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Dear Sir, Season Greetings to you and your family at this time of end of year and preparation for 2010. This is also to wish you MErry Xmas And Happy New Year In Advance = MEXAHNYIA I have been busy academic work with no time for computer/internet acess. I was at a local governemnt area (village) assisting a researcher in fieldwork. Electricity is ever poor 24/7 here even in the campus of the University of Ibadan. Many officies are running on generators. Things have been hard financially and coupled with the current global economic downturn. My school needs for medical books,Revision/Pre-test MCQs/OSCE texts in Medicine,Surgery,Psychiatry and medical journals and other necessities of medical school are ever great. Scholarships are not accessible to many students. However,I try to keep hope alive and I am trying to get involved with a week-end Evening coaching/tutorials class for junior/secondary school students teaching them Agricultural Science,Biology,Chemistry and Physics.At least to be able to raise some money for needed books/school fees. Combining academics with work is just unworkable for medical student here with the loads of work,wardrounds,bedside teachings etc that one must not miss. Finally, I cannot just forget your kind assistance,kindness and contribution towards my medical studies. I am most grateful Sir. God bless you and your family. I am wishing happiness,peace and joy now and into the coming New Year. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, FEMI TEMILOLA P.O.BOX 4008 (U.I.) UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN IBADAN 200005,OYO STATE,NIGERIA

The Ultimate Lesson to Take from Climategate and Copenhagen December 17, 2009 | From theTrumpet.com The corrupt science behind global warming is a reminder to us all: Science is not

 

infallible. Brad Macdonald,[email protected] Science Scie nce�s chief chief love love is fact. fact. As childr children, en, we�re taught taught that that scienc science e has no  mistresses, mistress es, that it doesn doesn�t get caught caught up in fables, fables, ideology or politics politics. . That it  courts facts, not personality or power or money. That it bows to empirical, quantifiable quantifi able evidence, evidence, not �ethereal ethereal� religious religious dogma. facts,� observed French French mathematician mathematician and and physicist physicist Henri Poincare, Poincare,  �Science is facts, and �just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts.� Facts are strong, tangible, pressure-tested, unchangeable building blocks out of which safe, sturdy truths can be established. This is what the scientific method is all about, distilling fact from fiction in search of truth. The process begins with the scientist asking a question. Facts are marshaled. The data is considered, then a hypot hypothesi hesis s�an educated educated guess guess about about the the answer answer to his orig original inal qu questi estion on�is  constructed. Using experimentation and analysis, the hypothesis is then scrutinized, every seam pressure-tested, every angle attacked. If the hypothesis emerges uninjured, it becomes a theory, whereupon it is published, then tested and verified further by other scientists. scientists. If the hypothesis hypothesis fails�rendered untrue untrue by fact and  experime expe rimentat ntation ion�it is tossed tossed aside. aside. Because scientists are focused on uncovering the truth, not chaperoning agendas or working for hire, their work is transparent, objective, and always welcoming to criticism and investigation. The scientific method sorts the fallible from the infallible, making science, by nature, an infallible discipline. Or so so we�ve been been taugh taught! t! Truth is, science can be fallible, very fallible. Want evidence? Consider Climategate, ate,� the global global scandal currently currently exposing exposing the faulty faulty science science behind  �Climateg anthropogenic global warming, or man-made climate change. The scandal erupted last month, when more than 1,000 e-mails and 3,500 additional files were exposed showing high-flying global warming scientists manipulating scientific data, fudging measurements, destroying data and refusing to disclose important, gamechanging information. The information originated from the Climate Research Unit (cru) of the University of East Anglia in England, and incriminated scientists from around the world. Beyond incriminating cru scientists, the scandal calls into question the integrity of the entire cru, which has been a major source of data, research and analysis for scientists and climate-change organizations around the world, including the preeminent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (ipcc). You�d be forgiven forgiven for forgetting, forgetting, but the ipcc share shared d the 2007 Nobel Nobel Peace Pri Prize ze  with Al Gore. The ipcc is widely considered the strongest, most reputable promulgator of anthropogenic global warming. �The ipcc does not do its own  research but but compiles compiles information information relating relating to climate change, change,� reported reported the Wall  Street Journal. �It has declared the evidence that the globe is warming to be  unequivocal, cal,� a claim routinely routinely cited cited by lawmakers lawmakers in the U.S. U.S. and elsewhere elsewhere as  �unequivo authoritative authorit ative� (November (November 29, emphasis emphasis mine throughout). throughout). And And of course, course, the ipcc  get much of its information from the cru. If it garners garners the attention attention it ought ought to, which it appears appears to be doing doing�despite the  efforts by the mainstream media, leftist intellectuals and countless politicians

