Apparitions Exposed!

Proclaiming the Gospel ^ | former Director for a "Mary, Queen of Peace Center."

[bkaycee]

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.

A Divine Appointment

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.

Confronted by Contradictions

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.

The Queen of Heaven

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).

An Angel of Light

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.

Freedom in the Truth

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."

[lastchance]

Do you deny that Jesus is God in the flesh? That He is coeternal with the Father? That through Him all things were made and for us men and our salvation He came down from heaven?

[Brian Kopp DPM]

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 ...

Neighbors and close friends of mine knew I was seriously contemplating becoming Roman Catholic.

The author was never Catholic to begin with, and was working for an independent group that promoted a false apparition that has been condemned by the local bishop. And we're supposed to give this unfortunate soul any credibility because...uh...why exactly would we listen to this person?

If I want info about the Mini Cooper, I'm not going to go to a car lot selling counterfeit Mini Coopers

Likewise, if I want to know the teachings of the Catholic Church, I'm not going to consult the crank that wrote this article.

[Quix]

I believe the brazenness of this QUEEN OF HEAVEN stuff that’s been increasing at a faster and faster pace ever since at least Fatima . . .

is another sign of the END TIMES.

[Quix]

‘loyalty to the magicsterical’ is part of the idolatry.

God alone deserves our loyalty of that level.

[campaignPete R-CT]

Caritas is not a Catholic organization. The folks who work there say that they are Catholic. But they operate under nobody’s authority. A former landscaper is their resident theologian.

Do they have non-profit status?
Or is it a closely-held corporation or sole-proprietorship?

[knarf]

Of course not, what does that have to do with what I said?

[pgkdan]

Pathetically sad isn't it?

Yes...quite pathetic and a pretty good reason for Catholic donors to consider the wisdom of giving financial support to attack the Church.

[Alex Murphy]

Do you take kindly to anyone who might belittle your mother? I KNOW that Christ does not. People who do not honor Christ’s mother will suffer his just judgement.

Commonly known as the "step on a crack" Marian apologetic.

"All I have to ask you is one question - did you hurt my Mama?"

[Salvation]

Bump that.

bkaycee, did you get that?

Medjugorje is not a Vatican approved apparition.

Well, whatdya know? How ‘bout that?

[starlifter]

Where did you read that? Who was the author?

[BipolarBob]

Thanks for posting. If Jesus is to be our Example, did He hide and find Easter eggs, wear a crucifix or say three Hail Marys whenever the time seemed right? That may be a rhetorical question for the audience or not. Come to think of it, He worshiped on the Sabbath not Sunday.

[Quix]

I remember reading that Catholic MUST pray to Mary in order to be saved.

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2503880/posts?page=1576#1576

p37
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come; Thy kingdom come through Mary! —Partial Indulgence

p43
1 - “Hail Mary, beloved daughter of the Father, Mother of the Divine Son, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, complement of the most august Trinity!”

p45
6 - To her was granted grace greater than that conferred upon all others, ‘that she might vanquish sin in every respect.’ [Qx: I guess Christ’s vanquishing sin was unnecessary—or ineffectual without Mary’s assistance?]

9 - God loved Mary so much that He gave her the keys to His heart. ‘No one can go to God without Mary drawing him.’ [Qx: I guess Holy Spirit has been relegated to a ‘Walter Mitty’ role as spouse of Mary? That’s SOME POWER to cancel & take over HOLY SPIRIT’S role to draw men to God!]

p47
4 - “Mary, trusting in the word of the angel, destroyed the sin Eve committed by trusting in the serpent.’ [Qx: Evidently, she beat Christ to the job of vanquishing sin!]

5 - “She desired the safety of everyone, went in search of it, and obtained it; it was also through her that this salvation was wrought.” [QX: What an unnecessary waste of precious Blood and suffering on THE CROSS!!!/sar]

p47
10 - “As Noah’s Ark saved all the animals that entered it, so Mary saves all the souls that entrust themselves to her care.”

p50
8 - “If she were not so holy as she is, how could God appoint her to be the ladder of Paradise, the advocate of the world, meatrix between HIm and us?”

p50
4 - “By becoming Mother of God, Mary belongs to the order of hypostatic union; hence she participates IN the infinite sanctity of God.”

---

WHAT RANK HIDEOUS BLASPHEMY!
\

[lastchance]

It has everything to do with what you wrote. To deny that Mary is the Mother of God is to agree with the Nestorian heresy.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

The second denies Jesus' admonition to call no one holy except the Father;

Citation please. What about Eph. 1:1, Phil. 1:1, and Col. 1:2?

The eternal God can have no mother;

We know she's not older than God - this pertains to her giving birth to a divine person.

[ThomasMore]

I remember reading that Catholic MUST pray to Mary in order to be saved

Whoever wrote that was absolutely misinformed and theologically WRONG.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[campaignPete R-CT]

I’ve had enough of this so I am checking out.

I have no patience for people in the reborn Nestorian Church who want to lecture people. Lastchance, you are a more patient man than me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorianism

[Martin Tell]

The eternal God can have no mother...

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God?

And who was Jesus' mother?

Simple logic, and the Church from a very early date, both East and West accepted the title, "Mother of God" for Mary. And most of the early Protestant Reformers, including John Calvin, accepted the appropriateness of the title.

I am not a Roman Catholic, but I genuinely do not understand why so many well-meaning Christians feel the need to run down the Virgin Mary. Because of her "Yes" to God, Jesus Christ was born into the world. What a wonderful gift we received through Mary! And what an example for us all to follow.

[dsutah]

I’m a life-long Catholic, (pre-Vat.2, and post-Vat.2), and I don’t recall ever being taught I had to pray to Mary to be ‘saved’! Where did you learn that? I went to Catholic school, and never, ever was told/taught that. I did learn all the special prayers for her to pray for me, for her guidance and intercession. But never was I told I was saved by her by doing so.

Now I do think many people went overboard, and got sort of carried away with that. However, I had always understood that special requests or prayers addressed to Mary, the saints, angels, were meant only for purposes of guidance, for help w/a problem, etc...

In fact, in our big old (Catholic)family Bible, there is a glossary where they address this. They say that prayers to these individuals are only meant for help and guidance in doing the work of the Lord, but never to replace or interfere with the worship that rightly goes to God himself!

In other words, these individuals are only role-models to admire and emulate! They overcame personal sins and problems in their own lives, and continued to repent and to for those sins, and to inspire others to do so. These people by their own admission in their own lifetimes, that they looked to the Lord and strove to follow and emulate him. To worship or pray to them instead of God or Christ was not what they wanted!

One illustration of this was St. Francis of Assisi telling people who were trying to “canonize” him. They were referring to him as special, as a saint before he had even died! He very but firmly, told them not to make him into a saint, because “he could still father children”! In other words, he was still alive, was still human w/temptations he had to struggle with every day, and could still fall down! I read this several years ago, in an article in the “Liguorian” magazine.

[Salvation]

**Commonly known as the “step on a crack” Marian apologetic.**

Why are you attacking me personally.