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Subject: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Angelblessings
Monday, April 09, 2007 at 09:36:42
Message:
Dearest friends and my fellow christians,
How can we see a utopia and then we look back and see evil violence and wickedness. But we had the Garden of Eden. Can we really have a utopia when christ returns that your question today? What do you think of what the earth is like the people of today not the christians the ones whom dont believe in a divine spirit like God and Jesus? For ages men have dreamed of a utopian paradise on earth.
Nations have struggled and millions have died in its quest. But utopia has eluded all the efforts of men. Why? Is utopia really possible? Are world peace and prosperity coming soon? And proverty and plagues and sickness ending? Here are the surprising answers from your Bible! Five years after the close of World War II, Winston Churchill declared in a speech in Copenhagen, "Unless some effective world super-government can be brought quickly into action, the proposals for peace and human progress are dark and doubtful." Well he is right about that the devil is at work people he is a real demonic fallen angel whether you believe in Christianity or not. He knows that his time is running out. He knows that the lord Jesus is coming back! What are you going to do about it? We sit and wait. Do you know Jesus as your lord and savior? Suppose if you were standing before God today and he said to you why shall I let you come and live with me in my kingdom? What would you say to him he knows your soul and your heart even your conscience. Dont you even dare lie to him!
God’s World Government
People today fail to recognize there is any power other than their own that can bring about a literal utopia on earth. What great power can, and will, do this?
GOD ALMIGHTY! He has the power and the wisdom to make utopia reality! This is the very message God sent Jesus Christ to proclaim to the world. It is the "Gospel"—the GOOD NEWS—that Christ will return with the power of God to give us universal peace and prosperity at last! Few today understand that God has allotted mankind six thousand years in which to rule himself. During this time, He has kept hands off the affairs of men. He has allowed man to pursue the course that seems right to him (Prov. 16:25). God has given man the opportunity to prove, by experience, the basic inadequacies of any form of human government—be it communism, fascism, socialism, or even democracy.
God is allowing the human race to prove to itself that NO human form of government can bring us world peace!
When Jesus Christ returns, He will establish the government of God on earth. Obedience to the laws of God will be taught throughout the world. And Christ’s government will possess the power and the wisdom to enforce His laws. It will prevent the strong from enslaving the weak—true justice will be received by all.
Your Bible shows a literal UTOPIA is ahead! It will be a time of spiritual and physical rejuvenation—one thousand years of boundless peace and prosperity! And with the help of this lesson, God has made it possible for you to peer into the future through His prophecies so you can know what that wonderful world tomorrow will be like!
We will all say the faithful will sing Jesus remember me when you enter your kingdom Jesus remember me when you enter your kingdom.
God created the earth and the universe. He made the heavens. (Gen 1:1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
(Gen 1:2) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness {was} upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
(Gen 1:3) And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
(Gen 1:4) And God saw the light, that {it was} good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
(Gen 1:5) And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
(Gen 1:6) And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
(Gen 1:7) And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which {were} under the firmament from the waters which {were} above the firmament: and it was so.
(Gen 1:8) And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
(Gen 1:9) And God said, Let the waters under the Heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry {land} appear: and it was so.
(Gen 1:10) And God called the dry {land} Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that {it was} good.
(Gen 1:11) And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, {and} the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed {is} in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
(Gen 1:12) And the earth brought forth grass, {and} herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed {was} in itself, after his kind: and God saw that {it was} good.
(Gen 1:13) And the evening and the morning were the third day.
(Gen 1:14) And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
(Gen 1:15) And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
(Gen 1:16) And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: {he made} the stars also.
(Gen 1:17) And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
(Gen 1:18) And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that {it was} good.
(Gen 1:19) And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
(Gen 1:20) And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl {that} may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
(Gen 1:21) And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that {it was} good.
(Gen 1:22) And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
(Gen 1:23) And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
(Gen 1:24) And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
(Gen 1:25) And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that {it was} good.
(Gen 1:26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(Gen 1:27) So God created man in his {own} image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
(Gen 1:28) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
(Gen 1:29) And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which {is} upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which {is} the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
(Gen 1:30) And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein {there is} life, {I have given} every green herb for meat: and it was so.
(Gen 1:31) And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, {it was} very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
The Bible tells us that under the leadership of Jesus Christ, God’s government will produce a UTOPIAN PARADISE on earth. Beginning with the descendants of the children of Jacob, and using them as a model and example, God will rebuild and bless ALL nations! Let’s study this exciting truth. 1. In the Bible, what does God specifically say regarding the descendants of Jacob? Isa. 27:6; Ezek. 36:8-11; Zech. 8:7-8. Also read Amos 9:7-12.
COMMENT: After His return, Jesus Christ will lead the descendants of ancient Israel out of great tribulation and into the Holy Land where they will be resettled.
2. Will the devastated cities be rebuilt? Amos 9:14-15; Ezek. 36:33-35. (Be sure to read all of chapter 36. Notice that when this regathering and rebuilding occurs, Israel will never again practice heathen ways, or be removed or be in trouble or captivity again.) Will there be happiness in these cities? Jer. 33:10-14; Zech. 8:4-5.
COMMENT: Today’s vast pollution-laden, overpopulated metropolises are rampant, with racial tentions and every kind of evil. These conditions will not exist in tomorrow’s cities. Cities in the Millennium will be decentralized. They will be small enough to promote healthy, happy family life, yet large enough for a proper balance between industry and those essentials which promote joyous living.
3. Will Christ make Jerusalem the capital of the earth—the world head-quarters of His government? Zech. 8:3; Jer. 3:17. Will it be an example to the entire world? Isa. 62:1-2, 7.
COMMENT: Being near the geographical center of the land surface of the earth, Jerusalem is the ideal focal point for world control. It will be rebuilt to absolute perfection. It will become the future MODEL CITY—the pattern for cities throughout the world tomorrow.
4. Will the descendants of ancient Israel dwell in safety in their ownland?Ezek. 28:25-26. Will there be world peace? Isa. 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-4.
5. Will God cause the laws of nature to function for the benefit of His people? Deut. 28:12; Isa. 41:18.
COMMENT: God originally promised to bestow great blessings upon ancient Israel if they would only obey Him (Lev. 26; Deut. 28). The Bible shows they disobeyed and were PUNISHED. In the Millennium, the descendants of ancient Israel will obey God and therefore will receive these tremendous blessings!
6. The Middle East is now a relatively barren region. Prophecies show, however, that after Christ returns it will see the most dramatic change of any land. Will the waste places become fertile, and will beautiful forests spread in the Millennium? Isa. 41:14-20; 35:1-2, 7.
COMMENT; Can you imagine such a fabulous scene? Deserts becoming green, fertile gardens of trees, shrubs, bubbling springs and brooks; mountains brought low and made inhabitable.
Forests interspersed with cultivated fields will also cause the climate to become more healthful and invigorating Lumber, becoming scarce today due to man’s exploitation, will again increase as the population increases, making it possible for all to have beautiful homes and furniture.
7. Will God transform "Zion" and the surrounding area into a place resembling the Garden of Eden? Isa. 51:3.
COMMENT: Zion is a hill within the city of Jerusalem. It is the original area of the city—called the "city of David." Since it will be the location of the capital city, "Zion" here represents the entire land of all the tribes of Israel.
WILL All Nations to Be Blessed?
Prophecies show that the rest of the earth will share in the great prosperity Christ will bring to Jerusalem and the descendants of Jacob. The whole earth will undergo remarkable changes. 1. Will all nations become submissive—obedient—to Christ? Isa. 2:1-3.
2. Since the Gentiles will obey Christ in the Millennium, will they belong to Him—be His subjects and servants? Rom. 6:16.
3. Will the Gentiles therefore become Abraham’s "children," spiritually speaking? Gal. 3:29. And what was promised to Abraham’s physical descendants? Read both Leviticus 26:1-13 and Deuteronomy 28:1-14. COMMENT: Ancient Israel was never able to claim all the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26 over long periods of time because the people were not faithful in their obedience to God. But with Christ ruling in the Millennium, all nations will be obedient and therefore will also partake of the tremendous blessings originally promised to the tribes of Israel.
Language, Liberty and Superabundance
One of the major barriers to mutual understanding and cooperation between peoples has been the language barrier. When men cannot understand one another, they can’t freely exchange ideas, philosophies, concepts or opinions. Misunderstandings often lead to conflict.
Can you imagine what a world of ONE LANGUAGE would be like? Think what a huge step forward it would be if people everywhere were liberated from the language barrier—spoke and read and wrote the same language—werebound together in common understanding for the first time since the tower of Babel!
1. Will God give all the world ONE pure language so all can serve and worship Him with one accord? Zeph. 3:9.
COMMENT: Man was once bound together by a common tongue. But he used his knowledge for EVIL—for an attempt to begin the very civilization that would have ended by DESTROYING ITSELF! (See Genesis 11.) When God divided the languages at the tower of Babel, He was merely forestalling that eventual time of world chaos which even now threatens the annihilation of humanity!
In the Millennium, with Christ as the supreme, all-powerful ruler, this danger will be eliminated. And so Jesus Christ will usher in an era of total literacy and total education by giving the world one pure language!
2. There will be a tremendous amount of reconstruction to be done in the Millennium. But how hard will this work seem after people are delivered from the suffering, sorrow and hard bondage of today’s evil world? Isa. 11:10; 14:3. Will submission to Christ and His laws bring the blessing of liberty and rest to the minds and bodies of mankind? Matt. 11:28-30.
COMMENT: God will make life enjoyable, comfortable and satisfying for people in the Millennium—as long as they continue to obey His laws. God’s way of life truly is the way of LIBERTY—the way of FREEDOM from the drudgery and toil of the ways of this world. But mankind today is not convinced that it is. God is now letting man find out, by experience, how difficult his own ways really are!
3. Much is said today against private ownership of property. Communists and socialists are particularly against it, partly because men have abused it. Does God think private ownership of property is wrong? Micah 4:4; Isa.62:8-9.
COMMENT: People will own their property in the Millennium. They will be liberated from governments which deprive them of the righteous rewards of their own toil! And God will not allow private ownership to be abused.
4. What about health in tomorrow’s world? Will God also liberate man from sickness and disease? Isa. 33:21-24; Jer. 30:17; Isa. 35:3-6; 58:8.
COMMENT: The combined force of right education about true health and instant HEALING of all sickness will mean PERFECT HEALTH for everyone!
5. The agricultural wealth of a nation is generally the greatest physical asset it can possess. Today, most of the earth is unproductive—only about ten percent of the land surface is actually tillable. There are many deserts, mountainous regions and wildernesses. The exact opposite will be true in the utopia of tomorrow as God begins to bless the entire world! Will He cause the rains to fall at the right time? Ezek. 34:26; Isa. 30:23.
COMMENT: Farmers have had to gamble with the weather throughout the centuries. About the most thrilling news they could hear is that their work would always be successful—as long as they obey God:
6. Will there be great rejoicing over the abundance of crops God will bestow in the wonderful world tomorrow? Jer. 31:12. Will there actually be a superabundance of food? Amos 9:13.
The Great River
1. What will happen when the feet of the returning Christ touch the Mount of Olives? Zech. 14:4.
2. Will the great valley thus formed become the channel of a mighty riverwhich will arise in Jerusalem? Verse 8. Will one half of this mighty river flow eastward toward the Dead Sea, and the other half flow westward toward the Mediterranean Sea? Same verse.
3. Is the eastern channel of this river—in which "living waters" flow into the Dead Sea—the same as the river described in Ezekiel 47:1-12? Does verse 8 show that when the fresh or "healing" water from this life-giving river begins to flow through the desert into the Dead Sea, the Dead Sea will then be able to support LIFE, thus being "healed"? Will it contain a great multitude of fish? Verse 9. Will this river also give life to the barren places through which it flows? Verse 12.
COMMENT: The Dead Sea, 1286 feet below sea level, is the lowest spot on earth. Look at any map of the Holy Land and notice that the Jordan River constantly empties into the northern extremity of the Dead Sea. Even though the Dead Sea has no outlet, the water level remains fairly constant. This is because hot weather causes the waters to evaporate at about the same rate water flows into the Dead Sea.
The water in this sea is so salty that no plant or marine life can survive in it. But when this new river—the river of "living waters"—begins to empty into the Dead Sea, its waters will rise until they overflow southward through the desert. The overflow will probably carry into the Gulf of Aqaba. Everywhere along the overflow area (except for certain salt swamps and marshes which shall be formed—verse 11) plant and fish life will multiply.
4. Does this river of "living waters" proceed from the spot where God’s Temple will stand—from Christ’s very throne? Ezek. 47:1, and latter part of verse 12; Joel 3:18, last part. Is the Holy Spirit compared to "living waters"? John 4:10; 7:37-39. Then isn’t this river clearly a physical counterpart of God’s Holy Spirit?
COMMENT: The Holy Spirit, like the physical river, will go forth from Jerusalem and will "heal" the mental and spiritual problems of mankind!
Clearly, the world tomorrow will be a utopian-paradise of peace, prosperity, and beauty! All nations will share in the great blessings of God. The whole world will be at peace. During that Millennial age, most of the earth’s land surface will be cultivable. Beautiful forests, agricultural areas, fish-filled lakes and streams will be found all over the world—with no more barren tundras, polluted rivers, ravaged landscapes, hostile deserts or waste places.
But how will such a world be ushered in? Exactly how will such vast changes come about?
Let’s see what the Bible has to say about the way utopia will come, and who will be involved. Believe it or not, you can have a part in bringing about that wonderful world tomorrow!
The Coronation of THE KING IN THE WORLD AHEAD
Consider for a moment what the angelic messenger said to Mary, the mother of Jesus: "Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great... and the Lord God shall give unto him the THRONE Of his father David: and he shall REIGN over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:31-33).
Notice also the account in John 18:37: "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world...."
Jesus was born to rule and reign as King over all nations of the earth. Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus qualified to become this world’s ruler by conquering Satan the devil (Matt. 4:1-11). But He did not remove and replace Satan at that time. He was not crowned King while a human being(John 18:36). He was CRUCIFIED! Jesus was not to assume the responsibilities of His new office as world ruler at that time.
When Jesus’ disciples assumed the Kingdom of God would be set up in their day, He gave them a parable to explain when He would begin ruling the world.
1. According to this parable in Luke 19:12-17, where did Jesus go after His death to obtain the office of King and to receive the Kingdom? Did He go to Caesar at Rome? Did He go to the people to have them induct Him into office? Verse 12. Who only has the authority to make Jesus the "King of kings"? Rom. 13:1.
COMMENT: Jesus was showing His disciples He would have to ascend to His Father in heaven (the "far country" in the parable of Luke 19) to receive authority to rule the nations.
2. After Jesus ascended to heaven and had been there for approximately sixty years, He revealed Himself to the Apostle John. Was there a crown on Jesus’ head when John saw Him? Rev. 1:12-18. Doesn’t this indicate Jesus may not yet have been crowned after His arrival in heaven? What has Jesus been "crowned" with thus far? Heb. 2:9
3. But will Jesus have been crowned by the time He returns? Rev. 14:14. What scripture describes Jesus’ actual receiving of the Kingdom which He went to heaven to obtain? Dan. 7:13-14.
COMMENT: Here is depicted the actual coronation of Jesus Christ. The "Ancient of Days" is the heavenly Father. The title "Father" was not, used because Jesus had not yet been begotten as a human being when Daniel saw this vision.
Notice also that "one like the Son" appeared before the "Ancient of days" to receive the Kingdom. The Logos or "Word" (John 1:1) was like the Son of man. He was not yet born as a son, but since He would later become a son of man, He was, in Daniel’s day, "like the Son of man"—the Jesus who was to be born of a human mother.
Crowned "KING of Kings"
1. How many great crowns will Jesus have? Rev 14:14. But what about the "many crowns" mentioned in Rev. 19:12?
COMMENT: Jesus will have only one great golden crown. That crown will designate Him as Supreme King over all nations—over all the world. The proper translation of Revelation 19:12 is: "And on his head are many diadems." A diadem is a small crown or headband signifying royal office. The smaller crowns or diadems symbolize the lesser royal offices Jesus will hold.
2. What will Christ’s official title be when He returns? Rev. 19:16. But who are these other "kings"? Let’s understand.
3. Are Christians also to receive everlasting crowns—if they overcome? I Cor. 9:25. Will those who qualify in this life rule over the nations as KINGS with Christ? Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4; Dan. 7:22, 27.
4. When do the "saints"—Christians—receive the reward of crowns and offices of rulership? II Tim. 4:8. Compare also Revelation 11:15, 18; 22:12 with Isaiah 40:10.
COMMENT: Jesus went to heaven to be crowned by the Father. but one of the reasons Jesus will return to earth is to bring rewards of rulership to His resurrected saints!
5. What did Christ say would be the reward of those who manage wisely theabilities God has given them now? Luke 19:16-19.
6. Will the resurrected saints also be priests? Rev. 5:10; 20:6. And judges? Verse 4.
COMMENT: Resurrected Christians will be kings and priests, and will judge among the peoples of the earth during the Millennium.
Perfect, Powerful Government
Christ’s government will begin at Jerusalem, where His headquarters will be located (Jer. 3:17). As His rule spreads over the whole earth, all rebellious nations will be brought into line.
1. How will Christ deal with those nations which refuse to come to Jerusalem to worship God the way he commands? Zech. 14:16-19.
2. What will be Christ’s general policy for governing the nations? Rev.12:5; 19:15. Note the words "rod of iron." COMMENT: When God set His hand to save mankind, He will use a "rod of iron," symbolizing absolute authority. He will rule with power, and He will not hesitate to use it when necessary! Man, influenced by his old habits and attitudes formed in this present evil world, must be held under control until he learns his lesson and comes to see that God’s way of living is best for all.
Jesus Christ will be in absolute control of the earth, but He will rule with perfect justice and mercy, having once been human Himself (Heb. 2:9-10; 4:15). He will at first literally have to FORCE men to be happy! He will impose His merciful rule on rebellious stiff-necked mankind, and bring the world COMPULSORY JOY!
Although God will rule with power and authority, He does not intend to "cram His religion" down the throats of people. He will not force anyone to accept His truth in the sense of spiritual conversion—repentance, baptism, etc.
