ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 116

“WILL MARY UNITE ALL RELIGIONS?”

Jim Tetlow, Founder of Eternal Productions

Author and Producer of Christian Documentaries

EDITORIAL

Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,

Retired Professor of Theology and Church History,

Andrews University

Each newsletter has an element of surprise for me, because I never know what the next topic is going to be. I try to be alert to significant developments that should be addressed from a biblical perspective. Sometimes it seems that the Spirit of the Lord impresses me at the last minute to substitute the essay I have prepared with something more timely. This is what happened this time.

My plan was to post Chapter 1 of the manuscript on THE PASSION which I have just completed. This chapter offers an informative historical survey of the origin and theological developments of the Passion Plays. The survey shows how the Passion Plays began in the thirteen century in response to the catastrophes caused by wars and the Black Plague, that ravage Europe, killing over twenty million people. Such tragedies were seen as a manifestation of God’s wrath for human disobedience.

In the midst of multiple calamities people staged Passion Plays to atone for their sins and to avert God’s judgements. They were motivated by the misconception that God is a harsh and punitive Judge, whose justice can only be satisfied through the cruel suffering and death of His Son, and the intercessory role of Mary and the saints. This view of suffering as a way of salvation is graphically portrayed in Gibson’s movie where Christ is brutally tortured unto death to meet the demands of God’s justice. Mary also plays a prominent role by supporting her Son through the ordeal of the Cross.

While I reading some articles on the prominent role of Mary in Passion Plays as partner in Christ’s suffering, I came across a well-documented essay on the influence of recent Marian apparitions on Christians and non-Christian people. The article explains how the thousands of messages received from Marian apparitions clearly reveal her plan to unite all the major religions under the spiritual leadership of the pope.

The essay helped me to understand the evolution that has taken place from the past modest efforts to portray Mary in Passion Plays as a partner in Christ’s suffering for our salvation, to the current international Marian Movement committed to exalt Mary as the co-redeemer and mediator of mankind. The essay quotes Marian theologians, like Ted and Maureen Flynn who predict that “the last major event will be the proclamation of the Blessed Mother as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate —the last and final Marian dogma of the Catholic Church.” (Ted and Maureen Flynn, The Thunder of Justice,” Sterling, VA, 1993, p. 231).

The lengthy essay you are about to read is excerpted from the book Messages from Heaven by Jim Tetlow, an author of several books and producer of Christian documentaries. Most of his productions may be viewed or ordered online at: www.eternal-productions.org or they may be purchased by calling 1-877-370-7770. I highly recommend especially Tetlow’s book, Messages from Heaven.

Tetlow shows with compelling documents and arguments how the veneration of Mary ties together Catholicism, Islam, and the New Age movement. I discussed briefly these developments in Endtime Issues No. 86, but this essay contains much more valuable information. Take time to read at your leisure this lengthy essay, because as Adventists we need to be aware of the final deceptions that will lead the world to the false worship of God (Rev 14:9).

I did call Tetlow to ask permission to use his essay in this newsletter. We had a most pleasant half-an-hour conversation. I found him to be deeply committed to uphold Bible truths, especially the Ten Commandments. Regarding the Sabbath he holds the dispensational view that sees the Sabbath as a Jewish institution nailed to the Cross. I replied by pointing out two things. First, Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for mankind, not just the Jews (Mark 2:28). In fact, the Gospels tell us more about Christ’s Sabbath teachings and ministry, than about any other aspect of His ministry. Why? Obviously because what Jesus said and did on the Sabbath, was important for NT Christians.

Second, I pointed out that Hebrews 4:9 explicitly states that a sabbatismos, that is, a seventh day Sabbathkeeping remains for God’s people. The latest research of this text done by Sundaykeeping scholars at Cambridge University and published in the symposium From Sabbath to the Lord’s Day, acknowledges that sabbatismos is used in Christian and secular literature to denote the literal observance of the Sabbath. I offered to mail him two of my Sabbath books, which he is eager to read. I will keep you posted about future developments.

NO TAPING AT 3ABN

In the last newsletter I announced that I was invited by Adventist Attorney Nicholas Miller, the legal counsel for 3ABN, to participate in two discussions on “Religion and Politics” and on Gibson’s movie on “The Passion,” to be taped at 3ABN studio. Two factors caused me to change my mind and to decline the invitation. First, the discussion on The Passion was cancelled because of scheduling problems at 3ABN. Second, I felt that to drive 7 hours each way for a total of 14 hours, just to tape a half-an-hour discussion, hardly seem justifiable in this moment when I am under great pressure for time. Perhaps I should have asked if Danny Shelton was willing to come to pick me up with the 3ABN’s leer jet (please laugh!), which lately has stirred up considerable controversy.

At this point I am eager to see if 3ABN will air some of the 10 PowerPoint lectures on the Sabbath and Second Advent that were professionally recorded last January 16-18, 2004, by a TV crew at the brand new Michiana-FilAm SDA Church at Andrews University. We sent the 5 DVD disks to 3ABN four months ago, but in spite of several calls, we never heard from them.

The quality of the taping is exceptionally good, especially since the editor, Lawrence Brown, a former student of mine who works for Channel 16 of Notre Dame University, spent a month to insert manually each of the 1000 PowerPoint slides used for the 10 lectures. You can preview few minutes of five lectures at my website: www.biblicalperspectives.com

In lecture 4, entitled FROM SABBATH TO SUNDAY: HOW IT CAME ABOUT? I share the highlights of the discoveries I made in Vatican libraries on the change of the Sabbath. With the help of 100 slides I show some of the significant documents that I found revealing the role of the papacy in changing the Sabbath to Sunday. Incidentally, the lecture includes also the picture of Pope Paul VI with the gold medal he awarded me for earning the summa cum laude distinction in my studies and research.

