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| ================================== Study on the defense of Shabbat... ================================== {QUESTION}: {Why don't Messianic Jews celebrate sunday, like most Churches do?} {ANSWER}: MT12:8 RABBINIC: The Shabbat has been given for you, you were not given for the Shabbat. -Mekilta on Ex.31:13.; The Shabbat has been placed under you, you have not been placed under its authority. -Yoma 85b. NOTE: Some Christian writers have used this verse in Matthew as part of their examples on how the Shabbat has "been replaced" by sunday. This idea has nothing to do with what Yeshua is saying here however. While the command "remember the Sabbath day" is not specifically re-stated in the New Covenant, a case for its observance can be show in several ways: a. Yeshua's statement... the Shabbat is made for man; should tell us right away that it has been made for mankind, and is a gift from the Creator. b. Yeshua's statement... it is good to do good on the Shabbat; not only testifies of Shabbat's existence, but what is to be our behaviour on the Shabbat... that of doing good. c. Yeshua's statement... whoever shall break one of these least mitzvot/commandments; shows that all commandments of Torah are still in effect, and will be until heaven and earth pass away! d. The statement that the Shabbat is "under the law", is also misleading; - since the Shabbat was given during the creation week, centuries before the Torah was given through Moshe. e. While there are various other verses and understandings to show the continual existence of the Shabbat; there is no statement that "sunday replaces the Shabbat" in Scripture, (The idea is presented by some conjecture on a couple of verses in the N.T., [SEE: Acts 20:7; Rev.1:10; & commentary], but upon close examination are shown to be unfounded). Indeed, there is more to show that Shabbat remains Shabbat, than in any way supports this idea of "Shabbat replacement". This idea of "sunday becoming the Shabbat", needless to say, doesn't show up until many decades after the time of the Book Of Acts, and isn't even practiced by all the "Churches" when it is ordered during the 4th century AD/CE by the 'Catholic Church', as we see from the writings of Eusebius. There are various verses in the New Covenant where the Talmidim/Disciples and Apostles continued to meet on Shabbat. Indeed, the early Church historians note that the Congregations met on Shabbat during the 1st century after Yeshua Messiah's resurrection, and some still were even as late as the 4th century when the leadership passed after the fall of Jerusalem to first Antioch and later Rome. Some in the Church say that the Apostles doing this in the New Covenant was for witnessing purposes only, but Scripture makes it plain that it was Paul's "custom"/[Gr.1486: as he was accustomed, as his manner was...] to do this. AC20:7 In the literal English reading of The Interlinear Bible / Hendrickson; {considered to be very Conservative and one of the best}, we read in: Acts 20:9 And on one of the Shabbats... {on-1722 And-1161 the-3588 one-3391 of-the-3588 Sabbaths-4521} This is the best reading, and the most literal. But it has been translated in the King James reading as: And upon the first (day) of the week... {upon-1722 And-1161 the-3588 first- 3391 (day) of-the-3588 week-4521}. While this reading "can" be supported by the Greek, it is a secondary reading; and although we see from the context of the passage in Acts that it was a havdolah meeting, -{and hence going into the first day of the week, at sundown}, the better translation is still: "And on one of the Shabbats". - {Which would then make the meeting having been begun sometime before sunset on the Shabbat}. *ONE (first) 3391 [Strongs]: mia (mee'-ah) irreg. fem. of 1520; ONE or first. *Shabbats (week) 4521 [Strongs]: Sabbaton (Sab'-bat-on) of Heb. or. [7676]; the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); be extens. a se'nnight, i.e. the intercal between two Sabbaths -[this period being of course a week, but that is only by implication, and this of course is where the KJV translators opted to use a secondary reading of this word, which literal meaning is SHABBAT!] *(day) -implied by the secondary translation of this group of words, but it is not present in the Greek at all. CONCLUSION: While it has been translated with a correct "secondary" meaning: [on the first (day) of the week], the primary meaning is much better. Perhaps the primary meaning was side-stepped since in 1611 the idea of Messianic Jews meeting on the Shabbat - [rather than Sunday] was too much for them to bear; and so... we still see this traditional translation in most of our modern version, {except where a literal Interlinear reading is given, as in Hendrickson's}. NOTE: So... am I going to say those who opt for the SECONDARY translation, rather than the PRIMARY are wrong? - No, as "that" reading is supported also. But, then, am I going to say that they are right? - Also, no, as I believe the PRIMARY reading is most correct of the two. ON THE BIBLICAL FEAST DAYS AND SHABBAT... RE20:4 NOTE: "Papias, a hearer of John, (and) bishop of Hierapolis in Asia, wrote only five books, which he entitled An Exposition of Discourses of the Lord. {...