The Cult of Catholicism Part 4

The Rev. Billy Graham and Pope John Paul II

Throughout much of the 2,000 year history of the Christian Church, many pastors, ministers and scholars have clearly recognized the Roman Catholic Church as the ominous harlot described by the apostle John in his famous vision that's recorded in the Book of Revelation. (Revelation 17)

Here's what John wrote:  "Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. The name written on her forehead was a mystery: 'Mystery Babylon The Great, The Mother of Prostitutes And of The Abominations of The Earth.'" (Revelation 17:3-5)

But John didn't stop there. He continued: "I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus." (Revelation 17:6)

What was John describing? He was describing a religious organization that persecutes God's true people. And for many centuries, the Catholic Church has persecuted countless people who refused to join her and swear allegiance to her popes.

How can we determine that John described the Catholic Church? John's description of the harlot's clothing--purple and scarlet--are the colors worn by the Roman Catholic priesthood.

The golden chalice she holds is an essential element used in the sacrament of the Eucharist. And the moniker stamped on her forehead--Mystery Babylon--is an historical name that the Catholic Church has used to describe herself.

But equally important is the harlot's earthly location that was revealed to John--a city surrounded by seven hills. (Revelation 17:9) There are only two cities in the world that are surrounded by seven hills--Rio de Janeiro that's located in Brazil, and Rome that's located in Italy.

Rome is home to the Vatican, the world headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. When John recorded the Revelation in about 90 A.D., the Catholic Church didn't exist and wouldn't come into existence until the 4th century A.D.

Was John's revelation just a coincidence? Hardly. There are no coincidences concerning biblical prophecy. John clearly described the Roman Catholic Church. And for centuries, many true Christians recognized who John was referring to.

Nevertheless, many modern Protestant and evangelical Christians no longer recognize or believe what John wrote. They're convinced that the Catholic Church is a genuine Christian denomination. And because of that, they're joining hands with Rome in droves.

And that's as dangerous as it's wrong. Why? Because the Roman Catholic Church doesn't belong to Jesus Christ. And she never did.

Her gospel is a false gospel that has never saved anyone. It's a gospel of works that's condemned in the Bible. Works play absolutely no part in our salvation. Faith in the crucified and resurrected Savior Jesus Christ is how we are saved.

Concerning faith and works, the apostle Paul wrote this: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

Certainly, in many ways, the Roman Catholic Church promotes biblical ideals such as the sanctity of traditional marriage, the sacredness of life and concern for the poor, sick and elderly.

And Roman Catholic schools provide an excellent education that graduate some of the best and brightest minds.

However, promoting biblical ideals and operating an educational system that's superior to deplorable government run schools doesn't make an institution Christian. What makes an institution Christian is its loyalty and support for God and His word as it's presented in the Bible.

The most vital task of any church is to promote the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ. That's what Christ established His church on earth for. If a church fails to preach the biblical gospel, then anything else it accomplishes amounts to a pile of manure.

Why? Because we're talking about the eternal destiny of human beings. And the biblical gospel shows us the way to an eternal destiny of peace, joy, love and happiness in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All other gospels--including the Roman Catholic gospel--lead to eternal doom and gloom.

That's not my opinion--that's a fact that's backed up by Christ Himself who said this: "For God so loved the world that he gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)