{"id":102245,"date":"2026-09-13T17:00:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T00:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=102245"},"modified":"2026-07-12T11:44:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T18:44:39","slug":"cross-exaltation-feast-was-not-part-of-the-faith-once-for-all-delivered-to-the-saints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/church-history\/cross-exaltation-feast-was-not-part-of-the-faith-once-for-all-delivered-to-the-saints\/","title":{"rendered":"Cross Exaltation Feast was not part of ‘the faith once for all delivered to the saints’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>
\nDecorated Cross used by the Orthodox in their observation of the
\nFeast of the Exaltation of the Cross ( \u0399\u03a3\u03a7\u03a3\u039d\u0399\u039a\u0391-888<\/a><\/span>\u00a0via Wikipedia)<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

Wikipedia<\/em> has the following:<\/p>\n

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Feast of the Cross<\/span><\/h2>\n

The\u00a0Feast of the Holy Cross<\/b>,\u00a0Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross<\/i>, or\u00a0Feast of the Cross<\/b>, commemorates the True Cross. On 13 September, 335, the Constantinian Basilica over the Holy Sepulchre was consecrated in Jerusalem. The day after the church’s consecration, the relic of the cross was shown (“exalted”) the first time to the people for veneration. …<\/p>\n

The most common day of commemoration is September 14 for churches that use the\u00a0Gregorian calendar\u00a0and September 27 for churches that use the\u00a0Julian calendar,\u00a0Ge’ez calendar, or\u00a0Coptic calendar.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0English, the feast is called\u00a0The Exaltation of the Holy Cross<\/b>\u00a0in the official translation of the\u00a0Roman Missal, while the 1973 translation called it\u00a0The Triumph of the Cross<\/b>. In some parts of the\u00a0Anglican Communion\u00a0the feast is called\u00a0Holy Cross Day<\/b>, a name also used by\u00a0Lutherans. The celebration is also sometimes called\u00a0Holy Rood Day<\/b>, or by the historical names\u00a0Roodmas\u00a0or\u00a0Crouchmas<\/b>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What triggered this post was my seeing the following article yesterday related to it:<\/p>\n

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This Sunday: In the Midst of Political Violence, Lift High the Cross<\/h2>\n

September 11, 2025<\/p>\n

Sunday, Sept. 14, is the\u00a0Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.<\/a> …<\/p>\n

This is what Christians did in the Early Church.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The story of the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is tied up with the discovery \u2014 by Emperor Constantine\u2019s mother, no less \u2014 of the cross of Christ in the Holy Land.<\/p>\n

It was a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity, when the sign of our shame, the hateful sign of our Savior\u2019s death, became the sign of our glory and our source of our trust in God.<\/p>\n

Pope Leo XIV explained how this happened. \u201cOnce freed from persecution, the early Christians began to excavate the land in places connected to Jesus\u2019 passion, death and resurrection,\u201d he said. \u201cAmong them was the mother of Emperor Constantine, Empress Helena, who, motivated by her humble faith, found Jesus\u2019 cross in Jerusalem.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said we need to \u201cimitate her example by rekindling in our hearts the desire to clear away hardness and pride, uncovering the greatest treasure of all: friendship with the Lord Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is why, ever since then, we have displayed the cross at the front of every church, to show that we can proceed only through, and with, Christ crucified. And this is why we make the sign of the cross to open and close our prayer. It reminds us that, in our crosses, we are never alone: We are safe \u201cin the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.\u201d https:\/\/media.benedictine.edu\/this-sunday-in-the-midst-of-political-violence-lift-high-the-cross<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Well, compromisers tied to Emperor Constantine began to do this as the ‘acceptance’ of crosses was pushed by Constantine and many who would follow his lead.<\/p>\n

While the above article states this is what early Christians did, not that this did not happen until 300 years after Jesus was executed and resurrected.<\/p>\n

It clearly was NOT a practice of original Christians.<\/p>\n

Nor was the idea of making “the sign of the cross to open and close … prayer” part of original catholic worship.<\/p>\n

The use of the cross for Christians is never mentioned in the Bible. The apostles left no record of ever using or the endorsing the use of the cross.<\/p>\n

The Roman Catholic Rheims New Testament of 1582<\/em> (an English translation from the Latin) states:<\/p>\n

3<\/sup> … contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).<\/p>\n

The Eastern Orthodox Bible<\/em> states:<\/p>\n

3<\/sup> \u2026 fight hard for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Lamsa Bible<\/em> states:<\/p>\n

