There was only one main enemy, if you will, of our Lord while He walked this earth during His ministry, those of the religious sect of that day. They had perverted the Word of God so much that it was barely recognizable, traditions of man had replaced the commandments of God, or at least had superseded them in many ways. And those in charge would rarely follow many of them, (Matt. 15:9?) for a show to the people of their supposed closeness to the Almighty, they dressed in the best apparel, (Luke 20:46) they said long prayers, (Matt. 23:14) they made sure that people saw them giving money, (Matt. 6:2) they sought the praise of men instead of the things of God. Sound familiar?
Take a look around this planet and see for yourself, which religious institution has the largest “church” buildings with the most ornate and highly decorated interiors, which one has those that are associated with it dress in a way that sets them apart from the people, and the higher up the ranks you get, the more expressive and decorative they become, which cult requires their members to adhere to the most strictest of so-called spiritual guidelines and statutes, but offers them a way out if they do not. The list goes on, the traditions of men instead of the things of God, “but denying the power thereof.” (2 Tim. 3:5)
I tend to agree that the Roman Catholic organization, church if you like, is if not in personification, the whore spoken of in the Scriptures, then at least the catalyst of the beginnings of the one world religious order. What can be said in the Scriptures in a few words about this evil false church they have attempted to refute with a billion volumes of books, yet to no avail, the proofs are far too obvious.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment;” (Heb. 9:27) no, not necessarily, there is this placed called purgatory. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Tim. 2:5) no, we have many that can go before God. “Called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7) Only if we say so. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God;” (Eph. 2:8) not so, many other stipulations must be adhered to. And those are just the basics, those are the most obvious that should prove to anyone that the straight path does not lead through the Roman Catholic institution.
I detest those who are leading the lost astray, in the same way and fervency that our Lord did the pharisee of His day, but to those whose eyes have been blinded, I do what I am called to when I am called to help them to see the light of Jesus Christ, a light that does not require that certain ordinances be adhered to, that does not require certain words to be spoken in certain ways at certain times, a Lord of grace and mercy, not of rules and regulations. Religions foundation is law, law mixed with promises if the law is followed, but each of them offer no more than a carrot on a stick, and a billion plus people are following that carrot, unaware that the stick is tied to them.
No one is forced to be a Roman Catholic, a Mormon, a Buddhist, Muslim, Jehovah’s Witness, no one, no religious organization can force you to follow what they say is truth, and it is only through fear that they can hold onto their members, fear and deception. The truth is out there my friends, it will set you free, but you must search for it, if the goal you have by attending any church is to glorify God, then He will show you the path, if it is to ensure as much as humanly possible your acceptance into whatever form of afterlife any of these cults profess, you will die in your sins.
Jesus said it to the pharisees, I say it to you, if you do not know Jesus Christ as Lord, as the Sovereign God of all creation, you will die in your sins. If you are of the world, if a person is akin to Satan, who savors the things of man, (Matt. 16:23) then religion is a wonderful racket, much money, much power and accolades, much fear and respect.
Only those the Lord has blessed with eyes to see can see the truth, it is His truth, and He gives it to whom He will, all others will remain blind, no matter how hard they try.
If you will not open up a King James Bible and search for truth yourself, you have no excuse, if you will not compare it to the one that you are being taught from, you have no excuse, if you are being told that God has given special revelations to any person or organization, then you are being lied to, (Rev. 20:18) if you believe and follow what you are told is truth without taking the time to verify that truth yourself, then you have no one to blame but yourself. The charlatans, false prophets, magicians, deceivers, and liars will all find their place in the Lake of Fire, if you willingly are following them now, you will find your place of rest right beside them for all eternity, but it will not be in the kingdom of God, and you will not call it rest, but pain and eternal suffering, and it will be your fault.
