mary were Satanic.I was not surprised at all by the reaction that Maryann received from her mom. Why? Because I know that we are involved in spritual warfare, and I know because I was once on the other side of the fence. I was also a staunch defender of the Marian apparitions at Medugorje, Yugoslavia.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the subject at hand, let me give you a brief explanation. Websters New World Dictionary gives the following definition of the word apparition:

1) anything that appears unexpectedly, or in an extraordinary way; esp, a strange figure appearing suddenly and thought to be a ghost

2) the act of appearing or becoming visible. [Websters New World Dictionary, Second College Edition, Prentice Hall Press]

When I speak about the “apparitions of Mary”, I am speaking about the alleged appearances of “Mary” which have occurred over the centuries in places such as Guadalupe in Mexico, Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal, Akita in Japan, Medugorje in Yugoslavia and other places. Here are two of the messages which came forth from the apparition of Mary in Medugorje, Yugoslavia which is the “apparition” that I am well acquainted with.

July 18, 1985 “Dear Children, Today I am begging you to put more blessed objects in your homes, and that every person should carry blessed objects on himself. Let everything be blessed so that satan will tempt you less because you are armed against him. Thank you for your response to my call.”

If you search the scriptures you will find no such command from God, regarding placing blessed objects in ones home, or on their person. Growing up as a Roman Catholic I was taught to pray before a crucifix, and I was also taught to wear Marian scapulars which were used as a ” spiritual form of protection”. I also wore the “Miraculous Medal” which had a graven image of “Mary” on it. That medal came about as a result of another apparition of “Mary” seen by a woman named “Sister Catherine” back in 1830. What does the Miraculous Medal medal have written on it? “Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee”

The Bible does not teach us that Mary, the mother of Jesus was conceived without sin, but it teaches this:

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)

Regarding the spiritual battle against Satan, the Bible teaches the following:

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:11-12)

We are told in the scriptures about the “spiritual armour” required to fight against those wicked powers. We are told to have our “loins girt with truth” and to put on the “breastplate of righteousness” and to have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”. We are also told to take the “shield of faith”, the “helmet of salvation”, the “sword of the Spirit” and then we are told to pray. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Another message from the “Mary” of Medugorje:

August 8, 1985 “Dear Children, I am calling you to pray against satan in a special way. Satan wants to work more now that you know he is active. Dear children, dress up in clothes of armor against satan; with rosaries in your hands you will conquer. Thank you for your response to my call.”

I assure you that this apparition of “Mary” is NOT the Mary that the Bible tells us about. It is a demonic counterfeit and a camouflage which is meant for the destruction of the soul. I know that because it was the Spirit of truth who brought me out of that very darkness, and He showed me the truth which is found in the scriptures (the Bible).One of the weapons that the Jewish apostle Paul wrote about was the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)

The Word of God is the weapon that exposes this apparition as being a demonic counterfeit because the message tells its followers to “pray the rosary” which are mainly prayers to Mary. The rosary is not included in the list of spiritual weapons that Paul gave to us. The Bible also informs us that there is only ONE mediator that we need to go to and His name is Jesus Christ.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5)

Jesus is the only mediator because He is the ONLY one who was (and is) both God and man. Jesus Christ is the only one who was without sin and therefore He is the mediator of the New Testament.

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15)

Here is another one of the messages from the “Mary” of Medugorje: July 25, 1985″

Dear Children, I want to shepherd you but you do not want to obey my messages. Today I call you to obey my messages and then you will be able to live everything that God tells me to relate to you. Open yourselves to God and God will work through you and give you everything you need. Thank you for your response to my call.”

The only problem with the message that came forth from this apparition of “Mary” is that it is in conflict with the very words of Jesus Christ who said:

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)

Jesus Christ is the only good shepherd, and He is the only one who laid his life down for the sheep. His true sheep know the “voice” of the shepherd through His word.Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the comforter and also as The Spirit of truth:

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)

There is the key. Jesus told us that the “Spirit of truth” would testify of HIMSELF and then He said:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:13-14)

The Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit) will guide us into all truth and He will glorify JESUS. The apparition of “Mary” spoke about wanting to “shepherd” her followers, but Jesus is the only good shepherd, and the only one that can lead you to heaven. (John 14:6, Acts 4:10-12)

How can we DISCERN whether a “prophetic messenger” is from the Lord, and God-sent? We can discern the root source of a messenger by studying the contents of the message. If the MESSENGER is proclaiming to speak TRUTH in the name of the Lord, BUT the MESSAGE is in contradiction with the word of God (The Bible), then God is definitely NOT the source of that message. Do not ever forget that!

The apparitions at Medugorje have been occurring since 1981. There have been numerous books and videos written in favor of them, not to mention the millions who have gone to visit Medugorje. I have a book entitled “God Sent: A History Of The Accredited Apparitions Of Mary” [ By Roy Abraham Varghese The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York] which has a picture on the back cover of the late Pope John Paul II blessing a copy of the book. That particular book devoted pages 184-213 to the apparitions at Medugorje, so I can only assume that the apparitions at Medugorje were never rejected by that Pope.

Idolatry is the main fruit which comes forth from all of the apparitions of “Mary.” Statues, medals and scapulars are just a few examples of that, and over the years they have sold in the millions.

About a week ago I was talking with a Roman Catholic woman and she was in agreement with me that Purgatory, a Catholic teaching, does not exist. She told me that there is only a heaven and a hell. I then told her that the apparition of “Mary” teaches about purgatory and the souls that are still there. I then asked her if she still believed that it was the real Mary appearing in Medugorje. She answered “Yes, I still believe that the apparition is the real Mary. “

Why is it important to talk about these things? Simply because these are precious souls for whom Jesus Christ died. If we do not sound the alarm and warn them then who will? Do I believe that ALL of the apparitions are demonic in nature? Yes I do, and I will continue to sound the alarm because that is exactly what the word of God commands us to do!.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

AUDIO: MARIAN APPARITIONS: DIVINE OR DEMONIC?

AUDIO: THE DECEPTION OF MARY WORSHIP

Back in 2005 there was a Pastor who was fired from his job as host on a Christian radio program, because of something that he said on the air. Here is an excerpt from an article from Charisma Now:

“Marty Minto 39, a senior Pastor of the 100 member, Turning Point Community Church in New Castle, was fired earlier this month after three years as a host on WORD-FM in Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported . . . Minto said he was told he was ‘alienating listeners’ . . . After the April 2, death and funeral of the Pope, Minto discussed with callers John Paul ll’s deep devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Catholic beliefs, such as Purgatory  . . . I made it clear that the discussion was not an attack on the character of the Pope but rather a look at the teachings – not only of John Paul ll, but of the Catholic Church, Minto said. Minto said he responded to the question about whether the Pope, would go to Heaven with the belief held by many evangelicals that a person must be a born-again believer. [Charisma Now April 21,2005 Online Edition]

Now there was absolutely nothing wrong with what Pastor Minto discussed on his radio program that day. I mean after all, we are supposed to be preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are constantly making it clear to people that the wages of sin is death, and that there is a Heaven and a Hell. Pastor Minto was told that he was ‘alienating listeners’ but that is to be expected, because the true Gospel has always brought confrontation and division, even as Jesus Christ promised it would:

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:32-38)

Pastor Minto is one of a rare breed in this day of apostasy, mixture and compromise. Pastor Minto simply counted the cost, and then he simply spoke the truth, which is what every Christian is supposed to do. His view was diamatrically opposed to the mainstream “Christian” view that does not make waves, lest their ecumenical apple cart of compromise should be disturbed.

