Cleartext Point 101
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May you pray to Mary, to so-called "saint" or icons ?
If you're wondering why I wrote "saint" in quotes -
In this cleartext point (and in cleartext point 191) you will find the reasons.
A Bible quote summarises everything "hard as nails":
"... for thou only art holy ..."
(Revelation 15/4)
The Lord is meant with this - only he is holy !
(Please absolutely read the above-mentioned cleartext point 191 regarding this topic.)
There is a church (I do not want to name it), who talks their "sheeple" into believing, that it would be okay to pray to Mary, to so-called saints or angels.
Nowhere is written in the Bible that we need Mary or so-called
saints to bring our requests before God or Jesus.
This "commandment" has been invented by the church - by men
(i.e. a man made commandment). Satan, who wants to twist God´s word gave the order so that men sin.
To pray to Mary, or to so-called saints is a man made commandment. This church "teaches" it - and seduces thus deliberately and ice-cold millions of believers to sin.
"... teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
(Matthew 15/9)
This church does not care what is written in the Bible on this subject. It aims at subtleties and quibbles to conceal its actions.
So it claims that it is a difference, whether one worships Mary - or prays to her.
If Maria were just a normal mother, no one would come up with the idea to pray to her. But Mary is literally "idolised" by this church and its members, although we are not asked to do so in the Bible.
They worshipped Mary as if she were equal to God and Jesus.
In the Bible, we are not told that we should pray to Mary or to saints.
But why do so many people do it ?
Because they allow the preachers of half-truths to rob their
God-given common sense. They believe everything that is preached to them in a pious atmosphere.
Please use your God given common sense and consider the following:
If you can choose between two ways
- one, which will lead you guaranteed into the kingdom of God
- and one, on which you perhaps may reach the kingdom of God,
but perhaps only into eternal damnation.
Which way would you choose ?
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
(Proverbs 14/12 and Proverbs 16/25)
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes (The fool thinks he's on the right track): but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
(Proverbs 12/15)
So if you have the choice between a safe path and a "maybe-way",
then you would certainly choose the path of which you are guaranteed to reach God's kingdom.
Why should you put yourself at risk on this important issue ?
But you are fully risk (without being aware of it) when you pray to Mary or to so-called saints because this is forbidden in the Bible.
We shall only worship (i.e., exclusively) God and Jesus,
or rather pray to them.
So why do you want to take a risk if you can and may choose
the safe way ?
Pray directly to God and Jesus - and not to Mary or to saints.
Then you are guaranteed not doing any wrong -
Thus you exclude the risk.May you pray to Mary, to so-called "saint" or icons ?
Jesus Christ told us that there is no need for an intermediary person.
If we have worries, problems or fears, then we can -
And shall turn to him directly.
In the Bible is written that we shall not worship anything or anyone apart from God and Jesus Christ.
But many members of this church regularly pray to Mary or
to so-called "saints" - as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Then they only say:
"Mary is not worshipped, but the faithful pray to Mary.
She is the mediator between the faithful and the Lord."
Our Lord Jesus Christ personally said:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
(Matthew 11/28)
To him directly came the blind, who asked for his help.
And what did Jesus say ?
Did he send them away, so that they might ask Mary or his disciples
for an appointment or mediation ?
No - he allowed everyone to come to him directly.
Whoever could not go himself could be carried -
Not to Mary, but to Jesus - and he helped all of them.
He did not send anyone away. You should always turn to him directly.
If Jesus had changed this principle after his ascension,
then it would be written down in the Bible.
But it is not written there - so nothing has changed.
We can continue to come straight to him (in prayer)
with all our worries, diseases and fears.
We do not need an intermediary.
Whoever does not turn directly to Jesus proves to him that he (or she) has no faith in Jesus - and that is a huge sin.
Thus, pray directly to Jesus - and not to Mary or so-called saints.
Otherwise, you are offending the Lord.
Do not let the preachers of the half-truths convince you to anything else. It's about you - and your future. So you make the decisions,
what to do - and what not. In the Bible, it is written unambiguously.
Do not listen to these lie-preachers - but obey the Lord only.
And he clearly says:
"Come unto me, all ..."
(Matthew 11/28)
Accept Jesus' offer, and do not offend him because of fear or timidity.
The only thing that is important, what however is generally concealed by the preachers of the half-truths, is the fear of God.
But that is something quite different and has nothing to do with praying.
(You can find info on the important topic of God-fear in the cleartext point 025.)
But this fear of God must not prevent us,
to address God and Jesus directly in prayer.
Whoever goes the other way (the risky way with the wrong prayers) will not reach the goal.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (He or she will not get eternal life.)
(Proverbs 14/12 and Proverbs 16/25)
Be wise, and go on the guaranteed safe way -
Without praying to Mary or saints.
Do not risk your future !
I would like to give you the following tip: Please click on the alphabetically ordered search terms: Satan - also he is doing us good.
Then you will get important information, which you should also consider in peace.
In the Bible is written:
"And I (John) fell at his feet to worship him.
And he said unto me, See thou do it not ... worship God ..."
(Revelation 19/10)
Not even the angel was worshipped !
Jesus Christ says:
" Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God ..."
(Matthew 4/10)
And he explains us:
"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
(Luke 4/8)
(What is meant by: "serving God" can be found in the cleartext point 041.)
"... him only shalt thou serve."
(Luke 4/8)
Many believers serve Mary, or some saints, by worshipping them.
But we can only serve God - he alone deserves the honour.
He says clearly:
"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another ..."
(Isaiah 42/8)
"... the Lord, ... him shall ye fear ..."
(2 Kings 17/36)
Whoever truly fears the Lord (see cleartext point 025), will not flout this commandment of God. He (or she) will honour only God alone - as the Lord requires.
The only exception recorded in the Bible is Jesus Christ, for he is at the same time
also God (see cleartext point 147 on the topic of the trinity).
Everything else is a sin !
We should only do what is written down for us in the Bible -
And not what is preached to us by preachers or churches.
The Bible clearly and unambiguously writes that we shall only honour and pray to God (and Jesus Christ, the Son of God).
Everything else is a sin - even when the church
tells the people differently.
"(the angel) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him
... and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
(Revelation 14/7)
We are to worship God, the creator of heaven and earth.
In Revelation 19/10 and 14/7, the angel says this - and also in
Revelation 22/8-9 the angel explains that it is wrong to pray to him:
"... I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel ...
Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant,
and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God."
(Revelation 22/8-9)
"And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man."
(Acts 10/25-26)
Question:
Were not Mary and all the "saints" who are worshipped,
also human ? Where in God's Word (the Bible) is written that they may be worshipped or prayed to ?
Next question:
Is the Pope not just a human being ?
But why does he let himself be worshipped - and does not forbid it ?
Jesus Christ says clearly and unambiguously:
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."
(Matthew 23/9)
Has the Pope never read the Bible ?
He seems to have studied, but he does not understand Jesus' words because otherwise, he would not allow being called "Father" or even "Holy Father".
And his "sheeple" also do not read the Bible in such a way that they take Jesus Christ´s words into their hearts.
Jesus prays to God:
"... I come to thee. Holy Father ..."
