upgraded July 31, 2008

"Wherever God erects a house of prayer, 

The Devil always builds a chapel there;

And 'twill be found, upon examination,

The latter has the largest congregation." - Daniel Defoe 1660-1731

autocracy n., pl. cies. 1. government in which one person has unlimited authority; the government of an autocrat.

democracy n., pl. cies. 1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

theocracy n., pl. cies. 1. a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme ruler.

Webster's Dictionary

One of the reasons for the decadence of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion is socialistic humanism. Judeo-Christian Organized Religion has become social organizations guided by man. There is no desire, nor knowledge of a need of Jesus Christ. There is not even a real belief that Jesus Christ exists as the actual authority.

Man has become a God unto himself. Man desires spiritually to place himself on the throne of God and worship himself.  Sinful man also desires other people to worship him. This was Satan's original sinful desire.  Satan wanted to seize God's place.  The Antichrist will want to seize Christ's place.  At the time of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the leaders of Judeo Organized Religion wanted to spiritually seize Christ's place.  Many of the leaders of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion today want to spiritually seize Christ's place.  The desire to be God continues to evidence itself in the heart of sinful man.

Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV) "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Isaiah 14:13-14 (NIV) You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."

John 8:44 (NIV) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The Roman Catholic Church falsely claims that Peter was their first Pope, and that Jesus directed His church to be built on Peter. What a ridiculous assertion!

Matthew 16:15-18 (NIV) "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The Roman Catholic Church IS built on the authority of the Pope and the church leadership.  Even the local churches are named after humans that the Roman Catholic Church has canonized; i.e.  Saint Peter, Saint Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint James, Saint Charles, Saint Elizabeth, etc.   Fortunately, that is not the church that Jesus is building. The "Rock" upon which Jesus stated that He would build His church is the solid foundation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The focus is on Jesus, not Peter or the Pope. The authority figure is Jesus, not the leadership of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion.  The Roman Catholic Church claims that the Pope is in the authority position of Jesus Christ.

Vicar of Christ (1570) : the Roman Catholic Pope - Webster's Dictionary

vicarious 1 a: serving instead of someone or something else b: that has been delegated <-authority> 2: performed or suffered by one person as a substitute for another or to the benefit or advantage of another : substitutionary <a - sacrifice> - Webster's Dictionary

In ancient Rome, the head of the state - Caesar was worshipped as God.  In the Roman Catholic Church, the head of the Church - the Pope - the Vicar of Christ - the substitute for Christ - has taken the place of God.  At the time of ancient Rome, Jesus was crucified, Peter was crucified, most of the disciples were martyred, and the Christians were fed alive to lions.  Who was in power, and who was being persecuted?  Rome was in power, and the Body of Christ was being persecuted.  Have you considered the Inquisition?  Who was in power, and who was being persecuted?  The Roman Catholic Church was in power, and the Body of Christ was being persecuted. 

"It is a heretic that makes the fire, Not she which burns in it" - William Shakespeare 1564-1616

During the Tribulation period, the False Prophet - Jewish Pope will again be leading the Roman Empire in a persecution of the Body of Christ.

Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 (NIV) What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.

The lineage of the Roman Catholic Pope comes from the Roman Emperor Caesar, not from Peter or Jesus Christ.  (The Pope, standing atop his mountain of little boy raping pedophile priests, looks ridiculous in his attempt to claim moral authority. The pedophilia that was so prevalently practiced in the Roman Empire has continued to be practiced in the Roman Catholic Church.  In September, 2006, there were two Roman Catholic Priests who were charged with embezzling 8.6 million dollars from the Roman Catholic Church.  The priests spent the money on gambling, girlfriends, slush funds, jewels etc.  When the news cameras recorded one of the priests going into the courthouse, the priest covered his head and face with his priestly garments, clearly revealing his priestly collar.  How symbolic the picture was.  It was still another occasion of a priest attempting to hide his wickedness behind his priestly garments, and priestly collar.)

"And of all plagues with which mankind are curs'd,

Ecclesiastic tyranny's the worst." - Daniel Defoe 1660-1731

Jesus taught against submission to an autocratic earthly spiritual leader. In a direct violation of the directions given by Jesus Christ, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church teaches to address their leaders as "father." (Review FAQ #5  concerning authority, and particularly concerning the authority of the Body of Christ, and the authority of Organized Religion.)

Matthew 23:1-12 (KJV) Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Mark 12:38 (NIV) As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

The structure that is followed by most of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion with the Pastor as the primary autocratic authority positioned between God and man was passed down from the heresy of the Roman Catholic Church and was patterned after the Levitical Priesthood that was done away with by Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is the only authority in His Body, and will not share His authority with anyone.

Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV) Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for man."

The rest of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion is following the Roman Catholic Church in placing their leaders in the authority position that belongs to Jesus Christ. The leaders of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion have attempted to usurp Jesus' position of authority over the Church and they have made a hell of a mess out of it. No single person or group was to position themselves between the members of the church and Christ Himself in an authority position.

