Apparitions Exposed!

Can a born again Christian be a member of a cult and be involved in idol worship? I once thought this was an impossibility until it happened to me. Now I understand why Jesus warned us that, in the end times, there would be an appearance of great signs and miracles that would deceive even the elect, if possible. I confess I have been seduced by signs and miracles associated with apparitions of Mary, and I offer my testimony so others may be warned and delivered.

Until recently I was serving as Director of Public Relations for the Queen of Peace Center in Dallas, Texas. This non-profit organization disseminates information and messages from Marian apparitions in Medjugorje and around the world. I co-authored a full page ad that was published in the June 25, 1993, Dallas Morning News at a cost of $10,000. This add announced "Mary's" prescription for peace and listed locations of her recent appearances. It also listed phone numbers to call for up-to-day recorded messages of Mary's latest apparitions, such as the one in Dallas (214) 233-MARY. I once thought it was special to be the only non-Catholic on the Queen of Peace board . . . that is, until I met Mike Gendron and his wife, Jane.

Neighbors and close friends of mine knew I was seriously contemplating becoming Roman Catholic. They told me that Mike had been a Roman Catholic for 37 years and was now a pastor at a non-denominational church in the Dallas area. They said he understood many of the issues involved in being Roman Catholic and could help me with my decision. I looked forward to meeting both Mike and his wife, not for my sake, but for theirs. I felt certain the information I had collected about "Our Lady's apparitions" in Medjugorje would surely lead them back home to the "true" (Roman Catholic) church. Providentially it appeared, I attended a Queen of Peace board meeting the night before we met and asked the board to pray for this lost pastor and his wife, who had fallen away. When I arrived at their door the next morning, I first introduced myself, before returning to my car for the large stack of books and newspapers I had brought to persuade them. The materials would help explain what was happening in Medjugorje and how the Virgin Mary would help change their lives.

After we met, they showed me a film titled Catholicism: Crisis of Faith. This film lovingly and objectively contrasted how the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church contradicts the teachings of the Sacred Scriptures. Mike would stop the film after each segment for my questions and comments. Initially, I was argumentative and felt uneasy and rather adamant about what I was witnessing. Mike realized he had forgotten to pray before starting the film and asked if we could ask God to make His truth clear, and that all deception would be exposed. After the prayer my whole countenance changed.

Each question I asked, Mike validated his answers using Vatican II documents and an official Roman Catholic catechism. It was amazing to me how Roman Catholic teaching contradicts the very Word of God. Question after question, he would bring the Bible over to me and knell to show me verses in context. His servant's demeanor and patient, understanding heart helped in unraveling falsehood after falsehood. There wasn't a question I could have asked him that would have provoked anger. As a reflection of our Lord, this man allowed Jesus to pull the scales away from my eyes.

There were three things in the film and our discussion that were most alarming to me. First, a church in South America has Mary placed on a crucifix rather than Christ. It reminded me of my visit to Our Lady of Guadeloupe Cathedral in downtown Dallas where Mary is positioned as the focal point at the alter and the crucifix is placed in another part of the church. These two scenes made me realize idolatry is practiced within the church.

Second, the Roman Catholic Catechism by Rev. William Cogan, now in its 44th year of print, has altered the 10 commandments of God. The 2nd commandment given to Moses reads, "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the water under the earth" (Exodus 20:4). The Roman Catholics have deleted this commandment but still came up with ten by splitting the 10th one into two separate commands. "You shall not covet your neighbor's good; and you shall not covet your neighbor's wife" (Exodus 20:17). I was reminded of the scriptural warnings for those who add to or subtract from the Bible.

Third, Mike told me the only place in the Bible in which the queen of heaven was referred to was in the Book of Jeremiah. He encouraged me to study the passage and it would expose another false doctrine concerning Mary. Anyone who is familiar with the prayers and meditations of the rosary can tell you that in one of the mysteries Christ supposedly crowned Mary the queen of heaven after she was assumed into heaven. Neither of these events have scriptural validity, but I had decided to blindly accept these doctrines because all of the other meditations on the life of Christ were verified by Scripture.