 

to sweep it under under the rug�the cru scandal scandal could potential potentially ly have a debilitating debilitating  impact on the the ruse of man-made man-made global global warming. But But that�s not what I want want to  concentrate on here. As some are observing, the obvious manipulation of the scientific method by dishonest, agenda-driven scientists, and the patent lack of transparency and objectivity in this wing of the scientific community, poses a significant threat to the reputation of science. Climategate has Climategate has set set science science in on a �credibility credibility bubble, bubble,� observed observed Wall Wall Street Street  Journal columnist columnist Daniel Daniel Henninger: Henninger: �This isn�t only only about the credibility credibility of  global warming. For years, global warming and its advocates have been the public face of hard science. Most people could not name three other subjects they would associate with the work of serious scientists. This was it. The public was told repeatedly repeated ly that that something something called called �the scientific scientific communit community y� had affirmed affirmed the the  science beneath this inquiry. � Global warming enlisted the collective reputation   of scie science nce� (Dece (Decembe mber r 3). Across the world, masses of believers are convinced that global warming is an imminent threat. While they may have been told this by rock stars, politicians and reputable-appearing organizations like the ipcc, they believe it because it is apparently a scientifically proven fact. Groomed to trust infallible science, says Henninger, the response by millions is to accept that a �vast reordering of human  behavior at almost unimaginabl unimaginable e financial cost cost� is needed to save save mankind mankind by  saving savi ng the planet planet. . In essence essence, , that�s what this this week week�s climate-c climate-chang hange e conferen conference ce  in Copenhagen Copenhagen is all about about�rescuing the the planet by agreeing agreeing on radical radical laws and and  policies that threaten to fundamentally revamp societies and economies, not to mention politics among nations and the global balance of power. Why? Because the science backs it up! One of the greatest casualties of Climategate is science itself, the very authority on which global warmists operate. Writing about Climategate and the faulty science behind man-made global warming at American Thinker, J.R. Dunn says: �It is no real exaggeration to state that it was fertilized with fraud, marinated  in fraud, stewed in fraud, and at last served up to the world as prime, grade-A fraud with nice nice side orders orders of fakery fakery and disingenuousne disingenuousness. ss.� But as unsettling unsettling as  the cru chicanery chicanery and deceit deceit is, Dunn Dunn says, it�s only the most most recent in what what is  becoming an exhaustive record of scientific fraud and dishonesty. �The apparent   success of the the climate hustlers hustlers has infected all all areas of research, research,� laments Dunn, Dunn,  from stem-cell research to biology to cloning. Dunn observes that the scientific method is an essential pillar of Western civilization, civiliza tion, and is responsib responsible le for much of the the West�s progression progression and  advancement. �Science is as responsible for making us what we are as any other  facto fac tor, r,� he obse observ rves. es. The technology developed from scientific research has created a world that would be unrecognizable to our forebears of even a century ago. Technology has transformed diet, health, communications and transportation. It has doubled lifespans in advanced countries. Prior to the modern epoch, few ever caught a glimpse of the world past their own farming fields. India, China and Africa were wild myths, the Pacific and Antarctica utterly unknown, the planets and stars merely pretty pretty lights in the sky. Tec Technology hnology opened opened the world world�not just for everyday everyday  men and women, but for invalids, the disabled and the subnormal, who once lived lives of almost incomprehensible deprivation. � He�s right, too too. . Science, Science, among other things, things, is undoubtedl undoubtedly y responsible responsible for many,  if not most, of the countless jaw-dropping accomplishments, innovations and successes of mankind. �It is this, and no less, that scientific fraud threatens,� 

 

Dunn concludes. �This is no trivial matter; it involves one of the basic elements  of modern Western life. When scientific figures lie, they lie to all of us. If they fomen foment t serious serious distrus distrust t of the scien scientifi tific c endeavor endeavor�as they are are doing doing�they are are  creating a schism in the heart of our culture, a wound that in the long run could prove even more deadly than the jihadi terrorists.� Dunn and others are alarmed by the potential that Climategate has to create a global faith crisis in science! But wait wait�is that that really really a bad thing? thing? Is the the recognit recognition ion of scien science ce�s pote potenti ntial al  fallibility really such a crisis? The fact is, Climategate actually gives us an opportunity to recognize an important truth! Consider. Why is science subject to error? Two reasons: First, the scientific method for the acquirement of truth is not founded on absolute knowledge. Second, while the scientific method is a powerful and valuable instrument for discovering the truth, it it is wielded wielded by fallible fallible humans�men and women mired mired in human human nature.  The human mind is consumed first and foremost in self-interest, which in the world of science makes it prone to advancing personal agendas, chasing money and supporting science that furthers political ideologies. The chief cause of Climategate is human nature! Although Climategate exposes the fallibility of science, it ought not cause us to shun science. God loves science, and He intended for mankind to love it too. �God  intended for for man to produce produce additional additional knowledge, knowledge,� wrote Herbert Herbert W. Armstrong Armstrong in  The Missing Missing Dimensio Dimension n in Sex. �He gave gave us the basis basis�the foundat foundation ion�the premise premise�the  concept. But He also provided us with eyes with which to observe. With hands and feet to explore and measure. With means to produce laboratories, test tubes, means of experimentation. He gave us awesome minds with which to think.� God gave man the scientific method! So the problem problem isn isn�t with scie science. nce. T The he problem problem is is that man man has perve perverte rted d God�s  intended role for science in human civilization. In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul explains the role God intended for science: �Ever since the creation of the world  his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things that he has made. So they are without excuse� (verse 20, Revised Standard Standard version). version). God intended intended that men men study study nature, nature, the the �things that he he has made.� He wants wants us to  prod and pry our environment, to peer into the universe, to study atoms. Why? So that we can better understand understand God God�s �eternal power and divine nature.� Science today is more confusing than enlightening. Driven by vain ambition, scientists think science and religion are irreconcilable. Some religious people scorn science, claiming it to be man-devised evil intended to undermine religion. The truth is, God says science and religion are totally reconcilable and that He wants man to embrace and practice science. But He wants it utilized His way, with science being used to prove His existence, and with absolute knowledge as revealed in the Bible being the foundation on which the scientific method is practiced. To learn more about the role God intended for science in human affairs, and the only infallible infallible authority authority we can ever ever rely upo upon, n, read What Science Science Can�t Discover  About the Human Mind.

