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COGwriter

Many who claim Christianity celebrate December 25th as the date of Jesus’ birth.

Various Roman Catholics and Protestants give arguments in favor of Christmas celebrations.

Yet, many do not understand the biblical or historical truth about it.

Here is a list of 22 items people who keep Christmas do not seem to fully consider:

1. In Leviticus 23, God lists His festivals–with specific dates.

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.

3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.

4 ‘These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. 5 On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.  (Leviticus 23:1-6)

If you read the entire list, neither birthdays nor anything resembling Christmas is pointed to, by God, to observe.

2. In Jeremiah 10, God says not to follow pagan practices, such as using a decorated tree, in the worship of Him:

1 Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.

2 Thus says the Lord:

“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple. (Jeremiah 10:1-4)

10 But the Lord is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.

11 Thus you shall say to them: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.” (Jeremiah 10:10-11)

3. Nowhere in the Bible is the date of Jesus’ birth mentioned. You can read all the New Testament, as well as look for clues in the Old Testament, and nothing points to the date people celebrate as Christmas.

4. Scripture opposes the view that Jesus could have been born in late December.

The Bible teaches:

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  (Luke 2:1-8)

The Catholic Encyclopedia says the “census would have been impossible in winter.”

Consider also that shepherds were not spending the night outside with their flocks then. They stopped doing that normally in the Fall.

Therefore, when we look at scripture, we realize Jesus was not born when many claim to celebrate His birth.

5. There is no hint in scripture for God’s faithful to observe birthdays.

The first century Jewish historian Josephus noted that Jewish families did not celebrate birthdays:

Nay, indeed, the law does not permit us to make festivals at the birth of our children, and thereby afford occasion of drinking to excess (Josephus. Translated by W. Whiston. Against Apion, Book II, Chapter 26. Extracted from Josephus Complete Works, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids (MI), 14th printing, 1977, p. 632).

Now although there is no specific command against the celebration of birthdays in the Bible, the Jewish custom in those days was apparently based on the negative occurrences in the Bible surrounding birthdays, as well as the astrological implications of the celebration of birthdays (pagan practices, like astrology, were specifically prohibited in the law–see also OMENS? DIVINATION? HOROSCOPES? THE ORIGIN OF ASTROLOGY).

When we look in the New Testament, no one is ever instructed to observe the date of Jesus’ birth.

6. That lack of instruction also goes along with the fact that the New Testament does not show that Jesus’ disciples ever observed the date of Jesus’ birth.

7. Early professors of Christ did not celebrate birthdays either. At the time of Christ, observant Jews did not celebrate birthdays, nor did early Christians.

Here is some of what the Greco-Roman theologian Origen wrote in the 3rd century:

…of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicings over the day on which they were born into this world below (Origen, in Levit., Hom. VIII, in Migne P.G., XII, 495) (Thurston H. Natal Day. Transcribed by Thomas M. Barrett. Dedicated to Margaret Johanna Albertina Behling Barrett. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. Copyright © 1911 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

The writings of the late third century Roman Catholic theologian Arnobius show that, even that late, Greco-Roman Catholics objected to the celebration of birthdays as he wrote:

…you worship with couches, altars, temples, and other service, and by celebrating their games and birthdays, those whom it was fitting that you should assail with keenest hatred. (Arnobius. Against the Heathen (Book I), Chapter 64. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 6. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1886. Online Edition Copyright © 2005 by K. Knight).

Thus birthday celebrations, even of gods and leaders, were condemned as far as the late third century by even Roman Catholic leaders. Birthdays of pagan deities were celebrated by many in the Roman Empire, and early professors of Christ did not want to imitate the pagans.

8. The Apostle Paul wrote that Christians were not to use demonic pagan practices in worship:

19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? (1 Corinthians 10:19-22)

9. The sun god Mithras was allegedly born on December 25th as the season was celebrated as the rebirth of the sun.

10. Pagans celebrated the sun-god Mithras and the god of agriculture Saturn in late December each year with lights, wreaths, parties, and gift-giving.

11. About two centuries after Jesus was born Tertullian wrote that people, in what we would now call the Eastern and Roman Catholic churches, used wreaths and lights, gave gifts, etc. in late December to be like the heathen. Pagan worship really is the “reason for the season.”

12. Tertullian condemned those practices as demonic and idolatrous and further wrote that those who professed Christ should not honor pagan gods in their worship.

13. The pagan Emperor Constantine worshiped the sun-god Mithras and then celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25th starting in 336 A.D.

14. Roman pontiffs followed Emperor Constantine’s lead and in 354 A.D., Bishop Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on December 25.

15. The anti-Semite Constantinople Bishop John Chrysostom, who opposed the biblical holy days, got a December 25^th celebration adopted in his area by 395 A.D.

16. So, because of its late adoption, it should be obvious that Christmas was NOT part of the ‘faith once for all delivered to the saints’ (Jude 3).

17. Furthermore, the word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. It most certainly did not come from the Bible.

18. The liturgy of early Christian church services did NOT resemble Greco-Roman mass services. Hence, holding a “mass” is not consistent with early Christian practices.

19. The “twelve days of Christmas” originally came from the 12 days of Yuletide which began at sunset on December 20, known as Mother Night, and ended on the night of December 31, the Night of the Oak King and the Roman day of Hecate.

There is a right way and a wrong way–do not base this on your feelings about what is right:

8 You shall not at all do as we are doing here today–every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes– … 25 do what is right in the sight of the Lord.  (Deuteronomy 12:8,25)

Wiccans’ (witches) still keep Yule. And despite the Roman Catholic saint St. Boniface obtained the abolition of yule logs from Pope Zachary in the 8th century, many still embrace them today.

20. Mistletoe came from the pagan Druids.

21. Roman Catholics originally condemned Protestantism as the “Tannenbaum religion” because of what are called Christmas trees. But now Vatican City prominently displays one each year.

22. It is wrong to bear false witness, including telling lies about the mythological Santa Claus.

Christmas is NOT a biblical nor truly a Christ-centered holiday. It is a sentimental and commercialized pagan tradition.

Christmas is a distraction from the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. It is not a Christ-centered holiday as its proponents sometimes claim.

Christmas has the wrong emphasis and is not based on truth.

Jesus taught:

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ (Mark 7:7)

Of course, it is vain and bearing false witness to deceive children about Santa Claus.

There is a right way and a wrong way to live and worship God–do not base this on your emotional feelings about what is right:

8 You shall not at all do as we are doing here today–every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes– … 25 do what is right in the sight of the Lord. … 32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. (Deuteronomy 12:8,25,32)

God did not command keeping Christmas; pagans came up with it.

Consider something that the Apostle Paul wrote:

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:17-24)

Christians are to put off pagan ways, and live according to the truth, not longing for improper traditions.

Wiccan’s (witches) still keep Yule and teach the altar on Yule should face north and that the area is decorated with Holly and Mistletoe. They think that is good.

The foundation of Christmas is demonic paganism and lies.

Consider something else that Jesus had recorded:

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)

Which are you?

One who keeps God’s commandments or one who prefers to practice the idolatrous lie of Christmas?

Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?

Now, this year, after looking at four articles trying to push Christians to celebrate Christmas, we put together the following video on ContinuingCOG channel:

1:10:57

Arguments for Christmas?

This sermon goes over four articles, two from Protestants and two from Roman Catholics, who give their reasons and arguments for why they feel that real Christians should observe the 25th of December as Christmas. The writers generally admit that Jesus was not born then, that the trappings of Christmas are pagan, the timing is pagan (it coincided with the pagan Saturnalia and the birthday of the sun god Mithras), and that Santa Claus is a lie. Dr. Thiel explains errors in their arguments, brings up scriptures, and points out that the Bible enjoins God’s Holy Days, that Christmas was not one of them, and that early Christians did not observe it. Dr. Thiel explains what the word ‘Christmas’ means, when it was first used, where it comes from, and why true believers would not wish to celebrate it. He also points out that its observance distorts God’s plan and that most who observe Christmas do not understand God’s plan of salvation.

Here is a link to our video: Arguments for Christmas?

World Net Daily posted something related to Santa Claus lying and being woke:

‘Lying to your children’: Watch how Coca-Cola’s shaping of Santa Claus is key to woke brainwashing today

December 24, 2024

Does Coca-Cola’s shaping of the modern Santa Claus image hold the key to understanding today’s woke propaganda and brainwashing?

Alex Jones of Infowars says absolutely, and he just dropped a video explaining the devious connection on the night before Christmas Eve. …

“But if you understand how Coca-Cola was able to take Christmas from being a low-budget holiday, that was not that big of an event, … “They created this whole thing about Santa and reindeer and [Rudolph] the red-nosed reindeer, and so it’s just part of our culture.”

“It’s about lying to your children and telling them a fable. And once you accept that lie, you’ll now accept any lie to tell your children. … The point is that: then lie becomes ‘two men can have a baby,’ ‘there’s no X and Y chromosomes,’ and the new p.r. [public relations] push, and there’s been many is, ‘Oh, Bruce Jenner is now Caitlyn Jenner. Don’t be mean to him. He’s stunning and brave. Support an old man now saying he’s a woman.”

“And you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m not hateful. It’s OK.’ Now you’ve just supported castrating little boys, chemical sterilization, this whole depopulation agenda, mainly targeting autistic and retarded children, and the schools secretly brainwashing … getting grant money, corporate and government, to do it. It’s the same thing. It’s a giant p.r. rollout.” …

The history and evolving image of Santa Claus is addressed in some recent best-selling books by Christian author Joe Kovacs. …

“The image of an old, fat man in his red and white outfit received a great deal of help from a Coca-Cola marketing campaign in the early twentieth century. The company wanted to remind people that Coke was not just a summertime beverage, so in 1922 it employed the slogan ‘Thirst Knows No Season.’ Nine years later, the soda giant used drawings by Michigan-born illustrator Haddon Sundblom to spread the jolly look of the fat man worldwide.” https://www.wnd.com/2024/12/lying-to-your-children-watch-how-coca-colas-shaping-of-santa-claus-is-key-to-woke-brainwashing-today/

Yes, lying to children about Santa Claus is wrong.

Now, although I not seen the quotes WND posted until today, I did mention Coca-Cola and lying about Santa Claus in my latest sermon on Christmas:

 

1:25:55

Christians say No to Christmas

Was Jesus born on the 25th of December? Can you be certain He was not? If He was not, should Christians celebrate December 25 as His birth date? Was December 25th really celebrated by pagans as the birthday of the sun-god Mithras/Natalis Invicti? Did early Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth? Are many of the traditions associated with Christmas actually pagan as associated with the Saturnalia of Roman and the Druid practices of the winter solstice? What about evergreen trees, ivy, holly, exchange of gifts, and mistletoe? Do Buddhists and Hindus uses ‘Christmas lights’ today? Was ‘Saint Nicholas’ actually happy, fat, and jolly or a brawler? Any connections between the Norse god Odin and Santa Claus? Is it right to lie to children about Santa Claus? What is the connection of eating boar (ham/pig/pork) on Christmas and ancient Nimrod? Does the Bible discourage adoption on non-biblical worship practices? What does ‘The Catholic Encyclopedia’ reveal about Christmas and its associated practices? What about Emperor Constantine picking the date in 336 A.D.? Can you be certain that December 25th was not the date of Jesus’ birth? Where are God’s Holy Days listed in the Bible? Did Jesus condemn relying on tradition over scripture for worship? Why to faithful Christians say no to Christmas? Dr. Thiel addresses these matters and also goes over a list of 25 items to consider to not celebrating Christmas?

Here is a link to our video: Christians say No to Christmas.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Roman Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to two related sermon: 25 Reasons to Not Keep Christmas and What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays. A related sermon is Which Spring Days should Christians observe?
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol? Was the cross used as a venerated symbol by the early Church? Two related YouTube videos would be Beware of the ‘Ecumenical Cross’ and Origin of the Cross.
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it? Here is an old, by somewhat related, article in the Spanish language LA DOCTRINA DE LA TRINIDAD. A related sermon is available: Trinity: Fundamental to Christianity or Something Else? A brief video is also available: Three trinitarian scriptures?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Hanukkah: Jewish Christmas and Hidden Key to Prophecy? Originally a Jewish national holiday, has Hanukkah morphed into a Jewish Christmas? Does it hold hidden secrets to prophecy? Here is a related video: Hanukkah, Tradition, and Prophecy.
Canadian & Philadelphian Mummers Parades: Another tie to Saturnalia In Canada there is a ’12 days of Christmas’ celebration involving Mummers. In Philadelphia, a parade is held on New Years. Does this come from the Bible or where?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
How did December 25th become Christmas? Was Jesus born then? If not, why December 25? Here is the article translated into Mandarin Chinese 12g25eågTf/`NHˆ«‹¸YWúwcv„OáNð€‘Ç~³v„.
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations? A related sermon video is available and is titled: Birthdays, Christians, and December 25th. French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui? Here is a link to a short animation: Which Church would Jesus Choose?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they? A related sermon is titled Tradition and Scripture.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (photo by Michael Lucan)

COGwriter

As regular readers of this page are aware, I have had my eye on one-time, German Defense Minister Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg since late 2009 as one who could possibly fulfill the role of the final King of the North. That leader will use religion to rise up.

PCG’s The Trumpet site, posted the following related to Herr Guttenberg and an interview that was published in German earlier in 2024:

Guttenberg’s Catholic Vision for Germany

The Catholic Church and German politics are both in crisis. Could they help each other out?

December 24, 2024

The defining mark of every German town is a church, but church attendance is in drastic decline. Hundreds of thousands of members are leaving both the Protestant and Catholic churches each year in Germany. But one man has risen as an advocate for the churches, reminding Germany of centuries of European history: former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.

There are indications that the baron, whose family has a long history with the Catholic faith, may help herald in a religious renaissance.

Guttenberg—who recently became a podcaster, author and documentary filmmaker—believes religion is an important aspect of society, especially as divisions grow and crises intensify. In a December 4 podcast with cohost Gregor Gysi, he stated: “Given the division of our society today, it would be good to extend some Christmas thoughts to the rest of the year.” …

Sunday Worship

Guttenberg was interviewed by the magazine Grandios, which has the stated goal of “anchoring Christian values in society.” …

Guttenberg: …. It has always been important for me to see this Sunday as a necessary day for quiet reflection, not just to let oneself drift away with the troubles from the rest of the week on Sunday. As you know, I have a Christian background. Sunday played a certain role for me. You can’t expect people to do that today. You can’t expect that in a society where hardly everyone feels they belong to this Sunday image. Despite this, there can be one day a week, everyone can decide for themselves, when they can take advantage of offers that don’t correspond to the laws of everyday life.

That’s why I wanted to write them for Sunday.

… Sunday is something where we used to traditionally take ourselves back into the human realm of coming together. (https://www.thetrumpet.com/30585-guttenbergs-catholic-vision-for-germany 12/24/24)

The Power of the Church

When asked, “The church is viewed so critically, but still has enormous power. How do you explain that?”, Guttenberg responded:

Apart from the fact that the church is one of the largest employers in the world and that the church has an incredible amount of money at its disposal (which is sometimes incredibly unfairly distributed), it is the brand factor that particularly interests me. And yes, I do worry about the church, but I’m not at all alarmed. https://www.thetrumpet.com/30585-guttenbergs-catholic-vision-for-germany

So, notice that Herr Guttenberg likes Sunday, which was not the original Christian day of worship. He also seems to like Christmas, which is also not something original Christians endorsed (watch also Christians say No to Christmas).

Although he likes Sunday, he thinks others can pick other days. Notice something about the coming King of the North Beast power:

25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law. (Daniel 7:25)

Herr Guttenberg could be the one who will change times and law. He remains one to “Watch” (cf. Mark 13:37).

Further, notice that he made comments about the vast wealth of the Vatican.

I have written for many years (e.g. in 2013: Pope Francis: Do his comments about the poor show that he intend to fulfill biblical and Catholic prophecies about the final Antichrist? and in 2017: Caring for the poor is our ‘passport to paradise’, says Pope Francis; What about EU banking and deposit insurance?) that the Vatican may use its vast wealth to assist Europe when it encounters a major financial crisis.

Based on Barron Guttenberg’s comments, he might have that in mind as well.

As far as the Barron and religion goes, notice also the following:

08 December 2023

“Would you come to my church service if I were a priest?” asks Jacqueline Straub. And Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg replies: “I am so curious that I would of course come. And I wouldn’t form a judgement in the service, but on the way there and of course I already have a certain bias.” … The former Minister of Defence sets off on a journey through Germany and to Rome to explore the situation of the Church. …

Interesting mix of dialogue partners

An interesting mix of dialogue partners have their say: victims of abuse and trans people who fear for their future as teachers of the Catholic religion and are dependent on episcopal exemptions; Passau’s Bishop Stefan Oster and Gregor Gysi from the Left Party; a young candidate for the priesthood and the aforementioned Jacqueline Straub, who feels called to be a priest but does not want to switch to the Protestants, but rather remain in “her” Catholic Church.

The fact that this would be different from the current official church runs through the entire documentary. https://english.katholisch.de/artikel/49364-karl-theodor-zu-guttenberg-and-his-plea-for-a-reform-of-the-church

To me, this shows additional interest in religion, plus perhaps KT has some ideas about how to make some changes.

A while back, a reader sent me a link to a German language article about that program titled: KARL-THEODOR ZU GUTTENBERG: „ICH GLAUBE, DER MENSCH BRAUCHT IMMER RELIGION“ 12/28/23 (URL: https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/politik/interview-karl-theodor-zu-guttenberg-ich-habe-mit-meinem-damaligen-scheitern-frieden-geschlossen-id68462711.html) which I had machine-translated the German into English as follows:

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: “I believe that people always need religion”

The former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg analyzed the situation of the churches in Germany in a 90-minute RTL documentary {12/26/23} … For him personally, faith is “a basic support in life”.

In the ntv interview, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg expressed the conviction that people would not be able to get along without religion given “so many unanswered questions in life”. He emphasized:

“I believe that people always need religion. No yoga mat can replace that. …

“The core message that the church spreads is still an extremely comforting one. One that can give people support. This is important.”

Personally, his faith helps him “almost every day.” Even though he doesn’t go to church every Sunday and he “occasionally” struggles with his faith as well as with the institution of the church, …

Zu Guttenberg even believes that troughs in faith combined with a critical debate are important because they keep the debate “active”. He emphasized that when it comes to wanting to change the church, “one should be part of ‘the club’ and not just try to influence it from outside.” That’s why leaving the church is “not an option” for him, said the 52-year-old. …

He sees it as an important task of the church to offer “a clever translation” of the Bible into our time. …

Overall, he is “worried about the church, but I’m not completely worried,” Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg summed up to n-tv.