} This (Papias) is said to have promulgated the *Jewish tradition of a Millennium, and he is followed by Irenaeus, Apollinarius and the others, who say that after the resurrection the Lord will reign in the flesh with the saints." - (JEROME de vir. illust. 18.) *NOTE: This view of Papias (the early view) was much later in history denounced by the "Church"; interesting that now though in the 20th century the mainstream position of the Conservative Protestant Believers on the "Millennium" is once again in accord with Papias'. The conditions that will exist during the 1000 year Millennium Kingdom are spoken of in various places throughout Tanakh. One thing that should become evident, is that the incorrect dogma that says: 'the earth will be uninhabited for this 1000 year period', is never once mentioned in any Scripture, in either Tanakh or the New Covenant, that speak clearly and are directly relating to this time [Rev.20:3-4,6, 7-9; etc...] Clearly the Nations are on the earth, and Messiah reigning from Yerushalayim over them. It is believed by many, that as the first-spring Biblical Festivals all related to and were accomplished by Messiah at His first coming, - so too shall it be with His Second Coming. The following were accomplished in Messiah's First Coming (when He appeared as The-Suffering Messiah, somewhat we note in agreement with the Rabbinic idea of Messiah ben-Yosef): 1). Chag HaMatzot/Festival Of Matzah/(Unleaven bread): commonly known by Gentile Churches as 'the Passion Week'. 2). Pesach/Passover: Commonly known to the Gentile Churches as 'Good-Friday'. 3). Omer Raesheet/First Feast Of First Fruits: Commonly known to the Gentile Churches as 'Resurrection Sunday'. 4). Shavuot/Weeks: Commonly known to the Gentile Churches as 'Pentecost', (50 days after the Resurrection). These feasts are observed by the majority of Gentile Churches, but usually on the wrong days due to using a Roman calendar, rather than the Jewish Biblical calendar, to figure them. This came about starting in the 4th century AD/Ce, when the Gentile Churches for the most part rejected their Jewish roots; Jewish Messianic Brethren; and so too Biblical Judaic practice for the most part. [For more on this see the Appendix to part II, in the history section.] And the following are seen as well as being Prophetic, speaking of Yeshua Messiah's Second Coming, when He shall appear as The-Reigning Messiah - Messiah Ben-David: 1). Rosh HaShannah/Festival of New Year [Yom haT'ruah- (Festival of Trumpets)/Yom haZich'ron/(Festival of Remembrance)]: Seen as applying to the time of the "rapture" of the Congregation of Messiah, and the raising of the righteous dead. [See commentary on 1Thes.4:16]. 2). Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement: Seen in its prophetic sense as the time Sha'ul talks about in Rom.11:26, where: "all Israel shall be Saved" - when they all will come to know Yeshua as their Messiah during the Tribulation-(the last half of this time period is called in Daniel: the time of Ya`akov's trouble.) 3). Sukkot/Festival of "Booths/Tabernacles": Seen as the time when Messiah Yeshua Ben David shall reign over the Nations with a rod of iron (Re.2:27, 12:5, 19:15; Ps.2:6-10) and all His sanctified ones with Him (Rev.20:6) for 1000 years. It ends the 7th day on Hoshana Rabba. Hoshana Rabba is considered as an extension of Yom Kippur and the day when the gates of judgement finally close. Therefore the 7th day even though during a joyful feast, is somewhat solemn. (See: 1st Jewish Catalog p.128). This then might remind us (being at the end of Sukkot) of the battle of Gog and Magog in Rev. 20:7-10. After this then, we come to the the 8th day.... 4). Shemini-Atzeret/The Eighth Day (the day after the conclusion of Sukkot): This Festival (like Rosh HaShannah [1Thes.4:16]) was viewed in Rabbinic opinion as somewhat of a "mystery", since no specific reason was given for it's observance (See: 1st Jewish Catalog p.128). I believe though that this day would remind us of the final judgement by the Father of all creation (Rev.20:11-15). 