Fidei Defensor

I have my copy of Eusebius, I will find title of chapter and share it with you presently. I only use Roman Catholic to denote those who believe in Papacy, and the Church of Rome. I never knew it was derogatory description by Protestants, although the Catholics did same to Baptists, meaning "rebaptizers" (The Reformation by Diamand McCulloch and Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelly 4 ed.). I thought Roman Catholic meant those who follow the Roman Rite (Latin Rite), oppose to Charismatic Catholic, Reformed Catholic, and anti-Papist Catholic. In short, the Roman in Roman Catholic always meant to me that Roman Catholics consider their leadership is in Rome. I don't just use Catholic because it means Universal Church which is all Christians in the Nicaea, Chalcedon, and Apostle's Credos. Actually church was used first by Jesus, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church (ἐκκλησίαν. ekklēsian Greek, ecclesia Latin, Church English) and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18). The rock Jesus is talking about is Peter's revelation, "You are messiah, Son of Living God," (Matthew 16:16) and Jesus is referred to the rock (Psalm 18:2, Matthew 7:24-27, stumbling stone (1 Peter 2:8, 1 Corinthians 1:23-24), and corner stone (Ephesians 2:20).

You raise a good point wingnut. I have reflected on that Satan and angels rebelled willingly, as in revolted of their own free will (Revelation 12:7-12). While in contrast mankind was deceived into falling (Genesis 3). I could start a whole other thread on why I think the angels can't be forgiven, but mankind is using this point. I actually know a Bible College where someone who committed Hebrews 6:4-6 publicly, he then went on radio to attack Christ and Christian, made his facebook account an antichrist account where you posted unbelief. This same person then repented, and has been made head of Bible college, but he hasn't taken down those antichrist remarks on his facebook. I am thinking, this man has more than fulfilled the terrible details of Hebrews 6, he went beyond it, and now he's head of Bible college?!

I am glad to be a first! Lol I learned this from "The Open Church" (James H Lutz), from my studies of the Crusades, my studies of Byzantium, and comparing these to the Scriptures and Early Church (Acts 2 and 4). The Church prior to Constantine was one of suffering, persecution, and battling heresies. Constantine in the last chapter in my copy of Eusebius takes the church, puts it back into format that is very different than house churches of Acts, "But I will say this: after completed the great building I have described, he finished it with thrones high up, to accord with dignity of the prelates (bishops, priests), and also with benches arranged conveniently throughout. In addition to all this, he placed in the middle the Holy of Holies -the altar- excluding, the general public from this part too by surrounding it with wooden trellis..," (The History of the Church, Eusebius, Penguin Classics, pg 315). My theory of church is this, it started as Christ's Church (Church of Acts and New Testament), became Apostolic Churches (many hersies like Originism, Nestorianism, Gnosticism, and other strange doctrines) then it became the Imperial Church (Byzantine Church, Eastern Orthodoxy) to this day the Orthodox Church has always had an imperial ruler, it believe a sovereign emperor or king or tsar ruled the church and kingdom, while Roman Catholicism broke off in 1054 A.D. (in what I believe was reformation) where Bishop of Rome (Pope) wanted to have Church separate from Empire, and that it have its own leaders again. Then from Roman Church came Protestant Reformation where they went back to Sources, The Scriptures, and tried to go back to the Church of New Testament (Acts 2-5, chapters not verses). Its full circle: church has its own leaders and Scriptures (New Testament, Church of ACTS), church add to scriptures and has its own leaders (Apostolic Fathers, 100 A.D. to 323 A.D.), church is controlled by outside leader and has more traditions added to it (Byzantine, Eastern Orthodoxy), church goes back to having its own ecclesia leaders (Catholicism) but still has man made traditions (Mark 7:7) mixed with Scripture, and finally the church has its own leaders again and scriptures with most of traditions of men removed (Protestantism), but the Reforms aren't over, the building is what is left, the Constantine system isn't yet completely removed from church, there are still traditions of men at work (Mark 7:7, Colossians 2:23).