3<\/sup> \u2026 earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Protestant New King James Version<\/em> states:<\/p>\n

3<\/sup> \u2026 contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The New Testament clearly states that Christians were to contend for the original faith–and the use of crosses was not part of it by the original Christians.<\/p>\n

Consider that:<\/p>\n

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Perhaps the earliest portrayal of the cross by Christians occurred in the iconography of their papyrus manuscripts, specifically the Staurogram, or shape of the cross made by the overlapping of the Greek letters \u201cRho\u201d and \u201cTau\u201d (\"\"). A more obvious depiction of the cross is seen in a third-century gem in the British Museum, which depicts a crucified Jesus with an inscription that lists various Egyptian magical words. (Shisley S. Jesus and the Cross. Biblical Archaeology Society, February 23, 2020)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Does anyone think that\u00a0real<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Christians were using \u201cmagic words\u201d with crosses? As far as a \u2018staurogram\u2019 goes:<\/p>\n

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The\u00a0tau-rho<\/em>\u00a0staurogram, like other christograms, was originally a pre-Christian symbol. A Herodian coin featuring the Staurogram predates the crucifixion. (The Staurogram. Biblical Archaeology Society, April 14, 2019)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So, no, a \u2018Staurogram\u2019 was not originally a Christian symbol, but a pagan one that was later adopted by the Greco-Romans. While a \u2018tau\u2019 (\u03c4) resembles the letter T (which some claim is the symbol of the cross), the fact that the staurogram contains a \u2018rho\u2019 (\u03c1) should show the discerning that it had nothing to do with Jesus, but was a pagan symbol that also resembled ancient Egyptian ankh \u2018crosses.\u2019 The first known staurograms associated with Christian literature were from Alexandrian Egypt.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Jesus, likely was not even crucified on a cross, as the word normally translated as cross (stauros<\/em>) in the New Testament means a stake.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Encyclopedia Britannica<\/em>\u00a0noted:<\/p>\n

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It was not till the time of Constantine that the cross was publicly used as the symbol of the Christian religion. (Cross. The Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., 1910, Vol. 7, p. 506.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Before going further, let me also state that the word \u201ccross\u201d is not actually in the original New Testament. The Greek word stauros, which is often translated as cross, properly means “a stake or post” (Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.).<\/p>\n

Perhaps it should be mentioned that crosses were long part of various pagan religions, such as one that Emperor Constantine had been associated with.<\/p>\n

Although it is well documented that early Christians DID NOT venerate the cross or use it as any type of icon, in the fourth century the “cross” became a military symbol after a sun-worshiping Emperor claimed to have a vision and a dream:<\/p>\n

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In 312, the Roman Emperor Constantine I the Great was in Trier, Germany where he had an unexpected vision of a cross that appeared in the sky. Constantine\u2019s soldiers, the majority of whom were pagans, placed the sacred image of the cross on their shields (Mangan C.M. In This Sign You Conquer, 10\/15\/03 Copyright \u00a9 2004 Catholic Online).<\/p>\n

He {Constantine} said that about noon, when the day was already beginning to decline, he saw with his own eyes the trophy of a cross of light in the heavens, above the sun, and bearing the inscription, Conquer by this…in his sleep the Christ of God appeared to him with the same sign which he had seen in the heavens, and commanded him to make a likeness of that sign which he had seen in the heavens, and to use it as a safeguard in all engagements with his enemies….At dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent it in gold and precious stones…<\/p>\n

Now it was made in the following manner. A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a transverse bar laid over it. On the top of the whole was fixed a wreath of gold and precious stones; and within this, the symbol of the Saviour’s name, two letters indicating the name of Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P being intersected by X in its centre…<\/p>\n

The emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies. (Eusebius. The Life of Constantine, Book I, Chapters 28,30,31).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This type of cross is known as a labarum:<\/p>\n

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The Labarum<\/strong> (\u2627) was a vexillum (military standard) that displayed the first two Greek letters of the word “Christ” (Greek: \u03a7\u03a1\u0399\u03a3\u03a4\u039f\u03a3<\/span>, or \u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03cc\u03c2) \u2014 Chi<\/em> (\u03c7) and Rho<\/em> (\u03c1). It was first used by the Roman emperor Constantine I…<\/p>\n