This is of interest for several reasons.

One reason is his idea of “a clever translation” of the Bible is concerning as the WEF, certain ecumenical promoters, and others want to re-word parts of the Bible as they want the biblical truth changed for political (see SN: WEF Calls for AI to Rewrite Bible, Create ‘Religions That Are Actually Correct’) and other inappropriate reasons (see PETA uses ChatGPT to make blasphemous Bible)–to do so is a blasphemous heresy. Baron Guttenberg is presumably a supporting member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) as he once spoke at one of its conferences (Stott M. German minister fears “infectious momentum” in Mideast. Reuters, January 28, 2011), hence his comments may align with what some in the WEF are advocating.

Another reason the documentary Herr Guttenberg was in is of interest is that I posted the following here a month before it was broadcast:

Another thing I have speculated about him was that Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg would be involved with religion. (Thiel B. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is to become a ‘media brand’? Another COGwriter speculative prediction confirmed? COGwriter, November 25, 2023)

Well, that documentary suggests that he is involved in religion and his comments suggest that he wants to change it.

That is something that the coming King of the North will do. The Bible teaches:

38 … he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know … (Daniel 11:38)

Related to Karl Guttenberg and Daniel 11:38, back in 2010, I posted:

I consider that Germany’s Defence Minister Baron Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg is someone to watch as both a potential future King of the North and final political leader known … as the Beast …

From the passages in Daniel we see that this king is not truly devoted to any existing religion, but that he somehow promotes another. One way this could be done would be to come up with a new order within Catholicism (which is not that hard to do as my great-aunt Mary did that last century). A new order allows one to have certain unique characteristics while still claiming to be part of the Roman Catholic faith. And in the King of the North’s view, if he promotes an order that (at first at least) seems fairly Catholic, this ruse will work for some time. …

He has the right to select the priest for his parish.  Hence, the idea that political leaders should be involved with religion is something he was raised up believing. A leader combining church and state is prophesied in Daniel 11:37-38 and Revelation 13.

Also, if certain Catholic prophecy about the “Great Monarch” is correct, this leader will change the Catholic faith and offend many of the Catholic clergy:

Francis also speaks in a series of letters to Simeon de Limena, Count of Montalto in great detail of a future Great Monarch who will be a Roman Emperor. Limena was a great patron of St. Francis’ order and also a great military protector of the Church…Several potentially confusing things are now told about this future Monarch. He is described as founding a new religious order. To the reader this may sound like he also become a priest. That is not the case. What happens is that he founds a religious order, part of which contains military men who take religious vows. He will be the head of the military arm of this order. In this sense it will be like the Knights Templar of the Middle Ages.

St. Francis of Paula (15th Century)…“He shall be the founder of a new religious order different from all others. (Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp. 276-270)

Franciscan Friar (18th century). “All the religious orders will be suppressed, except one, the rule of which will be as rigid and severe as that of the monks of the past. During these calamities the Pope will die. As a result, the most powerful anarchy will prevail within the Church.”  (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 79)

Sister Marianne Gaultier (18th century): “…the Prince shall reign, whom people did not esteem before, but whom they shall then seek.  (Dupont, p. 75).

D. Birch (commenting after the above in his book), “Many of the prophecies speak of the fact that the Great King at first will not be well-liked, especially by the French clergy” (Birch, p. 276).

Even if the above is in total error, the biblical fact is that the future King of the North and final political leader known biblical as the Beast will not truly be a devoted Catholic.  He will likely simply claim that religion, change it, and ultimately attempt to destroy it. (Thiel B. PCG Claims Karl Guttenberg is a “Devoted Roman Catholic”, COGwriter has a different view. COGwriter, March 16, 2010)

In 2011, I posted:

If Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg eventually establishes a new religious order within Catholicism (cf. Daniel 11:38), promotes European unity, promotes ecumenism, promotes peace in the Middle East (even if he simply makes a statement endorsing it when he is in another land, including possibly while in the USA), and/or otherwise rises up in European politics, he could be very interesting to watch. He now may have the time to do some of these things.

Could Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg possibly establish, officially or unofficially, a new order of some type of ‘Catholicism’?

Yes, but that would NOT be the faith of the original catholic church unless he repents.

If Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg does establish, officially or unofficially, a new order of some type of ‘Catholicism’ that will be even more reason to “watch” (cf. Mark 13:37) him as a Beast candidate.

Related to him and the Middle East, in 2022 the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

15:17

The Middle East, Prophecy, and Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg

Iran and Israel have been involved with various attacks and threats against each other. Does the Bible seem to prophesy that Iran and Syria will attack Israel? Will God always protect Israel? Will Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ protect it? Is “great damage” prophesied to come to Jerusalem? What about damage to Syria’s capital Damascus? What was Isaiah inspired to write? Could a peace deal come after a regional conflict in the Middle East? Could Baron Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg (KT) be the “prince” of Daniel 9:26-27, who becomes the King of the North of Daniel 11? Was KT spurned, rejected, and passed over for advancement consistent with one rendering of Daniel 11:21? Does KT have the ancestral and religious background to be the “Great Monarch” of Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies? Does KT have the digital background to be able to be involved in the 666 controlling of buying and selling (Revelation 13:16-18)? Should you be watching the Middle East and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more.

Here is a link to our video: The Middle East, Prophecy, and Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg.

Back in 2016, the Continuing Church of God put out the following sermon about him on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:18:01

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future

Former German Economic & Technology Minister as well as former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg spoke at the Hub Conference in Berlin and gave a presentation titled “Wish List or Reality? Digital Trends in 2016.” Dr. Thiel shows portions of the presentation and comments on his presentation related to Bible prophecy and Baron Guttenberg’s background. What is the future for Europe?

Here is a link to the sermon: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future.

Herr Guttenberg continues to make statements consistent with being a candidate for the Beast or at least one who would support the coming European Beast power.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Greco-Roman Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest? A video of related interest would be: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future. A shorter one is also available: The Middle East, Prophecy, and Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg.
Blockchain, Karl Guttenberg, and 666 American Express just announced a deal with Ripple related to using its blockchain technology. No longer confined to Bitcoin, blockchain technology is moving towards the mainstream. Former German Economic and later Defense Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has long been an adviser to Ripple and has plans for internationally-expanding the use of blockchain money. Jim Rickards, Doug Casey, and others have expressed concerns that blockchain money will give governments too much control over buying and selling. Could any of this be related to biblical prophecies in the Books of Daniel and Revelation? Could any of this help fulfill the prophecies related to buying and selling and 666 in Revelation 13? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video. A related written article is also available: Amex launches blockchain-based business payments using Ripple: Prelude to the Beast and 666?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.

    Representation of Cave Grotto, Vatican City, January 2010

COGwriter

On December 25, people in many parts of the world celebrate a holiday.

This holiday was celebrated before Jesus was born.

And, depending on where it was observed, this season had some different names.

Two that come to mind are the Saturnalia and Yuletide.

The real reason for the season was to worship the sun god and celebrate his rebirth.

The Catholic Encyclopedia reported:

Mithraism A pagan religion consisting mainly of the cult of the ancient Indo-Iranian Sun-god Mithra. It entered Europe from Asia Minor after Alexander’s conquest, spread rapidly over the whole Roman Empire at the beginning of our era…The origin of the cult of Mithra dates from the time that the Hindus and Persians still formed one people, for the god Mithra occurs in the religion and the sacred books of both races , i.e. in the Vedas and in the Avesta. In Vedic hymns he is frequently mentioned and is nearly always coupled with Varuna, but beyond the bare occurrence of his name, little is known of him (Rigveda, III, 59). It is conjectured (Oldenberg, “Die “Religion des Veda,” Berlin , 1894) that Mithra was the rising sun, Varuna the setting sun; or, Mithra, the sky at daytime, Varuna, the sky at night; or, the one the sun, the other the moon. In any case Mithra is a light or solar deity of some sort

Helios Mithras is one god … Sunday was kept holy in honour of Mithra … The 25 December was observed as his birthday, the natalis invicti, the rebirth of the winter-sun, unconquered by the rigours of the season…

Its foremost apostles were the legionaries; hence it spread first to the frontier stations of the Roman army.

Mithraism was emphatically a soldier religion…

(Arendzen J.P. Transcribed by John Looby. Mithraism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. Published 1911. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York )

Mithra, identified with the invincible Sun…they also held Sunday sacred, and celebrated the birth of the Sun on the 25th of December, the same day on which Christmas has been celebrated, since the fourth century at least …

it appears certain that the commemoration of the Nativity was set for the 25th of December, because it was at the winter solstice that the rebirth of the invincible god,* the Natalis invicti, was celebrated. In adopting this date, which was universally distinguished by sacred festivities, the ecclesiastical authority purified in some measure the profane usages which it could not suppress. The only domain in which we can ascertain in detail the extent to which Christianity imitated Mithraism is that of art. The Mithraic sculpture, which had been first developed, furnished the ancient Christian marble-cutters with a large number of models, which they adopted or adapted…(Cumont, pp. 166, 193,196-197).

H.M. Gwatkin wrote:

There was a true moral element in the worship of Mithra the all- seeing, the author and protector of life, Mithra the purifier, the giver of immortality. A great catholic church of Mithra overspread the lands from Persia to Britain, especially along the great rivers where the legions lay. It had regular and irregular clergy, ascetics and mendicant friars, and divers orders of faithful men. It had regular divine service three times daily, and a yearly round of festivals culminating in the Birthday of Mithra (Dec. 25), with meetings for worship and processions of noisy votaries.

(Gwatkin, Henry Melvill. Early church history to A.D. 313 2nd Edition. Macmillan, 1912. Original from the University of Michigan Digitized Nov 13, 2008, p. 140)

As far as Mithraism and Christmas go, notice the following claim:

The origin of this festivity is presumed to be Mithraic and about 4000 years old. Mithra was the god of light in ancient Iran. The symbol of Mithra is Sun. Iranians used this symbol in their flag for at least the last 2500 years. The period of 17th to 24th of December was the duration of this feast. The 21st of December, which is the solstice of winter, is still celebrated in Iran. It is called “Yalda” and it represents the victory of light over darkness, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Mithraism was brought to Europe by Greek soldiers after the defeat of the Persians by Alexander … Prior to the dominance of Christianity the Romans celebrated this festivity during the 25th of December to 6th of January. Mithraism gained favor by the Emperor Commodus and Julian and in 307 Diocletian built a temple on the Danube River dedicated to Mithra. Mithraism spread throughout Europe from Rome to the province of Numidia in North Africa up to England and Scotland. (Sina A. The Origin of Christmas. http://www.faithfreedom.org/oped/sina21224.htm accessed 09/23/16)

The late Baptist minister and civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, Jr. also concluded this was so in some of his early theological research from 1949 and 1950:

When Mithraism is compared to Christianity, there are surprisingly many points of similarity. Of all the mystery cults, Mithraism was the greatest competitor of Christianity …

That Christians did copy and borrow from Mithraism cannot be denied …

Mithraism … was suppressed by the Christians sometime in the latter part of the fourth century A.D.: but its collapse seems to have been due to the fact that by that time many of its doctrines had been adopted by the church, so that it was practically absorbed by its rival.

… the Church made a sacred day out of Sunday partially because … of the resurrection. But when we observe a little further we find that as a solar festival, Sunday was the sacred day of Mithra: it is also interesting to notice that since Mithra was addressed as Lord, Sunday must have been “the Lord’s Day” long before Christian use. It is also to be noticed that our Christmas, December 25th, was the birthday of Mithra, and was only taken over in the Fourth Century as the date, actually unknown, of the birth of Jesus.

To make the picture a little more clear, we may list a few of the similarities between these two religions: (1) Both regard Sunday as a Holy Day. (2) December 25 came to be considered as the anniversary of the birth of Mithra and Christ also. (3) Baptism and a ritual meal were important parts of both groups …

In summary we may say that the belief in immortality, a mediator between god and man, the observance of certain sacramental rites … were common to Mithraism and Christianity. (King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 222, 224, 307, 309.)

During the latter time of Clement, when Roman Bishops, such as Zephyrinus and Callistus gained power, they apparently compromised in many ways, and thus many associated with their church choose to celebrate the Roman Saturnalia, which seemed to have been related to the Yalta of Mithraism.

This was condemned by writers such as Tertullian (see also What Does the Roman Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days?):

The Minervalia are as much Minerva’s, as the Saturnalia Saturn’s; Saturn’s, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year’s gifts likewise must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens’ wives and the aediles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol’s birthday; every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things are befitting to a Christian master, unless it be he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a master? (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter X. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But, however, the majority {of Greco-Roman ‘Christians} have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear “the Name be blasphemed”…To live with heathens is lawful, to die with them is not. Let us live with all; let us be glad with them, out of community of nature, not of superstition. We are peers in soul, not in discipline; fellow-possessors of the world, not of error. But if we have no right of communion in matters of this kind with strangers, how far more wicked to celebrate them among brethren! Who can maintain or defend this?…By us,…the Saturnalia and New-year’s and Midwinter’s festivals and Matronalia are frequented–presents come and go–New-year’s gifts–games join their noise–banquets join their din! Oh better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself!…Not the Lord’s day, not Pentecost, even it they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians. We are not apprehensive lest we seem to be heathens! (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XIV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival in honour of the god Saturn, held on 17 December of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to 23 December. But at Tertullian’s time, it basically extended to New Year’s.

Christmas was specifically placed, however, on December 25th because of Mithraism according to many scholars including the ones below:

It is true that in the history of the Church Mithraism made itself felt. We acknowledge it to this day. For in the course of the fourth century the commemoration of Christ’s birth was changed from January 6 to December 25, in order to agree with the commemoration of the birth of Mithra. This was done probably with the object of weakening the Mithra cult, by giving its chief festival a Christian atmosphere (Hastings, James; Hastings, Ann Wilson; Hastings, Edward. The Expository times, Volume 19. T. & T. Clark., 1908. Original from the University of Michigan Digitized Dec 8, 2008, p. 247).

It may be interesting to note that since Mithras was believed to have been born out of a rock/cavern, that Constantine’s mother Helena decided (apparently based upon the old testimony of Justin and other unfaithful professors of Christ) to build the original “Church of the Nativity” over a cave (see Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity?).

Was Jesus born in a cave?

Many improperly seem to think so.

The Bible contains some information about the place of Jesus’ birth:

1…Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king…(Matthew 2:1, NKJV throughout)

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:4-7)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…(John 1:14)

Whether Jesus was born in a building for humans and then moved to a manger is not specified. But what is specified is that he was laid in a manger, which is a place that fodder (like hay) was placed to feed livestock such as cattle and sheep.

While the Gospel accounts do not so specify, Justin Martyr (and the group that he apparently supported) believed that Jesus was born in a cave.

The Catholic Encyclopedia even cites Justin for partial “proof” of the speculation of a cave birth:

About 150 we find St. Justin Martyr referring (Dialogue with Trypho 78) to the Savior’s birth as having taken place in a cave near the village of Bethlehem ; such cave stables are not rare in Palestine. (Cf. Massie in Hast., Dict. of the Bible, III, 234; Expository Times, May, 1903, 384; Bonaccorsi, “Il Natale”, Rome, 1903, 16-20.) The tradition of the birth in a cave was widely accepted…It is reproduced also in the apocryphal gospels (Pseudo-Matt., xiii…) (Arbez, Edward. Bethlehem. The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. Nihil Obstat. 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 26 Dec. 2009 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02533a.htm>).

It is disappointing that the Church of Rome actually refers to Justin’s statements (which have to be referring to an above ground cave) as partial proof that Helena picked the correct location with the “grotto of the nativity.”

Scholars realize that those who followed Mithraism not only claimed that their god was born in a cave, they also believe that he was born on December 25th.

While Justin was aware of Mithras legends of a cave birth, those who were part of the Mithras religion were perhaps even more aware of it.

Emperor Constantine followed Mithraism and was largely responsible for December 25th:

December 20, 2021

Question: “Since what century has Jesus’ birth been celebrated, and why specifically on December 25th?”

Answer to the Bible Question

“To begin with, the Church tried to have Emperor Constantine ban the sun religion and its December festival, but eventually a compromise was made …

“During the first 300 years of the history of the Christian Church, no one celebrated the birth of Jesus whatsoever. The reason was primarily threefold: Firstly, the date for the birth of Jesus is not given anywhere in the Bible. Secondly, in the Bible, only wicked people celebrated their birthdays. Thirdly, in the pagan Roman Empire (which was occupying Israel at the time of the beginning of the Church) there was a common tradition to celebrate the birthdays of the pagan gods.

“At the time of the birth of Jesus, the Roman Empire included almost all of Europe and the Middle East. In Rome, the great god was called Saturn. In the middle of the winter, there was a long celebration held in his honor. This feast was called “Saturnalia” and lasted from December 17–24. It was a feast when one ate and drank, gathered friends together, and gave gifts to one another. December 25th was the last and greatest day of Saturnalia.

“During the first 300 years of the Roman Empire, sun worship had begun to spread from the East—from Syria and Persia—and reached large parts of the Empire. Already in ancient Babylon, people had worshiped the sun. One of the highest deities among the Babylonians was the sun god Shamash. The most important day in the solar religion was the day when the sun was “born” again and rose in the heavens, after it had been sinking closer to the horizon and the days had become shorter and shorter in the fall and early winter. When the winter solstice occurred on December 25, it was celebrated with a great feast.

“Eastern philosophers and mystics preached about the divine nature of the sun and immigrants from the East brought their faith to the West. This resulted in the solar religion getting ever more followers in the Roman Empire.

“Then it happened that a Roman emperor won a great military victory after praying to the sun god for victory. As a thank you, he elevated the “Invincible Sun” (Sol Invictus) above all the other gods of Rome. In the year 273 CE, he had a magnificent temple built for the sun. This temple was dedicated on the birthday of the sun—December 25.

“Barely 50 years later, the Roman emperor Constantine became an adherent of the Christian doctrine. He was a former sun worshipper and the new religion presented a problem. What should he do with the annual festival for the sun?</i>

“To begin with, the Church tried to have him ban the sun religion and its December festival, but he refused. If he banned the popular feast, conflicts could arise between the followers of the different religions. Finally, a compromise was made.

“December 25 was the winter solstice, the day when the sun was born again. Why not transfer the worship of the masses from the sun god to the “sun of righteousness,” “the light of the world”—Christ? It was easy to illustrate the symbolic connection. If one “Christianized” the festival of the sun god, by instead celebrating the birth of Jesus on that day, perhaps conflict could be avoided. In addition, many people would automatically join the new religion.