My thoughts on women's role in the Church, from my Blog: "Warrior Women: The Role of Women in the Church There is a major move in Church, with women now leading and preaching. There are warrior women who want to pray and preach. There are some resisting this, taking Paul's words out of context, "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man;b she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control." (1 Timothy 2:9-15). The problem is that people don't know that Paul was speaking to Greek Churches that had Pythonesses in it, women who were pagan and who taught men to have sex with them and were oracles (prophets), they were continuing this trade in the church (these women are mentioned in Revelation 2:20, Revelation 18:4), so Paul put this length paragraph upon those pythonesses churches but not all churches. For elsewhere Paul says, "Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and also Nympha (means Bride, is not a male name like many scholars say) and the church in her house," (Colossians 4:15), "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae," (Romans 16:1), "Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you(r salvation)," (Romans 16:6), "Greet Andronicus and Junia (Iounias, Noun, Feminine), my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did," (Romans 16;7), "Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord," (Romans 16:12), "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too," (Romans 16:13), and "also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier--and to the church that meets in your home," (Philemon 1:2). Repeatedly Paul is commending women working for Lord, which is Evangelism and make disciples (includes teaching and preaching, primary way of evangelizing!), "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5, see also 1 Corinthians 15:58). In the list of accommodations Phoebe is called a Deacon, Nympha and Apphia lead a church, note it is extraordinary Paul is using Apphia's name first, in Jewish masculine culture, you always say the man's name first, "Is this not Joseph and Mary's son?" (John 6:42, Luke 4:22, Matthew 13:55) in fact it was insult in Jewish Culture when the disbelieving Nazarenes said to Jesus, "Then they scoffed, "He's (Jesus) just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us." They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him," (Mark 6:3), but Paul goes against this Jewish custom and mentions Apphia a women before her brother Archippus. Paul does this again with Priscila and Aquila, "Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus." (2 Timothy 4:19). The reason is Paul mentions the teacher or preacher first in a couple or pair of siblings, so we then know that Apphia and Priscila are the teachers! We are living in an age of women coming into positions that have long since be denied them. Many seek to resist this, calling it an abmonination or antiscriptural, but I say then what do they make the Old Testament Deborah, "Then Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go. Certainly I will go with you," said Deborah. "But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman." So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh." (Judges 4:7-8), Deborah was a judge of Israel. What do these naysayers have to say about Mary Martha's sister whom Jesus discipled, "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42), and Jesus talking to Samartian Woman, telling her who He was, "Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” 15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” 16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,[c] where our ancestors worshiped?” 21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” 27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him. 31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” 33 “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. 34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. 35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe[e] for harvest. 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37 You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. 38 I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” 39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” 40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, 41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:1-42). The Samaritan woman was not impended from preaching about Jesus, "Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony (Revelation 12:11). They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:39, 42 ESV). Earlier I shared how the Apostle Paul commended women who had worked hard in Lord (Romans 16:6-12), which is obviously what this Samaritan Woman. Beyond that, the first person to see Jesus Risen was Mary Magdalene! (Mark 16:19, John 20:14, Luke). If Women were first ones Jesus confessed who He was (John 4:26), discipled one (Luke 10:38-42), and showed His Resurrected Self to (John 20:14), why then would we deny women the right to teach and preach?! It was women who supported Jesus' Ministry and kept Him and Apostles taken care of, "Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples." (Luke 8:13). These same women are the only ones, save for Apostle John, who where at Jesus Christ own crucifixion, " Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee," (Matthew 27:55), "Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene," (John 19:15), and, "And there were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome." (Mark 15:40). While all the Apostles were scattered save for John, the women stood there at the Cross, and they watched as Christ bore the sins of mankind. There were Women at Pentecost who were filled with Holy Spirit power, "Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers," (Acts 1:12-14), and "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance." (Acts 2:1-3). It is clear the women witnesses and those who supported Jesus' ministry stayed with the Apostles after Jesus Ascended (Acts 1:1-11). In fact, Paul remarks how the Apostles have wives, "Don't we have the right to bring a Christian wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord's brothers do, and as Peter does?" (1 Corinthians 9:5). Contrary to Catholic tradition, the Apostles had wives and took them with them in ministry! The Church needs to not resist reform. For the Roman Catholic Church resisted Refomraiton, and it lost the chance to purge idolatry and know the Scriptures, and become like Church of the Apostles We must not wage a war against women, for Woman are warriors, in Hebrew Woman means "Warrior." It was woman that God chose to come into this world, "In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings,favored woman! The Lord is with you, Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail. Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her." (Luke 1:26-38). It was Women who supported Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:1-3), it was a woman Jesus first raised from dead (Luke 8:40-56, Mark 5:21-43), It was woman He revealed Himself as way of Salvation (John 4:26) it was a woman Jesus told He was resurrection and life (John 11:25-26), It was a woman who got to see Risen Christ first (John 20:1-18), and it was to women that the apostles made deaconesses (Romans 16:1), and who lead Churches (Colossians 4:15). The case against Woman pastors, preachers, and teachers falsl apart when we examine The Holy Bible. Another question that should haunt hard liners against woman teaching, what if the only Christian in a village is a woman? Is she sup[pose to just remain silent until a man is saved? Oh course not! She should preach. What about the woman Jesus taught like Mary and Martha, and Samaritan Woman, are they having heard Christ's words and the Gospel just remain silent? Of course not, they should shout from rooftops! Which Samaritan Woman did. The Great Commission from Christ, "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." (Matthew 28:19-20). There isn't a clause that says, "only men go make disciples." Also note, that Jesus taught Mary and Martha commands. What about the authors of New Testament? Why are there no woman authors? Well in 33-90 A.D. women in Jewish Culture were second class citizens, they could not teach, or write or read. They had to be instructed by their husbands. Christ was actually revolutionary, firstly as Rabbi he talked to women, something Talmud forbids and Rabbis are told to not even walk same street as women. Jesus also spoke to pagan Samaritan woman, something she remarks, "why asking me for a drink, you are a Jew and I a Samaritan?" (John 4:9). But the Apostles found themselves still in culture still man centric, and so most of the accounts are from the men. However, The Gospel of Luke is unique, in that Luke interviewed all the women, Mary Jesus' Mother, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, Mary Clopas, and more. Luke did this because he was a Greek, and Greeks and Romans revered women, and gave them privileges that Jewish Men did not (Dear and Glorious Physician, Taylor Cladwell, notice also that most of verses about women donating money to Jesus ministry and other details about women are in the Gospel of Luke, see Chapter 8). It is also reported that Hebrews is written by both Paul, and Mary Magdalene, and others. The other reason is that Four Gospels came from Twelve Disciples, one of whom was Jesus' closest disciple, John, and their testimony in that period and time would have been accepted by Jews, Greeks, Romans, and more; if a woman had written say the Gospel According Mary the Mother, Greeks would have read it, but strict Jews at time would have not, so they picked the Accounts that in that day and age would have the most universal appeal and approach to get Gospel to everyone, including Pharisees. Woman are warriors for Christ. Let's start letting them be warriors and teachers! For there have been many Church women who did incredible things, Susanna Wesley, raised and taught John and Charles Wesley all they knew in Bible because their father was Vicar always away at the Castle Church. Ann Hutchinson lead Bible Study and the authorities in America destroyed her because she preached Grace instead of works (Ephesians 2:4-9). Joan of Arc not only saved France from becoming Neo-England, but she heard from God directly and held Reformation and Biblical beleifs, "Joan was brought to trial before a church court because the theologists at the University of Paris, as arbiter in matters concerning the faith, insisted that she be tried as a heretic. Her beliefs were not strictly orthodox, according to the criteria for orthodoxy laid down by many theologians of the period. She was no friend of the church militant on earth (which perceived itself as in spiritual combat with the forces of evil), and she threatened its hierarchy through her claim that she communicated directly with God by means of visions or voices." (Saint Joan of Arc, French Heroine, Encyclopedia Britannica, Capture, Trial and Execution), and "When the trial proper began a day or so later, it took two days for Joan to answer the 70 charges that had been drawn up against her. These were based mainly on the contention that her behaviour showed blasphemous presumption: in particular, that she claimed for her pronouncements the authority of divine revelation; prophesied the future; endorsed her letters with the names of Jesus and Mary, thereby identifying herself with the novel and suspect cult of the Name of Jesus; professed to be assured of salvation; and wore men’s clothing. Perhaps the most serious charge was of preferring what she believed to be the direct commands of God to those of the church [note: Joan was correct, see "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:5), see also 2 Corinthians 3:16, Colossians 2:17, John 15:4-7, John 10:27, John 16:13, 1 John 1:3, Hebrews 10:16]." (Saint Joan of Arc, French Heroine, Encyclopedia Britannica, The Trial). There was St. Augustine's Mother Monica who prayed for her son with tears and the fruit was Augustine abandoned his lascivious behavior and wrote some accurate treatises (confessions) on Original Sin. Constantine's Mother Helena helped him find holy places in Jerusalem, and perhaps taught him more about Christianity . Today there is Ann Graham Lotz, Joyce Meyer, Beth Moore, and many others. Some may fear a spirit of Ashtoreth Queen of Heaven is moving, and return to Madonna Cult, but the truth is many of greatest preachers and pastors in history had a wife, a woman at their side helping them. So lets dispense with the idea that Woman can't preach, teach, and lead. For they have been leading, even from behind the scenes and through their husbands, because as Jesus said, "Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (Matthew 19:5-6)., so then every famous preacher and teacher owes their wife! I would also ask if the two become one, then why can't the woman teach like her husband the teacher? Hmph? Huh?! Finally, I want to remind people, who made woman? God the Trinity did, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them," (Genesis 1:27), and "Now the Lord God said, "It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him.” So the Lord God formed out of the ground every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. And the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper [that was] suitable (a companion) for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. And the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man He made (fashioned, formed) into a woman, and He brought her and presented her to the man. Then Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed or embarrassed." (Genesis 2:18-25). The Lord said He made mankind, both male and female in his image. And the Apostle said this, "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28), "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith," (Galatians 3:26), and, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12). There it is, there is no gender preference to those in Christ, and all who believe in Jesus are Children of God, both male or female! Amen."