God is not a stern, cruel monster as some agnostics have falsely implied. God wants man at all times to be really happy! But God knows the only way to lasting happiness is obedience to His laws!
Gradually, as men obey God’s laws they will wake up to the wisdom and justice of God’s rule and will submit gladly to His authority, and a "rod of iron" will no longer be necessary.
Re-education in the Millennium
Speaking of the Millennial rule of Christ, the Bible declares: "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Isa. 11:9).
During the Millennium God will TEACH mankind the laws that produce happiness. He will give each individual the CHOICE, after learning His laws and seeing the happiness they produce, of whether to obey God’s laws or not. The vast majority of mankind will see God’s way is truly best and will voluntarily choose to OBEY Him.
But before men can really choose they must clearly see the alternatives. They must be RE-EDUCATED so they can see through old prejudices and discern true values.
Education will play a vitally important role in the Millennium. A Gallup Poll once revealed that only two percent of Americans thought education is their most vital concern. But in the world tomorrow it will receive TOP PRIORITY! Exactly why is education so important? Let’s understand.
1. Is faulty education, which has befogged the world’s understanding, likea veil that hides the mind from truth? Isa. 25:7.
2. Who is fundamentally responsible for deceiving the whole world? Rev.12:9. Doesn’t that make him the real author of wrong education? John 8:44. Will the devil be allowed to deceive the nations when Christ commences to re-educate the world? Rev. 20:1-3.
3. Has the devil deceived the nations largely by means of false religion—including false religions that PROFESS Christ, but DENY Him by their works? II Cor. 11:13-15; Titus 1:16.
4. What kind of knowledge is most lacking in the world today? Is it spiritual knowledge? Hosea 4:6. What is the tragic result of this dearth of spiritual knowledge? Same verse.
What Is True Education?
1. What does God think of the wisdom of the world? I Cor. 3:19. Where does this world’s wisdom lead? Prov. 14:12.
2. But what is truth? John 17:17. What will truth do for people in the world tomorrow? John 8:31-32.
COMMENT: A common, but false, concept in the world today is that education should have nothing to do with a "way of life." Many believe education should teach you only how to earn a living, but NOT how to live! Not so at Ambassador College. Here students are also taught to "recapture true values" from the FOUNDATION of knowledge—the Bible!
3. Do we have a written record that the true apostolic church preached God’s "way" of life? Acts 19:9, 23. Does the world approve of God’s "way"? Acts 24:14.
COMMENT: God’s way of life is the result of right education. It is based upon the bedrock of TRUTH. But God’s truth has been totally rejected by this world. The Bible has been completely disregarded by modern education!
4. The world is fast approaching a smashing climax which will shock people into a realization that something is radically wrong with our modern way of life. What will people then acknowledge? Jer. 16:19. Would they desire to learn another way if their present way were better?
COMMENT: The people of this world have inherited lies from birth—profitless ideas that have been funneled into their unquestioning minds. As adults they continue accepting fallacies learned in childhood, and build their lives around biases and prejudices.
When Christ rescues the world from annihilation, people will acknowledge their ignorance—their lack of sound education. This confession of error is actually the first step toward "repentance"!
5. What does repentance really involve? Isa. 55:6-9. Isn’t it clearly turning from the wrong way one has been living? Verse 7.
COMMENT: Repentance clearly involves the forsaking of all wrong concepts about life we have always taken for granted without proof, and turning to God’s truth!
6. Will re-education in the Millennium necessarily remold man’s methods of doing business? II Cor. 8:21. Will it remold the social order? I Peter 4:3-4. And all other phases of life in general? I Cor. 10:31.
God’s System for Re-education
The evils in the world today can be laid at the doorstep of false education. Many educators are finaly waking up to the fact that our great universities have FAILED! They have been hotbeds of discontent, strife, revolt and sedition. This system of education obviously needs to be changed! What kind of system will replace it?
1. In addition to ruling as supreme King over all the nations, will Christ also be the supreme teacher? Isa. 2:3; Ps. 25:8-10.
COMMENT: Christ will unite these two functions in Himself. How plain that in God’s pattern for world rule, religion and government are not separate!
2. Under Christ, who will rule over the modern descendants of Jacob? Jer.30:7-9. What did Jeremiah mean by "raise up"? I Cor. 6:14. Will David be a prince over Israel? Ezek. 34:23-24.
COMMENT: David will be resurrected to rule over the physical descendants of ancient Israel. His office will include the responsibility of TEACHING the people the laws of God.
3. Will the twelve apostles be placed over each of the twelve tribes of Israel? Matt. 19:28. Will each apostle have a throne? Luke 22:29-30. Will they then TEACH the individual tribes of Israel God’s TRUTH? Matt. 28:19-20.
COMMENT: The apostles preached the gospel to the nations 1900 years ago, and God’s Church is preaching it to the nations today. But think how much more all the nations and the whole earth will hear God’s truth proclaimed during the Millennium!
4. Who else will rule and teach in the world tomorrow? Rev. 2:26; 5:10.
COMMENT: The resurrected Christians mentioned in Revelation 5:10 are to be "priests" as well as kings. And the true function of a priest is to teach. (Mal. 2:7).
When God intervenes in human affairs, it will not be left up to the people to vote in their own rulers or choose their own teachers. In the world tomorrow GOD will appoint His resurrected saints as the rulers and educators, and not lobbyists or other pressure groups will be able to corrupt them. They will teach the people all His laws and His statutes which are the way to peace, prosperity and happiness!
5. Will the resurrected saints be able to appear in a material body at will? Isa. 30:20-21. What will they do? Verse 21.
COMMENT: In the world tomorrow. those now qualifying to rule under Christ will be ever-present and ever-ready to speak or act, both to teach and to nip in the bud any attempted act of disobedience.
Because they will be composed of spirit, they will be able to come and go as necessary, to pass through walls, or simply disappear, just as Christ was able to after His resurrection (John 20:17, 19, 25-27; Luke 24:31).
Results of sweeping Education
1. Will people come to see eye to eye as they learn of God and His way?Isa. 52:7-8. Will the whole world come to know His truth? Hab. 2:14; Isa.11:9; Jer. 31:34. Will even those who grumbled against God learn His truth? Isa. 29:24.
2. Will the Egyptians "know the Lord" in that day? Isa. 19:21. How will the Egyptians, as well as all other people, really come to know God? Isa. 55:6-7; I John 2:3-4. Will Ethiopia also seek to gain the benefits of an obedient relationship with Christ? Ps. 68:31.
COMMENT: The nations near Israel spoken of in the Bible are types of all nations in the world tomorrow. All the nations of the world will learn that true Christianity really pays!
3. Will Gentile rulers bring presents to Christ in acknowledgment of His educational and material benefits? Ps. 68:29. Upon what conditions has God always promised to shower great material prosperity? Mal. 3:10-12.
COMMENT: Obedience to God’s laws is what will produce universal prosperity, peace and happiness in the world tomorrow! Isn’t it plain that the basis of right education is the knowledge of God and His laws?
Will there be New Natures?
1. Will God change the natures of animals in the Millennium? Isa. 11:6-8;Hosea 2:18. Will all creatures be peaceful? Ezek. 34:25.
2. In the Bible God speaks of the heart of man as being symbolic of his mind. What is man’s heart—his mind—really like today? Jer. 17:9. Is man’s mind naturally submissive to God and His law? Rom. 8:7.
3. What does God say He will add to the minds of people in the Millennium to CHANGE the basic attitude of man? Ezek. 36:26-27; Jer. 31:33.
COMMENT: As God is going to change the lion’s inborn desire for flesh food to an appetite for vegetation and is going to give peaceful natures to all other creatures, so He will make a truly marvelous and miraculous CHANGE in man’s hostile mind. This change in the mind will be brought about by repentance and the receiving of God’s HOLY Spirit! This is what will actually make the wonderful world tomorrow a literal UTOPIA! By a miracle, God will place His very own nature of outgoing love within mankind (Rom. 5:5). True love will thus be manifested in human beings through the Holy Spirit of God. People will then love their fellowmen and strive to make them happy!
It would require a thick book to begin to describe the wonderful conditions which could prevail on this earth—and which will finally prevail when the human heart is HUMBLED, CONVERTED by the Holy Spirit—given the very nature of God! (II Peter 1:4.)
God’s Way BEST After All!
Do you grasp the significance of what you have studied in your Bible with this lesson? God prophesied long ago of a time when He would cause this earth’s inhabitants to possess magnificent abundance. It is then that the world will wake up to a great truth—that GOD’S WAY IS BEST AFTER ALL!
The time is almost here when "The LORD of hosts [shall] make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations"—their spiritual blindness (Isa. 25:6-7).
God will soon halt this world’s mad plunge toward nuclear cosmocide. He will send Jesus Christ to intervene in world affairs and put down all rebellion. Then He and His saints will begin teaching the nations God’s truth and His laws, His ways that bring blessings, prosperity, peace and happiness.
The utopian paradise which mankind has always longed for will finally be ushered in. Men will at long last WAKE UP! He will finally see through the veil of prejudices which have prevented he him from following the WAY which would bring them all of their true desires.
No one in that wonderful world tomorrow will be deceived as the vast majority of mankind today! There will be no devil around to lead people astray. ALL will know the TRUTH! There will be no more religious confusion.Eyes will be Opened to God’s revealed truth. Humans will become TEACHABLE. People will start living God’s WAY—the way of outgoing concern for others—the way of TRUE VALUES—the way of PEACE, of HAPPINESS Of WELL-BEING, of JOY!
Crime, sickness, disease, and suffering will be GONE! Poverty and ignorance will be banished. SMILES will enlighten human faces—countenances will radiate with sparkling JOY! Wild animals will be tame. Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution will be no more! There will be crystal-pure water to drink; clean, crisp, pure air to breathe; rich fertile soil producing full-flavored foods where deserts once existed, producing full-flavored foods; and fantastic BEAUTY in flowers, shrubs, trees.
Isnt God wonderful :) I love JESUS CHRIST.
The millennial world will be filled with HAPPY people guided, helped, protected and ruled by Christ and the saints—and all human beings will learn that they, too, are called by God to inherit EVERLASTING LIFE in supreme happiness and thrilling Joy!
WHAT A FABULOUS WORLD THAT WILL BE!
Although a utopian paradise is indeed impossible by the hands of men—although none of this world’s governments can bring us true peace, prosperity and abundance—your Bible shows THE GREAT GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH CAN AND WILL PRODUCE UTOPIA ON EARTH... SOON! May God speed that glorious day!
MINIQUIZ - TEST YOUR MEMORY
This quiz is designed to help you remember the important facts you learned in the lesson. You simply circle, or underline each correct answer. After you’ve finished, check your choices with the correct answers listed at the end of the test, and then rate yourself.
1. How will a "utopia" of world peace and prosperity finally become reality? A. By a worldwide revival in all churches. B. Through a strengthened NATO and UN. C. Only by the rule of a divine world government. D. By men learning to control the weather and the population explosion.
2. The wonderful world tomorrow will A. have no cities. B. become reforested on a grand scale. C. not be very prosperous, except in God’s model nation. D. lack rainfall in desert areas.
3. The life-giving stream which will flow east and west from Jerusalem A. symbolizes the tears Jesus shed over Jerusalem. B. will not literally exist. C. will quickly be swallowed up and lost in the southern desert. D. symbolizes the "healing" of the nations by God’s Holy Spirit.
4. Jesus’ actual coronation A. took place when He ascended to heaven. B. will take place before His second coming. C. takes place after He conquers all nations. D. took place when He conquered the devil.
5. As "King of kings," how many great crowns will Jesus have? A. Three: for heaven, hell and earth. B. Seven. C. One. D. Many.
6. When will the "saints" receive their crowns? A. After they prove their ability to rule the nations. B. At the "rapture." C. After Jesus has conquered, completely reorganized and rebuilt this world, and solved its problems. D. At Christ’s return.
7. David will A. remain dead in his grave during the Millennium B. rule as king over the descendants of Jacob in the Millennium. C. rule over theGentiles. D. have less authority over Israel than the twelve apostles.
8. In the Millennium, Christ will A. govern gently at all times. B. never deal severely with the rebellious C. not be concerned about education. D. teach mankind God’s way of life.
9. The goal of Christ’s re-education program will primarily be to A. reform the economic system. B. teach man how to fulfill his democratic responsibility. C. remold the social life of the community. D. develop the whole character of man—perfect his physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life.
10. The most important change destined to occur in tomorrow’s world will be in A. man’s hostile attitude. B. the nature of animals. C. the weather. D. the languages.
TRUE OR FALSE
11. The one problem today that will continue on over into the world tomorrow will be the multiplicity and corruption of languages and dialects.T F
12. In the Millennium, work will seem like rest compared to the suffering, sorrow and hard bondage of this world’s ways. T F
13. Resurrected "saints"—Christians—will be "priests," as well as "kings" under Christ. T F
14. False education is an unfortunate curse, but thankfully it does not enslave mankind. T F
15. The Millennium will become a literal utopia because man’s efforts will finally make it so. T F
This is a small test above. But in the milestone while we wait for our Lord and savior, Learn to read the bible please learn how to live in prosperity and abundance, even in everlasting joy and happiness and no guilt and sin. Once you ask Jesus into your life you will never be the same you will thirst for him and hunger for him you will want to know about him and his life even you would want to get rid of the things of satan do this wont you my friends I am just trying to spread the Gospel and teach others about the good news Jesus isnt DEAD HE IS ALIVE HE IS THE SAME AS YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER! HE WILL NEVER CHANGE HE IS A MERCIFUL LOVING CARING COMPASSIONATE GOD would you answer him he is knocking at your door think about this amen.
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 | RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Elizabeth
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 04:30:31
Reply:
Dear Angelblessings,
Due to lack of memories, even though I was taught in an all girls Catholic School by Nuns, a lot of what you have said has gone right over the top of my head sorry. But I really tried to read it all. I really tried. You gave me one memory. When I finished the college the teacher wrote on the lackboard beside each students name a saying or quote from the bible or something.
Mine was, You hold the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
I do not understand it as Ihave no concept or background knowledge to be able to figure it out.
She never sanswered me when I asked her what she meant. I was upposed to know.
Anyhow.
I dont have the memories but I do have feelings and seeing about some of the things you say and ask.
I hope you do not mind me sharing them with you.
I see Eden as being everywhere. It is here now. It is our perception of Eden that is different from the reality. I am trying to say this really nicely and I do not know how.
We poohed on the earth and the creator when we found by the apple knowledge and intellect. We left our intelligence, our indigenous wisdom behind and wanted more once we saw through the apple.
I am in Eden now. Where ever there is love, unity, respect and acceptance, forgiveness etc etc, there is Eden.
It doesnt matter what little I have, it is enough, and always room for improvement by using my intelligence and not ittelect to attain an acceptance of the bad and the good.
I am not saying that murder rape etc is good so accept it.
But if you learn from it, then you are moving forward with the forgiveness that the Angels say to do. And Jesus and God and the disiples and the rest of the world that is conciuos of it.
After 11 years of being raped in a marriage, I still believed in love, gentleness that could be out there.
It is me that I have to work on, my fears, as my only knowledge is pain, not tenderness.
I studied after leaving my husband, what this tenderness is that you see on movies, or in someone walking down the steet looking at each other.
I do not know even after three pregnancies what it is like to be held or the child wanted by the other half, but see it around me and do not know what it could possibly feel like. I am past the breeding age now and will never know. Except in dreams.
But I still believe that it is possible. Love.
Utopia, Eden, Paradise????
How can you find it on the outside if you cannot find it on the inside.
I have studied Budhism, Islam, Christianty and the Dabrowski's Positive 'disintergration and many scientific researches to try and find an understanding of the world and its occupants.
i se globally and not singularily and I cant spell properly so forgive the mistakes please and I hope you can understand them.
Eden is within us. The creator is within us. The essence is in all of us.
Just at varying degres of awareness.
So I see the Eden youspeak of as the unity of the all, the thought form, the individual essences all combined and this is the one language.
Yes I have visions. I am learning to come to accept them. I see Uluru surrounded by grass. Not like the lawns in gardens but native grass.
I see the frequency changes, the alteration of the world countries and the water levels. Where was once ocean sahll be ocean again and to the levels it once was. Rivers will be back where it is dry. But not as we know it in our times or even 200 years ago. But further back.
And then there will be the return of the Mayans, etc.
I also understand and see the altered perceptions of reality, due to the changes and the lights etc and the children.
We are all right as long as we feel the changes, listen to the changes and grow.
We will be one again. And be able to make choices to stay or leave.
I better go. Children to see to.
Respect
Elizabeth
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Angelblessings
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 08:13:42
Reply:
When I finished the college the teacher wrote on the lackboard beside each students name a saying or quote from the bible or something.
Mine was, You hold the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
I do not understand it as Ihave no concept or background knowledge to be able to figure it out.
She never sanswered me when I asked her what she meant.
Dear Elizabeth,
What she meant that about the keys to the kingdom of heaven is she is simply stating about the pope St. Peter Jesus apstole has the keys to the kingdom of heaven he gave them to him and said what ever you bound on earth shall be bound in heaven and what ever you loose on earth shall be lost in heaven. This is stating him to be the first pope of the catholic church. See I respect your answers but as a christian I cannot accept abortion killing babies, or violence even sickness and diaseases. I am sorry but I think good is better and bad is bad, Bad belongs to the devil and good belongs to God. I just am a christian trying to spread the word to all. If no one follows the Lord Jesus Christ the most high God surely I say unto you you will be bound with sin unless you repent to Jesus and ask for his forgiveness. You said: You have studied Budhism, Islam, Christianty and the Dabrowski's Positive 'disintergration and many scientific researches to try and find an understanding of the world and its occupants. Umm hun Budhism is not from God and sorry to burst your bubble but sweety I can only accept Christianity and other stuff is out of the question beware of cults Elizabeth God loves you I am not being rude or mean I am speaking from the truth.
Jesus is not just a prophet he is truly God and truly man he is God! He died on the cross for your sins please turn back to him and dont let satan give you false teachings and lies he is the father of lies, Jesus is a prince of peace. I want to help those who are lost and you seem lost to me. I am catholic and Catholic means Universal Jesus founded a church not a book God inspired those to write the bible yes but Jesus started Catholicism. Come back to God come back to Jesus Christ.
