My friends, do you know that there are a lot of religions out there. Each of them claim that their belief is the correct one. Christian, Moslems, Buddhist, Hindus, Judaists think that their belief is the only way to heaven, and only crazy people think that every belief will lead to heaven (all ways lead to heaven). And only a fool that think there is no God. Each of them claim they worship god, or even gods. But we would both agree that there is only one true God, the Living God, other are idols, gods. You can bring your baseball stick or axe to destroy those dead gods. They can't angry, can't speak, can't walk, can't even move. They need someone to bring them, to move them, and if somebody offended them, it is their followers who will be angry, not them since they can do nothing. But people who are ignorant never think about this. They just take whatever given to them without asking question such as: why should I worship this god? Is this really the true living God? How to worship God, etc?
My friends, are you really sure that your faith has been laid on the strong foundation? That you will be in heaven after you die? That you will see your Creator and He will say to you 'Well done, my faithful servant, welcome home?"
Be careful, my friends. Even your own heart is deceptive, your faith can easily be destroyed if you built it on the sand, not rock. Somebody will come to you and said something that you can't argue with, but because of your ignorancy and your pride, you choose to continue there, even though you know it is wrong.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I believe that all of the people have faith in something. Some people have faith that they will not die if they fall from 30th floor building, some people have faith that they can fly, some people have faith that they can become more famous than Barack Obama. They have a good faith on that, but do you think that the right faith? Do you think that if that person jump from 30th floor, he will not die?
My friends, I want to hear your point of view about this question. I will be so glad to listen to your point of view.
- If you see the term "Roman Catholic Church", have you ever wonder why people put 'Roman' in front of "Catholic Church"? Should you not show favoritism there? or even if you want to show favoritism, why did you not put "Antioch" or "Collosian", or "Galatian", etc? or if you are in Indonesia, why don't you make it to be "Indonesian Catholic Church"? Or why not even make it simple, just 'Catholic Church'?
Have you ever thought about that and wondered why? Or you just blindly follow your church teaching and believe that it will lead you to heaven? Do you know why word "Roman" was put there?
My friends, when you read book of Daniel about 4 beasts, which are: Babylon Empire, Medo-Persia Empire, Greek Empire, and Roman Empire (which are all history now) you will know that Daniel never dream about the fifth one. That means Roman Empire is the last empire that reigned in this world. And also according the the interpretation of the Nebuchadnezzar's dream, when the fourth kingdom reigned, there will be a rock that broke those kingdoms and set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. It will endure forever.
And the prophecy was fulfilled, Jesus is that Rock who came during the reign of Roman Empire. He set up the Kingdom of Heaven. Do you know that when Jesus came, Jerusalem was under Roman Empire? Do you know that 5 Herod kings (Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, Herod Philip, Herod Agrippa I, Herod Agrippa II), Pontius Pilate who reigned at that time was under the Roman Empire? Do you really know that Roman Empire reigned in Israel at that time? Or do you know that in Paul's time, the reason he appealed to Rome is because of reign of Roman Empire. Early churches were persecuted because they were against Roman tradition and also Jewish tradition. That's why, they are called Christian, the church / the body of Christ / Ecclesia (calling out). They were not like Jew, not Greek and not Roman. They were different, they were called out of the 'world'. They are Christ-like and because people in the world love darkness, they hate light, they try to kill that Light and children of light.
And because the prophecies of Daniel must be fulfilled, the Roman Empire eventually collapsed around 300 AD. Constantine was the Great Roman Emperor at that time. And as you know, since first century the early churches had terrible time, paganism in Roman was so great, Christian persecution broke everywhere because many Romans believed that salvation is obtained by works of law, not by faith in Jesus Christ. Jupiter, Venus, Apollo, etc are their gods. They didn't acknowledge Jesus as Saviour. They were strongly hold to their sacred tradition. They worshipped their own gods.