5). Simchat Torah: Is the Judaic practice of rejoicing over the Torah, and beginning anew the reading of the Torah, starting again at Beresheet/Genesis 1:1. In Israel it is celebrated on the same day as Shemini-Atzeret; in the Diaspora the day after. But what I find interesting is that if one takes the understanding of Shemini-Atzeret in # 5 above, and adds to it the fact that the Bible reading starts over again with these words: "In the Beginning God created the Heavens and the earth", - one is left with the interesting conclusion that Simchat-Torah would then be a Festival acknowledging the time of the "re-creation" of the Heavens in the earth (Rev.21:1). This leads us then back full cycle to... full cycle to... ...Shabbat/Sabbath: Our current creation was at first given the Shabbat as we see in Beresheet/Genesis. We are given the understanding that the Shabbat was not to have closed, since in Genesis the day 7th day never closes with an: "evening and a morning the '{...}' day.", (as we can see is stated for the other days.) Therefore I believe that it was to have been an eternal state for the creation to remain in. Likewise, I believe one which will exist forever in the re-creation with the hew heavens and the new earth. [See commentary on 2Pet.3:8] {Sanhedrin 7:3} ----------- COL2:16 [thur v.17]: The First Biblical Festivals were shadows of things 'that came' - in Messiah's first coming: Chag HaMatzot; Pesach; Omer Raesheet; Shavuot (Passion Week; Passover/Good-Friday; Resurrection Sunday; Pentecost); but the Second Biblical Festivals ARE A SHADOW OF THINGS "TO COME": Rosh HaShannah; Yom Kippur; Sukkot (The Rapture; Salvation to all Israel; The Reign Of Messiah Yeshua Ben-David for 1000 years) [See commentary on Rev. 20:4]. Some have tried to use this verse, pointing to Messianic Jewish Believers who remain Torah observant, and saying to them: 'See, those things are worthless, they are only shadows, but the substance is of Christ.' And my response to them? - True they are shadows of Messiah: a shadow OF THINGS TO COME. Shall I now consider the shadow of the substance - Messiah, a worthless thing?, when you and I both celebrate the shadow of things that DID COME to pass in Messiah? -- I think not! Besides, the verse says to let no one judge you, - so don't judge Jewish Believers in their walk with Messiah. ------------- Some in the "church" have attempted to use these verses in Galations as being against Shabbat, however.... GA4:3 And while enslaved under the 'elements-(4747) of the world- -<elemental spirits of the universe-(or)-demons>' we're also 'guarded under Torah' [See v. 23]. This discussion must be taken into consideration with what was just said of the "guarding of the Torah", and this so as not to confuse the 'elements of the world', with the Word of Elohim/God - the Torah. GA4:10 When reading verses 8 & 9 together it is obvious that the 'observance' talked about in verse 10 refers to prior (and continued) pagan practice; rather than anything Judaic in nature. Which of course makes sense since he is addressing Goyim/Gentiles, and so they would not be returning to prior Torah practice; as before they knew Messiah they didn't have the written Torah. [See: Romans 2] So Sha'ul is here addressing yet another problem in Galatia. ----------------------- The following shows the Catholic mindset against Biblical Judaism that led to introduction of non-Biblical practices in the Church, and also specifically address the issue of Shabbat as well in places as noted.... Anti-Judaic {mainly Catholic} writings, 4th Century AD/CE & on... . One finds the same concern at the council of Nicaea [A.D.325], when the issue came up in respect to easter. Eusebius of Caesarea informs us of the emperor Constatine's opinion: "It appears an unworthy thing that in the celebration of this most holy feast we should follow the practice of the Jews, who have impiously defiled their hands with enormous sin, and are, therefore, deservedly afflicted with blindness of soul....Let us have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd." Eusebius, Life of Constantine 3.18-19 [Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, Second Series, 1:524-525]. . See J. Isaac, op.cit.,p.146. Significantly, J. Parkes notices "the strange and tragic fact" that the Judeo-Christian were excommunicated by the Gentile Christians "not for inadequate Christology, but because they still observed 'the law'"[The Foundations of Judaism and Christianity, p.222]. . Thus, among many other church historians, J.A.W. Neander has noted: "It was through opposition to Judaism that the feast of the Sunday was introduced very early in the place of the Shabbat." J.A.W. Neander, Allgemeine