Catholicism
Seek the Truth with all your heart.
This is all presented in love. It is not intended to be offensive in any way at all. This simply presents GOD’s original unchangeable plan and Word for humanity, which is unchangeable, irrevocable, and non-negotiable for all time. This has always been clearly stated in GOD’s WORD in the Bible, as written between 1500 years BC and 100 years AD, which no human has the right to change in any detail at all, irrespective of any so-called claims, rights, or authority to do so. GOD’s ways are timeless, and are not affected, changed, or varied, in any way at all by human cultures, trends, choices, traditions, changing opinions, time, or any other worldly changes, variations, factors, conditions, or statute laws, that people try to impose on society.
GOD has allowed humanity to have freedom of choice, and if people choose to ignore GOD’s instructions, they are free to do so, but need to realize that every choice has an eventual consequence, good or bad.
GOD’s Word - with its laws, principles, and standards - is HIS absolute and ultimate truth, in every way, which is not open to change or challenge.
GOD wants everyone to live a happy and successful life; however HIS Word and Truth are unchangeable and remain the same eternally. No one has any right whatsoever to change it in even the smallest way
Human authorities decide they can do better, and install laws to protect the changes they make. They assume their own authority to do so. People have freedom of choice; but the consequences never change.
Every person has the right to their own individual choice, as long as it does not harm others, or impose on other’s individual rights and freedom. However having the right and freedom to do something, does not necessarily make it the right thing to do.
I am merely revealing the following information so that people may know their options. Factional groups have rated whatever clashes with their opinions, as ‘offensive.’ They have even attempted to rate the Bible - GOD’s own Truth - as a book of hate speech.
1 John 4:8 &16 Whosoever does not love does not know GOD, because GOD is love. And so we know and rely on the love GOD has for us. GOD is love. Whoever lives in love lives in GOD, and GOD in them.
The Catholic ‘Church.’ The apostate church of Rome operate on their own principles, NOT ON GOD’s principles.
‘Catholic’ means ‘universal' = ‘world-wide.’ To be correct the name should have remained as ‘The Roman Catholic Church,’ = ‘The Catholic Church of Rome,’ as it had always been known. It presents scripture in ways that seem right to all who do not know better; however it contains manipulation and falsehood set up to deceive and control people.
The Catholic church has created its own doctrine, its own agenda of control, and association of church and state in ways that are severely wrong. Governments and churches should be relying on GOD’s principles and operating in GOD’s ways. Neither church nor state has any right to be changing any of GOD’s laws and principles. This is over-riding GOD’s word, which is totally wrong, and it contradicts the whole right and purpose of GOD’s sovereignty and principles. Humanity is subject to GOD. GOD is not subject to humanity. For a human system - religion to contradict GOD’s Word is of utmost ignorance and evil manipulative mockery.
There is a massive division between human-made - religion - tradition - laws, and truly GOD-ly spiritual experience and GOD’s Word and law.
Letter to the editor of the Oregonian by David Doerr.
GOD can’t help if he’s separated from ‘state.’
“Why, oh why, did the Founding Fathers want to separate church and state? It was originally intended that institutions of church (i.e., organized religions) and state be separated, while at the same time it was their intention to include GOD in the governing of our American society. The importance of that fact cannot be too strongly emphasized. It should serve as a template for every nation on the globe. “If a person were to read the Declaration of Independence, they would find four references to GOD. These include an appeal “to the Supreme Judge of the world.” The document further declares the Founding Fathers proclaimed “a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence.” You cannot seek GOD’s protection and also declare that God must be left out of the affairs of the state. This fact is critical to the formulation of social policy — that our government originally turned to GOD for help.”
“To be an American, therefore, is to seek GOD’s help.”
Reference to being Roman or of Rome - under Vatican control - denoted them as being different, promoting their own ‘separate brand’ of ‘Christianity.’ They have now dropped the reference to ‘Rome’ or ‘Roman,’ giving the impression of not being so different.
Martin Luther’s magnificent research of true and correct Biblical meaning, in the form of 95 theses which, in October 1517, he nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, showed the correct application of what the Bible teaches. In the year 2017 these have been discounted and rejected by the main churches, including the Catholic Church, as no longer being applicable. This is sheer apostasy. Martin Luther was perfectly correct in exposing the wrong interpretation, misrepresentation, and manipulation the ‘Catholic’ church was applying to keep control of people on their terms, which were the opposite of what Jesus taught.