AND IN ROMANS 3:20 IT SAYS FOR ALL HAVE FALLIN SHORT IN THE GLORY OF GOD.
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Angelblessings
Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 09:39:05
Reply:
My bad I thought Romans 3:20 said that sorry it talks about the law.God will judge the secrets of men through christ. being filled with all unrighteousnesss such as wicknedness greed malice full of envy murder strife deceit they are gossips, slanders haters of God insolent arrogant boastful inventors of evil disobedient to parents without understanding untrustworthy of death they those who practice the same but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. This is in Romans the first chapter.
St. Catherine of Siena knew that she was a sinner, as are all human beings, offending God with their pride and selfishness. She correctly believed that God knows everything past, present and future. Putting these two truths together, she asked God why He would even create human beings, knowing that they would offend Him in sin? The answer she received was that God acted as if He did not see the sinfulness of mankind: "Even though You saw that we would offend You, Your charity would not let You set Your eyes on that sight. No, You took Your eyes off the sin that was to be and fixed Your gaze only an Your creature's beauty. For if You had concentrated on the sin, You would have forgotten the love You had for creating mankind. Not that sin was hid from You, but You concentrated an the love because You are nothing but a fire of love, crazy over what You have made." (Prayer XIII)
There is something about human beings in and of themselves that is attractive to God, so much so that it distracts His attention from the horror of the sins that they commit against Him. The beauty of human beings overshadows the ugliest and most numerous of their sins. That beauty inspires love in God for human beings, indeed, for the very idea of them. And nothing can alter the fact of God's love for them, nothing can make it grow less, not even sin. God cannot NOT love mankind.
What else could explain why God, knowing that mankind would sin against Him, would create them in His own Image and likeness, except that He fell in love with the very idea of them? What else but love could explain God becoming a man with flesh and blood just so that His flesh could be nailed to a Cross and His blood be poured out to make up for the punishment due to the sins of mankind? Love alone can explain the Holy Spirit coming to sinful man to give the gift of Sanctifying Grace through the sacraments. Only love explains why God keeps mankind in existence by constantly thinking of them, or why He provides for all their needs, or why He shows them mercy again and again, or why He is patient with an eye to their salvation.
God's love defies all human logic and reason. At least that is how St. Catherine of Siena describes God's love: "O unutterable love, even though You saw all the evils that all Your creatures would commit against Your infinite goodness, You acted as if You did not see and set Your eye only an the beauty of Your creature, with whom You had fallen in love like one drunk and crazy with love." (Prayer XIII)
The beauty of a human being overshadows the ugliest and most numerous of sins, and that beauty inspired God's love for man. Nevertheless, do not underestimate the horror of sin. In fact, it is ugly most especially an account of God's love for man. What a poor return for so rich a love! Some people ask, if God is all-powerful and all-loving (and He is), why would He allow people to offend Him with sin or to hurt other people? Why doesn't God just stop them before they sin? The answer has to do with freedom and love.
Moved by love, God created man to love: to love God first and most, to love his neighbor, and to love himself In order to love something or someone, a person needs an intellect and the free will to choose. The intellect is man's ability to know what is worthy of love. The intellect tells the free will what to love and the will then reaches out to possess the thing. God could have programmed human beings like robots to love what He loves and as He loves, but that would not be love. Love can only be love if it is freely given.
Free will means that it is always possible for a person to choose among at least two things, like good and evil, or the truth and a lie. God does not want people to choose evil, He did not create them for that, but that is one of the consequences of freedom. The free will choice to desire, say, or do something that God considers evil or false is the misuse of freedom. That is called sin: disobedience to God.
The Original Sin
The first people to sin were Adam and Eve, the parents of all human beings. Their sin is called the "original sin" because it was the first. Adam and Eve were created as friends with God, sharing His life. God allowed Adam and Eve to eat the fruit from every tree in the garden of Paradise, except the fruit that came from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." (Genesis 2:17) Their freedom was not absolute. The forbidden fruit represents the limits that God places on man's freedom. Obedience to God's will is the greatest expression of man's love for God.
In order to test their love, God permitted Adam and Eve to be tempted. He allowed the devil to try to talk them into eating the fruit from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." The devil told Adam and Eve that nothing would happen to them if they ate the fruit, that the reason God did not want them to eat it was that they would become like Him. Adam and Eve believed the devil's lie that they could be like God without having to be obedient to Him. They were no longer content with friendship with God on His terms, and so they freely chose to sin. One might ask: Why would Adam and Eve do that? It is a mystery why they would trade friendship with God for independence from God, but then it is also a mystery why their descendants, present day sinners, continue to do the same.
Sin is Punished
One consequence of free will is that people are responsible for their choices. The more freedom people have in making choices, the more they are responsible for their choices. People must take personal responsibility for their choices, either receiving praise or blame, reward or punishment. Even though Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil, they were free to say "no" to his seduction. They freely chose to disobey God, and so in justice they would have to accept the blame and the punishment.
Adam and Eve's new found independence from God was a poor trade for what they lost as punishment for their sin. They lost everything: the body rebelled from the soul; the relationship between man and woman became strained; work became difficult; suffering became a companion to life on earth; and, as God warned, life ends in death. The worst punishment of all was that Adam and Eve lost the gift of Sanctifying Grace. God's punishment of sin is just, but it is also merciful. Moved by love, God never punishes sinners as much as their sins deserve.
The Loss of Sanctifying Grace
At first glance it would appear that losing the gift of Sanctifying Grace was no big deal compared to everything else Adam and Eve lost as punishment for their sin. However, Sanctifying Grace is everything! God designed human life so that man cannot be what he is meant to be without Sanctifying Grace. God created human beings to share in His divine life, to be His children, and to live with Him forever in Paradise - Sanctifying Grace alone makes this possible.
Man can only have Sanctifying Grace when he lives his life in the obedience of faith according to God's laws. When man sins it is as if he says to God: "I don't need You; I will not submit to You; I can make it an my own!" Nothing could be further from the truth. If as punishment for sin man can only eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, how much more frustrating is it for man to strive for the goal of eternal life without Sanctifying Grace, and never be able to achieve it? This is the source of man's greatest suffering!
The Hope of Salvation
Even though Adam and Eve's relationship with God was strained, He did not stop loving and caring for them. The Bible tells how God Himself made clothes for them and protected them from doing further harm to themselves (Genesis 3:21-24). God also gave them hope that the debt of punishment owed for their sins would one day be pardoned. God gave them hope for salvation. From the beginning of human history, God promised to send a Savior who would have final victory over sin and death: "I will put enmity between you (the devil) and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15) Mankind needs a Savior, and Jesus is the One who crushes the head of the serpent, pardoning the debt of punishment owed for sin, and making Sanctifying Grace and Heaven available to man once again.
Sin is an offense against the infinitely good God who is deserving of love, and so, in justice, sin deserves infinite punishment. Human beings, because they are finite, could never make up for the punishment their sins deserve. Only God, who alone is infinite, could suffer the punishment for sin, but God as God cannot suffer. So, moved by love, God became man so that in His human nature He could suffer the punishment for sin and reconcile man to Himself. That is what Jesus taught Nicodemus when He said: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (Joint 3:16) It would be like a victim of a violent crime saying to the condemned criminal: "I will take your place in the electric chair to pay for the crime that you committed against me." That is what Jesus did for each person.
St. Paul describes Jesus as the "second Adam" who made up for what the "first Adam" did: "God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us...as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man's act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men." (Romans 5: I2, 18) Mankind is reconciled to God by believing that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world, and by being baptized. The waters of Baptism wash away original sin and give the person the gift of Sanctifying Grace.
It was not only Adam and Eve who needed a Savior, but all human beings. Just as the original blessings Adam and Eve received from God were intended not only for themselves, but for human nature itself, so their fallen human nature is transmitted to all their descendants (except to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, was preserved free from all stain of original sin from the first instant of her conception). Like a child that is born with a congenital disease, every human being born since the fall of Adam and Eve is afflicted with ignorance, suffering, death, and with an inclination to sin called "concupiscence." They are also born without the gift of Sanctifying Grace, with the gates of Heaven closed to them. It is not that a newborn child is guilty of personal sin. Rather, the child is born into a state of sin with a fallen human nature.
Personal Sin
Baptism takes away original sin and gives Sanctifying Grace, but otherwise fallen human nature remains the same. The baptized person is no longer a "slave to sin" but is inclined to the selfishness of sin because of concupiscence. Therefore, Christians must "work out (their) own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) by cooperating with God's Grace to avoid sin and practice virtue.
The sins that the baptized person commits are called personal or actual sins: unlike original sin, the human person actually commits the sin. All sins are a misuse of freedom, but there are different kinds of sin, depending on what is actually done, how much deliberation or thought goes into it, and how free the person is to choose. They also differ, then, by the punishment they deserve. The two main kinds of actual sins are called mortal sin and venial sin.
Venial Sin
A sin is called venial, from the Latin meaning pardonable, when either what was done is not serious, or if it was serious, there wasn't full knowledge or complete consent of the will. A person does not lose the gift of Sanctifying Grace by committing a venial sin. However, he does receive a temporal punishment which is made up for during life an earth by doing penance, works of charity and by saying prayers, or else after a person's death by the sufferings of Purgatory. One who is guilty of venial sin also finds it more and more difficult to practice virtue and to resist the temptation to commit mortal sins, which do deprive a person of Heaven.
Mortal Sin
A sin is called mortal, meaning deadly (see 1 John 5:16-17), when what was done is serious, and when it was done with both full knowledge and complete consent of the will. The Catholic Church alone has the authority to determine what kinds of desires, words and actions are serious in and of themselves. The Catechism teaches that the Ten Commandments name what is seriously wrong. (CCC 1858) Why a person does something (his motive), and circumstances like who is offended, or where, or when, or how, can make a sin more or less serious, but it can never make something which is sinful acceptable. One may not do evil, not even a venial sin, in order to bring about something that seems good: the end does not justify the means.
It is possible for a person to desire, to say or to do something that is sinful in and of itself, but not know that it is sinful. God does not hold a person responsible for something he did not know was wrong. However, God does hold all people responsible to learn what is good to do, and then to do it. It is also possible for a person's ability to act with complete consent of the will to be lessened or even destroyed by things like force, fear, or habit. But that same person is responsible to, for example, break the habit that affects his freedom.
A person is guilty of mortal sin when he desired, said or did something that was seriously wrong, knowing that it was a sin, freely choosing to do it anyway. This sin is called mortal because it is punished with the "death" of the life of Sanctifying Grace in the soul of the sinner. Without Sanctifying Grace a person cannot gain any merit for the good things he might do, nor may he receive Holy Communion without first going to Confession. (see 1 Corinthians 11:28) Worst of all, if he dies without repenting of his mortal sin and asking God for forgiveness, he will be judged worthy of eternal damnation in Hell. Be careful here, for while it is possible to say whether or not a desire, word or action is mortally sinful, only God can judge whether or to what extent a person is guilty of mortal sin.
That is because only God can judge a person's mind and heart to know whether or not he acted with full knowledge and complete consent of the will.
Other Kinds of Sin
Besides these two very familiar kinds of actual sins, there are a few others. Jesus refers to the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. (Mark 3:29) This is understood as a refusal to repent of one's sins, or a rejection of the forgiveness of sins and salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. God respects our freedom, and so will not dwell in a soul where He is not invited or where He is not made welcome.
The Bible also mentions sins that cry out to heaven for vengeance: Brother killing Brother (Genesis 4:10); sodomy (Genesis 19:13); Oppression of a foreigner, a widow, or an orphan (Exodus 22:20-22); and, injustice to laborers (James 5:4).
Some sins are called capital sins because they lead people to commit other sins. There are seven capital sins: pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony and sloth. For example, the capital sin of envy led King Saul to hate David, and to be sad at his success in war and his fame with the people. Saul hated David and tried to kill him. (1 Kings 18: 6-9)
Lastly, a vice is a sinful habit that is developed over time by repeating a sin. The first time a sin is committed it is difficult because of the natural fear and shame that people have. However, each time the sin is repeated it weakens resistance until it can be done with ease and without much attention. Vice is gradually overcome by practicing virtue, which is the habit of doing good.
WHY DID JESUS START THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION?
It is said that if someone believes that God is distant, it is not God who moved. God never stops loving His creation, especially human beings made in His image and likeness. Moved by love, He always provides men and women with all good things. And when they sin and turn away from God, He does not abandon them. Like the Good Shepherd, God goes in search of sinners to call them to conversion. (see Luke 15:4-7) As man can do nothing to save Himself, God always makes the Grace of conversion available to all people. But Grace is not magic; it bears no fruit without a person's free and deliberate cooperation to repent, confess his sins, and try to change his life.
The first conversion of a sinner to God occurs when he comes to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world, and is baptized. Every time a sinner commits a sin after Baptism, he must repent, be sorry for his sins, confess them to a priest (if they are mortal sins), and try to change his life again, and again, and again, as many times as necessary. St. Catherine of Siena refers to the sacrament of Confession as "an on-going Baptism" where sinners are washed clean again in the Blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. (Dialogue, chapter 75) Christians are always in need of repentance and conversion as long as they live.
Because God takes "no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live" (Ezekiel 33:11), Jesus established the sacrament of Confession so that sinners in every time and place could repent, confess their sins, and try to change their lives.
Only God can forgive sins. The Lord Jesus, because He is God, could therefore say to the man who was paralyzed: "My son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:5) Jesus also has the authority, as God, to grant others the power to forgive sins. On Easter night, Jesus appeared to the Apostles, "breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'" (John 20:22-23) And because sin offends not only God, but also the members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, Jesus gave Peter and the Apostles the authority to reconcile sinners to the Church when He said: "Whatever you bind an earth
shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven." (Matthew 16:19; 18:18)
Only God forgives sins, but He does it "through the ministry of the Church." The Lord Jesus gave the Apostles and their successors, the Bishops of the Catholic Church, and the priests who work with the Bishops, the power to forgive sins in His name. When a priest absolves a person of his sins, he is not merely announcing the Good News of God's forgiveness, or that God has forgiven his sins. The sinner receives pardon from God through the ministry of the Church, that is, through the absolution given by the priest in Confession. As the Church is also offended by sin, that same prayer of absolution reconciles the sinner with the Church.
There are some people who shy away from going to Confession because they have had the experience of a priest being angry and yelling at them. It is difficult to excuse such behavior in a priest: maybe he was having a bad day, or was bothered by something totally unrelated. Nevertheless, a priest in Confession must try to remember that he has received "the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5: 18), and is to be like the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, or the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds, or the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on his return. The penitent, on the other hand, should try to forgive the human failings of the priest. He should also remember that, regardless of what kind of confessor the priest is, it is Jesus Christ that the penitent meets in the sacrament of Confession, and that the forgiveness of sins is not dependent an the goodness of the priest.
The Ten Commandments
First Commandment
"I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before Me."
+ Have I disobeyed the commandments of God or of His Catholic Church?
+ Have I refused to accept as true what God has revealed or what the Catholic Church proposes for belief?
+ Have I denied the existence of God?
+ Have I rejected the Christian faith, associating myself formally with another religion?
+ Have I formally associated myself with a non-Catholic denomination or sect?
+ Am I a member of a group which is forbidden to Catholics?
+ Have I given in to despair concerning the forgiveness of my sins or my salvation?
+ Have I presumed on God's mercy, expecting forgiveness without conversion and practicing virtue?
+ Do I love someone or something more than God?
+ Does someone or something other than God influence my choices?
+ Have I engaged in superstitious practices?
+ Have I consulted horoscopes, palm readers, fortune tellers, clairvoyants or mediums?
+ Have I involved myself in occult practices, such as seances, using a ouija board, or the worship of Satan?
Second Commandment
"You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain. "
+ Have I used the name of God in cursing or blasphemy?
+ Have I failed to keep the vows or promises that I have made to God?
+ Have I spoken about the Church, the saints, or sacred things with irreverence, hatred or defiance?
+ Have I watched television or movies, or listened to music that treated God, the Church, the saints, or sacred things irreverently?
+ Have I used vulgar, suggestive or obscene speech?
+ Have I used speech to belittle others?
+ Have I been disrespectful in my behavior in church?
+ Have I misused places or things set apart for the worship of God?
Third Commandment
"Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day."
+ Have I set time aside each day for personal prayer to God?
+ Have I worshipped God at Mass on Sunday and the other Holy Days of Obligation?
+ Have I committed a sacrilege against the Blessed Sacrament?
+ Have I received a sacrament while in the state of mortal sin?
+ Did I habitually come late to and/or leave early from Mass without a good reason?
+ Did I do unnecessary shopping and business on Sunday and the other Holy Days of Obligation?
+ Did I do unnecessary labor on Sunday and the other Holy Days of Obligation?
Fourth Commandment
"Honor your father and mother."
+ If still under the care of my parents, did I obey all that they reasonably asked of me?
+ Have I neglected the needs of my parents in their old age or in their time of need?
+ If still in school, did I obey the reasonable demands of my teachers?
+ As a parent, have I neglected to give my children proper food, clothing, shelter, education, discipline and care?
+ Have I provided for the religious education and formation of my children for as long as they are under my care?
+ Have I taken care to see that my children still under my care regularly frequent the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion?
+ Have I chosen a school for my children which corresponds to my religious convictions and which helps me in my role as the primary educator of my children?
+ If it is not possible to enroll my child in a Catholic school, have I seen to it that they attend religious instruction all through their school years, even after Confirmation?
+ Have I provided my children with a positive, prudent and personalized education in the Catholic teaching on human sexuality?
+ Have I given my children a good example of how to live the Catholic Faith?
+ Have I prayed with and for my children?
+ Do I live in humble obedience to those who legitimately exercise authority over me?
+ Have I broken the law?
+ Have I supported or voted for a politician whose positions are opposed to the teachings of Christ and His Catholic Church?
Fifth Commandment
"You shall not kill."
+ Have I unjustly and intentionally killed a human being?
+ Have I procured, performed, cooperated or advised another in the intentional killing of an unborn child through abortion?
+ Have I seriously considered or attempted suicide?