Geschichte der Christlichen Religion und Kirche, I,1,p.513. . Constantine's decree is clear:"The Emperor Constantine to A. Helpidius. All Judges, townspeople and all occupations should rest on the most honorable day of the SUN. Farmers indeed should be free and unhindered in their cultivation of the fields, since it frequently occurs that there is no more suitable day for entrusting seed of corn to the furrows and slips of vine to the holes prepared for them, lest haply the favorable moment sent by divine providence be lost." Code of Justinian III.12 [de feriis].3. . The role which the figure of Judas played in the Dreyfus affair is well known. "That Dreyfus is capable of treason," declared Barres. "is something I conclude from his race." In the Civita Cattolica [February 5, 1898], a Jesuit periodical in Rome, one could read: "The Jews were created by a special decree of Providence in order that noble cause might not lack traitors." [Cf. Rabi, Anatomie du Judaisme francais, pp.74,75.]. . As one example, among others, we may cite this letter of the bishop of Agobard - a passage chosen from among the most violent of the epoch: "The men who are subject to the Mosaic Law are accursed and covered with the curse as by a garment, a curse which has soaked like water into their guts and like oil into their bones, cursed in the city and cursed in the field, cursed in their coming in and cursed in their going out. Cursed are the fruit of their body, of their ground, of their flocks, of their cellars, of their granaries, of their storehouses, of their sustenance and the crumbs of their meals!" Letter to the archbishop of Narbonne, between A.D. 826 and 828; cited by J. Regne, "Les Juifs de Narbonne," Revue des Etudes juives, LV [1908], 34. [Cf. L. Poliakov, The History of Anti-Semitism: vol.I: From the Time of Christ to the Court Jews, pp.29-30.]. . In many ways 1096 marked a turning point in Jewish history. The trail of blood and smoldering ruins left behind in the Jewish communities from France to Palestine... From the First Crusade on, anti-Jewish persecutions exercised a dangerously contagious appeal, which in periods of great emotional stress degenerated into a mass psychosis spilling over national boundaries. "Salo W. Baron, A Social and Religious History of the Jews. vol.IV, p.89. . The loan of money...is the real motive for the tolerance of the lord who admitted the Jew, protected him, encouraged him, and then systematically exploited him and pitilessly fleeced him when the occasion presented itself, which was quite frequently." L.Gauthier, "Les juifs dans les deux Bourgognes," in Revue d'Etudes Juives, XLIX [1904],14. . As early as the Fourth Lateran Council it had been "decided that the Jews must distinguish themselves from the Christians by their dress." [Cf. Fourth Lateran Council, canons 67-70, in Mansi 22, pp.1054 ff.]. . Eusebius of Caesarea[ca. 330], bishop contemporaneous with Constantine, says quite explicitly in his commentary on the Psalms, "On that day of light, the first day of the real SUN, when we gather together at intervals of six days...we then accomplish, following spiritual laws, that which had to be accomplished during the Sabbath...all that which had to be accomplished during the Sabbath we have brought over to the Lord's Day, inasmuch as it is the most important, the dominant, the first, and it has more value than the Sabbath." Commentary of the Psalms, on Psalm 91; see W. Rordorf, Sabbat et dimanche, pp.79,81. . Church historians have not failed to take note of this matter: "The Hebrew Sabbath having been abolished by Christians, the Church made a sacred days of Sunday, partly because it was the day of the resurrection,but largely because it was the weekly festival of the sun; for it was definate Christian policy to take over the pagan festivals endeared to the people by tradition, and to give them a Christian significance. But as a solar festival, Sunday was the sacred day of Mithra; and it is interesting to notice that since Mithra was addressed as Dominus, 'Lord,' Sunday must have been 'the Lord's Day' long before Christian times." Arthur Weigall, The Paganism in Our Christianity [New York, 1928], p.145. . Constantine: We desire to have nothing in common with this so hated people, for the Redeemer has marked out another path for us. To this we will keep,and be free from disgraceful association with this people. ...The Apostalic Canons, [4th cent.]: If a clergyman enter into a synagogue of Jews or heretics, [i.e.,Nazarenes/Messianic Jews] to pray, let him be excommunicated. [Cannon 64]. If any bishop, presbyter or deacon, or any one of the list of clergy, keeps fast of festival with the