Marty Pickup

Marty Pickup

The sun shines warmly on a March afternoon and the wind crisply chips at the coats clung so tight against the slight cool in the air. Marty is bathed in the glorious sunshine of eternal light. Cars bustle down the road with frantic pace as destinations are sought with those seeking stores to buy in, offices to employ in, coffee shops to relax in and simply a return trip home. Marty i...s carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham away from the bustle of earthly life to rest in eternal peace. Plans are made for the remaining day, the assignments of tomorrow and the needs of the coming week by we who remain in the land of living. Marty has no care but embracing the saints of God in a realm of immense beauty. Our eyes see tears as we mourn the loss of a soldier of Christ suddenly thrust from the battle against Satan. Marty sees things of wonderment beholding the promises fulfilled in eternal glory as the face of God soothes away his tears, his sorrow and his pain.

 

The pursuit of knowledge was a lifelong desire of Marty to know all he could of the Father who loved him so much and willingly showed His love by offering to Marty His only Son Jesus Christ. Marty has no more questions. All of his desires have been met and all he ever pondered in those longs hours of study revealed themselves as he opened his eyes to eternity. Life naturally brought about the challenges of mortality. Marty enjoys the reality of immortality. His mind constantly raced to see the reason, the purpose, the design, the why of every scripture. He no longer wonders the answers because now he lives the answers in the bosom of Abraham. Pain overwhelmed his final moments but quickly the pain subsided into a glorious waterfall of release as he flew to God’s grace. We remain. We continue. We mourn and we cry. We do not understand. But we know and we are thankful that while we suffer loss Marty enjoys a joy beyond measure.

 

A young soldier has gone home and we salute you our friend and fellow warrior. As we remain we will hold the hands and hearts of Aimee, Nathan, Taylor and Nicole. Our hearts will seek to bear the burden for his parents and his brothers. And stand we will until we too pass that dark divide to the glory of God in the sunshine of His face. “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:3-5).

Was The Pope Ever Considered “God On Earth”? 

A recent article appearing in this paper (March 14, 2013) suggested the Roman Catholic Church called the Pope “God on earth.” Disagreement of whether the Roman Catholic Church refers to its leader in this manner is a topic of interest to a few. I would like to share some facts that would support this claim of the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. A number of historical documents refer to the practice of calling the Pope “God on earth” - consider these historical documents:

"The supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires... complete submission and obedience of will to the Church and to the Roman Pontiff, as to God Himself." (Leo VIII, «On the Chief Duties of Christians as Citizens», Encyclical letter, 1890).

"God separates those whom the Roman Pontiff, who exercises the functions, not of mere man, but of the true God...dissolves, not by human but rather by divine authority." (Decretals of Gregory IX», Book 1, Chapter 7.3)

"The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth." (Pope Pius V, quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, "Cities Petrus Bertanous".)

"The Pope is of so great dignity, and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God and the vicar of God." (Ferraris Ecclesiastical dictionary)

"The Pope takes the place of Jesus Christ on earth...by divine right the Pope has supreme and full power in faith, in morals over each and every pastor and his flock. He is the true vicar, the head of the entire church, the father and teacher of all Christians. He is the infallible ruler, the founder of dogmas, the author of and the judge of councils; the universal ruler of truth, the arbiter of the world, the supreme judge of heaven and earth, the judge of all, being judged by no one, God himself on earth."
(Quoted in the New York Catechism)

"All names which in the Scriptures are applied to Christ, by virtue of which it is established that He is over the church, all the same names are applied to the Pope." (On the Authority of the Councils, book 2, chapter 17)

"The Pope is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power." (Lucius Ferraris, in "Prompta Bibliotheca Canonica, Juridica, Moralis, Theologica, Ascetica, Polemica, Rubristica, Historica", Volume V, article on "Papa, Article II", titled "Concerning the extent of Papal dignity, authority, or dominion and infallibility", #1, 5, 13-15, 18, published in Petit-Montrouge (Paris) by J. P. Migne, 1858 edition.)

In practice the Roman Catholic Church follows the same course as having the Pope to be God on earth. When Pope Pius IX defined the use of “Papal infallibility” at the First Vatican Council (1869-1870) the Roman Catholic Church determined the Pope is incapable of error or deception. This would place a man on the level of God. Semantics aside, the reality of calling a man “infallible” is a grievous sin when man elevates himself to God. The apostle Peter never did that nor taught the followers of Christ to do so (nor did Paul). Can we find any evidence in scripture where Peter is called “Pope”? None! Jesus built His church on the confession of Peter, not Peter (Matthew 16:16). Jesus is the only living bread (John 6:51) – not the Pope.