+ Have I supported, promoted or encouraged the practice of assisted suicide or mercy killing?
+ Have I deliberately desired to kill an innocent human being?
+ Have I unjustly inflicted bodily harm an another person?
+ Have I unjustly threatened another person with bodily harm?
+ Have I afflicted another person with verbal or emotional abuse?
+ Have I hated another to the point of wishing him evil?
+ Am I prejudiced or have I unjustly discriminated against others because of their race, color, nationality, gender or religion?
+ Do I belong to a hate group?
+ Did I purposely provoke another by teasing or nagging?
+ Did I, by my actions, recklessly endanger my life or health, or that of another person?
+ Did I operate any form of transportation recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs?
+ Have I abused alcohol or other drugs?
+ Have I sold or given drugs to others to use for non-therapeutic purposes?
+ Have I been immoderate in my use of tobacco?
+ Have I over-eaten?
+ Have I been immoderate in my use of diets or diet pills?
+ Have I encouraged others to sin by giving scandal?
Sixth Commandment
"Thou shall not commit adultery."
Ninth Commandment
"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife."
+ Do I make an effort to practice the virtue of chastity?
+ Have I given in to lust, the desire for sexual pleasure unrelated to spousal love in marriage?
+ Have I used artificial means of birth control?
+ Have I participated in immoral techniques for in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination?
+ Have I undergone an operation to render myself sterile for contraceptive purposes?
+ Have I willfully entertained impure thoughts?
+ Have I purchased or made use of pornography in any form?
+ Have I watched movies and television that involve sex and nudity?
+ Have I listened to music or jokes that are harmful to purity?
+ Have I committed adultery, having sexual relations with someone who is married, or with someone other than my spouse?
+ Have I committed incest, having sexual relations with a relative or in-law?
+ Have I committed fornication, having sexual relation with someone of the opposite sex when neither of us is married?
+ Have I committed sodomy, having sexual relations with someone of the same sex?
+ Have I raped someone?
+ Have I committed masturbation, using my sexual organs for my own sexual pleasure?
+ Have I engaged in sexual foreplay (petting) reserved for marriage?
+ Have I preyed upon children or youth for my sexual pleasure?
+ Have I engaged in unnatural sexual activities?
+ Have I engaged in prostitution, or paid for the services of a prostitute?
+ Have I set out to seduce someone, or allowed myself to be seduced?
+ Have I made uninvited and unwelcome sexual advances toward another?
+ Have I purposely dressed immodestly?
Seventh Commandment
"You shall not steal."
Tenth Commandment
"You shall not covet your neighbor's goods."
+ Do I try to live in a spirit of gospel poverty and simplicity?
+ Have I failed to practice the works of mercy?
+ Am I envious of others on account of their possessions?
+ Did I take something that doesn't belong to me against the reasonable will of the owner?
+ Did I deface, destroy or lose another's property without making restitution?
+ Did I cheat on a test, on my taxes, in business, or in games of chance?
+ Have I squandered money in compulsive gambling?
+ Did I make a false claim to an insurance company?
+ Do I pay employees a living wage, or fail to give a full day's work for a full day's pay?
+ Have I failed to honor my part of a contract?
+ Did I fail to make good on a debt?
+ Did I take advantage of another's hardship or ignorance by charging more for a product than it is worth?
+ Have I misused natural resources?
+ Have I treated animals cruelly, causing them to suffer or die needlessly?
Eighth Commandment
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
+ Did I knowingly and willfully deceive another by speaking a falsehood?
+ Did I perjure myself under oath?
+ Am I guilty of passing on gossip?
+ Am I guilty of detraction, destroying a person's reputation by telling others about his faults for no good reason?
+ Am I guilty of slander or calumny, telling lies about another person in order to destroy his reputation?
+ Am I guilty of libel, writing lies about another person in order to destroy his reputation?
+ Am I guilty of rash judgement, assuming the worst of another person based on circumstantial evidence?
+ Have I failed to make reparation for a lie I told, or for harm done to a person's reputation?
+ Did I fail to speak out in defense of the Catholic Faith, the Church, or of another person?
+ Did I betray another's confidence through speech?
Look go and turn back to catholicism! Catholicism is the only true church there is!
The Precepts of The Church
First Precept of the Church
"You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation."
(see under the Third Commandment)
Second Precept of the Church
"You shall confess your sins at least once a year."
+ Have I made a good Confession of my mortal sins least once a year?
+ Did I purposely omit telling my mortal sins in my last Confession?
+ Did I perform the penance I was given?
+ Have I made reparation for any harm I have done to others?
Third Precept of the Church
"You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season."
+ Have I fulfilled my Easter duty to receive Holy Communion at least once between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday?
+ Have I received Holy Communion while in the state of mortal sin?
+ Have I fasted an hour before receiving Holy Communion?
+ Have I received Holy Communion more than twice in one day?
Fourth Precept of the Church
"You shall keep holy the Holy days of Obligation."
(see under the Third Commandment)
Fifth Precept of the Church
"You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence."
+ Do I do penance every Friday, if not abstaining from meat, then some other form of penance?
+ If I am 14 years of age or older, did I abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent?
+ If I am between the ages of 18 and 59, did I fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday?
+ Do I try to spend time in prayer, doing spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and practicing self-denial?
Sixth Precept of the Church
"You shall contribute to the support of the Church."
+ Do I contribute a just amount of my time, talents and money to support my parish and the work of the Church?
Seventh Precept of the Church
"You shall observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage."
+ Am I living in a valid and licit marriage according to the laws of the Catholic Church?
+ Have I abandoned my spouse and family by separation or divorce?
+ Have I been keeping company with someone whom I cannot marry in the Catholic Church?
+ Have I given scandal by living with a member of the opposite sex without the benefit of a marriage blessed by the Catholic Church?
+ Have I entered into marriage with more than one person at the same time?
HOW TO MAKE AN INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION
The following is a step-by-step explanation of the ordinary way the Church has set down for an individual penitent to make his Confession. The penitent has the option of making his Confession while kneeling behind a screen so that the priest cannot know his identity, unless the penitent chooses to identify himself. Or, he may sit across from the priest, making his Confession face-to-face. If the penitent chooses to make his Confession face to-face, but the confessional in the church is not set up for it, he can arrange with the priest to make his Confession at another time and place. If the penitent is confessing his sins for the first time, or if it has been a long time since his last Confession, he should inform the priest and ask him for help in making a good Confession.
1. The priest welcomes the penitent, and then they make the Sign of the Cross, saying: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"
2. Using his own words or a prepared text from the Ritual, the priest exhorts the penitent to trust in God's mercy, to which the penitent responds: "Amen."
3. The priest or the penitent may read a text from Sacred Scripture.
4. The penitent then confesses his sins in the following manner:
The penitent may begin with these or similar words: "I confess to Almighty God, and to you, Father, that I have sinned." He then tells the priest his age, gender, state in life, how long it has been since his last Confession, and any other details that would help the priest.
The penitent may then say these or similar words: "I accuse myself of the following sins..." The penitent then tells all of his mortal sins in kind and number. He may also add his venial sins, but need not tell kind and number.
After telling all his sins, the penitent may say these or similar words: "For these and all my past sins I am truly sorry, and I beg pardon from God and penance and absolution from you, Father."
5. The priest may ask questions to help clear up any doubt about the nature of the sins confessed, or to determine if the penitent is truly sorry. The priest may also offer some advice as to how the penitent might amend his life.
6. The priest proposes an act of penance to the penitent, asking if he will accept it in order to make satisfaction for sin and to amend his life. If the penitent is not able to perform the proposed penance, he may ask for another.
7. The penitent then expresses his sorrow in an Act of Contrition, using either his own words, or one of the prayers in the Ritual, or the traditional formula.
8. The priest then extends his hands, or at least his right hand, and says the prayer of absolution, to which the penitent responds: "Amen."
9. After the absolution, the priest says: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good." The penitent responds: "His mercy endures forever."
10. The priest dismisses the penitent, using these or similar words: "The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace." The penitent may respond: "Thanks be to God. Thank you, Father."
11. The penitent should perform his penance as soon as possible after making his Confession.
PASSAGES FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE
Matthew 9:12-13 "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ' I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.
Mark 1:15 "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."
Luke 7:44-48 Then turning toward the woman He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much, but he who is forgiven little, loves little." And He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
Luke 15:7 "I tell you, there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Luke 15:11-24 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants." And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, "God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector...But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 19:5-10 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward for our deed; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingly power." And He said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
John 8:3-11 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst, they Said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?"..."Let he who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her ."...But when they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest, and Jesus was left alone with the woman Standing before Him, Jesus looked up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again."
John 20:21-23 "As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Romans 5:8 But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
PRAYERS
Acts of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (partial indulgence)
Remember, Lord, Your compassion and mercy, which You showed long ago. Do not recall the sins and failings of my youth. In Your mercy remember me, Lord, because of Your goodness. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Wash me from my guilt and cleanse me of my sin. I acknowledge my offense; my sin is before me always. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Lord Jesus, You Chose to be called the friend of sinners. By Your saving death and resurrection free me from my sins. May Your peace take root in my heart and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and truth. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Lamb of God; You take away the sins of the world. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit restore me to friendship with Your Father, cleanse me from every stain of sin in the Blood You shed for me, and raise me to new life for the glory of Your name. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Lord Jesus, You opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, forgave the sinful woman, and after Peter's denial confirmed him in Your love. Listen to my prayer: forgive all my sins, renew Your love in my heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians that I may proclaim Your saving power to all the world. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Father of mercy, like the prodigal son I return to You and say: "I have sinned against You and am no longer worthy to be called Your son." Christ Jesus, Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief to whom You promised paradise: "Lord, remember me in Your kingdom." Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I call on You with trust: "Purify my heart, and help me to walk as a child of the light." Amen. (partial indulgence)
Other Prayers
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, I through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. (partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in Purgatory)
Psalm 130 Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication: if You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, that You may be revered. I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in His Word. My soul waits for the Lord, more than sentinels wait for the dawn. More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord; for with the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption; and He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. (partial indulgence)
Lord, God Almighty, You have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Defend us today by Your mighty power, that we may not fall into any sin, but that all our words may so proceed and all our thoughts and actions be so directed, as to be always just in Your sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Your face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment, while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Your five wounds, pondering over them within me, calling to mind the words which David, Your prophet, said of You, my good Jesus: "They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones". Amen.
(A plenary indulgence is granted an each Friday of Lent and Passiontide to the faithful, who after Communion piously recite the above prayer before an image of Christ crucified; on other days of the year the indulgence is partial)
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. (partial indulgence)
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of' tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus! O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen. (partial indulgence)
We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen. (partial indulgence)
I love You, Jesus, my love, with all my heart. I am sorry for ever having offended You. Never permit me to offend You again. Grant that I may love You always, then do with me as You will. (St. Alphonsus Liguori)
St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the Power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil Spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who renew their baptismal promises according to any formula in use; but a plenary indulgence is granted, if this is done in the celebration of the Paschal Vigil or on the anniversary of one's baptism. What follows is one way to renew one's baptismal promises:
I, N.N., who through the tender mercy of the Eternal Father was privileged to be baptized "in the name of the Lord Jesus" and thus to share in the dignity of His divine Sonship, wish now in the presence of this same loving Father and of His only-begotten Son to renew in all sincerity the promises I solemnly made at the time of my holy Baptism.
I, therefore, now do once again renounce Satan; I renounce all his works; I renounce all his allurements
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was born into this world and Who suffered and died for my sins and rose again. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.0
Having been buried with Christ unto death and raised up with Him unto a new life, I promise to live no longer for myself or for that world which is the enemy of God but for Him who died for me and rose again, serving God, my heavenly Father, faithfully and unto death in the holy Catholic Church.
Taught by our Savior's command and formed by the Word of God, I now dare to say:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Visit to a Cemetery
An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; an other days of the year it is partial.
Adoration of the Cross
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who in the solemn liturgical action of Good Friday, devoutly assist at the adoration of the Cross and kiss it.
Exercise of the Way of the Cross
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who make the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross under the following conditions: made before stations of the Way of the Cross legitimately erected, with fourteen Crosses, with a pious meditation on the Passion and Death of the Lord, moving from one station to the next (or at least the one conducting the exercise to move from station to station). This is the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ.
1.
We know because of the Promises of Perpetuality made by Truth Himself (John 14:6), Jesus Christ.
We know that He founded One Church only, as He stated in Matthew 16:18.
We know because He promised His Church would be defended from within and from without.
"And the gates of hell will NOT prevail against it." Matthew 16:18
We know because He promised to be with His Church until the end of the world, in Matthew 28:20.
We know because He promised He would not leave us orphans, in John 14:18.
We know because He promised the Spirit of Truth would dwell with it forever, in John 14:16.
We know because Saint Paul promised the Church will be with us forever." Ephesians 3:21
2.
We know because of Holy Scripture. The Catholic Church* is the only Church on earth which fits the pattern of the Church which Jesus Christ founded, and as Blueprinted for us in the Bible. There is not another Christian Church in the world that matches this plan as does the Catholic Church.
Compare your Church with what Holy Scripture has said it should be.
* The Catholic Church herein, includes all of the rites which have seven Sacraments and a valid Priesthood.
3.
We know because the Kingdom of GOD promised in Holy Scripture is the Catholic Church*.
Note: Saint Matthew most often used the term Kingdom of Heaven instead, as he directed his Gospel to the Jews, and they were forbidden to even say the name of GOD.
*Lumen Gentium I,3-5
Why did Jesus Christ become Incarnate in the first place? Was it to leave us with a book, or to establish a Church? Well, He just happened to tell us why:
"But He said to them, "To the other towns also I must PROCLAIM THE KINGDOM OF GOD, FOR THIS IS WHY I HAVE BEEN SENT"."
Luke 4:43
"But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of GOD."
Luke 9:27
Jesus Christ founded His Church shortly after making this statement, and some to whom He spoke will live to see it.
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Luke 19:10
And how are we, who are the lost ones, to be saved?
It is through the Church which Jesus Christ founded here on earth.
"The Kingdom of GOD may be found where the Body of Christ shall be."
St. Alphonsus Liguori
"Where the Bishop appears, there let the people be, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrneans 8, 107 A.D..
Where Jesus Christ can be found in the Holy Eucharist, there is the Kingdom of GOD.
4.
We know because it is the Catholic Church which is the "Pillar and the Foundation of the Truth", not the Bible, as shown in 1Timothy 3:15. Not one non-Catholic church can make that claim, as not one of them even existed until almost 1500 years after 1Timothy was written.
5.
We know because the Catholic Church is firmly Implanted in Solid Rock.
"Everyone therefore who hears these My Words and acts upon them, SHALL BE LIKENED TO A WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON ROCK. AND THE RAINS CAME, AND THE WINDS BLEW AND BEAT AGAINST THAT HOUSE, BUT IT DID NOT FALL, BECAUSE IT WAS FOUNDED ON ROCK."
Matthew 7:24-25
For almost 2000 years the rains and the winds of enemy and heresy have certainly beat against the Church which Jesus Christ founded. However, His Church is firmly anchored in Rock and has endured the worst of these Storms.
"And I say to you, you are Peter, and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH."
Matthew 16:18
Non-Catholics charge that Peter is not the "rock" because the Greek word used for "rock" in this verse means a little pebble. Right away, it is obvious from the very beginning, that there is a translation problem here. Scholars have determined that Matthew was not written in Greek, but in Aramaic, and was soon translated into Greek, so we have to go to the original written language to find the true meaning of this verse.
Peter was called "Cephas" or "Kepha(s)" in Aramaic, by Christ in Matthew 16:18, and it means a large massive stone or rock. Christ said this at Caesarea Philippi, the site of a large rock mass. See Matthew 16:13. The Aramaic word for a small stone or pebble is "evna". "Kepha", when translated to the Greek language means "Petra" (a large rock) or "Petros" (a small stone). However, unlike Aramaic words which have no gender, some Greek words do have gender, and "Petra" is feminine. Translators from the Aramaic to the Greek, changed the word to the masculine gender or "Petros" because they were unwilling to assign a name with feminine gender to a man.
In Matthew 16:18, it is correct to say that Jesus would have said, "You are 'Kepha', and upon this 'Kepha', I will build My Church." In Greek, it would translate to, "You are 'Petros', and upon this 'Petra', I will build My Church." It was the translation of the Aramaic word, "Kepha" (Cephas), into the Greek language that caused the confusion among some who look upon Peter as not being called "rock", but only a "pebble", and in so doing attempt to deny his Primacy.
Matthew 16:13, 18, John 1:42, 1Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5, Galatians 2:8-9.
Some charge that Matthew 16:18 is based on the "confession" of Peter and not Peter, the person. First of all, the Context clearly shows that the verse is based upon the person of Peter, and not his confession of faith. In the previous verse 17, Jesus blessed the person. In verse 19, He blessed Peter, the person, a second time by giving him and him only the keys. Clearly, all three verses signify a great and special blessing was bestowed upon the person of Peter.
Secondly, the Catholic Church is built upon confessors, and not confessions.
"Where Peter is, there is the Church. And where the Church, no death is there, but life eternal."
Saint Ambrose, On Twelve Psalms, 40,30, 397 A.D.
"You are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone. In Him the whole structure is fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord."
Ephesians 2:20-21
"And everyone who hears these My Words and does not act upon them, shall be likened to A FOOLISH MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON SAND. AND THE RAIN FELL, AND THE FLOODS CAME, AND THE WINDS BLEW AND BEAT AGAINST THAT HOUSE, AND IT FELL, AND WAS UTTERLY RUINED."
Matthew 7:26-27
Other Christian churches have been buffeted and splintered into over 36,400* pieces because they were not founded by Jesus Christ and thus were not built upon Rock.
"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it."
Psalms 127:1
*World Christian Encyclopedia, 2001 edition, a Protestant publication.
6.
We know because only the Catholic Church has the Fullness of Truth.
"I am the way, and THE TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me."
John 14:6
Since Jesus Christ is the truth, then the Church which He founded and guides has all truth.
