I think you’re overstating the ‘mainstream’ position. A quick look at how non‑Roman Catholics interpret Revelation 12:1-6 shows that the woman is overwhelmingly understood broadly as God’s covenant people, not Mary.

That's completely fine. I do not consider that to be a derogatory term, but rather a positive term based on the definition.

The Scripture is clear about what the Ark was. It was not an object of worship. It was a symbol of God’s presence, the place where God chose to speak, and the covenantal testimony of His relationship with Israel.

God specifically commanded Moses to make cherubim in His tabernacle as a copy of the way it is in heaven (Exodus 25:18-22; Hebrews 8:5; Ezekiel 10; 11; Psalm 99:1; Isaiah 37:16). Similarly to the Tabernacle, David told Solomon he had received plans for the temple from God “by the Spirit” (1 Chronicles 28:12) and “in writing from the LORD’s hand” (1 Chronicles 28:19). As a result, Solomon also carved cherubim in the walls of the first temple and made two cherubim in the Most Holy Place (2 Chronicles 3:7, 10-14). Similarly, God specifically commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8), but this was later destroyed after the people were idolising it (2 Kings 18:4). These objects and images were never intended to be “venerated”, or worshipped; they were made solely in obedience to God’s command for His specific purposes.

Meanwhile, today’s “icons” (or images) and idols are often prayed to, kissed, have incense burnt to them, and are adored. Furthermore, God’s second commandment explicitly forbids making images and idols for the purpose of bowing down to or serving them (Exodus 20:4-5). The Bible forbids making images and idols for worship, as substitutes for God, or as objects of devotion, and the serving of such images, all of which is idolatry. Common practices like praying to dead saints (even though Scripture teaches there is only one mediator, Christ Jesus—1 Timothy 2:5; and that the dead know nothing—Ecclesiastes 9:5), wearing or, for example, carrying or placing in your car or house religious objects such as icons or crosses for protection or special power, using items like rosary beads as prayer aids, or appealing to Mary (who has died) to intercede in place of Jesus, are all violations of God’s word in the Bible, idolatry, and in some cases necromancy.

The cherubim in the tabernacle and temple, and even the bronze serpent, were made by God’s command for specific purposes, not as objects or images of worship. When people later gave a name and burned incense to the bronze serpent, it became idolatrous, and righteous King Hezekiah destroyed it (2 Kings 18:4). This shows that even something God commanded to be made can become an idol if people misuse it.

As for artistic depictions of Jesus, Scripture nowhere commands, commends, or even shows the slightest example of creating images of God or Christ for “veneration”. In fact, it specifically warns against such practices numerous times; see, for example, John 4:23-24; Acts 17:29-31; Habakkuk 2:18-20. Jesus is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), not a painted, carved, or sculpted likeness based on man’s imagination. He is the living God, before all things, and in Him all things are held together (Colossians 1:17). Furthermore, the common portrayal of Jesus with long hair is misleading and dishonouring, as Scripture clearly states that it is a disgrace for a man to have long hair (1 Corinthians 11:14). Jesus, in His heavenly, glorified form, is depicted with hair “like pure wool” in Daniel 7:9 (refer also to Revelation 1:14), not with long, flowing, feminine hair. Furthermore, how can we verify the accuracy of these depictions of His supposed earthly form, and therefore, how can such images avoid violating the command to worship God in spirit and truth (refer to John 4:23-24)?

Therefore, the cherubim and the bronze serpent were obediently made according to God’s command for His purposes, not as objects or images of worship to be bowed down to, prayed to, and served. But making and worshipping images and idols, as is common practice today, is fundamentally different and violates God’s command against idolatry.

The second commandment is two-fold: (1) “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: (2) you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, ...”

My family photos are not a depiction of any sort of deity, nor do I bow down to them or serve them. Meanwhile:

– Pope Francis kisses an idol of "Jesus"

– Pope Francis bows before an idol of "Mary"

– Roman Catholics bowing to idols

“… we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,” (Acts 17:29-30)

The woman spoken of in Revelation 12:1-6 may be symbolic for Israel, with the twelve stars being symbolic for the twelve tribes of Israel. Alternatively (less likely I think), the woman may be the Church, with the twelve stars being symbolic for the twelve apostles.

Now, who is the great prostitute spoken of in Revelation 17? None other than the Roman Catholic Church!