I was not surprised by the statement that Pat Robertson (700 Club) made after the death of Pope John Paul ll.

“I am deeply grieved as a great man passes from this world to his much deserved eternal reward. John Paul ll has been the most beloved religious leader of our age – far surpassing in popular admiration the leader of any faith. . . I pray for the Cardinals of the Catholic Church that they might have God-given wisdom in selecting the successor to this great man . . .” [CBN.com Virginia Beach, VA - April 2, 2005]

Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship is another well known ecumenical comromiser, and one of the main people involved in the ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) document of 1994. Chuck made this statement after the death of Pope John Paul ll.

“Pope John Paul ll was one of the truly heroic figures of the 20th Century . . .I had the honor of meeting his Holiness, and I have been part of a collaborative fellowship called Evangelicals and Catholics Together . . .”[Prison Fellowship Newsroom, Press Kit, Washington, April 2,2005]

What an incredible contrast are the statements of Pat Robertson and Chuck Colson, compared to that which was spoken by Pastor Minto, who was fired from his radio program. I believe that there will be  much more of this type of thing happening in the coming days, as the apostasy snowball gathers incredible speed.

Dr Henry Halley was a man who had a strong conviction that everyone ought to read the Bible. He is best known as being the author of the “Halley’s Bible Handbook” which has sold over 5 million copies over the years. Halley’s Bible handbook started out as a 16 page booklet and it ultimately grew into a 864 page almanac of Biblical information. Near the back of that book there is a small section (pages 757-804) on Church History, which contains the true history of the gross wickedness of the Popes and the Papal persecutions. It also contains the history of those who rebelled against Rome, and sought to reform it. Here are some excerpts from Dr Halley’s book:

“The Papacy’s methods: It brought itself to power through the prestige of Rome, and the name of Christ, and by shrewd political alliances, and by deception, and by armed force; and by Armed Force and Bloodshed has maintained itself in power.”

“The story of the Papacy has been written as a background to the Reformation, in the belief that we ought to be familiar with the wherefore of the Protestant movement and the Historical foundations of our Protestant Faith. Some of the things told herein seem Unbelievable. It seems inconceivable that men could take the religion of Christ and develop it into an Unscrupulous Political Machine on which to ride to World Power. However, all the statements made herein may be verified by reference to any of the completer Church Histories.” [Halley's Bible Handbook, 24th Edition, Zondervan Publishers, pages 783-784]

In her well documented book entitled “Billy Graham And His Friends” Cathy Burns wrote the following concerning the well known Evangelist, Billy Graham:

“Not only does Graham not attack the falseness in the Catholic Church, but he even protects the wrong. For instance . . . around 1961, Billy Graham bought the rights to Halley’s Pocket Bible Handbook. The original Halley’s up until the 22nd Edition (1959), warned about the Jesuits. There are chapters about the Roman Papacy, and the Jesuits. According to Mrs Halley, Mr Halley spent years working on those chapters and never would have permitted the book to be changed. However when he died, Billy Graham bought the rights, and REMOVED all the research and warning about the Jesuits in the editions Billy Graham printed.” [Billy Graham and His Friends, 2001, by Cathy Burns published by Sharing]

I went online to see if I could get a hold of a copy of the Billy Graham Edition,  which Cathy Burns had mentioned in her book. I found the book online (Billy Graham Crusade Edition 1962) and purchased it at an excellent price, just to see if what she wrote about was true. I already owned a hard cover copy of Halley’s Handbook which contains the information about Rome, and I compared that book with the Billy Graham edition and sure enough, that WHOLE SECTION on Church History was missing! All of the information on the Papal persecutions and the history of the  Popes was nowhere to be found. It was as if those pages never existed in that handbook!

My wife Cathy and I trained and worked as Christian Counselors for the 1991 Billy Graham Crusade in Central Park NYC. When a person makes a “decision” for Christ at the end of the meeting they are given a card to fill out by the Counselors. Cathy gave a card to one young lady who had raised her hand, and the lady filled out the card, and put down her local Roman Catholic Church on the card. The Billy Graham organization will then send that lady back to that very same church.

A fisherman will often use what is known as a “lure” to try to catch fish. some of the “lures” that I have seen in the stores are very colorful and attractive. They are made that way because the purpose of the “lure” is to entice and snare the fish, through the promise of the bait. The fish is not aware of the very sharp hook that hides beneath the soft colorful brushlike hairs which hide it very well. Christians are being “lured” into a FALSE and very dangerous UNITY, with the system known as Roman Catholicism. The undiscerning Christian is totally unaware of the deceitful “hook” that is hiding under the “lure” of the colorful UNITY of ALL “Christians” and ultimately ALL religions. They are ignorant and unaware that this DEMONIC deception is geared to the very destruction of their own eternal soul. We would do well to remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he spoke before he was killed:

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (Matthew 24:3-4)

What does the Bible teach us about Mary, the mother of Jesus? That is the question of the hour. Was Mary a sinner like the rest of us? Is Mary the mother of God? Should my focus be on Mary or on Jesus Christ?

Was Mary A Sinner?

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen (helped) his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.” (Luke 1:46-56)

In the passage above we find Mary giving all the praise and glory to God because he regarded her low (humble )estate. Mary also rejoiced in God her Savior, and we know that only sinners need a Savior.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

Mary also recognized the fact that the Lord was remembering the mercy that He had promised to Israel through Abraham and His seed (offspring).

The Lord chose this humble Jewish virgin to bring forth Jesus into the world. He would bring redemption to both Jew and Gentile.

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:4-6)

The Lord came into this world at just the right time. The fact that Jesus would be born of a virgin was prophesied by Isaiah hundreds of years before the event actually happened!

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

The word Immanuel (or Emmanuel) means God with us, and that testifies to the deity of Jesus Christ. Jesus would come forth from the womb of this Jewish virgin because Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. There was no human sexual relations between Mary and a man.