There can be only one truth. If all Christian Churches taught all truth, then there would be only one Christian Church. However, this is not the case, as there are literally thousands of Christian Churches today, with each teaching something different from the others. How can this be possible that each one of these plenitude of Churches has all truth? By reasoning, it is obvious that only one of these churches can have the fullness of truth. The trick is to find which one it is.
How do we find truth? We test for it.
"For whoever keeps the whole law, but offends in one point, has become guilty in all".
James 2:10
So we find the churches who do not keep the whole law, and by process of elimination, we can determine which Church has the fullness of truth.
I will pose just one test question which will eliminate 99% of the thousands of Christian Churches:
"So then, brethren, stand firm, and HOLD THE TRADITIONS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED, WHETHER BY WORD OR BY LETTER OF OURS."
2Thessalonians 2:15
Obviously, BY WORD OF OURS, means to hold the Apostolic traditions. Every non-Catholic church which denies holding of these traditions, is thereby denying parts of Holy Scripture.
7.
We know because it is the only Church which has the Authority, Given to it by Jesus Christ Himself.
Christ did not leave the world devoid of His voice.
"He who hears you, hears Me; and he who rejects you, rejects Me; and he who rejects Me, rejects him who sent Me."
Luke 10:16
If you reject the Church which Jesus Christ founded, you reject Him, and in turn, the Father.
"But if your brother sin against you, go and show him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take with you one or two more so that on the word of two or three witnesses every word may be confirmed. AND IF HE REFUSES TO HEAR THEM, APPEAL TO THE CHURCH, BUT IF HE REFUSES TO HEAR EVEN THE CHURCH, LET HIM BE TO YOU AS THE HEATHEN AND THE PUBLICAN."
Matthew 18:15-17
So, to whom did Jesus Christ give the final authority? Did He give it to a book? No, He gave it to the Church which He founded.
"But for the authority of the Church, I would not believe the Gospel."
Saint Augustine, Against the Letter of Mani 5:6
8.
We know because the Catholic Church is a Living Body.
As we read the Acts of the Apostles we realize that from the moment the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles (Acts 2:1-4), He has remained in the Catholic Church (John 14:15-18), which is the Body of Christ, to make it a "Living Body".
"For He is not a GOD of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him."
Luke 20:38
If we have a "Living Head" in Jesus Christ, we also have a "Living Body" in the Church, a unity which the Holy Spirit makes possible by dwelling in it and by distributing His gifts so it can bear fruit.
Every member of the Catholic Church receives the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, with the Sacraments. At Mass the Catholic Church lives the death and Resurrection of Christ, and it is in the Holy Eucharist that we find the "Fountain of Life and Holiness". Read 1Corinthians 11:23-30.
"It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To him who thirsts I will give of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely."
Revelation 21:6
The Catholic Church works to bring Jesus to humanity. Scripture scholar Fr. Francis Martin wrote: "The Church is a Bride, and she shows to the world that her Spouse is alive by living by His power and receiving life from Him. If we yield to what the Lord has poured out upon us, His Spirit, the world will know that the Church is truly the spouse of a living GOD."
How does the Catholic Church make sure that it is a Living Body?
First through the Sacraments. We receive with each Sacrament, in our different capacities, the Paraclete, the Giver of Life, the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit there is no life.
9.
We know because The Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
As such it is the visible hands and feet of the invisible GOD.
"If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were hearing, where would be the smelling? But as it is, GOD has set the members, each of them in the body as He willed. Now if they were all one member, where would the body be? But as it is, there are indeed many members, yet one body. AND THE EYE CANNOT SAY TO THE HAND, "I DO NOT NEED YOUR HELP"; NOR AGAIN THE HEAD TO THE FEET, "I HAVE NO NEED OF YOU"."
1Corinthians 12:17-21
"Because Christ the Head holds such an eminent position, one must not think that he does not require the help of the Body. What Paul said of the human organism is to be applied likewise to the mystical Body: "The head cannot say to the feet: I have no need of you". It is manifestly clear that the faithful need the help of the Divine Redeemer, for He has said: "Without me you can do nothing," and according to the teaching of the Apostle every advance of this Mystical Body towards its perfection derives from Christ the Head (Eph 4:16). Yet this, also, must be held, marvelous though it may seem: Christ has need of His members. First, because the person of Jesus Christ is represented by the Supreme Pontiff, who in turn must call on others to share much of his solicitude lest he be overwhelmed by the burden of his pastoral office, and must be helped daily by the prayers of the Church. Moreover as our Savior does not rule the Church directly in a visible manner, He wills to be helped by the members of His Body in carrying out the work of redemption. This is not because He is indigent and weak, but rather because He has so willed it for the greater glory of His spotless Spouse. Dying on the Cross He left to His Church the immense treasury of the Redemption, towards which she contributed nothing. But when those graces come to be distributed, not only does He share this work of sanctification with His Church, but He wills that in some way it be due to her action. This is a deep mystery, and an inexhaustible subject of meditation, that the salvation of many depends on the prayers and voluntary penances which the members of the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ offer for this intention and on the cooperation of pastors of souls and of the faithful, especially of fathers and mothers of families, a cooperation which they must offer to our Divine Savior as though they were His associates."
Mystici Corporis Christi (On the Mystical Body of Christ, paragraph 44)
Pope Pius XII, Encyclical Promulgated on 29 June, 1943
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10.
We know by its Visibility. One cannot govern an invisible Church, only a visible one.
"No man, when he has lit a candle, puts it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light."
Luke 11:33
Jesus Christ said, "A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden."
Matthew 5:14
"And in the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many shall go, and say: Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the GOD of Jacob, and He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths, for the law shall come forth from Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
Isaiah 2:2-3
There are many verses in Holy Scripture which refer to "The Mountain of the Lord", and of going up the mountain to the House of GOD, Exodus 3:1, Numbers 14:40, Psalms 48:1-4, Isaiah 2:2-3,
Isaiah 11:9, 25:6-12, 30:29, 65:11,25, 66:20, Jeremiah 31:23, Ezekiel 11:23, 20:40, Daniel 9:16, 20,
Joel 2:1, 3:17, Micah 4:1-2, Haggai 1:8, Zechariah 8:3, Matthew 5:14
Jesus also had this to say, "And if he refuse to hear them, appeal to the Church, but if he refuses to hear even the Church, let him be to you as the heathen and the publican. Amen I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven."
Matthew 18:17-18
How then does such an appeal apply to an invisible Church, and likewise, how is binding and loosing on earth applied to an invisible Church?
"As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." John 20:21
"He who hears you, hears Me." Luke 10:16
Clearly, GOD has established a visible Church in the service of the invisible GOD.
"From what We have thus far written and explained, Venerable Brethren, it is clear, we think, how grievously they err who arbitrarily claim that the Church is something hidden and invisible, as they also do who look upon her as a mere human institution possessing a certain disciplinary code and external ritual, but lacking power to communicate supernatural life. On the contrary, as Christ, Head and Exemplar of the Church is not complete, if only His visible human nature is considered…, or if only His divine, invisible nature…, but He is one through the union of both and one in both … so is it with His Mystical Body since the Word of God took unto Himself a human nature liable to sufferings, so that He might consecrate in His blood the visible Society founded by Him and lead man back to things invisible under a visible rule."
Mistici Corporus Christi (On the Mystical Body of Christ), paragraph 64.
Pope Pius XII
Encyclical promulgated June 29, 1943
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11.
We know because the Catholic Church is the only Christian Church which has always had a Visible Head on earth, a "Father Figure", just as GOD had patterned for His people from the very beginning, since the time of Adam and Eve. GOD always dealt with His people through one man.
"And Pharaoh (the King) said unto Joseph (a Father Figure), 'For as much as GOD has shown you all of this, there is none so discreet and wise as you are: You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than you'. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt'. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck..."
Genesis 41:39-42
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12.
We know because the Catholic Church is an Hierarchy* in its system of government, just as Jesus Christ had instituted. He is the Head, Ephesians 1:22, 5:23; we are the body, Colossians 1:24. The Head tells the body what to do. The body does not tell the head. Many other Christian churches are controlled by a vote of the body, as in a Democracy, which in turn informs the head of its decisions.
*Lumen Gentium III
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13.
We know because as a living body, The Catholic Church Cannot be Confused or Separated* from its Head Which is Jesus Christ.
*Dominus Iesus, Vatican letter released by Cardinal Ratzinger on September 5, 2000
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14.
We know because the Catholic Church is Jesus Christ Based. The Bible is Catholic Church Based.
The Bible is a Catholic book. The New Testament was written by Catholics. The Canons of both testaments were decided by Catholics, and the written Word of GOD was Faithfully Preserved down through the ages by Catholics.
All other Christian churches are Bible Based, with a Bible Taken from the Catholic Church.
Jesus Christ founded a Church (Matthew 16:18). He did not command anyone to write a Gospel.
The Word of GOD is a person, and not a book (John 1:1,14).
The Catholic Church is based on the Word of GOD alone and not on Scripture alone.
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15.
We know because it was the Catholic Church which, in the fourth century, exercised its authority by Deciding Which Books of the Bible ARE the Bible.
"The Church recognized its image in the inspired books of the Bible. That is how it determined the Canon of Scripture."
Fr. Ken Baker
This also shows that the Bible came from the Church, and that the Church did not come from the Bible. The Catholic Church is the Mother of the Bible, not the Daughter.
THE BIBLE IS A CATHOLIC BOOK.
For those who deny that the Bible is a Catholic Book, the founder of Protestantism,
Martin Luther, concurred that the Bible is indeed a Catholic Book.
He had this to say:
"We are compelled to concede to the Papists that they have the Word of GOD, that we received it from them, and that without them, we should have no knowledge of it at all."
Martin Luther, commentary on St. John.
Isn't it strange that other Christian Churches have to admit (since they use the same canon) that the Catholic Church made an infallible decision when it decided which books of the New Testament are inspired and which ones aren't, yet these same Churches reject the Canon of the Old Testament decided by the same Bishops in the same Councils?
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16.
We know because it was the Catholic Church alone, which faithfully Preserved Holy Scripture down through the centuries, due to the efforts of dedicated Monks in Monasteries, who gave years of their lives to transcribe hand written copies of it.
17.
We know because the Catholic Church has always taught that The Word was Heard and Not Read by the masses for centuries before the invention of the printing press in 1450. There were so few written Bibles that they were kept in Churches and read to the people. Besides that, the great bulk of the masses were illiterate and could not even read the written word. Those who could read or afford a hand copied Bible were few. The cost was prohibitive, for each subsequent copy took up to twenty years of a monks life to duplicate.
The Word that is Heard, is called "Tradition".
"So then, brethren, stand firm, and HOLD THE TRADITIONS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED, WHETHER BY WORD OR BY LETTER OF OURS."
2Thessalonians 2:15
Contrast this with what Sola Scriptura advocates will tell you. They have said that there were thousands of manuscripts (for millions of people), and that the great majority of the masses were literate, and could afford to pay for the wages of 20 years work of one person. The secular history books of these time periods do not agree with this premise at all. There is no written record of the false doctrine of Sola Scriptura to be found before the reformation.
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18.
We know by its Antiquity. The Catholic Church is the only Christian Church which can trace its origins back for almost 2000 years. All other Christian denominations can only go back a few hundred years at most for their origins. Here are the founders and dates of some of the mainline Churches.
They are in time line order:
* 30 A.D., The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:18, John 19:34, Acts 2:1-4, 1Timothy 3:15
* 1521, Martin Luther started Protestantism by forming the Lutherans, when he broke away from the One True Church that had already existed for almost 15 centuries.
* 1521, Thomas Munser, a Catholic priest, started Anabaptists in the same year that Luther broke away. Protestantism started splitting within itself immediately. By 1600 there were 100 splits. By 1900 there were 1000, and today there are over 36,400. Where is the One Fold (John 10:16)?
* 1525, Mennonites started by Grebel, Mantz, and Blaurock in Switzerland.
* 1534, Henry VIII started the Church of England (Anglican).
* 1536, John Calvin, teaching predestination, formed the Calvinists.
* 1560, John Knox, who studied under Luther, started Presbyterians.
* 1582, Congregationalists started by Rob Brown, as a branch from Puritanism.
* 1609, John Smyth formed the Baptists in Holland.
* 1639, Roger Williams started the Baptists in America. They have since splintered severely.
* 1647, George Fox started the Quakers in England.
* 1739, John and Charles Wesley started the Methodists.
* 1770, Universalists were started by John Murray in New Jersey.
* 1774, Theophilus Lindley started Unitarians.
* 1789, Samuel Seabury started Episcopalians.
* 1793 to 1809, the Churches of Christ had four separate founders.
* 1803, Evangelicals were founded by Jacob Albright in Pennsylvania.
* 1830, Joseph Smith founded the Mormons in Palmyra New York.
* 1860, William Miller, a farmer, started the Adventists.
* 1863, Ellen Gould White started the Seventh-Day Adventists.
* 1865, William Booth started The Salvation Army.
* 1879, Mary Baker Eddy started Christian Scientists.
* 1879, Charles Russell started the Jehovah's Witnesses.
* 1875, New Age was started by Helena Blavatsky. *COL 2:8
* 1895, French Abbe, Alfred Loisy and English Jesuit, George Tyrrell started Modernism.
Modernism was condemned by Pope Saint Pius X in 1907.
* 1901, Pentecostalism was started in the United States.
* 1914, Felix Manalo started Iglesia ni Cristo.
* 1914, Assembly of GOD was started by a General Assembly in Arkansas.
* 1919, Church of the Nazarene was started by a Union at a General Assembly.
* 1930, Independent Churches of America (IFCA), a consortium of churches .
* 1934, Evangelical Reformed was started by Union at a General Assembly.
* 1952, L. Ron Hubbard started the Church of Scientology.
* 1965, Chuck Smith began Calvary Chapel.
* 1968, Disciples of Christ, separated from the Churches of Christ.
* 1974, Ken Gullickson started the Vineyard Christian Fellowship.
* Pentecostal Gospel, and other splinter Pentecostal groups, are some of the hundreds of new sects founded by mere men in the 20th century.
"Has Christ been divided up?" 1Corinthians 1:13
"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it." Psalms 127:1
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19.
We know by the indelible Four Marks which only the Catholic Church has.
CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) 813-822
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20.
We know by its Durability. It is the oldest, and longest lasting established organization on earth by far. Many secular encyclopedias will tell you this.
"No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that resists you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of the Lord, and their justice with Me, said the Lord."
Isaiah 54:17
"So now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone. For if this plan or work is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of GOD, you will not be able to overthrow it.
ELSE PERHAPS YOU MAY FIND YOURSELVES FIGHTING EVEN AGAINST GOD."
Acts 5:38-39
I must ask you. In the almost 2000 year history of the Catholic Church, how many have tried and failed to overthrow it? What message, if any, did you get from Acts 5:38-39?
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21.
We know from the Writings of the Old Testament Prophets.
In 2Samuel, GOD prefigured the Church which the "Seed of David", Jesus Christ will found.
"And when your days shall be fulfilled and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you, which shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish His kingdom. HE SHALL BUILD A HOUSE TO MY NAME, AND I WILL ESTABLISH THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM FOREVER."
2Samuel 7:12-13
This is a clear guarantee of the Holiness and perpetuality of the Church which Jesus Christ founded, the Catholic Church. All other Christian Churches came some 1500 years after His crucifixion.
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Isaiah, who so accurately predicted many things about Jesus Christ, including the details of His passion in Isaiah 53, also foretold, equally as accurate, details of the Church which Jesus Christ would set up.
"This is My covenant with them, said the Lord: My Spirit that is in you, and the words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed's seed, said the Lord, FROM HENCEFORTH AND FOREVER."
Isaiah 59:21
This is a clearly stated guarantee of the perpetuality and orthodoxy of the Catholic Church.
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"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guard the city, the guard watches in vain."
Psalms 127:1
What does this verse mean to you if you cannot trace the origin of your Church all the way back to Jesus Christ?
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Jeremiah had this to say, one short example out of many.
"And I will gather together the remnant of My flock, out of all the lands into which I have cast them out; and I will make them return to their own fields, and they shall increase and be multiplied. AND I WILL SET UP PASTORS OVER THEM, AND THEY SHALL FEED THEM: THEY SHALL FEAR NO MORE, AND THEY SHALL NOT BE DISMAYED, AND NONE SHALL BE WANTING OF THEIR NUMBER, SAID THE LORD."
Jeremiah 3:15, 23:3-4
The Catholic Church feeds its flock the truth of GOD.
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Daniel had some things to say also.
"But in the days of those kingdoms the GOD of heaven will set up a kingdom THAT SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED, and His kingdom SHALL NOT BE DELIVERED UP TO ANOTHER PEOPLE; AND IT SHALL BREAK IN PIECES, AND SHALL CONSUME ALL THESE KINGDOMS, AND ITSELF SHALL STAND FOREVER."
Daniel 2:44
"And He gave him power, and glory, AND A KINGDOM, and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve Him. His power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away, AND HIS KINGDOM SHALL NOT BE DESTROYED."
Daniel 7:14
These verses are a clearly stated guarantee of the impregnability and perpetuality of the Catholic Church. They are a clear warning against those who would attack her.
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Micah added to the prophecies.
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared in the top of the mountains, and high above the hills, and people shall flow to it. And many nations shall come in haste, and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the GOD of Jacob, AND HE WILL TEACH US HIS WAYS, AND WE WILL WALK IN HIS PATHS, FOR THE LAW SHALL GO FORTH OUT OF ZION, AND THE WORD OF THE LORD OUT OF JERUSALEM."
Micah 4:1-2
This is clearly stated by Micah, that the Church which GOD will establish, the Catholic Church, would be a world wide teaching Church, and it would be set upon a Mountain for All to See, and that it would have the Authority to teach the Word of GOD.
It was upon a mountain, Mount Sinai, in which Moses received GOD's teaching, written on stone tablets (Exodus 31:18). This is a clear Type of the Catholic Church and its teaching authority.
Jerusalem as seen here is the New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ (Jer 7:34, Rev 19:7-8, 21:2), the Church.
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Haggai wrote this:
"And I will move all nations, and THE DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME; AND I WILL FILL HIS HOUSE WITH GLORY, SAID THE LORD OF HOSTS. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, said the Lord of Hosts. GREAT SHALL BE THE GLORY OF THIS LAST HOUSE MORE THAN OF THE FIRST, SAID THE LORD OF HOSTS; AND IN THIS PLACE I WILL GIVE PEACE, SAID THE LORD OF HOSTS"
Haggai 2:8-10
The "Desired of all Nations" could only mean Jesus Christ, and the Church He will build is the "Last House", the indefectible Catholic Church, greater in glory than what it replaced, the Church which will last until the end of the world (Matt 28:20).
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Zechariah wrote this:
"Thus said the Lord of Hosts: I am returned to Zion, and I will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and JERUSALEM SHALL BE CALLED THE CITY OF TRUTH, AND THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE SANCTIFIED MOUNTAIN."
Zechariah 8:3
Jerusalem here is of course the New Jerusalem as described earlier. It is the Catholic Church which is the "City of Truth", and the "Mountain of the Lord of Hosts".
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Malachi wrote this:
Malachi 1:11
He wrote a clear description of the Sacrifice performed in every Catholic Mass.
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22.
We know because the Thread of the Catholic Church is Woven throughout Holy Scripture from the first book of Genesis to the last book of Revelation. However, the thread does not end with Revelation, for it continues unbroken where GOD's Public Revelation ended, and on down through the ages for almost 2000 years of richly recorded history until this very day.
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23.
We know from Holy Scripture, as it is one continuous story from beginning to end. It is the story of GOD's Salvation History through a series of Covenants which He made with mankind. Each successive covenant encompassed a larger group of people until the last covenant, which included the whole world, the Universal Church, the Catholic Church.
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you shall be witnesses for Me in Jerusalem (local) and in Samaria (spreading out) and even to the very ends of the earth (worldwide)."
Acts 1:8
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24.
We know because it is only the Catholic Church Which has All of the Pieces to the Puzzle.
You might ask, "What Puzzle"?
All of Scripture and the story of GOD's Salvation History is likened to a giant jigsaw puzzle, an overall picture of GOD's plan for us. Non-Catholic churches have very large gaps in their puzzle with many pieces missing. Because of this they will never see the full picture.
Here are some examples of what I mean:
They are missing all of Church history, almost 1500 years, from the end of the Book of Revelation until the start of the reformation. The recorded history is certainly there, but they simply refuse to read it.
They are missing seven books and parts of at least two more, from Holy Scripture, simply because one man decided they should be removed.
They are missing many pieces of rich Apostolic Tradition, simply because when they separated themselves from the One True Church, they could not lay claim to it.
They are missing five of the seven Sacraments which were instituted in the New Testament and which were in use by the Catholic Church for almost 1500 years before the reformation.
They are missing all of the Saints and their wonderful works.
The Catholic Church has all of the pieces listed.
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25.
We know by its Indefectibility, as shown in Ephesians 5:25-27.
(25)"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church, and delivered Himself up for her, (26) that He might sanctify her, cleansing her in the bath of water by means of The Word; (27) IN ORDER THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT TO HIMSELF THE CHURCH IN ALL HER GLORY, NOT HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE OR ANY SUCH THING, BUT THAT SHE MIGHT BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH."
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26.
We know because the Catholic Church is The Bride of Christ.
Did you notice in the previous category, that the Church (singular), is mentioned twice in these three verses, and that Saint Paul referred to the Church as her four times, and as she once?
It is therefore befitting that the Church carries the title of, "The Bride of Christ".
"He who loves his own wife, loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh; on the contrary he nourishes and cherishes it, AS CHRIST ALSO DOES THE CHURCH because we are members of His body, made from His flesh and from His bones. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY - I MEAN IN REFERENCE TO CHRIST AND TO THE CHURCH."
Ephesians 5:29-32
"And the Lord Himself says in the Gospel: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh". They are, in fact, two different persons, yet they are one in conjugal union,... as Head, He calls Himself the Bridegroom, as Body, He calls Himself 'bride'."
St Augustine of Hippo, C.C.C. 796.
"Even as He chose us before the foundation of the world, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH IN HIS SIGHT IN LOVE."
Ephesians 1:4. Compare this verse with Ephesians 5:27 as listed in the previous category.
"And the Bridegroom shall rejoice over the bride, and your GOD shall rejoice over you."
Isaiah 62:5
"Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they will fast."
Matthew 9:15. See also Mark 2:19-20
"He who has the bride is the Bridegroom; but the friend of the Bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices exceedingly at the voice of the Bridegroom. This my joy, therefore is made full. He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:29-30
"For I betrothed you to one spouse, that I might present you a chaste virgin to Christ."
2Cor 11:2
Read the parable of the ten virgins and the Bridegroom in Matthew 25:1-13
Since the Catholic Church is the bride of Christ, can he be the spouse of other churches?
No, for just like us, He can have only one bride, for more than one would be the sin of polygamy.
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27.
We know because the Catholic Church holds periodic Church Councils to settle disputes and problems which arise from time to time.
"Where there is no governor, the people shall fall; but there is safety where there is much council."
Proverbs 11:14
The first Church Council was the Council of Jerusalem in 49 A.D., as described in Acts 15:1-29.
A doctrinal dispute had to be decided and there was a debate, and the Primacy of the first Pope, Peter, was voiced (Vs 7). After that the whole meeting quieted down (Vs 12). The Apostles had composed a letter (Vs 23) in which they had written their agreed upon decisions in conjunction with the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Vs 28).
"The Apostles had spoken. The issue was settled."
Over the centuries, there have been many Church Councils from time to time. They are normally called in order to settle disputes, and the issues of the day, just as was the first one.
Now it is "Rome has spoken, the matter is settled."
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28.
We know by its Church Council Teachings to the whole world in which all Christians adhere to in many respects.
It was Catholic Church Councils which have defined many doctrines used today by both Catholics and Protestants alike.
"Where there is no governor, the people shall fall; but there is safety where there is much Council."
Proverbs 11:14
"Designs are strengthened by Councils, and wars are to be managed by governments."
Proverbs 20:18
The very first Church Council held, was the Council of Jerusalem 48-50 A.D. (Acts 15:1-35), in which Peter said,
"Brethren, you know that in early days GOD MADE CHOICE THAT THROUGH MY MOUTH THE GENTILES SHOULD HEAR THE WORD OF THE GOSPEL AND BELIEVE."
Acts 15:7
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Church Councils are presided over by the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, in conjunction with the other Bishops and...
"For THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WE HAVE DECIDED TO LAY NO FURTHER BURDENS ON YOU..." Acts 15:28
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Here are just a few examples of doctrines which have emerged from Church Councils:
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You will not find the word "Trinity" in Holy Scripture. The doctrine of the "Holy Trinity" was defined in the Catholic Council of Nicea in 325.
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The "Nicene Creed", which is said in many Protestant churches as well as Catholic,
came from the Council of Nicea in 325, and was revised as to the wording it is today, in the Council of Constantinople I in 381.
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The Canons of both the Old and New Testaments were decided by the Catholic Councils of Rome in 382, Hippo in 393, and Carthage III in 397.
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The Catholic Councils of Ephesus in 431, and of Chalcedon in 451, defined the doctrine that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures, the Hypostatic Union.
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The Catholic Council of Lyons I in 1245 defined the doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.
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29.
We know because of Apostolic Succession.
"May his days be few. and may another take up his duties."
Psalms 109:8
"...And his ministry let another take."
Acts 1:20
"I laid the foundation and another builds thereon."
1Corinthians 3:10
"...you are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the chief corner stone. In Him the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord..."
Ephesians 2:20-21
The succession of the Bishops of Rome, the Popes,
can be traced all the way back in an Unbroken Line to St. Peter.
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30.
We know because of the Truth in Teaching Succession all the way from Jesus Christ to the Bishops and Priests of the Catholic Church to this day.
Here is just one path I will show as an example.
From Jesus Christ to the Apostles.
"As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
John 20:21
"He who receives anyone I send, receives Me; and he who receives Me, receives Him who sent Me."
John 13:20
"He who hears you, hears Me; and he who rejects you, rejects Me; and he who rejects Me, rejects Him who sent Me."
Luke 10:16
"But when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will teach you all the truth."
John 16:13
"For the Holy Spirit and we have decided to lay no further burden upon you but this indispensable one..."
Acts 15:28
From the Apostles to St. Paul.
"Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus along with me. And I went up in consequence of a revelation, and I conferred with them on the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but separately with the men of authority; lest perhaps I should be running, or had run in vain."
Galatians 2:1-2
Here, Paul went to the Apostles to have them confirm that his teaching was in tune with theirs.
From St. Paul to Timothy and then to the Bishops.
"...and the things that you have learned from me through many witnesses, commend to trustworthy men who shall be competent in turn to teach others."
2Timothy 2:2
St. Paul, in effect said: I have taught you. Now you teach others who will in turn teach yet others the truth which I received from the Apostles, who in turn received it from Truth Himself, The Word, Jesus Christ. This succession of truth is shown by the unchanging truth in the teachings of the Catholic Church.
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31.
We know from the hundreds of years of Writings by Church Fathers and Ecclesiastical Writers, where they professed the Same Beliefs then, as the Catholic Church practices today. Here is a small sampling of the thousands of writings which are available to anyone.
*Saint Irenaeus (140-202), wrote a monumental work called "Against Heresies", which is used by scholars even today.
*Eusebius of Caesarea (263-339) wrote 10 volumes of the History of the Catholic Church.
He covered Church History from before the birth of Christ until about 330 A.D..
*Saint Augustine (354-430) was a very prolific writer. He wrote hundreds of letters, essays, and books. I recently read his "Confessions", and it was almost like he had written it this year as far as the Church goes. In his vast collection, he had mentioned the Catholic Church by name over 300 times.
All of the writings listed here are available in the Internet, free for the downloading by anyone.
"To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant"
John Cardinal Newman
He who does not know history is condemned to repeat it.
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32.
We know from the Writings of the Church Fathers and early Church writers, in which they said the Catholic Church is the True Church which Jesus Christ founded.
"You must all follow the lead of the bishop, as Jesus Christ followed that of the Father; follow the presbytery as you would the Apostles; reverence the deacons as you would God's commandment. Let no one do anything touching the Church, apart from the bishop. Let that celebration of the Eucharist be considered valid which is held under the bishop or anyone to whom he has committed it. Where the bishop appears, there let the people be, JUST AS WHERE JESUS CHRIST IS, THERE IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. It is not permitted without authorization from the bishop either to baptize or to hold an agape; but whatever he approves is also pleasing to God. Thus everything you do will be proof against danger and valid."
St Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrneans, 107 A.D.
"We say, therefore, that in substance, in concept, in origin and in eminence, the ancient and Catholic Church is alone,..."
St. Clement of Alexander, Miscellanies, 7:17:107:3, 202 A.D.
"He cannot have GOD for his Father who does not have the Church for his Mother."
St. Cyprian of Carthage, The Unity of the Catholic Church, 6, 251 A.D.
"It is, therefore, the Catholic Church alone which retains true worship. This is the fountain of truth; this is the domicile of faith; this is the temple of GOD."
Lactantius, The Divine Institutions, 4:30:1, 304 A.D.
"But what is also to the point, let us note that the very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, was preached by the Apostles, and was preserved by the Fathers. On this was the Church founded; and if anyone departs from this, he neither is nor any longer ought to be called a Christian."
St. Athanasius, Four Letters to Serapion of Thmuis, 1:28, 359 A.D.
"Christian is my name, and Catholic my surname. The one designates me, while the other makes me specific. Thus am I attested and set apart. When we are called Catholics it is by this appellation that our people are kept apart from any heretical name."
St. Pacian of Barcelona, Letter to Sympronian, 1:4, 375 A.D.
"We must hold to the Christian religion and to communication in her Church which is Catholic, and which is called Catholic not only by her members but even by all her enemies."
St. Augustine of Hippo, The True Religion, 7:12, 390 A.D.
"Yet it is a fact that the Church is called Catholic because it truly embraces the whole of that truth, some particles of which may be found even in various heresies."
St. Augustine of Hippo, Letter of Augustine to Vincent the Rogatist, 93:7:23, 408 A.D.
There are hundreds more by scores of writers.
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33.
We know from the hundreds of years of authentic early Church Writings in which the Catholic Church is mentioned by Name, Hundreds of times.
I find it necessary to repeat what I have already said:
"He who does not know history is condemned to repeat it."
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34.
We know because Jesus Christ did not command anyone to write a Gospel.
However, He did command that His Church would be a Teaching Church.
"And GOD indeed has placed some in the Church, first Apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly TEACHERS..." 1Cor 12:28
"And He said to them, "Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.""
Mark 16:15
"And the things that thou hast heard from me through many witnesses, commend to trustworthy men who shall be competent in turn to teach others." 2Tim 2:2
Next to the public school system in size, is the Catholic Parochial school system. These Catholic schools can be found in most communities. These schools are unmatched by anyone in providing quality education at a much lower cost per student than public schools, and many Protestants and Jews prefer to send their children to them.
There are more than 30 Catholic Colleges and more than 40 Catholic Universities in the United States alone. There are many more scattered throughout the world. These figures do not include Catholic Seminaries which are numerous.
There is not another Christian church which even comes close to matching the teaching ability of the Catholic Church.
Many other Christian churches put their emphasis upon a book.
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35.
We know because of the Consistency of Teaching of the Catholic Church for almost 2000 years.
The teaching of the Catholic Church has not changed, simply because truth does not change. The Church has frequently been accused of changing its teaching on several subjects. However, these accusations are unfounded when the facts come to light.
One of the main false charges that detractors like to reiterate is that the Catholic Church changed its teaching regarding, "Outside the Catholic Church there is no Salvation." (Lumen Gentium II,16)
Contrast this Catholic consistency to the inconsistency of what other Christian churches have taught.
Here is but one example out of a great many:
In the early 1930's, the Lambeth Conference of Anglicans condoned Contraception on a limited basis. Soon after, most non-Catholic sects followed suit, with each going farther and farther from the teaching of Holy Scripture. Many now wholeheartedly endorse contraception.
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36.
We know because it is the Catholic Church which Develops Existing Doctrine . This is in stark contrast to the charges of detractors that it is constantly proclaiming "new" doctrine. The Church has always taught that Divine Public Revelation was sealed when the last Apostle died. This is a truth. However, understanding of that revealed public revelation is a continuing process until the end of time, as the finite mind of man struggles to discern the infinite mind of GOD. It is simply a matter of a fuller and better unfolding of what GOD has revealed to mankind.
The Church calls it the Deposit of Faith.
"The faith once delivered to the Saints".
Jude 3.
However, the total understanding of the infinite GOD by finite beings is not possible.
"But when He, the Spirit of Truth has come, HE WILL TEACH YOU ALL THE TRUTH..."
John 16:13
"GOD, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days has spoken to us by his Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world..."
Hebrews 1:1-2.
There will be no more Public Revelation. Christ was the fulfillment of the law of the Old Testament.
Matthew 5:17.
There is only one teacher, Jesus the Christ.
Matthew 23:10.
The Apostles saw in Christ, "The coming of the fullness of time".
Galatians 4:4.
"What you have learned from me, commend to trustworthy men who shall be competent in turn to teach others".
2Timothy 2:2.
"You are to continue in the things you have learned and that have been entrusted to you,...".
2Timothy 3:14.
"In giving us His Son, His only Word (for He possesses no other), He spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word, and He has no more to say... because what He spoke before to the prophets in parts, He has now spoken all at once by giving us the 'All Who is His Son'. Any person questioning GOD or desiring some vision or revelation would be guilty not only of foolish behavior but also of offending Him, by not fixing his eyes entirely upon Christ and by living with the desire for some other novelty."
St. John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, 2,22,3-5.
See the Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 65-67
It takes many centuries to unpack the treasures and mysteries of Divine Revelation.
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37.
We know from the Rock solid, Unwavering, Fidelity in the Teaching of the Catholic Church.
Earlier in the 20th century, just about all Christian Churches agreed on several points. They were united in being against Divorce, Contraception, Abortion, the Homosexual Act, Holy Unions, and more. One by one, many Protestant Churches are accepting some of these sinful practices despite the fact that these practices are all strictly against the will of GOD.
The Catholic Church has not, and will not, accept these things, as it, like GOD, is unchanging in its doctrine and will adhere to the will of GOD regardless what the secular world thinks.
The Catholic Church obeys the directives from the Head, whereas some other Christian churches bend to the will of the body.
"But JUST AS THE CHURCH IS SUBJECT TO CHRIST, so also let wives be to their husbands in all things."
Ephesians 5:24
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As previously stated, GOD has guaranteed Perpetual Orthodoxy for His Church.
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38.
We know from the Infallibility of the Catholic Church when it comes to discernment, and in defining of the meaning of Holy Scripture. The Catholic Church has One single, authoritative source for the interpretation of Holy Scripture. That source is the Pope, in conjunction with All the Bishops of the world (over 3500), with All of them having impeccable credentials, and All speaking with One single unified voice, and with All under the guidance of the Spirit of Truth.
"Rome Has Spoken, the Issue is Settled".
Saint Augustine
Have you heard that there is a Spirit of Truth and a Spirit of Error?
"WE ARE OF GOD. HE WHO KNOWS GOD LISTENS TO US. BY THIS WE KNOW THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND THE SPIRIT OF ERROR."
1John 4:6
Contrast that with the other Christian churches (over 36,400 denominations), all interpreting Scripture as they see fit. There are thousands of sects, all teaching a different interpretation of the same Bible. Millions of Protestants see themselves as their own "little pope". This is precisely the reason why there is no unity in Protestantism, and why they have split the Body of Christ into so many pieces. A Protestant church in my area recently split in two because of a dispute over Scriptural interpretation. The Baptists have split yet again recently (they have scores of splinters as it is) over a dispute about the ordination of women. Methodists have split again over another doctrinal dispute regarding what they call "Holy (unholy) Unions".
The strange thing here is that all of these "little popes" say the same thing, "The Holy Spirit told me". Which Pope has the Spirit of Truth, and which "popes" have the spirit of error?
Who in Protestantism has the authority to adjudicate a Scriptural dispute between two factions?
Who in Protestantism can speak with authority in order to settle the matter?
Who in Protestantism truly has the Spirit of Truth?