Christianity should be based only, in all respects, on the Bible = Sola scriptura = Scripture alone; accurately presented, spoken, taught, and applied, in all respects.
The Catholic Encyclical states that the ‘Pope stands in the place of Christ.’ ‘Vicarius filii dei.’ The Vatican also claims that the Pope has the authority to change the word of GOD.
GOD’s word is unchangeable and no human has any right to change it.
The American CHRISTIAN CRUSADER
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Catholicism resembles little of the original gospel taught by Jesus.
Christ only gave one truth. The people who held that truth were the First Church. In Christ’s first sermon He urged the people to repent of their sins (Matthew 4:17). The only Bible definition of sin is “transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). Christ said, “one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:18. He also said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15. When the rich young ruler asked Christ “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Christ replied: “But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16,17. Jesus then spoke forth God’s Commandments as a condition of eternal life.
We are saved by God’s grace and faith (Eph 2:8). God’s grace is His unmerited favour for sinners. Faith is believing in something we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).
The true Christian believes that Christ was the promised Messiah. He lived a life on earth as a man, was tempted as we are tempted, yet he never chose to sin. His life was without fault. He was the perfect lamb that was sacrificed on Calvary for the sins of the world. Many don’t understand how the Law and Calvary fit together. We are saved from sin and death, the results of breaking the “perfect law of liberty.” James 1:25.
The law cannot save us. It only points out sin (Romans 3:20, 31). If, after a meal, we look in the mirror and see food on our face, we go to the hand basin and wash it off. The mirror could only point out where the dirt was. It could not wash it off. In like manner, the law of God can only point out where the dirt is in our life. We must then flee to the cross of Christ, where we believe, by faith, that the Son of God died to take away our sins. Once we are forgiven of all our sins as a free gift, Christ does not leave us there. He rose from the dead to give us His life, that we might have victory, moment by moment, over sin in our lives. This is the power of God which Paul spoke about in Romans 1:16-18.
The battle is in the mind, and Christ wants us to invite Him into our mind, that He might influence us to make pure and holy choices (Galatians 2:20, I Corinthians 2:16, Philippians 2:12,13).
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him... He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.” For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” I John 2:4, I John 3:8.
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” I John 3:9. He instructed us to overcome sin just as He overcame (Rev. 3:21). He said it was a narrow path and few would find it. Christ, however, gives His children all power to become the sons and daughters of God (John 1:12). Christ had no advantage over fallen humanity in overcoming sin in His life. His divinity was hidden in the great battle with Satan, who had claimed that fallen humanity could not keep the law of God. Christ defeated the Devil as the seed of David according to the flesh (Romans 1:3). His weapons were those of prayer, reading the scriptures, and sharing it with others, and so it may be with us. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth... For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16, 17.
Christ commanded His followers to, “Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me that ye might have life.” John 5:39, 40. “... Jesus answered... It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4. Christ taught that the Scriptures were the benchmark of all truth. He criticised the church leaders for their false traditions. The First Church obeyed Christ and his Word rather than the Pharisees when they varied from God’s Word (Acts 5:29).
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11.
Here we see that Christ’s saints studied the Scriptures daily to see whether what the church leaders taught them was correct. The Scriptures had authority over the church leaders and their varying traditions, which Christ condemned. “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? ...But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?... Every plant [traditions], which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” Matthew 15:3, 6, 9, 13.
Christ rebuked erring Peter, and said he was of Satan because he put the traditions of men above God’s Word. (Matthew 16:23).
The First Church were convicted of their sins by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), and knew nothing of an earthly priest and a confessional. The Bible says that a child can understand the Holy Scriptures unto salvation without the instruction of a priest. “And that from a child thou hast know the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” II Timothy 3:15.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Christ was the focus of salvation, and not the church. The power lay in Christ who was found in the Bible alone. The Bible was the sole guide to draw us unto Christ. He preached the Word, and allowed everybody to choose to accept or reject it. He never united with the State to force His teachings on those who rejected Him. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36.
Jesus never said to persecute those who rejected the Gospel. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44.
Jesus said he came not to destroy men.“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them...” Luke 9:56.
When Peter tried to defend Christ with a sword, he was rebuked by the Saviour. “Then said Jesus unto him [Peter], Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Matthew 26:52.
There is, however, joy when a sinner is convicted by the Holy Spirit, and accepts Christ as his Saviour.
The first church leaders were not educated in the world’s great learning centres. Not many wise men were to be used of God, for He would choose the foolish of this world to confound the wise that no flesh would glory (I Cor 1:26-29).