Guardian Angels

Guardian Angels

One of the most common references to comfort is the idea of every person possessing a “Guardian Angel.” Janice T. Connell best describes this thought when she writes, “The wisdom of the ages teaches that each individual, whether believer or not, good or bad, old or young, sick or well, rich or poor, has a personal Guardian Angel with him or her at every moment of life's journey.” While this may be a popular belief and worthy of security to trust in an overriding presence of an angel, the word of God never teaches this. There are numerous myths about angels that have been around for so long few realize the truth of what the Bible teaches concerning angels – and the Bible is the only source of information.

Angels are mentioned in 34 books of the Bible (Revelation with the most references). Misconceptions about angels include angels are women (always shown to be men), they have wings and play harps (angels never shown with wings – cherubim and seraphim are creatures), and angels are dead saints in heaven (we are resurrected not reincarnated; Luke 20:35-37). The Lord forbids the worship of angels (Colossians 2:18-19; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9).

The Bible does show that angels are messengers or ministering spirits. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)? God created them (Psalm 148:2-5), they are holy (Mark 8:38) and are without number (Hebrews 12:22). Two angels are revealed with names: Michael, the arch-angel (Daniel 10 & 12; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7) and Gabriel (Daniel 8-9; Luke 1). But what about Guardian Angels?

Matthew 18:10 is the proof text that many use to show that everyone has a guardian angel. Weldon Warnock writes, “Notice that Jesus said ‘their angels are in heaven, beholding the face of the Father,’ not on earth acting as personal protectors. The message Jesus was conveying seems to be that if the angels of heaven take special interest in and concern for the little ones, surely no Christian should despise, treat with disdain and contempt, even the most obscure disciple who shares in heaven’s blessings in the kingdom of God on earth.” It is important to separate the myth of guardian angels with the reality of the blessings found in a covenant with God.

Saints of God have enjoyed the comfort of God’s army to protect and minister to them (Joshua 5:13-15; 2 Kings 6:17). Jesus had protecting angels (Psalm 91:11-12; Matthew 4:6; Luke 22:43), Israel had protecting angels (Psalm 34:7) as well as Paul and Peter (Acts 27; 12). The care or ministry of angels is limited to only those in covenant with God (including the innocence of children). How God carries out His work is not revealed but we know He does not allow temptation to overtake us (1 Corinthians 10:13); He chastises us (Hebrews 12:3-11); He answers our prayers (James 1:2-8); He helps us (Hebrews 13:6); He blesses us (James 1:17) and so many more things. Whether angels are involved is only in the mind of God and not for man to suppose.

The key to a study of angels is like many things in the Bible. There are things that are known only to God (Deuteronomy 29:29) and whether we understand all there is to know about angels has nothing to do with our salvation. We are saved by the blood of Christ and our obedience is to Him – not angels (1 John 1:7).

My Son Is Gay So Now It Is Okay?

My Son Is Gay So Now It Is Okay?

Ohio Senator Rob Portman has decided that his opposition to “gay marriage” is not something that should be embraced. "I've come to the conclusion that for me, personally, I think this is something that we should allow people to do, to get married, and to have the joy and stability of marriage that I've had for over 26 years. That I want all of my children to have, including our son, who is gay," said Portman. Portman further explained that his son told him that “he was gay, and that it was not a choice, and that it's just part of who he is, and that's who he'd been that way for as long as he could remember.” (cnn.com)

Senator Portman’s “change of heart” and the continued promotion by all things from the liberal press seem to give more legality and acceptance to homosexuality. This is headline news when someone accepts the perversion of sexual deviance rather than expounding upon those who oppose the desecration of the bond of marriage as God created. The ironic tragedy of these kinds of promotions is likened to a man shooting holes in his boat and believing that with each shot he will make his world a better place. With each removal of the character of God in our society will only bring ruin and tragedy. History is the template to examine to see this is true.

Our country is in a sinking ship with the tide of time washing over the sides filling it with the immoral desires of those who want freedom and liberty to do as they please. The lie portrayed by the “father of lies” (John 8:44) is that homosexuals are born that way because God created them to have that desire. It is easy to explain away the perversion of the flesh as simply a fulfillment of a natural cause within a person as if God intended there to be a relationship of the same sex. Biologically that is nonsense because the human body of both male and female was created to be compatible. Paul defined the perversion of homosexuality as “dishonor their bodies among themselves …  vile passions … exchanged the natural use for what is against nature … men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:24-27).

Why is it that homosexuals are “born that way” but this does not apply to pedophiles, murderers, serial killers, rapists and so forth? Only the homosexual is born that way it seems. But then this makes God a liar because if God created the homosexual and then turns around and condemns it in scripture (Romans 1:21-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21) then God has lied. If God has lied then the whole of the Bible is a lie and our faith if futile and “are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Belief cannot be measured by the actions of our children. If Senator Portman really believed homosexuality was wrong before is not certain. But to have a “change of heart” because now his son has proclaimed his perversion does not change the leopard’s spots. The Supreme Court, President of the United States nor you or I will change the mind of God. His word is established in Heaven and man cannot change that. The mercy of God and grace of God is extended to all men including those who pervert the natural use of the body. Who we are is who God wants us to be!

God On Earth Is Elected Again

‘God On Earth’ Is Elected Again

The Roman Catholic Church is undergoing a historic election as the church is preparing to elect their 266^th Pope (by their standards). When Benedict XVI stepped down from the office of head of the Roman Catholic Church, he set a precedent not seen for 600 years. Over the next few weeks the leadership of the church will select among the Cardinals the next man who will claim the title, “God on earth.” Much like a political event preparing to nominate a candidate for a political office, the selection of the Pope is fraught with various groups suggesting their agenda be heard in the character of the new leader of the Catholic Church. What continent should he be from, will he be a man who allows birth control or priests to marry and whether he would condone women becoming priest are all questions being asked of the new Vicar.

To be elected Pope, one Cardinal must receive at least two-thirds of the votes. Except that, under the new rules established by Pope John Paul II, if a certain number of ballots have taken place without any Cardinal being elected Pope, then the Cardinals may then elect by simple majority. In the end, his selection will be signaled by a puff of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel.

The historian Luke records the manner the Son of God selected His apostles. “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor” (Luke 6:12-16). None of these men were cardinals, bishops, influential men, people of high standing in society and most important in the days of Jesus, not of the Jewish leadership. They were common men who fished for a living, served at a table of tax collection, and sought ways to thwart the Roman government.

Sadly the Roman Catholic Church has digressed so far from the pattern of Biblical authority that what they do in selecting a Pope is further testimony of the man-made dogma’s that have ruled them from the beginning. Where in the Bible can one find any record of the process they now go through to select a Pope - much less find any mention of a Pope? They suggest that Peter is the first Pope yet Peter was married and had children. “Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever” (Matthew 8:14; he had children according to 1 Peter 5:1 & 1 Timothy 3:4).

The only mention of the Roman Catholic Church in the Bible is when the Holy Spirit told Paul what would happen in latter times (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Today the Roman Catholic Church resembles nothing of the early church of the New Testament. No man is “God on earth” save the Son of God (John 1) and to consider a man chosen by men to be the “Vicar of Christ” is beyond the bounds of scriptural authority. The Christ said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13). Does it make a difference? Should one be critical of the Roman Catholic Church? Obedience is doing the will of God – not the will of men (Matthew 7:21-23).

Death Is The Absolute Judgment

Death Is The Absolute Judgment 

The wise man of old declared the day of death better than the day of birth because “that is the end of all men” (Ecclesiastes 7:1-2). Death is a cruel master that cares not for station in life, fame, fortune or power. There will be inequalities in life but all men share the same fate in realizing that death comes to all (Hebrews 9:27). The case of death has been presented in the courts of men’s wisdom since the beginning of time but only through the revealed word of God are we able to glimpse into the dark abode of eternal dwelling. While few were raised from the dead illustrated in text of Holy scrip none but the Son of God has risen and remains alive. No one living today has possessed the realm of death and returned to fill our minds with the wonderful and fearsome realities of the eternal world of Hades. Jesus overcame the power of death raising the third day to give all who believe in Him power over death also. As people of God we do not fear death.

When man passes through the valley of death to eternity his fate is sealed. The moment of death is the moment eternity begins and will never change. In the story of the rich man and a beggar named Lazarus Jesus shows the absolute finality that death imprints on the soul of every man. “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried” (Luke 16:22). In life the rich man had bountiful blessings while Lazarus suffered. Death equalized the two men in judgment and bound the rich man to torment (Luke 16:23) and Lazarus to rest in the bosom of Abraham. Justice was equal for both for the rich man received his just reward as did Lazarus.

Pleading with Abraham the rich man asked for relief from his torment. Abraham explained, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us” (Luke 16:25-26). There is no change of eternity when death enters to door. Our last breath is our first breath in a place that we will never leave. Death is final. Death is complete. Death is the absolute judgment of all men.

Hades is filled with all those who bask in the glory of Abraham’s bosom and those who scream in eternal terror of everlasting torment. The day appointed by God to judge all men will serve to adjudicate the justice of a loving God upon those who have rejected Him and rebelled against His will; and to give comfort and peace to His saints who have loved and sought His grace in their lives. Satan, his angels, death and Hades will be cast into the lake of fire “and anyone not found written in the Book of Life” (Revelation 20:15).

The love of God has been given to man through His Son Jesus Christ that in life we can find eternal peace in preparing for death. Children of God have victory in death and know that life is not in vain when eternal glory is promised (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Death has no sting because the venom of sin has been removed by the blood of Christ. “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) All our tears are wiped away.