The Death of John Paul II
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I grieve for John Paul II who gained the whole world but forfeited his soul. Year after year he was the most loved and admired man in the world, but because he was blinded by the prince of this world, he never saw the light of the gospel or the glory of Christ. Had he been a devoted follower of Jesus Christ he would have been hated and persecuted by the world. I also grieve for the many who have been deceived by this pope and his religion. It breaks my heart to see so many professing Christians who cannot discern truth from error and genuine Christianity from its counterfeit.
If ever there was a more important time for faithful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ to take a stand for the truth, it is now. The religious corruption of Rome has been on constant display for the whole world to see. The splendor and pageantry has been extraordinary. Thousands of deceived people have stood in long lines to venerate a dead man with a rosary in his hands and a twisted crucifix by his side. Bishops and Cardinals are now encouraging Catholics to pray to and for this dead pope whose body is constantly being “blessed” with incense and holy water. Praying prayers with meaningless repetition to anyone other than God is an abomination to God (Matthew 6:5-7; Deut. 18:11). The bizarre veneration and adoration of this man has been unprecedented. It appears no one is concerned with the words of Jesus who said, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you” (Luke 6:26)
Tragically the pope has had greater success in deceiving the world since he died than during his 26 year pontificate. The global media has become his mouthpiece and willing partner in spreading his perverted theology. Through non-stop television coverage, the pope’s church has become the world’s stage. Its princes have been masquerading in their purple and scarlet robes as “ministers of righteousness.” They have cast a spell over the TV audience with the splendor or their rituals and the pomp and pageantry of their pagan traditions. The magnificence and grandeur of this corrupt religion has bewitched much of the gullible world into believing this is what Christianity is all about.
Few evangelical leaders will speak about the pope’s false gospel that shut the kingdom of heaven to those who wanted to enter. They refuse to acknowledge that he was condemned by God’s word for preaching another gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). Instead they are saying that since he "believed in Jesus," he went directly to heaven. His salvation has been guaranteed by some evangelicals because of his suffering, goodness, and holiness. There are times in the lives of evangelicals when our faith is tested. This is indeed one of those tests and sadly we see many failing the tests by capitulating with enemies of the Gospel. Could it be that they are seeking the favor and approval of men rather than the approval of God?
Many are praising John Paul II for being a great spiritual leader. But why give such honor to the head of an apostate church which keeps over a billion people in spiritual darkness. While he never claimed to be God, he took pleasure in being addressed with titles reserved for the triune God alone. He usurped the title “Holy Father” from God the Father, “The Head of the Church” from the Lord Jesus Christ and “The Vicar of Christ” from the Holy Spirit, who Jesus promised to send in His place.
The pope said he represented Jesus Christ, yet he lived in stark contrast to the Savior who had no place to lay His head. He denied Jesus was man’s Creator by teaching evolution is true. On several occasions he denied that Jesus was the only way to the Father. When he addressed Muslim leaders, he said there is “a common spiritual bond that unites us.” In 1999 he denied the blood of Jesus was the only purification for sin by awarding a plenary indulgence for anyone who quit smoking or drinking alcohol. John Paul is acclaimed as a great moral leader, yet he failed to discipline American Bishops for tolerating the wicked sexual abuse of deviant priests.
One thing is certain—the pope knows the truth now. I believe he is experiencing what the rich man in Luke 16 endured. Both of them dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in splendor every day. When the rich man died and found himself tormented in the flames of Hades, he begged the Father to send someone to tell his family the truth so they would repent and not end up in the same place. The pope may now be making the same request.
The passing of John Paul II opens up a tremendous opportunity for Christians to talk about spiritual issues. We must speak the truth in love and proclaim the Gospel with clarity and completeness! We must also earnestly contend for the faith against everything that stands opposed to God’s word. May God help us to be faithful in these times of great deception and compromise!
Mike Gendron
www.pro-gospel.org
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