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Archive for the ‘1.00-WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD -Civil and Divine Laws Endangered’ Category

WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 18-

INTERPRETING THE SYMBOLS-part 3-

SPEAKS LIKE THE DRAGON

BUT the beast with lamblike horns “spoke as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed;…saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had that wound by a sword, and did live”  (Revelation 13:11-14).

The lamblike horns and dragon voice of the symbol point to a striking contradiction between the professions and the practice of the nation thus represent. The speaking” of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities.  By such action it will give the lie to those liberal and peaceful principles which it has put forth as the foundation of its policy.  The prediction that it will speak as a dragon” and exerciseall the power of the first beast” plainly foretells a development of the spirit of intolerance and persecution that was manifested by the nations represented by the dragon and the leopardlike beast.  And the statement that the beast with two horns causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast” indicates that the authority of this nation is to be exercised in enforcing some observance which shall be an act of homage to the Papacy.

Such action would be directly contrary to the principles of this government, to the genius of its free institutions, to the direct and solemn avowals of the Declaration of Independence, and to the Constitution. The founders of the nation wisely sought to guard against the employment of secular power on the part of the church, with its inevitable result –intolerance and persecution. 

The Constitution provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” and that “no religious test shall ever be required as qualification of any office of public trust under the United States.”  Only in flagrant violation of these safeguards to the nation’s liberty, can any religious observance be enforced by civil authority.  But the inconsistency of such action is no greater than is represented in the symbol.  It is the beast with lamblike horns in profession pure, gentle, and harmless- that speaks as a dragon.

THE IMAGE TO THE BEAST

SAYING to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast. Here is clearly presented a form of government in which the legislative power rests with the people, a most striking evidence that the United States is the nation denoted in the prophecy.  But what is theimage to the beast”? And how is it to be formed? The image is made by the two-horned beast, and is an image to the beast.  It is also called an image of the beast. Therefore, to learn what the image is like and how it is to be formed we must study the characteristics of the beast itself – the Papacy.

 

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 17-

INTERPRETING THE SYMBOLS-part 2-

AMERICA IN PROPHECY

AT this point another symbol is introduced. Says the prophet: “I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb” (verse 11). Both the appearance of this beast and the manner of its rise indicate that the nation which it represents is unlike those presented under the preceding symbols. The great kingdoms that have ruled the world were presented to the prophet Daniel as beasts of prey, rising whenthe four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.” (Daniel 7:2).  In Revelation 17 an angel explained that waters represent people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15).  Winds are a symbol of strife. The four winds of heaven striving upon the great sea represent the terrible scenes of conquest and revolution by which kingdoms have attained to power.

OUT OF THE EARTH

BUT the beast with lamblike horns was seen “coming up out of the earth” (Rev.13.11). Instead of overthrowing other powers to establish itself, the nation thus represented must arise in territory previously unoccupied and grow up gradually and peacefully. It could not, then, arise among the crowded and struggling nationalities of the Old World –that turbulent sea of “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” It must be sought in the Western continent.

What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world?  The application of the symbol admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America.  Again and again the thought, almost the exact words, of the sacred writer has been unconsciously employed by the orator and the historian in describing the rise and growth of this nation.  A prominent writer, describing the rise of the United States, speaks of “the mystery of her coming forth from vacancy”, and says: “Like a ‘silent seed’ we grew into empire”. (G.A.Townsend, The New World Compared With the Old, page 462). A European journal in 1850 spoke of the United States as a wonderful empire, which was “emerging”, and “amid the silence of the earth daily adding to its power and pride”.  (The Dublin Nation).

Thetwo horns like a lamb” well represent the character of our own government, as expresses in its two fundamental principles –Republicanism and Protestantism.  These principles are the secret of our power and prosperity as a nation.  Those who first found an asylum on the shores of America, rejoiced that they had reached a country free from the arrogant claims of popery and the tyranny of kingly rule. They determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty.

If, therefore, the Catholic Church also claims the rig of dogmatic intolerance with regard to her teaching, it is unjust to reproach her for exercising this right…She regards dogmatic intolerance not alone as her incontestable right, but also as a sacred duty…According to Romans 8:11, the secular authorities have the right to punish, especially grave crimes with death; consequently, ‘hermetics may be not only excommunicated, but also justly put to death’” (The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911, edition, Vol. 14, pages 766, 768.)

“The wall of separation between church and state’ is a metaphor based on bad history, a metaphor that has proved useless as a guide to judging.  It should be frankly and explicitly abandoned” (Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Time, December 9, 1991).

A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court “declared that when religious rights clash with the government’s need for uniform rules, the court will side with the government.”  (Los Angeles Times, April 18, 1990)

 

 

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 16-

In contrast to those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, the third angel points to another class, against whose errors a solemn and fearful warning is uttered: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, he same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” (Revelation 14:9-10). A correct interpretation of the symbols employed is necessary to an understanding of this message.  What is represented by the beast, the image, the mark?

INTERPRETING THE SYMBOLS-part 1-

THE DRAGON

THE line of prophecy in which these symbols are found begins with Revelation 12, with the dragon that sought to destroy Christ at His birth. The dragon is said to be Satan (Revelation 12:9); he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death.  But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and His people during the first centuries of the Christian. Era was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion.  Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome.

THE LEOPARDILIKE BEAST

IN chapter 13 (verse 1-10) is described another beast, “like unto a leopard” to which the dragon-Satan and pagan Rome- gave “his power, and his seat, and great authority”. This leopardlike beast, as most Protestants have believed, represents the Papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once held by the ancient Roman Empire.  Of the leopardlike beast it is declared: “There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies…And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations”. This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the Papacy.

“Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months”. And, says the prophet, “I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death”. And again: “He that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword” (Revelation 13:10). The forty and two months are the same as the time and times and the dividing of time”, three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7- the time during which the papal power was to oppress God’s people.  This period began with the supremacy of the Papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time the pope was made captive by French army, the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity” (Revelation 13:10).

 

LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE, WHICH HAS COST SO GREAT A SACRIFICE, WILL NO LONGER BE RESPECTED

THOSE WHO HONOR THE BIBLE SABBATH WILL BE DENOUNCED AS ENEMIES OF LAW AND ORDER

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 15-

TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PAPACY IS LEADING, LOOK AT HER PAST HISTORY-part 9-

THE DARK AGES REPEATED

SATAN’S policy in this final conflict with God’s people is the same that he employed in the opening of the great controversy in heaven.  He professed to be seeking to promote the stability of the divine government, while secretly bending every effort to secure its overthrow.  And the very work which he was thus endeavoring to accomplish he charged upon the loyal angels. The same policy of deception has marked the history of the Roman Church. 

It has professed to act as the vicegerent of Heaven, while seeking to exalt itself above God and to change His law.  Under the rule of Rome, those who suffered death for their fidelity to the gospel were denounced as evildoers; they were declared to be in league with Satan; and every possible means was employed to cover them with reproach, to cause them to appear in the eyes of the people and even to themselves as the vilest of criminals.  So it will be now.  While Satan seeks to destroy those who honor God’s law, he will cause them to be accused as lawbreakers, as men who are dishonoring God and bringing judgments upon the world.

COMPULSION BY CRUELTY

GOD never forces the will or the conscience; but Satan’s constant resort-to gain control of those whom he cannot otherwise seduce- is compulsion by cruelty. Through fear of force he endeavors to rule the conscience and to secure homage to himself.  To accomplish this goal, he works through both religious and secular authorities, moving them to the enforcement of human laws in defiance of the Law of God.

Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority.  They will be accused of disaffection toward the government. Ministers who deny the obligation of the divine law will present from the pulpit the duty of yielding obedience to the civil authorities as ordained of God. In legislative halls and courts of justice, commandment keepers will be misrepresented and condemned.  A false coloring will be given to their worst the worst construction will be put upon their motives.

LIGHT EXCHANGED FOR DARKNESS

AS the Protestant churches reject the clear, scriptural arguments in defense of God’s Law, they will long to silence those whose faith they cannot overthrow by the Bible.  Though they blind their own eyes to the fact, they are now adopting a course which will lead to the persecution of those who conscientiously refuse to do what the rest of the Christian world are doing, and acknowledge the  claims of the papal sabbath.

LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE DENIED

THE dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday.  The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments.  Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance.  Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected.  In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet’s words:The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).

In contrast to those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, the third angel points to another class, against whose errors a solemn and fearful warning is uttered: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, he same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” (Revelation 14:9-10). A correct interpretation of the symbols employed is necessary to an understanding of this message.  What is represented by the beast, the image, the mark?

 

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 14-

TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PAPACY IS LEADING, LOOK AT HER PAST HISTORY-part 8

LAW AND ORDER THE REAL ISSUE-part 2-

SIN NO LONGER SINFUL

WHEREVER the divine precepts are rejected, sin ceases to appear sinful or righteousness desirable. Those who refuse to submit to the government of God are wholly unfitted to govern themselves.  Through their pernicious teachings the spirit of insubordination is implanted in the hearts of children and youth, who are naturally impatient of control; and a lawless, licentious state of society results. While scoffing at the credulity of those who obey the requirements of God, the multitudes eagerly accept the delusions of Satan.  They give the rein to lust and practice the sins which have called down judgments upon the heathen.

SOCIETY IN DISARRAY

ALREADY the doctrine that men are released from obedience to God’s requirements has weakened the force of moral obligation and opened the floodgates of iniquity upon the world. Lawlessness, dissipation, and corruption are sweeping in upon us like an overwhelming tide.  In the family, Satan is at work.  His banner waves, even in professedly Christian households.  There is envy, evil surmising, hypocrisy, estrangement, emulation, strife, betrayal of sacred trusts, and indulgence of lust.  The whole system of religious principles and doctrines, which should form the foundation and framework of social life, seems to be a tottering mass, ready to fall to ruin.

The vilest of criminals, when thrown into prison for their offenses, are often made the recipients of gifts and attentions as if they had attained an enviable distinction. Great publicity is given to their character and crimes. The press publishes the revolting details of vice, thus initiating others into the practice of fraud, robbery, and murder; and Satan exults in the success of his hellish schemes.  The infatuation of vice, the wanton taking of life, the terrible increase of intemperance and iniquity of every order and degree, should arouse all who fear God, to inquire what can be done to stay the tide of evil.

SCRIPTURES NOW REJECTED

THE iniquity and spiritual darkness that prevailed under the supremacy of Rome were the inevitable result of her suppression of the Scriptures; but where is to be found the cause of the widespread infidelity, the rejection of the Law of God, and the consequent corruption, under the full blaze of gospel light in an age of religious freedom? Now that Satan can no longer keep the world under his control by withholding the Scriptures, he resorts to other means to accomplish the same object.  To destroy faith in the Bible serves his purpose as well as to destroy the Bible itself.  By introducing the belief that God’s law is not binding, he as effectually leads men to transgress as if they were wholly ignorant of its precepts.  And now- as if former ages, he has worked through the church to further his designs.  The religious organizations of the day have refused to listen to unpopular truths plainly brought to view in the Scriptures, and in combating them they have adopted interpretations and taken positions which have sown broadcast the seeds of skepticism.

Clinging to the papal error of natural immortality and man’s consciousness in death, they have rejected the only defense against the delusions of Spiritualism.  The doctrine of eternal torment has led many to disbelieve the Bible.  And as the claims of the fourth commandment are urged upon the people, it is found that the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath s enjoined; and as the only way to free themselves from a duty which they are unwilling to perform, many popular teachers declare that the Law of God is no longer binding.  Thus they cast away the law and the Sabbath together.  As the work of Sabbath reform extends, this rejection of the Divine Law to avoid the claims of the fourth commandment will become well-nigh universal.

 

 

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 13-

TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PAPACY IS LEADING, LOOK AT HER PAST HISTORY-part 7

LAW AND ORDER THE REAL ISSUE-part 1-

FROM the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been Satan’s purpose to overthrow the Law of God.  To deceive men, and thus lead them to transgress God’s law, is the object which he has steadfastly pursued. Whether it be accomplished by casting aside the law altogether, or by rejecting one of its precepts, the result will be ultimately the same.  He that offends in one point,” manifests contempt for the whole law; his influence and example are on the side of transgression; he becomes “guilty of all.” (James 2:10)

In seeking to cast contempt upon the divine statutes, Satan has perverted the doctrines of the Bible, and errors have thus become incorporated into the faith of thousands who profess to believe the Scriptures.  The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the Law of God.  Upon this battle we are now entering-a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah, between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition.