Attorney Nicholas Miller, who serves as legal counsel for 3ABN, was impressed by the recording and has promised to encourage 3ABN to air the lectures. If that happens, many viewers will have the opportunity to learn from a competent scholar how the change came about from Sabbath to Sunday in early Christianity. Let us pray that 3ABN may see the light to invite committed Adventist scholars who can open the mind of viewers to the deeper meaning and experience of biblical truths. Until now, committed Adventist scholars have been conspicuous for the absence at 3ABN, but it appears that things may change.

BED AND BREAKFAST IN LONDON, ENGLAND

Are you planning to travel to London, England? If you do, you will be pleased to learn about a most gracious Adventist couple who offer the best accommodation and breakfast I have ever enjoyed. During the past two years I have been in London a dozen times, as a guest in several homes that offer bed and breakfast at a reasonable price. They all offer good service, but the home of Gary and Araxi Keshishian where I stayed few days ago, is by far the best. They treated me so well that I promised that I would announce their services in this newsletter. Let me give you five reasons why I like their service:

1. THE ROOMS: The two rooms for guests have a new carpet, new furniture, and large windows overlooking a splendid manicured garden with an incredible variety of flowers. The bathroom, next to the bedrooms, is modern with an efficient shower–a feature often missing in other homes I have stayed.

2. THE LOCATION: The location is very convenient, just five minutes walking distance from the Main Street shops and the Eastcote Underground (tube) that takes one directly to the Heathrow airport or to Central London.

3. BREAKFAST: Sister Araxi goes out of the way to prepare the breakfast of your choice, with cereal, juices, nuts, fruit, and cooked food.

4. INTERNET SERVICE: The house has a wireless service. Arthur, their son, spent considerable time and money to install a wireless service for me and future guests. For me internet service is a must. If your lap top has an airport, you can be on line from your room all the time without wire connections.

5. ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere is pleasant and homely. Gary is a Cypriot who has worked until recently as an official translators for the government. Araxi is Armenian who has worked as an accountant for the past 17 years, until her company closed down. Both of them speak several languages and are very active in their local Adventist church.

6. COST AND CONTACT: The cost for Bed and Breakfast is only £20.00, that is about $35.00 per day. You can contact them by phone: 011-44-20 8866 8821; cellular 011-44-7956-156-544. Their email address is: g.keshishian@cwcom.net. Their postal address is: 155 Woodland Avenue, Eastcote, Middlesex HA4 9QX, England.

A NEW HITACHI PROJECTOR AT A BARGAIN PRICE

Few days ago was released the new 2700 LUMENS HITACHI PROJECTOR CP-S420. This projector will thrill pastors who have been looking for a low-cost PROJECTOR able to compete with the large amount of light present in their sanctuary.

On June 28, 2004, I tested for the first time the new 2700 LUMENS HITACHI projector CP-S420, in my well-lighted office which has 8 florescent lights and a large sliding door opening on the outdoor. I placed the 2000 LUMENS HITACHI CP-X328 that I have used with great satisfaction until now, on the top of the new 2700 LUMENS HITACHI CP-S420. I projected both images against the same wall, superimposing one over the other. The results were immediately evident. The image of the new HITACHI 2700 lumens was so bright that it overshadowed and eclipsed the image of the HITACHI 2000. I could not believe that an extra 700 lumens could make such a world of difference.

Until now I have highly recommended the 2000 LUMENS HITACHI CP-328, which has won the 2004 award as best projector in its class. Over 300 Adventist churches have bought this outstanding projector. I will continue to recommend it especially to persons who need a light 6 pounds projector to carry in their briefcase. But for churches that need a permanent projector, able to compete with large amounts of outdoor and indoor light, the new 10 pounds, 2700 LUMENS HITACHI CP-S420 is the solution. There will be no longer a need to close the blinds and turn off some of the lights to improve the quality of the image. This projector performs brilliantly in a well-lighted environment. From now on I WILL CARRY THIS NEW 2700 LUMENS PROJECTOR WITH ME FOR MY WEEKEND SEMINARS.

What makes this new projector very attractive is the incredible low price of only $2,195.00 granted to our Adventist churches and institutions. This represent over 65% discount over the factory suggested retail price given at the HITACHI.COM website as follows: “Priced at $7,495.00, the CP-S420 series is currently available through Hitachi’s network of nationwide resellers.” You can read the complete news release at: http://www.hitachi.us/Apps/hitachicom/content.jsp?page=PressReleases/details/Hitachi%20Announces% 20New%20Fully-Loaded%20SVGA%20Projector. html&path=jsp/hitachi/aboutus/Press-Media/

HITACHI has reassured me that they are giving me the lowest price for our churches, because I have become one of their best 10 producers in North America, by selling over 300 projectors during the past few months. As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, the price for the 2000 lumens HITACHI CP-X328 has been reduced four times, from $2,500.00 to only $1795.00. The special price I negotiated for the brand new 2700 lumens HITACHI CP-S420 is only $2195.00. This means that for $400.00 more now you can purchase a projector with 700 more lumens, able to deliver a clear, crispy pictures even in a well-lighted sancturies. All the projectors come with a 24 hours replacement warrantee for a period of three years.

To order a projector or to obtain more information on any of the 16 different projectors manufactured by HITACHI, feel free to call me at (269) 471-2915 or (269) 978-6878 or email me your request for a catalogue at: sbacchiocchi@qtm.net. To avoid possible shipping delays, we keep a supply of both the 2000 and 2700 lumens HITACHI projectors. We can ship your projector on the same day you call us.

SPECIAL OFFER ON CD-ROMS AND VIDEO/DVD RECORDINGS

For the FIRST TIME I am offering at a special price the complete package of my recent recordings. The package consists of the following items:

ONE CD-ROM with all my 16 books and 150 articles, for a total of over 7000 pages of research. With the Global Acrobat search engine you can find immediately what I have written on any given text or topic. Regular price $100.00

ONE CD-ROM with all my PowerPoint lectures on the Sabbath, Second Advent, Marriage, Drinking, Dress, Music, etc. Each lecture consists of about 100 PowerPoint slides with the text of my presentation. Over 2000 slides altogether. Regular price $100.00

FIVE VIDEO TAPES ALBUM or FIVE DVD DISKS ALBUM with 10 live, dynamic PowerPoint lectures on the Sabbath and Second Advent. The recording was done last January 16-18, 2004, by a TV crew at the brand new Michiana-FilAm SDA Church at Andrews University. The quality of the taping is exceptionally good, especially since the editor, Lawrence Brown, a former student of mine who works for Channel 16 of Notre Dame University, spent a month to insert manually each of the 1000 PowerPoint slides used for the 10 lectures. You can preview few minutes of five lectures at my website: www.biblicalperspectives.com The regular price of the VIDEO or DVD albums with the 10 lectures is $150.00

SPECIAL PACKAGE OFFER

Your SPECIAL ONE-TIME OFFER for the TWO CD-ROMS and the FIVE VIDEO TAPES ALBUM or FIVE DVD DISKS ALBUM, is ONLY $100.00, postage paid, instead of the regular price of $350.00. This represents a 70% saving of $250.00. To order your package, call us at (269) 471-2915 or email us your credit card number and expiration date at: sbacchiocchi@qtm.net We guarantee to process your order immediately.

UPCOMING WEEKEND SEMINARS

By Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.

As a service to our subscribers, I am listing the date and the location of the upcoming seminars for the month of July and August 2004. Every Sabbath it is a great pleasure for me to meet subscribers who travel considerable distances to attend the seminars. Thank you for informing your friends about the time and place of the seminars.

JULY 9-10: NEW YORK CITY

First Ghana SDA Church

45 Goble Place

Bronx, New York 10452

For information call Pastor Hermann Kuma at (718) 994-1332

JULY 30-31: TOTONTO, CANADA. TWO RALLIES

Apple Creek SDA Church

Friday Evening, July 30, at 7:30 p. m. and Sabbath Morning, July 31, at 11:30 a.m.

Kingsview Village SDA Church

Sabbath Morning, July 31, at 9:30 a. m. and Sabbath Evening, July 31, at 7:00 p. m.

For information call Pastor Mansfield Edwards at (905) 665-6466 or Pastor Allen Chichester at (416) 291-5711

AUGUST 7-8-9: READING, ENGLAND

Reading (Whitley) SDA Church

c/o Maiden Erlegh School

Silverdale Road, Early,

Reading, Berks, RG6 7HS

For information call Pastor Everett Picart at 01189 755 110

AUGUST 13-14-15: BRISTOL DISTRICT, ENGLAND

Gloucester SDA Church on August 13-14

Cromwell Street, Gloucester, GL1 1RE

For information call Pastor Stephan Burton-Schnull at 01452 619 454

Bristol North SDA Church on August 15

c/o United Reformed Church

Muller Road, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 9RB

For information call Pastor Richard Daly at 01452 423 089

AUGUST 20-21: CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA

Campbell SDA Church

600 West Campbell Avenue

Campbell, CA 95008

For information call Pastor Gary Jensen at (408) 378-3878

AUGUST 27-28: NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

Norfolk SDA Church

1099 Kempsville Road

Norfolk, VA 23502-2743

For information call Pastor Glenn Holland at (757) 421-7584

“WILL MARY UNITE ALL RELIGIONS?”

Jim Tetlow, Founder of Eternal Productions

Author and Producer of Christian Documentaries

Ecstasy!

She appears as a living, breathing, three-dimensional lady enveloped in exquisite light. Visionaries and seers describe a beautiful, young woman glowing in radiant splendor. Seers, while describing her as brilliant to behold and arrayed with every splendor, admit that the “Queen of Heaven” transcends human description.

Visionaries also report seeing strange lights and glorious visions that often accompany an apparition. Visions of angels, glowing orbs, tongues of fire, mysterious solar phenomena, and peculiar luminous clouds have been sighted. Because of the tremendous pleasure and joy experienced by seers during an apparition, the term ecstasy1 is the word most often used to describe this event. Those who have witnessed her, admit that they are paralyzed and enraptured by her beauty and charm.

Numerous healings and miracles have been reported at apparition sites around the globe. In addition, the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary has repeatedly announced that the most significant signs and wonders are yet future! She admits that she has not yet revealed her full glory to the world. She predicts heavenly signs and events that the whole world will witness in the very near future. Consider the following two examples:

“My sign is emerging. God wills it thus. Only my children recognize it, as it reveals itself in secrecy, and they praise the Eternal One for it. Today I cannot reveal my power to the whole world. I must withdraw with my children. In secrecy I will perform miracles on the souls until the number of sacrifices has become full. . . .Then I can reveal myself to the whole world2

“Soon, I will come, my children! Soon, I will be in your midst with a great light. I will enlighten the entire world. Many souls will cry because they did not listen to my call.. . . I will pass above everyone in a cloud and everyone will see me. What will become of those who insulted me and made a laughing stock of me? . . . I will come soon, my sons, to travel through the entire world. I will give a great sign in the sky for those who will still want to be saved. All those who have recourse to me, who have a look of repentance, this will be sufficient to save them.3

The Numbers are Staggering

Consider that 15 to 20 million Marian followers visit a single shrine in Guadalupe, Mexico, every single year! The shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared in 1531 to seer Juan Diego. On December 12, 1999, the anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s appearance, five million pilgrims visited the shrine to pay honor to Our Lady.4 In addition, 1999 marks the first time in church history that the feast of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe is being celebrated by all bishops and priests in the Western Hemisphere. In an apostolic exhortation delivered during his visit to Mexico in January, Pope John Paul II elevated December 12 to a holy day for the Catholic Church.5

In war-torn Bosnia, an estimated 30 million pilgrims have visited Medjugorje since the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary began in 1981.6 Besides the six visionaries who regularly receive messages from the Virgin, thousands of pilgrims claim to see signs and wonders; experience healing; and hear the voice of Mary at Medjugorje. Visiting Medjugorje is a painstaking task involving many hours by bus over war-torn roads. The millions of pilgrims who venture to Medjugorje do so with the knowledge that their pilgrimage will be difficult and dangerous - yet they continue to come in droves.

In Conyers, Georgia, seer Nancy Fowler has received up to 100,000 visitors to her farm on a single day.7 The pilgrims come from all over, many traveling great distances to hear the most recent message from the Blessed Mother. At the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, in Emmitsburg, Maryland, attendance has increased to 500,000 per year.8

Marian Apparitions Everywhere

Marian apparitions from almost every state in America are being reported - many of these sites are drawing thousands. From New York City to San Francisco numerous reported visitations from the Queen of Heaven have been documented.9 The sheer number of Marian followers and their determination to hear from the Virgin reveals that these individuals are not merely curious sightseers, but rather a huge, growing flock of Marian disciples.

Five and one-half million pilgrims visit a single apparition site in Lourdes, France annually.10 Poland’s Marian shrine Our Lady of Czestochowa (a favorite of Pope John Paul II) draws an estimated five million pilgrims a year.11 A single apparition site in Knock, Ireland, has drawn millions who come to pray to Our Lady of Knock and visit the Apparition Gable. This Marian shrine in Ireland has been honored by four popes this century, including Pope John Paul II, who went on pilgrimage to Knock in 1979.12

In Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, a location where the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared more than 40 years ago, multiplied thousands of religious devotees come from all over the world. The site has become so popular that preparations are underway to construct a statue of the Virgin twice as high as New York’s Statue of Liberty. A local newspaper reports that “The grand scale heroic statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, part of the projected 500-acre Mystical City complex, will top at 1,500 feet. It will have room inside to contain radio and TV stations, various chapels, apartments, a food court, conference rooms and an observation deck”.13

At the famous apparition site in Fatima, Portugal, pilgrims numbering more than one million are in attendance during the October 13th anniversary of the 1917 apparition. Total annual attendance at Fatima is estimated to be 4.5 million, and growing.14 The list of major apparition sites goes on and on.

On May 31, 1999, thousands gathered in Amsterdam to celebrate the 3rd International Day of Prayer of the Lady of All Nations. Dozens of priests, bishops and cardinals presided over the event, where thousands of participants from over seventy countries and six continents converged to honor the Lady of All Nations.15 This apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared to visionary Ida Peerdeman numerous times. Her main message was that she wants the Church and pope to officially proclaim the Lady of All Nations as Co-Redemptrix.16 To date, millions of faithful Marian advocates have petitioned the pope to officially name her Co-Redemptrix.17

Growing Worldwide Popularity

The popularity of the Virgin and her messages has grown to mammoth proportions. Marian historians are quick to point out that apparitions of Mary have been recorded throughout the centuries, but never in the history of Marian apparitions has she appeared with such consistency and frequency as in our day.

In 1997, Newsweek ran a cover story on the Virgin Mary. In the article they write: “In many ways, the 20th century has belonged to Mary. From almost every continent, visionaries have reported more than 400 ‘apparitions’ of the Virgin - more than in the previous three centuries combined. Taken together, these visions point to what the Marian Movement believes is a millennial ‘Age of Mary.’”18

We might expect this phenomenon to occur in countries that are predominately Catholic, but apparitions are being reported from Japan to Africa, from Korea to Australia, from Iraq to Israel, from Egypt to Syria. Whether looking deep within the former Soviet Union or among the peoples of India, one thing is found in common - they are all allegedly being visited by a woman who calls herself Mary, the Queen of Heaven, Our Lady. Father Robert Faricy, quoted in the book Queen of the Cosmos, states: “Never in the history of Christianity has the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to so many people over so long a period of time with such regularity. Moreover, it seems that the apparitions at Medjugorje have ushered in a new Marian age. There are reports of her appearing everywhere.”19

In his book Call of the Ages, author Thomas W. Petrisko writes: “Millions and millions on all continents of the globe have heard and responded to the Virgin Mary’s apparitions and messages. Indeed, there is a significant upswing in attendance at Marian shrines everywhere.”20

The Rev. Charles Dickson, Ph.D., a Lutheran minister, reported this trend in Queen Magazine: “People around the world are traveling enormous distances to demonstrate in person their veneration of the Mother of Our Lord.”21 He goes on to state that France alone has 937 pilgrimage shrines and that at the most popular Marian shrine in France, attendance has increased ten percent in two years. And while devotion to Mary is most noticeable in Catholic countries, Marian devotion is attracting an enormous following from every religion, race and nation.

Our Lady’s Ecumenical Peace Plan

A consistent message given by the hundreds, and possibly thousands, of apparitions currently appearing worldwide is one of peace, unity, and tolerance. At Medjugorje, the apparition of Mary has stated: “Dear children, today I invite you to peace. I have come here as the Queen of Peace and I desire to enrich you with my Motherly Peace.ƒ I invite you to become carriers and witnesses of my peace to this unpeaceful world. Let peace rule in the whole world.”22

In another message, Mary told the seers: “Tell this priest, tell everyone, that it is you who are divided on earth. The Muslims and the Orthodox, for the same reason as Catholics, are equal before my Son and I. You are all my children.”23 Mary’s message of peace and unity is one that a distressed and perplexed world craves.