Jews, or receives from them any gift of their feasts, as unleavened bread, or any such things, let him be deposed. If he be a layman, let him be excommunicated. [Ibid 70]. . At Elvira [Elibris] near Granada Spain, nineteen bishops, thirty-six presbyters, and more deacons, met in 324 AD/CE to enact among other matters: Landholders are to be admonished not to suffer the fruits which they receive from God with the giving of thanks, to be blessed by the Jews, lest our benediction be rendered invalid and unprofitable. If anyone shall venture to do so after this interdiction, let him altogether be ejected from the Church. [Ibid 49] If any person, whether clerical or one of the faithful, shall take food with the Jews, he is to abstain from our communion, that he may learn to amend. [Ibid 50]. . Some Proffessions of Faith Required of Jewish Converts.[Quoted from Prkes, The Conflict of the Church and the Synagogue,pp.397-400]: From the Church of Constantinople [Assemani, Cod.Lit.,I,p.105]...As a preliminary to his acceptance as a catechumen, a Jew "Must confess and denounce verbally, the whole of Hebrew people, forthwith declare that with a whole heart and sincere faith he desires to be received among the Christians. Then he must renounce openly in the church all Jewish superstition, the priest saying, and he, or his sponsor if he is a child, replying in these words: I renounce all customs, rites, leagalisms, unleavened breads and sacrifice of lambs of the Hebrew, and all the other feasts of the Hebrew, sacrifices, prayers, aspersions, purifications,sanctifications, and propitations, and fasts and new moons, and Sabbaths, and superstitions, and hymns and chants and observances and synagogues, and the food and drink of the Hebrew; in one word, I renounce absolutely everything Jewish, every law, rite and custom,...But if it be with deceit and hypocrisy, and not with a sincere and perfect faith and a genuine love of Christ, but with pretence to be a Christian that I come, and if afterwards I shall wish to deny and return to Jewish superstition, or shall be found eating with Jews, or feasting with them, or secretly conversing with them and condemning the Christian religion instead of openly confuting them and condemning their vain faith, then let the trembling of Cain and the leprosy of Gehazi cleave to me, as well as the anathema in the world to come, and may my soul be set down with Satan and the devils." . The inflexible perfidy of the Jews comes at length to be subdued by piety and the divine grace. For by inspiration of the Most High God, our most excellent and Christian prince [Chintila], inflamed with ardor for the faith, together with the clergy of his kingdom, has resolved to eradicate to the uttermost their prevarication and superstition, not suffering to the residence of anyone in the land, who is not a Catholic. For which zeal we render thanks...[Sixth Council at Toledo, Cannon 3.]. . First Crusade: knight Godfrey de Bouillon declared that he would avenge the blood of Jesus on that of the Jews. The German & French: "Let us be revenged for our Messiah upon the Jews that are among us, and let us destroy them from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be had no more in rememberance; so shall they change their glory and be like unto us; then we will go to the east."...Bishop Englebert to the massacre of Treves, "Wretches, your sins have come upon you; ye who have blasphemed the Son of God and calumniated his Mother. This is the cause of your present miseries - this, if ye persist in your obduracy will destroy you body and soul forever." . Many of the noblest families were degraded by beholding some one of their members wearing the san-benito, as confessed and pardoned heretics. Though their chief victims were selected from those who were suspected of secret Judaism, yet the slightest taint of Judaism in the blood was sufficient to excite suspicion, and if possible, the vengeance of the Inquisitors.[Milman, Hist.of the Jews,Vol.II, p.399.]. . In some places they were not content with burning the living; their insatiable vengeance warred on the dead. Sepulchres were broken open, and the bodies of suspected Jews, which had wickedly intruded themselves into consecrated ground but had long slumbered in peace, and their souls gone to their account, were torn up and exposed to shame and insult. [Milman, loc.cit. p.389.]. . The entire address, auto-da-fes, 18th century by Archbishop of Cranganor at Lisbon, Sept. 6, 1705, [Mocatta, The Inquisition and Judaism], too long, {and stupid anyway} to post. . "...after the devil you have no more bitter, venomous, violent enemy, that the real Jew," ...