General Articles

Catholicism and the Word of God :: By Geri Ungurean

Published on: by RR10

This article was originally written in 2017.  I felt that it should be posted again because of the ever-increasing push for ecumenism.  Unity can be so very evil.  This is not the unity of which our Lord Jesus spoke. We are to be united in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are to believe the Word of God – all of it – inerrant and infallible.

Words of Jesus

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:20-23).

Article from 2017:

After I was born again from above, I was approached by a Catholic woman who had heard about my conversion. Actually, I don’t call it a conversion. I am Jewish, and when the Lord saved me, I became a completed Jew. Anyway, to this Catholic woman–I was a convert.

The mission of the woman was to help me see the light–in other words, she wanted me to become a Catholic. We went round and round, mostly about “Mary.” It became so obvious that this woman was worshiping Mary!

She called Mary Queen of Heaven, Mother of God, Blessed Mother, Immaculate Mary and Virgin Mary. Everything the woman was saying to me came straight from the Roman Catholic Church. Everything that I said to her came from the Bible. She did not feel that the Bible was a good source of information about Mary or Jesus. I was STUNNED!

I used Scripture whenever the woman made false statements. When I would say the name of Jesus, she would go right back to talking about Mary. She told me that this is what Jesus wanted: for people to go through His mother to get to Him. I told her that Mary had other children. I could hear her breathe in as if she had been slapped.

“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24-25).

Before I became a Christian, I had always thought that the holiest people in the world were Catholics. God opened my eyes to see that this was a facade in the Roman Catholic Church, which Satan used to his advantage. Everything was so beautiful, with stained glass windows, statues of their ‘saints,’ purple velvet, and golden chalices; I could go on and on.

How could this NOT be the true church of the Lord?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

As I thought about the birth of our Lord Jesus in a lowly stable, something about all of the obvious riches in the Roman Catholic Church did not seem genuine to me. Would Jesus want millions of dollars spent on huge, ornate buildings? It became apparent to me that this church had little to do with Jesus Christ and everything to do with Mary and worshiping her. The more I learned about the Roman Catholic Church, the more it reminded me of the synagogue; traditions of men being taught as the truth–replacing the Word of God.

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

The devil takes a little bit of truth (Word of God) and twists it to deceive us. He did this to Eve in the Garden of Eden. He even tried doing it to our Lord Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus simply corrected and rebuked the evil one, using the written Word of God.

After the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, Satan did not waste any time building his own institution (the Roman Catholic Church) to make sure that people would remain lost in their sins. Before Lucifer was cast out of heaven by God, he was exalting himself to be like the Lord Most High. He wants worship!

He demands worship.

Graven Images

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image–any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:4).

The Roman Catholic Church is filled with statues of people who they claim did at least two or more miracles. These canonized people are called saints.

From gotquestions.org

“How does the Roman Catholic understanding of “saints” compare with the biblical teaching? Not very well. In Roman Catholic theology, the saints are in heaven. In the Bible, the saints are on earth. In Roman Catholic teaching, a person does not become a saint unless he/she is “beatified” or “canonized” by the Pope or prominent bishop. In the Bible, everyone who has received Jesus Christ by faith is a saint. In Roman Catholic practice, the saints are revered, prayed to, and, in some instances, worshipped. In the Bible, saints are called to revere, worship, and pray to God alone.” source

Salvation

In Catholicism, Mary is the co-redeemer along with Jesus. The people are taught that Mary participated with Jesus in His painful act of redemption. We know Who redeemed us–Jesus the Christ and no one else:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

No mention of Mary in that passage of Scripture. Not once.

In Catholicism, Mary is the co-mediator, whom we can trust with all of our cares. The Bible says this about our mediator:

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Extremely clear, wouldn’t you say?

In Catholicism, salvation is sought after by good works and participation in the sacraments. I’ve never met a Catholic who has said that they are sure they are going to heaven.