The very last chapter of the last book of Eusebius (Penguin). What history do you dispute? I am saying Constantine created Byzantine Church (prior to him, the Church was persecuted). This Byzantine Church became Eastern Orthodoxy, and out of that church came Roman Catholicism (thanks to that the First Among Equals called the Bishop of Rome became the Pope), and the schism was complete in 1054 A.D.

I thought I would bring this topic up, because it weighs on minds of many Christians. What constitutes apostasy, when someone falls away from faith and cannot return? According to author of Hebrews, "For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame," (Hebrews 6:4-6), and "If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. They prove the truth of this proverb: "A dog returns to its vomit." And another says, "A washed pig returns to the mud." (2 Peter 2:20-22). It is obvious this is not talking about backsliding, because Paul goes into detail, "idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:20). Other tranlsaitons use those "who practice" (get good at, want to master) doing sin are those in danger of this verse, because Apostle John says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness," (1 John 1:9), "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus," (Acts 3:19-20), and "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19). So is the terrible apostasy of Hebrews 6, putting Jesus up to public shame, a like opposite event to when someone is baptized in water in front of church? What if qualifier? And why then did the Apostle Peter get forgiven for denying Jesus publicly (John 18:15-27, and John 20:15-19). Please, to anyone reading this, don't freak out. Its just a question.

Pres. Valdimir Putin has given great power back to Russian Orthodox Church (part of larger Eastern Orthodox Church). The ROC (Russian Orthodox Church) is shutting down all competition. This is two pronged, on one hand it is to create monopoly during Eastern Orthodox Resurgence (that is sweeping America now, Hank Hanegraaff the Bible Answer Man just converted to Eastern Orthodoxy) and second prong is that Russia has been having problems with cults like the Jehovah Witnesses stirring up unrest and dissidence. As a Western I know that curbing problems with overreach and totalitarianesque techniques is recipe for failure as well as creating a revolt. I have been studying Eastern Orthodoxy for five years, I even attended a vigil, talked to monks, and read literature. I am concerned by major draw to it, because unlike Catholics who profess a works based salvation via the Sacraments, The Orthodox call Salvation a mystery, and when press them to answer how you know your saved, they say its a mystery, but there is no mystery, the answer is "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved," (Romans 10:9-10), and "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." (John 6:40).

The proof is he created Byzantine Church (Eastern Orthodoxy) see Eusebius The Hitory Church, last chapter. The Roman Catholic Church came out of Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054 A.D. during the Great Schism. Roman Catholicism is basically a Latinized and Europeanized Eastern Orthodoxy.

I usually ask for the trifecta 1) Listen for God's Voice to Answer 2) Ask for Scripture from the LORD 3) Ask for confirmation, that God sends someone to confirm what you've heard. Sometimes I also ask for a dream or vision.

Here is the Good News, "What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”[a]) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31-39).

I remember now, those are paragraph line numbers, so starting with Paragraph 993 tell 999. :0 That's quite a long read.

I think its a real demon (in greek Paul uses Diamos which means demon, probably what is now called the spirit of infirmity), but paired with physical affliction, the eye disease he got on Road to Damascus (Acts 9). That raises a interesting point, is it a demon or just an affliction period or both? Very curious. I am going to do some study on this.