Why is individual interpretation of Scripture even allowed in Protestantism?
For those who are not Catholic, and who profess to follow the teaching of Scripture, why do you ignore these following verses?
"This, then, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND FIRST OF ALL, THAT NO PROPHECY OF SCRIPTURE IS MADE BY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION."
2Peter 1:20
It is as clear as it could be, there is to be NO PRIVATE INTERPRETATION, of Holy Scripture.
Saint Peter's Epistle unambiguously warns, do NOT do it, and yet, non-Catholics do it regardless.
Here is another:
"In these Epistles there are certain things difficult to understand, WHICH THE UNLEARNED AND THE UNSTABLE DISTORT, JUST AS THEY DO THE REST OF SCRIPTURES ALSO, TO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION."
2Peter 3:16
Wow! The last part is scary. Of whom did Peter speak here? It could not be the Pope in conjunction with the 3500 Bishops because, surely, they are not unlearned. They are also not unstable since they are implanted upon the Rock of Peter. They also cannot distort Scripture since they are, as a single voice of authority, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Saint Peter had to have been speaking about all of those "little pope's" interpreting Scripture for themselves as mentioned above.
Here is yet another:
"And Philip, running up, heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and he said,
"Do you then understand what you are reading"?
But he said, "Why, HOW CAN I, UNLESS SOMEONE SHOWS ME?""
Acts 8:30-31
Isn't this exactly what the Catholic Church does? An Apostle interpreted the meaning of Scripture for the man. Today, the Successors to the Apostles, the Pope, and the Bishops interpret it for us.
Yet in Protestantism, there is no one to show them. It is every individual person's private opinion.
Who faithfully follows the teaching of Holy Scripture in these verses, and who does not?
"The Bible is a supernatural book and can be understood only by supernatural aid."
A.W.Tozer 1897-1963
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39.
We know because the Catholic Church Interprets Holy Scripture by always discerning it in Context, and by taking into account the Senses in which it was written, and by noting the Customs of the people of the time, and their Language of the day. The Church is also keenly aware of Translation Difficulties, which lead many "unlearned" astray and into Scriptural error.
The eleventh commandment, "Thou shalt not take Scripture Out of Context."
Never take a verse or two and the apparent meaning by itself without taking into context the verses around it.
Examples:
Protestants try to "prove" the legitimacy of Sola Scriptura from just 2 verses, 2Timothy 3:16-17. If they would only take it in context by backing up a few verses, they would find it does not mean what they believe it to mean at all. Read the link for the proof.
Matthew 23:9, call no man your Father is taken out of context.
1Timothy 2:5, there is only one Mediator is taken out of context.
"A text without a context is a pretext."
We should always take into account the Language of the day, the meaning of the words as they were written then, and not as their apparent meaning of today.
The language of that time period or era was very clear. However, enduring or undergoing several translations, has made the meaning less accurate and interpreting it today (modern era) may lose the basic meaning.
An excellent example is the Protestant present day mis-usage of the word "Brethren".
Another example is All have sinned, Romans 3:23.
Here is a prime example of using the wrong Senses of Scripture.
Protestants take practically the whole Bible in the literal sense. Yet, why is it when they come to
John Chapter 6, they say it is figurative, when in no verse is a figurative sense indicated?
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40.
We know because the Catholic Church is true to the teaching of Holy Scripture.
It Does NOT Distort Scripture to conform to its teaching. Whereas, many non-Catholic denominations form their own teaching in order to be "different" from the others, and then they deliberately "twist" Holy Scripture in order for it to seemingly "conform" to their false teachings.
"In these epistles there are certain things difficult to understand, which the UNLEARNED AND UNSTABLE DISTORT, JUST AS THEY DO THE REST OF THE SCRIPTURES ALSO, TO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION."
2Peter 3:15
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41.
We know from the sturdy, rock solid, Three Legged Stool upon which the Catholic Church is based.
Each leg has its place on what is called The Deposit of Faith. First, there is Holy Scripture. Next there is Holy Tradition (2Thess 2:15). Lastly, there is the Magisterium of the Church which is the authoritative teacher, interpreter, and protector of both Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition.
No two legs can stand alone without the support of the third.
During the Protestant reformation, the reformers broke with the Catholic Church, and thereby lost one leg, the teaching authority of the Church, the Magisterium. As a result of that action, they could no longer lay claim to the wealth of Holy Tradition. So they were forced to cut off a second leg of the stool for themselves, of which Christianity had been using for almost 1500 years.
They were forced to turn to the only leg left for them, Holy Scripture, which was taken from the Catholic Church, remember?
Since all that was left for them was Holy Scripture and no authority whatsoever, they invented the false man-made tradition of Sola Scriptura and declared Holy Scripture to be the Sole Authority.
How can you have an infallible book without having an infallible interpreter for it?
What is the purpose of the United States Supreme Court?
Where is the authority in Protestantism to settle interpretive disputes?
Who in Protestantism has the authority to do so?
Protestantism's one legged stool sways hither and yon, blowing with the wind of private opinion.
Upon which stool will you entrust your eternal salvation?
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42.
We know because it is the Catholic Church which follows the teaching of Holy Scripture in that it is the Guardian of Sacred Tradition."
Does faith depend upon the reading of Holy Scripture? What does the Bible say?
"Faith then depends on HEARING, AND HEARING ON THE WORD OF CHRIST."
Romans 10:17
"So then, brethren, stand firm, and HOLD THE TRADITIONS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED, WHETHER BY WORD OR BY LETTER OF OURS."
2Thessalonians 2:15
"Hold to the form of SOUND TEACHING WHICH YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ME, in the faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus."
2Timothy 1:13
"And the THINGS THAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ME THROUGH MANY WITNESSES, COMMEND TO TRUSTWORTHY MEN WHO SHALL BE COMPETENT IN TURN TO TEACH OTHERS."
2Timothy 2:2
All of these verses, and a host of others, command us to heed to the Oral Word as well, as we guard and protect the written Word of GOD. The Oral Word of GOD is called Apostolic Tradition, or the Unwritten Word of GOD, as it is handed down from generation to generation. The Catholic Church has faithfully preserved the Unwritten Word for almost 2000 years. In the 16th century when Protestantism began, the reformers lost the teaching arm of the Church, the Magisterium and they could no longer lay claim to the preserved Apostolic Traditions, so they rejected them. They put them into the same category as false man-made traditions, and then rejected the whole category.
However, they invented false man-made traditions of their own, such as Sola Scriptura and Individual Interpretation of Holy Scripture. They simply declared the Bible to be the sole authority and if it cannot be found in the Bible, then it simply did not happen and therefore does not exist. Isn't it strange that neither their beliefs in Sola Scriptura, and Individual Interpretation cannot be found in the Bible either?
Here are some traditions which came right out of the Catholic Church and to which Protestants hold, as well as Catholics, and none of them are from the Bible:
*The Nicene Creed. Many Protestants say, "We believe in one, holy 'Catholic' and Apostolic Church", which is right out of the Nicene Creed. Some try to avoid using the word "Catholic", by substituting the word "Universal" instead, but it means the same thing.
*The word "Christmas", which is "Christ's-Mass". How could anyone be more Catholic every time they say the word?
*The Writer of the Gospel of Matthew. A predominance of Christians acknowledge it was Matthew.
*The Writer of the Gospel of Mark. Almost all Christians say it was Mark.
*The Writer of the Gospel of Luke. Almost all Christians accept Luke.
*The Writer of the Gospel of John. Almost all Christians call him John.
*The End of Public Revelation when the Last Apostle died.
*The Gregorian Calendar, which we all use.
*The Date for Christmas, December 25, which all Christians acknowledge.
*The Date for Easter, which Catholics as well as Protestants recognize.
*The Date for Ash Wednesday, used by many Protestant denominations as well.
*The Ritual of receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday, now done by some Protestants.
*The Date for All Hallows Eve, which is used by practically everyone as, "Halloween".
*The Season of Advent.
*The Season of Lent.
*The Canon of the New Testament, which all Christian churches use.
*The Catholic Liturgical Calendar, which many Protestant denominations follow.
*The Praying of the Rosary, now done faithfully by a lot of Protestants.
*The Veneration of Saints, by some, all of whom were declared saints by the Catholic Church. You will not find Saint Peter, or Saint Paul, or Saint Matthew, or Saint Mark, or Saint Luke, or Saint John, worded as "Saints" in Holy Scripture. However, all Christians call these persons "Saint".
How then, can Protestants ever say that Catholics should not hold the traditions when they hold so many Catholic traditions themselves?
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*Then there are the first five books of the Old Testament, all written by Moses, who appeared for the first time in Exodus 2:2. How then could he write Genesis, except from Oral Traditions handed down from generation to generation? What about Saint Luke? He was one of the earliest converts. His name is first mentioned in Colossians 4:14. How then, did he manage to write his Gospel and the book of Acts, except by Oral Tradition? Read Luke 1:1-4. His prologue says, "..the Word HANDED DOWN TO US...". What is that if not by oral tradition?
Where in the Bible does it say the Word is limited to what is written?
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43.
We know because the Catholic Church teaches that Everything is NOT in the Bible. Many other Christian denominations teach that everything IS in the Bible even though the Bible itself does not say this.
"If it is not in the Bible, it simply does not exist or it is not true", is what some have said.
However, the Bible itself does not, in any way, say that it is complete.
In fact it says there are many things which are NOT in it, and will be taught in some future time.
"Many things yet I have to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, has come, He will teach you all the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He will hear He will speak, and THE THINGS THAT ARE TO COME HE WILL DECLARE TO YOU."
John 16:12-13
Here are some more verses which say everything is NOT in the Bible:
Mark 4:33-34, 6:34, John 20:30-31, 21:25, 2Thessalonians 2:15.
Here are some of the things which Non-Catholics accept, yet are not to be found in the Bible.
*The word 'Trinity'.
*The word 'Incarnation'.
*The word 'Bible'.
*The word 'Protestant'.
*The Canon of the New Testament.
*The words 'Sola Scriptura'.
*The false, man made doctrine of Sola Scriptura.
*The word 'Rapture'.
*The word 'Papist'.
*The word 'Popish'.
*The word 'Romish'.
*The age of accountability.
*Altar calls.
Here are some of the things which are not in the Bible and that non-Catholics reject. They reject them simply because they are all Catholic oriented.
*The entire History of the Christian Church from the last book of the Bible until the reformation.
*The Writings of the Church Fathers.
*The Canon of the Old Testament.
*The word 'Purgatory'.
*The word 'Pope'.
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44.
We know because the Catholic Church has an "And" Philosophy, whereas non-Catholic Protestant churches have an "Either / Or" Philosophy.
P. Bible only, no tradition (except theirs). C. Bible And Apostolic tradition.
P. If it is not in the Bible, it is not true. C. All is not in the Bible And there are many other sources.
P. One Mediator only, no other intercessors. C. One Mediator only, And many intercessors.
P. Saved by Faith only, no works. C. Saved by Faith and Works.
P. Jesus only, no veneration for Mary. C. Jesus only Savior, And veneration for Blessed Mary.
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45.
We know because the Catholic Church Does NOT Teach an "Ear Tickling Gospel".
Some other Christian churches teach only what they think their members want to hear.
"For there will come a time when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap up to themselves teachers according to their own lusts."
2Timothy 4:3
The Catholic Church teaches all of the Gospel, and does not omit what is painful to some.
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46.
We know because the Catholic Church teaches that Our Salvation is NOT guaranteed simply by accepting Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior as some non-Catholic sects teach. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Salvation, however, is an on going process which involves our Co-operation with GOD. This is the teaching of Holy Scripture. Just think about it for a minute or so. If we are "saved", then we can do anything we wish with no fear of losing our salvation. This is a sin of presumption. What purpose then, do the Ten Commandments serve? What purpose would any church on earth serve? Did Jesus Christ die on the cross just so we could sin?
"He has commanded no man to do wickedly, and He has given no man license to sin."
Sirach 15:21
The question, "Are You Saved?", is an invention of Protestant Evangelical sects. Those who ridicule the Catholic Church for canonizing people as Saints, are in reality canonizing themselves when they claim they are "saved".
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The on going process of salvation...
We were saved in the past:
Romans 5:1-2, 8:24, Ephesians 2:5-10, 2Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5.
We are being saved now:
1Corinthians 1:18, 15:2, Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 10:14, 1Peter 1:8-9, 2:1-2.
We will be saved in the future:
Matthew 10:22, 24:13, Mark 8:35, Acts 15:11, Romans 5:9-11, 6:16, 13:11,
1Corinthians 3:15, 5:5, Galatians 2:17, 5:4-5, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 21:6-7.
We can lose our salvation:
Matthew 7:21, 24:44-51, 25:31-46, Romans 11:22, 1Corinthians 9:27, 10:11-12, Galatians 5:4, Philippians 2:12, 2Timothy 2:11-13, Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-27, Revelation 21:8, 27.
"THEREFORE LET HIM WHO THINKS HE STANDS TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL."
1Corinthians 10:12
"...WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING."
Philippians 2:12
GOD created us without our co-operation, but He will not save us without our co-operation.
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47.
We know because it is the Catholic Church alone which teaches the Doctrine of Purgatory .
Contrary to what detractors say, the doctrine of Purgatory is very Biblical. The problem is that they simply do not know enough about it to discern it in Holy Scripture. Also, they have tied their own hands by removing seven Canonical Books from the Bible. One key verse which detractors do not have is 2Maccabees 12:46 which says, "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead". Neither those in hell, nor in heaven need our prayers, for in the former they are condemned and in the latter they have achieved eternal salvation.
Those souls who are in neither place are the ones in need of prayer, for GOD has said, that nothing defiled may enter heaven, Revelation 21:27.
Catholics pray for the dead individually and in every Mass . There is even a special Mass for the dead called a Requiem Mass.
I feel sorry for all those non-Catholics who have died, as there is no one to pray for them.
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48.
We know by its very Name, Catholic, which means Universal, all encompassing, all peoples, all teachings, all places, and for all time.
This is shown in Matthew 28:19-20, by the three "Alls".
"Go, therefore and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe ALL that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you ALL days, even unto the consummation of the world."
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49.
We know from the Unity of the Catholic Church in the Family of GOD.
The CHURCH MILITANT which are those of us on Earth, the CHURCH SUFFERING which are those in Purgatory , and the CHURCH TRIUMPHANT which are those in Heaven, are all united in one family called "The Communion of Saints". When we receive communion, the Priest says, "The Body of Christ", and we respond with "Amen", meaning "So Be It". It is an affirmation of what the Priest has just said, and that we are all truly united in One Body of Christ, One belief, One Family, Uno, Union, Communion.
"I am the GOD of Abraham, and the GOD of Isaac, and the GOD of Jacob.
I am NOT the GOD of the dead but of the living."
Mt 22:32, Mk 12:26-27
Does this sound like the dead are really dead, or are they alive? GOD has told us we do not die.
"And behold, two men were talking with Him. And these were Moses and Elias, who, appearing in glory, spoke of His death, which He was about to fulfill in Jerusalem."
Lk 9:30-31.
Not only were these two Saints alive, but they spoke, and they even spoke to Him about future happenings.
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50.
We know from the Typology of Scripture where the Old Testament prefigured the New Testament, and the people, and the happenings therein. The Catholic Church is well represented, but other Christian Churches are not.
The "types" of the Old Testament point to the realities of the New Testament.
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51.
We know because the Catholic Church has Deacons, Priests, and Bishops, just as the Apostles had installed at the very beginning of the Christian Church.
"So the Twelve called together the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable that we should forsake the Word of GOD and serve at tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of Spirit and of wisdom, that we may put them in charge of this work. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word'."
Acts 6:1-6
The word "Deacon" is derived from the Greek "Diakonos", which means "Servant".
Stephen was chosen as the first Deacon (Acts 6:5) and he also became the first Christian Martyr.
Acts 7:54-60.
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"And when they had appointed Presbyters (Priests) for them in each Church, with prayer and fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed."
Acts 14:22
"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set right anything that is defective and SHOULD APPOINT PRESBYTERS IN EVERY CITY, AS I MYSELF DIRECTED YOU TO DO."
Titus 1:5
Each Church had its own priest then, just as it does today.
"And He Himself gave some men as Apostles, and some as prophets, others again as evangelists, and others as PASTORS and teachers."
Ephesians 4:11
"Let the Presbyters who rule well be held worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching."
1Timothy 5:17
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him bring in the Presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord."
James 5:14
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"Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as Bishops, to rule the Church of GOD, which He has purchased with His own blood."
Acts 20:28
Did you understand, from this verse, exactly who is to rule the Church of GOD?
Luke wrote that Paul was speaking to the Presbyters (Acts 20:17). This is a clear passage regarding Apostolic Succession and that existing and upcoming Bishops would govern the Church of GOD. Also, it is a clear message that the Church of GOD on earth has to be a Visible Church in order to have visible people ruling it. How could visible Bishops possibly rule an invisible Church?
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons."
Philippians 1:1
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Does your Church have Deacons, Priests, and Bishops?
The Church which Jesus Christ founded, did then, and still does to this very day.
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52.
We know because only the Catholic Church has a Valid Priesthood, which was created by GOD to offer sacrifice in perpetuality.
"You shall be to Me a Kingdom of Priests, a holy nation."
Exodus 19:6
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These listed verses soon follow the rebellion of Korah (Core) against the Aaronic Priesthood in
Numbers 16. In reading the following, not only will you see the Priesthood in perpetuality, but the "Sacred Offerings" which prefigure the Sacred Holy Eucharist.
"...but the responsibility of the priesthood shall rest on you and your sons alone."
Numbers 18:1
"But only you and your sons are to have charge of performing the priestly functions in whatever concerns the altar and the room within the veil. I GIVE YOU THE PRIESTHOOD AS A GIFT..."
Numbers 18:7
"The Lord said to Aaron, "I myself have given you charge of the contributions made to me in the VARIOUS SACRED OFFERINGS (a 'type' of the Holy Eucharist) of the Israelites, BY PERPETUAL ORDINANCE I HAVE ASSIGNED THEM TO YOU AND TO YOUR SONS AS YOUR PRIESTLY SHARE."