The Pharisees loved to be elevated above the people in order to receive praise and honor from men:

Luke 11:43 (NIV) "Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

John 5:44 (NIV) How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God ?

John 12:42-43 (NIV) Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Jesus cautioned the members of the Body of Christ to beware of those who were attempting to elevate themselves above the members of the Body of Christ.

Luke 20:45-47 (NIV) While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

The modern "teachers of the law" proudly exalt their own personal spiritual knowledge of the law, and their own personal importance. 

"There is not in the universe a more ridiculous, nor a more contemptible animal, than a proud clergyman." - Henry Fielding 1707-1754

No human has much knowledge, but the most knowledgeable of the humans realize how ignorant that they are. 

"The superior man is distressed by his want of ability." - Confucius 551-479 B. C.

The first spark of intelligence in a human is when they begin to realize how little humans know. 

"All we know is still infinitely less than all that still remains unknown." - William Harvey 1578-1657

The very ignorant have so little personal knowledge that they think that they are intelligent.

"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." - William Shakespeare 1564-1616

"The first and wisest of them all professed

To know this only, that he nothing knew." - John Milton 1608-1674

"To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the ignorant." - Bronson Alcott 1799-1888

It is the history of man when in the presence of Almighty God to personally assess himself.  After coming into the presence of Almighty God, that personal assessment is always totally and completely humbling.  A person's humility is in direct proportion to how much of God they were able to see.  Moses is an example of what personal interaction with God will do to a person's estimation of themselves.  When Moses was young, he "was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action."

Acts 7:22 (NIV) Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

In his youth, Moses was proud, brash, and bold, but he was ignorant about God.  When Moses matured, Moses was allowed to talk with God face to face.  After God talked with Moses face to face, Moses gained knowledge of God and consequently because of his knowledge of God, Moses became the most humble man on the face of the earth.

Numbers 12:3 (NIV)  (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

"Knowledge is proud that he has learn'd so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more." - William Cowper 1731-1800

Moses was no longer proud, and in his complete humility, he could no longer even talk. 

Exodus 4:10 (NIV) Moses said to the Lord, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

Moses then recognized that on his own, he was of the dust of the earth.  Moses recognized that on his own, he was not even able to function in the most minor sense.  However, with the help of God, he was able to effect the plagues on Egypt, lead 1.5 million men and their families out of Egypt and lead them in the desert for 40 years, part the Red Sea, bring water from a rock and perform many other miracles.

Job had personal interaction with God.  After that interaction, Job's estimation of himself was also affected.

Job 42:5-6 (NIV)  My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Isaiah saw the Lord.  After Isaiah saw the Lord, Isaiah assessed himself and his people.

Isaiah 6:1-5 (NIV)  In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty."

ANY person who exalts his own knowledge or his own significance does not have much knowledge of and has never been close to God.  If he had much knowledge of or had ever been close to God, by contrast he would recognize and be humiliated by his own complete ignorance and total insignificance!

If you have more faith in your "minister" than in what the literal Word of God says; if you disbelieve the Word of God because of what your "minister" says, you might as well go to Bill Clinton and ask him what the constitution says. I can tell you now that whatever they want it to say is what they will tell you that it says.

"Do not as some ungracious pastors do,

Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,

Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,

Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,

And recks not his own rede." - William Shakespeare 1564-1616

Satan desires to be God and rule through authority. The Antichrist will rule through authority because of his attempts to become God.  Satan's desire for control is not for the love of the creation, but because of his rebellion against the Creator. The control over man that Satan desires is to satisfy Satan's aspirations to be God.

Man is presently experimenting with mind altering drugs and cloning of humans in an effort to control humans. If accomplished, this would rob people of their free will and force people to worship Lucifer in his vicarious attempt at usurpation of Christ's deity.  Many preachers have positioned themselves in the High Priest position of Jesus Christ and have acquired a control lust of their parishioners in lesser and greater degrees. This is the exact same control lust that has infected Lucifer, Jim Jones in Guyana, David Koresh in Waco, "Do" and "Peet" in California, and will infect the Antichrist (King of Syria) and False Prophet (Pope).

Jesus Christ desired to establish His New Testament church by giving five distinctly different types of calls and many varied gifts to the Spirit-of-God-filled believers for the edification of the Body of Christ.  There are five distinct assignments given by Jesus referenced in Ephesians 4:11-16:

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

There are many gifts given to the individual members of the Body of Christ by the Spirit of God when the individual members are filled with the Spirit of God. Every person who is Born of the Spirit of God will receive at least one gift from the Spirit of God for the edification of the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:4-31 (NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Those called were to spend their time in Bible reading, prayer and commune with God in order to prepare and build up the members of the Body of Christ for service:

Acts 6:2 (NIV) So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

Acts 6:4 (NIV) and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

The assigned and anointed are to look to Jesus Christ for direction in their individual assignments.  They are then to serve the Body of Christ in the way that Jesus directs them. All members of the Body of Christ are equal and subservient to each other. All members of the Body of Christ are in authoritative subjection only to Jesus. This church has harmony, as all the believers are one in heart and mind in subjection to Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:1 (NIV) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Acts 4:32 (NIV) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

God has united this church in purpose, focus, and direction. They are pulling together to accomplish God's purpose. Self-will has given way to God's will. Direction comes from Jesus Christ to the Body of Christ through ALL of His assigned and His gifted servants. Acts 6:1-7 is the Biblical basis for the establishment of a church board. They were established as a group of servants to wait on tables.