Her reported messages in Betania, Venezuela typify her words of hope given around the world: “My children, I am giving you a piece of Heaven.ƒ Betania, Venezuela. It is for everyone, not only Catholics.ƒ My message is of faith, love, and hope. More than anything, it brings reconciliation between people and nations. It is the only thing that can save this century from war and eternal death.”24

Charles Dickson, author of A Protestant Pastor Looks at Mary, writes: “A Muslim student visiting Rome wants especially to see the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Surprised? The poetry of a Syrian mystic is replete with Marian devotion. Surprised? Martin Luther recommended prayer to Mary. Surprised? An American Pentecostalist minister begins to visit shrines of Marian apparitions. Surprised? Muslims refer to Mary as il-Sittneh, or Our Lady. Surprised? A chapter in the Koran is named after her. Surprised? Mary’s deep kindness as a mother is portrayed in Chinese art. Surprised? And now a presbyterian minister has written a book recommending praying the rosary. Still surprised? . . . a closer investigation of both past history and current events points out that Mary has a universal appeal that transcends our cultural, geographical, and even religious boundaries.25

“Mary” Promises Unity

Almost all of the apparitions have stated that Mary is going to usher in a new era of peace and unity. Under her mantle all people will gather in peace and solve the problems facing the world. Her emphasis on unity and ecumenism has garnered attention from the media. The Los Angeles Times reported in their December 25, 1998 issue in an article entitled “Mary’s Rising Popularity Goes Beyond Faith” that: “A growing number of Americans from all Christian denominations are reaching out to the Virgin Mary as a comforting conduit of spirituality and a symbol of peace in troubled times.ƒ Reported sightings of Mary have steadily increased across the globe in recent years.ƒ Her maternal gaze seems to have an ecumenical appeal.ƒ It’s not just Roman Catholics who are interested in Mary and following the apparitions.ƒ Each day, thousands of people bring their troubles to the sites where the Virgin is claimed to have appeared.”26

One of the best witnessed series of apparitions occurred at a Coptic Orthodox church in Zeitoun, Egypt, a suburb of Cairo. People from many countries and of varied religious backgrounds witnessed the apparitions from 1968 to1973. It is estimated that the total number of witnesses numbered in the millions! Moslems, Copts, Roman Catholics, Protestants, and others were overwhelmed by the Lady who seemed to be composed of light. Moslems chanted from the Koran: “Mary, God has chosen thee. And purified thee; He has chosen thee above all women.” At Zeitoun, as well as countless other sites around the globe, the phenomenon attracts people from every conceivable background and the message seems to clearly be one of unity and ecumenism.

The Queen’s Appeal

In 1996, Life Magazine featured Mary on the cover and asked these questions: “Why are two billion Hail Marys said daily? Why did five million people, many non-Christian, visit Lourdes this year to drink the healing waters? Why did more than 10 million trek to Guadalupe to pray to Our Lady? . . . Why the apparitions? Why are Mary hymns creeping into Methodist songbooks?ƒWhat is it about Mary?”27 The Life article goes on to list numerous apparitions and to quote various statistics. For instance, Life notes that “In Italy, 50 weeping Madonna statues have been reported in the past two years.”

Life Magazine notes that Mary’s popularity is not just among Catholics: “One of the intriguing aspects of the latest rise of Mary is this: The emotional need for her is so irresistible to a troubled world that people without an obvious link to the Virgin are being drawn to her. It’s not news that Muslims revere Mary as a pure and holy saint - she’s mentioned 34 times in the Koran, ƒbut to see large numbers of Muslims making pilgrimages to Christian Marian shrines is a remarkable thing. Interdenominational Marian prayer groups are springing up throughout the world.”28

Why does she appeal to so many? Is it possible that many are drawn by the numerous reported miracles, signs, and wonders? In a world that seeks interaction with the supernatural, it is no surprise that many flock to the miraculous. These miracles, if true, would rival the miracles performed in Moses’ day. Consider that at several apparition sites, a phenomenon known as “the Miracle of the Sun” has been seen by hundreds of thousands.

Miracle of the Sun

At Fatima, on October 13, 1917, 70,000 people claimed to have witnessed the sun fall from the sky. These eyewitnesses said that they watched as the sun fell from heaven toward the crowd and then return to its normal position in the sky. Many thought this was signaling the end of the world and were sure they would perish. Here is a brief recount of the events at Fatima: “Just when it seemed that the ball of fire would fall upon and destroy them, the miracle ceased and the sun resumed its normal place in the sky, shining forth as peacefully as ever. When the people arose from the ground, cries of astonishment were heard on all sides. Their clothes, which had been soaking wet and muddy, now were clean and dry. Many of the sick and crippled had been cured of their afflictions.29

The Miracle of the Sun is a common, albeit fantastic, event at many apparition sites. It happened before a crowd of 100,000 in Puerto Rico on April 23, 1991, which was the 38th anniversary of the apparitions there,30 and it happened again in the Philippines on March 5, 1993, in front of a crowd of 300,000.31 Similar events have been recorded at such apparition sites as Medjugorje, Bosnia; Denver, Colorado; Lubbock, Texas; and Conyers, Georgia.

The Miracle of the Sun is one of many supernatural phenomena reported at apparition sites around the globe. Here is an abridged summary of the miracles reported at just one apparition site: “The appearances of the Mother of God in Medjugorje have been accompanied by a number of miracles, including physical healings (now numbered at 360), reports of the sun dancing or spinning in the sky, rosary links and medals that apparently change from silver to gold, and other phenomenon. . . . Just as Christ worked miracles during his earthly life to authenticate his teaching and ministry, so Our Lady of Medjugorje seems to be using them to validate her presence and messages, which, as always, direct us to her Son.”32

When Mary Speaks, Rome Listens

These apparitions and the supernatural phenomena associated with them, have not gone unnoticed by high level Church officials. In 1984 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the head of the Roman Catholic Church’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), declared that, “one of the signs of our times is that the announcements of ‘Marian Apparitions’ are multiplying all over the world.”33

Even the current pope has stated, “If I wasn’t a Pope, I’d be in Medjugorje already.”34 The pope has visited numerous Marian shrines and apparition sites and his Marian devotion is truly remarkable. In his book, Crossing The Threshold of Hope, the pope writes: “I think what I have said sufficiently explains the Marian devotion of the present Pope and, above all, his attitude of total abandonment to Mary - his Totus Tuus.”35