(John 17/11)
Should the Pope (who is a man) be called "Holy Father" ?
Also the worshipping of icons, respectively praying to them,
is a sin for God and Jesus Christ.
"Thou shalt not make thee any graven image ...
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them ... "
(Deuteronomy 5/8-9 and Exodus 20/4-5)
"Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him (God), all ye gods."
(Psalm 97/7)
"Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?"
(Jeremiah 8/19)
"What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?"
(Habakkuk 2/18)
"... saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands ..."
(Acts 19/26)
People who worship the image of Mary (or icons) often say:
"But I do not pray to the material portrait, but for what it represents."
Jesus Christ clearly says:
"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God ..."
(Matthew 4/10)
And the words which Moses heard directly from the mouth of God, they are:
"Thou shalt not make thee any graven image ...
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them ... "
(Deuteronomy 5/8-9 and Exodus 20/4-5)
Question: What do the portraits of Mary look like ?
What is pictured on the countless icons ?
But what does God say ?
"Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves ...
Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female ..."
(Deuteronomy 4/15-16)
"Take heed unto yourselves ... lest ye forget ... and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God."
(Deuteronomy 4/23-24)
God will, therefore, reject those who turn to images or icons.
We should have God and Jesus in our hearts - and not as a picture or a dead wooden figure before our eyes.
God says:
"... they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name (church/house of worship), to pollute it."
(Jeremiah 7/30)
God's statement is clear:
"Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, unto it ..."
(Leviticus 26/1)
"... And (they) changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man ... "
(Romans 1/23)
"When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger: I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day,
that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land ..."
(Deuteronomy 4/25-26)
In many places in the Bible we are asked:
"... worship the LORD ..."
(1 Chronicles 16/29)
"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God ..."
(Matthew 4/10)
"... the LORD, ... him shall ye fear ..."
(2 Kings 17/36)
But now I ask quite loud and clear:
Where can you find quotes in the Bible, which invite us humans to worship Mary, the Pope, or any "saint" ?
If someone showed me these verses, then I could understand
why so many people in this world are doing it.
This answer I wasn´t provided thus far.
We can read the following statement in the Bible -
And should think about it intensively:
"Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator ..."
(Romans 1/25)
Mary, the Pope and all "saints" are only creatures of the Lord.
We should not worship them - and we should not serve them -
But we should honour God and Jesus Christ alone
and serve them with deeds.
Many apostles have taught (see New Testament) the Christian communities with their letters, how they should live, what they can do to get into God's kingdom or how it is possible to strengthen the connection to God and Jesus Christ.
But the name of Mary was not mentioned once.
If Mary were such an important personality, then the apostles would have written several times about her. But they did not.
I am not there to judge other people, or to condemn them.
Only God and Jesus Christ have the right to do so. Everyone can worship who and what he wants on this earth. But on the Last Day, at the Last Judgment, this question will also be asked: "Who told you to do this ?" And what answer will these people have at hand ?
I don't know.
Since God stays out of our doing on earth, the punishment only follows at the Last Judgment.
Punishment for the fact that someone was "pious" and prayed ?
I think this is bad. But it will happen !
The preachers of lies, which motivate people to pray to someone or anything (be it Mary, be it any "saints" or icons), have no interest
that their "sheeple" get eternal life in God's kingdom.
Think for yourself of whom the lie preachers serve: God - or Satan.
In the Bible we are explicitly warned about the preachers of the half-truths:
"... for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
(2 Corinthians 11/14)
"Therefore it is no great thing (it is nothing special) if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness ..."
(2 Corinthians 11/15)
In cleartext point 106 you will learn all about the half-truths of the lie preachers.
It does not matter how "pious" or "religious" they appear, or how powerful they are, or how many supporters or members they have.
It does not matter ! They are and remain preachers of half-truths.
That is why you have to read in your Bible intensively what you should do - and what not !
People who often live and observe the religious rituals down to the smallest detail to be pious and faithful, sin so clearly and distinctly against the first commandment of the Lord.
What will God and Jesus Christ say on the Day of Judgment, at the Last Judgment?
You know the answer !
Do not let yourself persuade to anything wrong.
What is not written in your Bible in black on white - that is a lie !
Even if perhaps in your family Mary or other "saints",
respectively the pope or any icons are worshipped for many generations:
It's wrong - it's a sin !
God does not allow it !
It does not get better because many do it.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed ..."
(Romans 12/2)
To clarify the seriousness of the situation, I write down a Biblical quotation, which should in no case stimulate imitation. Jesus has taught us to live without violence. It is only at the Last Judgment that the punishment is pronounced - and then not by people,
but by Jesus Christ himself. He is the judge.
The following Biblical quotation will only open your eyes,
how serious God is when he says something. He has postponed the punishment until the Day of Judgment, at the Last Judgment.
"If thy brother ... or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods ... Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God ..."
(Deuteronomy 13/6-10)
Again my call: Do not imitate !
It is only a warning that God is very serious.
So don´t be seduced to worship anything but God and Jesus Christ.
Always remember the angel's statement:
"... thou do it not ... worship God ..."
(Revelation 19/10)
Should you have been praying to somebody else besides God and Jesus Christ (i.e. to Mary or "saints"), then change your behaviour immediately and repent it honestly in prayer before the Lord Jesus - do honest repentance before him !
(Please read about the repentance in cleartext point 009.)
And another very important statement from me:
I do not want to call out for any "revolution", nor "reformation"
or the foundation of a new church, sect or religious community.
I just want to make you think, so you do not sin.
It's about that we must not incorporate the traditions and habits of other people - no matter how close they are to us - whether they are
related to us - no matter how wise or religious they appear.
We shall and may only do what is written in God's Word, the Bible -
And not what people (or churches) teach us.
Jesus Christ warned us not to interpret God's Word in a manner
that something emerges, which after many generations is offered
as "the will of God" to the faithful.
Jesus' words:
"... Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
(Matthew 15/3)
"For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men ..."
(Mark 7/8)
Nowhere in the Bible is written that we should turn to Mary or saints in prayer. Those are therefore traditions or rituals developed by humans - thus human contexts - and we must not obey them !
Don´t say (or think):
"All of my friends, relatives and acquaintances do that."
It is a sin before God !
If it was started sometime in a family (many generations ago),
the following generations justify themselves, that this cannot be wrong. This has "always" been done that way.
"... both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers (and mothers), so do they unto this day."
(2 Kings 17/41)
Previous generations were dependent on believing, what some lie-preachers told them. Only a few people could read the Bible themselves. They had no money to buy a Bible. They often could not read - and before Luther translated the Bible (to German) for us, people did not understand what is written in the Bible.
We no longer have all these obstacles. So why should we repeat
the mistakes of generations before us ?
Wake up !
Even if many people do something wrong,
no one can talk his way out before God.
A sin remains a sin !
"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
(Acts 2/40)
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed ..."
(Romans 12/2)
My parents often said to me:
"If other people advise you:" Jump into the Elbe (a german river). " - then you also don´t do it !"
So think for yourself - and then make your own decisions -
Decisions that comply with God's Word.
