FRIDAY MORNING MANNA
June 19, 2015
Nathaniel Fajardo
Biblical Numerology: NUMBER THREE – Part XIII
THE THREE PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD (Continued)
The three things that stand out in the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, or Misericordiae Vultus issued by Pope Francis, are, once more: (1) The opening, then sealing of this “door or mercy” or “this extraordinary time of
grace.” This was discussed last issue, as space allowed. (2) The time period during which this Marian mercy is extended is called an Extraordinary Jubilee Year. Why extraordinary? This is a Roman Church-declared Jubilee. What about the Biblical Jubilee? We will discuss the latter in its type-and-antitype application in more detail in the next issue(s). (3) The granting of Indulgences during this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Let’s focus on this subject and its interconnected issues, which, hopefully, will help us realize what its serious ramifications were in the past, thus, for the days ahead.
The Jubilee. According to the Free Dictionary on the internet (emphasis mine):
“Jubilee comes from the Hebrew yohbe, ‘ram’s horn,’ which was used as a trumpet, a year of emancipation and restoration (every 50 years).” There are listed six applications of the word. We focus on the fifth and sixth for they directly pertain to the serious topics at hand, namely: “5. (In the Roman Catholic Church) a. also called jubilee year, and appointed year or other period, ordinarily every 25 years, in which a plenary indulgenceis granted upon repentance and performance of certain acts. 6. A yearlong period observed by Jews, during which Jewish slaves were freed, alienated lands restored to the original owner, and the fields left untilled. Leviticus 25. Compare sabbatical year.” See www.thefreedictionary.com/jubilee
The Doctrines of Indulgences, Infallibility, etc. In the chapter “An Era of Spiritual Darkness” of the Great Controversy (1911 ed.), Pacific Press Publishing Asso.,citing authoritative and official sources, E. G. White wrote on pp. 56-58:
“About the close of the eighth century, papists put forth the claim that in the first ages of the church the bishops of Rome had possessed the same spiritual power which they now assumed. To establish this claim, some means must be employed to give it a show of authority; and this was readily suggested by the father of lies. Ancient writings were forged by monks. Decrees of councils before unheard of were discovered, establishing the universal supremacy of the pope from the earliest times. And a church that had rejected the truth greedily accepted these deceptions. (See Appendix). The words of Christ to the first disciples are applicable to His followers to the close of time: ‘What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.’ Mark 13: 37. . . . .
“The same spirit of hatred and opposition to the truth has inspired the enemies of God in every age, and the same vigilance and fidelity have been required in His servants. The words of Christ to the first disciples are applicable to His followers to the close of time: ‘What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.’ Mark 13: 37.
“The darkness seemed to grow more dense. Image worship became more general. Candles were burned before images, and prayers were offered to them. The most absurd and superstitious customs prevailed. The minds of men were so completely controlled by superstition that reason itself seemed to have lost its sway. While priests and bishops were themselves pleasure-loving, sensual, and corrupt, it could only be expected that the people who looked to them for guidance would be sunken in ignorance and vice.
“Another step in papal assumption was taken, when, in the eleventh century, Pope Gregory VII proclaimed the perfection of the Roman Church. Among the propositions he put forth was one declaring that the church had never erred, nor would it ever err, according to the Scriptures. But the Scripture proofs did not accompany the assertion. The proud pontiff also claimed the power to depose emperors, and declared that no sentence which he pronounced could be reversed by anyone, but that it was his prerogative to reverse the decision of all others (See Appendix.)
“A striking illustration of the tyrannical power of this advocate of infallibility was given in his treatment of the German emperor, Henry IV. For presuming to disregard the pope’s authority, this monarch was declared to be excommunicated and dethroned. Terrified by the desertion and threats of his own princes, who were encouraged in the rebellion against him by the papal mandate, Henry felt the necessity of making peace with Rome [not with God in Christ!] In company with his wife and a faithful servant he crossed the Alps in midwinter, that he might humble himself before the pope. Upon reaching the castle wither Gregory had withdrawn, he was conducted, without his guards, into an outer court, and there, in the severe cold of winter, with uncovered head and naked feet, and miserable dress, he awaited the pope’s permission to come into his presence. Not until he had continued three days fasting and making confession, did the pontiff condescend to grant him pardon. Even then it was only upon condition that the emperor should await the sanction of the pope before resuming the insignia or exercising the power of royalty. And Gregory, elated with his triumph, boasted that it was his duty to pull down the pride of kings.