Pope John Paul II believes that if victory comes to the Universal Church it will be brought by Mary. In his book, Crossing The Threshold of Hope, he makes this revealing statement: “After my election as Pope, as I became more involved in the problems of the universal Church, I came to have a similar conviction: On this universal level, if victory comes it will be brought by Mary. Christ will conquer through her, because he wants the Church’s victories now and in the future to be linked to her. “I held this conviction even though I did not yet know very much about Fatima. I could see, however, that there was a certain continuity among La Salette, Lourdes, and Fatima - and, in distant past, our Polish Jasna Gora. And thus we come to May 13, 1981, when I was wounded by gunshots fired in St. Peter’s Square. At first, I did not pay attention to the fact that the assassination attempt had occurred on the exact anniversary of the day Mary appeared to the three children at Fatima in Portugal and spoke to them the words that now, at the end of this century, seem to be close to their fulfillment.36

Consecration to the Apparition

The pope credits the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima with saving his life during the 1981 assassination attempt.37 Shortly after the assault on his life, Pope John Paul II, consecrated the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.38 The pope’s consecration was done in response to the request made by Our Lady of Fatima.

Furthermore, in October 2000, the pope ordered the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Fatima to the Vatican for the Great Jubilee. On Sunday October 8, Pope John Paul with 1500 bishops - the largest group to assemble since Vatican II - entrusted humanity and the third millennium to Our Lady of Fatima.39 This is extremely significant. Over one-third of the Catholic Church’s bishops, and the pope himself, entrusted the world to Our Lady of Fatima!

Certainly the apparition has the pope’s and Rome’s attention. It seems more than coincidence that apparitions of Mary have increased substantially during this pope’s pontificate. Unquestionably Pope John Paul’s many visits to Marian shrines and apparition sites around the world indicate that he believes Mary is appearing and that her appearances are of utmost importance. Furthermore, the pope’s strong Marian devotion has strengthened Marian devotion worldwide. Just consider the following statistics.

Marian Movement of Catholic Priests

Globally, Marian groups and conferences are mushrooming. One group alone, the Blue Army, boasts over 20 million members.40 Another group known as the Marian Movement of Priests is supported by at least 400 cardinals and bishops, and more than 100,000 priests, and millions of religious and faithful around the world.41

Keep in mind that there are only an estimated 400,000 priests in the entire Catholic Church. This means that over one quarter of all priests are active members of the Marian Movement of Priests! And this is only one Marian group.

Father Stefano Gobbi, the head of the Marian Movement of Priests, often receives messages from Mary. In many of her messages, she confirms the inextricable link between her apparitions and the Catholic Church, particularly in these last times: “But in the furious struggle of these last times, this struggle between heaven and earth, between the heavenly spirits and the demons, between the Woman and the Dragon, I appear as a great sign of my greatest victory. . . . For this great victory, I have formed for myself the cohort of all my little children who, from every part of the world, have responded to me with a yes. With my Marian Movement of Priests, I have brought my invitation to the farthest confines of the earth, and I have formed for myself my victorious army.”42

No one could deny that the Roman Catholic Church – its head, and multitudes within it - are enlisted in Mary’s army. Yet, throughout history, the apparition has been central to the Church.

Mary’s Influence in the Church

Without doubt, the apparition of Mary has always had Rome’s attention. For over a thousand years, many previous popes were devout followers of the apparition of Mary. For example, an apparition appeared to Pope John XXII and ordered him to make known to all that in the Saturday after death she would deliver from purgatory all who wore the Carmelite scapular. This was proclaimed by that pontiff in a Bull, and it was confirmed in subsequent years by Alexander V, Pius V, Gregory XIII and Paul V.43

The apparition of Mary has even assisted the papacy in times of need. For example, when Pope Pius IX proclaimed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, there was concern that the new doctrine would not be well received by many Catholics. However, in 1858, just four years after this doctrine was declared, Our Lady of Lourdes appeared with the salutation, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” No apparition up to that time had ever referred to herself in that manner, and in so doing, the Immaculate Virgin herself gave supernatural confirmation to the declaration.44

In 1870, just before Pius IX introduced the doctrine of Papal Infallibility, he received confirmation from an apparition that he should proceed with the new proclamation. She even assured him of her assistance at every step of the way.45 Of course, Pius IX is just one of a long list of popes who were reportedly aided by the Queen of Heaven during difficult times.

In his encyclical entitled Le Pelerinage de Lourdes, Pope Pius XII recognized the inextricable link between the popes and the apparition of Mary. On July 2, 1957, this pope declared, “This century of Marian devotion has also in a certain way woven close bonds between the See of Peter and the shrine in the Pyrenees, bonds which We are pleased to acknowledge.”46 His official encyclical was given at Rome, from Saint Peter’s, on the feast of the Visitation of the Most Holy Virgin. In it, Pius XII explains how the apparitional appearances at Lourdes played a crucial role in confirming Catholic dogma:

“The fiftieth anniversary of the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin gave Saint Pius X occasion to bear witness in a solemn document to the historic connection between this act of the Magisterium and the apparitions at Lourdes. “Pius IX,” he wrote, “had hardly defined it to be of Catholic faith that Mary was from her very origin exempt from sin, when the Virgin herself began performing miracles at Lourdes.”

The Virgin Mary herself desired this tie: “What the Sovereign Pontiff defined in Rome through his infallible Magisterium, the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, blessed among all women, wanted to confirm by her own words, it seems, when shortly afterward she manifested herself by a famous apparition at the grotto of Massabielleƒ”47

Pius IX, Pius X, and Pius XII are among the long list of popes who relate the importance of the Queen of Heaven’s apparitional manifestations, and how these supernatural appearances have helped guide the Roman Catholic Church through the centuries.