The Bible says this:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

We are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on the Cross. It is a gift of God. It has nothing to do with our works. Good works should come naturally to a redeemed soul, but being redeemed is the work of God. We must believe Him.

The Bible

The priests in the Roman Catholic Church do not encourage the reading of the Word of God to its members. Well, I can see why! If the people begin to read God’s Word, they will see that the Roman Catholic Church is teaching doctrines contrary to the Bible. Then a Catholic person would need to make a choice: To adhere to Catholic doctrine and tradition or believe what they read in the Holy Word of God.

After my last article, I received an email from a woman who seemed frantic. She told me that she was a Catholic Christian. She said that her priest told the congregation that Allah is the same as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I assured her that is NOT the truth. I sent her two articles addressing this lie that is being perpetuated by false teachers.

In the 2nd Council of the Vatican in 1962-1965, this was added to the Book of Catechism:

Second Vatican Council, Nostra Aetate 3, October 28, 1965

“The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and doctrines which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all men. Yet she proclaims and is in duty bound to proclaim without fail, Christ who is ‘the way, the truth and the life’ (Jn 1:6). In him, in whom God reconciled all things to himself (cf. 2Co 5:18-19), men find the fullness of their religious life.

“The Church, therefore, urges her sons to enter with prudence and charity into discussion and collaboration with members of other religions. Let Christians, while witnessing to their own faith and way of life, acknowledge, preserve and encourage the spiritual and moral truths found among non-Christians, also their social life and culture.

“The Church has also a high regard for the Muslims. They worship God, who is one, living and subsistent, merciful and almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth (Cf. St. Gregory VII, Letter III, 21 to Anazir [Al-Nasir], King of Mauretania PL, 148.451A.), who has spoken to men. They strive to submit themselves without reserve to the hidden decrees of God, just as Abraham submitted himself to God’s plan, to whose faith Muslims eagerly link their own. Although not acknowledging him as God, they venerate Jesus as a prophet, his Virgin Mother they also honor, and even at times devoutly invoke. Further, they await the day of judgment and the reward of God following the resurrection of the dead. For this reason they highly esteem an upright life and worship God, especially by way of prayer, alms-deeds and fasting. (emphasis mine)

“Over the centuries many quarrels and dissensions have arisen between Christians and Muslims. The sacred Council now pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values.”

“Therefore, the Church reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against people or any harassment of them on the basis of their race, color, condition in life or religion. Accordingly, following the footsteps of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the sacred Council earnestly begs the Christian faithful to ‘conduct themselves well among the Gentiles’ (1P 2:12) and if possible, as far as depends on them, to be at peace with all men (cf. Rm 12:18), and in that way to be true sons of the Father who is in heaven (cf. Mt 5:45).”

Bringing Muslim Cleric to Pray in Vatican

In June of this year, the Vatican invited a Muslim cleric and a rabbi to pray together with the Pope. This smacks prophetically of a one-world religion and should alarm Christians everywhere. But God is in control, and all that happens is because He allows the events to fulfill His Prophetic Word.

I have to think that the priest telling his congregation the lie about Allah is not a fluke. Perhaps the Vatican is telling Catholic priests to preach that Allah and the Lord God Almighty are one and the same.

Satan knows that the end is near.

Corruption in the Vatican

Anyone can search the history of the Vatican and find appalling corruption with each new Pope. But nothing can compare with the Vatican during the reign of Hitler in Nazi Germany:

It has been asked repeatedly, did the Pope not utter a solemn denunciation of this crime against the Jews and against humanity? It has been demanded, did he not give a clear moral and spiritual lead to Catholic priests throughout Europe? In June 1941, when the Vichy French government introduced “Jewish laws” closely modeled upon the Nuremberg Laws, the Pope responded to appeals from French bishops by stating that such laws were not in conflict with Catholic teaching. Later efforts by the British, Americans and Poles to persuade the Vatican to publish a specific condemnation of Nazi extermination of the Jews fell on deaf ears. The Pope, came the reply, could only issue a general condemnation of wartime atrocities. “A strong and openly voiced papal line might have silenced those Catholic bishops throughout Europe who actively and fervently collaborated with their Nazi masters.” –Ronnie S. Landou, The Nazi Holocaust, pp. 216-217

I cannot understand how a person who has been saved by our Lord Jesus and begins to read the Holy Word of God could remain in the Roman Catholic Church. The only reason I could see a person remaining there would be if they felt the leading from God that they were to share the message of salvation with other Catholics. I still think that a person such as this should seek out a place of worship where God’s Word is preached boldly.

Brethren, we are to obey God. He has given us all that we need in His Word. We are to be as the Bereans were–searching the Scriptures to see if what we were told is so.

Another article I wrote about our Jesus from the Bible Vs. Isa from the Qur’an:

“Chrislam is the Ultimate Deception: Jesus is NOT Isa from the Qur’an”

Dave Hunt speaks on “A Woman Rides the Beast.”

Video: A Woman Rides the Beast – Dave Hunt – Bible Studies

The evil one is always standing by to confuse and lie to us!

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

How Can I Be Saved?

Shalom b’Yeshua

MARANATHA!

 

Israel, Truth, Facts and The Sin of Omission :: By Dave Hubley

Published on: by RR10

Truth: Reality according to God’s Word.

Iyah May, an Australian singer, had some interesting lyrics written into this song called “Karmaggedon.”

The video came at considerable personal cost to her, as she was dropped by her manager for refusing to change the lyrics.

As I listened to them, I found them to be interesting and a pretty good assessment of current events. I don’t understand all the personal inferences, as the names she cites are unknown to me, but the rest of the lyrics are clear, and I got her point.

https://www.infowars.com/posts/aussie-singer-dropped-by-industry-over-politically-incorrect-lyrics-calling-out-big-pharma-endless-wars-dc-corruption

At the 2:07 minute mark, I heard this line: “While we’re fed all these distractions, kids are killed by Israel’s actions.” I found myself wondering, “What does she mean?”

Is she condemning Israel for defending themselves? The natural and very sad and unfortunate Truth of war is non-combatants (most of whom are innocents) get caught up in the violence and are harmed in the process.

This happens in every single war, every single time, everywhere.

And the Truth about this war is that Israel didn’t start it.

Or:

Is she condemning the fact that the constant condemnation of Israel is a distraction from the ugly truths of the times in which we live?

The answer to that would have to be provided by her or whoever wrote the lyrics. It would be interesting to know what the writer of them really meant to convey.

At any rate, she doesn’t mince any words.

I am truly uncertain of which meaning was intended, but it caused some thoughts to rise to the surface, at least in my mind: Have the sins of omission and spin that pass for “truth” in this world become so common that it has become much more difficult to detect them when they are purposely blended in with all the “routine” lying?

Ultimately, falsehoods, in whatever form they may take, are able to be quickly discerned when we have the Holy Spirit and the scriptures embedded in our hearts and spirit. We can readily detect the immoral relativism of the world when it collides with Truth. We are given this gift by God when we repent and receive His Son as our Redeemer and Savior.

It is a wonderful gift indeed, and it enables us to endure and stand up in this season of constant deception (Ephesians 6:10-17).

I have bulleted a couple of these lies and sins of omission below as they relate to Israel since that is who she specifically referenced, and they are such a frequent target.

>Israel is the default recipient of blame in almost every case where they are even remotely involved in “mainstream reporting” in the expanding plague of worldwide antisemitism. This is just as God’s prophetic Word foretold.

>The murders of Israeli women, children, and non-combatants are conveniently omitted in the process of reporting, commentary, and opinions expressed by those who wear deception as a breastplate and wield it like a sword. I can only conclude that this omission of facts is being done intentionally as the inconvenient presence of facts and Truth undermines their real message: Attempted justification of Jew hatred.

One of the more obvious characteristics of deceivers is that they employ this tactic so often that, eventually, even the most oblivious individuals notice them.

What I am NOT saying: That Israel is automatically exempt from the burden of Truth. They are not.

What I am saying is: Israel (like every other country and Jews, like any other peoples), ARE entitled to the facts.

They don’t get too much of that in the way of fair treatment and honest reporting from the world’s contemporary “news sources,” blogs, websites, and governments.

And let’s not forget the UN: A perfect example of a coin-operated vending machine for “sins of omission.”

Bill O’Reilly’s use of the word “spin” seems to be the plumb line where most of the reporting on the Israelis and their treatment by the UN are concerned.

One of the more insidious lies perpetrated against Israel is that they are engaged in genocide: No one has attempted to avoid injury to non-combatants more than the Israeli Military has.

From a tactical military standpoint, it is not wise and costs unnecessary KIA and WIA to Israeli troops. In many cases, Israeli civilians have also paid that price.

It is a political appeasement maneuver, not a military one, and their enemies do not extend that same consideration to them.

What I am also saying is: No one is entitled to fabricate their own “facts.” God is not deceived by any of the lies or omissions of Truth. Neither is He unaware of the motivations for the omitting of any facts that are in contradiction of that Truth.

Will Donald Trump succeed in ending this war between Israel and those who hate them? Not according to the Word of God. Certainly, peace should be pursued, but not if it requires any form of dividing of Israel’s land. There will be severe consequences, God has warned, for those who do this (Joel 3:1-3).

He may delay things for a time, but it will not last. The “peacemakers” don’t seem to understand (or don’t want to) that those they are dealing with worship a “god” that encourages them to lie to anyone who won’t bend the knee to it. And so, they do so.

Reportedly, the sticking point of the so-called cease-fire is the lack of Hamas providing information on the hostages. As much as I hate to ask it, it must be considered: Is the reason for this lack of reporting because there are so few, if any, left alive, and Hamas is trying to avoid the day of reckoning when that becomes clearly understood?

Worse still. Will there even be a “day of reckoning” by the world?

Truth is, there will be a day of reckoning, but it will come from El Shaddai, God Almighty. It is inescapable (Revelation CH 4-20).

There is no legitimate reason to believe that peace and prosperity will be here for good in any worldly sense, even if Trump appears to succeed.

“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape”(1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Now to the crux of this article.

(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

If you possess a Bible, I urge you to open it and read it. If you do not, now is the time to obtain one, preferably in (KJV, NKJV, BSB, NASB, NIV) versions. This will enable you to look up the following verses and see for yourself if they accurately describe the current state of the world. (Romans 1:18-32), (2 Timothy 1:5), (2 Peter 3:3), (Matthew 24:6-8, 9-12).

We are living in the world prophesied by the Word of God to exist just prior to the end of the age.

If you are concerned about the instability of your future, you are still able to look these Bible verses up online (one example is biblehub.com), but I suspect that it, along with numerous other online resources, will become one of the first targets of those who seek to destroy freedom of speech and access to non-propagandized, Truthful information.

A hard copy of the Word of God does not depend on fallible electronics.

If you are content with trusting in the expectation of the Trump administration “making America great again,” it may appear that he is making that happen, but you are building your future on sinking sand.

These events have to happen sometime, and the evidence of Scriptural accuracy is clearly pointing to very soon.

Am I being purposely negative or full of “doom and gloom”? No, I have just placed my trust in the One True God and the brilliant light of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Truth of His Glorious Gospel.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

If you feel the Lord’s urging you to receive Him as your One and Only Savior, please understand that you must open the door while you are still in your living years.

The special message I promised you:

For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life.

You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.

It requires that you come before God on His terms and that you do so in your living years.

And, what are His terms according to His Word?

  • Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
  • Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
  • That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
  • To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
  • Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross and rose from the grave three days later, conquering death, just as He promised.
  • To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

  • No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
  • No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
  • Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.

“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life” (John 5:24).

There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God, with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

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