God fulfilled His prophecies, Constantine knew that the time was up for His Empire. His political power will soon cease to die. And because of the Christianity grew stronger and stronger, Constantine, in his last effort switched his power from political power to religious power, from Roman Empire to Roman Catholic Church, that's why "Roman" is still used, even up until now. He then introduced 'Christian' as state religion. History book acknowledged him as first 'Christian' Emperor. He forced people to convert to his belief or die. And to maintain his political power, he claimed himself as God's representative. He used Bible verses where Jesus said to Peter about the Rock where Christ will build His church and key of kingdom of heaven in Matthew 16:18-19. He exalted himself as God, man of lawlessness, as Holy Father (Pope), as Vicar of Christ (Christ's Representative). That Rock is Peter's confession "You are Christ, the Son of the living God, not Peter himself.
Isaiah 44:8
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
People who were against him and his rules, who chose not to disown Christ were sent to Colloseum to be killed by lions or gladiators. And those who accepted his new religion, new teaching were called 'Christian', 'Catholic believers'. It is much different with early church in Antioch where the term "Christian" was given to the true church there. Satan created a counterfeit Christian.
Constantine replaced the Jupiter with Peter, and as we learn from mythology, Jupiter was venerated by Venus, so in RCC (Roman Catholic Church), Mary venerated to him. Constantine had done a good cover up for that. He did face-lift for his empire and because of that, he was getting more powerful. He not only maintained his political power but he also won religious power. The true church of God really had a terrible time ever since.
That was the beginning why "Pope" term was introduced in the church. Bible never said anything about Pope, and Peter was not the true leader in Jerusalem, but James, the Jesus' brother. Peter even did terrible mistake that was rebuked by Paul (Galatian 2:11-21). Peter never been in Rome since his ministry was for the Jews, and at that time, Romans was absolutely full of Gentiles, not Jewish, Paul was the one who went there, and Paul also in his letter to Romans never give personal greeting to Peter. The reason is because Peter never been in Rome. Many Catholic believers are deceived by this institution that said Peter's tomb is found in Vatican, beneath under altar of St. Peter's Basilica. Don't be surprise if I tell you that Peter's tomb was found in Jerusalem in 1953.
And the Pope title entrusted to the next one to maintain the tyranny, the ruler of the world (today Pope is the 265th). Pope claimed himself that he was not under subject of anybody, he never did any mistake (infallible), he was God's representative, another Christ, He can forgive your sins and define new sins, whatever he liked, it must come to pass. He is man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). Eventually, because of no power could resist the church, Pope behave wickedly, Europe went into Dark Age where the church ruled politically and religiously. He sold letter of indulgence, he killed those who refused to be under his subject. He sent people for Crusade. You know the story of Spanish inquisition? History said that many witches, necromancers, heretics were killed. Don't be surprise if you hear that witches, etc were the true Christians. They called the good as bad and bad as good. The same thing happened right now because the Council of Trent. They called the Bible believers = heretic and let them be an anathema, accursed. They called those who claim justification by grace through faith, not of works as heretics. Hear by the Bible said:
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Open your eyes and see, my friends
From the 1st century till 15th century, people were blind because the power of papacy was too great. The Bible was exclusively only for the high priests and they must be under high supervision from the church. They never let anyone outside the church read it. But still, God saved many people during that time, letter of apostles were distributed underground among believers, but once they were discovered, they died for their faith. Many were died, and because of that from 1st to 15th century, the power of the church was so great and went from bad to worse. So, it gives another proof what Bible has declared "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:12-13).
But later, the churches then started to have strong opposition, internal conflict like dualism in Papacy made a way for Great Revival around the world. It was promoted by John Wycliffe, he translated Bible from Latin to English, and he paid with his blood, he was burned alive and died as a martyr. But his works brought a great damage to the papacy. His translated Bible was read by many people and Revival of the true church soon after that broke in many places.
Once in history, there were 2 Pope reigned at the same time, both of them claimed themselves as the true Pope and condemned each other. One ruled in Vatican, Italy (Pope Leo X), another in Avignon, France (Pope Clement VII). It lasted in period of 1309-1377 and there were 7 Popes ruled in Avignon. People lost their trust on the church. They even revolted to the church. God really move His Spirit, He poured out His Spirit to His people, not to be deceived any longer. John Hus, Luther, Wesley, Moody, Finney, Booth, Muller, Spurgeon, etc follow the breakthrough that had been opened by Wycliffe. God's power continue until now. God's people raise again. Bible's believers raise again. Thanks be to God.