After returning home, I looked in the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible for the passage in Jeremiah 44. Here, the Lord was angered by the wickedness of the people choosing to serve other gods. The people refused to listen to the Lord. Instead, they would "burn sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven and pour out libations to her." The woman "made for her sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out libations to her?" (Jeremiah 44:17, 19).

In Hebrew the word for queen has reference to "the heavenly handiwork" or "the stars of heaven." The reference might be to Ishtar, the goddess of love and fertility, who is identified with the Venus Star and is actually entitled "Mistress of Heaven." (The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, p. 975)

My head was spinning and filled with questions after reading this. Doesn't Mary usually appear with stars for her crown? Who then is the woman in Revelation 12:3-6? And most importantly, why would the Roman Catholic Church give the mother of Jesus the title of a pagan goddess? Had I been promoting the ministry of a pagan goddess whose messages were inconsistent with the Bible? Indeed her messages do contradict the Bible. In fact, she speaks of another gospel, another plan of salvation that nullifies and opposes the all sufficient sacrifice of Jesus. The apparition of Fatima said, "You have seen Hell where the souls of poor sinners go, so save them, God wishes to establish in the world, devotion to my Immaculate Heart." The apostle Paul condemned anyone, even an angel from heaven, who would dare preach a different way to be saved other than through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ (Galatians 1:6-10).

As for the woman described in Revelation, she is not Mary, the mother of Jesus, but God's chosen people, the Jews. When the passage in chapter 12 is read in context with the rest of the book, and Genesis 37:9-10, this clearly refers to the nation Israel. God fulfills His promise to the Jews, by protecting them in the desert during 3 1/2 years of tribulation.

I later realized my prayers to Mary and the saints, the reciting of rosaries and chaplets of divine mercy, and the wearing of Marian medals and scapulars had taken my focus off of Jesus. I had allowed doctrines of the Roman Catholic church to do the very thing Saint Paul warned against, "But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Cor. 11:3).

Recently, a person whom I love dearly, and who has a "Marian devotion" asked me, "Why are you bothering the people who are already good people instead of worrying about those who are lost?" The answer came to me the other evening as the Lord continues to guide me through His sacred Word. Saint Paul wrote that "Satan masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). We know the mother of Jesus would never oppose her Son, and since the apparitions do just that, they could very well be Satan masquerading as Mary. Saint Paul also wrote, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them . . . everything exposed by the light becomes visible" (Ephesians 5:11-14). Therefore, I feel called to expose these attempts by the evil one to divert people's devotion away from Jesus. The most authoritative way to do this is with the light of God's Holy Word. My new test for truthfulness is -- if it does not agree with the Scriptures then it must be rejected.

Now that I have torn down the altar in my bedroom, where I knelt and prayed to St. Anthony of Padua each night, and now that I have placed my rosaries, scapular and medals away, I have found a new freedom. The truth really does set people free! I have found special peace in knowing Jesus alone is my Savior, and not co-redemptrix with His mother. The Holy Spirit continues to lead me into all truth and is now the only teacher I need (1 John 2:27).

To all my precious friends who I have encouraged to seek Mary and to obey the misleading messages of her apparitions, I pray these Scriptures would minister to you -- "And it came about while He said these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, 'Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts at which you nursed.' But He said, 'On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it." (Luke 11:27-28)

This article was submitted by a former Director for a "Mary, Queen of Peace Center."

but they are also the words of men who have heard —and in the case of the disciples—seen the Word, the very image of God not in the form of letters on a page but in the form of a man like us in all things but sin. To spread the Good News, he founded a community who largely through preaching and by common worship - continues the mission it began nearly two thoiusdand years ago.

Not too familiar with God's Word, are you? What you are saying is so not true. And lots of Scripture to show what you have been taught is not true.

