WEEKLY CHURCH NEWS NOTES - Bible Prophecy News

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Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:08:22 -0700
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*WEEKLY CHURCH NEWS NOTES*

September 30, 2007.

By: David Cloud [FBIS]

The Weekly Church News Notes is designed for use in churches.

*ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PUTS MARY ON THE CROSS *

In spite of claims of contemporary Catholic propagandists, the Roman 
Catholic Church worships Mary. She is exalted as the sinless Mother of 
God who was bodily assumed into Heaven and crowned Queen of the 
Universe. According to Roman Catholic doctrine, Mary sits on Jesus' 
throne and acts as His Co-Mediatrix. In the Church of the Mother of God 
of Polish Martyrs in Warsaw there is a painting of Mary hanging on the 
cross holding the child Jesus. Outside of the main Mary basilica in Rome 
(Santa Maria Maggiore) there is a large crucifix with Jesus hanging on 
one side and a crowned Mary hanging on the other. The painting in Warsaw 
and the crucifix in Rome depict Rome's dogma that Mary is the 
co-redemptress with Christ, that she intercedes for men from heaven and 
aids in their salvation. Note the following quotations from the Vatican 
II Council: "As St. Irenaeus says, she being obedient, BECAME THE CAUSE 
OF SALVATION for herself and for the whole human race. Hence not a few 
of the early Fathers gladly assert with him in their preaching ... 
'death through Eve, LIFE THROUGH MARY.' This UNION OF THE MOTHER WITH 
THE SON IN THE WORK OF SALVATION is made manifest from the time of 
Christ's virginal conception up to his death" (Dogmatic Constitution on 
the Church, chap. 8, II, 56, pp. 380-381). "Taken up to heaven she did 
not lay aside this saving office but BY HER MANIFOLD INTERCESSION 
CONTINUES TO BRING US THE GIFTS OF ETERNAL SALVATION. By her maternal 
charity, she cares for the brethren of her Son, who still journey on 
earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led into 
their blessed home. Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the 
Church under the titles of ADVOCATE, HELPER, BENEFACTRESS, and 
MEDIATRIX" (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, chap. 8, II, 62, pp. 
382-383). A plaque in the Chapel of the Virgin of the Grace at Saints 
Vincent and Anastasius Church in Rome says, "Cardinal Benedetto 
Odescalchi, who became the pope with the name of Innocent XI, initiated 
THE WORSHIP OF THE IMAGE, placed on the altar in 1677, and wanted his 
heart to be buried here, not in the main chapel." This is only one 
example of many that could be given of the term "worship" used in regard 
to Mary in Rome's churches.
*
REVOLUTION CHURCH HOLDS POKER TOURNAMENT *

 Revolution Church of Canton, Georgia, featured a Las Vegas style 
gambling theme in its services this month. The web site says: "Everyone 
who has sat at a poker table knows there is that moment in every game 
where you have to decide to play it safe or go 'all in.' In a split 
second you have to decide whether to risk everything you have on the 
hand that you have been dealt. Either you win big or you lose 
everything. Join Revolution Church starting September 9th for our new 
series called 'All In' as we will be looking at real life issues we all 
face and what the Bible has to say about going 'all in' with every 
aspect of your life." Using gambling terminology to describe the 
Christian life is foolish heretical confusion! There is NO gamble in the 
Christian life! Everything is sure because of the blood of Jesus Christ. 
Christian living is not about taking poker chances; it is about pursuing 
"that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:2). This 
worldly church features nightclub style music with a darkened stage and 
swirling lights. It has even hosted a "Texas Hold'em" casino-style poker 
tournament with prizes including a custom poker table valued at $1600. 
The pastor's blog is called "Mad Babble from a Church Planter." It is 
rightly named and even features crude gutter language that I cannot 
quote in this article. Revolution Church's web site says: "Come 
comfortable (everyone will be in jeans, shorts, and T-shirts) ... the 
music will rock and will sound like the music you hear on the local rock 
station on your radio ...  we have spared no expense in creating a fun 
and exciting environment..." The Bible says: "And be not conformed to 
this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye 
may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" 
(Romans 12:2). To think that you can "win the world" to holiness with 
worldly methods is a lie of the Devil. What you win them with, you win 
them to. We also believe in inviting sinners to "come as you are" to 
church. We have never had dress standards for visitors, and we regularly 
have men in our services with long hair and earrings and women in 
worldly styles of attire. But we aim to see the unsaved converted 
through the preaching of God's Word so that they are changed. The 
biblical philosophy is come as you are but leave as He is -- new, holy, 
different! The Christian rock philosophy of come as you are and stay as 
you are is damnable.
*
DISCERNING OBSERVATION ON D. JAMES KENNEDY'S PASSING *