 

Russia Set to Win the War for Ukraine December 17, 2009 | From theTrumpet.com Russia seems likely to regain control of Ukraine without firing a shot. By Richard Palmer Opinion polls polls show that that a pro-Russia pro-Russia politician politician will probably probably win Ukraine Ukraine�s  January 17 president presidential ial election. election. After the 2004 �Orange Revolution Revolution� it seemed as  if Ukraine had moved toward the West. But polls strongly indicate that Russia will bring the errant nation to heal in January. And, unlike Georgia, it seems that Ukraine won�t require a military military campaign campaign to be reconquer reconquered ed by Moscow. The current current pro-Western pro-Western President President Viktor Yushchenko Yushchenko�s approval ratings ratings are in the  single digits. Although we cannot be sure who will win the election, we can be almost almo st certain certain that that it won�t be Ukraine Ukraine�s only pro-W pro-Weste estern rn candid candidate. ate. He He has  worked hard to align Ukraine with nato, but neither of his more popular opponents, along with with 88 percent percent of Ukraine Ukraine�s population, population, want Ukraine Ukraine in nato. The polls predict that ex-Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich will ultimately win the election, beating Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in a run-off ballot. Neither of these candidates is expected to garner the 50 percent of votes necessary to win the January January 17 elections elections outright outright�meaning they they will probably probably face each each other in a  run-off election on February 7. But, of course, both of these candidates are pro-Russian. Viktor Yanukovich led Ukraine before 2004, when it was decidedly more supportive of the Kremlin. He had the support of then Russian President Vladimir Putin. Yulia Tymoshenko used to be pro-Western, pro-Weste rn, working working with Yushchenko Yushchenko to move Ukraine Ukraine out of of Russia�s sphere of  influence. But she appears to be a pragmatist, and has decided that she has a better chance chance of being reelected reelected by focusing on mending Ukraine Ukraine�s ties with  Russia. The rest of the world seems to have resigned itself to letting Russia have Ukraine back. The United States appears to have abandoned Ukraine in exchange for more Russian help in Afghanistan. Germany too seems content to let Russia take Ukraine�perhaps as part part of an earlier earlier deal that that allowed Kosovo Kosovo to break break off from  Serbia without too much fuss. nato has declined to offer Ukraine a membership action plan, and has instead said that Ukraine Ukraine�s path to nato is is only going going to get more difficult difficult. . On the other  hand, the Collective Collective Security Security Treaty Treaty Organization Organization (csto), (csto), Russia�s alternative alternative to  nato, says that if Ukraine wanted to join, it could be a member within a month. �With us, Ukraine would not have to carry out the kind of overhaul of its entire   defense defe nse and secur security ity system system that that nato nato demands, demands,� said Vital Vitaly y Strugove Strugovets, ts, csto csto�s  chief spokesman. �If you look at it from an overall security standpoint, Ukraine  is fundame fundamental ntally ly a lot closer closer to to the csto csto�s way of doing doing things things. . I�m talking talking about about  everything from military hardware to the basic mentality of the officer corps. �

Yanukovich has hinted that he likes the idea. �We are surrounded by strong  governments,� he said. governments, said. �Naturally, Naturally, this this means means above above all Russia, Russia, as well well as other other  Eurasian countries, for whom Ukraine is desirable as a stable country, a reliable link in a system of collective security.�

 

While 33 percent of of voters are are undecided undecided�and politics politics can always always hold  surprises surprise s�watch for Russia Russia to regain regain control of this vital p piece iece of land on on  January 17. In some ways, ways, this victory victory would be more more significant significant than Russia Russia�s invasion of  Georgia in 2008. Georgia is now powerless to oppose Russia, but it is nowhere near joining the csto. In Ukraine, Russia has not conquered territory, but rather won the battle battle for for the peopl people e�s hearts hearts and minds. minds. Over the past several years, Russia has worked hard to isolate Ukraine from Western nations while at the same time trying to win the Ukrainian people over to its side. In doing this, it has used the Russian Orthodox Church and even movies. Russia President Dmitri Medvedev has been careful to direct his criticism of Ukraine at the leadership alone, emphasizing friendship with the people. As a result, it seems that Russia has a victory more complete than any war. Ukraine is a vital piece of territory for Russia. It is also a key to controlling the Caucasus. Caucasus. In addition addition to housing housing Russia�s Black Sea fleet fleet and its continenta continental l  ballistic ballisti c missiles, missiles, Ukraine is a buffer buffer state in in defending defending Russia�s south. Without Ukraine, Russia is vulnerable. But with it, the Kremlin will begin to feel a lot more secure. January 17 could bring a major increase in Russian power. And Russia has shown that it is not afraid to invade its neighbors. This in turn will make Europe much more nervous. �As Russia gets stronger, as the  world grows more dangerous, as economic problems escalate, the Germans will be crying out for for strong leadership leadership! !� wrote Trumpet Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Gerald Flurry  wrote last year. year. �They are are looking looking for for a king�with a fierce enough countenance countenance to  stand up to Vladimir Putin!� If either Tymoshenko or Yanukovich win the elections, it will amount to a bloodless takeover by Russia. Watch for Russia to increase in power, and watch for Europe Euro pe�s respon response. se. For more informa information tion, , read read our our articl article e �Russia Russia�s Attack Attack Signals Signals  Dangerous New Era.� � South African President Jacob Zuma addresses the opening of the 10th Congress of South African Trade Unions in Johannesburg on September 21. (PABALLO THEKISO/AFP/Getty Images) Zuma a Constitutional Danger, Says Opposition December 14, 2009 | From theTrumpet.com   While the South South African African president president�s perceived perceived charm and charisma charisma has many many singing  his praises, Jacob Zuma is a danger to the constitution, the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) warned last Thursday. At the the laun launch ch of the DA�s an annua nual l �cab cabinet inet report report card card, ,� party party lead leader er Helen Helen Zille Zille  said that after seven months in office, Zuma represented �a yawning gap between  words and action; action; a triumph triumph of style style over substance. substance.� He was given given an overall mark mark  of 3 out of 10. Zille said that unless Zuma was stopped, he would go down in history as the presiden pres ident t who �destroy destroyed ed� South South Afri Africa ca�s constitu constitution tion. . �Instead of providing an effective brake on power abuse, independent institutions   are becoming extensions of the anc [African National Congress], and instruments of the party party�s powe power r abus abuse, e,� Zille Zille said. said.