“Consequently, the Romans were allowed to continue celebrating the large feast on December 25, but the sun god was removed and Christ was put there instead. And, once Rome had accepted December 25 as the “birthday” of Jesus, there was no difficulty for the feast to spread to the rest of the Roman Empire.

“In Constantinople, they started to celebrate Christmas year 380 CE; in Asia Minor, year 382; in Egypt, around year 430; and in Jerusalem, around year 440. This spread up through Europe, where the “sun-turning feast” had been celebrated since ancient times in most of the countries. Also, in the far North, something called “Jul” [still the Swedish name for Christmas today], a midwinter feast was celebrated. The word jul some claim comes from the Anglo-Saxon hweol which means “wheel,” symbolic of the divine sun and its path around the earth.

“The Icelandic author Snorre Sturlasson wrote in the beginning of the 12th century of how the pagan northerners used to celebrate three large sacrificial feasts, among them the “Midwinter Blute” (the sun-turning feast), when they would sacrifice in order to receive a favorable crop. When Christianity arrived, the ancient northern “Jul” was Christianized and ever since then we have continued to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25” (end quote).

Strindberg, Thor-Leif: ”Bibelfrågan”, www.bibelfragan.com (http://www.alltombibeln.se/bibelfragan/jul.htm), translated to English. https://www.israel365news.com/264338/why-many-of-jesus-followers-stop-celebrating-christmas/

Therefore, it should be of little surprise that in the fourth century, the mother of the Mithras-following Emperor Constantine in 326-327 A.D. authorized the construction of the so-called “Church of the Nativity” over a 20 foot, below ground cave location (Herring G. An introduction to the history of Christianity: from the early church to the Enlightenment. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2006, p. 54; Kitto J, Taylor J. The popular cyclopadia of Biblical literature: condensed from the larger work. Gould and Lincoln, 1854. Original from Harvard University, Digitized Oct 23, 2007, p. 150).

Because of its steepness and depth, this is a location that would be basically impossible for cattle and/or sheep to be able to be herded in and out of. Others have also realized that and properly concluded that Jesus was not possibly born in the cave that Constantine’s mother Helena was led to believe He was (for details, see the much longer article Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity?).

Are there any prophetic ramifications to the idea of a deity/religious figure being born in a cave?

Alexander Hislop seemed to think so. Notice what he wrote:

Now, in remembrance of the birth of the god out of a “hole in the earth,” the Mysteries were frequently celebrated in caves under ground. This was the case in Persia, where, just as Tages was said to be born out of the ground, Mithra was in like manner fabled to have been produced from a cave in the earth. *

* JUSTIN MARTYR. It is remarkable that, as Mithra was born out of a cave, so the idolatrous nominal Christians of the East represent our Saviour as having in like manner been born in a a cave. (See KITTO’s Cyclopoedia, “Bethlehem”) There is not the least hint of such a thing in the Scripture.

Numa of Rome himself pretended to get all his revelations from the Nymph Egeria, in a cave. In these caves men were first initiated in the secret Mysteries, and by the signs and lying wonders there presented to them, they were led back, after the death of Nimrod, to the worship of that god in its new form. This Apocalyptic beast, then, that “comes up out of the earth,” agrees in all respects with that ancient god born from a “hole in the ground”; for no words could more exactly describe his doing than the words of the prediction (v 13): “He doeth great wonders, and causeth fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men,…and he causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” This wonder-working beast, called Nebo, or “The Prophet,” as the prophet of idolatry, was, of course, the “false prophet.” By comparing the passage before us with Revelation 19:20, it will be manifest that this beast that “came up out of the earth” is expressly called by that very name: “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.” As it was the “beast from the earth” that “wrought miracles” before the first beast, this shows that “the beast from the earth” is the “false prophet”; in other words, is “Nebo.”

If we examine the history of the Roman empire, we shall find that here also there is a precise accordance between type and antitype…the old Pagan title of Pontiff was restored, it was, through means of the corrupt clergy, symbolised, as is generally believed, and justly under the image of a beast with horns, like a lamb; according to the saying of our Lord, “Beware of false prophets, that shall come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”(Hislop A. Two Babylons. 1858)

Notice the following scripture about the second beast of Revelation 13:

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. (Revelation 13:11)

Mithras (sometimes spelled Mithra) was a sun-god. Mithraism seemed to enter the Roman Empire about a century before Jesus was crucified. Mithras was believed to have been born out of a rock in an “underground cavern” (Ulansey D. The origins of the Mithraic mysteries: cosmology and salvation in the ancient world. Oxford University Press US, 1991, p. 36). Hence a deity that supposedly came up out of the earth.

An article of related interest may also be Do You Practice Mithraism?

Apparently the practice of ‘Christmas caroling’ had its origins in Saturnalia:

In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.

In Rome, the Winter Solstice was celebrated many years before the birth of Christ. The Romans called their winter holiday Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the God of Agriculture. In January, they observed the Kalends of January, which represented the triumph of life over death. This whole season was called Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The festival season was marked by much merrymaking. It is in ancient Rome that the tradition of the Mummers was born. The Mummers were groups of costumed singers and dancers who traveled from house to house entertaining their neighbors. From this, the Christmas tradition of caroling was born. In northern Europe, many other traditions that we now consider part of Christian worship were begun long before the participants had ever heard of Christ. The pagans of northern Europe celebrated the their own winter solstice, known as Yule. Yule was symbolic of the pagan Sun God, Mithras, being born…http://www.essortment.com/christmas-pagan-origins-42543.html

Many practices that people associate with Christmas came from pagan holidays including Yuletide.

The “twelve days of Christmas” originally came from the 12 days of Yuletide which began at sunset on December 20, known as Mother Night, and ended on the night of December 31, the Night of the Oak King and the Roman day of Hecate. The dates were later moved by those who keep Christmas.

Yuletide is perhaps the greatest of all Heathen holidays. It is a time of celebration and close family contact that lasts twelve days and nights; each of which can be viewed as a month of the preceding year in miniature. Many of the customs associated with Christmas actually began from Heathen Yule rites and customs. Many Gods and Goddesses are honored during Yuletide and most Asatruar believe that they, as well as the spirits of the earth and our ancestors, all join us for the celebrations. All are our kith and kin, after all.

There are many traditions and practices that are traditional to the month of Yule the most well known is of course the 12 days of Yule. Some Heathens may simply bookend Yule with Mother’s Night and Twelfth Night and not have specific observances in-between those days, there are some other Heathens who have taken things a step further. Pulling inspiration from the Nine Noble Virtues, and combining it with candle-lighting celebrations like Chanukah or Kwanzaa, they have come up with a reason to light a candle every night during the Yuletide.

The alter {sic} on Yule should face north, the area is decorated with Holly and Mistletoe and dried leaves and fruit such as Hips and Haw. A chalice of appropriate wine, mead or cider. The Oak or Pine log with up to 13 green, white and red candles decorated with carvings, runes or symbols is placed centrally on the altar. (12 Nights of Yule. Nordic Wiccan, December 5, 2014. http://nordicwiccan.blogspot.com/2014/12/12-days-of-yule.html)

Faithful early Christians were not keeping the twelve days of Yuletide.

Anyway, it was because of pagan celebrations related to the sun that December 25th was chosen to supposedly be celebrated as Jesus’ birthday.

However, it, of course, was not Jesus’ birthday.

But many like to celebrate the day of Mithra’s birth as well as have various accompaniments that were associated with the pagan Saturnalia and Yuletide.

Now, many say, “So what? It does not matter that the origins are pagan, as long as I worship Jesus.”

Well, notice the words of Jesus:

9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” (Matthew 15:9)

Jesus never endorsed anything like Christmas. Even ignoring the pagan elements, Christmas focuses on elements that may be associated with the birth of Jesus as opposed to how He lived and what He will do with His kingdom.

Now, each December, it is common to hear what the “multitude of heavenly hosts” said to the shepherds concerning Jesus’ birth:

¹⁰ … Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

Yet, most people not only do not realize that Jesus was born in the Fall (probably on one of the Holy Days), they do not seem to grasp that Jesus would be a joy to all people as ALL will have an opportunity, a real OFFER, for salvation through Him: which is some of what the Fall Holy Days (particularly the Day of Atonement and the Last Great Day) help picture.

Christmas was not an original Christian practice (see also the free online book: Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church).

Although Jesus is a major part of God’s plan (which is part of the Greco-Roman-Protestant rationalization for promoting Christmas and Easter), by not keeping the Holy Days, Protestants tend to discount/deny aspects of the plan of salvation that the Holy Days help demonstrate. All the biblical holy days have connections to Jesus and God’s plan of salvation.

Christmas is not a proper Christian substitute.

For details, watch also the sermon: The Plain Truth About Christmas.

Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:

Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
Did early faithful Christians celebrate Christmas? Christians, according to Jude, are supposed to “contend earnestly for” (NKJV) or “fight for” (NJB) the original faith. Did early Christians celebrate Christmas? Were later professors of Christ condemned for idolatrous practices such as wreaths and pagan gift giving on an idol’s birthday in December? When did December 25th get adopted? According to ‘The Catholic Encyclopedia, why was December 25th adopted? Do the Gospels allow for Jesus to have been born in late December? Where did the ‘twelve days of Christmas, come from ? What about ‘Christmas carols’? Did early Christians observe any holy days? If so, what were they? Does the Bible encourage or condemn using practices others used to worship the true God? Is Jesus the reason for the season or was there another reason? This is a video sermon.
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians? A related sermon would be: Christians, Violence, and Military Service.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived–the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (Universal Offer of Salvation part 3), Is God Fair, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?, Can God Save Your Relatives?, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God’s Plan, and ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists’ Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but … These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book.
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
What Does the Roman Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a related sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations? A related sermon video is available and is titled: Birthdays, Christians, and December 25th.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church?Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

Book cover

COGwriter

The Temple Institute sent the following in its newsletter and an included link today:

Kislev 19, 5785/December 20, 2024

Kislev 15: Antiochus’ Abomination Of Desolation Upon The Temple Altar

The ancient book of I Maccabees opens with the rise of Antiochus, one of Alexander the Great’s three generals who survived their leader’s death. Antiochus became sovereign over a large swath of Alexander’s empire, which included the land of Israel. I Maccabees provides a chilling description of Antiochus’ brutal oppression of the Jews and his systematic attempt to eradicate all aspects of the Jewish faith, making the performance of many Torah commandments punishable by death. In addition, Antiochus desecrated the Holy Temple and performed acts of idolatry on the Temple. I Maccabees, verse 54, describes that on the 15th day of the month of Kislev, the Greek invaders performed what would become known as “the abomination of desolation:”

“Now on the fifteenth day of the month Kislev, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Judah on every side.”

Antiochus was determined to destroy, not the Jews physically, but the Jewish faith and thereby cause the erasure of the Jewish nation. Ultimately, his provocations inspired the Maccabeean revolt, whose victorious return to the Holy Temple and its purification and rededication following the Greek abominations is celebrated every year during the eight days of Chanukah. Chanukah, which begins on the 25th day of Kislev,

Antiochus did that c. 168 BC.

Jesus prophesied something involving an abomination would happen later:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:15-22)

Has that yet happened?

No.

However, last year, a reader forwarded me a 09/15/23 email he received from Joseph F. Dummond, who is a Sabbatarian. He seems to be somewhat of a Messianic with some type of prior COG background. Anyway, here are some excerpts from the email sent out by Joseph Dummond:

The Abomination That Makes Desolate

Will be set up in just 7 Days.

One Week form today Friday!
September 22, 2023.

We have confirmed the construction of the base and it is being readied as I write this.

The Countdown To the Abomination Began on March 11, 2020, when W.H.O. announced a worldwide pandemic!

THE BIGGEST EVENT SINCE THE CRUCIFIXION IS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE, AND YOU HAVE FRONT-ROW SEATS …

Joseph Dumond gives answers that pinpoint exactly where we are prophetically today. Not only this, he gives us the tools to prove the answers for ourselves. 

He does this by demonstrating in the clearest terms aided by his colourful charts that the major KEYS to understanding END-TIMES’ PROPHECY are the Sabbatical and Jubilee Cycles. Most students of the Bible sadly are wholly unaware of their existence. …

The 1290 Days have already started counting down. Yehshua warned what was going to come next. Get ready!! 

We are here now and no one is prepared.

No, the countdown for the abomination did not begin on March 11, 2020. And no, the abomination of desolation was not set up on September 22, 2023.

And while Jesus (Yehshua) warned about many events, that abomination was not set up last year. And I denounced that at that time (see Sabbatarian falsely asserts: The Abomination That Makes Desolate Will be set up in just 7 Days … September 22, 2023.).

Since Jesus referred to Daniel, let’s see some of what he wrote related to the abomination:

26 “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”  (Daniel 9:26-27)

While the covenant deal of Daniel 9:27 has not yet been confirmed by a “prince” (someone other than the top leader of Europe at that time), we know that the abomination will not be there until after the deal is broken, which is at least 3 1/2 years away (that is half of the prophetic week the deal is confirmed for). (See also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27.)

Notice also some signs that Daniel wrote with proceed the breaking of the covenant:

29 “At the appointed time he will invade the South again, but this time the outcome will be different from what it was before. 30 Ships of the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

33 “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. (Daniel 11:29-33, NIV)

The above verses have not happened. And until verses 29-30 happen, the covenant deal will not be broken nor the abomination of desolation set up.

It also needs to be made clear that the 1290 days has not started. Let’s look at the one passage from Daniel that is related to the abomination and the 1290 and 1335 days:

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. (Daniel 12:11-12)

Notice the tie to the removal of daily sacrifices and the abomination. Well, since the daily sacrifices have not begun, they cannot yet have been taken away. Therefore, those who will believe what the Bible actually says can be assured that the 1290 days have not already begun.

Joseph Dummond is wrong about this and other matters. As is RCG’s David Pack who has again falsely pointed to the 1335 days of Daniel 12 having started (see RCG again wrong on the return of Jesus and the start of the 1335 days).

Notice also the following:

20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. (Luke 21:20)

We have not yet seen this happen yet–so no the abomination of desolation is not about to occur!

The Apostle Paul warned about false leaders:

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)

Like many false predictors, Joseph Dummond, David Pack, and many others rely NOT on signs that Jesus/Yeshua said to look at in the Gospels (cf. Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21), but instead their own calculations and assumptions.

While some have claimed that the Holy Place that Jesus spoke about is a rebuilt Jewish temple, consider that the Jews simply cannot make any place holy.

The late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong he taught:

THE TEMPLE CHRIST WILL RETURN TO

Everybody’s wondering what temple is Christ coming to? Are the Jews going to build another temple over there? Oh, poppycock! I’ll show you the temple He’s coming to! YOU, BRETHREN, ARE THAT TEMPLE; and all the rest of us. I had a crowd, just about this size, over in the Philippines just about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I had a crowd about this size in London about (When was that?) maybe two months now. I don’t know. Time flies so fast. We’re all over the world. But I’m going to show you that. Now, let’s go on a little bit further. Well, let’s turn over to the next chapter now; of Malachi, the fourth chapter, beginning with verse five.

Malachi 4:5 Behold, [He’s talking about the time at the very end of the whole world, and the time at the end of the Millennium even; and they’re all part of the fourth chapter. But the fourth chapter, verse five: “Behold,”] I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Now, here again, just before the Day of the Lord — when the gospel of the Kingdom is to be preached to the world. …

Malachi 4:5-6 …before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. (6) And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

The word “curse” is used in the Hebrew language; otherwise translated as total destruction, utter total destruction. It’s just before lest He does that, and the earth would be in total destruction if Christ didn’t come.

Now then, John the Baptist was asked, “Are you the Elijah that was to come?” He said, “No, I am not.” I have been asked, “Are you Elijah?” And I have said, “No, I am not.” Jesus Christ said one time, “But if you will bear it, the Elijah has already come.” Then they questioned Him a little further. And then Jesus Christ said Elijah in person, the same Elijah, didn’t come. But John the Baptist came in the power and spirit of Elijah. That prophecy meant and referred to John the Baptist coming, but that was only the First Coming.

The prophecy is someone to prepare the way for the Second Coming. The first was physical — the physical Jesus coming to the physical temple, to a physical people. Someone to prepare the way for the Second Coming is preparing the way for THE SPIRITUAL CHRIST to come to HIS SPIRITUAL TEMPLE for the marriage of the Lamb (of Christ) with the Church; and the Church is that temple! …

Ephesians 2:19-21 Now therefore you [You people up at Ephesus, who were born Gentiles. You…] are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. [Now they are citizens. That is like a country. But they are in a household. That is, a family. Notice, they are a family.] (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone [They’re the Church.]; (21) in whom all the building fitly framed together [The Church is a building fitly framed together.] groweth unto A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD.

“Grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” THE CHURCH IS THAT TEMPLE. The Church is to meet Christ in the air. The Church will be changed from human to divine. We won’t be human beings. We’ll be God-beings. We’ll be God-persons, just like God is. GOD IS REPRODUCING HIMSELF. Now that temple has to be built for Christ’s coming.

ZERUBBABEL AS A TYPE

Now let me show you another prophecy about building that temple. Let’s go back now for just a moment in the Old Testament, to Haggai; Haggai the second chapter beginning with verse three. Now, I want you to notice the time he’s talking about. This is a prophecy; and duality is here again (a first and a latter; a first and a second).

Notice it now.

Haggai 2:3 Who is left among you…
This is not a history, but it’s talking about the time when they were building the temple to which Christ came the first time. Zerubbabel was a governor of the colony, and he was sent there to build that temple.

Haggai 2:3-9 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? [It’s talking about Solomon’s temple that was so glorious as a physical temple.] And how do ye see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? (4) Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel [The second temple was like nothing compared to Solomon’s. It was bigger, but it was not as fine. Now “Be strong, O Zerubbabel”], saith the [ETERNAL]; and be strong, O Joshua, son of [Well, his father; and so on.] …and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD [That is, work in building the temple.]… (5) According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. (6) For thus saith the LORD of hosts: Yet once, it is a little while, and I WILL shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; (7) and I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come [Meaning, peace which will come with Christ.]; and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. (8). The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. (9) THE GLORY OF THIS LATTER HOUSE SHALL BE GREATER THAN OF THE FORMER…

The glory of the house he was building was NOT ANYWHERE NEAR as glorious as the former temple of Solomon. But he’s talking about a time when the thrones of nations will be destroyed; when God is going to shake the earth, and shake nations. He’s talking about our time, now. He’s talking about the Second Coming of Christ.

Can you see that? He’s not… It’s a prophecy. It’s not a history.

