July 29: WORLDLY RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY (part 2)

“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time, times, and half a time.” Daniel 7:25

From 538, the popes asserted increasingly heavy-handed authority over the monarchies of the divided Roman empire. Europe’s kings and queens cooperated, bowing in homage to the popes and paying mandatory tribute. The pompous words that came from Rome had positioned a mere man in the place of God. It was considered “foundational” to believe that whatever the pope said from his throne, ex cathedra, was infallible.

The precious Word of God, able to make one wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15) was forbidden to the people. Instead, they were emphatically taught that only the priest is qualified to interpret it for them.  

Instead of trusting the once for all sacrifice of Jesus (Hebrews 7:27; 1 Peter 3:18) the “mass” was created during which the priests “sacrifice” Jesus over and over in an occult ritual pronouncing that the round wafer becomes the actual body of Christ and the fermented wine becomes His actual blood (see Matthew 26:26-27 and note the meaningful symbolism that Jesus taught).

Instead of trusting in the intercessory work of Jesus our Great High Priest—His current office as our personal Savior, as taught in the Scriptures—they are taught to go to a confessional booth where the priest would hear the confession of sins and pronounce them forgiven if the confessor followed through with assigned activities of “penance” along with repetitious prayers a specified number of times, as the priest saw fit (see Matthew 6:7).

These practices, along with other pagan traditions, crept into the church from the worship of pagan gods. The beginning of this compromise is noted in the letter of Jesus to Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17). Without exception, they detract from the beautiful simplicity of Christ and His atoning work, and lead the minds of the worshippers away from God.

And he shall intend to change times and law. This wording is very important. Even though his intention is to alter the times and law of God, it cannot be done because of the reality that God has set by the power of His authority. Neither His timekeeping nor His law are subject to alterations, as they are a direct outflow of His character of goodness and love. Beloved, do you thank Him in your prayers for His steadfastness? Do it right now!

“My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of my lips.” Psalm 89:34

All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever. Psalm 111:7-8

“It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17

So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:12