According to Catholic doctrine, Mary is the Co-Mediator to whom we can entrust all our cares and petitions.[25]
There is only one mediator and that is Jesus. The Bible says,
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6)
"Wherefore he [Jesus] is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
"In whom [Jesus} we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." (Ephesians 3:12)
If Jesus is constantly interceding for us and He is able to save us "to the uttermost," (utterly, completely) then He doesn't need Mary's help. If we can approach God with "boldness' and "confidence" because of our faith in Jesus, then we don't need Mary's help either.
QUEEN OF HEAVEN
According to Catholic doctrine, God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as Queen of Heaven and earth.[26] She is to be praised with special devotion.[27] The Bible says,
"Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is
excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven." (Psalm 148:13, emphasis added)
This makes it quite clear that only God's name (not Mary's) is to be exalted. (In Catholic Bibles the numbering of the chapters and verses of some of the Psalms is slightly different.)
When people tried to give Mary special honor and pre-eminence because she was His mother, Jesus corrected them.
"And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." (Luke 11:27-28)
In chapters four and five of the Book of Revelation, we are given a quite detailed picture of Heaven. God is seated on the throne, surrounded by 24 elders and four living creatures. The Lamb (Jesus) is standing in the center of the throne. Thousands upon thousands of angels circle the throne, singing God's praises. And Mary is not in the picture at all.
HOW DID WE GET HERE? ...
Continued on Page 8.
No comments:
Post a Comment