Malachi 2:9 …and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

He hasn’t given that yet; but He will, at the time He’s talking about. Now, He’s talking of a time of building the temple for Christ to come to. That temple is a spiritual temple. Zerubbabel was a TYPE. He built the physical temple to which Christ came the first time. Someone has got to be, not in the physical wilderness of the Jordan River, but amidst the spiritual wilderness and Babylon of religious confusion of our twentieth century, who is paving the way for the Second Coming of Christ to HIS GLORIOUS TEMPLE, a spiritual temple; and not to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God, but TO SET UP THE KINGDOM OF GOD and to rule it right then and there. …

Zechariah 4:6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the[ETERNAL].

And, anyway, it says that… (Armstrong HW. Building the Temple. Sermon: February 14, 1981)

Each individual is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will come in each one of us and our bodies become a temple of the Holy Spirit. But on the other hand we speak collectively as a church. The whole church of many members becomes a temple to which Christ is going to come in His second coming. He’s not coming to one single body but the collective temple. I will dwell in them. (Armstrong HW. Bible Study on 2 Corinthians. 1981)

The Jews cannot make a place holy, hence the holy place is NOT a building that the Jews are about to build. (As far as Zerubbabel matters go, we have the following article available: Zerubbabel and Prophecy and a related sermon: Zerubbabel and Joshua for 21st Century? We also have a related sermon in the Spanish language: Zorobabel y la profecía).

The Holy Place Jesus spoke with would have a Christian connection. It is only God who can make a place holy. Jesus said:

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)

Isaiah wrote:

15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, (Isaiah 57:15)

God’s presence made the old Jewish temples holy (2 Chronicles 7:1-3; cf. Psalm 5:7). It takes God’s presence to make anything holy. Therefore, in the Christian church era, since the presence of the resurrected Jesus could make a place holy, the holy place Jesus referred in Matthew 24:15 would seem to be a place where Christians would have met. This could be a place in either the 21st century or perhaps the first Church of God building in Jerusalem which was built in the late 1st century–if God places His presence there for some time if true Christians were to meet there again (see also Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill). Regarding that latter building, anciently it was called a/the holy place/church.

When citing Acts 1:12, Eusebius also wrote about the building and he called it the “Holy Church of God”:

“Then they returned from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is opposite to Jerusalem.” The Mount of Olives is therefore literally opposite to Jerusalem and to the east of it, but also the Holy Church of God, and the mount upon which it is founded…(Eusebius. The Proof of the Gospel: Being the Demonstratio Evangelica of Eusebius of Cæsarea, Book IV, Chapter 18. John W. Ferrar, editor. Society for promoting Christian knowledge, 1920. Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized July 2, 2009, p. 30)

Although the Greco-Romans have built their type of church around it, some few of the original bricks, also called ashlars, continue to be part of it. You can see the some of the original building bricks by looking at the front cover of the Jan-March 2013 edition of Bible News Prophecy magazine; a more recent photograph is shown on the back cover on the pdf booklet: Continuing History of the Church of God. Here is a photo I took on October 2013 of some of the original bricks of the Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill:

The ashlars, which look to have came from the second temple, also are the foundation of the ‘Cenacle’ building. Notice also something written by Anglican curate Stephen Sizer:

Even though many Jews and Christians believe the Temple must be rebuilt, there is one small problem. It is essential that any future Temple is built on the same foundations as the previous ones. (Sizer S. Will the Jewish Temple be Rebuilt?  http://www.stephensizer.com/2014/02/will-the-jewish-temple-be-rebuilt/ accessed 03/05/19

Curate Sizer does not believe that a future Jewish temple is required by scripture, nor do I (see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?).

After rebellions by the Jews against the Romans, Jerusalem was mainly destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Roman General Titus. Many fled to Pella, then many of them came back. “Later witnesses describe them in their former residence in Mt. Zion” (Briand, p.13).

In 333 A.D. this building was observed by someone called the “Bordeaux pilgrim” and called the holy place by Bellarmino Bagatti:

In 333 the Bordeaux pilgrim found there a basilica erected “by order of Constantine”.  By then the holy place had passed from the hands of the Judaeo-Christians, who had held it until then, to those Gentile Christians. (Bagatti, Bellarmino.  Translated by Eugene Hoade.  The Church from the Gentiles in Palestine. Nihil obstat: Ignatius Mancini, 1 Februari 1970. Imprimi potest: Herminius Roncari, 26 Februari 1970. Imprimatur: +Albertus Gori, die 28 Februarii 1970.  Franciscan Printing Press, Jerusalem, 1971, p. 61)

The “holy place” mentioned above had been a meeting place for the Christians.  This is the place that has been called Sion and the Cenacle. The Greco-Romans eventually added a shrine and a variety of relics (Ibid, pp. 27-28,69)–that is not holy.

Theodosius in the 6th century referred to the building as, “holy Sion, which is the mother of all churches” (Travel And Travellers of the Middle Ages European civilization Volume 45 of The history of civilization / general editor C.K. Ogden. The history of civilization. European civilization Editors Arthur Paul Newton, Arthur Percival Newton Translated by E. D. Hunt. Psychology Press, 1996, p. 48).

A Roman Catholic scholar wrote it was basically constructed by what we would call Church of God Christians (which he calls Judeo-Christians):

The Judeo-Christians probably built their church, at that time called a synagogue, sometime in the decade after 73 A.D. For its construction, they could have used some of the magnificent ashlars from Herod’s destroyed citadel, not far away. Or perhaps they used the stones from the ruins of the Temple itself…with the intention of transferring some elements of the Holy Temple to a site becoming a new Mt. Zion (Zion III).

If that is so, the event may in fact be referred to in one of the apocryphal Odes of Solomon composed about 100 A.D. by a rival sectarian Judeo-Christian group. The fourth ode begins:

“No man can pervert your holy place, 0 God, nor can he change it, and put it in another place, because [he has] no power over it. Your sanctuary you designed before you made special places.” (Charlesworth, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, p. 736.)

Was this passage in condemnation of the effort of the Judeo-Christians who built the synagogue on Mt. Zion to transfer some of the holiness of the destroyed Temple to their place of worship on the new Mt. Zion by constructing it in part with stones from that Temple?

From this time on, the western hill of Jerusalem was referred to by Christians as Mt. Zion (Zion III). Very few places in Jerusalem can point to such an enduring tradition as Zion’s claim to be the seat of the primitive church. No other place has raised a serious rival claim …

By this time the Judeo-Christian synagogue on Mt. Zion had become known as the Church of the Apostles. It became known as the Church of the Apostles not only because the apostles returned there after witnessing Christ’s post-resurrection ascent to heaven, but also because the building was built, as we have seen, under the leadership of Simon son of Kleophas. Kleophas was known as a brother of Joseph of Nazareth, therefore Simon was a cousin of Jesus. Simon was later considered one of the apostles, outside the circle of the 12. For this reason, the house of worship built by Simon could rightfully be called the Church of the Apostles.

(Pixner B. Church of the Apostles Found on Mt. Zion. Biblical Archaeology Review, May/June 1990: 16-35,60. Also found at http://www.centuryone.org/apostles.html –yet that site and others who seemed to have copied it have left out important statements on page 26, which are included above and italicized by me as they are left out of the that online version)

The original bricks seem to have come from the old Jewish Temple. I personally examined some of them on October 24, 2013. The original bricks physically constitute a type of “temple” in the sense that this seems to have been the closest thing to a physical church building (and actually more closely resembled a synagogue) where early real Christians attended for services. That or something used in the 21st century look to be the holy place that Jesus spoke of.

Now, related to the abomination and its timing, notice something from the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong‘s sermon that was titled Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era and was given on December 17, 1983,:

Jesus … He said, “Take heed that you be not deceived (now, at the very beginning). For many will come in My name, saying that I am Christ, and deceiving . . .” Here He says, and He’s speaking to them, “Many false prophets shall arise, and deceive many.” Well, they did! And they did come in Jesus’ name, saying that they were His ministers!

Matthew 24:13-14 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (14) And this GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM [That’s the gospel He was preaching to them—the Kingdom of God.] shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and THEN shall the end come.

The end of the world, and the Second Coming of Christ! That was the only sign He gave of His Second Coming.

You know, Jesus was asked by the Pharisees for a sign that He was the Messiah; and He said only one sign would be given; and that was the sign of the prophet Jonah—that as Jonah was three days and three nights in the great fish’s belly, so Jesus would be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, or the tomb, which was hewn out of rock in the heart of the earth.

Now He continued:

Matthew 24:15 … “When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand).

And you find in Luke 24 and verse 20 that that refers to the same thing, and “the abomination of desolation” there spoken of was Jerusalem being surrounded by armies. Now that applied to 70 AD. It is going to apply again, because so many things happen in a dual manner. Sort of a one-two punch, as I sometimes call it. And Jerusalem will again be surrounded by armies. …

Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judea [Of course, He was speaking locally there.] flee to the mountains…”

And so on. Then He comes down to that terrible time that happened in 70 AD as a type of what is going to happen at the latter time—the Great Tribulation (verse 21).

Anyway, until Matthew 24:14 is fulfilled to God’s satisfaction, the end will not come and the abomination of desolation Jesus said Daniel referred to will not be set up.

While the end is coming soon, the end is not yet (Matthew 24:6).

A ram’s horn was blown in the Bible to mark the start of a Jubilee
(Photo from Wikipedia)

COGwriter

Israel365News posted the following:

UNPRECEDENTED: Pope to Open Five Sacred Portals on Christmas in Manner Described by Talmud

“ and you shall hallow the fiftieth year. You shall proclaim release throughout the land for all its inhabitants… Leviticus 25:10 (The Israel Bible)

December 18, 2024

The Vatican announced that the Pope will open five “sacred portals” on Christmas Eve. The ceremony will be the first time this is done and is set to coincide with the 2025 Jubilee Year. Jubilees have been celebrated every 25 years since the Vatican adopted the tradition in 1300. This year’s theme is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. The ceremony, dubbed “doorway to salvation” by the Vatican, involves the opening of five “Holy Doors” at ancient basilicas. The doors are located at the basilicas of St. Peter, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, all within a 30-minute drive of the Vatican.

The ceremony began on December 2 at the door of St. Peter’s Basilica. Prayers were held at the site, and a metal box containing a key was removed from a metal box.

The second portal, a symbolic door at the Rebibbia prison in Rome, will be opened by the pontiff on Dec. 26 for the feast of St. Stephen.

On December 29, the Holy Door of Basilica Saint John Lateran will be opened. Pope Francis is the bishop of this basilica.

On New Year’s Day, the Solemnity of Mary, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

The final sacred portal will be opened on Jan. 5 at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The Holy Doors will be sealed with bricks once again on Jan. 6, 2025, to await the next jubilee year.

The insides of the doors were sealed with brick, which was removed before the Pope opened them. When Jubilee finishes on January 6, 2025, the Pope will be the last person to walk through each of the four doors before closing them, which will then be bricked up and sealed.

For the first time, the ceremony will include one “hypothetical” door at Rebibbia prison, Italy’s largest correctional facility, intended as a message of hope to prisoners.

The ceremony has no source in the Bible or Christian theology …

Pope Boniface VIII was the first to Christianize the ceremony in 1300 CE … In 1474, Pope Paul II established that the Jubilee should be held every 25 years, which followed the tradition of opening all four basilica doors.

The ceremony is highly reminiscent of a section of the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) dealing with signs the Messiah is imminent:

“Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma’s students asked him: When will the son of David come? Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said: I am hesitant to answer you, lest you request from me a sign to corroborate my statement. They said to him: We are not asking you for a sign. Rabbi Yosei ben Kisma said to them: You will see when this existing gate of Rome falls and will be rebuilt, and will fall a second time and will be rebuilt, and will fall a third time. And they will not manage to rebuild it until the son of David comes.” https://israel365news.com/398695/unprecedented-pope-to-open-five-sacred-portals-on-christmas-in-manner-described-by-talmud/

First, let me state that irrespective of what the Talmud states, the Vatican’s opening of five doors is NOT a biblical sign of the Messiah. Jesus laid out signs in the 24th chapter of the Book of Matthew, and opening physical doors was not one of them.

Secondly, the biblical Jubilee happens every 50 years on the Day of Atonement, which comes in the Fall.

Thirdly, this door opening is NOT a belief of the original catholic church (for what the original catholic church believed, check out the free online book: Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?).

Fourthly, the way the Church of Rome understands doors and keys is not biblical (see Was Peter the Rock Who Alone Received the Keys of the Kingdom?).

It is a fact that the Church of Rome proclaims what it calls a ‘Jubilee’ every 25 years and does not start it on the Day of Atonement. Furthermore, the faked one from the Vatican is handled differently than the biblical one.

Someone posted the following tweet related to this door opening matter:

🚨Update: Pope to Open 5x Sacred Portals on Christmas Eve, This Ritual Has NEVER Been Done Before!

The door at St. Peter’s was sealed shut by a wall of bricks, but on Dec. 2 they were ripped down to ready the door as part of ‘The Rite of Recognition’

Starting on Dec. 24, the… pic.twitter.com/nmtPknBIPr

— US Civil Defense News (@CaptCoronado) December 12, 2024

One statement in the tweet which does not appear above unless you click on it is, “This specific ritual has NEVER been done before. we live in VERY strange times folks. Is he trying to release the demons…?”

Now, the Bible does show a future time when demons will go over the earth:

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:12-14)

However, the fulfillment of that prophecy is at least seven years away and is not about to be fulfilled in the next few weeks. Also, note that these demons are released after an angel pours out a bowl, not after a pontiff opens doors.

Furthermore, regarding the Vatican’s Jubilee plans, notice the following:

Jubilee 2025 to welcome LGBT pastoral groups for the first time in history

December 8, 2024

The upcoming Holy Year of 2025 is set to make history by including, for the first time, a dedicated day for Christian and Catholic associations involved in LGBT pastoral care. This unprecedented move, scheduled for September 6, 2025, underscores a message of inclusion under Pope Francis’ ongoing call for a more welcoming Church. While the vice-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, sought to frame this event as one among many within the broader Jubilee calendar, his message was clear: “All are welcome.” Vatican representatives have emphasized that the inclusion does not equate to sponsorship of specific events, reflecting a careful balancing act within the Church’s approach to contentious issues. https://zenit.org/2024/12/08/jubilee-2025-to-welcome-lgbt-pastoral-groups-for-the-first-time-in-history/

December 16, 2024

Agnese Palmucci, a spokesperson for the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Vatican department responsible for Jubilee organization …

Over the weekend, Palmucci told Italian media outlets that in conversations with Father Pino Piva, an Italian Jesuit and an advisor to the Tenda di Gionata group, it became clear that some of the logistical information the dicastery usually requires to list an event was missing, so the Sept. 6 pilgrimage was temporarily removed.

As soon as that information has been submitted, Palmucci said, the LGBTQ+ pilgrimage will be returned to the calendar. …

Already on Sept. 6, for instance, in addition to the LGBTQ+ event, there are also diocesan pilgrimages for the dioceses of Ascoli Piceno and San Benedetto del Tronto-Ripatransone-Montalto.

Founded in 2018 at the suggestion of a priest from the Fermo diocese, the group La Tenda di Gionata is part of a series of organizations and movements in Italy seeking to provide pastoral and spiritual care for LGBTQ+ Christians. https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2024/12/vatican-says-lgbtq-pilgrimage-will-return-to-jubilee-2025-calendar

That is so wrong. One would think that the Vatican would accept what is written in Bible translations they accept like the following:

22 For professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

23 And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of the image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and of fourfooted beasts, and of creeping things.

24 Wherefore God gave them up to the desires of their heart, unto uncleanness, to dishonour their own bodies among themselves.

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie; and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God delivered them up to shameful affections. For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature.

27 And, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men working that which is filthy, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due to their error.

28 And as they liked not to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate sense, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all iniquity, malice, fornication, avarice, wickedness, full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity, whisperers,

30 Detractors, hateful to God, contumelious, proud, haughty, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Foolish, dissolute, without affection, without fidelity, without mercy.

32 Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death; and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them. (Romans 1:22-32, Douay-Rheims Bible)

Having LGBT pastoral groups as part of their religious and ecumenical plans is certainly providing them some approval, some consent, yet the Bible clearly opposes that.

That said, it should be obvious that Rome’s ‘Jubilee’ is not the same as the biblical one.

As far as the Bible and the Jubilee year, here is a lot of what the Bible itself teaches about it:

8 ‘And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. 9 Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. 10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. 11 That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine. 12 For it is the Jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat its produce from the field.

13 ‘In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession. 14 And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor’s hand, you shall not oppress one another. 15 According to the number of years after the Jubilee you shall buy from your neighbor, and according to the number of years of crops he shall sell to you. 16 According to the multitude of years you shall increase its price, and according to the fewer number of years you shall diminish its price; for he sells to you according to the number of the years of the crops. 17 Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 25:8-17)

25 ‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possession, and if his redeeming relative comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother sold. 26 Or if the man has no one to redeem it, but he himself becomes able to redeem it, 27 then let him count the years since its sale, and restore the remainder to the man to whom he sold it, that he may return to his possession. 28 But if he is not able to have it restored to himself, then what was sold shall remain in the hand of him who bought it until the Year of Jubilee; and in the Jubilee it shall be released, and he shall return to his possession.

29 ‘If a man sells a house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year he may redeem it. 30 But if it is not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house in the walled city shall belong permanently to him who bought it, throughout his generations. It shall not be released in the Jubilee. 31 However the houses of villages which have no wall around them shall be counted as the fields of the country. They may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the Jubilee. 32 Nevertheless the cities of the Levites, and the houses in the cities of their possession, the Levites may redeem at any time. 33 And if a man purchases a house from the Levites, then the house that was sold in the city of his possession shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel. 34 But the field of the common-land of their cities may not be sold, for it is their perpetual possession. (Leviticus 25:25-34)

40 As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee. 41 And then he shall depart from you — he and his children with him — and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers. (Leviticus 25:40-41)

47 ‘Now if a sojourner or stranger close to you becomes rich, and one of your brethren who dwells by him becomes poor, and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner close to you, or to a member of the stranger’s family, 48 after he is sold he may be redeemed again. One of his brothers may redeem him; 49 or his uncle or his uncle’s son may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him in his family may redeem him; or if he is able he may redeem himself. 50 Thus he shall reckon with him who bought him: The price of his release shall be according to the number of years, from the year that he was sold to him until the Year of Jubilee; it shall be according to the time of a hired servant for him. 51 If there are still many years remaining, according to them he shall repay the price of his redemption from the money with which he was bought. 52 And if there remain but a few years until the Year of Jubilee, then he shall reckon with him, and according to his years he shall repay him the price of his redemption. 53 He shall be with him as a yearly hired servant, and he shall not rule with rigor over him in your sight. 54 And if he is not redeemed in these years, then he shall be released in the Year of Jubilee — he and his children with him. 55 For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 25:47-55)

2 And they said: “The Lord commanded my lord Moses to give the land as an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters. 3 Now if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and it will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so it will be taken from the lot of our inheritance. 4 And when the Jubilee of the children of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers. (Numbers 36:2-4)

16 ‘If a man dedicates to the Lord part of a field of his possession, then your valuation shall be according to the seed for it. A homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. 17 If he dedicates his field from the Year of Jubilee, according to your valuation it shall stand. 18 But if he dedicates his field after the Jubilee, then the priest shall reckon to him the money due according to the years that remain till the Year of Jubilee, and it shall be deducted from your valuation. 19 And if he who dedicates the field ever wishes to redeem it, then he must add one-fifth of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall belong to him. 20 But if he does not want to redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed anymore; 21 but the field, when it is released in the Jubilee, shall be holy to the Lord, as a devoted field; it shall be the possession of the priest.

22 ‘And if a man dedicates to the Lord a field which he has bought, which is not the field of his possession, 23 then the priest shall reckon to him the worth of your valuation, up to the Year of Jubilee, and he shall give your valuation on that day as a holy offering to the Lord. 24 In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to him from whom it was bought, to the one who owned the land as a possession. (Leviticus 27:16-24)

Essentially, the jubilee was a reset for society and a new chance for those who had not handled their finances as well as others may have. People would get their ancestral lands back, if they would have sold them. And since it was supposed to be observed once every 50 years, most people who did not die in childhood would have experienced it once or even twice in their lifetime (yes, even three times was possible).

As far as the meaning of the term translated as jubilee in most Bibles, notice the following:

The translation “Jubilee year” results from a mistaken application of cognates (similar words in different languages). In the original Hebrew, the year was called the “year of the horn,” or, in Hebrew, “the year of the yovel.” The Latin for yovel is iobileus, which just happens to sound like the Latin word iubileus, connected to the verb iubilare, “to celebrate.” The English “Jubilee year” comes from the Latin. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-joel-hoffman/five-mistakes-bible-translation_b_1129620.html

Of course, the world does not endorse the biblical jubilee.

Some have suggested that because the jubilee is not observed, that this is perhaps why there tends to be major economic problems every 50-60 or so years. Notice the following:

“Kondratieff long wave cycle (K-wave) was originally used to explain long wave economic cycles. Its originator Nickolai Kondratieff was a Russian economist (1892-1938) in Stalin’s Agricultural Academy and Business Research Institute (“Long Waves in Economic Life” – originally published in German in 1926). Kondratieff’s major premise was that capitalist economies displayed long wave cycles of boom and bust ranging between 50-60 years in duration. Kondratieff’s study covered the period 1789 to 1926 and was centered on prices and interest rates.”

“The 50-60 year cycle of catastrophe and renewal had been observed and recorded by the ancient Mayans of Central America and by the ancient Israelites. Further studies have discovered similar long economic waves from the period of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Kondratieff identified four distinct phases the economy goes through. They are a period of inflationary growth, followed by stagflation, then deflationary growth and finally depression.” http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_02/chapmand062902.html See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kondratiev_wave

Some have seen major economic disturbances throughout history (beyond what we have seen this week) that seem to possibly correlate with not following the admonition of having a Jubilee year.

Since it is the part of the “1%” that would be harmed in modern times by a Jubilee year, and they have major political influence, things would have to change for them to be willing to forgive debts (though political pressure could be one way).

Some have wondered when the biblical Jubilee year is.

Furthermore, from time to time I receive emails from some who think they know when the jubilee year is, despite the fact that history does not clearly record a particular year that the children of Israel actually observed it. There was, for one example, someone who emailed me and claimed that the 50 year biblical jubilee would begin on October 8, 2011. He was upset that I would not proclaim that as he was convinced that was the year. I told him I did not believe that the jubilee period could have begun then. One of the reasons is that since it appears that God has a 6,000 year plan for humankind that should be up within a decade or two and since 6,000 years is divisible by 50, I did not believe that 2011-2012 could possibly have been the year of jubilee as some asserted.

I have looked at a lot of calculations for the next Jubilee year and am not absolutely certain which is correct. One that is supposedly based upon the reign of King Josiah seems to point to the 2028 or 2027 time period (see The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets?), but there are others that point to Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:29-34) that suggest more like a 2050 or 2051, date which seems too distant. Another from the Talmud that leaves over 200 years off of the age of the world, seems to point to 2038, while one related to Ezekiel 40:1 (which the Pulpit commentary says may have been 575 BC) points to 2026 , and one by the Rabbi known as Maimonides seems to point to 2025 (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/12967-sabbatical-year-and-jubilee#anchor9). Some others thought it was a couple of years ago.

That said, because of its timing being declared on the Day of Atonement, I have wondered if the ultimate fulfillment of the Jubilee will be with the millennial kingdom of God.

Notice what happens during the millennium:

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.  (Revelation 20:1-6)

Satan will be gone, like is also pictured by the Azazel goat being put into the wilderness in the old Day of Atonement ceremony (Leviticus 16:8-10; see also The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance).

When Jesus comes to reign, He is going:

To proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1)

Which is what was supposed to be declared on the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament per Leviticus 25:10.

For this reason, some believe that Jesus will return near the start of a real, not fake, Jubilee year.

That said, the old Worldwide Church of God published the following:

Every 50 years a Jubilee year was to be proclaimed nationally (verses 8-17). An inheritance could be “sold” — leased out — only until the Jubilee year. That year it would once again revert to its rightful owner. (City property, however, could be sold permanently for major development — see Leviticus 25:29-31.)

A person who leased out his land could get it back before the Jubilee, however, if he so desired. He could repossess it anytime he wanted it by canceling the lease and refunding a fair prorated amount to the person to whom he had leased it. Thus a person could not be permanently deprived at the very least of a tax-free house and home.

This is the way agricultural lands will be treated in the world tomorrow, for in order that “everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree” — a picture of the peaceful conditions of the age to come — it will be necessary that everyone have his own piece of land either in a town or village or in the countryside. (See Micah 4:4.)

What a different world that will be! (Steep CD. A Welfare Plan With a Heart! Plain Truth, July-August 1984)

Yes, there will be real and positive economic reform coming.

But there will be an even greater liberty that will occur a century past the end of the coming millennium.

Let’s read about that in Revelation 21:

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:1-7)

That time is coming.

That is additional good news that we proclaim now.

But, unlike, the Jubilee of the Hebrew scriptures, that time of freedom will not be limited to one year. It will last for eternity. Notice something from the Literal Standard Version translation of the Bible:

6 For a Child has been born to us, “” A Son has been given to us, “” And the dominion is on His shoulder, “” And He calls His Name “” Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, “” Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of [His] dominion, “” And of peace, there is no end, “” On the throne of David, and on His kingdom, “” To establish it, and to support it, “” In judgment and in righteousness, “” From now on, even for all time, “” The zeal of YHWH of Hosts does this. (Isaiah 9:6-7, LSV)

Yes, eternal peace and righteousness–the ultimate Jubilee!

Remember to pray, as Jesus said in Matthew 6:8-10, for God’s kingdom to come.

As far as the Vatican’s fake Jubilee goes, we put out the following video:

14:31

Jubilee Fake vs Real

he Bible speaks of the blowing of horn, every 50 years, on the Day of Atonement, commonly called the Jubilee year as the Temple Institute reported about on 24 May 2024. Is it related to the Day of Pentecost that comes in the Spring or the every 25 year Roman Catholic Jubilee (the next one which runs from December 24, 2024 through January 6, 2026)or something else? What is a Jubilee? What about land reform and debt forgiveness? Did this help as a societal economic reset or opportunity? What does the Bible say about the Jubilee? Will Jesus fulfill it, according to the Book of Isaiah, perhaps at the start of the millennial reign? What about the millennial and post-millennial Kingdom of God. Have the K-wave cycle, Mayan records, and even those of ancient Greece and Rome point to waves of cycles and booms coming around each 50-60 years throughout history? Did the old Worldwide Church of God teach anything about the Jubilee? When might the Jubilee year be? Might it be within the next decade? Could there be an eternal ‘Jubilee’ which will be better and, of course, last longer than the one in Leviticus 25 that only lasted one year?

Here is a link to our video: Jubilee Fake vs Real.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2032, 2035, or 2036 or? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2025, 2026, or 2027? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? A short video is available titled: Great Tribulation Trends 2025.

The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement.” Does it have any relevance for Christians today? What is the Jubilee? Is fasting healthy? Here is a link to a sermon: Day of Atonement: How Jesus fulfilled His part for the Atonement. Here is a link to a related article in the Spanish language: El Día de Expiación –Su significado cristiano.

Was Peter the Rock Who Alone Received the Keys of the Kingdom? How should Matthew 16:18-19 be understood? Here is a link to a related sermon: Peter, the Rock, and the Keys.

Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and three video sermonette are also available:  Pope Francis signs ‘one world religion’ document! and The Chrislam Cross and the Interfaith Movement and Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.

COGwriter

The Wall Street Journal ran an article before that contained the following:

The Stranger in the House

Christmas trees arrived in England and America only in the mid-19th century…

The Tannenbaum (which simply means “fir tree”) came to be associated, apocryphally or not, with Martin Luther. Because of that, many Catholics in Germany once disdained it. The “aversion of many Catholics went so far,” Mr. Brunner writes, “that at the end of the nineteenth century many simply called Protestantism the ‘Tannenbaum religion.’ ” As late as the 1930s, the Vatican was recommending manger scenes instead of Christmas trees as a more theologically sound sort of decoration. But the church today no longer sees a conflict—Christmas Eve at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square now features both a life-size Nativity and a towering Christmas tree.

It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that the tradition began to spread outside Germany. Christmas trees were a novelty in England by 1850, thanks to a royal example set by the German-born Prince Albert…In the mid-19th century, the Christmas tree made inroads in America, too…

It has often been suggested that the Christmas tree is a pagan custom co-opted long ago by pragmatic Christian evangelists … Yes, candlelight featured in pre-Christian solstice festivals. And no doubt one can find some misty antecedents involving tree worship. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324894104578115160059099842.html

There are a lot of non-Christian symbols associated with the celebration of what is now called Christmas. Tannenbaum literally means “fir tree” and is the German term for Christmas tree. Although Roman Catholics once derided Protestants for the practice, the times I have been in Vatican City near Christmas, I have seen Tannenbaums prominently displayed there.

In his book Two Babylons, Alexander Hislop reported:

The wassailling bowl of Christmas had its precise counterpart in the “Drunken festival” of Babylon; and many of the other observances still kept up among ourselves at Christmas came from the very same quarter. The candles, in some parts of England, lighted on Christmas-eve, and used so long as the festive season lasts, were equally lighted by the Pagans on the eve of the festival of the Babylonian god, to do honour to him: for it was one of the distinguishing peculiarities of his worship to have lighted wax-candles on his altars. The Christmas tree, now so common among us, was equally common in Pagan Rome and Pagan Egypt. In Egypt that tree was the palm-tree; in Rome it was the fir; the palm-tree denoting the Pagan Messiah, as Baal-Tamar, the fir referring to him as Baal-Berith. The mother of Adonis, the Sun-God and great mediatorial divinity, was mystically said to have been changed into a tree, and when in that state to have brought forth her divine son. If the mother was a tree, the son must have been recognised as the “Man the branch.” And this entirely accounts for the putting of the Yule Log into the fire on Christmas-eve, and the appearance of the Christmas-tree the next morning. As Zero-Ashta, “The seed of the woman,” which name also signified Ignigena, or “born of the fire,” he has to enter the fire on “Mother-night,” that he may be born the next day out of it, as the “Branch of God,” or the Tree that brings all divine gifts to men. But why, it may be asked, does he enter the fire under the symbol of a Log? To understand this, it must be remembered that the divine child born at the winter solstice was born as a new incarnation of the great god (after that god had been cut in pieces), on purpose to revenge his death upon his murderers. Now the great god, cut off in the midst of his power and glory, was symbolised as a huge tree, stripped of all its branches, and cut down almost to the ground. But the great serpent, the symbol of the life restoring Aesculapius, twists itself around the dead stock, and lo, at its side up sprouts a young tree–a tree of an entirely different kind, that is destined never to be cut down by hostile power–even the palm-tree, the well-known symbol of victory. The Christmas-tree, as has been stated, was generally at Rome a different tree, even the fir; but the very same idea as was implied in the palm-tree was implied in the Christmas-fir; for that covertly symbolised the new-born God as Baal-berith, * “Lord of the Covenant,” and thus shadowed forth the perpetuity and everlasting nature of his power, not that after having fallen before his enemies, he had risen triumphant over them all.

Therefore, the 25th of December, the day that was observed at Rome as the day when the victorious god reappeared on earth, was held at the Natalis invicti solis, “The birth-day of the unconquered Sun.” Now the Yule Log is the dead stock of Nimrod, deified as the sun-god, but cut down by his enemies; the Christmas-tree is Nimrod redivivus–the slain god come to life again. In the light reflected by the above statement on customs that still linger among us, the origin of which has been lost in the midst of hoar antiquity, let the reader look at the singular practice still kept up in the South on Christmas-eve, of kissing under the mistletoe bough. That mistletoe bough in the Druidic superstition, which, as we have seen, was derived from Babylon, was a representation of the Messiah, “The man the branch.” The mistletoe was regarded as a divine branch *–a branch that came from heaven, and grew upon a tree that sprung out of the earth.

A professing Roman Catholic writer put out the following in 2023:

December 5, 2023

I would also like to anticipate those predictable Grinches who every year insist that some of the old German Catholic Christmas customs date back to Martin Luther, and thus should be avoided like the plague.

Bah humbug!

I don’t doubt that Luther was moved by the old Christmas customs of his childhood, but let’s not fall for the old revisionist Black Legend that the man invented them, which he certainly did not. And neither did Queen Victoria “invent” the Christmas tree, though the custom was certainly popularized worldwide during her reign.

The actual roots of many of these Christmas customs date back to the pre-Christian period, and it’s no secret that many of them were simply Christianized after a given nation was baptized.

King Arthur and his knights, for example, would have held magnificent “Christ Masse” feasts, to include the Yule Log which each year was lit from a spark preserved from the previous year’s log according to the pre-Christian tradition.

The Christmas Tree hearkens back to the old Norse belief, which included worship of the Fir Tree. But with the arrival of Christianity, that belief was transformed into the Weihnachten or Christmas tree, used in the celebration of the Birth of Christ Who conquered paganism.

They would have cut Mistletoe, as well, just as the Druids did, only this time for the purpose of celebrating the Birth of Christ with everything from Mistletoe to Wassail to Christmas pudding and the spicy concoctions of fruit and ceremony that went back a thousand years into Norman, Saxon, Viking and ancient British origin.

So, no, Luther did not “invent” the Christmas Tree. In fact, the story of St. Boniface famously cutting down Thor’s Oak Tree, worshipped by Germanic pagans, more or less proves this. But Boniface took the wood of that tree and used it to build a church on the same spot, dedicated to Saint Peter.

In other words, he Christianized the pagan tree.

The Christmas Tree hearkens back to the old Norse belief, which included worship of the Fir Tree. But with the arrival of Christianity, that belief was transformed into the Weihnachten or Christmas tree, used in the celebration of the Birth of Christ Who conquered paganism. In Germany it was the “Tannenbaum”, and it became a Catholic custom long before a constipated Martin Luther was pondering the meaning of life from the seat of his famous toilet. https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/6270-reclaiming-our-holy-days-putting-christ-back-in-christmas

Yes, Christmas trees are pagan.

Most who have looked into the subject of Christmas trees are familiar with the passages in Jeremiah 10 that clearly condemn pagan tree practices:

2″Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.
5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good.” (Jeremiah 10:2-5, NIV).

While the trees themselves cannot harm us, God says that they cannot do any good.

Even though there is nothing in the Bible to encourage putting a tree in one’s house to honor Jesus or the Father, both Catholics and Protestants believe that they have a legitimate reason to.

Even though they condemned the fir trees when once calling Protestantism the “Tannebaum religion,” Roman Catholics claim a prior use. In the 7-8th century, their St. Boniface chopped down an oak dedicated to Thor and a fir tree grew at the same place. After that happened Boniface was said to have stated, “Its leaves remain evergreen in the darkest days: let Christ be your constant light” (Christmas Tree. Wikipedia, 12/22/07). But the truth is that the evergreen tree had long been a pagan religious symbol in northern Europe.

According to the Historic Trinity Lutheran Church of Detroit:

Dr. Martin Luther is credited with originating the use of lighted pine trees in the home for Christmas (http://www.historictrinity.org/advent.html).

Here is one account of how the Roman Catholics and Protestants got the tree:

Why do we have a decorated Christmas Tree? In the 7th century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the Word of God. He did many good works there, and spent much time in Thuringia, an area which was to become the cradle of the Christmas Decoration Industry.

Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God’s Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity.

The first decorated tree was at Riga in Latvia, in 1510. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther is said to have decorated a small Christmas Tree with candles, to show his children how the stars twinkled through the dark night (The Chronological History of the Christmas Tree Copyright © 1998-2007 Maria Hubert von Staufer. http://www.christmasarchives.com/trees.html viewed 12/22/07).

Of course, that once again is one of the problems of Christmas, it substitutes pagan symbols for that of the true God.

And if you are asking yourself ‘doesn’t the trinity represent God?’ you may wish to study more into the Bible and the History of Christianity and also read the article Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Another aspect of history is that the early Church condemned winter celebrations like modern Christmas–Christmas was not observed by the early true church. This is documented in the article What Does the Roman Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days?

Now, getting back to the accusation of Roman Catholics about Protestants being the “Tannenbaum religion,” basically the Protestants condemned the Church of Rome for many practices, including idolatry. The Roman Catholics considered that having a decorated fir tree in one’s house, which of course is not a symbol associated with the birth of Jesus in the Bible, during the Christmas season was a form of idolatry.

However, over time, as the use of trees gained more universal acceptance, those of the Roman Catholic faith decided to no longer decry their use, but instead found a legend in their own history to suggest that they had the idea originally.

All of this may seem to be bizarre, but a lot of the doctrinal history of the Roman Catholics and Protestants is.