Though modern representations of the chi-rho sign represent the two lines crossing at ninety degree angles, the early examples of the Chi-Rho cross at an angle that is more vividly representative of the chi<\/em> formed by the solar ecliptic path and the celestial equator. This image is most familiar in Plato’s Timaeus…Of Plato’s image in Timaeus,<\/em> Justin Martyr, the Christian apologist writing in the second century, found a prefiguration of the Cross (Labarum. Wikipedia, viewed 03\/04\/09).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So we see that the Chi-Rho existed from at least the time of Plato (a pagan philosopher), but was adopted by Constantine centuries after Christ died. The heretic Justin<\/a> was probably one who originally encouraged its adoption, and he apparently got it from Plato.<\/p>\n

It was Constantine’s mother Helena who later claimed to find a piece of Jesus’ ‘cross’ and this helped popularize interest in crosses in the empire. That is what this holiday is supposedly exalting.<\/p>\n

As far as the end times go, there is a Roman Catholic writer who indicated that the image or perhaps mark of the beast may be something that resembles that Constantinian cross:<\/p>\n

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Priest P. Huched\u00e9<\/em> (19th century): Antichrist will further make all men, great and small, rich and poor, freemen and bondmen, bear a sign on their right arm or their forehead. (Apoc. <\/em>13:16). What this sign shall be time alone will reveal. Yet there are some {Catholic} commentators of the Holt Writ, who, according to a special revelation pretend to say that it shall be formed out of the Greek letters X and P, interlaced…which resembles the number of Christ. (Cornelius a Lapide in Epis. 2 to Thes.). No one can either buy or sell without this mark, as specified in the Apocalypse (13:17). (Huched\u00e9, P. Translated by JBD. History of Antichrist. Imprimatur: Edward Charles Fabre, Bishop of Montreal. English edition 1884, Reprint 1976. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 24).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If the cross is a symbol of the future Antichrist\/Beast power, as Priest P. Huched\u00e9 indicates it will be (and it is in a book with an official imprimatur), perhaps those who come from faiths descended from Emperor Constantine should be concerned about their religion now–before it becomes even further removed from the original faith. The Bible indicates that the true Christians will NOT have the symbol\/mark needed to buy or sell when the two beasts of Revelation 13 are in power, but only those that will follow those beasts will (Revelation 13:16-17)–and while crosses may not necessarily be required everywhere, other Catholic writings suggest that in certain places, they will be.<\/p>\n

Although all real scholars admit that the original Christians would not kill or intentionally participate in military service<\/a>, after Emperor Constantine claimed to see a spear in the sky with a traverse bar (see Constantine is Why \u201cChristians\u201d War<\/a>), the group that accepted his authority then allowed him to convene what is known as the Council of Nicea in 325. A.D.<\/p>\n

Before going further, let me state that a cross was used by the followers of the militaristic sun-god called Mithraism, which Emperor Constantine supported.<\/p>\n

The 20th and 19th century writers Manly Hall and Albert Pike wrote respectively:<\/p>\n

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Candidates who successfully passed the Mithraic initiations were called Lions and were marked upon their foreheads with the Egyptian cross.<\/strong> (Manly P. Hall Manly P. Hall (Author), J. Augustus Knapp (Illustrator) The Secret Teachings of all Ages. Originally published 1926, reprint Wilder Publications, 2009, p. 45)<\/p>\n

Mithras signed his soldiers on the forehead with a Cross. X is the mark of 600, the mysterious cycle of the Incarnations. (Pike A. Morals and dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. First published 1871. Forgotten Books, 1962<\/span>, p. 246)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Roman Catholic priest and scholar Cumont wrote:<\/p>\n

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A curious bas-relief recently published shows us the spectacle of this sacred repast (Fig. 38). Before two persons stretched upon a couch covered with pillows is placed a tripod bearing four tiny loaves of bread, each marked with a cross. … these love feasts are evidently the ritual commemoration of the banquet which Mithra celebrated before his ascension. (Cumont F. The Mysteries of Mithra<\/span>. Open Court, 1903. Original from Harvard University, Digitized Feb 15, 2008, p. 160)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Crosses were not originally part of Christian worship (for details read What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol?<\/a> and\/or watch a related YouTube video: Origin of the Cross).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

After the Greco-Romans really pushed them, there was resistance and condemnation by those who do not feel it was right for Christians to adopt crosses.<\/p>\n