[1]Burn their synagogues and schools; what will not burn, bury with earth, that neither stone nor rubbish remain. [2]In like manner, break into and destroy their houses. [3]Take away all their prayer-books and Talmuds, in which are nothing but godlessness, lies, cursing and swearing. [4]Forbid their rabbis to teach on pain of life and limb.[5] Forbid them to travel: as they are neither lords nor officials, nor merchants, they should stay at home. (NOTE:{kind of stupid, he would have had their homes destroyed in point 2!}) [6]Interdict all usury: we are not their subjects, but they ours. [7]In the hands of all young Jews and Jewesses should be placed flails, axes, mattocks, spades, distaffs, spinning-wheels, and let them get their livelihood in the sweat of their brow as should all the children of Adam." [Martin Luther; Von de Juden und ihren Jugen (of the Jews and their lies)]. . "If I find a Jew to baptise, I shall lead him to the Elbe bridge, hang a stone around his neck, and push him into the water, baptising him with the name of Abraham!" [Cited by L. Poliakov, op. cit., I, p.223] . Except for the last two, which are from Martin Luther, the above are but a portion of the various quotes of anti-semitism by the Catholic Church. The Papacy came into being ("Pope" in Latin means "Papa-Father") in 440-461 A.D. Pope Leo I proclaimed himself Lord of the "whole Church," (universal papcy). He said resistance to his authority was a sure way to hell. From 440 A.D. to 1513-1521 A.D., "the Church" was in control when Martin Luther protested against the child Pope Leo the 10th (he was 13 years old). The "Church" had wreaked havoc with Christianity. Under Pope Leo, the Unam Sanctam was reaffirmed. This states that every human being must be subject to the Roman Pontiff for salvation. (Refer to Halley's Bible Handbook, an abbreviated Bible commentary by Henry H. Halley, published by Zondervan, first copyright 1927, 24th edition 1963, page 780). Quoting Halley's Bible further (page 776), "Innocent III (1198-1216) the most powerful of all Popes, claimed to be "Vicar of Christ," "Vicar of God," "Supreme sovereign over the Church and the world." Claimed the right to depose kings and princes; and that "all things on earth and in heaven and in hell are subject to the vicar of Christ" "He brought the church into supreme control of the state. The Kings of Germany, France, England and practically all the Monarchs of Europe obeyed his will. He even brought the Byzantine Empire under his control. Never in history had any one man exerted more power. "He ordered two crusades, decreed transubstantiation, confirmed suricular confession, declared that Peter's successor "can never in any way depart from the Catholic faith," Papal infallibility. He condemned the Magna Carta, forbade the reading of the Bible in vernacular, ordered the extermination of heretics, instituted the Inquisition, ordered the massacre of the Albigenses. More blood was shed under his direction and that of his immediate successors than any other period of Church history, except in the Papacy's effort to crush the reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries. One would think Nero "the Beast" had come to life in the name of the Lamb. The Inquisition, called the "Holy office," was instituted by Pope Innocent III, and perfected under the second following Pope, Gregory IX. Later on the Inquisition was the main agency in the Papacy's effort to crush the Reformation. It is stated that in the 30 years between 1540-1570, no fewer than 900,000 Protestants were put to death in the Pope's War for the extermination of the Waldenses. "Think of Monks and Priests in holy garments, directing, with heartless cruelty and inhuman brutality, the work of torturing and burning alive innocent men and women, and doing it in the name of Christ, by the direct order of the "Vicar of Christ". "The Inquisition was the most infamous and devilish thing in human history. It was devised by Popes, and used by them for 500 years, to maintain their power. Vatican II, D. 28, 59 - "Finally the Immaculate Virgin preserved free from all stain of original sin, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, when her earthly life was over, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, that she might be the more fully conformed to her son, the Lord of Lords and Conqueror of Sin and Death." Vatican II, D. 28, 62 - "Taken up to heaven, she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation." Much of this dogma was established in Rome and founded on the occult and paganism. The religion of the Queen of Heaven was the goddess as described in Jeremiah 7:18-20. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |