Church of God News

Menorah on Arch of Titus (photo by Laurel Lodged)

COGwriter

Israel365 News posted the following:

Is the Vatican supporting Palestinians in order to keep Temple Treasures?

December 6, 2021

Many rumors never go away and such are the rumors that the Temple treasures that were carried away by the Romans are hidden away in the Vatican basement. Rabbi Harry Moskoff is actively pursuing this myth, trying to determine if it is, in fact, true and if the treasures from the Second Temple in Jerusalem can ever be returned to their rightful owners in time to be used in the Third Temple.

Golden Menorah stolen from Jerusalem

Rabbi Moskoff explored this possibility in his book, The A.R.K Report, suggesting that some artifacts, including the gold Menorah, were being held by the Vatican. Ancient Jewish manuscripts, unique and highly significant to the Jews, were indeed discovered in the subterranean Vatican library. Moskoff cites the still-visible proof offered by the Arch of Titus that the Temple’s vessels were verifiably in Rome at one point in history, though the event depicted in the arch took place several years before the construction of the arch, which was built four centuries before the establishment of the Vatican.

The event depicted in the Arch of Titus is also written about by Josephus Flavius, a first-century Roman-Jewish scholar of priestly descent, who reported that the Temple artifacts were indeed taken to Rome and placed in Vespasian’s Temple of Peace, completed in 75 CE. …

5th Century: Rome is sacked

The historic trail of the menorah seems to have been lost during the 5th century. Historians conjecture that the artifact was taken by the Visigoth Vandals who sacked Rome in 455 CE, after which it was melted down and the gold dispersed. But there are no historical accounts from this time relating that event.

In the second half of the 12th century a Spanish Jew known as Benjamin of Tudela made a tour of the known world, traveling as far east as Mesopotamia. He claims in his journal that the Jews of Rome knew that the Temple vessels were hidden in a cave in the Vatican. …

In a recent article in the Jerusalem Post, Moskoff underscores the point, suggesting that the Vatican’s support of the Palestinian demand for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital is based in a desire to obviate the Jewish claim to the Temple objects. …

Vatican: Refusing to acknowledge Jewish claim to Jerusalem

In his article titled “The Holy See and Israel,” Dr. Michael A. Calvo suggests that the refusal by the Vatican to return these Temple artifacts is based on their basic refusal to acknowledge Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem. …

In 2004, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) sent a team to Rome to search the Vatican storerooms for signs of archaeological artifacts. They reported finding nothing unexpected. https://www.israel365news.com/263805/is-the-vatican-supporting-the-palestinians-in-order-to-keep-the-temple-treasures/

There are lots of rumors about what happened to the Menorah as well as the Arc of the Covenant and temple treasures.

Whether or not the Vatican has any of them, that would not be the main reason for Vatican support of the Palestinians.

The Vatican believes it will be able to somewhat unite the Muslims with them.

Making nice to the Palestinians is part of the strategy to do that.

Consider that the Vatican’s Pope Francis has been pushing for educational reforms to promote ‘Chrislam’ (mixing his version of Christianity with Islam):

CHRISLAM UPDATE: Pope Francis Calls For Major Theological Reforms In Catholic Schools In Order To Promote ‘Common Mission’ With Islam And Muslims

June 21, 2019

The Pope is pushing for Catholic students to be taught the lie that normative Islam is a religion of peace and so, it follows that anyone who disagrees with this lie would be deemed “intolerant”, opposed to dialogue and pluralism. It is Islam that is intolerant, supremacist and resistant to diversity. If the Pope is genuine about dialogue, then he should be mutually calling for Islamic States and Islamic schools (beginning with Al Azhar University in Cairo) to establish and preach equal status to all disbelievers, for women, …

Pope Francis has been working double overtime to bring Islam and the muslims in under the umbrella of Vatican City and the Catholic Church. We showed you how back in February the pope signed a “universal declaration of brotherhood” with the grand imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb that didn’t include even a single mention of the name of Jesus Christ. …

In his promotion of Islam, the Pope has become “the Grand Sheikh Francis of Al Vatican“, and is dismissing the sufferings of persecuted Christians, victims of jihad terror and assaults. The Pope’s call for reform within “the way theology is taught in Catholic schools” is a continuation of his dogged efforts which are subjugating Christianity under Islam. His call for reform came “during a speech at the Jesuit-run theology university in Naples. It follows his outreach this year to the Muslim world with the signing of a joint statement with the imam of Cairo’s Al Azhar, the seat of Sunni learning, establishing the relationship between Catholics and Muslims as brothers, with a common mission to promote peace”, ie. so-called ‘peace’. Ahead of the Pope’s trip to Morocco in March, the Vatican media went so far as to abandon the traditional papal insignia. Vatican News explained that a new specially created symbol — a cross and a crescent — “are symbols of Christianity and Islam which highlight the interreligious relation between Christians and Muslims.” …

The Grand Imam of Cairo’s al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, has extended his gratitude and thanked the Pope for his “defense of Islam against the accusation of violence and terrorism.” Christianity is still waiting for the Pope to defend it against widespread Islamic persecution. …

The Pope of Islam holds the highest office in the Catholic Church, but yet is serving as a deceived servant, a blind guide; and despite his pontificating about welcoming “the stranger” while condemning border walls, he has not yet torn down his own walls of protection at the Vatican to fully embrace and welcome in those same migrants and adherents of the ideology that he is advancing within the Church. 06/21/19 https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/pope-francis-chrislam-calls-for-major-theological-reforms-catholic-schools-promote-common-mission-islam-muslims/

The prophet Amos was inspired to write:

3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3)

The answer to that question is “No.”

While true Christianity and Islam are biblically incompatible, let’s see some statements from the Catechism of the Catholic Church from the Vatican’s official website http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p123a9p3.htm accessed February 14, 2019:

841 The Church’s relationship with the Muslims. “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”³³⁰

842 The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race:

All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God. His providence, evident goodness, and saving designs extend to all against the day when the elect are gathered together in the holy city. . .³³¹

843 The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as “a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have life.”³³²

So it is not just Pope Francis, the Vatican officially claims that the Muslims and Roman Catholics adore the same deity.

It is that type of ‘Chrislam’ that the Vatican and various others wish to promote.

As far as others in the Vatican go, notice also the following:

VATICAN: MARY IS MUSLIM-CATHOLIC BRIDGE

February 20, 2021

VATICAN CITY (ChurchMilitant.com) – The Pontifical International Marian Academy (PAMI) is promoting the Blessed Virgin as a bridge reconciling Islam and Catholicism following the Abu Dhabi pact between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyeb.

On Thursday, the Marian academy in Rome launched a 10-week webinar series titled “Mary, a model for faith and life for Christianity and Islam” in collaboration with the Grand Mosque of Rome and the Islamic Cultural Center of Italy.

Based on his belief that Mary is “a Jewish, Christian and Muslim woman,” Fr. Gian Matteo Roggio, organizer of the Muslim-Catholic dialogue series on Our Lady, is seeking to mobilize Mary as a model of “open borders” between religious and multicultural worlds.

Mary responds “to the genetic codes of Judaism, Christianity and Islam,” affirms Roggio, a member of the religious order of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, writing in the Italian liberal Catholic periodical Famiglia Cristiana.

Islamic historian Raymond Ibrahim told Church Militant that “this series is yet another attempt to try to convince Catholics that Islam is somehow similar to their Faith when, in fact, Islam appropriates the names and sacred auras of biblical figures but then recasts them with completely different attributes — ones that reaffirm Islam as the ‘true’ faith.”

Ibrahim, a prolific writer, and the author of recent bestseller Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War Between Islam and the West, explained:

For example, the series’ organizers insist that Mary was a “Jewish, Christian and Muslim woman,” which is only two-thirds true: Yes, she was a Jew by race and background, and yes, she was a Christian in that she literally birthed Christ(ianity), but she was most certainly not a Muslim — a term and religion that did not exist until 600 years after the end of her earthly life.

“Worse, far from being the Eternal Virgin, as she is for 1.5 billion Christians — Catholics and Orthodox — Islam presents Mary, the Mother of Christ, as ‘married’ to and ‘copulating’ with Muhammad in paradise,” Ibrahim revealed.

In an article for Frontpage Magazine titled “Muhammad and the Virgin Mary: A Match Made in Heaven?” Ibrahim cited a hadith (Islamic canonical tradition) wherein Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, declares: “Allah will wed me in paradise to Mary, daughter of Imran.” …

Egypt’s former deputy minister of religious endowments, Dr. Salem Abdul Galil, openly declared that among other biblical women like Moses’ sister and Pharaoh’s wife, “Our prophet Muhammad — prayers and peace be upon him — will be married to (the Virgin) Mary in paradise.” https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/vatican-distorts-mary-as-muslim-catholic-model

Since many in Islam have a special reverence for Mary, I have long suspected that if one or more apparitions claiming (or presumed) to be Mary show up in Islamic lands, that many there will be temporarily persuaded to support the Beast power (the Catholic prophesied “Great Monarch”)–especially if Muslims can be temporarily persuaded to accept a cross symbol (which would otherwise be quite difficult for them to do).

Apparently, others have felt the same way.

The Apostle Paul warned that even if someone appeared as an angel from heaven, if that representative tried to change the gospel, he/she should not be listened to, but should be cursed:

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. (Galatians 1:8, Douay-Rheims)

Many Marian apparitions have preached a gospel different than what the Apostle Paul and other real Christians taught, and putting Mary as one to turn to for salvation is also a false gospel.

The reality is that it is likely that false apparitions, claiming to be “Mary” may be among the signs and lying wonders that the Bible warns are coming (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12).

And yes, the Vatican seems happy for Islam to accept some distorted version of “Mary.”

As far as Chrislam goes, back in 2019, the Vatican released what I have referred to as the ‘Chrislam cross’ logo related to an interfaith gathering to be held in Morocco next month. Here is some information about it:

The official logo of the Pope’s visit was chosen from about 50 entries in a competition. An explanatory note accompanying the logo’s release says that a cross and a crescent in the logo are symbols of Christianity and Islam which highlight the inter-religious relations between Christians and Muslims. …

The logo has the colours of the two countries: green and red for Morocco, yellow and white (background) for the Vatican.

Pope Francis said that his visit to the 2 predominantly Muslim countries, “represent two important opportunities to advance interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding between the followers of both religions, in this year that marks the eight-hundredth anniversary of the historic meeting between Saint Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Malik al-Kāmil.” https://feliciancjpo.wordpress.com/2019/01/10/pope-francis-servant-of-hope/

The first of the two visits mentioned above was in the United Arab Emirates, where Pope Francis and Sunni Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb signed a document that some suspect may lead towards a “one world religion” on February 4, 2019. It has been called “the most important interfaith document in history.”

We put together a related video related to the signing:

15:31

Pope Francis signs ‘one world religion’ document!

On February 4, 2019, at the ‘ Global Conference on Human Fraternity,’ Pope Francis and leading Sunni Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb signed a document that some suspect may lead towards a “one world religion.” The World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, who also attended, pushed for religious leaders and institutions to push towards a particular cooperative agenda to help bring world peace. Will there be real peace or just a temporary one? Will destruction come to the USA and nations in the Middle East and North Africa? What will be some characteristics of this “one world religion’? Will all have the same religious practices? Might it have commonalities with the ancient Roman Empire? The Grand Mosque in the UAE was renamed “Mary, Mother of Jesus.” Will Catholic, Islamic, and even Hindu reverence for Marian figures play a role? Is that part of the plan? Should real Christians support the interfaith and ecumenical agendas or remain separate from them? What does the Bible teach? What did Jesus teach? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to that video: Pope Francis signs ‘one world religion’ document!

Now let’s notice the following on the Chrislam cross:

February 10, 2019

… the Vatican rolled out a new logo for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the Muslim nation of Morocco, and what is the design? Chrislam.

“And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” Revelation 17:1,2 (KJV)

The pope’s new logo shows a New Age style cross that is encircled about with the crescent moon of Islam, with the colors of yellow and white for the Vatican, and red and green for Islam. That, my friends, is not only the pope’s new logo, it will also serve as the official logo for Chrislam. 02/10/19 https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/vatican-officially-releases-chrislam-logo-for-pope-francis-upcoming-servant-of-hope-tour-to-the-muslim-nation-of-morocco/

It was interesting to me, at least, that the crescent in the Chrislam cross almost completely encircles the Vatican’s cross symbol. This would appeal to Muslims who believe that Islam needs to dominate the world, as well as to try to get them to be less fearful of the cross symbol–which is a fear they have had since the Crusades. The word crusader means ‘cross bearer.’ But now the Vatican is showing Muslims that its cross can be encircled by Islam.

We put together a related video related to the Chrislam Cross and the interfaith movement:

What is Chrislam? What are the two forms of it? Did the Vatican unveil the Chrislam Cross? How does it look? Are Christianity and Islam theologically compatible? What does the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’ say? What about the Bible and the Quran? Did Pope Francis and Sunni Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb sign an important interfaith document on February 4, 2019? Do biblical and Islamic prophecies point to a deal between the Europeans and Arabs that will be broken? Do Catholic and Islamic writings support the view that Mary and/or apparitions of ‘Mary’ may lead to temporary cooperation between the Arabs and Europeans? Will such cooperation bring lasting peace or war? Have any of the Eastern Orthodox warned of the danger in using ‘Mary’ to push the interfaith and ecumenical movements? Is there a ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus mosque? Should you wish to be part of the Chrislam movement? What does the Bible teach? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to the sermonette video: The Chrislam Cross and the Interfaith Movement.