Can you share where in Roman Catholic Catechism and Canon Law it says this? According to Roman Catholic Catechism, pages 933-999, says that Catholics must believe Mary is Redeematrix, that she is a savior too. Please, explain this and even share sources. Because when I read Roman Catholic dogma is elevates Mary to a goddess positon.

It is indeed editable, because we are under a new covenant (the edit of Emmanuel who has changed us from law of moses to Christ), "By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear," (Hebrews 8:13), "Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant," (Hebrews 7:22), "But when God found fault with the people, He said: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah," (Hebrews 8:8), "Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant," (Hebrews 9:15), "to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel," (Hebrews 12:24), "But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6), "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins," (Matthew 26:28), "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more," (Jeremiah 31:31-34), "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law," (Galatians 3:10), "Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all," (Galatians 5:2), "For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace," (Galatians 5:4), "The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins," (Romans 8:3), and "Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith." (Galatians 3:24). Yes the Law and Old Covenant is editable, editable by God Himself. He changed it with nails (pens) in his hands, and stuck a New Covenant, a superior covenant in God's love. The Old Covenant was made with Moses, but we have one better than Moses, Jesus Christ, "For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17). We are under a New Covenant, a New Testament, and better state of being than Moses and Israelites. They had God afar from them, we have God living in us (Colossians 1:27, John 17:20-23, 1 Corinthians 3:16). Moses waited for such a day of grace and new covenant, "For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:46-47). The Law is now obsolete and fulfilled in Jesus (Matthew 15:17-20, Jesus is only one who could, because He's God and Man, the only one who can be sinless and do all Law perfectly see Hebrews), and so by abiding in Jesus and believing in Him (John 6:40) the law is fulfilled by the One who made it, and has edited with His death on cross and resurrection from grave. I did not edit it, God Did.

There is many Bible verses that can encourage us that major spiritual experiences are normal, "I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud." (2 Corinthians 1:2-7).

Well certainly we are at war, "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil," (Matthew 4:1), "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps," (1 Peter 2:21), "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world," (John 16:33), "We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us," (1 Thessalonians 2:`8), "For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9 [e]indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many," (2 Corinthians 1:8-11), and then there is the most bizaree passage of all that will make every deliverance minister ponder, "or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). I am very much involved in Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance, and so I've seen a lot (I was even apart of a delieverance of a bride of Satan who had became a Christian). I've Even seen Jesus vs Satan during my visit to Jerusalem, Israel. So I believe this war is real, but I think people need to keep their "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2).

The Answer according to Jesus Christ and The Apostle Paul, " And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And He *said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; 26 how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:23-27) "At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.” 3 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, 4 how he entered the house of God, and they ate the [b]consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5 Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? 6 But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this [d]means, ‘I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:1-8) "Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep [r]defrauding you of your prize by delighting in [s]self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God." (Colossians 2:16-19) "One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God." (Romans 14:5-6). Here is how God spent the Sabbath, "By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created [a]and made." (Genesis 2:2-3). The point is if we are to imitate the LORD, we should do as he did, rest on whatever day we call Sabbath. The point is LORD wanted people to enter into rest from their labors and not work. That was point of Sabbath to rest and enter God's rest (Hebrews 4:10, Matthew 29:30)

My concern is the tension. Yes there is a spiritual world and war (Ephesians 6:12), and yes there fallen angels and demons (Revelation 12:7-12), but I think it is dangerous to become occupied with fighting demons or worrying if you are being seduced, "For Greater is He (Christ Col 2:17, 1 Cor 3:16) who lives in me than he that lives in world," (1 John 4:4), "Submit there to God, resist the devil and he shall flee," (James 4:7), and "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." (Luke 10:19). Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance Ministry concerns me on one account, it makes people focused on demons and in my opinion can be greatest seduction of all, indirect worship of the demons by being overly concerned and fixated on them. But I also don't think we should pretend there isn't a spirit war, and enemy prowling around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8-9). I prefer Chip Ingram's balanced approach, "Be aware there is spiritual war, fight when attack comes, but don't be preoccupied with it or looking for demon under every bush." (Spiritual Warfare Series, Chip Ingram).