“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:21-24)

In the passage above, we are given further proof that Mary was a mere mortal like the rest of us. Mary observed the Jewish Law and she did exactly what that Law told her to do (see Leviticus 12:1-8). Mary was unclean for seven days and on the eighth day she brought Jesus to be physically circumcised, in accordance with Leviticus 12:2-3. Mary then continued in her days of purification (33 days) because that was what was required of her under the Jewish law (Leviticus 12:4). Mary then brought forth the required sacrifices as is written in the following scripture:

“And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.” (Leviticus 12:8)

As recorded in Luke’s gospel account (Luke 2:24), Mary brought forth the offerings required in “the law of the Lord.” It is most important that you see that one of the offerings was for the burnt offering and the other one was for a SIN offering. To declare that the Jewish virgin Mary was conceived without sin is to dispute and contradict scripture. So we may rightly conclude, that according to scripture, Mary was in fact a sinner. I was raised as a Roman Catholic so I formerly observed the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Roman Catholicism teaches that Mary herself was conceived without sin. In other words they teach that she, like Jesus, was born sinless. I turned away from that false teaching.

Is Mary The Mother Of God?

It is obvious from the sections above that Mary cannot be described as the Mother of God, because that would make her deity or divine. Simply put God does not have a mother. The last time that we find Mary mentioned in the Bible is in the book of Acts:

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:12-14)

Mary is listed in the passage above alongside the other followers of Jesus Christ. Here we find Mary in prayer and supplication along with everyone else. There is not even a hint that she held a position above anyone else in that upper room, nor is there a hint that any of them were praying to her. In the passage below we find a situation where Mary and other family members were outside a room where Jesus was preaching the word of God. Because of the large crowd they could not get inside:

“Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” (Luke 8:19-21)

What did Jesus do when he was told about this? When Jesus was told about this, he told them that his mother and brethren were those who were inside the room listening to him preach the word of God. Why did Jesus make such a statement? He did this because he was showing the people the difference between the natural family and the spiritual family. Yes, Mary was outside. Yes, she was the natural mother of Jesus, but Jesus was showing the people that the spiritual family is what really counts. Jesus showed no partiality even when it came right down to his natural family on this earth. Jesus did not exalt his own mother above anyone else and we should follow that example also.

Should My Focus Be On Mary Or Jesus Christ?

It is rather interesting that the Roman Catholic doctrine regarding Mary mimics actual truth regarding Jesus Christ.

The Roman Catholic teaching known as The Immaculate Conception (Mary being conceived without sin) is a DEMONIC IMITATION of the sinlessness of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The Roman Catholic teaching of The Assumption (Mary was raised into heaven without dying) is a DEMONIC IMITATION of the actual ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. (Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:8-11)

The Roman Catholic teaching of Mary being the Queen of Heaven is a DEMONIC IMITATION of Jesus Christ being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalm 136:3, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, 19:16)

The Roman Catholic teaching of Mary as a mediator (mediatrix) is a DEMONIC IMITATION of Jesus Christ being the one and only mediator for mankind! (1 Timothy 2:5)

I do not apologize for telling you that those teachings are not of God at all. They are demonic in origin and they are meant to divert a persons attention away from the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the only sinless human being to walk this earth. Jesus was the only person who could possibly atone for the sin of the world and that is what he did when he shed his sinless blood upon the cross. Peace has been made through the blood of the cross and a person can be reconciled back to God because of what Christ has done on the cross. (Colossians 2:14, 20, Romans 5:6-10) Jesus Christ rose from the dead and he ascended into heaven where he is reigning NOW as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Revelation 17:14, 19:16) After he rose from the dead he told his disciples that ALL power has been given unto him in heaven and earth, and if that does not speak of power and authority then nothing does. (Matthew 28:18-20)

I cannot overemphasize the truth that there is absolutely no hope outside of the person of Jesus Christ. Eternal life is in the Son and Mary has absolutely nothing to do with the salvation of any soul. Satan will do anything that he can do to divert your attention away from the only one who can save your soul, and that is Jesus Christ. You can read my other article “Marian Apparitions: Divine Or Demonic?” or listen to the message on audio.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:11-12)

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)

A recent article in the Times Online entitled  “Pope Benedict XVI Selects Rabbi to speak to Roman Catholic Synod” by Richard Owen in Rome (September 25, 2008) got my attention.

“In an historic move to reinforce Jewish-Catholic dialogue Pope Benedict XVI has asked an Israeli Rabbi to become become the first Jewish spiritual leader to address a Roman Catholic synod.

Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said Shear-Yashuv Cohen, Grand Rabbi of Haifa, would address the two day Synod of Bishops in Rome next month, convened by the Pope to discuss the Bible, with the theme “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.”

More than 200 bishops are expected to attend. Rabbi Cohen is to explain to the bishops the Jewish interpretation of the Bible, whose first five books comprise the Torah, Judaism’s most sacred writings. He told the Catholic News Service (CNS) in Jeusalem that he saw the invitation as a “signal of hope bringing a message of love, coexistence and peace for generations.”

Rabbi Cohen is already well known in Italy and the Vatican for his active promotion of Jewish-Catholic relations. In April Pope Benedict, who has followed John Paul II in giving priority to Jewish-Catholic dialogue, became the first pontiff to enter a synagogue in the United States. He is also due to meet Muslim scholars in the Vatican this autumn.” (UK Times Online, Richard Owen, September 25,2008)

This is just another example of the emerging false unity that has hoodwinked and bamboozled the majority of people throughout the world, (and the “church”). It has always amazed me how so few Pastors will ever speak up about these issues for the fear of offending people. What a contrast this is to what you will find in the Bible, which is the Word of God. Listen to the Jewish apostle Paul as he testifies before King Agrippa:

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. (Acts 26:8-11)

This is the beginning of a true testimony from a man who had a genuine conversion to Jesus Christ. Paul by his own admission, gave his voice against many true believers in Christ, and allowed them to be put to death. Paul was an absolute madman in his persecution of the ”saints” and in the prison he compelled them to commit blasphemy. Please take notice here that the”saints” were living believers in Jesus Christ, and every true Christian can also claim that title.

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. (Acts 26:12-15)

This is one of the most amazing passages in the entire Bible. Here Paul is testifying before a King, by divine appointment (Mark 13:9) and he is telling him that Jesus Christ confronted him out of the sky. Paul made it clear to King Agrippa that the light he saw, was even brighter than the Sun in the sky at the middle of the day. Go outside and try to stare at the Sun at noontime to get an idea of what Paul was telling Agrippa. Do not look too long because you may cause damage to your eyes. This voice from the sky identified himself as Jesus, and this must have put the fear of God into the heart of Paul, considering the fact that he was on his way to persecute Christians.