“How striking the contrast between the overbearing pride of this haughty pontiff and the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who represents Himself as pleading at the door of the heart for admittance [Rev. 3: 20, etc.], that He may come in to bring pardon and peace, and who taught His disciples: ‘Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.’ Matthew 20: 27.
“The advancing centuries witnessed a constant increase of error in the doctrines put forth from Rome. Even before the establishment of the papacy [in 538 A.D.] the teachings of heathen philosophers had received attention and exerted and influence in the church. Many who professed conversion still clung to the tenets of their pagan philosophy, and not only continued its study themselves, but urged it upon others as a means of extending their influence among the heathen. Serious errors were thus introduced into the Christian faith.Prominent among these was the belief in man’s natural immortality and his consciousness in death. This doctrine laid the foundation upon which Rome established the [1] invocation of saints and [2] the adoration of the Virgin Mary. From this sprang also [3] the heresy of eternal torment for the finally impenitent, which was early incorporated into the papal faith.
“Then the way was prepared for the introduction of still another invention of paganism, which Rome named [4] purgatory, and employed to terrify the credulous and superstitious multitudes. By this heresy is affirmed the existence of a place of torment [“Dante’s Hell”], in which the souls [aren’t they supposed to bedisembodied “ghosts” and “spirits”?] of such as have not merited eternal damnation are to suffer punishment for their sins, and from which, when freed from impurity [allegedly by the non-stop burning], they are admitted to heaven [when?].” (See Appendix.)
“Still another fabrication was needed to enable Rome to profit by the fears and vices of her adherents. This was supplied by [5] the doctrine of Indulgences. Full remission of sins, past, present, and future [!], and release from all the pains and penalties incurred, were promised to all who would enlist in the pontiff’s warsto extend his temporal dominion, to punish his enemies, or exterminate those who dared deny his spiritual supremacy. [6] The people were also taught that by the payment of money to the church they might free themselves from sin, and also release the souls of their deceased friends who were confined in the tormenting flames. By such means did Rome fill her coffers and sustain the magnificence, luxury, and vice of the pretended representatives of Him who had not to lay His head [Matthew 8: 20; Luke 9: 58]. (See Appendix.)
“The Scriptural ordinance of the Lord’s Supper has been supplanted by the idolatrous sacrifice of the mass. Papal priests pretended, by their senseless mummery, to convert the simple bread and wine into the actual ‘body and blood of Christ.’—Cardinal Wiseman, The Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist, Proved From Scripture, lecture 8, sec. 3, par.26. With blasphemous presumption, they openly claimed the power of creating God, the Creator of all things. Christians were required, on pain of death, to avow their faith in this horrible, Heaven-insulting heresy. Multitudes who refused were given to the flames. (See Appendix.)
“In the thirteenth century was established the most terrible of all the engines of the papacy—the Inquisition.” (end of quote.)
Luther’s Famous 95 Theses, Posted Oct. 31, 1517, Church of Wittenberg, Saxony. Most Christians are familiar with bold work of Martin Luther, himself a Catholic priest but of the straitest sort who was filled with horror at the blasphemous assumption of the indulgence mongers, led by the friar Tetzel in Germany. “The Roman Church had made merchandise of the grace of God. The tables of the money-changers [as in the time of Christ, Matt. 21: 12, 13: Mark 11: 15-18] were set up beside her altars. Under the plea of raising funds for the erection of St. Peter’s Basilica, indulges for sin were publicly offered for sale by the authority of the pope. By the price of crime a temple was to be built up for God’s worship,–the cornerstone laid with the wages of iniquity! But the very means adopted for Rome’s aggrandizement provoked the deadliest blow to her power and greatness. It was this that aroused the most determined and successful of the enemies of popery, and led to the battle which shook the papal throne, and jostled the triple crown upon the pontiff’s head.”- Ibid, pp. 126, 127.
(To be continued next week.)