Bible also said that this system will go to perdition, to exile. It happen from 15 century (because of Revival of the church) until 1870 when Rome was usurped by the Italian army, the Roman Catholic Church was entrenched in her wilderness experience.
After 1870, even though Catholic Church came back to rule in Vatican, but still the pope must subject to Italian ruler, another head of state. The Catholic Church believed that by virtue of his calling, the pope had an inalienable right to a temporal sovereignty. Only then could he conduct fully and freely his duties as head of the universal Catholic Church. But this demand conflicted with the natural desire of the Italians for a united nation with Rome as its capital.
Both sides of the conflict were eager for an end to this lingering problem. In 1922, Benito Mussolini, the Duke, and Pope Pius XI came to power. And by 1929 they had at last found a solution to the thorny Roman Question that had lasted 59 years. On February 11, 1929, three sets of documents, known collectively as the Lateran Accords, were signed in Rome at the Lateran Palace by Cardinal Gasparri, representing Pope Pius XI, and Mussolini, representing King Victor Emanuel III.
Roman Catholic Church got its independence and sovereignty again. The political independence means that now they had a monarchy, although on much reduced area of land, where the pope was the absolute ruler (king). The pope now was not only the supreme head of the Catholic Church universally, but also the indisputable temporal king over the State of Vatican City. He was no longer a prisoner of captivity. Started at 1929, Pope became King.
Bible prophecied exaltly correct, Roman Empire who has wound in the head (almost collapse) slowly but sure, regain his power again. And it will recover fully soon. The beast will come back to live, persecution of the true churches will arise again. God is really great. His prophecies are being fulfilled in our time. Bible never lie, you can read your Bible and see the fulfillment right in front your eyes.
Revelation 17:8
The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.
Roman Empire (the fourth Empire as Daniel has prophecied), is the last Empire in the world. He once was (until 15th century), now is not (from 15th century till 1929) and yet will come (from 1929 till end of the world). We are on the last day. The eighth king is the beast. Do you know that today Pope is the 7th one? Please read here for more information.
The beast will prepare the way for the coming of the Real Antichrist, Man of Sin. How close we are to that, are we not?
But God is good. Even the system is corrupt, but still many God's people dwell in that system, that God said, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues (Revelation 18:4). They just don't have courage to move out even though they don't agree with the system. It is time, my friends. Do you want to share in her sins? Do you want to receive any of her plagues? COME OUT of her, my friends. But Bible also said that many other people whose names have not been written in the book of life will be astonished when they see the beast.
Though seeing, they may not see, though hearing, they may not understand (Luke 8:10). God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day. And David says, "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever (Romans 10:8-10).
If you read Bible, there are a lot of antichrists have come to the world and in the last day, there will be an antichrist (singular). It will surely come soon. And those antichrists who already have come (1 John 2:18) are called Pope (Vicarius Filii Dei). This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666 (Revelation 13:18).
V = 5, I = 1, C = 100, A = no value, R = no value, I = 1, U = 5, S = no value
VICARIUS = 5 + 1 + 100 + 1 + 5 = 112
F = no value, I = 1, L = 50, I = 1, I = 1
FILII = 1 + 50 + 1 + 1 = 53
D = 500, E = no value, I = 1
DEI = 500 + 1 = 501
VICARIUS FILII DEI = 122 + 53 + 501 = 666
You can see more about 666 by clicking here.
Ecumenical Movement is Satan's way to bring all religions under umbrella of Roman Catholic church. If you read your Bible, it said,
2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
What we need to do to those muslims, buddhist, hindus, even atheists friends are not to let them walk straight to hell without somebody tell them the truth. We need to preach the Gospel to them so that they can share the glory of God with us in heaven. Do you think it is love if you tolerate their belief? Do you think that the statement "You do your belief and I do mine" is an act of love? The reason why you don't tell them is only this: you are afraid of being persecuted, losing friends, or even your life under danger.
Mark 8:38
Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels
That's my answer for question why "Roman" still use in that institution, because they just changed their skin from political power to religious power. How about your answer?
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