While I do not expect this Chrislam cross symbol to be the Mark of the Beast, its use of the type of cross is reminiscent of the claimed cross in Emperor Constantine’s vision in the fourth century. It was described as:

A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a transverse bar laid over it. (Eusebius. Life of Constantine, Chapter XXXI. Internet Medieval Source Book. Accessed 02/14/19)

So, it was not what would have been the implement used to kill Jesus. Nor is the ‘Chrislam cross.’

Anyway, it was the result of that vision that Emperor Constantine ordered his troops to paint crosses on their shields–a practice that was retained throughout the time of the Crusades (see also What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol?).

As far as deals between the Roman Catholics of Europe and the Muslims of the Middle East and North Africa go, that is foretold in biblical as well as Islamic prophecies.

The Bible tells of a deceptive deal that will be made between the European King of the North and the Middle East/North African King of the South:

15 … the king of the North … 25 … king of the South …

27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:15,25,27)

So, a deceptive deal will be made (this could also be related to the deal of Psalm 83:3-8). This would at least partially be related to the following deal:

26 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).

This is a deal confirmed by a European (it was troops from the ancient Roman Empire that destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 70 A.D.). The deal is confirmed for one week, which, for centuries, various prophecy analysts have said means a seven year deal (see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27).

Perhaps these deals could be considered ‘political Chrislam.’ Or as LifeNews called it ‘Chrislamism’ — not trying to merge Christianity and Islam, but accepting some type of false near equivalency. Islam is not a near equivalency to true Christianity.

As it turns out, a seven year deal is in Islamic prophecy:

Rasaullah [Muhammed] said: “There will be four peace agreements between you and the Romans [Christians]. The fourth agreement will be mediated through a person who will be the progeny of Hadrat Haroon [Honorable Aaron — Moses’ brother] and will be upheld for seven years (Richardson J. Antichrist: Islam’s Awaited Messiah. Pleasant Word, 2006, p. 48)

The above sounds similar to the seven year (one week in biblical language) agreement discussed in Daniel 9:27 that involves a “prince” who appears to be the one the Bible warns will become the King of the North and apparently the nation of Israel since a descendant of Aaron is expected to be involved. It certainly would make sense that there would be Muslim representation in the ‘peace deal’ of Daniel 9:27.

Here is something else along those lines:

5 General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will be spared from it 6 Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the Banil Asfaar (Romans) which they will break and attack you with a force consisting of eighty flags and under each flag will be an army of twelve thousand men. (Ibn Zubair Ali, Mohammed Ali. The minor signs of Last Days from: The Signs of Qiyamah. http://www.islamawareness.net/Prophecies/minor.html viewed 08/11/12).

5 General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will be spared from it 6 Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the Banil Asfaar (Romans) which they will break and attack you with a force consisting of eighty flags and under each flag will be an army of twelve thousand men.” (Hadith: Sahih Bukhari). (From “Signs of Qiyamah” (excerpts) by Mohammed Ali Ibn Zubair Ali. The Minor Signs of the Last Day. http://www.islam.tc/prophecies/qiyaam2.html viewed 07/03/14)

Even Roman Catholic prophecy tells of a betrayal coming to Islam (see The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy).

Trying to appease the Palestinians at this time, in my view, is much more in line with long-term Vatican plans that simply keeping (if they even have any) plundered ancient Jewish wealth.

Tweet

This entry was posted on Monday, December 6th, 2021 at 8:00 am and is filed under Religious News.

• ‘Pope Calls for Unity of All Religions’
• BibleNewsProphecy: The Chrislam Cross and the Interfaith Movement
• ‘How Did We Miss This? On February 4th, The United Nations Codified Chrislam With First Annual International Day of Human Fraternity Celebration’
• ‘Pope Francis: God Desires Solidarity Among Catholics and Muslims’
• Another step towards Chrislam?
• ‘Vatican Opens An Embassy Called A Nunciature In Abu Dhabi Displaying Solidarity With Islam As It Pushes The One World Religion Of Chrislam’
• 97th Anniversary of what is called the ‘miracle of the sun’
• Mike Gendron: Vatican’s Obsession with Pagan Deities and Idols
• Russia’s Putin and Pope Francis both kiss Marian icon
• ‘The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi is nearly complete and mere weeks away from opening its doors to Chrislam and the One World Religion’