Proof of the Holy Trinity in Scripture: "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." (Genes 1:26) "And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." (Genesis 3:22) "After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” (Matthew 3:16-17) "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father--he will testify about me." (John 15:26) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) "Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you. And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21-22). "Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?" (John 14:6-9) "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." (Colossians 2:9) "Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation." (Colossians 1:15) "For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ." (Colossians 1:19) "Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!" (John 8:58) "And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed." (John 17:5) "The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35) "I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.[a]2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:1-2). "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross." (Philipians 2:5-8) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:1-5) "14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of [l]the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." (John 1:14-18) "Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names, For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” 6 And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,[d] “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” 7 Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”[f] 8 But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. 9 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” 10 He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. 12 You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.” 13 And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” 14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation." (Hebrews 1:1-15) " And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? 7 Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 8 You gave them authority over all things.” Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. 11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. 12 For he said to God, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.” 13 He also said, “I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.” 14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[g] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. 16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested." (Hebrews 2:1-16) It is clear in Scriptures that the Trinity is correct theology. In fact the Apostles Paul and Peter both affirm that the Scriptures are not mere man written documents, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work," (2 Timothy 3:16-17), "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet's own interpretation, For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:20-21). Amen.

God is not responsible for anyone's actions. Satan chose to rebell when he got proud of himself, "How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13 For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.[e] 14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ 15 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. 16 Everyone there will stare at you and ask, ‘Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble? 17 Is this the one who destroyed the world and made it into a wasteland? Is this the king who demolished the world’s greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?" (Isaiah 14:14-17) "Then this further message came to me from the Lord: 12 “Son of man, sing this funeral song for the king of Tyre. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone[b]— red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald— all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created. 14 I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian.[c] You had access to the holy mountain of GoD and walked among the stones of fire. You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you. 16 Your rich commerce led you to violence, and you sinned. So I banished you in disgrace from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian, from your place among the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings. 18 You defiled your sanctuaries with your many sins and your dishonest trade. So I brought fire out from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. 19 All who knew you are appalled at your fate. You have come to a terrible end, and you will exist no more.” (Ezekiel 28:11-19). Tyre is Satan, he created the first war (Revelation 7:7-12) "Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.[a] For the accuser of our brothers and sisters[b] has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time. 13 When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon[c] for a time, times, and half a time. Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. 16 But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon. 17 And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus." (Revelation 12:7-16). It is clear the devil, Satan and Cherub that Covereth (Cherubim) decided to willfully rebel and lead one third of angels in a civil war in heaven. He lost against the All Power God and His armies, and Satan shall be destroyed, "Satan was thrown in lake of fire, where Beast and prophet where, there they are tormented forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10). Unlike mankind who was deceived into falling (Genesis 3), Satan and his angels wilffuly chose to rebel, while mankind was deceived and then chose to rebel. Very different circumstances.

In Africa a Christian rock band came to play, and one of tribal men rushed to the stage and said, "Why are you calling the demons." This is the story I have heard, but honestly the music debate I believe is a matter of conscious, "But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning." (Romans 14:23). There are many who out of fear of this has strictures on music, I knew an Eastern Orthodox priest who was afraid of anyone getting emotional, so he allowed no cantoring or singing, I have been where only hymns are allowed, and I have been in the Hill Song inspired contemporary worship of Evangelical churches. I think it depends on how it effects your spiritual walk with the Savior and the Spirit. If it is harming you, causing you confusion, anxiety, and even anger, then it is not for you. Then there is concern if it is the appearance of evil, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV). One can take dogmatic approach to this and say, "I will do nothing that appears evil," which isn't a bad attitude to have, but what if in Africa rock music is always Satanic, but in US and UK it can be Christian, then its only appearing evil in Africa and so it is there that you should refrain, and in other countries you may ordain or approve of it, this reminds me of the Apostle's other words, "1Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.[a] 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." (Romans 14:12-23). Granted Paul is talking about food here, but the point is it can be applied to anything we do. You may have no problem with Christian rock, but a brother who is visiting your house thinks rock is evil and Rastafarian. Then do not play in background rock music during that meeting.