Those who pray to Mary, to angels or "saints" are sure,
that they don´t do anything wrong, because otherwise they would (so their opinion) ultimately bot be well. But in the Bible, we are warned in an example, that false prayer does not necessarily lead to
a miserable life.
People used to pray to the Heavenly Queen. Jeremiah exhorted them
and told them that this is a sin in God's eyes. But people didn't want to let go of their previous habits, for they had finally not made any bad experiences - quite the opposite: they were even doing well.
"As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, (we want to do what we think is right) to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw (we had) no evil. But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and (many of us) have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?"
(Jeremiah 44/16-19)
The women were of the opinion that if they did something wrong,
then their husbands would surely have told them that this was wrong.
Jesus Christ warns us against this. We should think independently,
and not rely on other people. He says:
"And if the blind lead the blind, (then) both shall fall into the ditch."
(Matthew 15/14)
The men did not know better - and their wives relied on them.
This is exactly the case with praying to Mary or to "saints".
Those who do, don´t know better - and the generations that follow them do the same. Thus a blind man leads the other blind man directly into eternal damnation. And both of them sang many pious songs on the way there.
Do not take people as an example - let only Jesus be your role model.
Jesus worshipped only God - otherwise nothing and no one !
Please also consider the following:
We, humans, are often of the opinion, that a statement
(or a call to do something) can not be wrong, when relatives we love tell us.
But what happened when Eve gave her husband the fruit ?
If Adam had not blindly obeyed his wife, but the Lord,
then he would not have fallen into sin.
So, do not obey your fellow men - but the Lord !
If you want to "get out", remember:
The world will not seize for your sake so that you can safely and comfortably "get off" but you must have the courage - and "jump off".
It may happen that you fall. But by the strong hand of the Lord
you will be able to stand up again.
So don´t do what numberless people do -
But do what God and Jesus require of you !
"Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them (your fellow men) ..."
(Deuteronomy 12/30)
"... and how ye turned to God from idols (which you have so far worshipped) to serve the living and true God;"
(1 Thessalonians 1/9)
(Please refer to the above-mentioned cleartext point 041 for what "serving God" means.)
Return also to the living God and Jesus Christ.
If you have prayed to Mary, "saints", or icons, then repent this in prayer before Jesus and don´t repeat this sin in the future.
In Revelation, we learn that people do not refrain from their sins if they suffer plagues. They continue to sin through false prayer.
"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:"
(Revelation 9/20)
Apart from sinning in God´s and Jesus Christ´s eyes, when worshipping Mary or any "saints" (or praying to them), can someone who has done this so far ask himself "Why do I do that at all?"
Just because it was so brought by the parents' house ?
"But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments ... I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;"
(Ezekiel 20/18-19)
And what are the commandments of God ?
"... Thou shalt not make thee any graven image ...
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them ..."
(Deuteronomy 5/8-9 and Exodus 20/4-5)
"... But the LORD, ... him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship ..."
(2 Kings 17/36)
No matter how much you love the people who tell you,
that you should pray to Mary, the "holy" or icons,
do not obey them, but obey the Lord -
And he forbids you these prayers.
"... We ought to obey God rather than men."
(Acts 5/29)
Thus do what the will of God is - and not what many generations in your family have already done wrong before yourself.
"... Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations? (Do you sin in the same way as your fathers or mothers did ?) ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day ... "
(Ezekiel 20/30-31)
"Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers (or mothers) were,
but yield yourselves unto the LORD (connect with God and his laws and keep them) ... "
(2 Chronicles 30/8)
"Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers (or mothers) did, so do ye."
(Acts 7/51)
God says:
"And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard."
(Micha 5/12-15)
Some people thus justify praying to Mary or any "saints"
saying, "I can not pray directly to God or Jesus.
I need Mary (or the saints) as a mediator."
But Jesus Christ clearly said:
"... behold, I have set before thee an open door ..."
(Revelation 3/8)
And he promises you:
"... and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
(John 6/37)
Jesus Christ is ready to receive you.
Do you want to offend him by refusing his offer
and instead of worshipping Mary or any "saints" ?
Why do you want to reject this generous offer from the Lord Jesus ?
If you have so far worshipped Mary or a "saint" as a "mediator",
then think about if you would give a kiss on the hand to the "staff" at a high reception if the householder is standing next to it ?
Also, God and Jesus see, that you worship the "service staff" with your prayers.
For this "service staff" you sacrifice your time, which you could much more efficiently use for the Lord personally - and also should !
I do not want to attack or offend you - but I want to make you think.
Only this is my task.
The decision is with you: to be for God - or to stand against God.
Do not be influenced by people in your decision.
Trust only what is written in the Bible !
If any priests should have taught you to only pray to Mary or "saints", then inquire internally, where they have these "pearls of wisdom" from. Just because they teach that Mary is holy, does not mean that Mary is holy. She was a human like you and me.
Mary had only the task of giving birth to the Lord Jesus.
Holy and adorable are only God and Jesus Christ!
"Her priests ... they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean ... "
(They do not seriously teach people what is good or evil before God.)
(Ezekiel 22/26)
In prayer, we can turn to God at any time - or via a "detour".
We are allowed to ask for something in the name of Jesus.
All "saints", whatever their names
(and also Mary) may not be included.
Please read it yourself:
"... by the name of Jesus Christ ..."
(Acts 4/10)
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (happy in God's kingdom)."
(Acts 4/12)
No one needs Mary or any "saint" to connect with God -
On the contrary, it would be a sin !
This can be learned from the following Bible statement:
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
(1 Timothy 2/5)
"And for this cause he (Jesus Christ) is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death ... they which are called (the chosen ones of God) might receive the promise of eternal inheritance (the life in paradise)."
(Hebrews 9/15)
As hard as it may sound for you - but there is no other possibility:
Forget Mary, forget all “saints” - exclusively and intensely about God and Jesus Christ. Everything else is a sin and idolatry !
God says:
"Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions (including false praying); so iniquity shall not be your ruin. ... and make you a new heart and a new spirit ..."
(Ezekiel 18/30-31)
Your new heart and a new spirit may only pray to God and Jesus Christ. Everything else is a sin !
If you otherwise are the most exemplary human being -
But, apart from God and Jesus worship someone else, then you are still a sinner in the eyes of the Lord, who does not get eternal life.
"For whosoever (otherwise) shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
(James 2/10)
Mary, the Pope or the “saints” are not mediators between us men and the Lord !
Never forget:
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
(1 Timothy 2/5)
Therefore always turn to God and Jesus Christ in prayer.
Please consider to whom the crucified criminal turned to:
To Mary, who was also directly present - or to Jesus Christ ?
He spoke directly to the Lord Jesus.
Why so many people nowadays don´t do that ?
Why do they pray to Mary or other "saints" although the Bible clearly states, that this is a sin ?
Don´t they want to comprehend - or don´t they know it ?
Do not follow them !
Now to the many "saints" of this world, who are worshipped.
What is written in the Bible ?
"Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?" (Job 5/1)
Remember the statement of the angel:
“... worship God …”
(Revelation 19/10)
"... but in the time of their trouble they will say (in prayer to God), Arise, and save us.