“...It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believed.” I Corinthians 1:21.
In the First Church God alone could forgive sins. Peter never offered to forgive Simon’s sin, but pointed him to God for forgiveness of sins (Acts 8:18-22). In the Lord’s Prayer, we are also admonished to ask our Father in Heaven for forgiveness of sin and not an earthly, erring priesthood (Matthew 6:9). Peter said all believers in Christ were priests and could go directly to their Father in Heaven through their only mediator, Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5). Christ could be found anywhere at anytime by the faithful saints. In the Bible, Mary and the saints were not mentioned as our mediators.
In the First Church, all the believers were called saints (Philippians 1:1). Peter was a married man (Matthew 8:14), as were his fellow disciples. Celibate lives for men and women in monastries and convents were unheard of. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour.” I Timothy 3:2.
Women were instructed to marry. “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house...” I Timothy 5:14.
Peter claimed to be an elder with equals (I Peter 5:1). The disciples never dressed differently from the ordinary church members. They never wore fish-head style mitres or robes of purple, scarlet and gold.
They never allowed themselves to be called “father” because the Bible condemned the elevation of mere men. All were considered brethren in the First Church (Matthew 23:8,9).
Baptism was by full immersion for consenting persons who had heard the Gospel preached to them and who had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Babies were dedicated to God’s service, but the so-called rejuvinating power of baby christening by a priest to rid the child of the guilt of original sin was unheard of in the First Church.
Death was considered a sleep by all those who accepted Jesus Christ (John 11:14, 23, 24). Christ promised them that they would rise again at the end of this world (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54).
Salvation was a free gift from God to all who chose to accept Christ by faith. Simon had tried to buy salvation from Peter, who told him that he had sinned against God (Acts 8:20-22). Peter said that we were “not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ”. I Peter 1:18,19 (see also Acts 20:29-31).
When Christ was in the upper room before His crucifixion, he broke bread, took wine, and gave them to his disciples, saying, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you”. Luke 22:19,20.
The First Church believed that Christ was speaking figuratively, because we are told, “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God”. Romans 6:10. Peter the elder also said “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God”. I Peter 3:18.
The First Church’s strength came from the Holy Scriptures and not the Church. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.
Christ commanded His Church to go and teach all nations that which He had taught them. There was no compulsion to be used. When they were rejected in one town, they were to flee into another.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19,20.
Christ warned His little flock that they would eventually be persecuted for His Name by those who profess to serve God. “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” John 16:1-3.
The First Church never believed that God had given them an unconditional promise of infallibility. Paul wrote this warning: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock... 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... Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Acts 20:28-31.
The Bible also warned the First Church that there was a curse on all those who taught another gospel. “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.” Galatians 1:8.
Despite this terrible warning God gave us through Paul, we are told that there would come a falling away from the truth that was once given to the saints (Jude 3) and that the man of sin would be revealed.
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” I Thessalonians 2:3-5. (See also II Peter 2:1,2; I Timothy 4:1-4; II Timothy 3:5; II Timothy 4:3,4; II Corinthians 4:2).
The Bible warns us that Satan would deceive the whole world (Revelation 12:7-9). It also states that the same conditions that prevailed just before God destroyed the world in the flood would prevail also in these last days (Matthew 24:37-39). There were only eight souls saved out of the flood (1 Peter 3:20).
Satan knows well that he will not deceive us out of eternal life by coming with a pitchfork and pointed ears. He realises that he cannot get humanity to drink a bottle of poison with a skull and crossbones on the label, but if he pours the poison in with the fruit salad and ice cream, then deceived humanity will lap it up. Satan will mix truth with error and then sell us a remedy to a problem which he has already caused. We should be aware of the hidden things of dishonesty that have crept in unawares. The Bible admonishes us to “prove all things; hold fast to that which is good”. I Thessalonians 5:21.
First Church baptised those adults who believed in Christ by full immersion
First Church studied the Bible daily to make sure what their leaders told them was truth
The First Church saved those who believed by the foolishness of preaching
“Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39.
Satan uses the ‘hidden things
of dishonesty’ which creep in unawares to deceive us
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you... let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8
The American CHRISTIAN CRUSADER
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Compromise with paganism brings predicted falling away
Paul warned that the return of Christ would not take place before a great falling away from truth. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (the return of Christ) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition [Antichrist, or in place of Christ]; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God...” (II Thess. 2:3, 4).
This falling away started, soon after the last disciple died, despite the terrible warning against those who would bring in false doctrine. “...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.” (Galatians 1:8).
Satan realised that he was powerless to stop the gospel story, and saw that the more Christians he killed for their faith, the more people marvelled at the saints’ bravery, and wanted to become Christians also. He would now infiltrate the church and introduce a love for the world, amalgamating pagan doctrines disguised as Christianity. Christ told us to pay attention to doctrine (I Timothy 4:13), for it is His signpost to guide us to heaven. Satan has constantly tried to change Christ’s signposts with his false doctrine (I Tim 4:1) that has caused professed believers to think they can be saved while still sinning. This broad road became popular and God’s biblical truth was almost wiped out. A true remnant, however, remained faithful to Christ’s original teachings, and was driven into the wilderness with copies of the true Bible (Rev 12:6).
For 1,260 years, they kept the flame of truth burning despite the persecutions from the outwardly splendid Roman Catholic Church.
This Church, which had left its first love, had now united with the State to kill millions in the name of gentle Jesus, who in (Matt 22:21) separated Church and State. Our Saviour wished to force no one to follow him by coercion of the State. There are many Bible texts identifying the rise of this false system.
“...Some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry [compulsory celibacy]...” (I Tim 4:1-3).
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock...” Acts 20:29; (See also II Peter 2:1, 2; II Timothy 4:3,4; Rev 17).
The Dark Ages fell upon Europe. Those who dared to speak out against the error and licentiousness of the Papacy were condemned by the church and then executed by the subservient secular kingdom.
Few complained, for they were taught there was no salvation outside this Church-State union. She alone, they thought, could forgive their sins through the priest in the confessional, and the priest alone could change the bread into the literal body of Christ, which was essential for their salvation. This false system was a mental dictatorship which monopolised salvation.
The few who discerned this deception feared to speak up. The Bible, which is the detector of error, had been kept from the common people, and the church burnt it whenever it came into their hands (see Pope Pius VIII Encyclical Traditi Humilitati).
The Waldenses, who lived in the European Alps had copies of the true Scriptures, which they patiently copied by hand. Their youth were trained to discreetly share the gospel in the wicked cities, with those who cared to listen. The story of the free gift of salvation by faith in Christ alone, and not the Church alone was a fountain of hope to the honest hearts.
Their life expectancy was short, for many were caught and killed in the prime of life by the church.
CATHOLIC PRIESTS FIND BIBLES
Wycliffe, a Roman Catholic priest in England, found a Bible in a monastery. After reading it, he was convicted that it contradicted his beloved church’s teachings. He unsuccessfully protested against these errors to the Church, so he trained men and sent them out to warn the deceived people. His writings reached Europe, where the Roman Catholic priests Huss and Jerome took up the mantle of Christ’s truth in Prague. The church rewarded these saints by burning them and the Bible. The simmering of revolt was in the air, for the Papacy had broken her promise that these men would be safely returned home after travelling to Rome to air their grievances.
A hundred years later, Martin Luther, another Roman Catholic priest, also read a dusty Bible, and found Christ’s simple gospel. This message was to explode through Europe and all the world. He saw that the Pope was the Man of Sin and the papacy was the whore [unfaithful church] of Revelation 17, who was dressed in purple and scarlet, with a golden cup of abomination in her hand. Luther protested against papal errors at the risk of his life. The art of printing was emerging, and Bibles gushed from the presses and flooded Europe. Popery feared that if the Bible was circulated among the common people, then their power over the people’s minds would be broken. They would realise that salvation was in Christ and not in the Church. The priests burnt every Bible they could find, but these papal fires could not prevent honest Catholics from finding God’s Biblical truth, led by the honest priests. They protested the church’s errors and were called ‘Protestants’.
GOSPEL STIRS EUROPE
Luther discerned that Popery would not forsake all her pagan traditions disguised as Christian doctrine, and follow the Bible alone. She wanted unbridled power over the kings and peoples of the world. “...It is the Pope’s duty to pronounce, not only the rights of individuals, but of peoples, nations, and their rulers.” (Cardinal Manning, 1892).Consequently, Luther and his fellow believers started a movement based on the Bible alone. They stopped calling the priests “Father” (Matt 23:9) and now confessed their sins to Christ, their only Priest (I Tim 2:5; Hebrews 8:1;I John 2:1-3). Prayers to Mary and the dead saints were stopped (Acts 12:4). They threw out graven images, which violated the second commandment, and much more as they progressed toward Christ’s original, simple truth.
The Jesuits were formed to infiltrate these Protestant ‘heretics’ and bring them back to the subservience of Popery. “We declare... it is essential to the salvation of every human being, that he be subject to the Roman Pontiff... Whosoever obey not, let him die the death.” (Unam Sanctam, Pope Boniface VIII). “...the Roman Pontiff possesses the primacy over the whole world.” (Vatican Decree 1870, Pius IX). These haughty words of world supremacy from the self-proclaimed ‘Vicar of Christ’ differ from the humble Jesus, who said, “My kingdom is not of this world...” (John 18:36).
Popery fought against the Reformation, not with the Sword of the Spirit, but with the only sword she knew: the sword of subservient kings. Millions were killed in the name of gentle Jesus, who said, “...Do violence to no man...” (Luke 3:14). Protestantism, in the form of the gospel, taught the people that salvation was the combination of God’s grace and their faith. It was a free gift, and a far cry from the high price of indulgences the Church had charged for ‘salvation’ through Tetzel and the priests for past, present and future sins. This wicked tradition made a mockery of Christ’s free gift on Calvary. Europe was drained of its wealth, which flowed south to the Tiber. It provided for the priesthood a lavish lifestyle, unknown by Christ, who had nowhere to lay His tired head (Luke 9:58).
Christ said, “...Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8). The church had kept the people in darkness and drawn them to the priest, who claims to forgive their sins, often for a price. Popery, with her grand cathedrals, startling stained-glass windows, angelic choirs and colourful rituals, satisfied the unsanctified eye, but couldn’t lift the burden of guilt from the sinner’s heart by faith. Christ alone could do this.
The Reformation was leading the people back to the light of God’s Word, the Bible (Romans 10:17), which drew them to Christ, “I am the way [not the church], the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the father, but by me.” (John 14:6).
“Come unto me [not the church], all ye that labour and are heavy laden [by sin], and I [not a priest] will give you rest [from your sin].” (Matt 11:28).
The gospel spread all over Europe as people saw that a loving, long-suffering Father in Heaven had given His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. It was a free gift to all who would accept it by faith. They now learnt to approach their Father in heaven through prayer on their knees in the name of Jesus. God would force no man to accept salvation. It was an individual choice, as the Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts to convict of sin (John 16:8). The Bible predicted, however, in John 16:1-2 that the false church, thinking they were doing God service, would kill those who put the Bible above the church’s traditions.
“The Roman Catholic Church must demand the right to freedom for herself alone.” (La Civilta Catholica, p82-86).
“...a liberty by every man to choose his own religion is one of the most wicked delusions...” (Pope Pius IX).
If the sword was unsuccessful, Jesuits infiltrated Protestant colleges and changed their doctrines, until these sleepy Protestants became unsuspecting Catholics in all but name.
Today’s professed Protestants are shocked when told that the founders of their churches all taught the pope was the Antichrist. They believed the pope had no right to take the blasphemous title of “Most Holy Father,” which the Bible said belongs to God alone (Matt 23:9; Rev 15:4). St Peter claimed only the title of elder, and was equal with many (I Peter 5:1). The Jesuits changed this historic Protestant pillar by introducing futurism, which took the spotlight off Popery, and pointed to a Jew as Antichrist, who would appear in the future to rule the world. Most Protestant preachers today unknowingly promote this Catholic doctrine of a future Jewish Antichrist.
POPERY RETALIATES
Thousands rose up, Bible in hand, to freely preach the gospel. Thousands accepted this message, and rejected the Catholic Church and its erroneous traditions. The Jesuits conspired with the vacillating French King Charles IX to destroy all Protestants in France. On August 24, 1572, when the church bell tolled at midnight, the Catholics massacred 70,000 Protestants. Today, Popery denies its part in this atrocity, but her own medal proves her guilt. England entered the Reformation late, but the seeds sown by Wycliffe two centuries before had not been in vain. Henry VIII broke the secular authority of Rome, and allowed the Bible to be read in every church. The English accepted Christ and rejected the pope, and became known as the “people of the book” (Reform & Revolt, p62). Popery responded with the Spanish Armada, which was ignominiously defeated. The Babbington Jesuit plots failed to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I. The Guy Fawkes plot was then hatched to blow up Protestant King James I and his Parliament. John Knox taught the Gospel, which resulted in the eradication of Popery from Scotland. The falling away from Christ’s truth took place over 400 years. It was to take the 16th century Reformation a similar time to fully restore the gospel that was once given to the saints (Jude 1:3). Thousands stepped out of the darkness and started to ascend the stairs which would lead back to the full restoration of the truth taught by Jesus Christ. They rejected the church as a means of salvation, and claimed “the Bible, and the Bible only”, on which all doctrine should be tested. They found salvation was a free gift by faith alone. God overlooked their ignorance as they sought after more truth (Acts 17:30).
RETURN TO GOSPEL TRUTH
Sadly, many of the 16th century Protestant churches advanced no further in gospel light once their founding fathers died. God raised up others to press on to the full restoration. The Baptists rediscovered the biblical teaching of baptism by full water immersion for those old enough to hear the story of salvation and accept Jesus as their personal Saviour. They rejected the tradition of baby sprinkling, which had crept into the early papal church from paganism. The Methodists brought back the biblical truth of the Ten Commandments being binding on believers. They taught sanctified living through the power and grace of God’s Word. Some Baptists re-established the Sabbath of the fourth commandment (Saturday) and became known as Seventh-day Baptists. They discovered that the biblical Sabbath had been changed to Sunday in 321 AD by Roman Emperor Constantine, as part of the falling away, which united sun-worshipping paganism and Christianity. This compromise brought peace to the troubled empire, but it was at the expense of God’s truth. History boasts that Christianity conquered paganism, but paganism was the real victor. Constantine decreed all to rest “on the venerable day of the sun.”
In the 1840s, Bible students who were studying the second advent of Christ discovered that God required the restoration of His Seal, which was the long-neglected seventh day Sabbath of the fourth commandment. They took the name Seventh-day Adventist because they preached the Second Advent of Christ and taught that the Sabbath (Saturday) was binding on all believers.
Rome, however, still claims Sunday is the Mark of her authority. Satan will be wroth with the remnant, which “keep the commandments of God”. (Revelation 12:17).
Left: Dagon, the pagan god with his fish-head mitre. Right: Pope John Paul II with his pagan fish-head mitre. Christ and the early church knew not such outward pagan adornment.
EXALTED PHARAOH
EXALTED POPE
HUMBLE JESUS
Left: Egyptian Pharaoh carried by his courtiers in canopied procession, with fans and high hat. Centre: Pope John XXIII also being carried by his courtiers in canopied procession with fans and high fish-head hat. This is a striking contrast to our Saviour Jesus Christ (right), who rode into Jerusalem on an ass. Christ stated, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight...” (John 18:36).
Pagan Doctrines Enter Roman Catholic Church
Prayers for the dead......................................300 AD Sunday replaces Saturday as rest day ...... 321 AD
Veneration of angels and dead saints...........375 AD
Baby sprinkling replaces adult baptism ........375 AD
Use of images - statues of saints etc............375 AD
Mary first called “Mother of God”...................431 AD
Priests dress differently to laymen.................500 AD
Purgatory established by Gregory I...............593 AD
Latin used by order of Gregory I....................600 AD
Prayers to Mary, dead saints, angels............600 AD
Cross, images, relic worship official..............786 AD
First canonization of dead saints...................995 AD
Confession of sins to earthly priests............1000 AD
Celibacy of priesthood required...................1079 AD
Mass becomes “sacrifice,” compulsory.......1050 AD
Pagan Rosary beads introduced.................1090 AD
Inquisition brings death to dissenters..........1184 AD
Sale of indulgences begins.........................1190 AD
Adoration of the wafer (Host) decreed........1220 AD
This was transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus. A false belief.
Confession to priests was also introduced. Only God can forgive sin, and our confessions should be to HIM in Jesus’ name; as Jesus taught.
Laymen forbidden to read Bible..................1229 AD
Laymen forbidden Communion cup............1414 AD
Tradition and Bible declared equal..............1545 AD
Pope’s power over world rulers...................1864 AD
Papal infallibility proclaimed........................1870 AD
This medal was struck by the Papacy to celebrate the massacre of French Protestants on St Bartholomew’s Day. “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints.” (Rev 17:6)
“Let no man deceive you... for ...there [will] come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition:” II Thessalonians 2:3
NEW WORLD ORDER PREDICTED
God displays His love to us by revealing through Bible prophecy how to prepare for what is soon to come upon this world
Over 2,600 years ago, God predicted history’s great empires down to the coming of the Lord (see Daniel chapter 2). They were: BABYLON, MEDIA-PERSIA, GREECE, ROME and the divided kingdoms of EUROPE. It is in the days of these last kingdoms that the Lord will return.