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:16-23)

We must all be amazed at the mercy of God right here folks. Paul was an absolute tyrant in his persecution of Christians, and yet God not only SAVED him, but he commissioned him to preach the very same gospel that he formerly despised! Paul was given a commission from the ultimate commander from Heaven above. That message has not changed one drop since the day that the Lord delivered it to Paul. That message is the same for Pope Benedict XVI as it is also for Rabbi Cohen, and as it is for the Muslim scholars that the Pope is going to meet with in the autumn. Paul was told to preach to the people so that their ”eyes” (spiritual eyes) may be opened, and that they may turn from darkness to light. Keep in mind that Jesus is called the”light of the world” (John 8:12) Paul was told to preach so that the people would come out from the power of Satan unto God. Every person without Jesus Christ is totally unaware that they are operating under the power of Satan (the “god of this world”, 2 Corinthians 4:4). That was the case with Paul until he was confronted by the power of Jesus Christ, and that was the case with EVERY person (including myself), until the moment we converted to Christ. Paul then spoke about receiving the forgiveness of  sins and the ultimate inheritance (in Christ), and ultimately Heaven.

Paul continued to testify before King Agrippa and he told him that he did not DISOBEY that vision from Heaven. He told him that he preached at Damascus, Jerusalem, Judaea and then to the Gentiles. The message that he gave to them all was that was that they should REPENT, and do works proving that they repented. The Gospel is not a gospel of works but there will be a”fruit” of a true conversion when it takes place. Take a look at Paul before and after his conversion, and that should give you an idea of what this means.

Then Paul went on to tell King Agrippa that the Jews caught him in the Temple and wanted to KILL him. Paul was formerly one of them, and now he has made a complete turn around (repentance) and he was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not miss the fact that Paul told King Agrippa that he was preaching nothing outside of what Moses and the Prophets declared would come to pass. In the love of Jesus Christ, I must say that this is something that Rabbi Cohen needs to read for himself for the sake of his own soul. Paul made it clear that the Old Testament prophets had prophesied the very suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That message is what every human being needs to hear and it will never change. There is nothing wrong with dialogue as long as the TRUE GOSPEL is preached and people understand that they will die in their sins without Jesus Christ. (John 14:6, Acts 4:10-12)

The false unity that has hoodwinked the multitudes throughout the world will continue to grow, and the true believers in Jesus Christ will continue to suffer persecution. In the USA, we as Christians have not suffered what others have suffered throughout the world, in places like India, but I believe that this will change very soon. Friends, do not be hoodwinked by the false unity that is growing by the minute, but stick close to the REAL Jesus Christ, the one according to the scriptures.

I thank God for the day when the Lord Jesus Christ opened my spiritual eyes and delivered me out from the darkness of Roman Catholicism. You can read my testimony here or listen to it on audio. That happened all the way back in 1989 and I am still convinced that the Roman Catholic system is one of the most deceitful religious systems in the world. Not too long ago the present Pope Benedict made a visit to the USA where he was greeted and embraced by multitudes. I saw a short video clip where at one of the airports the Pope was greeted by the church hierarchy.  Cardinal after Cardinal bowed before him to kiss the ring of the “Holy Father.” When the Holy Spirit opened my eyes I learned, through the word of God, that my Father was in Heaven.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (Matthew 23:9)

As the Spirit of God burned in my heart, I could not put the Bible down. I read the book of Acts and I noticed that the apostle Peter rebuked a man who fell down to worship him. Considering the fact that Rome believes Peter to be the first Pope, I wondered why they would allow such a practice today.

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. (Acts 10:25-26)

As I read the word of God I also noticed that Peter was married. The scriptures show us that the Lord Jesus Christ healed Peter’s mother in law after He cast a demon out of a man in a Jewish synagogue.

And he (Jesus) arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s (Simon Peter) house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. (Luke 4:38-39)

It is a wonderful thing when the Spirit of God opens up the scriptures to your heart and sets you free from the deception that you were once in. I have written about the deception of Mary worship here on this blog, in articles such as “Marian Apparitions: Divine or Demonic?” and “What Does The Bible Teach Us About Mary?” And I encourage you to read them.

Another article that you may find interesting, is “Rome And The Missing Commandment,” where I show you how Rome removed the Second Commandment from their catechism.

In the audio message “The Sacrifice Of The Mass: Is It Biblical?” I discuss the Roman Catholic Mass and compare it with the word of God, and show you the great difference. Folks I am happy to tell you that I do not need any priest here on earth , because I have met the only high Priest that I will ever need and his name is Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price in FULL at the cross, and he cried out ”. . . IT IS FINISHED! . . . (John 19:30)” right before he died. That is the greatest news that any person could ever hear in this world.

As I studied the Bible I realized that the Catholic teaching about Purgatory was false from the get go. You can read my article “Purgatory: The Place That Does Not Exist” to get more insight into that teaching. When a person stands against the teachings of Rome there is bound to be trouble, and Michael Sattler found that out the hard way, suffering a brutal and and torturous death. You can read about his story in the article “The Murder of Michael Sattler And His Wife.”

Friends it is the Holy Spirit who guides the believer into the truth. It was the Holy Spirit who opened my eyes through the scriptures to bring me out from that deception.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

Recently Pope Benedict emphasized Rome’s doctrinal teaching that the Catholic Church was the only true church. This is a church that teaches that a person is born again when they are baptized as infants. Sorry folks but that is not true. I was baptized as an infant and I did not know the real Jesus Christ until I was 36 years old, and believe me when the Holy Spirit comes you know it. How can a person not be changed when the Spirit of God comes on the scene?

As I grew in the Lord I started to notice how few pastors ever addressed the false gospel of Rome, and if they did address it, they did so in a very vague manner. Many people simply accept and flow with this modern day capitulation, and while they might agree that we have some ”differences” they really do not think it is such a big deal. When big name evangelists join in on the compromise, people feel very intimidated and remain silent, as they see their own pastors do the same. It has been 14 long years since the ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) document was signed by many well known people, and who knows where this false unity will eventually lead the people. The apostle Paul warned the church about such things in his first letter to Timothy:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)

The Greek word planos is used to translate the word seducing and is defined as follows: roving (as a tramp), i.e. (by implication) an impostor or misleader; –deceiver, seducing. (Strongs Concordance)

Paul saw what was coming in the future, and he prophesied about that, simply because it was the Holy Spirit of truth who spoke this warning through him. Sooner or later the true Christian must take a stand and choose to follow the Lord, or choose to follow the leaders that have been leading many astray into joining hands with the deceitful religious system of Rome.

In the year 1527 AD Michael Sattler, a former Roman Catholic monk, was sentenced to an absolutely horrible death. Here is the true account:

“In the case of the Governor of his Imperial Majesty versus Michael Sattler, judgment is passed, that Michael Sattler shall be delivered to the executioner, who shall lead him to the place of execution, and cut out his tongue; then throw him upon a wagon, and there tear his body twice with red hot tongs; and after he has been brought without the gate, he shall be pinched five times in the same manner”

This true account goes on to say:

” After this was done in the manner prescribed, he was burned to ashes as a heretic. His fellow brethren were executed with the sword, and the sisters drowned. His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained very steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards. Done the 21st day of May, AD 1527″  [Martyrs Mirror, van Braght Pages 416-420]

What was their crime? What did they do that would cause them to put to death in such a cruel and inhumane manner? They simply refused and rejected the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. They refused to remain silent. They stood up for truth and it cost them their very lives. What were the charges against Michael Sattler?

A] He taught and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not literally present in the sacrament.

B] He taught and believed that infant baptism does not contribute to salvation.

C] He rejected the need for Mary and other “saints” as mediatiors.

DO NOT BE FOOLED!

The doctrines [teachings] of the Roman Catholic Church , which Michael Sattler, and many others rejected, and for which they were killed, remain the same today. The Coucil of Vatican II made some surface changes, but the major doctrines remain the same. Most people are completely unaware that Vatican II also upheld the Council of Trent which included over 100 anathemas [curses] against Protestant believers. Here are just two of the anathemas [curses] from the book: “The Canons And Decrees Of The Council Of Trent” [TAN Books 1978]

Canon Number One [Page 149]

“If anyone says that in the mass a true, and real sacrifice, is not offered to God … let him be anathema [accursed]“

Canon Number Three [Page 149]

“If anyone says that the sacrifice of the mass is one only of praise and thanksgiving; or that it is a mere commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross but not a propitiatory sacrifice; or that it profits him only who receives, and ought not to be offered for the living and the dead, for sins, for punishments, satisfactions and other necessities, let him be anathema [accursed]“

The back cover of this book says the following:

“That meeting – the Council of Trent -produced a large number of canons and decrees, condemned the errors of the Protestant reformation …”

This book also has the Roman Catholic Imprimatur which means that everything in that book is the official doctrine of Rome. I remind you that Vatican II also upheld the Council of Trent.

The Roman Catholic Church still teaches that a child is born again at infant baptism.

They still teach that the Mass is the “perfect sacrifice continued.”

They still teach that there is a Purgatory, and Catholic Masses are still said for those who reside in Purgatory.

They still exalt Mary to an unbiblical position that is not found in the Word of God.

They still put their tradition on an equal level with the scriptures. According to God’s Word, the Roman Catholic gospel qualifies as a false gospel, and a true biblical anathema [curse] rests upon those who proclaim it. [Galatians 1:8,9]

IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP!

Leonard Ravenhill was a bold and uncompromising outdoor evangelist, whose street preaching sometimes caused traffic jams in Britain. In his well known book “Why Revival Tarries” [1959]  he wrote this concerning Roman Catholicism:

“… America would shake from coast to coast in twenty four hours if some preacher anointed with the Holy Ghost, gave the Roman Catholic Church a broadside! …these priests who dope mens souls, these idolatrous “masses”, these Calvary eclipsing prayers to Mary, these miserable millions cheated in life and death by the greatest forgery Lucifer ever made” [Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill, Bethany House Publishers, Pages 39-40]

Why is it that we hear so little of that kind of preaching today?

Why is there such a deadly silence from the pulpits, and from the Christian “leaders” of our day?

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:26-31)

The Jewish apostle Paul preached with such a passion because he was delivered from religious deception, and he obeyed the Word of God which called him to warn others. Paul was able to say that he was “pure from the blood of all men,” because he had not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. Paul suffered much for the sake of the Gospel because he did not hold back the truth. There are few who stand in the pulpit in modern times [in "Protestant ("On Fire") Evangelical churches] who could make the claim that Paul made. What about YOU? Is there blood on YOUR hands?

There is an interesting passage of scripture in the book of Acts, where the apostle Peter was meeting with a man named Cornelius:

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. (Acts 10:25-26)

Cornelius was a humble man, and at the Lord’s request Peter (through a vison) was sent to instruct him. When Peter arrived at the place where Cornelius and his friends were gathered, Cornelius threw himself down on the floor to worship him. Peter quickly rebuked the man for doing that, and flat out told Cornelius that he was a man just like him.

Fast forward to modern times, and you will see people bowing down before the Roman Catholic Popes [including the present Pope] kissing their rings, paying homage to them wherever they may go. This is actually something that has been going on for centuries. Considering the fact that Peter is said to have been the first Pope, one must wonder why they would even allow that practice.

Peter made it clear to Cornelius that he was just a man like he was. In fact Peter was married, and at one time the Lord healed his mother-in-law of a fever:

And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. (Matthew 8:14-15)

So as you can see Peter was a married man and just a regular guy like everyone else. Peter knew full well that this man Cornelius needed to be corrected quickly, lest that type of thinking would get deep into his spiritual system.

If a person has been truly born again of the Spirit, they are fully aware that they have received the mercy of God, and have been snatched from the highway to Hell by the grace of God. A person that has been born again of the Spirit, also realizes that CHRIST, and Him alone, will always get ALL of the glory. That is the reason why Peter stopped this man from paying any homage to him.

There is not one person on this earth who can be called HOLY outside of what CHRIST has done for them on the cross, and that is the beautiful thing about salvation. We are all on the same level ground, with no exceptions. It is true that the Lord will use people in different capacities, such as teachers, evangelists, preachers and other things. But every single one of those people are not one DROP above anybody else, in terms of “holiness,” including the new born Christian.  Do not ever forget that.

We find another example in the book of Revelation when the apostle John attempted to worship an angel:

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 22:9-10)

So we can see that same spiritual principle at work here. The angel from Heaven rebuked John when he attempted to worship him.

It is plain and simple idolatry when a person gives worship to any person [including angels] except the true and living God. We can see how John simply wanted to pay respect to this angel, whom he knew lived in the very presence of God, but the angel knew better than to receive worship from anyone.  He knew that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The Dalai Lama has been called “His Holiness” and the Pope is referred to as the “Holy Father” but we must never forget to take heed to the words of Jesus the CHRIST [MESSIAH] when He said:

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (Matthew 23:9-10)

I can remember going to shop for a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary before I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I walked into a Catholic shop where they sold books, Bibles and many different statues of Mary and other Roman Catholic “saints.” I was very surprised by the large prices on even the small statues, and I was not willing to pay the price that was asked for them. What does the Bible have to say about such things? Is it biblical to worship before these statues? Listen to what one psalmist wrote here:

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. (Psalms 115:1-8)

It is pretty obvious that the Psalmist is speaking about statues which he calls idols. The first thing that the Psalmist mentions is that these idols are the work of mens hands, in contrast to his own God which is in the heavens. The Psalmist then speaks about the facial characteristics of these idols and points out their inability to work because these idols are not real and alive. The Psalmist was making a point that although these idols resemble a real person, they were unable to talk, hear, smell, handle things or walk. The Psalmist then went on to compare those who make these idols, and those who trust in them with the idols themselves! The Psalmist was showing us the absolute futility of trusting in something that cannot help us.