The following discerning observation was sent to me recently by Tom Ruka 
<t...@faustel.com>. I have no doubt that some will consider it a cheap 
shot, but it is nothing of the kind. It is crucial today that God's 
people understand the great compromise that has permeated 
evangelicalism. In this note Brother Ruka speaks the truth in love, and 
that is what we are commanded to do. "You have undoubtedly heard by now 
that Dr. D. James Kennedy has died. I have listened to DJK numerous 
times over the years; I have some of his books and audio cassette tapes; 
I have found his teachings/messages generally to be very enlightening, 
helpful, and biblical. I believe DJK did much good for the cause of 
Christ and frankly I will miss him; however, in recent years there were 
times when I heard him say surprisingly positive things about Roman 
Catholics and the RCC, this immediately caused me great discomfort in my 
heart-of-hearts. I come from a RCC background; most of my family (and 
many other people I know) are professing RC's, and I understand 
firsthand the great spiritual blindness and lostness of RC's because I 
was one of them. I became very suspicious of DJK and basically decided 
to avoid his broadcasts altogether. At the time I did not understand why 
DJK would be saying these things, then I began to study your various 
writings and articles re: New Evangelicalism, Ecumenicalism, etc., in 
the light of Scripture. I have learned much from your writings. Thank 
you for all your exhaustive and biblically accurate work. I share your 
convictions and like you I am greatly disappointed, frustrated, and 
puzzled how men like DJK have gone in the way of such GREAT ERROR (when 
they should know better)! Last night I watched a portion of the DJK 
memorial service on WVCY TV30 in Milwaukee. The speaker made a special 
effort to acknowledge some well known names in the audience, i.e. James 
Dobson and Chuck Colson. New Evangelicalism and Ecumenicalism FILLED the 
air. Claims of millions upon millions of people coming to Christ thru 
DJK's Evangelism Explosion, etc., radiated great warm and fuzzys to 
everyone present. Billy Graham's name was mentioned several times, too. 
But I could not share in their enthusiasm. I have found the biblical 
principle of 'the many and the few' to be far more realistic and 
accurate. Indeed, all this is difficult to understand, but it begins to 
make sense when one considers these things in the light of Bible 
Prophecy. The world stage is 'rapidly' being set for the coming of 
anti-christ, and it seems that some of the most unlikely people are 
helping! I have learned, and I continue to learn every day, that being a 
Christian, a true, real born-again believer (still sinful and totally 
imperfect) is NOT easy, but we MUST follow God's Word. We must NOT 
follow any man regardless of who he is, and we will each have to give an 
account to God."
*
E-MAIL FROM A YOUNG PERSON WHO IS THANKFUL FOR WARNINGS ABOUT VIDEO GAMES *

 I received the following e-mail recently from a young person: "I am 
writing to tell you how much I appreciate your ministry. I am a 
homeschooled student and I have used your articles numerous times for 
researching various subjects and issues. I am especially glad, however, 
that you warn people about video games and their destructive influence 
and overall effect on the players. Unfortunately, many people I know 
have been sucked into the video game world and are consequently wasting 
their lives. Even if a video game has nothing obviously unbiblical it 
still has that destructing influence. I know of several people at my 
church who play video games. What I can't understand is why they can't 
spend their time in a more profitable way.  If they need excitement or 
entertainment they could just read some good books, but then video game 
playing and reading don't really go hand in hand. Video games are too 
unrealistically violent and exciting and draw them away. Thank you so 
much for warning people of this false world of gaming. We need people 
like you today to tell the truth about these issues. Earlier this month 
a friend told me how her two brothers spent the whole day with lots of 
other boys playing video games together. She said they were all sat 
completely mesmerized while staring at their computer screens. 
Communication was achieved by instant messaging rather than actual 
speaking. It is very sad. Countless people are wasting their lives 
pursuing this vain employment. I pray with all my heart they will 
realize their error and seek the Lord. I am truly grateful for comments 
on this topic."
*
WORLDLY CHURCHES HAVEN'T WON THE WORLD'S RESPECT *

According to an extensive new Barna survey, young people in America 
today are much more likely to disrespect church than they were in past 
decades. Consider the following statement: "As the nation's culture 
changes in diverse ways, one of the most significant shifts is the 
declining reputation of Christianity, especially among young Americans. 
A new study by The Barna Group conducted among 16- to 29-year-olds shows 
that a new generation is more skeptical of and resistant to Christianity 
than were people of the same age just a decade ago. ... a decade ago the 
vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young 
people, felt favorably toward Christianity's role in society. Currently, 
however, just 16% of non-Christians in their late teens and twenties 
said they have a 'good impression' of Christianity. ... The new study 
shows that only 3% of 16- to 29-year-old non-Christians express 
favorable views of evangelicals. This means that TODAY'S YOUNG 
NON-CHRISTIANS ARE EIGHT TIMES LESS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE POSITIVE 
ASSOCIATIONS TOWARD EVANGELICALS THAN WERE NON-CHRISTIANS OF THE BOOMER 
GENERATION" ("New Generation Expresses Its Skepticism and Frustration 
with Christianity," Barna.org, Sept. 24, 2007). This is a fascinating 
finding in light of the fact that during the last 15 years a large 
percentage of evangelical churches have bought into the Christian rock 
philosophy and have adapted a more "seeker friendly" format, offering 
young people their own music, their own dress styles, and a "culturally 
relevant," non-judgmental message. Now we find that the result of this 
adaption to the world has been a dramatic loss of the world's respect.

CONCLUSION: Friends in Christ, do not be discouraged by any of this. It 
is God's will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mat. 16:3) and that 
we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. These things remind us 
that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the coming of 
the Lord. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for 
Christ day by day? "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time 
to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we 
believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore 
cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not 
in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on 
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil 
the lusts thereof" (Rom. 13:11-14).