Daniel 7 describes the same kingdoms, but this time represents them as beasts (Daniel 7:23). Babylon was a lion, Media-Persia a bear, Greece a four-headed leopard, and Rome a terrible nondescript beast with ten horns (see illustration below). By 476 AD, the Roman Empire of the Caesars had broken into 10 kingdoms, which became the nations of Europe. Another little horn (the Papacy) rose up after the ten horns, and had three of the horns destroyed (Ostrogoths, Visigoths and Heruli), then ruled Europe for 1260 years, as was predicted in Daniel 7:25.
Rome’s religio-political dictatorship fully commenced in 538 AD, when the decree of Roman Emperor Justinian was able to be enforced. The Papacy ruled Europe for what history termed the Dark Ages. Church and State united to force papal dogma on all. Historians claim that upwards of 100 million people were murdered at the hands of this Church State dictatorship, which claimed to be doing God’s will. God’s Bible, however, which was the detector of error, was kept hidden from the common people. Eventually, the printing presses provided Bibles, and many European nations became Protestant. They put the Bible above the church in their plan of salvation. The Protestant nation of England staved off many attacks against their hard-won liberties, which were finally safeguarded by the 1688 Protestant constitutional British monarchy. It became obvious to the English that when a Catholic king obtained power, their first loyalty was to the Pope and his goal for world dominion. Hence Catholics were excluded from positions of authority because of their divided loyalty until 1829.
In the early 1600s, many persecuted Protestants desired more freedom, so set sail across the Atlantic to start a new nation in a sparsely populated wilderness, which is today called the United States of America. They were fleeing a union of church and State. At first, they were reluctant to offer others the religious freedom which they craved. Eventually, to protect the freedom of all in their new country, they separated church and State. They did this, not because they were irreligious, but because they had no desire to force their particular understanding of truth on others. They placed this right in The First Amendment of the US Constitution.
In 1798, exactly 1260 years after 538 AD, Berthier, the French Republican General, took Pope Pius VI prisoner and abolished the Papacy. After this deadly wound was inflicted, many believed this was the end of this intolerant and erroneous system, which claims to be Christ’s sole representative on earth. The Bible student, however, recognised that this deadly wound would be healed, and all the world would eventually wonder after the Papacy.
In Revelation 13, this same power is represented as a beast which ruled for 42 months (1260 days - each day representing a year in Bible reckoning; Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34). Its reign ended in 1798, when it was wounded. This started to heal in 1929 when Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaty and restored political power to the Vatican.
The third part of this prophecy predicted that all the world would wonder after the beast. Some see this being fulfilled as the Pope travels the world speaking of peace and justice. He expresses his concerns about the obvious evils in the world, which most of us can clearly see. Few realise that the pontiff’s remedy for the world is to be peace and justice based on Roman Catholic principles, which would again unite church and State. Pope John Paul II made this point clear on his 1987 trip to Poland when he denounced the separation of church and State (TIME June 17th 1991). Christ, his professed master, however, separated church and State: “...Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21). By this Biblical principle, one church could not get control of the State and force what they believed to be the truth on others. God’s ideal is that the State is to enforce law and order, and leave the churches free to preach the gospel to those who want to listen and voluntarily accept or reject. We must all then give account to God on the Judgment Day.
There is another beast (nation) in Revelation 13:11-18, which comes up out of the earth (a sparsely populated area) about the time when the first beast received its wound (1798). He had two horns like a lamb, but would speak as a dragon and exercise all the power of the first beast before him. This can only be the United States of America, for it came to independent power in a sparsely populated area in the late 1700s. It had two horns, signifying the two powers of church and State being separated. This gave freedom to all who sought refuge and religious liberty on its shores. The United States, with its lamb-like (Christ-like) tolerance, has fulfilled this prophecy. Alarmingly, the Bible foretells that the lamb-like United States is to speak as a dragon, and exercise all the power of the Papacy before it. The United States is to cause all the world to receive a mark in their right hand (representing works) or in their foreheads (conscious choice), and unless a person has this mark, they will not be able to buy and sell (Rev 13:16-18). The Bible says that the number of the Beast is the number (666) of a man - not a computer, as many mistakenly teach today. We must now determine what the Mark of the Beast is. The Bible clues identify the Beast as the Papacy and foretell that the United States will enforce the Mark of Rome’s authority over deceived humanity.