Here's just one..."But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the COUNSELOR will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." Jesus leaves, the Holy Spirit comes. He would not leave us to man, He would not leave us as orphans. Paul never met Jesus but was instructed through the Holy Spirit and almost 2/3 of the NT was written by Paul.

seen the Word, the very image of God not in the form of letters on a page but in the form of a man like us in all things but sin.

You can't be serious. Many didn't know or understand who He was! You actually think God will leave His Truth for man to pass down? LOL! YOU DON'T KNOW HIM! And you have no idea the power of the Word. They are Holy Spirit inspired. They are NOT just some letters on a page. Tell me if you know anything more powerful than this...

Heb 4:12 "For the Word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it PENETRATES even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it JUDGES the thoughts and attitudes of the heart".

Obviously, you've never had the 'experience' reading His Word if you call them letters on a page. So much for the 'leaving His Word with man to pass down'! Never happen - HE knew what was in man.

you would not have the Bible in you hands.

I'm amazed at your lack of knowing The ALMIGHTY God, His Word and how He tells us HE PRESERVES HIS WORD. No man gave it to me - it's really PRIDE to say that.

God arranged what needed to be done and Luther fulfilled his destiny. You actually think we wouldn't have God's Word if it weren't for man? You think God was biting his nails and saying gee, I hope My Words get in my peoples hands. LOL! He said He preserves His Word and HE DID! He created the universe but He left Holy Spirit Inspired Word for man to pass down by word of mouth. LOL!!! He couldn't figure out a way to do it and He trusted man so much. LOL! You might want to sprinkle some common sense on those man made teachings and then get to KNOW the Word and you'll see what you are saying is wrong, wrong, wrong.

And Our Lord said that he would be with us always, even in the flesh, His glorified flesh

Wrong, again. He sent His Spirit. Going around repeating man made teachings show man can lead you where ever they want. Nothing conservative about that.

It's ALL about Jesus, The Word.

The God is one and Luther is his prophet, is that what you are saying? Might as well bring Gutenberg into the process. Before the invention of the printing press, there was no way that enough Bibles could have been produced to get them into the hands of the people. You can say that the timing was providential. Still, it still required the people to be tutored.

You say by the Holy Spirit, and in that I agree with you, as does the pope, meditation on the Bible is unlike the reading of any other book. Unfortunately, Luther and the Reformers did not leave matters to the individuals but like Catholics employed the power of the state to compel believers, if only because of the disorder that followed the overthrown of the existing religious authority. You speak of heresy: well heresies multiplied during the reformation.

Before the invention of the printing press, there was no way that enough Bibles could have been produced to get them into the hands of the people. You can say that the timing was providential.

You can say that. Why did the hand of Providence favor Martin Luther over the by far and away more dominant Catholic Church of the era, though? Were they allergic to Gutenberg printing presses or something?

One might get the impression that Luther wanted to get the Word out, and the Catholic Church did not.

You say by the Holy Spirit, and in that I agree with you, as does the pope

The pope can say what he wants - their fruit show otherwise. It's just like voters believing barry - they lacked knowledge of the truth and believed the lie. The Holy Spirit doesn't NOT go against His own Word and saying the pope is being led by the Spirit is laughable besides being heresy.

Attaching the Spirit of God to man made teachings while those teachings OPPOSE His Own Word is not wise. What part of the unpardonable sin of grieving the Holy Spirit don't you get whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come"?

Would I be speaking 'for' you or 'against' you - if I said 'you' said something when you never did; in fact you said the opposite. Who would I fool but the only ones who never knew you said the exact opposite from the beginning - those with a lack of knowledge are the only ones who would be fooled. And I'd be speaking against you and spreading lies about you to fool others for my own agenda. You need to put on your thinking cap before mimicking what your church says about the pope being led by the Holy Spirit. And now that you've been given that knowledge, you are responsible for it - like everyone of us is responsible, individually, to seek Truth and not be led/swayed by doctrines of man.

God's Word is Holy Spirit Inspired. The catechism and the RC man made teachings/traditions are NOT. Don't assign the Holy Spirit to them in any way.

God's Word is THE FINAL AUTHORITY and Our Constitution is the Law of our Land.

And it's the same mindset who opposes them and they are being led by evil, not good. And it's not rocket science to understand that.

God's Word is Holy Spirit Inspired. The catechism and the RC man made teachings/traditions are NOT. Don't assign the Holy Spirit to them in any way.

That makes no sense. Once again, the anti-Catholic group makes wild statements supported by nothing and calls it God's word. Ridiculous! You (plural) do not own God's word any more than you preach it. Hatred is not His Word.

God's Word is THE FINAL AUTHORITY and Our Constitution is the Law of our Land. And it's the same mindset who opposes them and they are being led by evil, not good. And it's not rocket science to understand that.

So now, all of a sudden, Catholics are not Americans? Who do you (plural) think you are? More of my relatives FOUGHT for this country under our Flag during wartime than most anti-Catholics have relatives! And my family and it's offspring no more grieve the Holy Spirit than you (plural) give witness to God's Redeeming Love through Christ our Lord His Son!

Shame on you all! The calumny you pour on our heads will be your (plural) dinners for eternity.

The Church does not go against the Word of God. It is that you reject her interpretation. Nowhere does the Scripture invest YOU personally with the right that you claim. Nowhere does it invest any mere individual with that right. The pope himself does not claim that right, but only nthe rights to say what has always been said by the Church. And actually this is the claim you are making. To make experience—your personal experience— the test of truth, is always chancey at best.For you may be deceive just as anyone who sees visions and hears voices may be deceived.

Do you expect me to believe that your opinion has any more authority than mine, for instance? You appeal to the Scriptures, but then claim that your interpretion is inspired. How so, when so many nother have looked at the same words are read them otherwise? But God has revealed the truth only to you? But I think you claim to know the truth not as an individual but as the member of a chorus. You sing with them but say it is a solo.

The Church does not go against the Word of God.

LOL! Show maryology, show were we are told to pray to/for the dead, show where not permitting marriage is approved, show were idol worship and graven images are approved. That's the tip of the iceburg - and should keep you busy.

But I'll help you out with one...

1 Timothy 4

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the TRUTH.

LOL! Show maryology, show were we are told to pray to/for the dead, show where not permitting marriage is approved, show were idol worship and graven images are approved. That's the tip of the iceburg - and should keep you busy.

All of you Catholic haters have been shown multiple times. There's another scripture you should remember: "He who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Mt 11:15 What do YOU think Christ was talking about? Being deaf to the answers you (plural) get? Or too ignorant to understand when you (plural) are told the TRUTH?

Do you expect me to believe that your opinion has any more authority than mine, for instance?

Opinions don't matter, it's not about you or anyone else. It's all about JESUS and what HE SAYS which is not an opinion but TRUTH.

You appeal to the Scriptures, but then claim that your interpretion is inspired. How so, when so many nother have looked at the same words are read them otherwise?

otherwise? They aren't spiritually discerning/inspired. 1 Cor 2:14 "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

But God has revealed the truth only to you?

God gave His Truth to everyone in HIS Word. He reveals His Truth to those who seek His Truth by faith. He knows everyone's heart. "..Let God be true, and every man a liar...". When He said, spiritually discerned', HE meant spiritually discerned.

But I think you claim to know the truth not as an individual but as the member of a chorus.

Well, then, I guess knowing God, personally, is out of the question for you?

Matt 7:22, 23 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" And then will I profess unto them, I never KNEW YOU: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity".

He's speaking about individuals and about not knowing HIM. Knowing Him is more important than the works they claim they did for Him. So much for your 'community' and 'the church said..' and 'chorus'.

Do you expect me to believe...

Personally, I don't expect anything from man. But, one would think that since Jesus died for them so they may live again with Him and His death rent the veil that allowed personal fellowship with His Father- HIS WORD would be their FINAL AUTHORITY.