(God responds)
"... But where are thy gods (Mary and the many" saints ") that thou hast made thee (which you have appointed yourself)? let them arise,
if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble:"
(Jeremiah 2/28)
"When thou criest (pray), let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me (God) shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain (he will enter Paradise);"
(Isaiah 57/13)
Question: What entitles the church to declare somebody a "saint" ?
Jesus Christ was once addressed as follows:
"... Good Master ..."
(Mark 10/17)
But Jesus answered,
"... Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God."
(Mark 10/18 and Luke 18/19)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God (who was himself without sin),
refused to be described as "good".
And then people are even called "saints" by the church ?
What would Jesus say if he were on this earth now ?
Always remember the Bible statement, which refers to God:
"... for thou only art holy ..."
(Revelation 15/4)
Forget the so-called "saints". These may be people,
who strove with all their heart to live as the Lord wished.
This does not make a man any better than Jesus was -
and Jesus did not even want to be described as "good."
Please think about it intensively.
Mary - the Mother of God ?
God has no mother, for he has always existed - so he was not "born".
"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."
(Psalm 90/2)
We can read about Jesus Christ in the Bible:
"(Jesus Christ) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:"
(Colossians 1/15)
Please ask yourself: If Jesus Christ already existed before Mary,
how can Mary, who was a normal human, be the mother of God ?
Mary was just deployed 2,000 years ago by the Lord for the "transport" of the already existing Jesus Christ from heaven to earth. But she is not the mother of God. Therefore, she should not be designated as such.
What is written about Mary in the Bible, which justifies us human beings to worship her (or to pray to her) - or to designate her as "mother of God" -
Which exalts her from a human
to something godlike - unauthorised !
Always remember: In the Bible is simply written the
following important statement:
"... worship God ..."
(Revelation 19/10)
If Mary was chosen by God, to deliver the Lord Jesus Christ
as "human-fleshy" child to this world, then she is not to be
exalted to a godlike figure.
We shall only pray to God and Jesus Christ - or worship them !
When Jesus was once with people who were interested in his words,
Mary (and the fleshly brethren of Jesus) wanted to reach him through the multitude.
Was Mary deified and venerated by Jesus and received with open arms by him ?
No !
Mary was equated with his brothers,
who wanted to get to him, saying:
"... Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father (who translates God's word into action) which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
(Matthew 12/46-50 and Luke 8/19-21 and Mark 3/31-35)
Thus - no call from Jesus Christ to worship Mary.
Jesus spoke shortly before his death from the cross to the disciple,
whom he was particularly fond of:
"Behold thy mother!"
(John 19/27)
Before that he had said to Mary:
"Woman, behold thy son!"
(John 19/26)
He did not say, "Holy Mother of God ..."
He did not even say "Mother ..."
But he simply said simply: "Woman ..."
(John 19/26)
So: No request to call Mary "Mother of God"
and we have no right to worship her - or to pray to her !
What else can we find in the Bible about Mary, which could justify praying to her ?
A woman praised in the presence of Jesus:
"... Blessed is the womb that bare thee ..."
(Luke 11/27)
And did Jesus go into this by calling us people to pray to Mary ?
No !
He merely replied:
"Yes, blessed are those who hear and keep the Word of God."
(Luke 11/28)
If, for example, this is a small word "yes" at the beginning of the sentence, to pray to Mary?
Then the numerous and clear statements
in the Bible to the non-worshipping become invalid!
We should rather look at the two important points
in the sentence of Jesus:
"... Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."
(Luke 11/28)
Should this little "Yea" at the beginning of the verse be the reason to allow praying to Mary ?
Then the numerous and clear statements in the Bible to the
non-worshipping would become invalid !
We should rather look at the two important statements
in the sentence of Jesus:
"... Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."
(Luke 11/28)
This is particularly important: to hear (or read) the Word of God and to keep it so that we can remember what we have to do -
And what to refrain from.
And to "refraining" also belongs praying to Mary, to the "saints" and the icons !
Jesus Christ exhorts us very often in the Bible because he wants us to change our lives so much, that we are allowed to live in his kingdom from the Day of Judgment on (as useful people to him).
But what shall he do in eternity with inhabitants who are not obedient to him ?
And to disobedience, praying to Mary or to "saints" counts as well.
The Lord forbids it (this has been written down in God's Word) -
Nevertheless, millions of people do it - and they talk into believing they are good Christians.
It does not count, however, what you think of yourself,
but what God and Jesus opinion are.
Self-deception is also a fraud - and even a harrowing one.
In many countries of the world, it is challenging to learn about these admonitions and counsellings of Jesus Christ, because Christianity is forbidden.
Many people call themselves "Christians" or "believers".
But now imagine that Christianity would be banned all over the world. This notion is not so far-fetched or "devised".
There are indeed many countries where this is the reality.
Around 200 million Christians are being persecuted worldwide in our "modern times" !
They often even face the death penalty.
And that by people who want to "serve" God.
Exactly this Jesus predicted already 2,000 years ago:
"They shall put you out of the synagogues (from their religious community): yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
(John 16/2)
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many (who call themselves "believers") be offended (abandon true faith), and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."
(Matthew 24/9-10)
Please also read the cleartext point 029 regarding this.
So what if we had to live in such a country,
in which the Christian persecution is normality ?
Then surely many people would assert
(which still today call themselves "Christians" or "believers"):
"I never had anything to do with that !"
"... Help, LORD;
(there are only a few who are seriously trying to live according to God's Word)
for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men."
(Psalm 12/1)
When you read the following prediction of Jesus Christ,
you should become very thoughtful:
"... Nevertheless when the Son of man (Jesus Christ) cometh (return to earth), shall he find faith on the earth?"
(Luke 18/8)
At the moment, there are about 2 billion people worldwide who call themselves Christians.
This is an inconceivably large number: 2,000 million Christians.
But how many would be there, if the death penalty for Christians existed worldwide ?
Would you continue to be a Christian ?
Would you boldly spread the words of Jesus Christ ?
You do not have to give me the answer - you have to give it to Jesus.
Another thought:
In the Bible, we are asked in many places to live by the model of Jesus Christ.
(Please also read the cleartext point 021.)
Question: How often are you asked in the Bible to look at Mary as your model ?
How much information do you find in God's Word about the character of Mary ?
(Do not read something about Mary in some writings - they are human words.)
But in your Bible (in God's Word) nothing much is said about Mary and her character.
Why is that so ?
Because it is completely unimportant.
We should follow Jesus Christ and take him as an example,
for he lived on this earth without sin.
No other human being has done this - all have sinned -
Also Mary and all "saints".
That is not what I assert, but it is written in God's Word:
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
(Ecclesiastes 7/20)
"... for there is no man which sinneth not ..."
(2 Chronicles 6/36 and 1 Kings 8/46)
Double denial means, therefore, that every man sins !
But what example give sinners ?
Only accept Jesus Christ as a role model -
And turn with your prayers only to him (and to God)
everything else is a sin !
Many believers pray "memorised" prayers.I do not want to list them in detail, but there are whole books with prayers.
Is this in the sense of Jesus ?
What did he teach us how to pray ?
Please read the cleartext point 048.
If you occasionally (or often) worship Mary or "saints",
or ask them for something, then read the following explanation
and think very intensively about it:
You know that people always turn to God in need and danger.
But if they did not care for God before - or lead a life, which God did not like, then they will learn that God has turned away from them.
God does not want these people - so he will not listen to their prayers !
Please read the cleartext points 035 and 044.
Whoever, however, strives with all his heart to live according to God's laws, hopes that God will listen to his (or her) prayers. But God must test all men, before giving them eternal life in his eternal kingdom. As the name implies, eternal life can not be taken away from anyone by God. Then he would be word breaking.
And this is completely out of the question !
So God must test the people here on this earth (in this life),
whether they are loyal to him in tough situations,
or whether they doubt - and turn away from him.
(Please also read the cleartext point 023.)
For example, if God wants to examine someone with a serious illness, whether he (or she) remains faithful
Despite faithful suffering -
What sense would a prayer make in which the concerned affected God for health ?
If God would immediately heal this man (or this woman) -
How could he test him (or her) ?
Please read the above-mentioned cleartext point 048 on the topic of an answer to prayer.
If, therefore, God refuses to help a praying person,
then this is a great opportunity for Satan.
He jumps in as a "helper" without the people recognising it !
In this obscure way, he succeeds in gaining people for himself.
Most are too timid,
to choose openly against God and for Satan.
So much they have understood in their limited faith,
that they can not openly oppose God.
Now Satan reaches for a cunning:
He uses human hopes in the so-called "saints" or Mary as an aid.
He just leaves the distressed people (who did not get any help from God) pray to these "saints" or Mary.
And since these "believers" had scarcely cared for God's Word,
but only listened to what the preachers of the half-truths told them,
they will now resort to this last hope.
They then pray to the "saints" or Mary.
These "believers" would never ask Satan personally for help.
But when Satan puts on the "mask of saints," he is not recognised -
And unconsciously he is worshipped.
Against this, we are warned in the Bible too:
"... for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
(2 Corinthians 11/14)
And since Satan will even make sure that these "prayers" are heard,
the joy is all the greater.
The "faithful" tell enthusiastically to their acquaintances, friends
and relatives, that it has helped to pray to Mary or the "saints".
They, too, will repeat it when the next danger or need comes (because it has helped).
It was so easy - and nothing had to be done for it.
Just great !!!
But they will get the "receipt" for it.
God will block the entrance into his eternal kingdom !
Because their "religious fuss" does not help them !
So please never ask Mary or any "saints" for anything,
for this is how you ask Satan for help, and he gladly helps you.
But this help you have to pay dearly on the Last Day -
With the loss of eternal life !
Also, the following excuse does Jesus Christ not allow:
"I did not know that."
After all, you could have informed yourself in the Bible (in God's Word).
Meanwhile some food for thought:
Earlier, I mentioned already that God has to put people to the core in this life before he takes them into his eternal kingdom (see cleartext point 023).
Often the image of the "dear God" breaks for the faithful, which the lie preachers (see cleartext point 106) have built up in the minds by their melodious sounding sermons.
(Important to know: You will not find the term "Dear God" throughout the entire Bible.)
It is exactly then when people are shocked that the "Dear God"
allows disaster to come upon them (to examine them).
Then they pray to God because they think that Satan brought them that disaster. They do not know, however, that God himself also brings disaster upon men. Not to punish them (this happens only on the last day), but to make them reflect, to exhort and educate them.
Here are a few Bible verses where God tells us this.
God (not Satan) says:
"I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me ...
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
(Isaiah 45/5+7)
Also a statement from God:
"... I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape;
and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them."
(Jeremiah 11/11)
And God adds:
"... I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble."
(Jeremiah 11/14)
"... Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I (God) called, none did answer; when I (God) spake (in the Bible to the people), they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not (which God did not like)."
(Isaiah 66/3-4)
Please also read the cleartext point 086.
Its title: If there is a God, why does he allow,
that people in this world must hunger and suffer ?
People have always been told that the "dear God" does good
and the devil is responsible for evil.
But often the opposite is true:
God intervenes educationally in human life (which naturally hurts)
and Satan tries to lure people (by pleasant things) away from God's path.
An example will illustrate this:
A father who loves his child (in this example the comparison with God), would like to educate it so that this child goes on a decent way of life. That is why he will sometimes have to take hard educational measures. This is painful at the moment, but it is of great benefit to the child in the long term.
On the other hand, a child molester (comparable to Satan in this example) can only seduce his victim if he does good. Only then will the child lose shyness and rejection with time -
And will finally follow it - but for what price !
Who wants to do good to the child, and who wants to harm it ?
The "good" (Satan) offers sweets and toys.
On the other hand, the "evil" (God) educates and punishes.
Now please make your own thoughts !
Back to the statement of the people: "I did not know that."
Why didn´t people know it ?
Because they have not dealt intensively with the word of God.
They only listened to the half-truths of the preachers.
"I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear ..."
(Job 42/5)
"... they have not known the LORD."
(Hosea 5/4)
But who are these preachers?
They are Satan's disciples.
Please also read the cleartext point 109.
In God's Word we find a hard-hitting statement:
"I have hated them that regard lying vanities ..."
(Psalm 31/7)
Thus the people who pray to "saints" - and even accept help from them, have to spend eternity in damnation.
Question: Is it worth it ?
To renounce eternal life in God's kingdom,
only to be able to achieve a satisfactory earth life ?
One thing is guaranteed:
When you will stand before your judge on judgement day,
Mary, the pope or the "saints" can´t help you !
"And he (God) shall say,
Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted ...
let them rise up (Mary, the pope or the "saints") and help you, and be your protection. See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand."
(Deuteronomy 32/37-39)
No one can save you from eternal damnation,
if you differ from God and Jesus Christ in the least.
They are supposed to be worshipped - and nobody else !
"... be admonished ..."
(Preacher Solomon 12/12)
Let yourself be warned that your path won´t lead you straight
into eternal damnation (although you are a believer) !
And this damnation does not last about 70 or 80 years, like our "miserable" earthly life.
No - this damnation is for eternity !
Do not worship and serve those who are no gods in reality: Mary or "saints."
"... ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods."
(Galatians 4/8)
"... they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return (real worship, see cleartext point 041).
... no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done?
(Hardly anyone regrets to have prayed to Mary or "saints.") ...
my people know not the judgment of the LORD."
(Hardly anyone reads for themselves what was written down in the Bible.)
(Jeremiah 8/5-7)
Don´t hold fast to prayer to Mary or saints.
Repent this error in prayer before the Lord Jesus Christ -
And turn away from this forbidden idolatry,
which has a religious touch.
"For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
(Ephesians 5/5)
Who denies that prayer to Mary and the so-called "saints" is a sin,
is disobedient to God's Word, which has been written down in the Bible.
But disobedience is a sin !
And whoever unthinkingly refuses to accept the advice given in the Bible (who thus opposes the Word of God) runs idolatry and iniquity.
"For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."
(1 Samuel 15/23)
Jesus Christ warns:
"But ... idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone ..."
(Revelation 21/8)
"Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."
(1 Corinthians 10/14)
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."
(1 John 5/21)
Even at the edges of fields are sometimes crosses or
sculptural works of wood of Mary or other "saints".
