Why is the Catholic church referred to as "the great and abominable whore"?

Question

I've heard several people refer to it as such. I'm just wondering, has anyone else ever heard that before?

Answer 1

The Beast power of Revelation is described in the books of Daniel and Revelation. It has several identifying characteristics, that, when you put them all together, points to none other than the Catholic Church.

1. It is a political power.
2. It is a religious power.
3. It rules for 1260 years, during which time it controls the kingdoms of Europe.
4. It persecutes the saints.
5. It sits on 7 hills.
6. Its colors are scarlet and purple.
7. It commits blasphemy (claims the place of God and to be able to forgive sins)
8. It is a church that has "daughter" churches (think "Protestant")
9. It suffers a deadly wound in 1798.
10. The deadly wound is healed and it regains power.
11. It changes God's Laws and times.

Some people think this Antichrist power was Nero, but he does not fit these 11 criteria. Only the Catholic Church fits these points.

Answer 2

Honestly, the Church has much, much, much greater concerns right now than what's being said about them. The ecumenical hand has been and will continue to be extended in peace. Mormons may choose to accept it or not. Some people might claim that Mormons rejecting the validity of the Catholic Church effectively negates their own identity as a Christian faith as the Catholic Church is the original from which all other denominations spring. I don't know which is historically accurate, if it's the Catholic or the Orthodox, but the notion putting Joseph Smith first validates a claim to Christianity doesn't quite work for anyone but the Mormons. The fact that this person is referred to or refers to himself as an apostle concerns me - but that's a personal note and not meant to be representative of the Catholic stance on Mormonism. However, he may call me Sister Lola Fancypants Edit: JD: great information, thank you for educating me on that.

Answer 3

GA's have stated in Conference talks that the Catholic Church was the one that Nephi was referring to in 2 Nephi when he gave the "Great and abominable Church, the whore of the Earth" discourse.

Nowadays, most of the leaders of the Church tend to shy away from making such blatantly accusative comments and have reversed directions, even participating in service activities with the Catholic Church.

Answer 4

in order to truly understand this answer u will need to study the BIBLE in detail, because there is alot of information to be understood to get the whole picture. first of all I want to say that the catholic people are not to blame, as it is the religious system that is at fault.. from a spiritual point of view, a woman represents a religious organization (the church) or body of people, See Rev. 12. Revelation 17 describes the great whore that sits on the waters. waters represent people.verse 2 says the kings of the earth have committed fornication, this means they have mixed politics and religion, which did happen centuries ago. the catholic popes were in direct rule of the europeon kings.the kings did as they were told, for the most part. read about the inquisition period. and the scripture says that the inhabitants of the earth have been MADE drunk with the wine of her fornication... this is a key statement. If you blend salvation by works, and salvation by faith, the 2 will not mix.. thus u have 2 concepts that do not belong together. fornication. and if u study the salvation policies of the catholic system, u will find this... confessing ones sins to a man, is not GOD'S will, we should confess our sins to our HIGH PRIEST, JESUS CHRIST.. to stand in HIS place as the saviour and to claim the power to forgive sins, is fornication. to cause the people to live by the doctrines of men, is fornication.JESUS HIMSELF spoke against this concept because the pharisees did this as well. but today, we have a counterfeit religion that attempts to replace JESUS CHRIST as our saviour. that is fornication. that is what a whore does, commit fornication. so we have history that proves BIBLICAL prophecy. and the reason that the separation of church and state was so critical at the writing of our constitution, was because the recent past was fresh on our forefathers minds. so for a precher to say we need religion in politics, and that the Constitution doesn't have a separation policy, is the re enactment of history. the union of church and state or , fornication. and what religion today has political envoys and ambassadors at their doorstep? only 1.....if u would like more info, email me..

Answer 5

It's because of the Book of Revelation. Though somewhat a misnomer when applied to the Catholic Church.
True believers will be lifted off the Earth in the rapture (regardless of their denomination) and what is left of "the church" will be a world-wide religion overseen from the City of Seven Hills. Most Bible Scholars identify the City on Seven Hills as Rome.

Answer 6

I've heard of a church being referred as "the great and abominable whore" but I was never really sure which church it might be.

gw

Answer 7

Its based on a comparison between Revelation 17:9 and the location of Vatican City - Rome, which sits on seven hills or "mountains".

Answer 8

So thats what they are calling Jesus the Head and His beloved body the Church along with our Blessed Mother Mary the Queen of the Church. Nice. may God have mercy on them

Answer 9

Read Rev. 17 and look at the doctrines of the Roman church.

Also read history and see what the Roman church has done to the Christians through the years.

Answer 10

There is a passage in Revelation that speaks of the whore of Babylon and many believe that it refers to the Catholic Church. I personally don't think so, I believe it refers to the one world faith that the antichrist will usher in. I guess we'll just have to wait until the end to see who is correct. Hope this helps.