state of the world

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

Like many clichés that are heard and spoken so often, the original meaning or relevance is lost. People will often quote it without even a second thought of what they are saying.

Are WE in Rome?

In light of the relevance of the vatican in this world socially, religiously, economically, historically, and morally; this quote takes on a new light. Many will think that the aforementioned sentence is absurd, believing that the catholic church is just a "church".

But research, and a knowledge of history will prove that it's influence is greater than one would imagine. I highly recommend reading F. Tupper Saussy's RULERS OF EVIL: Useful Knowledge About Governing Bodies. It is one of the most eye opening works on the origins of the founding of the United States, European history, and the underlying influence that the Vatican has shown, albeit sometimes quietly, throughout the centuries.

In reality, the entire world system is and has been under the control of the hierarchy of the vatican for many centuries. Since the catholic church's authorities throughout the ages have publicly stated that their main goal is to ensure that every person on earth is subject to the pope, and that this submission is the only way to heaven, this control is something to take seriously.

This self-importance of the catholic church is blindly accepted by many, and shrugged off as harmless by others. The simple truth is that the pope is just a man, neither loved more or less, nor respected more or less by God, than someone such as Charles Manson. God loves all the same, regardless of their sin. All have sinned and came short of the glory of God.

A papal bull (a proclamation from the pope which is considered law) by Boniface VIII, issued on November 18, 1302, states: "Now, therefore, we declare, say, determine and pronounce that for every human creature it is necessary for salvation to be subject to the authority of the Roman pontiff." Incredibly bold words. It would be safe to assume that most catholics are unaware of this outright blasphemy. The catholic church is stating that one must be subservient to the pope in order to be saved, or go to heaven. The vatican therefore believes that Jesus was mistaken in stating that it was through God's grace, and a believe in Himself as being the Christ, through which we are saved.

Pope John XXIII stated: "Into this fold of Jesus Christ no man may enter unless he be led by the Sovereign Pontiff, and only if they be united to him can men be saved." These are just a few of the great things and blasphemies stated by the catholic hierarchy, specifically the popes themselves.

One of the official titles of the pope is "Vicar of Christ". The word vicar is defined as "one serving as a substitute", or "in place of". Therefore, the popes shamelessly claim to be a "substitute for Christ". Now let's take a look at the word antichrist. The original Greek "anti" does not mean opposite, as commonly taught. The accurate translation is "in place of" or a "replacement, substitute". Therefore, antichrist would properly be translated as: "a substitute for Christ". The popes themselves boastfully claim to be the antichrist, and this is possibly the most truthful item they have ever stated.

Another title of the papacy is "pontiff". The word pontiff is defined as "bridge builder", originating in Roman times when the architects were held in great esteem. Again, the papacy claims to take the place of Christ. The Bible states that Christ is the ONLY bridge, or way, to the Father for mankind. "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." This also conflicts with another catholic belief that Mary intercedes between man and God.

Even the title "pope" has delusions of grandeur. The word is from the Latin "papa", which means father. The American Heritage Dictionary lists one definition of pope as: "A person considered to have unquestioned authority." So a father with unquestioned authority...?

This coincides with yet another title of the papacy: "Holy Father". During the death ceremonies of the last pope, even the secular media was referring to him as the "Holy Father". For anyone claiming to be a Christian (or even Jewish or Muslim for that matter), there is only ONE Holy Father, and it is God the Father: the creator of us all.

The official symbol of the pope, called the triregnum, contains the "Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven": the image of two keys, one gold and one silver. The silver key symbolizes the power of the pope to bind and loose on Earth, and the gold key his power to bind and loose in Heaven.

So we ARE all in Rome, since our rulers owe allegiance to the vatican? Again, this statement shocks many, but it is reality.

Therefore, should we act as Romans, since we are in fact, in Rome? How does a good little roman act? I could write for years on this topic, but there is an easier way to answer that question. We who believe in Christ should act contrary to rome. His way is straight and narrow. Simple, yet effective. Our acts will be peculiar to the roman’s of the world. This is not a scarlet letter to us, but a mark of our creator. Jesus himself was received poorly, and He was greater than us. We should expect to be treated similar, IF we are truly distinctive in our behavior. What behavior should we be fulfilling that is so vile to rome?

Pure love. Not lust, friendship, or so-called conditional love. The type of love that Christ showed us. When asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus did not quote one of the thousands of man's laws. Jesus said to LOVE God with all of your being. Then LOVE everyone else as you love yourself. It really is that simple. If one loves God, they will seek a relationship with Him. If one loves God, then they will also love every man and woman since they are His children; and therefore their brothers and sisters. If one loves their fellow man, then they will not steal from them, kill them, lie to them, be jealous of their good fortunes. Jesus stated that He came to fulfill the law. He was our example of what love is, and that love is the law of God.

Now many will say: "But the world shows a lot of love." Again, like most topics, the original context has been lost. Over the last 100 years, mankind has taken on a new level of evil. Tens of millions of people have been killed in wars, holocausts, and genocides. Millions more have been "silently" killed by toxins in the air, water, and foods. Violence between individuals has become common. Our sense of right and wrong is skewed.

The mindset of our civilizations have become twisted and biased. It is bad for our enemy to kill, but acceptable behavior for "us". Hitler was wrong to kill, but we are justified in killing countless numbers of Iraqis because "our mission is just". The countries with might, be it technology or sheer manpower, use it to harm those who don't have the same presence.

Even in "civilized" countries such as the United States, people do not love their fellow man, or God. The phrase "this is a Godly nation" is nonsense. We have a economic system of laws that forcible robs half of ones labor. The "poor" complain that those who are richer are not paying "their fair share". They are coveting the good fortune of others, and stealing it from them with the help of the government, in the form of social programs paid for by the taxes of the wealthy.

Christians, for the most part, are proud patriots that commend this stealing because it supposedly takes care of the poor. Why should I help my neighbor, the government can? They support the military, because they are supposedly fighting for freedom. But that is the farthest thing from the truth. Do American's have more or less personal freedoms since the military buildup after 9/11/01? LESS. They support the police and courts that rob, attack, and confine people because we must have "law and order".

Our civilations mindset is disgusting to God. He stated that He wants us to look to Him to supply our needs, and for guidance in laws and morality. He wants to be our ruler, and is a jealous God. We have made this vatican-controlled beast our ruler. We look to it for law and morality. We will kill people (wars and police actions) because our government orders us to do so. We rob others (in social welfare programs) because we believe we are entitled to the fruits of others labors.

This beast is using technology to become more powerful and more interwoven in every aspect of life on this planet. Soon, it will have the technology to track every item and person on earth. Paranoid? No, just realistic. Name a ruler that has not used every tool available to harm his "subjects". The tools are rapidly getting better and farther reaching.

Try to buy or sell in any scale without a social security number. This is a physical mark, but the more dangerous mark is the one in peoples hearts. This mark is their loyalty to a ungodly system that steals, kills, and destroys.