People pray to them, spread their worries and problems before them -
And ask for solutions in prayer.
God says:
"My people ask counsel at their stocks ..."
(Hosea 4/12)
"... for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good."
(Jeremiah 10/3-5)
On the topic of the saints, you can find out a lot in cleartext point 047.
About worship of wooden figures (no matter whom they are supposed to represent) the following is written in God's Word:
"The carpenter (or the sculptor) ... taketh the cypress and the oak ... Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. He burneth part thereof in the fire ... And the residue thereof he (or she) maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me ...
They (who do this) have not known nor understood: for he (or she) hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say ... shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?"
(Isaiah 44/13-19)
But the Last Day will come (on which the judgment of God will take place). And then what ?
God calls to men and exhorts them:
"Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together (come here to listen to me) ...
they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
... there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me."
(Isaiah 45/20-21)
"For the day of the LORD of hosts (the last day, with the Last Judgment) shall be upon every one ... and he shall be brought low: ... And the idols he shall utterly abolish. ...
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD ..."
(Isaiah 2/12+18+20-21)
When I look around in our country, which connection to God the people have in spite of their prayers and church walks, then one verse from the Bible comes to my mind, which reads:
"... for it is the land of graven images ..."
(Jeremiah 50/38)
The Lord warns clearly:
"Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor idolaters ... shall inherit the kingdom of God."
(1 Corinthians 6/9-10)
Please also read the cleartext points 099 and 100 on this topic.
"Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens."
(Jeremiah 10/11)
Clear question:
Did Mary (who is worshipped) make heaven and earth ?
Did the "saints" (who are also worshipped) make heaven and earth?
Why are they then chosen as gods ?
Where does the Bible ask us to do so ?
What is written in the Bible, and which seals the covenant between God and men, the "believers" and name-Christians do not keep.
(Please also read the cleartext point 098.)
But what is not written in the Bible (praying to Mary and to "saints"),
they do with great passion !
What does God say ?
"... Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,"
(Jeremiah 11/3)
Always remember: God (not Satan) says:
"I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me ...
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
(Isaiah 45/5+7)
The question arises:
If God wants to move a man through disaster to repentance,
why does this man turn to Mary or other "saints" and asks for help ?
Wouldn´t it be better to come to terms with God instead of turning to the "competition" ?
In the cleartext point 117, you can learn that all dead (no matter when they perished, no matter how they are called and no matter what role they play in the Bible) will only be resurrected on the Last Day (on the day Jesus will return to the earth).
If we are aware of this because this is explained in many places in the Bible, then the question may be permitted where people want to know from, that Mary lives and already is in heaven.
This is not written anywhere in the Bible.
So you have to assume that Mary (like all the other dead)
will be resurrected only on the Last Day of the Lord.
You can not find another statement in the Bible !
Do not believe what is said in the prayers,
if it is not written in the Bible.
It is important that you do not believe what people tell you (even if they call themselves preachers), or what you can read somewhere outside of the Bible - but only what is written in God's Word (the Bible).
If Mary is still with the deceased, then she is a dead person.
But may we ask the dead, ask for help, or pray to them ?
No !
In the Bible this is clearly forbidden:
"... thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
There shall not be found among you any one ...
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD ..."
(Deuteronomy 18/9-12)
Do you want to mess with the Lord just because you pray to Mary out of religious "faith" deliverance, adoration, or tradition ?
Does Mary let you into heaven - or is it the Lord who gives you access to his kingdom ?
Why do you keep a connection with a dead person,
when thereby you quarrel with the Lord
and are an abomination in his eyes (see Bible quote) ?
What will Jesus Christ say to those who pray to deceased on the Day of Judgment ?
Please think through these statements without prejudice.
Perhaps the question arises in you:
But what about the statements of many people,
to whom Mary has appeared - are those lies ?
No.
Encounters with Mary are indeed possible - but not with the Mary who gave birth to Jesus. The Mary, which people see, is a deception staged by Satan.
"... Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
(2 Corinthians 11/14)
"Therefore it is no great thing (so it is nothing special) if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness ... "
(2 Corinthians 11/15)
Satan's servants do not appear to men as frightening, creepy figures.
Then they couldn´t seduce anyone. Instead, they assume the external form, in whom the respective people believe - and which is dear and familiar to them.
Satan's disciples do not do evil because then we would quickly see through them. They help, save, warn against dangers and do good.
(They always do evil when nobody realises it.)
Only by this way they succeed in seducing people to turn to Mary in need and danger. Satan deliberately seduces the faithful with this trick, for he knows, that we thereby sin before God. And Satan knows that this trick almost always works because, after all, countless reports in which "Mary" has helped exist.
But that was not Mary, the woman who conceived Jesus Christ, but
they were servants of Satan, who assumed the external form of Mary, to move like an angel of light.
Never forget the warning from the Word of God:
"... Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
(2 Corinthians 11/14)
"Therefore it is no great thing (so it is nothing special) if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness ... "
(2 Corinthians 11/15)
If the preachers of the half-truths tell you that my statements are lies, then that is not surprising, because they see their existence in danger.
I can only advise you, "deploy" your intelligence given by God,
and think through all the statements thoroughly and in peace.
Why do you want to reject the path that leads you guaranteed to God's kingdom on the Last Day ?
(By not praying to Mary or to "saints.")
Why do you want to march stiffly and rigidly on the wrong path,
by incessantly continuing to pray to Mary or to "saints" ?
Just because millions of people go this way ?
When many go on a path, it does not have to be the right way.
Jesus Christ warns us against the wide (but false) path on which millions of "faithful" are on the way. This path will not lead them into God's kingdom.
Jesus says warning:
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way (the wide and easy way), that leadeth to destruction (eternal damnation), and many (people) there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto (eternal) life, and (only) few (people) there be (this narrow path to eternal life) that find it (And then actually go on this way)."
(Matthew 7/13-14)
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
(He or she will not have eternal life.)
(Proverbs 14/12 and Proverbs 16/25)
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: (the fool thinks that he is on the right way) but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."
(Proverbs 12/15)
Listen to the advice written down in the Bible.
Do not listen to the half-truths of false preachers !
Make your decision in prayer - but not in prayer to Mary,
because then you would talk to the devil personally.
This sounds very heretical - but it is the full truth.
Do not let yourself be enveloped by half-truths and lies,
but let the full truth approach you.
Even if the truth is painful, and turns your previous beliefs completely "upside down".
Only the truth can free you from Satan's clutches.
This is not what I say, but our Lord Jesus Christ makes this statement:
He says:
"... and the truth shall make you free."
(John 8/32)
Please read the above-mentioned clear text point 106 about half-truths and lie-preachers.
Only believe what you can read in your Bible (in God's word) yourself.
Make it like the first Christians:
"... in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
(Acts 17/11)
Do not believe people (even if they call themselves preachers), no matter how serious their words sound no matter how great their church is, and no matter how many "believers" follow them -
But believe exclusively God's Word (the Bible).
Now briefly on another topic:
Surely you know the custom that frankincense is kindled.
The following statement is written in the Bible:
"... he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol."
(Isaiah 66/3)
The Lord does not care for any pious rituals. To him only matters:
Are we obedient to him and therefore put his word into action - yes - or no ?
If we brace some of its laws (do not fulfil them)
because they are uncomfortable or cost money - yes - or no.
Please also read the cleartext points 010, 016 and 148.
The cleartext point 104 deals with the topic:
What are the opinions of God and Jesus about external piety ?
Since I have now opened my mouth so far,
that many readers surely would like to crucify me personally,
I now add a very delicate thought-provoking impulse:
It concerns the wooden cross, on which our Lord Jesus Christ was executed for our sins. What would he say if he stands next to someone, who kneels before a dead wooden cross and prays there with his hands folded ?
Would he be enthusiastic ?
Or would he ask, "Do you need a wooden symbol to think of me ?"
It is very sad when people have to ask a craftsman
that he connects two dead bars to a cross,
to be reminded of the Lord Jesus Christ.
God says clearly and explicitly in the first commandment:
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing ...
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them ..."
(Exodus 20/4-5 and Deuteronomy 5 / 8-9)
Just because the cross has "served" people as a symbol for centuries,
is it therefore good ?
The longer something had stuck which was wrong -
Is it, therefore, fairer and better in the sight of God ?
Were not the worst crimes committed even in the sign of the cross ?
And I have another thought to offer,
which you should let act on you calmly:
Imagine that you lost the dearest person in a concentration camp of the Nazis, killed by poison gas. This person who had to die so painfully taught you a lot and did many good things for you - yes, he (she) even sacrificed his (her) life for you.
Now my question:
Would you place an empty tin "Cyclone-B" (name of the poison gas)
in your living room - and always neatly and regularly dust it ?
Or if that person whom you loved had been shot - would you
then place a submachine gun as a reminder of this person on the wall ?
Certainly not !
But the murderous instrument with which Jesus Christ was painfully executed hangs on so many walls -
And is even worshipped !
Who needs this murder instrument for memory to Jesus Christ is a very, very pitiful person !
It is also bad when people wear this cruel murder instrument on a necklace as jewellery.
Would you wear a small Cyclone-B tin of gold or silver or the model of a submachine gun, if you lost the most important person in your life through this murderous instrument ?
But why are "Christians" wearing this murderous instrument,
with whom your Lord was executed ?
I once read a sentence that made me very thoughtful:
"I'm sick of all the countries,
where are so many crosses,
that you are full of "cross" and "Christian" -
but him and his cross you forget ! "
The Bible says:
"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;"
(1 Peter 3/3)
Jesus Christ says:
"Ye are the light of the world."
(Matthew 5/14)
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works ... "
(Matthew 5/16)
"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works ..."
(1 Peter 2/12)
By doing good, you prove that you belong to the Lord
Jesus Christ, because it says:
"... If a man love me, he will keep my words ..."
(John 14/23)
Keeping Jesus' Word - that means doing good, forgiving others,
renounce to help the needy ...
.
Always think of the following food for thought from the Bible:
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith,
and have not works? can faith save him?"
(James 2/14)
(Please also read the cleartext point 012. Its title: What does faith mean ?)
An understandable "translation" of the just read bible quotation:
What is the use of your faith "in" God and "in" Jesus Christ,
if you do not do what they expect you to do ?
Will you only be able by this "faith" alone
to be blessed in paradise on the last day ?
"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."
(James 2/18)
Here again an understandable "translation":
You could meet someone who cares about your beliefs.
He asks you to describe your faith to him more closely.
What could you tell him if the only thing you do is
praying, singing the praises and going to church ?
The other one might begin to tell of his many good works
which he does for God and Jesus.
And then how would you compare with your "faith"
"in" God and "in" Jesus Christ without works?
Prove your faith to the Lord through deeds and works !
However, through deeds and works alone you do not get into God's kingdom. The forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ is a very important prerequisite for your salvation -
But without deeds and works, you will not get into paradise.
It depends on the interaction - on the unit:
Jesus' death on the cross and your actions lead you to the goal.
Please read in cleartext point 001 how you will be saved guaranteed on the Last Day.
Jesus Christ instructed us to carry our cross - but he meant another
cross than the cross often worn as jewellery.
Jesus' words:
"... Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
(Mark 8/34)
"And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."
(Matthew 10/38)
"... If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
(Luke 9/23)
"... If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
(Matthew 16/24)
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."
(Luke 14/27)
Many who hypocritically call themselves "Christians" think, "Yes, yes, put down the cross, if I feel like it, then I'll take it on me. "- But they do not take it, but try to enjoy life. After all, this is "hammered" into the heads of the people in many slogans, headings and even in the sermons:
"Enjoy life ..."
or:
"Joy of life ..."
That is precisely what people want to hear - so it is preached full-bodied !
Of course, the Lord does not mind if we feel joy.
But always remember Jesus' words:
"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."
(John 12/25)
Who hates this life, will do everything to get eternal life in God's kingdom in which there is no shortage, in which no tears flow
and in which there will be no pain and no suffering.
Please also read the cleartext point 149 with the title:
Should Christians abandon everything - and only "mope" ?
So wearing his cross does not mean that you have to put on a cross symbol as jewellery, but, for example, to practice personal renunciation to help the needy and to be able to spread Jesus' word according to the Great Commission (see cleartext point 030).
His cross also carry those who are laughed at, discriminated or persecuted for their faith -
But are still faithful to the Lord and do not bow to the pressure from the outside.
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"
(Philippians 1/29)
"... if so be that we suffer with him (Jesus Christ), that we may be also glorified together."
(Romans 8/17)
To carry one's cross means to become active for the Lord - even if all
other "Christians" try to persuade you that deeds and works are not necessary.
I know very well that you can not go to heaven through good deeds alone - (but by the crucifixion of Jesus) - but I also know and am aware (because it is written in the Bible), that without good deeds (because of passivity) the way to heaven remains blocked !
(In cleartext point 118, you will find Jesus' statements, which clearly indicate that he sets a great value in our deeds and works - and these deeds and works at the Last Judgment are crucial.)
Now you have read some food for thought. Maybe you represent a different opinion in some areas -
Which would be quite understandable.
But who is right ?
There would be a straightforward solution:
To wait until the Last Day.
At that point, it turns out who was right of both of us.
But then it is too late for a change in behaviour !
After all, eternity depends on it -
Your eternity !
The all-important question after all is:
Where will you spend eternity ?
So now you have to make a decision:
Obeying God - like the Bible demands, or continue to "follow" the preachers of the half-truths and to be rejected by God and Jesus Christ.
It's your decision.
If you make the decision, then consider the Bible (i.e. God's Word)
as an unbiased "referee".
Just let the Bible (in which the statements of God and Jesus Christ were written down) decide what is right and what is wrong.
"For the word of God ... is a judge of the thoughts and senses of the heart."
(Hebrews 4/12)
"... in that they received the word (the Bible) with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
(Acts 17/11)
Please do not behave like many; unfortunately, very many people do:
They ignore advice - they do not take moral exhortations to heart.
Be smart - and accept my well-intentioned advice.
If you have been praying to Mary or saints,
then most likely it was out of ignorance.
