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I can imagine the Headlines the day after the Rapture of the Church...
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FLOCK TO SEE MARY WHILE MILLIONS MORE SUDDENLY VANISH ON OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD.
Imagination seems to be an important requirement for much of the rapture premise since it is not biblical.
Nor has it ever been taught in the early Church who worried the time of the end could be soon.
One would have thought it would have been an important documented truth if it was at all believed.
In regards to apparitions i would say that these are much more likely to be satanic deception than anything else.
14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
This is an example of a new doctrine that doesnt follow the same Gospel St John taught.A Baptist friend of my husband's is a real Bible scholar...he told us a long time ago that the teaching of the rapture is a fairly recent development in the church. The rapture was not taught until sometime in the late 1800's I believe. He personally believes everything happens at Jesus' Second Coming.
Hi there,
I don't really have an argument with what you have written Amylisa...but maybe you might consider that those that have traded in icons...(and don't be mistaken, it is a huge trade), and those in authority in the Body of Messiah that have welcomed their out-put for hundreds of years, and given their blessing to their veneration, have in fact put an unnecessary stumbling block before millions of people, who for whatever reasons do not use them as intended...
To my mind, some people have made a huge mistake, and rather than perpetuate, justify and sanction it, people should rise up and say enough is enough, and get rid of the things that are unwise and more often than not a distraction and side-show to the main attraction...Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If we truly believe those that have died in the L-rd are watching us and rooting for us, then lets clean up our act and run unencumbered, and prove the grace of G-d being effective in our lives.
For some of us that means kicking unhelpful traditions and practices into touch, believing G-d and taking Him at His word.
Christ did not establish the Roman Catholic church. He established His Church and the enemy, true to his form, presented a imitation church with a new Hierarchy (Mary and the Popes).Christ established since 33 AD.
The world hated Him first, no doubt they hate His Church since it is His.
Hi,
the spirit of your post is very gracious and I hope I can word mine to reflect the same...it is hard to talk in forums like this since we can't hear each other's tone of voice, etc.
I understand what you are saying. No denomination is without its problems I think we can all agree on that.
In every group there are those who trade on religious items. To single out Catholicism in this way I don't think is entirely fair.
If someone does mistreat / misuse an icon, or a statue, does that mean then that everyone else should necessarily have to do without them...sorry my question mark key is broken. My little boy likes to pick the keys off the keyboard and so I have a few here that don't work anymore!
I wear a medal around my neck that has a picture of Mary. I wear it because I love her, and I love Yeshua so much....honoring His Mother brings joy to my heart. I love her like a mother, or maybe even as a mother in law. The way I feel about this is that I wear it in the same way as a daughter would wear a picture of her mother, perhaps in a locket or some such thing. Icons and statues, etc. are simply reminders that we, as physical beings still living in this world, may look at and be reminded of the ones we love, ones that we must wait to be united to in heaven.
When you stop and think about it, does it make any sense that so many people are almost opposed to Mary ( I am not saying you are Zalal, just many who post here. She makes people nervous. But this is the mother of our Saviour that we are talking about. No we are not to worship her but to disregard her entirely is not true faith. It is not honoring to Christ. I say this in response to the numerous threads/topics here.
That is what I always figuredChrist did not establish the Roman Catholic church. He established His Church and the enemy, true to his form, presented a imitation church with a new Hierarchy (Mary and the Popes).
And the gullible masses blindly followed.
That's right. And shows exactly why Fatima for example is satanic in origin because the familiar spirit of Mary wanted people to look to her...IF the messages appear to bring in new or different teachings they are false.
Calling her blessed is one thing attaching what is clearly (to those without Rome colored glasses)the work of the adversary to her is quite another.All generations shall call me Blessed...
SEE LUKE.
Blessed - venerable, honorable. To be venerated.
IF she was to be forgotten or even just a used womb - surely she could not speak this way. Yet it is recorded in the Gospel.
OUR Church is the one who maintains veneration of our Lady through all generations - yet another fulfillment of why the Catholic Church remains true.
ven·er·ate/ˈvenəˌrāt/
Verb:Regard with great respect; revere.
Synonyms:revere - respect - honour - honor - esteem -
All generations shall call me Blessed...
SEE LUKE.
Blessed - venerable, honorable. To be venerated.
IF she was to be forgotten or even just a used womb - surely she could not speak this way. Yet it is recorded in the Gospel.
OUR Church is the one who maintains veneration of our Lady through all generations - yet another fulfillment of why the Catholic Church remains true.
ven·er·ate/ˈvenəˌrāt/
Verb:Regard with great respect; revere.
Synonyms:revere - respect - honour - honor - esteem -
Calling her blessed is one thing attaching what is clearly (to those without Rome colored glasses)the work of the adversary to her is quite another.
Makes one wonder what's in the incense???..
i checked different sources - literal translation is blessed.
Lk 1:48for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
i looked at Koine Greek - the word fortunate was never part of the verse
μακαριοῦσίν
See Luke 11:27,28 regarding Jesus' answer to those who were calling her blessed. See also how right before that he was warning about demons and how right afterwards He warns against seeking signs (apparitions?).
I am not RC, so will not comment on apparitions, but your interpretation of Luke 11:27-28 is curious.
Christ's answer (menoun is consistently used to mean 'indeed', which is the British meaning of 'rather') affirms that His mother is blessed; after all, she heard the word of God and kept it - if not, Jesus would not have been born ...
Strong gives it as both 'nay, but' and 'yea, doubtless.' Context indicates he is not denying Mary's blessedness but emphasizing the need for the believer to follow Him rather than Mary. Especially when seen within the parenthetical warnings about demons and apparitions.
Strongs seems to have ignored the use of menoun in all Greek writings of the time. It's 'negative' application in (iirc) Ephesians is perhaps based on the 'exasperated' tone of Paul's statements (thus, in this verse emphasizing the situation in a manner which makes the comparison 'ironic').
As for the woman's statements, she echoes a Jewish blessing also given in the OT (though I'm sorry, I cannot recall the location); this identifies Christ as worthy of praise. And indeed, are others who touched Him not blessed, as with the woman with an issue of blood, and all those He healed with His hand, His spittle, and also His presence and prayer ?
Christ confirms and then turns the emphasis to faithfulness (to hear and keep the word of God), which of course is true of His mother. Ie, the blessing is not physical (though those whom He healed did indeed receive a physical blessing) but spiritual.
I'm not sure how the woman's statements are understood as Marian worship.
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