The Cult of "Mary"

For an excellent critique of Roman Catholic dogma generally, see the accompanying page, "Comments on "Compilation 8"

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places". Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed". Galatians 1:8

When St. Paul was preaching in Ephesus, he had an exceptionally serious problem with the local idolatry. In fact, this is the only time that the Bible says that persecution of Christians came directly from the conflict of the Church with idolatry. The people of Ephesus, prior to the introduction of the Christian Faith, had mainly been worshippers of the pagan Greek goddess Artemis, also known by her Roman name, Diana. This was one of the largest active pagan religions in the world at that time. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the biggest and most splendorous temples ever built. In it was an image of Artemis that her believers swore fell from the sky. Her worshippers made pilgrimages to Ephesus from all over the Greco-Roman world. Some of the Ephesian worshippers of Artemis gained their income from making images of her, presumably household shrines for sale to other worshippers. The spread of Christianity that resulted from St. Paul's ministry in Ephesus was so powerful a movement (Acts 19:11-20) that it provoked alarm in the people who made the images of Artemis, and this alarm resulted in a riot, which we read about in Acts 19:23-41.

Paul had to leave Ephesus after the riot, but the Church remained, and in time, the cult of Artemis was totally replaced by Christianity.

While the cult was gone, the satanic powers behind the cult still existed. These, considering to whom the Epistle was written, and what the circumstances were, were the powers that Paul was specifically referring to in Ephesians 6:12. There was and is real spiritual power behind pagan religions, but it is satanic power. In other words, demons! Although they had been outwardly defeated, the demons behind the cult were not about to give up the fight against the Truth. So, they found another way of attacking Christianity. This time, they made their attack in a more subtle way, from within. They discovered a female personality in the history of Christianity that they could disguise themselves as, and thus deceive Christians into accepting a powerful and subtle yet seriously evil counterfeit of Christianity.

Paul also told us, in I Timothy 4:1, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons". So what we have today, steadily gaining power throughout the world, already effectively controlling the Roman Catholic Church, and even gaining increasing influence among Protestants, is the cult of "Mary" It should be noted that the cult of "Mary" did not begin until several centuries later.

Note: The word "Mary" is put in quotes and italics when used in connection with the cult in this page because the spiritual entity being worshipped as "Mary" is not the Mary of the Bible.

As stated at the top of the page, if anyone preaches another gospel to us, that person, angel, or whatever, is to be considered accursed, which is to say, evil. Anyone who looks at the cult of "Mary" from the standpoint of Scripture can see that what she is saying, and what is said about her, is in fact another gospel. Therefore, it is not to be accepted. In fact, in the spirit of "touch no unclean thing" (II Corinthians 6:17), anything having to do with "Mary", like UFOs, is something that Christians should stay away from.

Special Note: Although in the Main Message of this ministry, Islam is identified as the Great Harlot, AKA Mystery Babylon, if this writer had to make a second choice as a possible fulfillment of that prophecy, the choice would be the cult of "Mary". It may be just as powerful spiritually. The difference is that Islam is more powerful politically and militarily, has a political agenda, and is more prone to violence.

It is a matter of Catholic dogma that the supposed "Assumption" (instant resurrection and ascension to Heaven following death) of Mary took place in Ephesus. The story of the "Assumption" alleges that Mary went to Ephesus with John. It must be noted that there is no record of this idea among the Early Church Fathers until the Fourth Century. The earliest known account treats the story with suspicion. Actually, there is good reason, although unfortunately this can't be proven at present, to believe that Mary actually died in Jerusalem before John left. There is, in fact, an ancient structure in Jerusalem known as the "Tomb of Mary", though unfortunately it is by no means certain that Mary's remains are in it. However, its existence does tell us that someone long ago seriously believed that Mary died in Jerusalem - not Ephesus! But the actual "veneration" of Mary definitely began in Ephesus, which had been the center of a very powerful pagan cult. This is not a coincidence.

Note: It is not the intent of this page to present a full, exhaustive examination of the Cult of "Mary". Like the UFO Phenomenon, there is just too much material to cover. An entire site this size wouldn't completely do the job. It is the purpose of this site to show why the Cult of "Mary" is unscriptural and, like UFOs, is a satanic deception. A big and subtly very dangerous one!

The Cult of Mary has grown tremendously in the past two centuries. (This, by the way, is another sign that we are in the age of the Church of Laodicea.) One of the primary reasons for this is that there has been an enormous amount of supernatural manifestations, particularly visions and healing, and other miracles as well, associated with "Mary". More, in fact, than have apparently happened in connection with Protestant Christianity in that time. This has inevitably drawn many people to "Mary". But what we must understand is that the power behind all that has happened is not the true Mary, nor is it of God. Like UFOs, what is happening here is a big time Satanic deception. As noted in the UFO page, in the last days, Satan's power to deceive will be greater than ever. This is an example. Demonic powers are producing the illusion that Mary is appearing, delivering the messages, doing the healings, etc. Again, like UFOs, appearances are deceiving! Literally!!!