The Church does not go against the Word of God.

Keep saying it as long as you want - it won't change a thing. Like the MSM/libs and their propaganda w/it's 'hope and change' - believing the lie only made things worse.

It is that you reject her interpretation

You betcha! Taking man's 'her' interpretation over the Holy Spirit's is spiritual suicide. God said - choose life and He came to give life not death. Satan came to kill, rob and destroy.

Nowhere does the Scripture invest YOU personally with the right that you claim. Nowhere does it invest any mere individual with that right.

LOL!! Yes, it does. However, I'll leave you to search the Scriptures on that. I already KNOW them for I HEAR and OBEY. One of us is wrong and one of us is right. Where did I get my beliefs vs where did you get your beliefs? Let's see, God's Word vs. man made teachings. Nowhere does the Scripture invest YOU personally with the right that you claim. BTW, Jesus died for ME, HE loves ME, He lives within ME, and will never leave or forsake ME, He knows ME.

The pope himself does not claim that right, but only nthe rights to say what has always been said by the Church

Himself? As if he were above mere mortal man? The catholic way - lifting up man. God's Way - He is no respecter of persons and neither should we. God says Hear and obey His Word and catholics chant 'the church said...the church said....'.

the test of truth, is always chancey at best.For you may be deceive just as anyone who sees visions and hears voices may be deceived.

Chancey? Deceived? To believe God? LOL! Now who would want me to believe that? Chancy and deceived is for those who believe in man and their made up teachings and who don't take God's Holy Spirit inspired Word as The Final Authority.

For you may be deceive just as anyone who sees visions and hears voices may be deceived

Guess what, the fear you speak has nothing to do with my life. It represents yours. I laugh at such fear/deception which, IMO, screams that 'someone else may be walking by faith by believing God and are assured of their salvation and I'm stuck not knowing because of man made teachings/beliefs so let me tell them they could be deceived'. LOL! Lots of projection going on in your post.

Do you expect me to believe that your opinion has any more authority than mine, for instance?

Nope. My opinion is my own understanding. But none of us here (on this planet) have authority of our own. Nor is there any establishment which owns that authority. It is the Spirit who sanctions.

You appeal to the Scriptures, but then claim that your interpretion is inspired.

I claimed no inspiration. Did I say I was a prophet? But sure, I appeal to the Scriptures. There is no other eternal thing to measure by.

How so, when so many nother have looked at the same words are read them otherwise? But God has revealed the truth only to you?

If I have any advantage, it is because I prefer the pasture to the fold - I have no traditions to defend, so if I see more clearly on some thing, I would attribute it to that. But I find myself in reasonable agreement with many. Not on all things, by any means, but on enough.

But I think you claim to know the truth not as an individual but as the member of a chorus. You sing with them but say it is a solo.

LOL! If you knew me better, I don't think you'd say that - I am an equal opportunity offender... Even my own denomination. The difference is between the cathedral and the bazaar - Protestants tend not to get as offended, nor offended as easily, because they have less claptrap to protect, and are used to operating as Bereans - the debates are never done, nor will they be until David's Own is seated on the throne in Jerusalem.

And that's OK. It is preferred to bowing to old men in fancy dresses, and holding their absurdly non-Biblical edicts as inspired... Just because THEY say it is. Talk about a chorus.

So now, all of a sudden, Catholics are not Americans? Who do you (plural) think you are?

LOL! Simmer down - seems your assumptions sent you into a tizzy. Who said anyone was not an American? Pelosi, et al, is - she doesn't want to follow the Constitution in order to suite her own agenda. Get it now?

More of my relatives FOUGHT for this country under our Flag during wartime than most anti-Catholics have relatives!

More exaggeration based on assumptions.

Shame on you all! The calumny you pour on our heads will be your (plural) dinners for eternity.

Shame, shame - double shame. Posting nonsense for the sack of posting nonsense.

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