Notice the following statements in the article on the Paulicians in The Catholic Encyclopedia<\/em> (bolding mine):<\/p>\n

They honoured not the Cross, but only the book of the Gospel…They were Iconoclasts, rejecting all pictures<\/strong>… The whole ecclesiastical hierarchy is bad, as also all Sacraments and ritual. They had a special aversion to monks…Since Gibbon the Paulicians have often been described as a survival of early and pure Christianity<\/strong>, godly folk who clung to the Gospel, rejecting later superstitions, who were grossly calumniated by their opponents…<\/p>\n

…the Cathari also<\/strong> renounced priestly vestments, altars, and crosses as idolatrous. They called the cross the mark of the beast<\/strong>, and declared it had no more virtue than a ribbon for binding the hair. (Fortescue, Adrian. Paulicians. The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. Nihil Obstat.<\/em> February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur.<\/em> +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 23 May 2010 <http:\/\/www.newadvent.org\/cathen\/11583b.htm>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, groups that traced their history to original early Christianity (see also Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a>) did not use crosses and further claimed, that after the Greco-Romans pushed them, that the cross was a mark of the beast.<\/p>\n

Does this claim seem too far-fetched for modern times?<\/p>\n

Consider the following report from Ecumenical News<\/em>:<\/p>\n

A Salvadoran Cross that is a now an icon of Christian unity was dedicated and placed in the World Council of Churches’ Chapel in Geneva, Switzerland on the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.<\/p>\n

The 2-metre high cross from Salvador has become known as the Lund Cross from the Swedish city where Lutherans and Roman Catholics met at the end of 2016 to commemorate the 500th Reformation anniversary.<\/p>\n

“On behalf of the World Council of Churches, we receive this cross as a gift of communion,” said World Council of Churches general secretary, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit at the ceremony.<\/p>\n

“May the historical step that it symbolizes reminds us that Christ’s cross transforms our conflict into communion, and we are reconciled as one creation, joined by the one sprit {sic} of God and Creator. Behold the life-giving cross.”<\/p>\n

A sign of continuous commitment with the one ecumenical movement the Lund Cross was created for that joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation in Lund and Malm\u00f6, Sweden, on 31 October 2016.<\/p>\n

The week of prayer for its part is traditionally celebrated between 18-25 January, between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul. …<\/p>\n

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in his 18 January sermon in the chapel spoke on the message of the cross which is the work of Salvadoran artist Christian Chavarr\u00eda Ayala, a man who has lived in the shadow of death squads in his country.<\/p>\n

The cross is rich with symbols, and shows a baptismal font, branches of the true vine, and Jesus inviting people of all nations to share bread and wine.<\/p>\n

The Lund Cross was painted by Ayala, a Lutheran from El Salvador in the typical colorful style of his country.<\/p>\n

“People create crosses from their own experiences,” said the artist, who as a child lived through the Salvadoran civil war and grew up in a refugee camp in Honduras. …<\/p>\n

In his sermon, Koch reminded those in the chapel that the cross was present during the signing of a Lutheran-Catholic Joint Statement signed by Pope Francis and Bishop Munib A. Younan, who was Lutheran World Federation President on that historic day. …<\/p>\n

Dedicating the cross LWF’s Junge said, “In gratitude for the Lutheran and Catholic Joint Commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in Lund, Sweden, we present the Lund Cross to the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. 01\/18\/18 http:\/\/www.ecumenicalnews.com\/article\/salvadoran-cross-that-is-christian-sign-of-unity-is-dedicated-at-ecumenical-center-in-geneva\/60489.htm<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, the head of the World Council of Churches, the head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and other ecumenists are promoting the cross as an ICON and a symbol of their ecumenical plans.<\/p>\n

Notice also the following:<\/p>\n

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Pope Leo XIV to Lead Ecumenical Memorial for Modern Christian Martyrs<\/h2>\n

10 September 2025<\/p>\n

On September 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Pope Leo XIV will preside over a solemn liturgy in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to remember those who, in this century, have given their lives for Christ. The event, entitled the \u00abEcumenical Commemoration of the Martyrs and Witnesses of the Faith of the 21st Century\u00bb, is meant not only as an act of remembrance, but also as a sign of unity across Christian traditions. The initiative comes from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints and its Commission for New Martyrs\u2013Witnesses of the Faith, a body established by Pope Francis in 2023 to document and preserve the memory of contemporary martyrs. Its mandate stretches beyond Catholicism, reflecting a vision of martyrdom that transcends denominational borders.<\/p>\n

Cardinal Kurt Koch, head of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, reminded participants in a recent ecumenical gathering that the blood of martyrs has long been considered a binding force between Christians. \u201cThe Church,\u201d he said, \u201cis already one in the blood of her martyrs.\u201d …<\/p>\n

The commemoration itself will take the form of a Liturgy of the Word, with Pope Leo XIV presiding alongside representatives of 24 different Christian communities.\u00a0https:\/\/zenit.org\/2025\/09\/10\/blood-that-unites-pope-leo-xiv-to-lead-ecumenical-memorial-for-modern-christian-martyrs\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So, we see that Pope Leo XIV is using this cross holiday to promote ecumenical unity.<\/p>\n

The Lutherans, which commissioned the Salvadorian cross some time ago, reported the following about the reasons for their cross:<\/p>\n

The cross depicts the Triune God\u2019s creative, reconciling and sanctifying work. …<\/p>\n

The cross depicts the Triune God\u2019s creative, reconciling and sanctifying work. At the base of the cross, the hands of God hold all things together, as is recorded in Colossians 1:17 and Hebrews 1:3.<\/p>\n

Jesus Christ, Word of God, is at the center of all life, incarnate, redeeming, reconciling, sustaining all creation, and renewing our lives by his death and resurrection made present in the Eucharist. The vineyard and the vine represent both Christ and the people of God. …<\/p>\n

The Eucharist represents the visible and full church communion for which we dearly long. At the table, our Lord Jesus Christ offers himself as nourishment for the journey, strengthening the communion of saints established in baptism, reconciling all people as walls of division are broken down. …<\/p>\n

The images on this cross embody reconciliation: God\u2019s call to communities of faith to be places of reconciliation and peace, God\u2019s call to all the baptized to be ministers of reconciliation, engaging the path of goodness that offers reconciliation to all humanity and all creation. God embraces this splendid universal communion. https:\/\/www.lutheranworld.org\/news\/salvadoran-cross<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As far as the “Triune God” message, consider that it was not until the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. that it was formally adopted by the Greco-Romans, see also the article Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity?<\/a> As far as the eucharist goes, early Christians literally broke unleavened bread to recount Jesus’ final Passover–see also Marcus, the Marcosians, & Mithraism: Developers of the Eucharist?<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Does God embrace this “splendid universal communion\u201d that differs from the Bible and the early Christian church?<\/p>\n

No.<\/p>\n

Consider the following:<\/p>\n

23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24)<\/p>\n

3 … contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)<\/p>\n

17 “Come out from among them
\nAnd be separate, says the Lord.
\nDo not touch what is unclean,
\nAnd I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Early Christian leaders did NOT seek unity with those who were heretical and introduced foreign concepts–instead they denounced them (see Continuing History of the Church of God<\/a>), including specifically the first one who is believed to have introduced the mystical eucharist (see Marcus, the Marcosians, & Mithraism: Developers of the Eucharist?<\/a><\/span>).<\/p>\n

The Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> has put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy<\/a> YouTube channel:<\/p>\n

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17:12 <\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Beware of the \u2018Ecumenical Cross\u2019 <\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018The Catholic Encyclopedia\u2019 reported that in the first millennium of the Christian era, there were those who considered that the \u2018cross\u2019 would be the \u2018mark of the beast.\u2019 Is this too far-fetched to be possible now? As it turns out, in the 21st century, the World Council of Churches, the Vatican, and the Lutherans have embraced the \u2018Lund Cross,\u2019 also known as the Salvadoran cross, for purposes of ecumenical unity. Furthermore, writings by various Catholic saints and some claiming to see Marian apparitions have pointed to a group, in the end times, that will wear some type of cross to persecute those that do not. Is the cross an original symbol that early Christians venerated? Could a cross be \u2018a\u2019 or \u2018the\u2019 mark of the beast or the mark of final Antichrist? Dr. Thiel addresses this as well as other aspects of the ecumenical agenda.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here is a link to our video: Beware of the \u2018Ecumenical Cross.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Furthermore, let me add that there is something called a ‘Messianic Cross.’ That is a Messianic symbol which combines a Greco-Roman Catholic\/Protestant cross with a Jewish Star of David. It is supposed to represent the convergence of both the Jewish and Christian faiths. Instead, it basically combines two pagan symbols into one. See also: Messianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the\u00a0Continuing<\/em>\u00a0Church of God<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Many are using versions of a cross to show some type of ecumenical and\/or interfaith unity.<\/p>\n

Related to the origin of the cross, the Continuing<\/em> Church of God<\/a> put out the following video on our Bible New Prophecy<\/a> YouTube channel.<\/p>\n

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Origin of the Cross <\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Do you know the origin of the cross? Was Jesus crucified on a cross? What do the Greek words often translated as cross or crucify actually mean? When did crosses get adopted by certain churches? Which groups called crosses \u2018the mark of the Beast\u201d? Have Catholic and other writers warned against the cross? Could the Antichrist use crosses to deceive? What do ancient Egypt and Babylon have to do with the cross? Dr. Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here is a link to the video titled: Origin of the Cross<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Consider also the following:<\/p>\n

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\u201cMost people today don\u2019t realize how much of a hold ancient pagan beliefs, practices and images still have on their lives,\u201d said Joseph Farah, author of The Restitution of All Things: Israel, Christians and the End of the Age.<\/i> \u201cIn fact, pagan values and traditions have never left us. Even Jews and Christians are impacted by them. And they are not innocent because the gods of paganism are actually demons, according to the Bible. It\u2019s not something to be played with. http:\/\/www.wnd.com\/2018\/01\/now-people-going-ga-ga-over-temple-of-mithras\/#V5C3az8alRmLw63t.99<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Yes, paganism is prevalent in the Jewish, Greco-Roman Catholic, and Protestant faiths–and that for the non-Jews includes crosses.<\/p>\n

As far as crosses go, some may be astounded to learn that there are Roman Catholic writings that indicate that those who wear crosses will be persecutors in the end times:<\/p>\n

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St. Francis de Paul<\/em> (1470): These holy Cross-bearers shall reign and dominate holily over the whole world until the end of time…(Culleton, G. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL),p. 157-161).<\/p>\n

St. Bridget of Sweden<\/em> (died 1373): …war shall end when an emperor of Spanish origin will be elected, who will, in a wonderful manner, be victorious through the sign of the Cross. He shall destroy the Jewish and Mahometan sects… (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times , p. 154).<\/p>\n

Anne Catherine Emmerich<\/em> (October, 1820): citizens and peasants, many of whom were marked on the forehead with a red cross. As this army drew near, the captives and oppressed were delivered and swelled the ranks whilst the demolishers and conspirators were put to flight on all sides (Emmerich AC. The Life of Lord Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations. Schm\u00f6ger edition, Vol. IV. Nihil Obstat: D. Jaegher, 14 Februari 1914. Imprimatur: A.C. De Schrevel, Brugis, 14 Februari 1914. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 2004, pp. 290-291).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Notice what one claimed to be \u201cMary\u201d allegedly stated in an apparition in Pfaffenhofen, Germany on June 25, 1946:<\/p>\n

\n

I am the great Mediatrix of Grace. The Father wants the world to recognize His handmaid…My sign is about to appear. God wills it…I cannot reveal my power to the world as yet…Then I will be able to reveal myself…Chose a sign for yourself so that the Trinity may soon be adored by all! Pray and sacrifice through me!…I will impose crosses on my children that will be as heavy and as deep as the sea because I love them in my sacrificed Son. I pray, be prepared to bear the cross in order that the Trinity may be honored (Culleton, Reign of Antichrist, pp. 217-218).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Real Christians would not pray and sacrifice through Mary.<\/p>\n

In 1958, Matous Losuta of Czechoslovakia claimed that “Mary” stated:<\/p>\n

\n

All my children will receive and carry the sign of the cross on their foreheads (Flynn, Ted & Flynn, Maureen. Thunder of Justice: The Warning, the Miracle, the Chastisement, the Era of Peace. Signs of the Times Illustrated by Kaleidoscope Graphics Staff Contributor Malachi Martin Published by Maxkol Communications, 1992, p. 331).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is not something that the Bible advocates. (More on Mary can be found in the article Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Thus, according to various Greco-Roman Catholic mystics and writers, those that follow a persecuting power will wear some type of cross. And according to at least one Roman Catholic priest, it is similar to the type of cross that Emperor Constantine used, and according to that same priest, it may be an important symbol for the beasts of Revelation 13 and their followers.<\/p>\n