Acts 6:1-7 (NIV) In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

In another form of misplaced authority, the devil has used the sinful nature of man in order to position the church board of directors in the place of Jesus Christ in giving directions to the members of the church. In this form, a Body Politic, (Webster's Dictionary says: "characterized by shrewdness in managing, contriving, or dealing: sagacious in promoting policy: shrewdly tactful") usually a small nucleus of the church board, dictates to the pastor, the direction for the church. This church is ruled by man; self-will by an elite group. God's will has succumbed to self-will. Politics directs this church. Because politics directs this church, it is doomed to being political. The pandering, pork barrel, manipulative control of people direct this church. "I will help you keep your job with its associated control, if you will help me keep mine." This is required in order to garner enough votes or power, either on the board, or in the church to maintain control. This situation breeds all of the evils associated with politics - in compromise, placating the issues, double talk, hypocrisy and outright lying.

James 3:16 (NIV) For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

This is not a worship organization; this is a political organization, and produces divisions, cliques, and elitism. These cliques can polarize around family lines, tenure, finance, education, or intellect. The pastor of this type church is not a preacher directed by God, he is a politician, a puppet of the people - with his highest goal being to keep all factions assuaged by whatever means necessary so that he can remain employed.

Proverbs 26:28 (NIV) A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Micah 3:11 (NIV) Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us."

Sometimes this puppet-preacher even deludes himself into thinking he is in control, as he is allowed to make minor decisions that the Body Politic deign to allow him to make. If he ever tries to give real direction to this church, he soon realizes that he cannot, and if he continues to press, he will be removed. Usually he is removed in a "behind the back" telephone attack of vague, insignificant, trumped-up pseudo-charges by the "saints" of the church. Some pastors have served for long periods of time at churches because they understand the unwritten rules, and accept them. Satan controls this church. (Revelation 3:14-20)

Most pastors today move from church to church frequently because they are unwilling to risk their personal comfort or "career" in addressing a church problem.

John 10:12-13 (NIV) The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

Zechariah 11:17 (NIV) "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, and his right eye totally blinded!"

Many preachers today parallel the Levite that was used by Micah and the Danites in Judges chapters 17 and 18, in condoning idolatry and whoring themselves to the highest bidder.

In this world, there are predators and prey.  Many preachers, and many churches are predators - wolves in sheep's clothing. 

Matthew 7:15-16 (NIV) "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.

Acts 20:28-31 (NIV) Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.  I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Micah 3:5 (NIV) This is what the Lord says: "As for the prophets who lead my people stray, if one feeds them, they proclaim 'peace'; if he does not, they prepare to wage war against him.

These predators are preying for their personal benefit.  The preying that is being practiced in most of Judeo-Christian Organized Religion is not the prayer directed by Jesus.

Jesus is our High Priest and only authority after the crucifixion. God destroyed the concept of man as a High Priest at the Crucifixion when He tore the curtain in two from top to bottom:

Matthew 27:51 (NIV) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.

Every individual had the opportunity to go into the Holy of Holies and commune personally with God.  The salvation of your individual soul is personally with God through your faith in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:14-5:10 (NIV) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father." 6 And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." 7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 6:19-10:25 (NIV) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. 7:1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people--that is, their brothers--even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. 11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come--one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'" 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. 8:1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. 3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." 6 But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. 7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said : "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." 13 By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. 9:1 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. 6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order. 11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. 10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.'" 8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Jesus stated that He was the Lord and Teacher, and the disciples recognized Him as such:

John 13:12-17 (NIV) When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

After teaching against submission to an autocratic earthly spiritual leader, Jesus did not correct Judas when Judas called Him Rabbi, because Jesus is the Rabbi, Teacher, Master and Lord:

Matthew 26:25 (NIV) Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."

Jesus stated that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him, and that He would be with the members of the Body of Christ always. If Jesus - the authority - is always with the members of the Body of Christ, where is the desire for personal authority over the members by anyone but Jesus coming from? When the Antichrist, and False Prophet (Pope), or anyone else places themselves in a position of authority over the members of the Body of Christ, whose position are they taking?

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Your church is either directed by God, (heaven downward) or it is directed by man. (earth upward)

If you find that this message makes you uncomfortable - Pray.

If you recognize your church as a political organization - Pray for God's direction.

If you recognize yourself as being involved in the Body Politic -