And although many Roman Catholics now have Christmas trees, notice something a while back from the Vatican:

Rome, Dec. 22: Sant Claus, and Christmas trees, have been condemned in an editorial in the Vatican weekly newspaper, “L’Osservatore della Domenica.” The editorial describes Santa Claus as a “monstrous substitute” for the Christ Child, and says that the idea of Santa “is offensive to the faith” and “will not and must not be accepted or tolerated by Christians.” The use of Christmas trees — which have only recently become a part of the Italian Christmas — is condemned as “an attempt to substitute the Crib ….. with a certain feeling of naturalism and paganism.” (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/dc50/vatican-paper-disfavours-santa-claus-684)

No one should be using Christmas trees, Santa Claus, etc. And even some in the Vatican have told people that.

As far as the trees go, although Roman Catholics sometimes have condemned Protestantism as the “Tannenbaum religion,” Vatican City now puts up a large Christmas tree each year–and my wife Joyce and I have seen it at least twice–so, the Church of Rome itself pushes Christmas trees.

The Bible, Church of God sources, and Roman Catholic sources have warned about the use of objects like Christmas trees. Since the use of them most certainly does not come from the Bible, no Christian should wish to have one. For more information, here is a link to the sermon: Fake News, Jesus, and His Birth.

Original Christians did not have nor condone Christmas trees and we in the Continuing Church of God still do not use or approve of them today.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
SECOND COMMANDMENT: What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example? Here is a related sermon video: Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong: Reformers with Differences.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol? Was the cross used as a venerated symbol by the early Church? Two related YouTube videos would be Beware of the ‘Ecumenical Cross’ and Origin of the Cross.
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it? Here is an old, by somewhat related, article in the Spanish language LA DOCTRINA DE LA TRINIDAD. A related sermon is available: Trinity: Fundamental to Christianity or Something Else? A brief video is also available: Three trinitarian scriptures?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Hanukkah: Jewish Christmas and Hidden Key to Prophecy? Originally a Jewish national holiday, has Hanukkah morphed into a Jewish Christmas? Does it hold hidden secrets to prophecy? Here is a related video: Hanukkah, Tradition, and Prophecy.
Canadian & Philadelphian Mummers Parades: Another tie to Saturnalia In Canada there is a ’12 days of Christmas’ celebration involving Mummers. In Philadelphia, a parade is held on New Years. Does this come from the Bible or where?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
How did December 25th become Christmas? Was Jesus born then? If not, why December 25? Here is the article translated into Mandarin Chinese 12g25eågTf/`NHˆ«‹¸YWúwcv„OáNð€‘Ç~³v„.
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
What Does the Roman Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a related sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations? A related sermon video is available and is titled: Birthdays, Christians, and December 25th. French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui? Here is a link to a short animation: Which Church would Jesus Choose?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

COGwriter

Zenit.org, a pro-Vatican website, reported the following:

Pope Francis Emphasizes Unity and Shared Mission During Meeting with Methodists

On the morning of December 16, Pope Francis welcomed a delegation of Methodist leaders to the Vatican, delivering a heartfelt message of unity, mutual respect, and the ongoing journey toward greater Christian fellowship. His address highlighted the shared faith and responsibilities of Catholics and Methodists, underscoring a commitment to deepening their bond through dialogue, prayer, and service.

From Division to Fellowship

Reflecting on the historical relationship between Catholics and Methodists, Pope Francis acknowledged the significant transformation over the past six decades. “For a long time, we were strangers, even suspicious of one another,” he noted. “But today, we give thanks to God for the journey we have taken together, one that has been marked by growing knowledge, understanding, and, most importantly, mutual love.”

Looking Toward Nicea’s Anniversary

The Pope also pointed to the upcoming 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicea in 2025 as a powerful reminder of shared Christian roots. He called on all Christians to use this milestone as an opportunity to bear witness to God’s presence in the world through acts of hope and unity. Quoting from his recent apostolic letter Spes Non Confundit, Francis reiterated the imperative of striving for visible unity: “It is an invitation to all Churches and ecclesial communities to continue the journey toward unity, never tiring of seeking ways to fully respond to Jesus’ prayer: ‘That they may all be one.’” …

Pope Francis’s meeting with Methodist leaders serves as a poignant reminder of the shared mission that transcends denominational lines. https://zenit.org/2024/12/16/pope-francis-emphasizes-unity-and-shared-mission-during-meeting-with-methodists/

Notice that the pontiff is claiming that the Church of Rome and the Methodists have a shared background.

Notice, also, that he pointed to the Council of Nicea.

That was the 325 A.D. Council which declared that Sunday, not Saturday, was the Christian worship day, despite the fact that early faithful Christians kept the seventh-day, Saturday, Sabbath.

It was also the Council of Nicea that declared that instead of keeping the Passover on the biblical date (the evening of the 14th day of Abib/Nisan) that it would be kept on a Sunday (this was further changed to be called Easter).

The Council of Nicea was convened by an unbaptized sun-god worshiping emperor named Constantine.

That Council was followed up with another one, called the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. It declared the trinity as doctrine.

The Methodists, instead of relying on the Bible, have accepted the result of those imperially-decreed councils.

Now, while Pope Francis claims he wants unity, he really is pushing unity for those who accept the decisions of those councils.

In December of 2020, the Church of Rome released a document (called a vademecum, which means handbook) for its bishops on matters of its ecumenical and interfaith:

The Vatican published Friday a guide with suggestions for Catholic bishops to promote unity with other Christian communities, offering practical advice for how to overcome common challenges to ecumenism.

The … “ecumenical vademecum” was approved by Pope Francis and issued Dec. 4 by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The document emphasizes the responsibility of diocesan bishops to promote unity among Christians within their jurisdiction and gives practical suggestions for how this can be achieved.

The vademecum recalls that ecumenical dialogue and inter-religious dialogue have different aims. Dialogue with different religious traditions aims at establishing “good relations and cooperation,” but dialogue with different Christian communities “aims at restoring the unity Christ willed for his Church,” it says. …

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said in a press conference Dec. 4 that …

it was his opinion that the issue of whether there is valid ordination in Christian communities outside the Catholic Church is “the biggest obstacle” to resolving the theological question of intercommunion.

He cited, for example, the fact that the Anglican community has allowed the ordination of women as priests and bishops, which the Catholic Church cannot accept.

“We must work on this situation very hard in the future, but we have not resolved this situation today,” he said.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, also said that the problem of episcopal ordination was “fundamental, and so it is at the core of ecumenical dialogue.” …

“The ministry of the bishop is the ministry for unity,” the cardinal said. “Not just for his own diocese or for the Catholic Church, but unity for the whole of Christians.”

The new document also notes the obligation of lay Catholics to work for unity with other Christians and promotes “practical ecumenism,” which it describes as Christians serving together to promote a common cause or to address injustices, such as human trafficking, mistreatment of immigrants, and attacks on the sanctity of life, among other issues. … “any appearance of triumphalism should be carefully avoided” (§389). …

“Cultural ecumenism” includes all efforts to better understand the culture of other Christians and in so doing to realise that beyond cultural difference, to varying degrees, we share the same faith expressed in different ways. 12/4/20 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ecumenical-vademecum-new-vatican-guide-for-bishops-addresses-common-challenges-to-christian-unity-85212

Let me add that Kurt Koch and Marc Ouellet are two men who look to have the potential to be the false prophet of the Book of Revelation and the final Antichrist that the Apostle John told of. Whether they will be or not, they both have been involved with setting the stage for such a leader–as has Pope Francis, who approved this new handbook. For this handbook, Koch signed his name as Kurt Cardinal Koch.

Kurt Koch (photo from http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=37189)

When Kurt Koch took over from Walter Kasper, I warned that because of biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies, that Kurt Koch could possibly be the last pope, and an antipope.

I also specifically warned (see July 2, 2010 post Swiss Bishop Appointed as Ecumenical Head: Antichrist Role?) about then Archbishop Koch:

And if he elevated to the rank of Cardinal, he may have further elevation in his future.

And that happened on October 20, 2010 (see Kurt Koch Made a Cardinal: Might He Become the Antichrist?), so I definitely consider him one to watch.

This handbook that he helped put together shows that his desire for the ecumenical agenda is not pushing for what scripture advocates.

For example, notice how the Roman Catholic New Jerusalem Bible translates the last portion of Jude 3:

3 … I felt that I must write to you encouraging you to fight hard for the faith which has been once and for all entrusted to God’s holy people. (Jude 3, NJB)

Having read over Cardinal Koch’s Vademecum, it is NOT fighting hard for the faith which has been once and for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Instead, it is more on how to take ecumenical steps to reach out to other faiths and schmooze with them to get them to agree that they are close enough to Rome that they should basically consider themselves a culturally different fellowship which is basically in full communion with Rome. Using the media in an ecumenical way, along with joint prayer with other trinitarians, was some of what the document advocates.

Here are some direct quotes from that Vademecum:

Firstly, ecumenism is not premised on compromise as if unity should be achieved at the expense of truth. … Though all revealed truths are believed with the same divine faith, their significance depends on their relation to the saving mysteries of the Trinity and salvation in Christ, the source of all Christian doctrines. By weighing truths rather than simply enumerating them, Catholics gain a more accurate understanding of the unity that exists among Christians. … Because we share a real communion as brothers and sisters in Christ, Catholics not only can, but indeed must, seek out opportunities to pray with other Christians. Accessed 12/05/20 http://www.christianunity.va/content/dam/unitacristiani/Documentazione%20generale/2020Vademecum/Vademecum-EN.pdf

Well, the sun-worshipping Emperor Constantine was a trinitarian. He called the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. and presided over it as a ‘lay bishop,’ despite not even being baptized. Yet, even then, only 10-15% of the bishops who attended were trinitarian. But Emperor Constantine’s push of it was a factor in more adopting it over the next few decades.

The acceptance of the Greco-Roman trinity was a doctrine officially pushed by Emperor Theodosius.

In an Imperial decree in 380, Emperor Theodosius declared that the “Catholic Church” was the official religion of the Roman Empire (Theodosian Code XVI.1.2. Cited in Bettenson H, ed., Documents of the Christian Church, London: Oxford University Press, 1943, p. 31). He also issued an Imperial decree that said any who would not embrace his trinitarian definition of the Godhead were prohibited to use the term “catholic,” and he also labelled such persons as “foolish madmen” and “heretics” (ibid).

His trinity became the official Greco-Roman position in the Council of Constantinople that Emperor Theodosius convened in 381 A.D. Clearly it was not part of the faith which has been once and for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

In the 21st century we see that those who compromised on the nature of the Godhead are those that Rome expects will be in unity with it–hence that eliminates groups like the Continuing Church of God as we hold to the original faith on matters, including the nature of the Godhead (see the free online books Continuing History of the Church of God and Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism).

It is the trinity that is the basis for the type unity Rome is pushing for.

That is certainly an unbiblical and improper unity.

Furthermore, notice the following warnings about improper unity:

15 How can Christ come to an agreement with Beliar and what sharing can there be between a believer and an unbeliever?

16 The temple of God cannot compromise with false gods, and that is what we are — the temple of the living God. We have God’s word for it: I shall fix my home among them and live among them; I will be their God and they will be my people.

17 Get away from them, purify yourselves, says the Lord. Do not touch anything unclean, and then I shall welcome you. (2 Corinthians 6:15-17, NJB)

True Christians will not be part of what the Church of Rome is pushing. Notice what the Apostle John was inspired to write:

5 They are from the world, and therefore the world inspires what they say, and listens to them. 6 We are from God; whoever recognises God listens to us; anyone who is not from God refuses to listen to us. This is how we can distinguish the spirit of truth from the spirit of falsehood. (1 John 4:5-6, NJB)

Many world leaders have endorsed the ecumenical and interfaith agendas that the Vatican has been pushing. We in the Continuing Church of God do not.

That being said, Pope Francis has long been pushing ecumenical unity above scripture. Notice something from early 2019:

Christian Unity is not optional, says Pope Francis

Linda Bordoni reports for Vatican News that the Pope has reminded the faithful that “Ecumenism is not something optional” during his Jan. 16 weekly General Audience.

Francis looked ahead to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that takes place from Jan. 18 to 25.

For its part, the World Council of Churches said that from Jan. 18-25, Christians will embark on the largest prayer gathering in the world, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“Whether praying together, exchanging preachers or planning ecumenical services, they will bear witness to Jesus’s prayer for his disciples that they may be one so that the world may believe,” said the WCC.

The WCC’s members include most Protestant and Eastern Orthodox churches but not the Roman Catholic Church, with which it cooperates on many issues.

Pope Francis noted that the annual “Week of Prayer”, on the theme “Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue,” starts with the celebration of Vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on Friday.

“Again, this year we are called to pray so that all Christians may once again be a single family, according to God’s will ‘so that they may all be one'” he said.

Pointing out that “ecumenism is not something optional,” the Pope e said it aims “to develop a common and consistent witness that promotes true justice and support for the weakest through responses that are concrete, appropriate and effective.”

The annual “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” is a time in which Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (John 17.21). 01/17/19 https://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/christian-unity-is-not-optional-says-pope-francis/60642.htm

Here is something about this from the World Council of Churches’ leader Olav Fykse Tveit also from 2019:

Official logo of the World Council of Churches from its website

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit said that, as people around the world pray together, they will share a sense of joy, concern and accountability, a sharing that forms the heart of the ecumenical movement.

“As we celebrate a unity in diversity, we become more able to strongly pursue justice in our many contexts,” he said. “In all cultures and continents, we can pray for each other and pray together as a living fellowship for justice and peace.” https://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/christian-unity-is-not-optional-says-pope-francis/60642.htm

The ecumenical and inter-faith movements are moving ahead, yet they WILL NOT RESULT IN JUSTICE OR REAL AND LASTING PEACE. Yet, many Protestants are also falling for it (see Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!).

The WCC clearly has goals (e.g. The ‘Unpardonable Sin’ and ‘Climate Change’? and A different false gospel is taking hold: ‘Minister of climate change urges Earth’s salvation’) consistent with those of Pope Francis (see Pope Francis continues to press his climate change ‘gospel’ and Laudato Si: Pope’s Agenda or Kingdom of God?) and the United Nations (watch UN’s ‘New Universal Agenda’ is a False Gospel! and United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order and Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III?).

Ecumenism is a false gospel.

Notice also the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

9:31

A Different False Gospel

While there have been a variety of false gospels since at least the time of Simon Magus and the Gnostics, there is a relatively new one being pushed by major leaders of the world’s churches. Essentially, leaders are teaching that ‘climate change’ is related to salvation, the unpardonable sin, and something called the ‘social gospel.’ This is being pushed by leaders including Pope Francis of the Church of Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Olav Tveit of the World Council of Churches. Is this a false gospel consistent with Galatians 1:6-11? Are these angels of light or something else (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 )? While it is good to not pollute, will the ecumenical climate change agenda work according to the Bible? Dr. Thiel address these issues and more.

Here is a link: A Different False Gospel. The Vatican and WCC are promoting several.

The Bible shows that it will take the return of Jesus and the establishment of the millennial Kingdom of God to bring true peace and justice (Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 11:18; see also The Bible, Christians, and the Environment).

The Bible also clearly shows that the ecumenical/inter-faith movement will also end in destruction (Revelation 18 & 19). This is not something that Catholics or the Eastern Orthodox or the Protestants should want (see also Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? and Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!)–yet many of their leaders are promoting this.

This is a false gospel!

The ecumenical and worldly agendas will not bring peace (see also World Council of Churches Peace Plan). Instead it is laying the foundation for the final ‘Babylon’ of Revelation 17 & 18.

In Zechariah, the Bible warns against a coming ‘daughter of Babylon’ and shows that proper unity will not happen until after Jesus returns:

10 Look out! Look out! Flee from the land of the north — Yahweh declares- for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven — Yahweh declares. 11 Look out! Make your escape, Zion, now living with the daughter of Babylon!

12 For Yahweh Sabaoth says this, since the Glory commissioned me, about the nations who plundered you, ‘Whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye. 13 Now look, I shall wave my hand over them and they will be plundered by those whom they have enslaved.’ Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me! 14 Sing, rejoice, daughter of Zion, for now I am coming to live among you -Yahweh declares! 15 And on that day many nations will be converted to Yahweh. Yes, they will become his people, and they will live among you. Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me to you! 16 Yahweh will take possession of Judah, his portion in the Holy Land, and again make Jerusalem his choice. (Zechariah 2:10-16, NJB)

Notice that the day of unity comes AFTER Christians are to flee from Babylon. The Book of Revelation shows that is for the future:

2 At the top of his voice he shouted, ‘Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen, and has become the haunt of devils and a lodging for every foul spirit and dirty, loathsome bird. 3 All the nations have drunk deep of the wine of her prostitution; every king on the earth has prostituted himself with her, and every merchant grown rich through her debauchery.’

4 Another voice spoke from heaven; I heard it say, ‘Come out, my people, away from her, so that you do not share in her crimes and have the same plagues to bear. (Revelation 18:2-4, NJB)

The ecumenical and inter-faith movements that the Vatican, certain Protestants, and certain Eastern Orthodox leaders are promoting are clearly condemned by the Bible and should not be encouraged.

Yes, the time will come when the most faithful Christians will flee per Revelation 12:14-16 (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra).

While Jesus did pray for true Christians to be one as He and the Father are one, in John 17:21, Jesus DID NOT push for the type of unity that the Vatican is pushing for.

Furthermore, consider that even Roman Catholic translations of the Bible show that the Apostle Paul also taught that true unity of faith would not happen until after Jesus returns:

13 until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God and form the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself. (Ephesians 4:13, NJB)

Those who believe this unity comes prior to Jesus’ return are in error. Actually, when Jesus returns, He will destroy the unity of nations that are against Him:

11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and voices could be heard shouting in heaven, calling, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.’ 16 The twenty-four elders, enthroned in the presence of God, prostrated themselves and touched the ground with their foreheads worshipping God 17 with these words, ‘We give thanks to you, Almighty Lord God, He who is, He who was, for assuming your great power and beginning your reign. 18 The nations were in uproar and now the time has come for your retribution, and for the dead to be judged, and for your servants the prophets, for the saints and for those who fear your name, small and great alike, to be rewarded. The time has come to destroy those who are destroying the earth.’ (Revelation 11:15-18, NJB)

19:6 And I heard what seemed to be the voices of a huge crowd, like the sound of the ocean or the great roar of thunder, answering, ‘Alleluia! The reign of the Lord our God Almighty has begun;… 19 Then I saw the beast, with all the kings of the earth and their armies, gathered together to fight the Rider and his army. 20 But the beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had worked miracles on the beast’s behalf and by them had deceived those who had accepted branding with the mark of the beast and those who had worshipped his statue. These two were hurled alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur. 21 All the rest were killed by the sword of the Rider, which came out of his mouth, and all the birds glutted themselves with their flesh… 20:4 Then I saw thrones, where they took their seats, and on them was conferred the power to give judgement. I saw the souls of all who had been beheaded for having witnessed for Jesus and for having preached God’s word, and those who refused to worship the beast or his statue and would not accept the brandmark on their foreheads or hands; they came to life, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (Revelation 19:6,19-21; 20:4, NJB)

Notice that Jesus will have to destroy a world of armies unified against Him. Then He and the saints will reign. That is when there will be proper unity of the faith. Even the NJB, a Roman Catholic translation of the Bible, concurs. The nations will be united AGAINST Jesus.

Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants, and others need to be concerned about the type of unity that is actually being promoted.

Trinitarian unity is not biblical, but a compromise.

It is those of the original faith that will be with Jesus, whereas those that have compromised away from it will be His opposers.

The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) has put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

Here is a link to the video: Vademecum: Rome’s Trinitarian Ecumenical Handbook.

Related to the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, over a decade ago we put together the following video:

10:44

3rd Council of Nicea in 2025?

The first ecumenical Council of Nicea was in 325 A.D. The Second Council of Nicea began in 787 A.D. The Roman Catholic Pope Francis and the Eastern Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople have called for a meeting between the Orthodox and the Vatican to take place in the year 2025. What was the result of the earlier councils? Does the Bible support this 2025 meeting? What are some of the dangers?

Here is a link to our video: 3rd Council of Nicea in 2025?

Anyway, Pope Francis continues to push his vision of ecumenical church unity.

It is a vision that the Bible warns against.

Remember to, “contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.
Mystery of Iniquity What is the mystery of iniquity? How did it start? How will it end? Two related sermons are also available: The Mystery of Iniquity and The Mystery of Lawlessness.
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free draft/unedited pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Laudato Si: Pope’s Agenda or Kingdom of God? Pope Francis’ 2nd encyclical is titled ‘Laudato Si.’ In it, he goes over his views related to environmental, economic, social, moral, agricultural, and spiritual issues. He advocates international cooperation to solve various problems he believes are affecting humanity. Is that Pope’s agenda the solution? What about the Kingdom of God? does the Bible teach? Two related articles include Laudato Si: Will Pope Francis’ economic actions match his words? and Laudato Si: A call for a one-world government?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.

COGwriter

World Net Daily posted the following:

Phenomenal prophecy for future hidden in Jesus’ first appearance

Appearing on the popular Bible program “Shabbat Night Live,” Joe Kovacs, author of “Reaching God Speed: Unlocking the Secret Broadcast Revealing the Mystery of Everything,” explored not just the historical events surrounding Jesus’ birth, but the phenomenal additional meanings that become obvious when we open our “eyes to see” and “ears to hear” on the metaphoric, Spirit level of parables. …

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:20 CSB). …

Kovacs said the shepherds of the ancient past actually represent anyone who is shepherding people to the knowledge of God, even the spiritual shepherds of today.

Kovacs said, “So, the shepherds are going to return. Not just in the event in the past, the shepherds are going to return in the future,” he told host Scott Laird. “Because anyone who shepherds God’s people is a teacher of God’s people. And the shepherds are going to be resurrected.”

“The Bible talks about this in Jeremiah 3:15. Again, part of God speed and getting up to the spirit level is connecting the dots from all over the Bible. It’s ‘here a little, there a little’ (Isaiah 28:10), and you have to put the pieces together to understand the big jigsaw puzzle that the Bible is. You know, the Bible doesn’t tell you everything in one spot. God is a good Author. He makes you read the entire book to be able to put the book together.”

“The Book of Jeremiah says … ‘I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill’ (Jeremiah 3:15 CSB).

“‘I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them.'” (Jeremiah 23:4 CSB)

“So this is really a prophecy for the FUTURE. God is going to raise up people from the grave to shepherd other people who didn’t understand the message in the first round. And all they that HEARD – you gotta finally hear the message of God with your ears to hear – you’re going to wonder at those things that were told. It’s amazingly good news when you learn that you can live forever and not die.

“Everyone’s afraid of death right now. That’s why the world is in the state we’re in. Everybody’s panicking. ‘Will I have enough food? Will I have enough money to pay my bills and all that?’ Because we’re afraid of dying. But when you’re not afraid of dying, that’s where the victory comes. The victory has already been won by Christ. He has been raised from the dead, and He is the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10). He is the Forerunner, so that WE are going to be raised from the dead too.” …

“The good news given to the shepherds of the past is also the good news about the shepherds of the future. Those shepherds are anyone and everyone who believes the message of God, repents of their sin (the breaking of God’s laws) and allows Jesus – the true food, the true bread from heaven found in the house of bread in the city of the beloved – to fill their own body and literally become part of them.” 12/15/24 https://www.wnd.com/2024/12/phenomenal-prophecy-future-hidden-jesus-first-appearance/

Joe Kovacs made statements that clearly align with God’s plan of salvation.

It is great that Joe Kovacs understands that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to this age.

While I have long known that Joe Kovacs has had exposure to Church of God doctrines, and has written in support of several of them, until I had seen an earlier report in 2022 at World Net Daily I had not realized that he had such a grasp of God’s plan to offer salvation to others in the age to come. He and I have since been in touch a couple of times.

As far as putting doctrine together “here a little and there a little” related to this topic, we have a free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation.

This is a doctrine that God’s prophets taught throughout scripture.

Related to the prophets teaching this, the Continuing Church of God put out the following sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:15:38

‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’

In Acts 3:19-21, the Apostle Peter stated that restoration (apocatastasis) was “spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets.” Do you know what the prophets spoke about this? In this eighth part of an eight-part sermon series on God’s plan to offer salvation to all, Dr. Thiel reads quotes and references from many prophets including Abraham, Job, Moses, Deborah, Samuel, David, Nathan, Ahijah, Elijah,Elisha,Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Obadiah, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi,John the Baptist,Paul, Peter, James, John, Jude, and Jesus Himself. Do you believe the prophets? Do you have faith in the word of God and His plan? Can the lost be saved? Understand what the word of God teaches.

Here is a link to the sermon: ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.

Some items of related interest may include:

Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived–the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (Universal Offer of Salvation part 3), Is God Fair, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?, Can God Save Your Relatives?, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God’s Plan, and ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.
All the Prophets Spoke of Apocatastasis The Apostle Peter said all the prophets spoke about “apokatastasis. Do you know what that is? Watch also ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.
Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory? Is there a place called purgatory? Does God have a plan to help those who did not become saints in this life?
What is Limbo? Is There Such a Place as Limbo? What Happens to Babies When They Die? When did Limbo start being taught? What is the truth about dead babies? Here is a link to the video: Popes Change on Limbo and Purgatory?
The Last Great Day: Shemini ‘Azeret What is the ‘eighth day’ of the Feast? What does it help picture? A sermon on this topic is also available: Shemini Azaret: The Last Great Day.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays. A related sermon is Which Spring Days should Christians observe?
Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory? Is there a place called purgatory? Does God have a plan to help those who did not become saints in this life?
What is Limbo? Is There Such a Place as Limbo? What Happens to Babies When They Die? When did Limbo start being taught? What is the truth about dead babies?
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? The ‘Fall’ Holy Days come every year in September and/or October on the Roman calendar. Some call them Jewish holidays, but they were kept by Jesus, the apostles, and their early faithful followers. Should you keep them? What does the Bible teach? What do records of church history teach? What does the Bible teach about the Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day? Here is a link to a related sermon: Should you keep the Fall Holy Days?
What is the Unpardonable Sin? What is it? Can you repent of it? Do you know what it is and how to avoid it? Here is a link to a related sermon video The Unpardonable Sin and the Prodigal Son. Here is a link to a shorter video The ‘Unpardonable Sin’ and ‘Climate Change’?

James and Ellen White

COGwriter

Although no real member in the Continuing Church of God celebrates Christmas, many Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) now do.

While in the CCOG, we have cited Jeremiah 10 and other scriptures as proof that Christmas trees are not appropriate for Christians, in the late 1800s Ellen White had a different view:

God would be well pleased if on Christmas, each church would have a Christmas tree on which shall be hung offerings, great and small, for these houses of worship (Ellen White, Review and Herald, Dec. 11, 1879 per http://www.ellenwhite.org/criticg.htm 1/11/07).

Do Adventists know that Christmas is of non-Christian origin?

Well certainly many of their leaders do.

For example, the late SDA scholar Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi wrote:

The Celebration of Christmas in Some Adventist Churches

The religious celebration of Christmas in Adventist churches is a recent development. I grew up in Rome, Italy, where we never had a Christmas tree in our home or church. My father worked regularly on Christmas day. Our family regarded Christmas as a Catholic festival, similar to the weekly Sunday, Easter Sunday, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on March 25, the Feast of Mary’s Assumption of August 15, All Saints Day on November 1, etc.

When I first came to the USA in 1960 as a seminary student at Andrews University, Christmas was primarily the Winter break. I do not recall much Christmas decorations and celebrations in the churches I visited during the four years I spent at the seminary from 1960 to 1964.

Gradually things have changed during the past 50 years. This is evident by the profusely illuminated and decorated front-end area of many Adventist churches at Christmas time. Some churches seem to compete with the rich decorations usually found in Greek Orthodox churches.

Frankly, I am not inspired by the elaborate Christmas decorations and celebration, because as a church historian I am aware of their pagan origin. Jesus was born in a humble manger. There were no fanciful decorations to celebrate His birth. It would be more in keeping with the setting of His birth, to keep the decorations simple, designed to help people catch the real spirit of Christ’s humble birth.

It was the celebration of the birth of the Sun-god in ancient Rome that was accompanied by a profusion of lights and torches and the decoration of trees. To facilitate the acceptance of the Christian faith by the pagan masses, the Church of Rome found it expedient to make not only the Day of the Sun the weekly celebration of Christ’s resurrection, but also the Birth Day of the Invincible Sun-God on December 25, the annual celebration of Christ’s birth…

The term “Christmas” is not found in the Bible. It derives from “Christ + Mass,” that is, from the Mass Catholics celebrate in honor of Christ’s birth on the night of December 24. Surprisingly, there is no mention in the New Testament of any the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Christ. The Gospels’ accounts of Jesus’ birth are very brief, consisting only of few verses. (Bacchiocchi S. Day and Meaning of Christmas. ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 161, December 2006).

While Dr. Bacchiocchi appeared to be against it, Ellen White and many of her followers appear to have decided that this compromise with sun-worshipers is acceptable.

Here is one comment from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

It is true that the believers in Mithras also observed Sunday as well as Christmas.(Herbermann, Charles, and Georg Grupp. Constantine the Great. The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. Nihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 1 Sept. 2008 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04295c.htm>)

An article announcing Dr. Bacchiocchi’s death also had this regarding his position on Christmas:

The adoption of the 25th of December for the celebration of Christmas is perhaps the most explicit example of sun worship’s influence on the Christian liturgical calendar,” Bacchiocchi wrote. “It is a known fact that the pagan feast of the Dies Natalis Solis Invicti – the birthday of the Invincible Sun, was held on that date.” (Expert on Bible, Sabbath dies at 70 Samuele Bacchiocchi best known for explaining shift toward Sunday worship. World Net Daily. Posted: December 21, 2008 12:49 pm Eastern. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=84204)

And since Mithras’ day was Sunday and his birthday was December 25th, why would any SDA find Christmas acceptable? (Those interested in learning more about Mithratic teachings and their adoption among those who profess Christ should read the article Do You Practice Mithraism?)

Here is some of what the last newsletter from Dr. Bacchiocchi stated about Christmas:

THE CELEBRATION OF CHRIST’S BIRTH

The celebration of Christ’s birth poses two problems: the date and the manner of the celebration. Regarding the date of Christ’s birth, we shall shortly see that the adoption of the date of December 25th by the Western Church to commemorate Christ’s birth was influenced by the pagan celebration of the return of the sun after the winter solstice.

Several scholarly studies suggests that the Feast of Tabernacles in September/October provides a much more accurate Biblical timing and typology for celebrating Christ’s birth than the pagan dating of December 25th. The latter date is not only removed from the actual time of Christ’s birth, but also is derived from the pagan celebration of the return of the sun after the winter solstice…

The good news of the date of Christ’s birth, is not a festival, with its gifts, parties, fun, feasting, yule log, and lighted Christmas tree–for these are but vestiges of a pagan culture that knows nothing of the true God. The good news of Christ’s birth centers around a person–God’s unspeakable gift, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.

The Celebration of Christ’s Birth in Some Adventist Churches

Several fellow believers asked me to comment specifically on the celebration of Christ’s Birth in some Adventist churches. It is not uncommon for our larger Adventist churches to have a Christmas eve religious service. Somebody asked me the question: “Could you explain to me why some Adventist churches have special Christmas’ eve services while others do not?”

Frankly, I do not understand why some Adventist churches today are adopting the popular practice of an evening church service on December 24. Perhaps they may not be aware that they are imitating the Catholic “Christ—Mass” celebrated at midnight of December 24. They may also ignore the pagan origin of the date of Christ’s birth, which will discussed later. Most likely, for these churches it may be just a matter of cultural conformity, namely, the desire to imitate the impressive Christmas eve services held in Catholic and Protestant churches.

The religious celebration of Christmas in Adventist churches is a recent development…Gradually things have changed during the past 50 years. This is evident by the profusely illuminated and decorated front-end area of many Adventist churches at Christmas time. Some churches seem to compete with the rich decorations usually found in Greek Orthodox churches.

Personally I am not inspired by the elaborate Christmas decorations and celebration, because as a church historian I am aware of their pagan origin…

It was the celebration of the birth of the Sun-god in ancient Rome that was accompanied by a profusion of lights and torches and the decoration of trees. To facilitate the acceptance of the Christian faith by the pagan masses, the Church of Rome found it expedient to make not only the Day of the Sun the weekly celebration of Christ’s resurrection, but also the Birth Day of the Invincible Sun-God on December 25, the annual celebration of Christ’s birth…

THE DATE OF CHRIST’S BIRTH

Surprisingly, there is no mention in the New Testament of any the celebration of the anniversary of Christ’s birth. The Gospels’ accounts of Jesus’ birth are very brief, consisting only of few verses found only in Matthew 1:16-24 and Luke 2:1-20). By contrast, the accounts of what is known as “The Passion Week,” are lengthier, taking several chapters…

The Early Christians commemorated annually Christ’s death and resurrection at Passover, but we have no clear indications of an annual celebration of Christ’s birth. A major controversy erupted in the latter part of the second century over the Passover date, but the date of Christ’s birth did not become an issue until sometimes in the fourth century. At that time the dispute centered primarily over two dates for Christ’s birth: December 25 promoted by the Church of Rome and January 6, known as the Epiphany, observed by the Eastern churches. “Both these days,” as Oscar Cullmann points out, “were pagan festivals whose meaning provided a starting point for the specifically Christian conception of Christmas.”

Most Likely Christ Was Born toward the End of September or the Beginning of October

It is a recognized fact that the adoption of the date of December 25th by the Western Church to commemorate Christ’s birth was influenced by the pagan celebration of the return of the sun after the winter solstice. More will be said later about the factors which influenced the adoption of this date. At this juncture it is important to note that the date of December 25 is totally devoid of Biblical meaning and is grossly inaccurate as far as the actual time of Christ’s birth.

If, as it is generally agreed, Christ’s ministry began when He was about thirty years of age (Luke 3:23) and lasted three and one-half years until His death at Passover (March/April), then by backtracking we arrive at the months of September/October, rather than to December 25. Indirect support for a September/October dating of Christ’s birth is provided also by the fact that from November to February shepherds did not watch their flocks at night in the fields. They brought them into a protective corral called a “sheepfold.” Hence, December 25 is a most unlikely date for the birth of Christ.3

The most likely date of Christ’s birth is in the latter part of September or the beginning of October. This date corresponds to the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, known also as the Feast of Booths. This feast was the last and most important pilgrimage of the year for the Jews. The overcrowded conditions at the time of Christ’s birth (“there was no place for them in the inn”—Luke 2:7) could be related not only to the census taken by the Romans at that time, but also to the many pilgrims that overrun the area especially during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Bethlehem is only four miles from Jerusalem. “The Romans,” notes Barney Kasdan, “were known to take their censuses according to the prevailing custom of the occupied territories. Hence, in the case of Israel, they would opt to have the people report to their provinces at a time that would be convenient for them. There is no apparent logic to calling the census in the middle of winter. The more logical time of taxation would be after the harvest, in the fall,”4 when people had in their hands the revenue of their harvest.

Support for the belief that Christ was born at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, which occurs in late September or early October, is provided by the Messianic themes of the Feast of Tabernacles…

Ideal Time for the Birth of Jesus

The Feast of Tabernacles was the ideal time for the birth of Jesus because it was called “the season of our joy.” The emphasis on the joyfulness of the feast is found in the instructions given in Deuteronomy 16:13-14: “You shall keep the feast of booths seven days, when you make your ingathering from your threshing floor and your wine press. You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your manservant and your maidservant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns.”

A final interesting sideline supporting the possibility that Christ was born at the very time of the Feast of Tabernacles, is the reference to the wise men that came from the East to visit Christ (Matt 2:1). The land of the East is most likely Babylon, where many Jews still lived at the time of Christ’s birth. Only a remnant of the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile to Palestine during the Persian period. The wise men, most likely, were rabbis known in Hebrew as chakamin, which means wise men.

We are told that the wise men made their journey from the East to Bethlehem because they had seen “the star in the East” (Matt 2:1). Watching the stars was associated especially with the Feast of Tabernacles. In fact, the roof of the booth was built with leafy branches carefully spaced so that they would screen out the sunlight without blocking the visibility of the stars. The people watched for the stars at night during the feast because of the prophecy “a star shall come out of Jacob” (Num 24:17). It is possible that it was during the Feast of Tabernacles, the special season of star watching, that the wise men saw the Messianic star and “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matt 2:10).

In the light of the foregoing considerations, most likely Christ’s birth coincided with the Feast of Tabernacles. Being the feast of thanksgiving for God’s willingness to protect His people with the tabernacle of His presence during the wilderness sojourning, it could serve fittingly to celebrate Christ’s willingness to become a human being and pitch His tent among us in order to become our Savior.