Global Network – Global Power

Father Stefano Gobbi, the head of the Marian Movement of Priests, often receives messages from Mary confirming her global manifestations: “With extraordinary signs which I am giving in every part of the world, through my messages and through my so frequent apparitions, I am pointing out to everyone the approaching of the great day of the Lord.”48

Wherever she appears, the Queen of Heaven makes it clear that she has come for ALL her children, not just Catholics. Protestants, Muslims, and individuals from other religious affiliations often go to apparition sites skeptical, only to find that they too have been touched by Mary. Many non-Catholics have actually converted to the Roman Catholic faith after an apparition experience. As Medjugorje visionary Ivan Dragicevic has conveyed, Mary has come for all of us. “It is very important to emphasize that the Blessed Mother came for all of us. Mary’s messages refer to the whole world. Her messages throughout have been that we must pray for all religions, because we know that we have divided ourselves by religion.”49

Concerning the growing number of apparitions worldwide, noted Marian author Michael Brown wrote: “[During the second half of the 20th century Marian apparitions] grew to remarkable proportion ƒ if every daily or weekly apparition is counted in cases where a seer had more than one, the number would not be calculable. . . . the French periodical Le Monde once estimated twenty-one thousand apparitions between 1976 and 1986!”50

Twenty-one thousand apparitions! If true, that would constitute the greatest display of paranormal activity in the history of the world. With hundreds of millions of followers and thousands of alleged apparitions taking place in our generation, could heaven be sending us a wake-up call?

Testing the Spirits

Those who are familiar with the Word of God know that we are to be cautious when dealing with alleged heavenly visitors. The apostle John reminds us: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). The apostle Paul adds this warning: “For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:14, 15). Furthermore, the New Testament repeatedly warns of deception, in the name of Christ, in the last days. “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24) “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

The principal way to test these reported “Messengers From Heaven” is to test their messages with the Bible. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Messages From Heaven?51

We will examine several messages from apparitions which have received full Church approval or carry the Imprimatur of the local Catholic bishop. Those messages from apparitions which have received full Church approval are preceded by a ** Those messages from apparitions which carry the Imprimatur of the local Catholic bishop are preceded by a B. Each message is followed by, and contrasted with, the Word of God. The source of the apparitional message is given in the footnotes.

** I alone am able still to save you from the calamities which approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved.52

I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior (Isaiah 43:11).

**I boldly assert that His suffering became my suffering, because His heart was mine. And just as Adam and Eve sold the world for an apple, so in a certain sense my Son and I redeemed the world with one heart. . .53

“As for our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 47:4).

**[Jesus] wishes to establish in the world devotion to My Immaculate Heart.ƒ[Lucia recalled,] Before the palm of the right hand of Our Lady was a heart encircled by thorns which seemed to have pierced it like nails. We understood that it was the Immaculate Heart of Mary outraged by the sins of humanity, for which there must be reparation.54

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. ƒthere is no longer an offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:12-14, 18).

**It is for this, that, as Mother, as Immaculate Mother, Mediatrix of all Graces, that I call you to this placeƒso that my union with you may be more intimate and vital, through the Holy Spirit, permitting you to live deeply in the spirit of the Gospel.55

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

B - Do not let yourselves be seized by fear or discouragement. Have great confidence in the powerful work of intercession and mediation of your heavenly Mother.56

“It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).

B - The world is degenerating, so much so, that it was necessary for the Father and the Son to send Me into the world, among all the peoples, in order to be their Advocate and to save them.57

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2:1, 2).

B - Until I am acknowledged there where the Most Holy Trinity has willed me to be, I will not be able to exercise my power fully, in the maternal work of coredemption and of the universal mediation of graces. . . . Sons, let yourselves be transformed by my powerful action as Mother, Mediatrix of Graces and Coredemptrix.58

“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood . . .”(Revelation 5:9).

B - I am she who is related to the DIVINE TRINITY - I am the Virgin of Revelation.59

“I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6).

Effective Deception

These are just a few of the countless messages showing that the Marian apparitions clearly contradict the teachings of Scripture. The apparitions’ thousands of messages portray a Queen who possesses all of Christ’s distinct characteristics. She is said to be our Mediator, our Intercessor, our Advocate, our Co-redeemer, our Suffering Servant, and many other titles that reveal her deceptive agenda.

Some proponents of the Marian apparitions might protest this line of reasoning. Is it fair to focus only on those messages that contradict Scripture? Shouldn’t we applaud the apparition of Mary for the good, biblical messages she has sent? Shouldn’t we focus on the transformed lives and the good fruit?

To answer, let’s consider how Satan has tempted in the past. When tempting Jesus, Satan accurately quoted Scripture.60 Satan knew that he couldn’t deceive Jesus with an outright lie, but that he must use subtle deception. Likewise, Satan often mixes a subtle lie in with truth. He is the master of deception. And the grandest of all deceptions are those that are mostly true.

While the bulk of the apparitions’ messages seem harmless, even biblical, is it possible that subtle deception mixed with truth might lead many down a pathway that leads to eternal destruction? Satan may encourage good and noble deeds as long as they ultimately compromise our relationship with Jesus and His Word. The Bible states emphatically that God will not share His glory with another: “I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.” (Isaiah 42:8).