When a person is blind to the truth, as I formerly was, they will seek to worship something that they can see with their eyes. The idol worshiper will often defend their worship of these idols by telling you that they are not worshiping the “statue” or “idol” but the person or spirit that it represents. They are unaware of the “enemy of their souls” who is the devil himself and the one who seeks to divert their attention from their one and only hope who is Jesus Christ! They are completely unaware of what the Bible (Word of God) tells us about such things. I sympathize with them because I was once numbered among their ranks. I came out from the deception of my idol worship because the Word of God, which is the truth, made me free:

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

I was previously unaware that the second commandment dealt with the issue of idol worship in no uncertain terms:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:3-6

Many people often brush these things aside and treat them very lightly, but God’s Word still stands true and it can never be changed. God truly is a jealous God, and he must be worshiped in spirit and in truth. Listen to what Jesus Christ told a Samaritan woman about these things:

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias (Messiah) which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:23-26)

I encourage you to put your trust in the living God and to believe the scriptures which point you to Jesus Christ and to Him alone.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:16-21)

You can listen to  MY TESTIMONY ON AUDIO HERE

A May 11, 2007 New York Times article entitled “Pope Canonizes Brazil’s First Native-Born Saint” by Larry Rohter and Ian Fisher, Sao Paulo, Brazil, said this:

“After canonizing Brazil’s first native-born saint and receiving a bracing dose of Brazilian-style religious fervor at an outdoor mass here today, Pope Benedict XVI called for more forceful evangelization efforts throughout Latin America to counter growing conversions to Pentecostal Protestant groups.”

I did not realize until I was born again of the Spirit that the biblical way of becoming a saint is diametrically opposed to the Roman Catholic way of becoming a saint.

In the Roman Catholic Church it is the Pope who ultimately has the authority to “canonize” a person and make them a saint.  It is is based upon what they have done in their life and other strict qualifications of the Church.

In the bible we learn that the term “saint” is applied to living believers in Jesus Christ.  In his letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote the following:

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:1-3)

We can see how Paul relegated the title ”saint” to ”… all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord …”

Paul wrote this to the church at Ephesus:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:1-3)

Once again Paul is referring to living believers in Jesus Christ.  Paul writes ”… to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus…” Paul was simply referring to people who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ and continued to follow Him.

We must not forget that Paul was once a severe persecutor of Christians ” …breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord…” (Acts 9:1) until the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to him out of heaven. (Acts 9:1-6)

This Jewish apostle of Jesus Christ, by his own admission, consented unto the death of Stephen who was a faithful man of God. (Acts 8:1, 22:20) We can therefore justly say that Paul was an accomplice to his murder.  So now we have a former murderer preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and writing letters to other believers whom he refers to as ”saints.”

The point that I am making is that every person in this world has the opportunity to become a true ”saint” of God, by repenting and believing the Gospel. (Mark 1:15) That is true biblical faith.

The true story about Paul should be an encouragement to all of us that our God is truly a God of  love and mercy.

A person cannot truly come to Christ and become a ”saint” until they see that their sin separates them from a holy and righteous God.

The Bible makes it clear that there are “none righteous” (Romans 3:10) and every single one of us falls short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) That is the very reason why we need a Saviour and that is the very reason why Jesus Christ came to this earth.  That is the very reason why Jesus Christ went to the cross and shed His perfect sinless blood for people like us.  (Romans 5:8-9)

The Jewish apostle Paul wrote this many years after he came to Jesus Christ:

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Are you a saint yet?

John Wesley was an evangelist who often preached on the necessity of being born again.  Someone asked John why he preached so often on that subject, and he replied ”because You must be born again.”

This is an excerpt from a conversation that Jesus Christ had with Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  Jesus had just told him that he needed to be born again and the conversation continued as follows:

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:4-8)

Every single one of us has been born in the flesh, which simply means to be born physically into this world, but Jesus stressed the importance of being born again of the spirit.  In other words Jesus was talking about a ”spiritual birth” which must take place for a person to ”see” the Kingdom of God.

Jesus compared this ”spiritual birth” to the wind that blows, because you cannot see the wind but you can hear it.  We may see the effect of the wind upon the trees as they sway back and forth, but you do not see the wind.  When a person has been ”born again” of the Spirit you will see the effect of the Spirit upon that person and you will hear a testimony about Jesus Christ.  When I was born again of the Spirit it was if an internal light was turned on inside my heart and I knew that Jesus Christ was real. That was the Spirit of truth at work inside my heart and I could not put the bible down.  My testimony is on this site.

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)

The Spirit of God is called the comforter because He comforts the weary soul and points them to Jesus Christ, the one who came to rescue us. Nicodemus could not understand the words of Jesus and he said this:

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (John 3:9-10)

Nicodemus was obviously a very religious man, but he was also a man in need of salvation.  That described myself and millions of others who were ”religious but lost” until we were truly born again of the Spirit.  Jesus left us with a promise regarding the Holy Spirit:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:13-14)

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would “… not speak of Himself” and that the Spirit “… shall glorify me….” Once again we see the focus is put on Christ.

There are probably millions of people who have their names on church rolls but they do not have their names on God’s roll, which is the Book of Life.  Many are trying to earn their way to heaven or sacrament their way to heaven but that is an impossible task.

This is an excerpt from an article from entitled “Pope Assails Marxism and Capitalism” By Victor Simpson (Associated Press Writer) APARECIDA, Brazil (AP)

“… Benedict, speaking in Spanish and Portugese to the bishops, also said Latin America needs more dedicated Catholics in leadership positions in politics, the media and at universities.  He also said the church leaders must halt a trend that has seen millions of Catholics turn into born-again Protestants or simply stop going to church.”

Whenever I read something like this it really makes me wonder what is going on in Evangelical circles and it’s compromise with Roman Catholicism.  The big crusaders work side by side with the Roman Catholic church and remain silent about their false teachings while the Pope has no problem speaking his mind.  The Pope flat out told the bishops to halt the trend of people becoming born-again Protestants!

Where is the prophetic voice within the church today?  How can they remain silent in times such as these? How can they sign documents such as the ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) document of 1994 when statements such as the one from Pope Benedict XVI are made?