One serious example of such power abuse involves the National Prosecuting Authority. The national director for public prosecutions (ndpp) was fired earlier

 

in the year with the only apparent reason being that he refused to drop fraud and corruption charges against Zuma. All charges against Zuma were subsequently withdrawn. Finally, Zuma appointed Menzi Simelane as chief justice effective December 1. Simelane �has a history of resisting the constitutionally enshrined  independence independ ence of the the ndpp,� according according to Zille. Zille. �Through this appointment, appointment,  President Presiden t Zuma effectively effectively put Colonel Colonel Sanders Sanders in charge of of the chick chickens. ens.� Zille  said a similar situation has occurred within the Judicial Services Commission, a key constitutional institution. litmus test will be his his commitment commitment to uphold the the constitution. constitution.  �Jacob Zuma�s real litmus He is already already failing this this test in rather rather dramatic dramatic fashion, fashion,� she said. Last year, before Zuma came to power, theTrumpet.com warned that he would not fix South Sou th Afric Africa a�s problem problems: s: It is clear � that Jacob Zuma�should he become president president next year as  expected�will not represent represent a step forward forward for South South Africa. Africa. � In short, short, by all all appeara appearances nces Zuma Zuma�s leadersh leadership ip of the anc anc�and pot potenti ential al leaders leadership hip  of the country country�represents, represents, at best, a continuatio continuation n of the problems problems that hav have e  plagued anc rule, if not their intensification. To get away with corruption, cronyism and a lack of sound policies, Zuma exercises charm and flattery. This will likely help him remain popular among many in South Africa while he simultaneously further destroys his country. Read our booklet South Africa in Prophecy for information on how South Africa got to the state it is in today, and what is up ahead for that country. �   Back to Top Make a Comment | View All Comments (5)Featured Comments: Comment made by Alex Smith. I know that false gods may have been a cause, even though I don�t see any logic logic in your com comment. ment. Before Before the ANC took took over South  Africa, sanctions were introduced against South Africa. The condition was that unless the ANC is given a chance, sanctions and hostility will reign supreme from international internat ional countries. countries. So, So, I understand understand and believe what �Danielfx� says. And  sadly it is the truth. truth. President President FW De Klerk Klerk was was �forced� to give give in to  international pressure. Go read history. Elna�Brisbane Brisbane, , Austral Australia ia The comment comment from danielfx danielfx�South Africa, Africa, is ignoring ignoring a vital principle. principle. The p purpose urpose  of human history is to smash false gods. If enough people believe in a certain political ideology or political party, if they think this will bring them heaven on earth, God will give these people want they want. This is why God allowed the present government in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Blaming the international community is unfair criticism. The fault lies with the false gods in hearts of these nations. Alex Smith Smith�Sydney, Sydney, Australi Australia a The black citizens of South Africa are now suffering more under the ANC-led government than under apartheid. Corruption, violent crime, fraud and poverty is worse today compared to the days of apartheid. Black elitists in government are enriching themselves at the expense of their own people. More elderly white farmers have been tortured and then viciously murdered by militant black youths on their farms than British soldiers who died in the war in Afghanistan. South Africa is coming apart at the seams. I would like to thank the international community for the support they gave the communist ANC party to overthrow the nationalist government of the past, for the terrible conditions that we have to live in today. Thank you for supporting the corrupt black politicians of a terrorist organization

 

who are now allowing a silent campaign of genocide against poor, white, christian elderly men and women in South Africa. May Europe and America suffer at the hands of militant Muslims in their own country and experience how it feels to be oppressed by an immoral and barbaric people. Every rape and murder of a white elderly woman in our rural areas is a tick against European and American support for black socialist tyranny in South Africa. danie dan ielfx lfx�South South Afri Africa ca   President elect of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy endeavors to make the EU more efficient. (Ilmars Znotins/AFP/Getty Images) Van Rompuy Plans to Streamline EU December 15, 2009 | From theTrumpet.com   New EU President Herman Van Rompuy announced plans December 10 to streamline European Council meetings. �Until now,� writes the EU Observer Observer, , �summits have been numerically numerically weighty  affairs�involving over over 50 people people including including foreign ministers, ministers, and often resulting resulting  in impenetrable conclusions the length of a short novel. �

Van Rompuy wants only heads of state or government to attend these meetings on a regular basis. Other ministers, such as foreign ministers or finance ministers, may attend from time to time, depending on the subjects being discussed. This means that all of the national leaders in the European Union will be able to sit around one table, without having to try to talk to each other via a tv screen as they currently do. The meeting meetings s� conc conclusi lusions ons must be �operativ operative e� as well well �rea readabl dable e and visible visible, ,� says  Van Rompuy. Currently these meetings take place four times a year, but Van Rompuy wants to hold them more frequently. Fewer, more powerful politicians meeting more often should lead to more action and less bureaucracy. Of course, even with just the national heads meeting, there will still be plenty of disagreements disagreements to slow slow down the process. process. But Van Van Rompuy�s changes should should make  Europe�s decision-mak decision-making ing process less unwieldy. unwieldy. As Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry said in his weekly television program recently, �January 2010 will mark the beginning of the final resurrection of the  Holy Roman Empire.� With the Lisbon Lisbon Treaty in force, force, the EU EU will will �officially officially  become beco me the Holy Holy Roman Roman Empire, Empire,� he said. said. Van Rompuy Rompuy�s streamli streamlining ning must must be seen seen in  this context context�his changes changes will help the the European empire empire act more more quickly and and  efficiently. For more inf information ormation on this empire, empire, see Mr. Flurry Flurry�s November 22 Key of David  episode, �The Holy Roman Empire Begins.�

IS MARY MORE IMPORTANT THAN JESUS? With one of its many beads pinched between forefinger and thumb, a rosary sways in a woman�s hand. She approache approaches s a private, serene serene place, place, illuminated illuminated with burning burning  candles. Kneeling down, she begins to recite, almost at a whisper, a prayer of intercession. interces sion. Her heart heart is deeply troubled troubled�she is grieving grieving over the loss loss of a 

 

loved one. As minutes tick by and emotions well up, her prayer intensifies. Her fingers move from bead to bead. As her grip grows firmer, their faceted shapes leave little impressions on her fingers. Lifting her head, the woman stares intently at the object of her devotion. Her misting eyes are fixed on a statue of a woman clothed in blue and white. A crown adorns the veil veil covering covering the statue statue�s head; she cradles cradles an inf infant ant in her left left arm.  The Madonna Madonna and Child captivat captivate e the woman woman�s gaze. Her prayer soon becomes audible. The Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) pours out: �Hail, holy queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee   do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping, in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. � She moves to another prayer: �Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;  blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. � Confident her prayers were heard, the woman, still clutching her rosary, stands and leaves, knowing that tomorrow she will return. She is not alone. For thousands of years, millions of women and men alike, across nations and cultures, have offered prayers and adoration to a Mary. Pictures and statues of this personage are commonplace. She is depicted in various ways: standing alone, holding a small child or a baby, or astride a crescent moon with stars surrounding her head. People erect shrines in her honor, with others claiming that she appears to them in visions. Having been brought up in a large Catholic church, I recited the Hail Mary and Salve Regina many times. I never gave much thought about what I was saying or to whom I was saying it. Nor did I question whether the doctrines embodied by these prayers were were scriptural scriptural�based solely solely on the Bible. Like Like so many others, others, I simply simply  accepted what I had been taught without question. Who is this Mary? Is she Mary, the mother of Jesus, spoken of in the Bible? Does God�s Word support support praying to her? Does sh she e intercede intercede on behalf of Christia Christians? ns? Is  this the �queen queen of of heav heaven en� mention mentioned ed in the the Bible? Bible? Before answering answering these these questions, questions, keep keep in mind Jesus Christ�s warning: warning: �This  people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandmen commandment t of God, you hold hold the trad tradition ition of men�Full well you you reject  the commandment commandment of God, God, that you may keep your own t traditio radition n� (Mark 7:6-9). 7:6-9). Though some would try to redefine what worship is, and is not, the Second Commandment is most clear (Ex. 20:4-5; Deut. 5:8-10)! Religious images and statues always become objects of worship, and this also breaks the First Commandment (Ex. 20:3): �You shall have no other gods before Me.� Who Was the Mother of Jesus? Mary was a young Jewish girl engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. Like any young woman, she probably had her life planned: marriage, bearing children, raising a family, growing old with Joseph, one day enjoying her own grandchildren and perhaps greatgrandchildren.