And now, in addition to an annual holiday, we are seeing a type of cross being called an “icon” by major leaders in the ecumenical movement and a promoter of a Babylonian ecumenical unity that the Bible warns against (cf. Revelation 17) .<\/p>\n

Some type of cross may well be a mark of the Beast or final Antichrist.<\/p>\n

Some items of possibly related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol?<\/a> Was the cross used as a venerated symbol by the early Church? A related YouTube video would be Origin of the Cross<\/a>.
\nWhat Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons?<\/a> Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons<\/a>.
\nMarcus, the Marcosians, & Mithraism: Developers of the Eucharist?<\/a> Marcus was a second century heretic condemned for having a ceremony similar to one still practiced by many who profess Christ, as well as for promoting the ‘eighth day’ ogdoad. Might he also be in the apostolic succession<\/a> list of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria? Where did the eucharistic host and IHS come from?<\/span>
\nDo You Practice Mithraism?<\/a> Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?<\/a>
\nSunday and Christianity<\/a> Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday? What relevance is the first or the “eighth” day? A related sermon is also available: Sunday: First and Eighth Day?<\/a>
\nHope of Salvation: How the Continuing<\/em> Church of God Differs from Protestantism<\/a> The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real <\/em>Church of God differs from mainstream\/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History<\/a>; The First Protestant, God\u2019s Command, Grace, & Character<\/a>; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon<\/a>; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter<\/a>; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism<\/a>; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday<\/a>; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God\u2019s Plan<\/a><\/a>; Seventh Day Baptists\/Adventists\/Messianics: Protestant or COG?<\/a>; Millennial Kingdom of God and God\u2019s Plan of Salvation<\/a>; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats<\/a>; The Godhead and the Trinity<\/a>; Fleeing or Rapture?<\/a>; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences<\/a>.
\nBeliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?<\/a> Did the original \u201ccatholic church\u201d have doctrines held by the Continuing<\/em> Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term \u201ccatholic church\u201d to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?<\/a>, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover<\/a>, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?<\/a>, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy<\/a>, Early Heresies and Heretics<\/a>, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats<\/a>, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more<\/a>, Saturday or Sunday?<\/a>, The Godhead<\/a>, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession<\/a>, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List<\/a>, Holy Mother Church and Heresies<\/a>, and\u00a0Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs<\/a>. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language:\u00a0Creencias de la iglesia Cat\u00f3lica original<\/a>.
\nBeware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!<\/a> 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? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan<\/a>.
\nWhy Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? (And the Protestants) <\/a><\/span> 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? <\/span><\/a>
\nWill the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?<\/a> Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: <\/span>Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III?<\/a> and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Mark of Antichrist<\/a> What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?<\/a>
\nMark of the Beast<\/a> What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?<\/a>
\nWho is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?<\/a> Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish\/espa\u00f1ol: \u00bfQui\u00e9n es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2?<\/a> Here is a version in Mandarin: \u4e3b\u7f16\uff1a \u8c01\u662f’\u5927\u7f6a\u4eba’\uff1f<\/a>Here is a link to a related YouTube video, in English, titled Who is the Man of Sin?
\n<\/a>Persecutions by Church and State<\/a> This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church<\/a>. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado<\/a>.
\nThe Spanish Inquisition and Early Protestant Persecutions<\/a><\/span> Was the Church of Rome really responsible for this? What happened? A video of related interest is titled: The Past and Future Inquisition<\/a>.
\nContinuing History of the Church of God<\/a> This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D<\/span><\/a>. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries<\/a> and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries<\/a>. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuaci\u00f3n de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios<\/a>, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes<\/a>, French: L \u0019Histoire Continue<\/em> de l \u0019\u00c9glise de Dieu<\/a> and Ekegusii Omogano Bw\u2019ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete<\/a>.
\nSome Doctrines of Antichrist<\/a> Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet.” Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy. You can also watch a video titled What Does the Bible teach about the Antichrist?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Decorated Cross used by the Orthodox in their observation of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross ( \u0399\u03a3\u03a7\u03a3\u039d\u0399\u039a\u0391-888\u00a0via Wikipedia) COGwriter Wikipedia has the following: Feast of the Cross The\u00a0Feast of the Holy Cross,\u00a0Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, or\u00a0Feast of the Cross, commemorates the True Cross. On 13 September, 335, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-102245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-church-history"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t