This warning from the Jewish apostle Paul is becoming clearer and clearer as the days grow darker and darker:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)

After I became a Christian I had an insatiable desire to read the Word of God [The Bible]. One of the first things that I noticed in my reading of the Ten Commandments, which can be found in Exodus 20:1-17, is that the Second Commandment was different from what I learned growing up as a Roman Catholic. I remember learning the Second Commandment as “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord Thy God in vain.” which you can read for yourself in the Catechism above.These are the Ten Commandments as found in the Roman Catholic New Saint Joseph Catechism, which has the Imprimatur of the Catholic Church. Having the Imprimatur means that they approve of the doctrine which is contained inside the Catechism. [Item #195, page 100]After I was born again, I went to the Bible and saw that the Second Commandment spoke about the making and worshiping of graven images. It is obvious that the statues, which I was so used to seeing in church when I was growing up, fit into that category. Here is the REAL Second Commandment as found in the King James version of the Bible.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6)

Shortly before I came to know Jesus Christ I was involved in the worship of graven images, and I became more heavily involved in the worship of Mary as I became involved in the Catholic charismatic movement. I went shopping with the intention of purchasing a small statue of her, for I was going to build an altar to Mary in my finished attic. The prices were out of my range, so I never bought the statue, nor did I build that altar. I can say today that the Lord set me free with His truth, from the idolatry which had me ensnared.

If you take a look at the Ten Commandments in the Catholic Catechism you will notice that after removing the Second Commandment, the Third Commandment then became the Second Commandment, and the Fourth Commandment became the Third and the rest of them were slid down also. The Roman Catholic Church then took the Tenth Commandment, found in ONE verse [Exodus 20:17] and which deals with the ONE subject of covetousness, and they broke it in half, and made it into the NINTH and TENTH Commandments in their Catechism.

I point this out for the pupose of bringing some spiritual light on the subject of idolatry. There is an interesting portion of scripture in the book of Acts where the city of Ephesus went into an uproar because the apostle Paul had been preaching his heart out to the people, and warning them about such idolatry and the worship of graven images. This upset the merchants who were making a fortune by creating these graven images:

And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. (Acts 19:23-28)

Do you see what happened there? There was an uproar because the apostle Paul was making inroads into the territory of the devil himself. Were the people of Ephesus worshiping God in Spirit and truth? Were they worshipers of Jesus Christ as the Jewish apostle Paul was? You know that they were not. They were worshiping a goddess named Diana, who had people throughout the whole world ensnared. As a Christian I know that these people of Ephesus were in gross deception [as I was] and the devil was going wild because he was about to be exposed.

The devil will leave a person alone in the darkness of their idolatry, and even allow them to make mega bucks in their spiritual fraud, because ultimately he is after their soul. When somebody gets near them with the Word of God, and the truth that can set them free he gets very angry, and will often create a distraction so that they do not hear the truth that can set them free.

That is why I am a firm believer that the Sword of the Spirit [God’s Word and Truth] must be used when you share the Gospel with people. Why? Because it is the Word of God and not merely a man made opinion. There is power in the Word of God. Here is another passage of scripture that deals on the subject of idol worship:

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. (Psalms 115:1-8)

The Word of God could not be any clearer when it speaks on the subject of idolatry. Many people will dig in their feet to defend their worship of idols, but they are totally unaware that there are dark powers working behind the entities they THINK they are worshiping. There truly is a battle for their souls taking place.

When we talk about deception, we are talking about being deceived, and that is why I speak out against the deception of the Roman Catholic Church and their false teachings.

Why do I speak out against the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Mass? As a former Roman Catholic I speak out for the following reasons:

1] The Mass is unbiblical.

2] The Mass is a false doctrine propagated by a false church.

3] Many Evangelical Christian “leaders” have promoted unity with Roman Catholicism (thereby endorsing their false gospel, Galatians 1:8,9).

The Bible warns us about seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)

The Roman Catholic Mass is a doctrine of devils.

The Bible tells us that we, as Christians, should contend for the faith.

” . . . ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)

(A) What Is The Mass? (According To Rome)

Here I will use Roman Catholic teaching from the New Saint Joseph Catechism, that bears the RC Imprimatur, which signifies that the doctrine within the Catechism has been approved by the Roman Catholic Church.

Now lets take a look at the Roman Catholic doctrine (teaching) on the Mass.

As you can see, the Mass is referred to as a SACRIFICE, in which CHRIST offers Himself to God, in an UNBLOODY MANNER.

Folks, that is absolute heresy.

The Bible makes it clear that it is the BLOOD that makes an atonement for the soul!

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)

(B) The Mass Is The Perfect Sacrifice Continued

Right before Jesus died and gave His last breath He cried out ” . . . IT IS FINISHED . . .” [John 19:30] The perfect sacrifice has been perfectly FINISHED, and it need not be offered up on a daily basis on the altars of Roman Catholic Churches throughout the world!

(C) Purposes Of The Mass

If you take a look at the fourth item on the list, you will see that one of the purposes of the Mass is to satisfy the justice of God, for the SINS committed against Him.

Folks, that is more heresy. The Bible tells me that the justice of God was satisfied when Jesus Christ died on the cross, almost two thousand yeras ago. The Bible lets each and every SINNER (myself included) and every other person in the world know that they can be JUSTIFIED by the BLOOD that Jesus shed for them!

The apostle Paul, a former  persecutor and murderer of Christians, wrote the following, and it ended up in the Bible for a reason:

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:6-10)

The greatest NEWS in the world is that CHRIST died for the UNGODLY, and the motive behind the DEATH of the Son of God was GOD’S PURE UNADULTERATED LOVE TOWARD MANKIND! Any person in the world, no matter what color, race, male, female, rich or poor has the opportunity to receive SALVATION through Jesus Christ, and be JUSTIFIED by His BLOOD, before God. Why? Because every single one of us fits very comfortably into the category of UNGODLY! My Bible tells me that I have been RECONCILED back to God already, through FAITH in Jesus Christ, and I have no need for a Roman Catholic Mass to be offered for me.

(D) Mass Cards

Mass cards can be obtained, for a donation, to have a Catholic Mass offered for a person living or DEAD!

In the illustration above, you can see that a donation of $5 will allow a person to have one Mass offered for them, and a donation of $45 will allow  nine separate Masses to be offered for the DECEASED (DEAD) person. The purpose of the Mass for the DEAD person is for the repose (rest) of their soul. The Catholic Church teaches about a place called Purgatory, a place where the soul will remain for an undetermined amount of time before they go to Heaven. The Mass card is for their benefit, and it can shorten their time in Purgatory! Folks, there is no such place called Purgatory. I wrote about that in another post here: PURGATORY: THE PLACE THAT DOES NOT EXIST.

In the illustration below, you can see that a person can have seven Masses offered up for them every single day, and they can also share in the “good works” of others.

The Bible tells us that salvation cannot be earned by “good works” lest any man boast.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

That is why I speak out against the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile): for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:12-15)

YOU TUBE VIDEO: THE UNBIBLICAL CATHOLIC MASS

FALSE UNITY ALERT: TBN SELLING ROMAN CATHOLIC BOOKS!

Is there really a place called Purgatory or is this just an invention and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church? What if there is no such place as Purgatory?