The Queen’s Agenda

Who then is this impostor? Certainly she is not the humble and blessed Virgin Mary of the Bible. Ironically, the apparition herself reveals her origin: “I am Mary, the Queen of Heaven and the Queen of Angels.”61 Those who are familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures will immediately recognize this Queen as the false goddess of Jeremiah’s day. In Jeremiah chapters 7 and 44, the prophet Jeremiah commands the children of Judah to repent of their idolatrous worship of the Queen of Heaven. As we search the Scriptures, we find that this demonic entity has sought to deceive God’s people for millennia. And as Solomon reminds us, if it has happened in the past, it will happen again.62

As history comes to a close, the Queen of Heaven, who is posing as the Mary of the Bible, has a specific agenda. She has made several remarkable predictions, but perhaps none so controversial as her proclamation that the Roman Catholic Church will declare her Co-redemptrix. The Lady of All Nations, as she is called by the faithful, made this remarkable prediction to visionary Ida Peerdeman: “Once more I am here. - The Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate is now standing before you. I have chosen this day: on this day the Lady will be crowned. Theologians and apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, listen carefully: I have given you the explanation of the dogma. Work and ask for this dogma. You should petition the Holy Father for this dogma. . . . On this date “the Lady of All Nations” will receive Her official title of ‘Lady of All Nations.’”63

Pope John Paul II Refers to Mary as “Co-Redemptrix”

Additionally, the present pontiff, Pope John Paul II has applied the title “Co-Redemptrix” to the Blessed Virgin Mary on at least five occasions, including papal teachings accompanied by profound theological treatments on the unique participation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the redemption of humanity by Jesus Christ.64 It is rumored that the pope may announce Mary as “Co-Redemptrix” very soon.65

According to many Marian theologians, the Co-Redemptrix doctrine will be the last and final Marian dogma, and it will usher in her triumphant reign promised at Fatima. Authors Ted and Maureen Flynn explain what they and many other Marian theologians believe will soon take place.” The last major event will be the proclamation of the Blessed Mother as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate - the last and final Marian dogma of the Catholic Church.”66

Dogma, then Peace

As we have briefly highlighted, the Queen has promised to bring peace and unity to all her children. This will not occur, however, until she is proclaimed the Co-redemptrix.

** When the dogma, the last dogma in Marian history, has been proclaimed, “the Lady of All Nations” will give peace, true peace to the world. The nations, however, must say My prayer in union with the Church. They must know that “the Lady of All Nations” has come as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate. So be it!67

Once she is proclaimed Co-Redemptrix by the Pope, the Queen will unite all religions under her mantle.

Queen Over All

Marian advocates often quote Saint Louis de Montfort, who was a great devotee of Our Lady. Saint Louis de Montfort predicted that: “The power of Mary over all devils will be particularly outstanding in the last period of time. She will extend the Kingdom of Christ over the idolators and Moslems, and there will come a glorious era in which Mary will be ruler and queen of human hearts.68

Catholic visionary Mary of Agreda, who wrote the classic Mystical City of God, conveyed what was told to her about the final era of peace: “Before the Second Coming of Christ, Mary must, more than ever, shine in mercy, might and grace in order to bring unbelievers into the Catholic Faith. The powers of Mary in the last times over demons will be very conspicuous. Mary will extend the reign of Christ over the heathens and Mohammedans, and it will be a time of great joy when Mary, as Mistress and Queen of Hearts is enthroned.”69

Rome will Rule

When the apparition of Mary speaks of unity, she means unity under the Roman Catholic Church. It is under the Church of Rome that “Mary” wishes to establish world unity. “Both humanity [the whole world] and the Church [the Roman Catholic Church] will experience this new era . . . you will as of today see my light becoming stronger and stronger, until it encircles the whole earth, ready now to open itself to the new day, which will begin with the Triumph of my Immaculate Heart in the world.”70

“A true reunification of Christians is not possible unless it be in the perfection of truth. And truth has been kept intact only in the Catholic Church, which must preserve it, defend it and proclaim it to all without fear.”71

Furthermore, Pope Pius IX made this remarkable prediction in 1878 concerning Mary’s role to establish the world under her Church, the Roman Catholic Church:

We expect that the Immaculate Virgin and Mother of God, Mary, through her most powerful intercession, will bring it about that our Holy Mother the Catholic Church will gain in influence from day to day among all nations and in all places, prosper and rule from ocean to ocean, from the great stream to the ends of the earth; that she will enjoy peace and liberty—and there will be then one fold and one shepherd.72

Queen of Muslims?

Think of the regions of our world today that are potential time bombs - powder kegs waiting to be ignited by some religious dispute. Can anyone imagine how religious differences could be resolved in these areas? Who alive on planet earth today could act as a mediator or diplomat that has the ability to bring about a peaceful resolution? Certainly for such an historic event to occur, a supernatural miracle would be required. There are some who are saying that Marian apparitions and the messages that “Mary” gives from heaven provide such a possibility.

While the title of this section may seem strange to the reader, it is appropriate, as we will see. How could “Mary” have any influence on the millions of Muslims who follow Allah? Those who have studied the Muslim’s holy book, known as the Koran, may be aware of the answer. First, the Koran portrays Jesus Christ as a prophet, unique in His pre-incarnate nature, miraculous birth, miracles and moral stature. Muslims revere Jesus Christ. As the Koran states:

“The angels said to Mary: ‘God [Allah] bids you rejoice in a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary. He shall be noble in this world and in the world to come, and shall be one of those who are favored. He shall preach to men in his cradle and in the prime of manhood, and shall lead a righteous life.’”73

It is interesting to note that in the Koran, Jesus is almost exclusively referred to as “Jesus son of Mary,” rather than “Son of God.” The Koran vehemently denies that Jesus is the Son of God, yet it holds both Jesus and Mary in high esteem. More important to our context, is the fact that Mary is arguably more highly honored than Jesus in the Koran and in the Muslim world. The Muslims, like the Catholics, refer to her as “Our Lady.” She is also venerated as a pure and holy saint in the Islamic world.

Mary in the Koran

Furthermore, Mary is mentioned no less than 34 times in the Koran. In addition, the 19th surah (chapter) of the Koran is named after Mary. Based on these facts alone, it is apparent that “Our Lady” is surely seen as blessed above all women by orthodox Muslims. In addition, consider the following three quotes taken directly from the Koran:

“And remember the angels’ words to Mary. They said: “God has