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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
In Catholic tradition, there are many reported occurrences of Mary, angels, and/or saints appearing and delivering a message from God. It is likely that, at least in some of these cases, the people...
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Steven Best
Supporter
It should be noted that technology exists and is presently being employed, capable of projecting huge apparitions in the sky (Google: Project Blue Beam), as well as the ability to talk directly to your brain (Google: mind control). Such technological patents and their uses/applications have been discussed in various documentaries and television shows over the past 2 decades. However, we must also embrace the fact that such things cannot only be accomplished by technology, but also by the powers, principalities, and spiritual beings of wickedness, without the assistance of men. Galatians 1:8 and II Corinthians 11:14 provide a dire warning to us of such things. As we watch our society completely abandoning its moral compass, we must realize the dangerous times we live in. Anyone who has ever been associated with such events knows there can be a tremendous amount of hysteria around them. So how do we know what is of God and what is not? I Thessalonians 5:21 tells us we must be careful to examine all things. 2nd Timothy 3:16 tells us all Scripture is God-breathed and given to us for our instructions in righteousness. Therefore, we must test all things related to the appearances of Mary and the Saints as recognized by traditional Catholicism, line by line, precept on precept, by how it lines up with Scripture. This is what is required of us if we are not to fall into delusions, and that is exactly what Steven has done here. Now the question we must ask ourselves is whether we choose to follow the traditions of men or the Word of God (Matthew 15:6, Mark 7:13).
Ni Jay
Supporter
The Bible refers to many angels appearing to people from time to time. Therefore it is possible an angel in the form of Mary appearing to the three children. However, no angel had ever asked people to pray to them, through them or elevated their own status to divine level. There was only one God on earth and that was Jesus. Mary was only a human who was selected in her virgin state by the Spirit to give birth to Jesus on earth. Let's examine what the Bible says about Mary's status on earth. Jesus never elevated His mother to divine status. In fact He foresaw what was going to happen and addressed her as 'woman'. For example, at Cana of Galilee when the guests ran out of wine and Mary asked for His help this is what He said 'Dear woman, why do you involve me?' (John 2:4). Again when His mother and brothers were waiting to talk to Him, He said 'Who is my mother and who are my brothers' (Mark 3:33; Matthew 12:48). This was to show that the status of mother and brothers were not important because they were human relationships to one who is God. Once again before He died on the cross He said 'Dear woman, here is your son' (John 19:26) before handing over her to His disciple to be looked after. As these examples show Jesus wanted to make sure that people would not go astray and begin to pray to or through His mother or relatives and that is why he emphasized her role as being simply human. I have no doubt about people experiencing appearances in real life and in dreams. However, the problem with the Fatima story is that it goes against all what Jesus had taught us. Mary was not divine before the world began nor whilst she was alive on earth and if she was going to be so after her death Jesus would have told us about it and would have addressed her as if she was divine herself. Much of these elevations are the work of the Roman Catholic Church. Having given my explanations I do not want Jesus' mother to be dismissed. We have to treat her with reverence simply because she was chosen to be the earthly mother of Jesus our saviour. The only issue is here is, that is all she was and that is why Jesus handed her to be looked after by His disciple. There is nothing in the Bible that says she was an intermediary between us and the God the Almighty or she was going to play a parallel role in our salvation.
Michel Edwar
Supporter
St Mary appeared in Egypt in a Coptic church before the revolution started with the accompanying christian persecution and slaughter as well as forced immigration. The message was of peace, steadfastness,prayer, singing and repentance. You can the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXAPVrwczVY Saints are real and they appear to us when we need them. There is also some evidence for that in the bible. The angel appeared to peter in the prison. Angel appeared to St Joesph to escape to Egypt.. And on the mountain, the disciples saw Moses who was with Christ along with Elijah. St George appears several times to believers and helped them as well as St Mina
Ezekiel Kimosop
Supporter
My view is that the claims on apparitions of Mary that are attributed to Roman Catholic sources are not founded on the revelation and authority of Scripture. Mary and all the saints who died in Christ are awaiting the resurrection of believers upon the sounding of the last trumpet when Christ shall be revealed and the church taken away (1 Thess. 4:13-17). There rest is hearsay.
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