The Pope and many leaders want a New World Order. The Papacy wants to control the spiritual side of this ‘global village’. The United States will provide the power for Catholic doctrine to prevail in the world. This deceived world is being led to choose between two evils. We recoil in moral indignation as we see the obvious evils of abortion, homosexuality, murder, robbery, drugs and rape. Many consequently accept the Pope’s pleas for peace and justice, not realising that the remedy will lead to religious tyranny. The Bible warns us that those who refuse the Mark of the Beast will be persecuted.
Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) - not Rome’s. Rome claims to have changed these commandments, including the fourth, which tells us to keep the seventh day Sabbath (Saturday) holy in remembrance of Creation (Genesis 2:1-3).
It was changed to Sunday by Constantine in the year 321 AD to bring the Sunday worshippers into the church. Sunday keeping has no Biblical authority, as confirmed by the Catholic Church.
“The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is a homage they pay in spite of themselves to the authority of the Catholic Church.” (RC Monsignor Louis Segur, ‘Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today’, page 213).
“Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change (from Saturday to Sunday) was her act. And the act is a Mark of her ecclesiastical authority...” (RC H.F. Thomas, Chancellor to Cardinal Gibbons, 1893).
“We Catholics, then, have precisely the same authority for keeping Sunday holy instead of Saturday as we have for every other article of our creed, namely, the authority of the Church...” The Brotherhood of St Paul, ‘The Clifton Tracts’, Vol. 4, tract 4, p. 15.
The tragic terrorist attacks on America have set the scene for an irate nation to retaliate by trading off its liberties for security and law and order. America, the land of the free, will form a copy (or image) to the Beast (the Papacy) as she unites church and State, to return the nation to what outwardly appears to be a good, old-fashioned, Sunday-keeping Christian society. The religio-political remedy will appear right, but subtly will contain the Catholic version of the Ten Commandments, including forced Sunday worship. God’s Ten Commandments, which includes the Saturday Sabbath of the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11), will be snubbed. Rome claims Sunday worship is her Mark of authority, but God’s Word calls it the Mark of the Beast. No one has received the Mark of the Beast yet, but God has honest people in every church (Rev 18:1-4). In the past God has overlooked our ignorance (Acts 17:30), but now calls us all back to His immutable Commandments.
People worldwide are forming into two groups. The larger group of Sunday worshippers will receive the Mark of the Beast. The small remnant will keep God’s seventh day Sabbath (Saturday), and receive the Seal of God. In His mercy, God is using Bible prophecy to give earth its final warning.
Christ has promised eternal life to all who love and obey Him. Will you and your family choose to follow all of God’s Commandments and reap the reward of eternal life?
BEAST RECEIVES WOUND
The number 666 is the Latin numerical equivalent of a title the Pope takes: VICARIUS FILII DEI (Vicar of the Son of God). Recorded in the Catholic Publication “Our Sunday Visitor” April 18, 1915, but now denied by the Vatican.
VICARIUS
5 1 100 0 0 1 5 0 = 112
BERTHIER CAPTURES POPE PIUS VI
FIL I I
The two beasts (powers) of Revelation 13 are uniting to enforce the Mark of the Beast
0 1 50 1 1 = 53
DEADLY WOUND HEALING
DEI
500 0 1 = 501
Other names may add up to 666,
but only Catholicism fits EVERY clue!
666
LATERAN TREATY SIGNED - 1929
ALL THE WORLD WONDERS
POPE BENEDICT TOURS THE WORLD
The American
The Bible prophesied in Daniel that the Papacy would change God’s 10 Commandments
Christian Crusader
P.O. Box (US address)
Dear Reader,
This warning message is not given to offend, but in the love of God. It is intended to awaken the honest souls who are unconsciously following error (Revelation 18:1-4). We believe God will awaken the hearts of those seeking for His truth. - Editor
The first beast which received the wound (1798), started healing (1929) and which all the world wondered after is the PAPACY.
The second beast, which had two horns like a lamb, came up about 1798 in a sparsely-populated area, and then spoke as a dragon, is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The image (or copy) of the beast, which is made by the second beast (USA), is the forming of a church-State dictatorship. This intolerant union is an express image of the Papal union with the State in the Dark Ages. It led to the execution of millions of Christians who believed the Bible rather than the pagan traditions of Roman Catholicism.
“I am God and there is none else... declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done.” - Isaiah 46:9,10