La Ley de Dios 001

INFIDELITY prevails to an alarming extent, not in the world merely, but in the church. Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian faith.  The great facts of Creation as presented by the inspired writers, the Fall of man, the atonement, and the perpetuity of the Law of God, are practically rejected, either wholly or in part, by a large share of the professedly Christian world.  Many ministers are teaching their people, and many professors and teachers are instructing their students, that the Law of God has been changed or abrogated; and those who regard its requirements as still valid, to be literally obeyed, are thought to be deserving only of ridicule or contempt.

DOCTRINAL IDOLATRY

IN rejecting the truth, men reject its Author. In trampling upon the Law of God, they deny the authority of the Lawgiver. It is as easy to make an idol of false doctrines and theories as to fashion an idol of wood or stone. By misrepresenting the attributes of God, Satan leads men to conceive of Him in a false character.  With many, a philosophical idol is enthroned in the place of Jehovah; while the living God, as He is revealed in His Word, in Christ, and in the works of creation, is worshiped by but few.  Thousands deify nature while they deny the God of nature. 

Though in a different form, idolatry exists in the Christian world today as verily as it existed among ancient Israel in the days of Elijah.  The god of many professedly wise men, of philosophers, poets, politicians, journalists- the god of polished fashionable circles, of many colleges and universities, even of some theological institutions- is little better than Baal,  the sun-god of Phoenicia.

No error accepted by the Christian world strikes more boldly against the authority of Heaven, none is more directly opposed to the dictates of reason, none is more pernicious in its results, than the modern doctrine, so rapidly gaining ground, that Gods’ Law is no longer binding upon men.  Suppose that prominent ministers were publicly to teach that the statutes which govern their land and protect the rights of its citizens were not obligatory-that they restricted the liberties of the people, and therefore ought not to be obeyed; how long would such men be tolerated in the pulpit? But is it a graver offense to disregard the laws of states and nations than to trample upon those divine precepts which are the foundation of all government?

 

 

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 12-

TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PAPACY IS LEADING, LOOK AT HER PAST HISTORY-part 6

REFORMERS PROTEST

THE lack of the knowledge of the Word of God allowed the Papacy to rule the world during the Dark Ages.  Toward the end of that age, as an understanding of God’s Word began to unfold, men began to protest the errors prevalent during that time.  Those Protestant Reformers threw off the shackles of error and superstition, and began to let the light of God’s Word shine.  These men received the title of Protestants, because, as they understood the truth of God’s Word they saw that they must protest and oppose the error of Catholicism if they would be true to God.  Once again in the history of this planet the knowledge of God’s Word had been forgotten.  Compare the Reformers’ understanding of the Papacy with the beliefs of this modern generation.

“For professing faith contrary to the Church of Rome, history records the martyrdom of more than one hundred million people” (Brief Bible Readings, page 16)

“On August 24, 1527, Roman Catholics in France, by prearranged plan, under Jesuit influence, murdered 70.000 Protestants within the space of two months.  The pope rejoiced when he heard the news of the successful outcome.”  (Western Watchman, November 21, 1912,-Catholic-)

POPERY DENOUNCED

MARTIN LUTHER said, “I know that the pope is the Antichrist, and that his see is that of Satan himself.  The Papacy is the general chase, by command of the Roman pontiff, for the purpose of running down and destroying souls”.

CHARLES SPURGEON said, “We must warn with judicious boldness those who incline towards the errors of Rome; we must tell them of the black doings of Popery”.

JOHN KNOX said the pope was “the very antichrist”.

JOHN WESLEY said of the Papacy, “He is an emphatical sense, the Man of Sin, as he increases all manner of sin above measure”.

JOHN CALVIN said, “We call the Roman pontiff Antichrist”.

PROTESTANTS FORGET PAST

TODAY the descendants of those faithful martyrs have forgotten why they call themselves Protestants.  Consider the following:

“It is time for Protestants to go to the shepherd (the pope) and say, ‘What do we have to do to come home?’ “  (Dr. Robert Schuller, Los Angeles Herald Examiner, Sept. 19, 1987).