When asked to defend their position from Scripture, "Mary" - worshipping Catholics always point to passages like Luke 1:28, 42 & 48. "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women...". There is no question about it, Mary the mother of Jesus is blessed among women. No Christian would deny that. But just what is really meant by her being "blessed"? It is necessary to know and consider the totality of what the Bible says about Mary to get a truly Scriptural understanding of this. Mary the mother of Jesus is blessed, yes, but there is another side to what the Bible says about her, which is contrary to what "Mary" worshippers make of her.

Catholic readers might protest the use of the word "worshippers" with the old line that Catholics don't "worship" "Mary"; they "venerate" her. Frankly, this is what is known as double talk. The words "worship" and "venerate" can be considered synonymous. Not only that, but some Catholics do openly admit to worshipping "Mary". This writer had an experience some years ago when, while he was doing outdoor evangelism, a Catholic man told him, quite emphatically, and in front of a crowd of people, that he worshiped "Mary"! Not Jesus! He was an exception to the norm only in that he was so forthright about it.

Mary was chosen to be the mother of the man who would become the Savior of the world. This is a great blessing. It guaranteed her the position of being the most honored woman in the history of mankind. But she, in her famous psalm of praise, known as the "Magnificat", referred to God as "my Savior". If she is, as the Catholics call her, the Mother of God, how then can God be her Saviour? The two ideas are contradictory. Also, the Bible never calls her the Mother of God. She is called the mother of Jesus, the Son of God.

Another piece of Catholic dogma about "Mary" is the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, the idea that Mary was somehow miraculously born without the curse of original sin. In other words, she too supposedly lived a sinless life. All that this writer can say about this is that he has challenged a number of Catholics to show him Scriptural support for this. None has been shown. None exists. The idea is a fantasy.

In Luke 11:27 & 28, Jesus made a statement that effectively dethrones "Mary". As He was teaching, a woman in the crowd spoke up and made this comment: "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked".

Now understand this: There is a pattern in the Gospels of Jesus complimenting anyone who did or said anything commendable in regard to Him. The most famous example of this is His statement to Peter in Matthew 16:17. Jesus had asked the provocative question, "But who do you say that I am?"

Peter responded with the famous proclamation: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".

And Jesus replied with the beautiful compliment, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven".

Of course there are numerous other examples of this in the Gospels. The idea is, Jesus believed in giving affirmation where affirmation was merited; credit where credit was due. If Mary is what the Catholic Church makes of her, than what this woman said was an enlightened statement equal to Peter's. She should have also received a compliment from Jesus. She didn't.

In fact, what Jesus said to her is a mild rebuttal: "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" Jesus said, in other words, that spiritually, as Christians go, there is nothing special about Mary. Any Christian who really lives a life of obedient faith is at least just as blessed as she!

Then there is the Catholic dogma to the effect that Jesus will not refuse anything to His mother. This does not stand up to Scripture either. There is a passage in the Gospel of Matthew that refutes both this and something else that Catholic dogma teaches: her supposed perpetual virginity.

In Matthew 12:46-50, while Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, the Bible says that "His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him". Note that this, plus other Scripture references, tells us that Mary had more children after Jesus was born. Contrary to what the Catholic Church teaches, she did not stay perpetually a virgin. This is taking the Bible to mean exactly what it says. Jesus was told about His family being there, and if the Catholic dogma mentioned above was true, Jesus would have gone out to them. He didn't. Instead He asked this rhetorical question:

"Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in Heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

In saying this, Jesus clearly told us that in the Heavenly order of things, again, there is nothing special about Mary. Her "blessedness" begins and ends with her being the mother of the man, Jesus of Nazareth. Period.

Understand that the level of blessedness she received must have included extreme divine protection, spiritually and materially, during most if not all of her life, plus, most likely, a generous portion of divine providence (like those gifts the Wise Men brought). Again, she became the most honored, and in fact, materially speaking, glorified woman in history. She was blessed. But not the way Catholic dogma says.

This is an idolatrous title given to "Mary" by her worshippers. If she was that, we should expect to find the term applied to Mary somewhere in the New Testament. It isn't. "Mary" may well be the "Queen of Heaven", but only in the Old Testament sense. The Old Testament "Queen of Heaven" may very well have been the same satanic "power" that was behind the cult of Artemis.

The only place we find that term in the Bible is in the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 44; verses 17 - 19 & 25. The context makes it clear that the entity referred to is a pagan deity. The people of Judah had been burning incense (sounds familiar) and offering drink offerings to her. In verse 27, God pronounces the consequences to them:

"Behold, I will watch over them for adversity and not for good. And all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by famine until there is an end to them".

This may very well taken as a warning to those who worship the "Queen of Heaven" now.

One of the most blatantly unscriptural claims made for "Mary" is calling her a "Mediatrix" - a term found nowhere - not even hinted at - in the Bible. There is only one thing that can be said, Biblically, about this: "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Jesus Christ" (I Timothy 2:5). This verse alone, if taken to mean exactly what it says, knocks "Mary" right out of the picture. If she were indeed a "Mediatrix", this verse would be false doctrine!