There is difference between mediation and asking for prayer support from living believers. Here we are discussing salvation and merit and intercessor from the dead, not wither living Christians should pray for each other which obviously a good thing (Acts 6:6, Matthew 18:20). The issue is do you believe you need saints who are asleep in LORD and Mary to intercede for you, when Jesus is the Great Intercessor (Romans 8:39, Hebrews 7:25). Why would you go to mere mortals in heaven, when you can go straight to God who died for your sins (1 Peter 3:18, Colossians 2:9), can read your thoughts and hearts (Mark 2:8, Matthew 12:25, Acts 15:8). The issue is where you placing the trust. In Mariology and Cult of Saints people trust in mortals to heal them, protect them, and pray for them, rather than going to Immortal Almighty God who lives in them (Colossians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 3:16). The Cult of Virgin Mary and Saints is an idolatry because it is placing trust in something other than God, which is a definition of idolatry. As for praying for dead, there is a verse that has perplexed believers, but I ask why would God command praying for dead when He has said otherwise? "Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God," (Leviticus 19:31), "Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer (calls up the dead)," (Deuteronomy 18:11), "Someone may say to you, "Let's ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do." But shouldn't people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?," (Isaiah 8:19), and "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27). Now counter argument is no Christian is dead, because Jesus said, "And regarding the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!" (Mark 12:26-27), and "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). The Former verse is Jesus confronting people who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead (Sadducees), so the point isn't about praying to dead, just that those who are with God in paradise aren't dead because God is Life (John 1:4, John 14:6) and created everything (John 1:6, Colossians 1:16). Well that latter verse is talking about eternal life (John 6:40) as well as Jesus raising the dead. There is nothing in these verses that supporting talking to the dead, it simply is Christ defending the resurrection of the dead. I have to say praying to the dead and for the dead gets to close to the forbidden practices as laid out in paragraph above (Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:11), and since it generally leads to idolatry or focusing on something else than Jesus it is dangerous in that regard too, because Jesus told us, "Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him." (Luke 4:8, cross ref Matthew 22:36-38). Any practice that would have a person trust, worship, and focus on anything other than Jesus Christ the Alpha and Omega is another gospel, Jesus, and spirit, "I hope you will put up with a little more of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride[a] to one husband—Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. 12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve," (2 Corinthians 11:2-4 and 12-18), "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!," (Galatians 1:8-9), take not that Mary apparitions appeared to people like angels, and she created another gospel based on trusting her, something Paul says is a curse on anyone who teaches such things, and finally we told to make Christ our all, "2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God[b] are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[c] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" (Philippians 3:2-11). An Eastern Orthodox priest I spoke to once had an interesting perspective, "we aren't praying for the dead, but for their works, that Jesus continue to perfect and finisher what they established, an example would be Salvation Army or the seeds the Apostles have planted that have lead to us being saved." (note: not all Eastern Orthodox Christians have this point of view, this was particular view of that one priest). This makes more sense, that you aren't praying for dead, but the seed, the ministry that continues on through living people today to be blessed and continue.

The Problem with Darby and those who joined him in moving that last week in Daniel, is for 1800yrs Christians had never separated the seventieth week from the others. Besides what John Nelson Darby decided was the antichrist in last week (7oth) actually sounds more like prophecy about the Christ, "He shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall make sacrifice and offering cease; and in their place shall be an abomination that desolates, until the decreed end is poured out upon the desolator.” (Daniel 9:27-28). I believe the sacrifices ceased because Jesus became all sufficient sacrifice (Hebrews 10), and the veil in Temple was torn (Matthew 27:41). Then in 70 A.D. Titus destroyed the Jewish Second Temple, which the Jewish Archaeologists I talk to in Jerusalem say that every time the Temple is destroyed it is called "The Abomination of desolation." Notice also that Daniel's prophecy of 70th week is what Jesus addresses in Matthew 24, but Luke gives more detail, "when eagles surround Jerusalem.." (). The Eagles being the symbol of Roman dominion. And isn't it quite incredible that its 70 A.D. when the Temple is destroyed, and 70th Week of Daniel has the Abomination of Desolation, which is what Jews call destroying the Temple. But thankfully the Lord has made us Christians His temple, "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?," (1 Corinthians 3:16), "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, and you are that temple," (1 Corinthians 3:17), "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own," (1 Corinthians 6:19), "What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people," (2 Corinthians 6:16),and we our God's House, "But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God's entire house. And we are God's house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ." (Hebrews 3:6)

rjs310, well said. Only the LORD can know the heart (Jeremiah 17:10, Mark 2:8, Acts 15:8). This is why except in church matters, I reserve judgement because I cannot possibly know someone's heart, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Jesus, Matthew 7:1-3, Holy Bible), "on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus," (Romans 2:16, Holy Bible), "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?," (1 Corinthians 5:12, Holy Bible), "Therefore judge nothing before the proper time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God," (1 Corinthians 4:5, Holy Bible), and "God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?" (James 4:12, Holy Bible). I think the consensus of these scriptures is that we aren't the final judge, we may reprove and rebuke (2 Timoty 3:16), but ultimately the Alpha and Omega will decide because only He can read our thoughts and hearts (Mark 2:8 and Acts 15:8).