“Heads of American Protestant and Eastern Orthodox churches who were meeting with Pope John Paul II on Friday hailed their first broadly representative discussion as a landmark on the road to greater unity…The Rev. Donald Jones, a United Methodist and chairman of the University of South Carolina religious studies department, termed it, ‘the most important ecumenical meeting of the century’…The Rev. Paul A Crow Jr., of Indianapolis, ecumenical officer of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), called it a ‘new day in ecumenism’ opening a future in which God ‘is drawing us together’ “  (The Montgomery Advertiser, Sept.12, 1987)

“If Catholicism is to become more Catholic in the future, which is what I expect under the present pope, then theological differences will become sharper, but our alliances with Catholics against the secular culture can become deeper.  I, for one, am ready for the trade-off.”  (David Wells, Eternity Magazine, Sept. 1987).

“Protestant and Catholic charismatic teaching on the Christian life is to all intents and purposes identical. Is this not significant for the Christian future?”(J.I.Packer, Christianity Today, June 22, 1992)

Protestantism has forgotten her roots. She was ordained to resist and denounce the errors of Rome.  Now she is willing to embrace them.  Now as the entire world is on the verge of Rome’s final assault, the former enemies are forming alliances.  The Protestant world has forgotten they are involved in an eternal battle, and because of their willing neglect of knowledge, they are destined to be destroyed.

 

 

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 11-

TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PAPACY IS LEADING, LOOK AT HER PAST HISTORY-part 5-

MILLIONS OF MARTYRS

IN the thirteenth century was established that most terrible of all the engines of the Papacy-the inquisition. The prince of darkness wrought with the leaders of the papal hierarchy. In their secret councils Satan and his angels controlled the minds of evil men, while unseen in the midst stood an angel of God, taking the fearful record of their iniquitous decrees and writing the history of deeds too horrible to appear to human eyes.  The mangled forms of millions of martyrs cried to God for vengeance upon that apostate power.

“Pope John Paul II asked forgiveness for Catholic-Protestant wars in Europe during the Counter-reformation” (U.S, News and World Report, July 3, 1995)

This and similar news reports are an indirect acknowledgement of responsibility for millions of   martyrs during the Dar Ages.  The Bible predicts that under stressful conditions just before us, the Papacy and its supporters will again resort to the use of civil power to control dissenters.  

MAXIMUN DARKNESS

POPERY had become the world’s despot. Kings and emperors bowed to the decrees of the Roman pontiff. The destinies of men, both for time and for eternity, seemed under his control.  For hundreds of years the doctrines of Rome had been extensively and implicitly received, its rites reverently performed, its festivals generally observed.  Its clergy were honored and liberally sustained.  Never since has the Roman Church attained to greater dignity, magnificence, or power.

UNRESTRAINED VICE

BUT “the noon of the Papacy was the midnight of the world” (J.A. Wylie,-The History of Protestantism, b. 1, ch. 4). The Holy Scriptures were almost unknown, not only to the people, but to the priests. Like the Pharisees of old, the papal leaders hated the light which would reveal their sins.  God’s law, the standard of righteousness, having been removed, they exercised power without limit, and practiced vice without restraint.  Fraud, avarice, and profligacy prevailed.  Men shrank from no crime by which they could gain wealth or position.  The palaces of popes and prelates were scenes of the vilest debauchery.  Some of the reigning pontiffs were guilty of crimes so revolting that secular rulers endeavored to depose these dignitaries of the church as monsters too vile to be tolerated.  For centuries Europe had made no progress in learning, arts, or civilization.  A moral and intellectual paralysis had fallen upon Christendom.

 

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 10-

TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PAPACY IS LEADING, LOOK AT HER PAST HISTORY-part 4-

THE DARKNESS DEEPENS

The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of error in the doctrines put forth from Rome.  Even before the establishment of the Papacy the teachings of heathen philosophers had received attention and exerted an influence in the church.  Many who professed conversion still clung to the tenets of their pagan philosophy, and not only continued its study themselves, but urged it upon others as a means of extending their influence among the heathen.  Serious errors were thus introduced into the Christian faith.  Prominent among these was the belief in man’s natural immortality and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which Rome established the invocation of saints and the adoration of the Virgin Mary. From it sprang also the heresy of eternal torment for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith.

Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another invention of paganism, which Rome named purgatory, and employed to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes.  By this heresy is affirmed the existence of a place of torment, in which the souls of such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer punishment for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity, they are admitted to heaven.

THE FINANCIAL ANGLE

“The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but is Jesus Christ, hidden under a veil of flesh”-The Catholic National, July, 1895- ????

Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to profit by the fears and the vices of her adherents.  This was supplied by the doctrine of indulgences. Full remission of sins, past, present, and future, and release from all the pains and penalties incurred, were promised to all who would enlist in the pontiff’s wars to extend his temporal dominion, to punish his enemies, or to exterminate those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy.  The people were also taught that by the payment of money to the church they might free themselves from sin, and also release the souls of their deceased friends who were confined in the tormenting flames.  By such means did Rome fill her coffers and sustain the magnificence, luxury, and vice of the pretended representatives of Him who had not where to lay His head.

THE CREATOR CREATED

The scriptural ordinance of the Lord’s Supper had been supplanted by the idolatrous sacrifice of the Mass.  Papal priests pretended, by their senseless mummery, to convert the simple bread and wine into the actual “body and blood of Christ”- Cardinal Wiseman, “The Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist, Proved From Scripture”, lecture 8, sec.3, par.26. With blasphemous presumption, they openly claimed the power of creating God, the Creator of all things.  Christians were required, on pain of death, to avow their faith in this horrible, Heaven-insulting heresy. Multitudes that refused were given to the flames.

 

 

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WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 9-

TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PAPACY IS LEADING, LOOK AT HER PAST HISTORY-part 3-

THE DARK AGES BEGIN

The accession of the Roman Church to power marked the beginning of the Dark Ages.  As her power increased, the darkness deepened.  Faith was transferred from Christ, the true foundation, to the pope of Rome.  Instead of trusting in the Son of God for forgiveness of sins and for eternal salvation, the people looked to the pope, and to the priests and prelates to whom he delegated authority.  There were taught that the pope was their earthly mediator and that none could approach God except through him; and, further, that he stood in the place of God to them and was therefore to be implicitly obeyed.

A deviation from requirements was sufficient cause for the severest punishment to be visited upon the bodies and souls of offenders.  Thus the minds of the people were turned away from God to fallible, erring, and cruel men; nay, more, to the prince of darkness himself, who exercised his power through them. Sin was disguised in a garb of sanctity.  When the Scriptures are suppressed, and man comes to regard himself as supreme, we need look only for fraud, deception, and debasing iniquity. With the elevation of human laws and traditions was manifest the corruption that ever results from setting aside the Law of God.

DAYS OF PERIL

Those were days of peril for the church of Christ.  The gospel was lost sight of, but the forms of religion were multiplied, and the people were burdened with rigorous exactions.  They were taught not only to look to the pope as their mediator, but to trust to works of their own to atone for sin.  Long pilgrimages, acts of penance, the worship of relics, the erection of churches, shrines, and altars, the payment of large sums to the church –these and many similar acts were enjoined  to appease the wrath of God or to secure His favor; as if God were like men, to be angered at trifles, or pacified by gifts or acts of penance!

The darkness seemed to grow more dense.  Image worship became more general.  Candles were burned before images, and prayers were offered to them.  The most absurd and superstitious customs prevailed. The minds of men were so completely controlled by superstition, that reason itself seemed to have lost its sway.  While priests and bishops were themselves pleasure-loving, sensual, and corrupt, it could only be expected that the people who looked to them for guidance would be sunken in ignorance and vice.

THE HAUGHTY PONTIFF

Another step in papal assumption was taken, when, in the eleventh century, Pope Gregory VII proclaimed the perfection of the Roman Church.  Among the propositions which he put forth was one declaring that the church had never erred, nor would it ever err, according to the Scriptures.  But the Scripture proofs did not accompany the assertion.  The proud pontiff also claimed the power to depose emperors, and declared that no sentence which he pronounced could be reversed by anyone, but that is was his prerogative to reverse the decisions of all others.

How striking the contrast between the overbearing pride of this haughty pontiff and the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who represents Himself as pleading at the door of the heart for admittance, that He may come in to bring pardon and peace, and who taught His disciples: “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”   (Matthew 20:27).

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