 

Mary had no hint that she had been selected to experience a monumental, lifechanging event, a major step that would be part of the overarching Plan of God, affecting affectin g all peoples�past, present present and future. future. At a point, Mary came face to face with an archangel named Gabriel, whom God sent to Nazareth, a small town in Galilee, to carry out a special mission. �Hail, you  who are are highly highly favored, favored,� he greeted greeted young young Mary. Mary. �The Lord Lord is with you: blessed blessed are  you among among women women� (Luke (Luke 1:28). 1:28). Mary was familiar with Old Testament accounts of God-fearing men and women who had encountered angels. Now she was standing before such a being. Naturally, she was startled, rendered virtually speechless. After all, God rarely sends angels to appear before human beings. As Gabriel watched her struggle to find the right words to respond he said, �Fear  not, Mary: Mary: for you have found found favor with with God� (vs. 29-30). 29-30). While Mary found favor with God, this verse says nothing about being �full of  grace grac e� or being being able able to �extend extend grace grace� to another. another. Nor does does any any other other verse verse in  God�s Word say any such thing thing. . This belief belief is simply not supporte supported d by Scripture. Scripture. Mary was a person of honorable character. Adultery and all other forms of promiscuity promiscu ity were common common during the the time she lived lived�yet Mary saved saved her virginity virginity for  her future husband. Also, rather than rebel against God, she submitted to His will, calling herself a �handmaid of the the Lord� (vs. 38), 38), despite despite rumors that she she  was an unwed mother. However, Mary was not holy or without sin, as popular doctrine asserts. The Bible clearly states that, with the exception of Jesus Christ, �There is none righteous,  no, not one,� and �all have sinned, sinned, and come short short of of the the glory glory of God God� (Rom. (Rom.  3:10, 23). On one occasion, Jesus was approached by a certain ruler who asked Him, �Good  Master, Mast er, what what shall shall I do to inherit inherit eterna eternal l life? life?� (Luke (Luke 18:18). 18:18). Jesus Jesus� response response? ?  is good, save save [except] one, one, that is, God God� (vs. 19). �Why call you Me good? None is Take note. Take note. If Chris Christ t�s mothe mother r was �holy holy� or �sinle sinless ss, ,� sure surely ly He would would have have  mentione ment ioned d it�yet He did did not. When a woman praised Jesus� mother in His presence, presence, what was His His response? response? �Yes  rather, blessed blessed are they they that hear the the word of God, God, and keep it� (Luke 11:2 11:28). 8). Mary strove to obey God. Nevertheless, like any other human being, she was subject to the pulls and weaknesses of the flesh, and therefore sinned, as do all. She knew and understood that she too needed a Savior (Luke 1:46-47). The �Mothe Mother r of God God�? Notice Luke 1:31-33: �Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a  Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. � Many are familiar with this scripture. Mary did conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit Spir it�God�s Spiri Spirit t�and gave birth birth to Jesus, Jesus, who who was was God God in in the the flesh. flesh. In ever every y  sense of of the word, she she was Jesus Jesus� physical physical mother. mother.

 

But does does th this is mean she is �the moth mother er of of God God�? According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, �The title seems to have arisen in  devotional usage, probably in Alexandria, sometime in the 3rd or 4th century; it was a logical deduction from the doctrine of the full deity of Christ, which was established as a dogma during the 4th century, and those who defended that dogma were also the ones who drew the the inference. inference.� It is supposed supposed that that the  ��determination of the Council of Nicaea in 325 that Christ was not merely the   highest of creatures but belonged on the divine side of the line between Creator and creature was even responsible for the rapid growth of devotion and speculation attached to Mary as the highest of creatures [emphasis ours]. By the end of the 4th century, century, the [title [title �mother of God God�] had successfully successfully established established itself itself in  various sections of the church.� But what does the Bible say? The apostle John wrote, �In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,  and the Word was God. The same same was in the beginning beginning with God� (John 1:1-2). 1:1-2). Two  divine divi ne Beings Beings�both called called God God�have eternall eternally y existe existed. d. Through the Word (who later became Jesus Christ � John 1:14), �All things were  made mad e�and withou without t Him Him was was not anyth anything ing made made tha that t was was made made� (John (John 1:3) 1:3)��For by Him  were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were were created created by Him, and for for Him� (Col. 1:16). 1:16). This includes includes His  physical mother, Mary. Speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said, �Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before  Abraham was, Abraham was, I am� (John (John 8:58). 8:58). Jesus Jesus Christ Christ was was the God God of the the Old Testam Testament ent�the  Moses (Ex. 3:14). 3:14). Certainly, Certainly, He also existed existed bef before ore Mary. �I AM� who spoke to Moses To fulfill an an important important part in God�s plan of salvation, salvation, the W Word ord voluntarily voluntarily  decided to be born of a woman, to become God in the flesh. Because He was the Supreme Creator, His divine life far outvalued His creation. And because He was physical phys ical�subject subject to pulls pulls of the the flesh flesh�He was capabl capable e of committ committing ing sin sin. . Yet if He  never strayed, strayed, never broke broke God�s laws, as a God-being God-being in the the flesh, He could could offer  His sinless, innocent life as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. Mary was a human instrument whom God the Father used and through which the Word�the pre-inca pre-incarnat rnate e Jesus Jesus Christ Christ�took took on the appearan appearance ce of of flesh flesh�came came in the  form and likeness of man, became God in the flesh. As the Word, He did not come into existence existence through through a human birth birth�He had eterna eternally lly existed. existed. Mary was the the mother  of Jesus Jesus Christ Christ�God in the the flesh flesh�but she she was not not the mothe mother, r, the sourc source e or  originator of God. Search the entire Bible. You will not find one instance of the phrase �the Mother  of God. God.� No twisti twisting ng of Scr Script ipture ure can make make it otherw otherwise. ise. Nor Nor is Jesus Jesus� mother mother ever ever  referred refe rred to as the �queen queen of heaven. heaven.� (But another another �Mary� is!) Mary Mary is only  referred refe rred to as �His mother mother� or �the mother mother of Jesus, Jesus,� the last instanc instance e foun found d in  Acts 1:14. After that point, the Bible no longer mentions her. Why is th this is�especially especially if we are are to adore adore and pray to her? Perpetual Virgin? There is a common misconception that Jesus Christ was an only child, and that it was impossible impossible for Him to to have brot brothers hers and sisters sisters because because of Mary�s supposed  �perpetual virginity.�

 

Yet Matthew 13:54-56 (NKJV) states, �When He had come to His own country, He  taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, �Where did  this Man get this wisdom wisdom and these mighty mighty works? works? Is this not the the carpenter carpenter�s Son?  Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?�� Though some might try to spiritualize away what this passage clearly reveals, the Greek (the language in which the New Testament was originally written) words for broth thers ers� and and �siste sisters rs� mean mean just just that that�flesh flesh-an -and-b d-blo lood od sibl sibling ings. s. �bro From this single passage, we can draw a number of conclusions: (1) Mary was the mother of Jesus; (2) Jesus had four brothers; (3) He had at least two sisters; (4) Jesus and His six or more siblings had a common mother. These are the most specific verses identifying the family relations of Jesus Christ. If one accepts these verses, it should be impossible to believe that Jesus was an only child, as this would plainly contradict the Bible. Another passage clearly shows that Mary came together in sexual union with her husband after Jesus� birth. Matthew 1:18 (NKJV) states, �Now the birth of Jesus Jesus  Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, together, she was found found with ch child ild of the Holy Holy Spirit.� This implies implies that, as  husband and wife, they eventually shared intimate relations. Continuing in verse 20: �But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel  of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, �Joseph, son of David, do not be  afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.�� The angel did not express any words forbidding Joseph to take Mary as his wife, but instead encouraged him with the words �do not be afraid to take to you Mary  your wife. wife.� The angel angel did did not say, �Do not dare touch Mary, for she she is to be a  virgin throughout her life.� The concept concept of Mary�s perpetual, perpetual, or lifelong, lifelong, virginity virginity derived from from the early early  writings of a Catholic scholar named Origen (AD 185-254). His claims, based on the apocryphal Gospel of James, which focuses on the childhood of Mary up to the birth and childhood of Jesus, appeared around the middle of the second century. As you can see, the perpetual virginity doctrine crumbles in a heap in light of these and other scriptures. An Intercessor and Mediator? Who is a Christia Christian n�s interces intercessor? sor? Is Is it a share shared d role�or held held by only only one person person? ?  Is it Mary, Christ or both? Let�s begin begin by examini examining ng the gospe gospel l accounts accounts of of Christ Christ�s life and and death death. . A key  prophecy describing where Jesus went after His Resurrection is found in Luke 22: �And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the   scribes came together, and led Him into their council, saying, Are You the Christ? Tell us. And He said unto them, If I tell you, you will not believe: And if I also ask you, you will not answer Me, nor let Me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right right hand hand of the powe power r of God� (vs. (vs. 66-69). 66-69). Jesus� words are are clear. clear. There is no mention of Mary. Mary. After Jesus was raised from the dead, He continued to teach His disciples and

 

prepare them for the work they would carry out after He was gone. The account in Mark records that after fulfilling His task, Christ ascended into heaven: �So then  after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right right hand hand of God God� (Mark (Mark 16:19). 16:19). It is Christ whom God raised to the second-highest position possible on Earth or in heaven. Notice: �When He [the Father] raised Him [Christ] from the dead, and  set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and has put all things under His feet �  (Eph. 1:20-22). Again, no mention of Mary. And what what is Jesus� role now now that that He is �sat down down on the right right hand hand of the Majesty Majesty  on high high� (Heb. (Heb. 1:3 1:3)? )? Among His many many roles and titles�such as Prince Prince of Peace, Savior, Savior, Chief Chief Apostle,  King of kings, kings, Lord of lords lords�Jesus Christ is also also referred referred to as �High Priest.�  �Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens,   Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted tempted like like as we are, are, yet without without sin sin� (Heb. 4:14-15). 4:14-15). Nowhere Nowh ere does does God God�s Word Word ascrib ascribe e any offic office e or title title to to Jesus Jesus� mother! mother! Let�s examine examine more more about about Christ Christ�s all-impo all-importan rtant t office. office. In Hebre Hebrews ws 3:1 3:1-2, -2, the  apostle Paul writes, �Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession,   Christ Jesus; Jesus; who was faithful faithful to Hi Him m that appointed appointed Him.� The Bible plainly plainly  states that God the Father appointed Jesus Christ to the office of spiritual High Priest. Prie st. This This is the the office office throug through h which which Christ Christ�and Christ Christ alone alone�works. works. But what does Jesus do as High Priest? In Hebrews Hebrews 8, Paul Paul elaborates elaborates on Christ�s responsibil responsibilities ities as High High Priest. Priest. �We  have such a High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacri sac rific fices es� (vs. (vs. 1-3). 1-3). Jesus Chris Jesus Christ t is describ described ed as a �Ministe Minister r� in God God�s sa sanctu nctuary. ary. He, and no one one else, else,  is actively working as Mediator between Christians and the Father. His sacrifice alone alon e gives gives Christia Christians ns access access to God. God. Christia Christians ns do not have have to�and cannot cannot�go  through anyone else to have access to God. In Ephesians 2, Paul records, �But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far  off are made near by the blood blood of Chris Christ t�for through Him Him [alone] we we both [Jew and and  Gentile] have access access by one Spirit unto unto the Father Father� (vs. 13, 18). Christ�s death was required required to break break this wall wall of separation. separation. Through Through prayer,  Christians Christia ns are now permitted permitted to ent enter er God�s throne room room (Heb. 4:16). 4:16). Only through through  Jesus, the active High Priest over His New Testament Church, is this possible. His responsi resp onsibili bilities ties includ include e prese presentin nting g spiritual spiritual sacrif sacrifices ices�prayers prayers�to God the  Father. Paul wrote, �Wherefore He [Christ] is able also to save them to the uttermost that  come unto God God by Him [He does does not need an anyone yone else�s help], seeing seeing He ever lives lives  to make make interces intercession sion for for them� (Heb. (Heb. 7:25). 7:25).

