"Catholic Church"
Part A
by
Nita (LaFond) Johnson
5/20/2014
Reformation is a key word today and is growing more so in certain circles in the Church. In the year 2000 an angel came into our very first GOE and took one of our colleagues; Larry, to heaven to talk with him about the work of the Gathering of Eagles. It is only because I trust this man’s prophetic word as much as I do that I am going to share a bit of what he saw. Further, the Lord gave me a follow-up experience to further confirm his visit to heaven.
But back to Larry! I was more than surprised by the outcome of his visit. The angel showed him a huge star which he held in his magnificent hand. Looking up at this huge impressive being, Larry stood in wonder. Then the angel threw the star down into the midst of the Gathering while both watched as it hit the floor and broke into several pieces. He noted the places on a map where each piece hit, as well. In each location a temporary revival began the following Sunday. (In each place man, in one way or another, shut it down almost immediately) As for us, the angel said to my friend as the star was released from his hand, “There now, Reformation has begun.” We were called and told to do our part, to carry the Spirit of Reformation wherever the Lord would lead. This important mission would work in conjunction with the Gathering of the Eagles. Much that we have accomplished has been due to the fruit of that incredible Gift. To my amazement, I have seen the Lord work through it wherever I have gone in the world. Fantastic things have been accomplished both here and abroad.
Having said all this, the question may arise: “But what about the Catholic Church?” After all, Martin Luther, under the same Mantle was given the privilege of spearheading such a move of Reformation that began in the Catholic Church and lasted for generations. What was its purpose? The Protestant Reformation acted as a threshing instrument to purge the Church of its corruption but moreover, to bring the willing soul out of that place of death and into the marvelous Light. Reformation gave a rebirth to the True Church, if you will. Revival sprang up all over Europe as a result and the Catholic Church was divested of its captives. All who truly wanted the Light were set free. Many gave their lives in order to run from the darkness and to deliver others from it as well.
After that first GOE, I began asking the Lord to help me understand what it would mean for us to bear this very special mantle. He gave me a vision, well, actually two visions. I saw all the true European Church covered in snow. It was mired deep in mounds of snow that lay everywhere blanketing the entire continent. It was so deep that it seemed there was no hope of life left anywhere. Suddenly a marvelous light began to shine down from heaven upon the snow. The hotter the temperature from the Light became, the more the light pierced the darkness and the snow began to melt. As it melted the Church began to come to life once again. Spring was in the air. Birds began to sing, flowers began to bloom and there was a new song filling the air. The Church was alive! That vision disappeared and the next vision appeared. On the temporal scene I saw important people, even Kings and Queens get saved and the world began to come to the Light of His shining. I saw how once wicked despots became very caring leaders. Tyranny was being broken, albeit not in all! Some from both the Catholic Church and the secular world refused the Light and subsequently stretched forth their wicked hands to persecute the Light.
Nevertheless, God stirred up much good over a period of many generations through the Spirit of Reformation. Witty inventions were created for the benefit of mankind as the Light was enlightening men’s minds. New Nations were born, including America, for the purpose of enlarging the work of Light in the earth. I could go on. I have an article on my website which discusses these things, so I will not further elaborate here. The point I am attempting to make now is that Reformation is much more powerful than Revival. If it is embraced, everything it touches will utterly be transformed for generations to come. When revival is mixed with Reformation, WOW! Well, the result is, as you see, a continent turned upside down.
What if God was going to transform the Catholic Church today, what would He have to do? With what kinds of things would He have to deal? Please let me make a list.
1. Power of God ~ 2 Timothy 3:5
“…having the appearance of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn ... and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance of its power. ... pretending great piety and holiness, being outwardly righteous before men, ...”
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
(Ephesians 2:8-10).
What does this mean? The Catholic people as a whole are taught that they must live by their own works, thereby implying that they have no need for the power of God’s transforming influence. Most are unaware that such a grace even exists. This must change. The Holy Spirit needs the invitation into the lives of all men where He then makes a Home for the Son of Righteousness.
Some Catholic leaders say they no longer believe that men are saved solely by good works but are rather saved by grace, through faith, unto good works. Yet that is not what they teach. Further, all the pillars of the old Catholic doctrine are still ritually observed, as always.
2. Jesus Only ~ Acts 4:11,12
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the Cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”Holy Spirit must be invited in."
The Church must repudiate the worship of Mary. She is not Co-redeemer of the world. Jesus alone has redeemed us by His blood. There is none other!
3. One Mediator ~ 1. Timothy 2:5,6
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. “
We pray to Jesus only, no saints!
4. God alone determines salvation John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
It is not up to man to induct someone into sainthood.
Only the power of God by faith in the Son of God gives someone the right to enter heaven.
5. Jesus only Mediator: see above #3
Jesus is this only One to whom we must confess our sins to gain forgiveness, unless we have wronged someone. Then we must confess our sin to that person. The Bible does not teach that we need to go to a priest to gain forgiveness of our sins.
1 Peter 2:9 “But, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you.”
You are your own personal priest, made so by the blood of Jesus.
6. Catholic Church Government is not Scriptural. MT 23: 9,10
God has not called us to follow a man, but Christ. Christ Himself said, “And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.”
We have one Head, He is Christ! Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” We are not to follow a man as the Catholic Church follows the Pope. The Pope calls Himself the Vicar of Christ. With this title He is taking on the place of Christ on earth. This, of course, is utterly forbidden. Would God, who is the Lord of His Church, call a true Christian into the Catholic Church which is replete with false teaching? Certainly not!
Many other governmental issues in the Catholic Church are also unscriptural. One last thought - when the Catholic Priest gives you the Eucharist he, becomes mediator of the covenant. Again, only One is the Mediator, that is Christ!
7. Church’s Fathers are the Patriarchs
The true Church has never been fathered by the popes of the Catholic Church, as one Tony Palmer professes. We are fathered by only one, Jesus Christ our true Father; He and the Father are one. Therefore, in Him we are born of the Father above, not of a man and not of an organization.
Ephesians 4:4-6
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. “
We all have one Father and that is God, not a man called God on earth, as is the Pope, but God of Heaven.
On earth, the Bible says the Church is founded on the Prophets and Apostles. The Jewish Patriarchs are all prophets. The true Church is not founded on the Catholic Church.
To be continue next week....
In Him,
Nita Johnson
