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Mary: Queen Over All Things
Catholicism contends that at Mary's death, the Lord took her up
into heaven and gave her the title, "Queen over all things:"
| "Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all
stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life
was finished, was taken up body and soul into
heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over
all things." Pg. 252, #966 |
Once again, Catholic doctrine and the Word of God have a
head-on collision. Scripture not only never teaches such a
doctrine, it condemns it. In Jeremiah 44: 9, we read about the
worship of a false goddess known as the "Queen of heaven," a
practice which made God furious:
| "The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the
fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes
to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink
offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me
to anger." Jeremiah 7:18 |
Why did these people worship this false goddess called the Queen
of heaven? It was a tradition of men that had been handed down
to them:
| "But we will... burn incense unto the queen of
heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as
we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and
our princes..." Jeremiah 44:17 |
Has Catholicism handed down the same pagan ritual that infuriates
God?
Pagan religions
Although it is beyond the reach of this book, curious Catholics
would be fascinated by a study of the many false religions which
have worshipped a "Queen of heaven." Given that fact,
Catholicism's insistence that God gave Mary a name so often used
by false goddesses is remarkable.
Who should be exalted?
Though Catholicism insists upon exalting Mary, the Bible exalts
only God Almighty:
| "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy
glory be above all the earth." Psalm 57:5 "...thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art
exalted as head above all." 1 Chronicles 29:11
"...let the God of my salvation be exalted." Psalm
18:46
"Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength..."
Psalm 21:13
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted
among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 46:10
"...the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is
greatly exalted." Psalm 47:9
"The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high..."
Isaiah 33:5
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God receives glory through Jesus Christ
The Bible declares that God receives glory through the Lord Jesus
Christ. In the New Testament, the name " Jesus" appears 943
times. The name "Christ" appears 533 times, while the words
"Lord Jesus" appear 115 times.
The first four books of the New Testament chronicle the birth, life,
death and resurrection of Jesus, while the rest of the New
Testament revolves around Him.
Mary, on the other hand, appears in God's Word only a handful of
times, and is never referred to as a queen of anything:
| "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him
(Jesus), and given him a name which is above every
name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth; Philippians 2:9-10 "...Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (Jesus) to receive
power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
honour, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12
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Who should receive all glory? God... through Jesus Christ:
| "...that God in all things may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for
ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11 "Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with his right hand to
be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to
Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31
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I'm sure you see the pattern again. While the Bible strives to exalt
Jesus Christ, Catholicism is determined to demote Jesus and exalt
Mary.
Why is Jesus Christ, the One who sacrificed His life and suffered
the cruel torture of the cross, set aside and replaced by a mere
mortal woman?
Conclusion
Catholicism insists that the Lord elevated Mary to the rank of
"Queen of all things." Yet, the Bible proclaims that worshipping a
"Queen of heaven" provokes God to anger.
Where will you place your trust, in the traditions of men, or the
Word of God?
| "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him (Jesus),
and given him a name which is above every name..."
Philippians 2:9-11 |
Understanding Roman Catholicism © 1995 by Rick Jones
Reproduced by permission
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