CT’s first ‘Best News of 2014’ and the Pope’s ‘Marian’ promotion

Mike Gendron’s January 2015 electronic newsletter arrived today. It referred to a couple of items that I would like to cover here.

The first was related to the improperly named publication, Christianity Today (CT), which has long endorsed aspects of the ecumenical movement. Recently, it had an article titled What Was the Best News of 2014? Observers weigh in on the year’s events that will most shape evangelical life, thought, or mission. Notice the first item CT listed:

“Engagement between evangelicals and Catholics has gone to a whole new level. In June, I had a three-hour project meeting with Pope Francis—with no agenda. In my tenure, I have not seen that kind of openness. There’s a shift taking place under Francis. He seems clearly geared toward evangelicals.”
~Geoff Tunnicliffe, secretary general, World Evangelical Alliance http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/december/what-was-best-news-of-2014.html?utm_source=ctdirect-html&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_term=9471290&utm_content=324850779&utm_campaign=2013

Gaining acceptance by the pontifex maximus of Rome is certainly NOT THE BEST NEWS OF 2014. It is a prelude to the rise of the final Babylonian system that the Bible condemns (Revelation 17-18). Yet, many within the Protestant world keep endorsing aspects of it, as has the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church who is also working towards it with Pope Francis (see Pope Francis speaks on his plans to re-establish full communion with the Eastern Orthodox).

The ecumenical movement has been going on for some time, but it seems to be accelerating and is taking many forms. For one form, watch also the video World Council of Churches Peace Plan.

More and more Protestants are supporting the Vatican’s ecumenical agenda. And some prominent ones are becoming more public about it.

I would add that my wife and I visited TBN’s ‘Holy Land Experience’ in Orlando, Florida in late 2014. Its “Church of All Nations” resembles the Coliseum in Rome and it has a display of Crouch family antiques which included a lot of Roman Catholic ornaments including what Catholics call a Monstrance. A monstrance is something used to venerate the eucharistic host that Roman Catholic use as a substitute for the type of bread Jesus used for Passover. The rounded eucharistic host that Roman Catholic use comes from paganism and not the Bible nor the practices of the early faithful Christians (documented details are in the article Marcus, the Marcosians, & Mithraism: Developers of the Eucharist?). TBN was founded by the late Paul Crouch and his son Andrew ‘Andy’ Crouch is one of the two main editors for Christianity Today.

For the second item, Mike Gendron’s newsletter also provided a link to to the following related to the pontiff’s actions on December 8, 2014:

The pontiff known as Pope Francis led Catholics in the annual observance of the holiday, delivering an Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square.

“Oh Mary, our mother, today the people of God in celebration venerates you, the immaculate, preserved from the contagion of sin from the beginning,” he prayed. “Accept the gift I offer on behalf of the church in Rome and throughout the whole world.”

“In this time that leads us to the feast of the birth of Jesus, teach us to go against the tide,” Francis continued. “The power of God’s love, which has preserved you from original sin, freed all of humanity through your intercession from every spiritual and material slavery and made the designs of God’s salvation victorious within hearts and events.”

According to the National Catholic Register, he also declared to the crowds gathered that in Mary “there was no room for sin,” because “God had chosen her to be the mother of Jesus,” which resulted in her being preserved from “original sin.”

The pontiff later venerated the Statue of the Immaculate Conception in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna and invited others to join him. The statue was created in 1857 as a mark of the Roman Catholic belief that Mary was conceived without sin.

“I ask you to spiritually unite yourselves to me in this pilgrimage, which expresses filial devotion to our heavenly mother,” he said.

Francis also visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he venerated the statue known as the Salus Populi Romani.

The concept of the “immaculate conception” was declared by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1844, who issued a proclamation stating, “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”

But some state that the Roman Catholic holiday is unbiblical as there is no Scriptural basis to state that Mary was sinless, which is also noted in the Catholic Encyclopedia.

“We know from Scripture that Mary must have known she was a sinner who needed a Savior when she said, ‘My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior’ (Luke 1:47),” Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries told Christian News Network. “The infallible word of God declares that ‘all of sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3:23). Mary was no exception. God’s word tells us that sin entered the world through Adam, ‘and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned’ (Rom. 5:12).”