The implications of this conclusion are self-evident. The Feast of Tabernacles in late September/October provides Christians today with much more accurate Biblical timing and typology for celebrating Christ’s birth, than the pagan dating of December 25th. The latter date not only is removed from the actual time of Christ’s birth, but is also derived from the pagan celebration of the return of the sun after the winter solstice. Why celebrate the birth of Jesus at the wrong time of December 25th,—a date derived from pagan sun-worship—when the Bible provides us with a more appropriate timing and typology for commemorating such an important event?…

The Pagan Origin of Date of Christmas

The adoption of the 25th of December for the celebration of Christmas is perhaps the most explicit example of Sun-worship’s influence on the Christian liturgical calendar. It is a known fact that the pagan feast of the dies natalis Solis Invicti—the birthday of the Invincible Sun, was held on that date…

Rome and the Origin of Sunday, Easter Sunday and Christmas

Let us note that the Church of Rome pioneered not only the observance of Sunday and Easter-Sunday, but also the new date of December 25 for the celebration of Christ’s birth. In fact the first explicit indication that on the 25th of December Christians celebrated Christ’s birthday, is found in a Roman document known as Chronograph of 354 (a calendar attributed to Fuzious Dionysius Philocalus), where it says: “VIII Kal. Jan. natus Christus in Betleem Judaeae—On the eighth calends of January [i.e., December 25th] Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea.”

(Bacchiocchi S. (ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 218 “The Meaning, Celebration, and Date of Christmas”. November 2008)

The idea of a December 25th Christmas is pagan, the SDAs originally did not observe it, we in the Continuing Church of God do not observe it, and it should not be observed by true Christians.

The Continuing Church of God has the following sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:11:08

25 Reasons to Not Keep Christmas

Should you keep Christmas? Is it truly a Christian thing to do? Why or why not? Many try to teach that it is appropriate for Christians to keep it. But what do we learn from the Bible? What can church history help us better understand.

In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes over the following 25 reasons not to keep Christmas:

1. In Leviticus 23, God lists His festivals–with specific dates.
2. In Jeremiah 10, God says not to follow pagan practices, such as using a decorated tree, in the worship of Him.
3. Nowhere in the Bible is the date of Jesus’ birth mentioned.
4. Scripture opposes the view that Jesus could have been born in late December because the “census would have been impossible in winter” per The Catholic Encyclopedia and because shepherds were not spending the night outside with their flocks then.
5. Nowhere in the Bible is anyone instructed to observe the date of Jesus’ birth.
6. The Bible does not show that Jesus’ disciples ever observed the date of Jesus’ birth.
7. At the time of Christ, observant Jews did not celebrate birthdays, nor did early Christians.
8. The Apostle Paul wrote that Christians were not to use demonic pagan practices (1 Corinthians 10:20).
9. Christmas was NOT part of the ‘faith once for all delivered to the saints’ (Jude 3).
10. Early church writings do not show that any Christian observed the date of Jesus’ birth.
11. The sun god Mithras was allegedly born on December 25th as the season was celebrated as the rebirth of the sun.
12. Pagans celebrated the sun-god Mithras and the god of agriculture Saturn in late December each year with lights, wreaths, parties, and gift-giving.
13. About 2 centuries after Jesus was born, Tertullian wrote that people, in what we would now call the Eastern and Roman Catholic churches, used wreaths and lights, gave gifts, etc. in late December to be like the heathen. Pagan worship really is the “reason for the season.”
14. Tertullian condemned those practices as demonic and idolatrous and further wrote that those who professed Christ should not honor pagan gods in their worship.
15. The pagan Emperor Constantine worshiped the sun-god Mithras and celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25th starting in 336 A.D.
16. Roman pontiffs followed Emperor Constantine’s lead and in 354 A.D., Bishop Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on December 25.
17. The anti-Semite Constantinople Bishop John Chrysostom, who opposed the biblical holy days, got a December 25th celebration adopted in his area by 395 A.D.
18. The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. It most certainly did not come from the Bible.
19. The “twelve days of Christmas” originally came from the 12 days of Yuletide which began at sunset on December 20, known as Mother Night, and ended on the night of December 31, the Night of the Oak King and the Roman day of Hecate.
20. Mistletoe came from the pagan Druids.
21. Yule logs were originally a scandal to the Church of Rome, but were later embraced.
22. Roman Catholics originally condemned Protestantism as the “Tannenbaum religion” because of what are called Christmas trees. But now Vatican City prominently displays one each year.
23. It is wrong to bear false witness, including telling lies about the mythological Santa Claus.
24. Christmas is NOT a biblical nor truly a Christ-centered holiday. It is a sentimental and commercialized pagan tradition.
25. The Apostle Paul warned Christians that they were not above God’s wrath for combing pagan traditions with Christian practices (1 Corinthians 10:21-22).

Dr. Thiel cites scriptures and historical sources to explain why those who wish to obey the God of the Bible would not celebrate Christmas.

Here is a link to the sermon: 25 Reasons to Not Keep Christmas.

Seventh-day Adventists now officially consider themselves Protestant, which means of course, they are not COG (see also Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism).

Some items of related interest may include:

SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666. Here is a sermon in the English language: CCOG and SDA differences and similarities.
Seventh-day Adventist President Ted Wilson’s Comments on the Remnant Church Ted N. C. Wilson spoke on the SDAs striving to be the “remnant church”, but what do the related scriptures actually teach?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Canadian & Philadelphian Mummers Parades: Another tie to Saturnalia In Canada there is a ’12 days of Christmas’ celebration involving Mummers. In Philadelphia, a parade is held on New Years. Does this come from the Bible or where?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
How did December 25th become Christmas? Was Jesus born then? If not, why December 25? Here is the article translated into Mandarin Chinese 12月25日最后是怎么被许多基督的信仰者采纳的.
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a related sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
COGwriter Position on Other Churches and Religions What is the fate of those who do not know Christ? What about those who profess Christ outside the Church of God?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.

‘Lady of Guadalupe,’ Santa Fe, New Mexico City
(Photo by Joyce Thiel)

COGwriter

December 12th is designated by the Church of Rome as the memorial day for “Our Lady of Guadalupe.”

Many flock to the the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe:

December 11, 2022

It is one of the world’s most visited and beloved religious venues — the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with a circular, tent-shaped roof visible from miles away and a sacred history that each year draws millions of pilgrims from near and far to its hilltop site in Mexico City.

Early December is the busiest time, as pilgrims converge ahead of Dec. 12, the feast day honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. …

For the Catholic Church, the image of the Virgin is a miracle itself — dating to a cold December dawn in 1531 when Juan Diego was walking near the Tepeyac Hill.

According to Catholic tradition, Juan Diego heard a female voice calling to him, climbed the hill and saw the Virgin Mary standing there, in a dress that shone like the sun. Speaking to him in his native language, Nahuatl, she asked for a temple to be built to honor her son, Jesus Christ.

As the church teaches, Juan Diego ran to notify the local bishop, who was skeptical, and then returned to the hill for more exchanges with the Virgin. https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/mexico-basilica-of-guadalupe/2022/12/11/id/1100056/

Here is some additional information about it from a Roman Catholic source:

Guadalupe is, strictly speaking, the name of a picture, but the name was extended to the church containing the picture and to the town that grew up around the church. It makes the shrine, it occasions the devotion, it illustrates Our Lady…

The word is Spanish Arabic, but in Mexico it may represent certain Aztec sounds.

Its tradition is long-standing and constant, and in sources both oral and written, Indian and Spanish, the account is unwavering. The Blessed Virgin appeared on Saturday 9 December 1531 to a 55 year old neophyte named Juan Diego, who was hurrying down Tepeyac hill to hear Mass in Mexico City. She sent him to Bishop Zumárraga to have a temple built where she stood. She was at the same place that evening and Sunday evening to get the bishop‘s answer. The bishop did not immediately believed the messenger, had him cross-examined and watched, and he finally told him to ask the lady who said she was the mother of the true God for a sign. The neophyte agreed readily to ask for sign desired, and the bishop released him.

Juan was occupied all Monday with Bernardino, an uncle, who was dying of fever. Indian medicine had failed, and Bernardino seemed at death‘s door. At daybreak on Tuesday 12 December 1531, Juan ran to nearby the Saint James convent for a priest. To avoid the apparition and the untimely message to the bishop, he slipped round where the well chapel now stands. But the Blessed Virgin crossed down to meet him…

Gathering many into the lap of his tilma, a long cloak or wrapper used by Mexican Indians, he came back. The Holy Mother rearranged the roses, and told him to keep them untouched and unseen until he reached the bishop. When he met with Zumárraga, Juan offered the sign to the bishop. As he unfolded his cloak the roses, fresh and wet with dew, fell out. Juan was startled to see the bishop and his attendants kneeling before him. The life size figure of the Virgin Mother, just as Juan had described her, was glowing on the tilma. The picture was venerated, guarded in the bishop‘s chapel, and soon after carried in procession to the preliminary shrine. (Our Lady of Guadalupe. http://saints.sqpn.com/our-lady-of-guadalupe/ viewed 11/30/13)

The above is one fancified account and somewhat inaccurate report about it. While it is true that the bishop did not believe it at first, he also correctly, at first, understood that this was some pagan apparition. Mary, the mother of Jesus, never appeared there, and even the Roman Catholic priest in the region initially realized that.

But reports of this apparition did affect civilization.

Here are more details, this time from my book Fatima Shock!:

The Lady of Guadalupe: Aztec Connections

One of the most important claimed Marian apparitions is the appearance of one in Mexico known today as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Antonio Socci reported:

The apparition of Guadalupe—according to the general acknowledgement of historians—was what attracted the Indians to Christianity. Therefore, it was precisely Guadalupe that gave birth to Latin American Christianity. (Socci A. The Fourth Secret of Fatima. Loreto Publications, English Translation 2009, p. 143)

Some, like Ted and Maureen Flynn, have gone so far as to state:

Our Lady of Guadalupe means, “She Who Crushes the Serpent.” (Flynn T, Flynn M. The Thunder of Justice. MaxKol Communications, Inc. Sterling (VA), 1993, p. 27)

But that seems to be a misunderstanding on their part. Dr. Jeanette Rodríguez, a Catholic scholar, wrote:

Juan Diego…said, “She calls herself ‘Tlecuauhtlacupeuh.’ ” To the Spaniards this sounded like “Guadalupe”…But the Nahuatl language does not contain the letters d and g; therefore our Lady’s name could not have been “Guadalupe”… The Nahuatl understanding of “Tlecuauhtlacupeuh” is La que viene volando de la luz como el áquila de fuego (she who comes flying like a region of light like an eagle of fire, Echeagaray 1981:21). The region of light was the dwelling place of the Aztec gods, and the eagle was a sign from the gods. (Rodriguez J. Our Lady of Guadalupe: faith and empowerment among Mexican-American women. University of Texas Press, 1994, pp. 45-46)

So, the Lady sounded a lot like an Aztec goddess.

Here are three online Catholic reports:

The appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Aztec Indian Juan Diego …generated the conversion of Mexico, Central and South America to Catholicism. (Our Lady of Guadalupe. http://www.maryourmother.net/ Guadalupe.html viewed 03/21/2011)

Our Lady of Guadalupe…appeared to an Aztec Indian…on Tepayac Hill, near Mexico City on December 9, 1531. (A PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE. http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/our-lady-of-guadalupe.html viewed 03/21/2011)

The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared in what is now Mexico City on the holy hill of Tepeyac, dedicated to Tonantzin, the Mother Earth goddess of the Aztecs. That is one reason why the bishop didn’t believe Juan Diego. He must have thought: “We know who appears on that mountain and it’s not the Virgin Mary but some pagan goddess!” Actually, the native Mexicans thought the same thing: “We know who appears on that hill: Tonantzin!” And so they referred to what we call ‘Virgin of Guadalupe’ as ‘Tonantzin’ for more than a century. To this day Mexicans know the Virgin if {sic} Guadalupe not as just another form of Mother Mary, but as a particularly Mexican Queen of Heaven. (Rozett E. Mother Mary and the Goddess. http://www.interfaithmary.com/pages/mary_goddess.html viewed 04/07/2011)

It has been claimed that “Tonantzin, the mother goddess of the Aztecs, then took the form of the Virgin Mary. Therefore Tonantzin was substituted…because of the necessity to convert to the Catholic religion under a new political regime.” (Breaux JJ. Intransigence & Indifference: Essays Concerning Religion and Spirituality. Lulu.com, 2008, p. 85)

Bernandino Sahagún, a Catholic missionary, wrote, “Now that the church of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been built the Indians call her Tonantzin…This is an abuse that should be stopped…The Indians today as, in the old days, come from afar to see this Tonantzin.”(Bernandino Sahagún, 1958 as cited in Smith JB. The image of Guadalupe, 2nd revised ed. Mercer University Press, 1994, p. 111) Though Tonantzin could have been more of a title than a name, she is sometimes known as Coatlique, the serpent skirt goddess. (Espinosa G, Garcia MT. Mexican American religions: spirituality, activism, and culture. Duke University Press, 2008, p. 161)

Over one hundred years ago, the following was written:

The Legend of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Over three hundred years ago, it is said, an Indian was walking near the hill of Guadalupe, when there appeared to him a dark-skinned maiden. She ordered him to go to the Bishop and tell him she desired to have a church built in her honor on that spot… The Mexicans believe that the Virgin is their only protector, and they pray, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, save us from the wrath of Christ. Holy Mary, Mother of God, save us from the wrath of Christ.” (Woman’s missionary friend, Volumes 41-42. Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1909. Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized Dec 10, 2008, p. 57)

Notice that the Lady wanted something built for her honor and many believed that it was through the Lady that they could be spared from Christ! The Bible shows it is Jesus who spares from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10), not Mary. Thus, it could not have been a visit from Mary of the Bible. Furthermore, the Bible repeatedly mentions that God is merciful (e.g. James 5:11), but sacred scripture never specifically mentions that that any should go to Mary for mercy. The fact that at least one account states that the Lady had dark-skin (she has also been called the “mestiza Virgin”: Anderson C, Chávez E. Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother of the Civilization of Love. Random House Digital, Inc., 2009, p. 79) and “Indian Virgin”: Rodriguez, p. 45) suggests that she did not look the same as certain other apparitions many later claimed to be Mary.

Why report any of this?

Because just like the Lady of Guadalupe (who could not have been Mary) was used to convert much of Latin America to a form of Catholicism, it is likely that a future apparition will be used to convert people in the end times to an ecumenical form of “Catholicism.” People need to be warned about this.

So, just one ‘Marian apparition’ has been claimed to have been effective in turning Latin America predominantly Roman Catholic–this profoundly affected those cultures and changed the world. What will happen if some type of ‘Marian apparition’ is seen and even shown on media like television and/or the internet?

It has been my contention for several years, after searching the scriptures and studying history, that one or more apparitions believed to be Jesus’ mother ‘Mary’ will be seen by the general public. Will not many be deceived by this? The Bible is clear that massive deception is coming (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). Pope Francis has been encouraging Marian devotion through his words and actions. Even Russia’s President Putin has joined in (Russia’s Putin and Pope Francis both kiss Marian icon). Increased acceptance of non-biblical views of Mary are affecting people.

Here is some of what Pope Francis has said:

MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAS for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe…the Patroness of the Americas. I would like to greet all my brothers and sisters on that continent, and I do so thinking of the Virgin of Tepeyac…

When the image of the Virgin appeared on the tilma of Juan Diego, it was the prophecy of an embrace: Mary’s embrace of all the peoples of the vast expanses of America – the peoples who already lived there, and those who were yet to come…I ask all the people of the Americas to open wide their arms, like the Virgin, with love and tenderness. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/12/11/pope_francis_sends_message_to_the_americas/en1-754682

So, Pope Francis is calling for all in the Americas to turn to his version of Mary and hopes others will in the future.

Even in New York City, the Guadalupe adoration is being promoted:

STATEN ISLAND, N. Y. — A mass celebrated in Spanish by Bishop Gerald Walsh, vicar general of the Archdiocese of New York, will be the highlight of a celebration on Thursday in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the Mexican people, at Holy Rosary Parish in South Beach.

The day will begin with the traditional Mananitas, which is the early morning serenading of the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at 6:30 am in the parish mission church on Sand Lane. A procession with the statue of Our Lady will begin in the mission church at 6:45 p.m. and proceed to the main church at 80 Jerome Avenue. http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/post_642.html

Notice that people serenade an idol, and that this is encouraged by Roman Bishops. People are somewhat getting prepared for more Marian veneration. Perhaps I should mention here that the “rosary” allegedly entered the Church of Rome from someone who claimed that he got it from a claimed Marian apparition. ‘Marian apparitions’ have affected humanity and may have even greater impact in the not-so-distant future.

Partially, to see how modern people view apparitions (as part of my book research), my wife and I went to Fatima, Portugal. While at Fatima I was surprised by the size of its entire sanctuary complex, but not the vast amount of visitors which came. My wife Joyce and I saw thousands of visitors in Fatima on May 29, 2011. And that is much less than the amount who tend to show up there on May 13 and October 13 (the anniversary days of the first and last appearance of the apparition) each year. Millions visit Fatima, Portugal each year, with the vast majority of them believing that Mary actually appeared there (though the apparition in Fatima never actually identified herself as Mary, nor based upon its appearance could it possibly have been). My wife and I also visited the oldest “Guadalupe” church in the USA in 2015 and reviewed various teachings that the church of Rome claims about it.

The Continuing Church of God is put out the following video on our Bible New Prophecy YouTube channel:

It remains my position that it is very likely that apparitions that people will claim will be Mary, the mother of Jesus, will be part of the signs and lying wonders that are mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 and Matthew 24:24 (cf. Isaiah 47; Nahum 3:4-5).

The current Marian-focused Pope Francis, as well as somewhat like-minded bishops, will likely be a factor in this. The ‘success’ of the ‘Lady of Guadalupe’ should serve as a warning to all that the world can be highly affected by apparitions that some will falsely believe are Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The ‘Lady’ of Guadalupe: Any Future Ramifications? It is claimed that a female apparition appeared near Mexico City on December 12, 1531. How has it affected the world? What might it suggest about the future? A video of related interest is titled: The ‘Lady of Guadalupe’ and Prophecy.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Eastern/Greek Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers? Here is a link to a YouTube video Marian Apparitions May Fulfill Prophecy.
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future?
Mystery of Civilization Why is civilization like it is? How will it end? What will replace it?Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Mystery of Civilization and How it Will End.
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Feast of the Immaculate Conception? Did early Christians teach Mary had an immaculate conception and led a sinless life?
Origin of the Marian Dogmas: Where Do Catholic Scholars Say The Four Dogmas of Mary Came From?
Assumption of Mary Did Mary die? Was she taken to heaven on August 15th? What is known? What does the Bible show?
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Whether or not you believe anything happened at Fatima, if you live long enough, you will be affected by its ramifications (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17). Fatima Shock! provides concerned Christians with enough Catholic-documented facts to effectively counter every false Marian argument. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.