We might also note what is said about the Lord Jesus Christ in Colossians 1:19 & 20: "For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things in earth or things in Heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." What Jesus did for us on the cross was all that needed to be done to give us full salvation.

And doesn't the Scripture also say of Jesus, "Therefore, He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25)?

Relevant to the idea the "Mary" is the "Mediatrix" is the idea the Christians should pray to her. To begin with, this usually involves repetition of the "Hail Mary". That is not what Jesus told us to do: "And when you pray, do not use vain repetition as the heathen do." (Matthew 6:17). Jesus then proceeded to show us the right way to pray:

"In that day you shall ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came forth from God".

Jesus told us to pray directly to God the Father in His name (i.e. His authority, by faith). He says, in so many words, that He won't pray for us Himself. He doesn't need to, because the Father Himself loves us! It is His pleasure to answer our prayers. If we don't even need Jesus to pray for us, how much less do we need "Mary" (or any of the saints, by the way) to do it? We can go directly to the Father!

In the UFO pages, we discussed the views of Dr. Jacques Vallee, a scientist who has unwittingly made a very compelling case for the satanic origin of UFOs. In two of his books, "Passport to Magonia", and especially in, "The Invisible College", Vallee maintains that the same source that produces the UFO Phenomenon is also responsible for miracles related to the "Mary". In fact, in the latter book, he presents a table that lists 36 items reported in connection with miracles related to her, in particular with the Miracle of Fatima, which to this day was the biggest "Mary" miracle ever. He shows that what happened there was to all practical considerations a big UFO encounter. He also identifies similar parallels between UFO reports and events related to the miracle of Lourdes. By the way, in the same table (additional entries) he shows the same kinds of parallels between UFO reports and things reported by Joseph Smith in connection with the beginning of Mormonism.

Both of these things can therefore be understood as identical in origin and spiritual nature to UFO cults. They are satanic!

The visions and apparitions connected with "Mary", as stated above, have much in common with the UFO Phenomenon. They constitute evidence for the satanic, rather than for the divine origin of the cult. But there also have been many healings. In fact, it is this that is one of the biggest "draws" to the cult of "Mary". Actually, although it hasn't been anywhere near as big a part of it as a part of the cult of "Mary", there have also been healings connected with UFOs and UFO cults.

Again, as stated in the UFO pages, as far as deception is concerned, especially in the last days, all things are possible with Satan. Including healing. In some cases of severe and perhaps chronic illness, the disease may be due to demonic oppression (see Luke 13:10 - 13). Especially if the illness is one of those ailments that baffle the doctors. In such a case, all Satan has to do to affect a cure is to just withdraw the oppression. Then the victim has experienced the miraculous healing of an illness that baffled the doctors. The victim, and others close to the victim, would really be impressed! It has long been this writer's observation, from what he has observed happening in cult groups generally, that Satan will gladly heal your body or help you overcome any specific problem you have if he can, in doing so, make you think you have really found "the answer", and thereby insure your damnation, plus plant seeds of confusion, and steal glory from Christ in the process.

It has been observed by some Christian leaders, notably Billy Graham, that it may be possible for a person to go so far into sin that it is no longer possible for that person to be saved. Healing people through UFOs and the cult of "Mary" may be ways in which Satan gets people to go beyond the spiritual point of no return.

Note that way back in Deuteronomy 13:1-3 we are told that signs and wonders can lead us astray. Satan has far more freedom to produce "lying signs and wonders" (II Thessalonians 2:9) now than he did then.

The massiveness of the "Mary" deception, at least paralleling, and perhaps exceeding, the immensity of the UFO Phenomenon, to which it is very similar in nature, is in itself a sign of the imminence of the Second Coming. Again, it is another sign that we are living in the age of the Church of Laodicea. But there is another significant relevance of the cult of "Mary" to Second Coming Prophecy: Much of what is supposedly said in the course of visions and apparitions of "Mary" that her followers have has to do with the Second Coming. Some of this material has been published on the Internet. This writer has been following these statements via other media for years.

What is interesting is that what she is saying is not unlike what is said in "The Three Great Woes" section of the "Great Tribulation" page. But note: "not unlike"; as opposed to "identical to". The impression this writer has gotten from the material he has read is that the spiritual powers behind the cult of "Mary" have some idea about what is going to happen, and they expect something like what this site predicts, but they don't understand it themselves. Satan is not all-knowing, as other Christians have noted. For example, "he knows that he has a short time", (Revelation 12:12) but he doesn't know exactly how much time. Again, "Mary" has some idea what is going to happen but doesn't really have accurate information. But she is giving out ideas that are close enough to the truth that when the asteroid or comet collision happens, many surviving Catholics will be deceived into believing that she prophesied it. Therefore, they won't realize that the whole cult is a deception even after the Tribulation begins. Which may cause them to reject the message of Two Witnesses and set them up, indirectly, to take the Mark of the Beast.

No one who is worshipping "Mary" is going to be ready for the Tribulation. If you are doing so, and you want to be ready, then you better repent in a hurry! Forget Catholic dogma and base your Christian faith and practice on the Scriptures alone. You must do this or else...!!!