Numbers 18:8
"You shall have the right to share in the OBLATIONS (see Malachi 1:11 ) THAT ARE MOST SACRED, in whatever they offer me as cereal offerings, or sin offerings, or guilt offerings; for these shall accrue to you and to your sons. In EATING THEM YOU SHALL TREAT THEM AS MOST SACRED; every male among you may partake of them. AS SACRED, THEY BELONG TO YOU."
Numbers 18:9-10
"By PERPETUAL ORDINANCE I have assigned to you and to your sons and daughters all the contributions from the sacred gifts which the Israelites make to the Lord; THIS IS AN INVIOLABLE COVENANT, TO LAST FOREVER BEFORE THE LORD, FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR DESCENDANTS."
Numbers 18:19
"...this is a PERPETUAL ORDINANCE FOR ALL YOUR GENERATIONS."
Numbers 18:23
"...DO NOT PROFANE THE SACRED GIFTS OF THE ISRAELITES AND SO BRING DEATH ON YOURSELVES."
Numbers 18:35
See how this ties with:
"Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the cup; for he who eats and drinks unworthily, without distinguishing the body, EATS AND DRINKS JUDGMENT TO HIMSELF."
1Corinthians 11:27-29
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The Old Testament foundation for the Perpetual Priesthood was followed in the New Testament by, not the order of the Aaronic priesthood of the Jews (Hebrews 7:11), but of the Priestly order of Melchizedech, who was both King and High Priest, a figure of Jesus Christ.
See Hebrews 7:1-25.
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53.
We know because only a Catholic Priest is Able to Act "In Persona Christi" , that is, in the Person of Christ (2Corinthians 2:10), as he calls down The Word with his word during the consecration of the Holy Eucharist, and in the Sacrament of Reconciliation .
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54.
We know from the Mass, the highest form of prayer, which was instituted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, Matthew 26:26-28, and which you will not find in other Churches.
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"For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, My name is great among the Gentiles, and IN EVERY PLACE THERE IS SACRIFICE, AND THERE IS OFFERED TO MY NAME A CLEAN OBLATION, FOR MY NAME IS GREAT AMONG THE GENTILES, SAID THE LORD OF HOSTS." Malachi 1:11
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The Catholic Church does offer sacrifice, a clean oblation, in every place. There is a Mass being celebrated somewhere in the world every minute of every day.
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55.
We know because it is The Catholic Church Which Venerates the Crucified Christ on the Cross.
Most non-Catholic ecclesial communities have removed the Body of Christ from the cross and have only a simple cross of two pieces of wood. This is an absurdity and a contradiction. In doing so, where is the "sacrifice from the rising of the sun even to the going down and in every place", as written in Malachi 1:11?
Fr. Benedict Groeschel once said, "People can relate to a Crucified Christ, as all of us have crosses to carry. But no one can relate to a Risen Christ, since none of us has ever risen from the dead."
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56.
We know from the fact that Holy Scripture tells us to Celebrate by Breaking Bread OFTEN, as the Catholic Church has always done in the sacrifice of the Mass.
"This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
Luke 22:19
"In like manner also the cup, after He had supped, saying "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; DO THIS AS OFTEN AS YOU DRINK IT, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. FOR AS OFTEN AS YOU SHALL EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THIS CUP, YOU PROCLAIM THE DEATH OF THE LORD, UNTIL HE COMES"."
1Corinthians 11:25-26
"As OFTEN as you shall eat this bread", does this ring a bell with you? It would seem to me that the word "often" means "frequently", does it not? Go to the end of the previous frame in which I said there is a Mass being celebrated every minute of every day, and re-read Malachi 1:11.
If you read what the Apostles said in several verses, that when they met, they broke bread.
Acts 2:42, STEADFASTLY in the breaking of the bread.
Acts 2:46, DAILY breaking bread.
Acts 20:7, WEEKLY in the breaking of the bread.
Breaking of bread is the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass. In most Catholic Churches there is sacrifice of the Mass at least once a day. Why is it then, when Scripture uses the word "often", and "daily", and "weekly", that some other Christian churches "break bread" only once a month, four times a year, or just once a year?
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57.
We know because the Catholic Holy Mass is so Biblical.
*It was started by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, "Do this in memory of Me." Luke 22:19
*It was to be on Sunday, the Lord's Day, "And on the first day of the week, when we had met for the breaking of the bread", Acts 20:7
*It was to be often, even everyday, Acts 2:46.
*We confess our sins to one another, and pray for one another, James 5:16
*We give thanks to GOD, 1Thessalonians 1:13.
*It has the Liturgy of the Word, Acts 2:42, Hebrews 2:12.
*The Word can only be opened by the High Priest, Revelation 5:8.
*The Priest, acting in Personna Christi (in the person of Christ),
is the only one who can open the Word, and read the Gospel. 2Corinthians 2:10.
*The entire Bible, except for some of the begats, is read and preached in the Mass over a three year period and then the cycle is repeated over and over again. Revelation 14:6
*Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Luke 13:35, 19:38
*We say Holy, Holy, Holy, Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8.
*There is singing, Revelation 14:3.
*United are the Church Triumphant, Church Militant, and Church Suffering, Revelation 5:13.
*We have an altar to offer sacrifice, Hebrews 13:10.
*We lift up our hearts, Revelation 11:12.
*Hosanna in the Highest, Matthew 21:9.
*It is a clean oblation, Malachi 1:11
*"This is My body." Matthew 26:26
*Behold, The "Lamb of GOD". John 1:29
*Those who are not in communion with the Catholic Church,
shall not partake of the Holy Eucharist, 1Corinthians 11:27-29, Hebrews 13:9-10.
*A collection is to be taken, 1Corinthians 16:1-2.
*Candlesticks are used, Revelation 1:13.
*Incense is used, Luke 1:9-10, Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4.
*Prayers are offered with the prayers of the saints, Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4.
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58.
We know because during the Mass we lift up our hearts and participate in Heaven on Earth.
For a brief moment, time stands still, and we are immersed in the Mass as one body in the most sublime beauty in which a mortal man can find himself. That brief moment is eternity!
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59.
We know because the Catholic Church faithfully follows its founder by complying with His command to Feed My Sheep (John 21:15-17). Jesus Christ is the Shepherd and we are the sheep.
To whom did He make this remark? He made it to Simon Peter to whom he had given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 16:19.
Catholics are frequently accused of being Bible deprived, but the facts are, that the priests and lectors of the Catholic Church read from the pulpit almost the entire Bible over a three year cycle, and have been doing so for centuries. The only parts omitted are some of the genealogies, the "begats". Consequently, every three years, all Catholics have heard almost all that is written in Holy Scripture.
*The Catholic Church feeds the person with nearly all of Holy Scripture every three years.
*The Catholic Church feeds the soul with the True Presence of Jesus Christ every day.
Name another Christian Church which feeds its sheep both in body and in spirit, as does the Catholic Church?
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60.
We know because the Catholic Church still has, and will always have, Seven Sacraments, just as it had almost 2000 years ago. This is yet another example of the Fidelity to which the Catholic Church adheres in the teachings of Jesus Christ and of Holy Scripture.
For almost 1500 years there were seven Sacraments in Christianity. Now most of the other Christian Churches only have two Sacraments. By whose authority were the other five removed? They were removed by a Catholic Monk, Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, who had no authority whatsoever to do so. Luther was rebuked by King Henry VIII for doing this, and his Chancellor, Saint Thomas More, tried in vain to get Luther to change his mind and reinstate them.
Baptism: Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, John 3:1-5, Acts 8:26-39, Rom 6:3-4, Eph 4:4-7.
Reconciliation: Matt 16:19, Luke 5:17-26, 7:36-50, 13:1-5, John 8:3-11, 20:23.
Confirmation: Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, 8:14-20, 19:1-7, 2Cor 1:21-22, Eph 1:13.
Holy Eucharist: Malachi 1:11, Matt 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-27, Luke 22:19-20, John 6:All,
1Cor 10:16-17, 11:17-29, Heb 7,8,9.
Matrimony: Gen 2:18-24, 1Cor 7:2-8, Eph 5:21-33.
Holy Orders: Luke 5:1-11, John 1:35-39, 15:15-16, 20:19-23, Acts 6:3-6, 13:3, 1Cor 11:19-27,
2Tim 1:6, Heb 5:1-5, 1Pet 2:5-11.
Anointing of the Sick: Mark 6:13, 16:18, James 5:14-15.
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61.
We know because the Catholic Church Baptizes All Persons regardless of age. This is unlike many non-Catholic denominations which do not Baptize infants. There is nothing in the New Testament which says that Jesus Christ excluded infants from Baptism. On the contrary, He commanded:
"Let the little children be, and do not hinder them from coming to Me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 19:14
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"Now they were bringing the babes to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them (as some do today). But Jesus called them together and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the Kingdom of GOD.""
Luke 18:15-16
The words of Jesus Christ in this verse express exactly, the practice of the Catholic Church.
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"Amen, amen I say to you, UNLESS A MAN BE BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD."
John 3:5
We are born with the sin of Adam, and the Sacrament of Baptism removes that sin and makes the soul pleasing to GOD. Scripture is very clear that all must be baptized in order to achieve salvation.
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62.
We know because the Catholic Church Does Not Condone Divorce, in keeping with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Marriage, as a Sacrament, has been rejected by most non-Catholic denominations, and in so doing, they have accepted divorce as a way of life.
However, Holy Scripture, to the contrary, has this to say:
And there came to Him some Pharisees, testing Him and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for any cause?" But He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that the Creator, from the beginning, made them male and female, and said, For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? Therefore, now they are no longer two, but one flesh. WHAT THEREFORE GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER."
Matthew 19:3-6
Clearer words than those cannot be spoken than that last sentence, yet non-Catholic churches disobey and allow the splitting of the one flesh. When what is "One Flesh" is split, does it become, two halves?
What was the first covenant GOD made with man? It was the marriage covenant in the first book of the Bible, Genesis 2:21-25. Take a look at the last paragraph of the last book of the Bible in Revelation 22:17, and who do you see mentioned? None other than a Bride. I would say that GOD is trying to tell us something here, like marriage is very important to Him.
Amen return to the true church the catholic church and find peace within Jesus and give all your sins that you bare on to the cross. Dont be afraid. Do it in the name of the lord.
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by coralbea
Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 16:40:36
Reply:
Your comments Elizabeth are how I feel as well. The comment . You hold the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. To me that is so true. We do hold the keys to the kingdom. our Heavenly kingdom is our selves. We are responsible to us and only we can create our kingdom of peace and happiness. We, with God are the only ones that knows what makes us happy. I will say it again no offence to you Angelblessings but the bible has been interpretted how many times? Is it Divine intention or human interpretation that comes through. What do you feel in your heart of hearts angelblessings? Put aside others beliefs for a moment and listen to your God from within. That is your utopia your Eden and paradise.
Being able to quote what is written in the bible is very commendable to you and I am sure it makes you feel good, we are all entitled to our opinions and I have changed mine a few times over the years and now have MY OWN instead of others influence.
I believe abortion has a place I believe that Homosexuals have a place I believe that everything and everyone has the right to be here and to be experienced because that is Gods will and who are we to pass judgement. We are all here to experience and hopefully grow from those experiences, to be the best that we can be. God gave us Free Will and this universal law cannot be broken even by God. I don't beleive in Satan because there is only Love and that is from God. Evil comes from our lower selves not from outside. We all choose. So at the end of the day when we all stop blaming others and start to take responsibility for our own actions that is when utopia will start to happen for us.
As Jesus said in defence of Mary Magdalene He who has never sinned may cast the first stone!! Or words to that effect.I always try to remeber too that I do not know anothers circumstances therefore I don't not have the right to Judge anyone!!
Love and Light
:)
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Starseed
Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 19:52:09
Reply:
I agree with everything that you say Coralbea...as we are all still learning to find our new place on this changing earth.
The bible indeed was rewritten sooooooo many times over the centuries and the passages translated in dialect and the cultural context have drastically changed over time. Ummmm, don't forget that there are many bibles: Morman, Jahovah Witness, old, new, etc. So, which one is right? Which one is wrong? Who is so arrogant to say that theirs is the best and everyone else on the free world is wrong? Not, me...as I shall not cast the first stone.
In fact, there are many whom beleive that Jesus and Mary M. were indeed married...had children...and that the blood line it the true holy grail. I wonder if they were type O... Then, there are others whom believe that it is the woman's womb that is the true holy grail. Basically, if we all still held old ideas to be true today, doctors would still be leaching out bad blood.
So, be strong in your faith...and do not waver, for what you believe WILL come to pass (even evil). Sooooo, it is best to be careful for what you think...as thoughts are the most powerful prayer of all...and you have the ability to create your world...all through you thoughts. I for one choose to believe in the good of ALL people, that we ALL have place on this earth, that we are ALL great beings of light...as how could God create anything but a beautiful soul in every living thing? All have a right to take their place on God's good, green earth!
As Above / As Within - Higher dimentions / Higher chakras
So Below / So Without - Lower dimentions / Lower chakras
All...the tree of life (even for Adam & Eve)
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by coralbea
Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 22:18:09
Reply:
xxxx starseed xxx:)
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Mary
Friday, April 13, 2007 at 06:47:27
Reply:
Christa MaCauliffe, a NH teacher and part of the team that died in the space shuttle accident @ 1983 once said, "I touch the future I teach". I think that we ALL teach one another whether it's for a moment of time or a whole season of time. We ALL have a place in this world.
Also, why limit oneself to only one view on the world... all works have something to teach.. it is our personal interpretation or what we each take away from it that matters... what is relevant to me may not be relevant to you or even what is relevant to me in this moment of time may not be relevant to me in the same way tomorrow or next month or eight years from now. Okay, now it's time to get off my soapbox.... I sometimes think I was a philosopher in another lifetime LOL
Anyone out there ever read Votaire's ,"Candide"? It's about a guy who goes everywhere looking for what is missing in his life only to find out it was in his backyard the whole time.
Blessings
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Elizaeth
Friday, April 13, 2007 at 07:33:59
Reply:
Hey Mary....
I've read it, I did I did I did.
And have you or anyone else read the report finally published that the bee's are dissapearing and that if they all dissapear what will happen and how long it will take.
And that book, didnt they make a movie based on it but under a different name.
I will learn one day to keep my big mouth shut.
And to read something, ask questions and then post.
You will be glad to know people here are teaching me how to have small talk.
I tried telling someone about the bee's today and the cancer cure I read about and they were shocked at my conversation. So my friends explained to me that the people I was talking to were just wanting to have small talk with me, not a discussion.
I didnt know about it. I was studying Indigenous Language course and now I am learning small talk privately and not at Uni.
This is the first one I learnt.
"And where do you get your nails done?"
They didnt want to talk about bee's.
They asked how my day was and I told them I found out our bee poppulation was decreasing at a rapid pace and the statistical average of the bee population increase to the death rate due to toxic chemicals.
I didnt know that they wanted me to just say, oh fine, and how are you?
I wondered why my friends were laughing.
Not at me I know.
they are used to me. They were laughing at the people when they saw their jaws drop.
I joke when I am uncomfortable.
But I was serious about the bee's.
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Mary
Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 06:54:41
Reply:
Elizabeth-
I did hear that beekeepers were puzzled as to why their hives were being deserted by the bees and that the price of honey was going up because of that.... go figure that the media focused only on the economic issue and not the more global issues....
I don't know about a movie made about 'Candide' under a different name-- anyone help us out?
And you shouldn't have to worry about keeping your mouth shut-- the world needs people who say what is on their minds in a way that provokes others to 'think'. I've spent too many years NOT saying anything when maybe I could have made a difference.
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Starseed
Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 09:27:53
Reply:
Mary...I second that...always speek your truth! And I do love your "provokes others to 'think'" bit. If more people would do this, what a wonderful loving would it would be.
Elizabeth...it does sound as if you are a star person, and have been sent here to learn much of human interaction and such, all so that you can go back and teach your family. I have never been much of a small talker either...as I truly don't really get people on this little planet.
As Above
So Below
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Starseed
Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 09:29:23
Reply:
Okay...I think I need to ground here. I meant to type, "what a wonderful loving world it would be."
:)
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| RE: How can we have a utopia and see evil today?
Posted by Elizabeth
Sunday, April 29, 2007 at 00:47:51
Reply:
Starseed,
sorry I didnt reply sooner.
You have sort of answered a question i asked in a post, sort of.
If I am taking it back to my family, and I understand this, why am I a part of the board of 12.
I was told this off handedly by someone I trust more than anyone else. It was said as part of a conversation.
I had a sort of dream that i walked out of my body as though it was clothing sort of, and i felt a great relief, and happiness. I felt like I could stand straight after being confindedfor so long. I am much taller than the 5 foot 3 inches i am.
I am a lot bigger, not skinny or fat. Just huge.
And I am always male in my dreams. Always.
When I stretch and get the kinks out from being inside, i just glow with a warmth and spread out. Not physically, but warmth wise. I am so huge and strong in all ways. and I smile so much.
I dont smile here.
I will admit to you, I fear who i am without knowing who i am.
because there is so much power that it cannt be me.
I am scared to be the answer.
i cannot be the answer to things.
I am not a token people are searching for. A chalice, a missing link.
I cant be.
That is thinking you are more than you are.
We are all one. I am no special part of anything that is important to the future.
But the more I learn, the more I realize, I have to face myself. Accept my self.
It is easy to accept yourself as a part of the whole, and and just a little speck of a part of the whole.
but to be more than just a part, is scary.
And as you learn more there is less who you can talk with. even less than you ever thought in your life time.
Because you become more different. And the gap gets wider. And the lonliness increases.
I will learn more as there is no other path except the one i am on.
I can peek to the side, have a glance around but the pth i am treading is the rainbow of esquisite essence of the whole. And the love and beauty of the path is one that i am attracted to and glow more warmth with every step.
Sort of like the poem i posted.
It has triggered things in me and then your comments trigger things as well.
I am having enough trouble understanding people without trying to understand the darkworkers (i found out there are two different sorts, one the love goes internally but there are ones who work andweave nets of darkness to holdyou andyou think you are safe asthey hug you, but you are really trapped, not hugged), and then to let alone try and find how i am. And now it is what am I.
There is a difference between who am I and what am I.
Love, Light, Unity and Harmony
Elizabeth
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