1st i want to put in the context - 2nd i want to show the history of this.
Jer 44:
[15] Then all the men that knew
that their wives sacrificed to other gods: and all the women of whom there stood by a great multitude, and all the people of them that dwelt in the land of Egypt in Phatures, answered Jeremias, saying:
[16] As for the word which thou hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken to thee:
[17] But we will certainly do every word that shall proceed out of our own mouth, to sacrifice to
the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we and our fathers have done, our kings, and our princes in the cities of Juda, and in the streets of Jerusalem: and we were filled with bread, and it was well with us, and we saw no evil.
Historians have discovered - a few artifacts showing besides among other things that the Israelis did give sacrifices to other gods - even queens of the gods - because their pagan neighbors did.
The Jews considered the 'One God' as the Almighty - but that the lesser gods existed too.
They also at one time believed God was married. [per artifacts]
What's interesting to note - that tho these gods and such didnt exist - the Roman letter states God wrote His laws in the pagans hearts. Now Jews were not to do this - for they had God's laws [but they were remiss on it because they thot He was Top God rather than only God]
What to do - without knowledge - when one knows someone has made them. This is why the Gentiles were not at fault for their practices... because God didnt make Himself literally known to them - only in His line of ppl to keep all things preserved for His coming.
However;
pagans ironically hit the mark - knowing there was a God to serve. Some went too far and made Molech 'eat' children. That would be more demonic which was unpleasing to God.
Some say - Christians borrowed from the pagans. Yet philosophically - if we
take a hard look at them - they too were prophetic. Yet they didnt know... they just knew - somehow. Since God wrote things in their hearts - so when the time came - they would convert to the truth.
Now Jeremiah was before Christ - so we know this has nothing to do with Our Lady in Heaven - but the pagans knew in their hearts - a position would exist. Tho they had not the law and truth - they still intuitively knew something.
If we step back from the black and white and
see nuances - they too were prophetic - even if they failed in our eyes. But they didnt 'know' and why it says in Romans they were
'saved' because the laws of God were in their hearts.
I just thot this was of interest. Being we see they too sought thru unknown ways - the ways of God.
Jesus said His right hand was preserved...when the mother asked if her sons could fill the spot.
Yet Jesus is on the right hand of the Father - so a position did exist on His right hand as well.
But looking at Saints - in Heaven...for John is speaking of his vision regarding Heaven ...
Rev 5
[7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.
[8] And when he had
opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb,
having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints: [9] And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.
[8]
The prayers of saints: Here we see that the saints in heaven offer up to Christ the prayers of the faithful upon earth.