Francis also visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he venerated the statue known as the Salus Populi Romani.

The concept of the “immaculate conception” was declared by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1844, who issued a proclamation stating, “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.”

But some state that the Roman Catholic holiday is unbiblical as there is no Scriptural basis to state that Mary was sinless, which is also noted in the Catholic Encyclopedia.

“We know from Scripture that Mary must have known she was a sinner who needed a Savior when she said, ‘My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior’ (Luke 1:47),” Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries told Christian News Network. “The infallible word of God declares that ‘all of sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Rom. 3:23). Mary was no exception. God’s word tells us that sin entered the world through Adam, ‘and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned’ (Rom. 5:12).”

“The doctrine of Mary’s pure conception without sin is pure heresy,” he continued, adding that Catholic doctrine not only teaches that Mary was sinless, but that she has power to save. “[The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)] teaches ‘Mary did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation.’ (CCC, para. 969). ‘The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things. In giving birth, you kept your virginity. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.’ (CCC, para. 966).”

Gendron said that the CCC also instructs that Mary is ” to be praised with special devotion (CCC, para, 971) and that “[s]he was the cause of salvation for herself and the whole human race (CCC, para. 494).”

“The Catholic Church promises that all those who seek Mary’s protection will be saved for all eternity,” he stated.

Gendron, a former Roman Catholic who now leads a ministry to evangelize Catholics, stated that these teachings are unbiblical as the Scriptures give no veneration to Mary throughout her earthly life.

“These doctrines have robbed God of His glory and have resulted in Catholics showing greater devotion to Mary than to the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “When she appears with the other believers on the day of Pentecost, she’s not an object of worship or even a leader in the early church. There are no occasions of anyone ever praying to her, honoring her or venerating her. She is never mentioned in any presentation of the Gospel.” http://christiannews.net/2014/12/10/pope-claims-mary-was-conceived-without-original-sin-during-feast-of-immaculate-conception/

Pope Francis may look like a lamb to some, but he truly speaks like a dragon (cf. Revelation 13:11). ‘Mary’ is not the way, truth, or life:

6 Jesus said: I am the Way; I am Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, New Jerusalem Bible)

Note: I intentionally quoted a Catholic approved translation of the above verse to show that ALL should know that Jesus, and NOT ‘Mary’ is the way.

The Pope’s ecumenical and Marian agendas made major strides in 2014. Although I did not watch a 60 Minutes piece about the Vatican on Sunday, a supporter who did emailed a day or so ago and commented how much the media is promoting Pope Francis. While the mainstream media do not like all of the Pope’s agenda, they like many aspects of it:

Many in the mainstream like Pope Francis’ interfaith message.
Many in the mainstream like Pope Francis’ ecumenical message.
Many in the mainstream believe that peace will be come through the type of agenda that Pope Francis is pushing.
Many in the mainstream like Pope Francis’ tolerance of sexual-immorality message.
Many in the mainstream like Pope Francis’ tolerance of the homosexual agenda message.
Many in the mainstream like Pope Francis’ ‘class warfare’ message.
Many in the mainstream like Pope Francis’ tolerance of communist Cuba message.
Many in the mainstream like the fact that US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon endorsed aspects of Pope Francis’s agenda in 2014.
Many in the mainstream like Pope Francis’ promotion of a female message.

While growing Protestant acceptance of Pope Francis’ agenda is NOT THE BEST NEWS ITEM OF 2014, prophetically-speaking, it is an important development.

The ‘City of Seven Hills’ (cf. Revelation 17:9,18 NIV) and her offspring (Revelation 17:5) are planning on getting together further. The Bible condemns this city as well as the Babylonian system that it promotes and warns Christians not to be part of it (Revelation 18:4-8). The Bible also warns about a ‘Virgin Lady’ that engages in enchantments and sorceries (Isaiah 47) that those who promote false Marian apparitions endorse.

Protestants, Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, and others should not support this.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! and World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example? Here is a related sermon video: Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong: Reformers with Differences.
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
The Dangerous Rise of Preterists Has the Great Tribulation finished? What was the view of early Christians? Why is the preterist view dangerous? A related sermon video is titled Preterism: You’ve Gotta Be Kidding…Right?
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? Could a Jesuit be “the black pope”?
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.