The Cult of Virgin Mary or Mariology is indeed idolatry. For it is written, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus," (2 Timothy 2:5), "then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:10,12). The Cult of Virgin Mary came from Middle Ages. Firstly the pagans such as Saxons and Celts having been Christianized misunderstood holy relics, believing that visiting them could endow them with the merit of the saints (The Cult of Saints was born), the clergy was appalled by this misunderstanding but did nothing about it do to coffers being filled. The Cult of Virgin Mary really took root when apparitions of Mary began to appear around the world, Mary Guadalupe, Mary of Tours, and so forth. These apparitions called themselves "Mary, Queen of Heaven," which is same name Ashtoreth (Artemis, Isis, Ishtar, Venus) used when the Prophet Jeremiah confronted her worshippers, "The women added, "When we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did not our husbands know that we were making cakes impressed with her image and pouring out drink offerings to her?" Then Jeremiah said to all the people, both men and women, who were answering him, Do you think the LORD did not know that you and your ancestors, your kings and officials, and all the people were burning incense to idols in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? When the LORD could no longer endure your wicked actions and the detestable things you did, your land became a curse and a desolate waste without inhabitants, as it is today." (Jeremiah 44:19-22). The truth is the Mary Queen of Heaven is Ashtoreth reborn, is the wife of Baal and Mammon (Satan see Ezekiel 28 Satan makes commerce and money, and Revelation 7:7-12, Satan started first war, war in heaven). The real Mary who gave birth to Jesus, said, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:46-48). She calls God her savior, and only sinners need a savior. As for famous line "all generations will call me blessed," is in matter of fact state of jubilation, another example is when Jesus says of women who poured perfume on His feet, "By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." (Matthew 26:12). It is a terminology in antiquity in saying this will be recollected, it is not some homage and worship of the person being called blessed. The Cult of Virgin Mary in Roman Catholicism calls Mary Redeematrix (Roman Catholic Catechism, pages 933-999) which is co-redeemer and savior, which violates the Holy Scriptures and doctrines of Salvation in Christ Alone. The Eastern Orthodox call Mary Theotokios (God bearer) and don't believe she was perpetual virgin or redeematrix, but they still pray to her which violates Christ's commands, "And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve," (Luke 4:8) and "And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38). Jesus is the Lord ( LORD means Jehovah or God of Israel, Romans 10:9, Philippians 2:11). Mary was not a perpetual virgin, she had other sons and daughters with Joseph after Jesus' birth, "When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and embraced Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus." (Matthew 1:24-25), "Then they scoffed, "He's just the carpenter's son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers--James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas," (Matthew 13:55), and "Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" (Matthew 13:56). In fact, these family members did not believe in Jesus until after His Resurrection, "When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. "He's out of his mind," they said," (Mark 3:21) and "For even his own brothers did not believe in him." (John 7:5). Mariology is idolatry. It is the return of Ashtoreth, one of fallen angels (Revelation 7:7-12, Matthew 25:41, Genesis 6:4-6). Ashtoreth was both a fertility goddess and goddess of war in Israel and Canaanite regions. Her husband is Baal (see 1 Kings 18, Elijah and Prophets of Baal), the war god (Satan, the leading of war in heaven) and because she is about fertility she is also about affluence and money, well Mammon was god of money (who is also Satan see Ezekiel 28). I am not saying Satan and her behave as husband and wife, it merely is that she is one of top fallen ones who wars against us Christians (Ephesians 6:12). It is not surprising that Ashtoreth returned in Middle Ages, the Saxons, Norsemen, Franks, Anglos, Picts, Welsh, and other tribes of Europe followed the war gods (Odin, Thor, who is Baal, note Baal symbol in Canaan was crescent moon) and so it would be nature that the Mary Queen of Heaven (Ashteroth) would appear to them and invade Middle Ages with cult to keep people enslaved to her for ages to come.