But now you know that you are thereby sinning against the Lord.
Repent of this sin (false praying) in prayer before Jesus Christ
and then never again repeat that prayer to Mary and the saints !
If you do it anyway, it is a deliberate sin.
Who violates God's commandment and prays or worships anyone or anything except God and Jesus, sins deliberately -
Thus sins wantonly !
Jesus Christ does not forgive this willful sin !
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth (in the future) no more sacrifice for sins
(Jesus sacrifice on the Cross does not count), but a certain fearful looking for of judgment (In which Jesus Christ a just - will be tough as a judge) and fiery indignation (hell), which shall devour the adversaries."
(Hebrews 10/26-27)
Please also read the cleartext point 165 on the topic: Deliberate sin.
Now another important warning:
Do not be persuaded that preachers are always right.
Often they talk about what the people want to hear.
The faithful demand:
"... Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things ..."
(Isaiah 30/10)
In God's Word we are warned:
"For the time will come when they (the people) will not endure sound doctrine (the truth that leads them to the rescuing repentance); but after their own lusts shall
they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth ..."
(2 Timothy 4/3-4)
Many preachers do not explain to people what God and Jesus Christ demand of us, but they preach precisely what the church has been doing for centuries, to "calm the believers". They should feel comfortable in church because they pay their church taxes after all.
Thus also something is preached, which is not written in the Bible.
That would be, for example, praying to Mary and saints. Or that one has to go to a priest to confess. Also on offer:
That one may call the Pope "Holy Father".
Cleartext point 102: Should people confess to a priest ?
The Bible does not say that we should do the just mentioned.,
but that we should not do it.
But the preachers pretend that their words are based on God and Jesus Christ -
Which often is not the case.
Against that, we are warned in God's Word:
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
(Colossians 2/8)
The preachers claim that their statements are consistent with
what the angels announced. If this is only preached often
and long enough, then the "sheep" believe it (not to say "the stupid sheep").
The smart "sheep", however, read their Bible, if all that the preachers want to persuade them of is right - just as people did back then.
"... in that they received the word (the Bible) with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
(Acts 17/11)
We shall not worship angels and rely on prophecies of angels,
but solely on the word in the Bible -
Because that is from God.
With the alleged angelic statements, Satan can indeed stupefy us.
Always remember the warning from God's Word:
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
(2 Corinthians 11/14)
"Therefore it is no great thing (so it's nothing special) if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness ..."
(2 Corinthians 11/15)
We should not get involved with preachers who "saw" something
and not with those who spread such information,
which does not correspond to the word of the Bible.
"Let no man beguile you of your reward (eternal life in God's kingdom) in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,"
(Colossians 2/18)
The preachers often demand something from the faithful, which does not coincide with the word written down in the Bible.
"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world (If you accept Jesus' death in the cross for the forgiveness of your sins), why, as though living in the world ... (The preachers demand of you:) "You shall not touch that, you shall not cost that, you should not touch this."
... after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility ..."
(Colossians 2/20-23)
Preachers often cause believers a guilty conscience
albeit there is no reason for such.
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days."
(Colossians 2/16)
But what is really important, that we should become the perpetrators of the Word is often hidden by preachers -
Because it is uncomfortable -
Because the believers don't want to hear that.
Please also read the cleartext point 065. It's title:
Do people really want to hear the truth ?
Now two very painful causes for thought:
Time and time again people tell me that Mary or even Jesus appeared to them personally. Such a thing is not out of thin air or conceived, but it happens.
But is it Mary - is it Jesus who appears to man?
This can definitely be answered with a no.
Satan wants to fool humans by assuming the external form
of Mary or even Jesus - and he succeeds !
But in God's Word we are explicitly warned:
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
(2 Corinthians 11/14)
Jesus warned us of apparitions that fool people into believing
that Jesus stands before them and has something to tell them.
Jesus warning:
"... Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ ... go ye not therefore after them."
(Luke 21/8)
Jesus also said:
"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders ..."
(Mark 13/22)
And he speaks:
"But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."
(Mark 13/23)
Also in Revelation, we are warned against Satan's signs:
"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles ..."
(Revelation 16/14)
But who even reads these warnings in God's Word himself ?
Most people believe what they are told by the church.
After all, the parents already believed that - and their parents ...
They question nothing - but believe everything blindly.
Jesus Christ warns us against blind faith:
"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.
And if the blind lead the blind, (then) both shall fall into the ditch."
(Matthew 15/14)
A reader of my homepage wrote by e-mail:
"Jesus personally appeared to me at Holy Mass, in my mind's eye -
In a scary physical presence. He blessed me. "
Question: What purpose and advantage does Satan have when doing this ?
The answer is simple: he wants to make it clear to him that he is
is on the right path, and God agrees with his behaviour.
This convinces the human being that everything is alright and a correction of the path and the behaviour - or even a reversal is not required.
Here's an example:
Someone is a member of a church that teaches that you may pray to Mary or saints -
And should.
However, in this church, the faithful are not told that
this is a sin. Will God be happy about such wrongdoing of the believers ?
No !
Maybe you think or say now:
"But I didn't know any better. You cannot judge me."
Oh yes - you can - and you will be judged. Because you could have read intensively in the Bible, what the
Lord has to say in his word; then the Holy Spirit would have been helping (see cleartext point 013) you to understand the Word of God.
In this case, too, the secular proverb applies:
Ignorance does not protect from punishment.
In God's Word it says:
"Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them ... "
(Ephesians 4/18)
If you say (or think) that you barely - or don´t have time to read the Bible (and explanatory in this cleartext info), then I would like to recommend you the cleartext point 005.
Please refer to the cleartext point 003, how you can understand the Bible.
Important to know:
If anyone behaves incorrigibly and does not heed what is right and what is wrong in God's Word, God turns away from this person.
(See cleartext point 044: Do we notice when God drops us ?)
So that one does not become thoughtful, Satan takes on the role of a protector.
He makes sure that this person continues to be well - so they do not
search for God and informs him-/herself thoroughly in the Bible.
To give that person the absolute certainty that he is on the right track, Satan appears at some point in the guise of Mary or even of Jesus.
The person in question is now quite sure that his/ her path is right because after all Mary or Jesus would never establish visible contact with a sinner. Such honour is only given to the good. (This is the widespread idea of many people.)
Thus Satan has precisely achieved what he wanted: the person remains faithful in the belief that his/ her church is the right one. He (or she) would never get the idea that he (or she) could be deceived and misled by this church.
But it is explicitly written in God's Word, that we shall only pray to God and Jesus Christ.
Anyone who lets himself be persuaded of a church does not follow God's instructions, but human words -
That is a misguided religion,
which ultimately (on the last day) is guaranteed to lead to ruin.
The following lines were written by a believing man,
which belongs to a church just described:
"On your homepage, I read that we should tithe. I'm paying my tithing now to our pastor, who passes the money on to a pastor in India so that as many people as possible can find their way to the right church and faith ... "
This pastor is working in India for a church to grow,
which promotes and welcomes praying to Mary and saints -
Thus seduces believers to sin.
Question: Should one tithe such a church ?
(You can read about God's tithes in the cleartext point 094.)