Today I would like to talk about the Roman Catholic teaching of Purgatory. First of all I would like to quote from two of their catechisms, regarding this topic:

In The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism there is a little section entitled PURGATORY IS GOD’S HOSPITAL and it declares that ‘Purgatory is God’s Hospital for souls, where those who do not love God enough to enter heaven are cured by fire…Then they must go to purgatory, where they will have to suffer much more intensely than they would have if they had accepted the sufferings on earth…In purgatory, God’s cleansing fires burn away the souls selfishness till its love becomes perfect and it is ready to fly to heaven. Its suffering only purify love, they don’t increase it. [The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism, Catholic Book Publishing Co., NY 1969, Imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman]

The Catechism Of The Catholic Church of 1994 confirms the above in a section entitled THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030: all who die in God’s grace, and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven

1031: The church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of scriptures, speaks of a cleansing fire…. [The Catechism Of The Catholic Church, Doubleday Publishers NYC, Paperback Edition, 1995, page 191, Imprimi Potest: Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger]

I wanted to quote from those two catechisms to present the Roman Catholic teaching regarding this place called Purgatory, so that you could read it for yourself. I am a former Roman Catholic who came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour in 1989, and you can  read my testimony or listen to my: testimony on Audio .There has never been a place called Purgatory and there never will be a place called Purgatory. It does not exist. If you search the scriptures you will not find this place in there at all. My purpose in writing this article is to dispel this false teaching which provides a false hope to the millions upon millions of precious souls within the Roman Catholic system.Jesus Christ spoke about salvation and damnation, light and darkness, life and death, and heaven and hell but He never offered even a hint about a place called purgatory. Listen to Jesus here:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)

Here Jesus speaks about the love of God toward the people of the world, and He declares that God sent His Son into the world to save the world. Jesus also made it very clear that the person who did not believe in the Son (Himself) was condemned already. There was not even a hint about a purifying fire for either the believer or unbeliever from the mouth of Jesus Christ. Jesus made it clear that faith in Him was the determining factor of whether a person was saved or condemned. Here is another passage from the Bible where Jesus speaks about salvation and damnation after He rose from the dead:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16)

Once again the focus is on the faith of the individual. The believer will be saved and the unbeliever will be damned.Listen to the words of a criminal who repented during the final moments of his life, as he spoke with Jesus from a cross:

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43)

Jesus promised this criminal that he would be with Him in Paradise on that very day! I am sure that this criminal had a love that was less than perfect toward God, but Jesus promised that man Paradise. Jesus never mentioned a place called Purgatory or a suffering that needed to take place after he died because that place does not exist. Salvation has always been based upon the faith of the individual in the living God. That criminal could do absolutely nothing to save himself at that point in his life. He could not do any good works. He could not wiggle down off that cross to be baptized either. The only thing that he could do was the thing that he did and that was to put his faith in Jesus Christ before he died. The criminal made a genuine turn in his heart toward the Lord and he genuinely repented of his own sin. The criminal acknowledged that he deserved to be there ‘for we receive the due reward of our deeds…’ and the proof that it was genuine was the fact that the Lord promised that man that he would go to paradise with Him on that very day.

The Catholic Mass And Purgatory

Many people do not realize that the Roman Catholic Mass is considered a ‘propitiatory sacrifice’ that is offered to God for both the living and the dead, which would include those souls in Purgatory. In fact the Roman Catholic Council of Trent has pronounced many anathemas (curses) against those people who would not agree with their teachings on those subjects. Those anathemas are still in effect today and do not let anybody tell you otherwise.

People can have a Roman Catholic Mass said by a priest for a deceased friend or relative. A Catholic can go their local church and make a request for a Mass to be said on behalf of their loved one who may be in Purgatory. In the 1960’s I used to go to the local rectory to make a donation for a Mass card when somebody we knew had died. There were two types of Mass cards. One was a simple looking card with a suggested donation of one dollar and the other one was a much thicker one with a nice case for a suggested donation of five dollars. I cannot imagine what the Mass card donation might be today. Here are two of those anathemas (curses):

Canons on The Sacrifice Of The Mass

Canon 1: If anyone says that in the mass a true and real sacrifice is not offered to God, or that to be offered is nothing else than that Christ is given to us to eat, let him be anathema.

Canon 3: If anyone says that the sacrifice of the mass is one only of praise and thanksgiving; or that it is a mere commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross but not a propitiatory one; or that it profits him only who receives, and ought not to be offered for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities, let him be anathema.

The one thing that I want you to see here is that the teaching of Purgatory cheapens the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How many masses must be said by family members before a soul is set free from Purgatory? How many hundreds of years must a soul remain in Purgatory? These are answers that you will never know and people will still continue to have masses said for there loved ones because of that.

Trust me! If the blood of the sinless, perfect Son of God, Jesus Christ cannot perfectly atone for your sins, then there is nothing in this universe that can do it.

I do not believe that the mass is a propitiatory sacrifice and I do not believe that there is any benefit at all in the Roman Catholic mass, so according to their teaching I am anathematized. I do believe what the scriptures tell me such as the following:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

Many people who do not come from a Roman Catholic background have no idea about these things. They have never been inside the funeral parlor to listen to the prayers for the people who have already died, who are offered hope for escape from this land of make believe. There are millions of Roman Catholic people who think that they have a second chance after death, after they go to Purgatory when somebody else will have a Mass said for them to shorten their time there. I know because I was one of them.

Mary Worship And Purgatory

There are also millions of Catholics who believe that their stay in Purgatory will be shortened because they had a devotion to Mary the Blessed Mother and because they wore the brown scapular around their neck. The brown scapular is made up of two pieces of cloth, usually wrapped in a plastic to protect it, and held together with string. It forms a circle which is then draped over the wearers head.

Pope John XXII declared that he had a vision of the Virgin Mary in which she said the following concening those who wore the brown scapular:

” I the Mother of grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in Purgatory, I shall free, so that I may lead them to the holy mountain of life everlasting”

There were many people who were martyred during the middle ages because they refused to believe teachings such as Purgatory.

Martin Luther was absolutely outraged when a man named John Tetzel went preaching in the towns and villages throughout Germany raising money for the building of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. John Tetzel was peddling indulgences with the approval of Pope Leo X and providing them with a false hope beyond the grave. There was a money chest which was carried during these fund raisers and Tetzel urged the people to contribute by saying:

“As soon as the coin in the coffer rings , the soul from Purgatory springs”

This is spiritual fraud at its worst. I wonder how many sincere people were swayed by that man Tetzel to give up their money, hoping that one of their loved ones would escape the torment of this place that has never existed. It is absolutely mind boggling that the teaching of Purgatory is still around in modern times.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile). (Romans 1:16)

THE REALITY OF HELL AUDIO HERE