 

Christ intercedes intercedes on on behalf behalf of Christians. Christians. The The word �intercede intercede� means to  �interven intervene e between parties parties with a view view to reconciling reconciling differences. differences.� In I Timothy Timothy  2:5, Christ Christ is also also called called the the �Mediato Mediator r betwe between en God God and men��not Mary. Mary. It is plain then that Jesus takes an active role in working with true Christians and the the Fathe Father r�and no one one else! else! Where Is Mary and What Is She Doing? Scriptures Scriptur es easily disprove disprove commonly commonly held erroneous erroneous beliefs beliefs about Jesus Jesus� mother. We  will examine two more: that Mary is alive in heaven and, at various times, appears in vision to believers. Contrary to the beliefs of mainstream Christianity, when people die, they are dead�period. They They do not roll around around in heav heaven en or eternally eternally roast in hell. hell. Neith Neither er  do they bide their time in purgatory or roam the earth as ghosts. Therefore, they cannot appear or speak to anyone. These popular ideas are manmade inventions based on the �traditi traditions ons of men� (Mark (Mark 7:6-7, 7:6-7, 9). The Bible teaches that �the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not  anything� (Ecc. 9:5). Christ Himself said, ��no man has ascended ascended up to heaven�  (John 3:13). Even King King David, David, whom whom God God said was �a man after My own own heart heart� (Acts  13:22), did not go to heaven when he died. The apostle Peter preached, �He is both  dead and buried, buried, and his sepulcher sepulcher is with us unto this this day� (Acts 2:29). 2:29). Paul wrote that since all people have sinned (Rom. 3:23), they have earned the wages wage s of sin�death death (Rom. (Rom. 6:23) 6:23)�not eterna eternal l life in hell, hell, heaven heaven or or anywhere anywhere else! else!  On the other hand, eternal life is a gift from God. It is not something we already inherently possess. Believe Beli eve God God�s Word for what what it says. says. The Bible Bible teache teaches s that all all of God God�s faithful faithful and and righte righteous ous serva servants nts�His  saints�David, saints David, Mose Moses, s, Aaro Aaron, n, Sarah Sarah, , for for examp example le�are dead, dead, �asleep asleep in the the grave, grave,�  awaiting the First Resurrection at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:12-23, 50-54; I Thes. 4:13-17; Heb. 11:39-40). Mary will be resurrected among them. She is still in the grave and, contrary to what men may assert, she does not appear nor speak in vision to anyone. The Bible has long warned against being deceived by false miracles, dreams and demonic supernatural events (Jer. 14:13-14, 23:16-17, 21, 25-27, 30-32). As we approach approach the end of Satan Satan�s rule over Earth Earth (II Cor. Cor. 4:4; I John 5:19; 5:19; Rev.  12:9) and the Return of Jesus Christ, false miracles and visions will increase, deceiving an unsuspecting humanity (Matt. 24:24; II Thes. 2:9; Rev. 13:13). Understand that Satan is a master counterfeiter. He counterfeits virtually every one of God�s true doctrines, doctrines, pawning pawning off off his forgeries forgeries on humanity. humanity. As the �god of  this world world� (II Cor. Cor. 4:4), 4:4), he �dece deceives ives the whole whole world world� (Rev. (Rev. 12:9) 12:9). . It should should be be  no surprise surprise then that that �Satan himself is transformed transformed into an an angel angel of light� and  ministers also be transforme transformed d as the ministers ministers of righteousness righteousness� (II Cor.  �his ministers 11:14-15), who then teach his counterfeit doctrines to the masses. Through his ministers, the devil has been able to take pagan religious practices, slightly repackage them with Christian-sounding names, and deceive most of mankind into observin obse rving g them instea instead d of God�s Holy Days. Days. Satan�s practice of counterfe counterfeiting iting the things things of God includes includes counterfeiti counterfeiting ng Mary.  It is the devil devil�s versi version on of �Mary Mary��ancie ancientl ntly y calle called d Ishta Ishtar r or Ashta Ashtaro roth th�who who is  being worshipped by millions. And this Mary has her own pagan religious

 

celeb cel ebrat ration ion�Easter Easter! ! The article �The Mary of Antiquity Antiquity � Clever Counterfeit Counterfeit Exposed! Exposed!� (also found in  this issue), makes this ancient connection plain.