I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don’t receive of her plagues, for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:4-5)

Just like the idols themselves, you have eyes but you can't see! As it is written, everyone who trusts in idols will be like them.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they don’t speak. They have eyes, but they don’t see. They have ears, but they don’t hear. They have noses, but they don’t smell. They have hands, but they don’t feel. They have feet, but they don’t walk, neither do they speak through their throat. Those who make them will be like them; yes, everyone who trusts in them. (Psalms 115:4-8 WEBPB)

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see. They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them. (Psalms 135:15-18 WEBPB)

“You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:3-6 WEBPB)

“What value does the engraved image have, that its maker has engraved it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he who fashions its form trusts in it, to make mute idols? Woe to him who says to the wood, ‘Awake!’ or to the mute stone, ‘Arise!’ Shall this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all within it. But the LORD is in his holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before him!” (Habakkuk 2:18-20 WEBPB)

Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practise such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. (Galatians 5:19-21 WEBPB)

Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom. Some of you were such, but you were washed. You were sanctified. You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 WEBPB)

The rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, didn’t repent of the works of their hands, that they wouldn’t worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood, which can’t see, hear, or walk. They didn’t repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21 WEBPB)

Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:29-31 WEBPB)

But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24 WEBPB)

Yes, religious texts can be used to deceive. A clear example is how many different religions there are, most of which claim to be the exclusive truth. However, there are ways to verify if one is true.

The reliability of Christianity’s claims and trust in the Bible is grounded in four key areas of evidence: manuscript consistency, archaeological findings, fulfilled prophecies, and internal cohesion. Manuscript evidence highlights the unparalleled preservation of biblical texts, with thousands of ancient copies, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, which support the consistency of modern Bibles. Archaeological discoveries, such as the pool of Bethesda, confirm the Bible’s historical accuracy. Somewhere in the order of 2,000 prophecies, including hundreds about Christ Jesus, have been fulfilled with remarkable precision, further supporting the Bible’s divine inspiration. Finally, the internal cohesion of the Bible, despite being written over approximately 1,500 years by some 40 authors, demonstrates its unified and divinely guided message. Together, these pillars offer compelling reasons to trust the Bible as a faithful record of God’s revelation.

And let’s not forget the eyewitness testimony of Jesus’ apostles. They upheld this testimony faithfully, unwavering even in the face of torture and execution.

With regard to evidence of there being a Creator, the evidence is all around you. The invisible attributes of God, namely, His everlasting power and divinity, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. You will have no excuse on the day of judgement (refer Romans 1:18-23). The heavens declare the glory of God. The firmament shows his handiwork. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world (refer Psalm 19:1-6).

My friend, this is THE conspiracy.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his Anointed, saying, “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: “Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.” I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my son. Today I have become your father. Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him. (Psalms 2:1-12)

We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your father.’ (Acts 13:32-33)

You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (Colossians 1:21-23)

See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him just as he is. Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and no sin is in him. Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him and doesn’t know him. Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him, and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother. (1 John 3:1-10)

You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil deeds, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (Colossians 1:21-23)

See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him just as he is. Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and no sin is in him. Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him and doesn’t know him. Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him, and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn’t love his brother. (1 John 3:1-10)

Yes, it is important to have unity. The problem I've seen where I live is that sin is running rampant in the churches. It is not possible to be in unity with those who are in enmity with God. I believe we are living in these days:

Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction. (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

SwampRangers, I respectfully disagree, but I’ll leave it there.

I did not write the Scriptures Bill Curtis. Your issue is not with me but with Christ.

The Ten Commandments (also referred to in Scripture as the Perfect Law of Liberty or Freedom—James 1:25; 2:12) were known and obeyed by God’s faithful people, presumably even before the Law was given at Sinai (refer Genesis 26:5). They were written on tablets of stone by the finger of God on Mount Sinai and are eternal. They continue into the New Covenant and they constitute the basic moral code for humanity (as further explained by Jesus) and are obeyed to demonstrate the believer’s love for God and his fellow man.

The Law of Moses is described as a yoke of slavery and has been “nailed to the stake”, fulfilled in and cancelled by Christ’s sacrifice. In the New Covenant, Christians are commanded to no longer keep this Law.

During the time of the Israelites, the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments were kept inside the Ark of the Covenant, under the mercy seat. In contrast, the Law of Moses was written on parchment (paper) and stored outside the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Lord’s Covenant now rests in His temple in heaven (Revelation 11:19).

Jesus affirmed the enduring nature of God’s Law, declaring that He did not come to abolish it but to fulfil it, and that not even the smallest part of the Law will pass away until heaven and earth pass away (Matthew 5:17-48). Sadly, many who identify as Christians today do not keep the Ten Commandments, especially the second commandment, which forbids idolatry, and the fourth commandment, to remember the seventh day Sabbath, and often teach others to disregard them as well. This is despite Jesus’ warning that those who break even the least of God’s commandments and teach others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19).

I studied this some years ago and put together this table that you may be interested in. It shows how I believe Jesus was crucified on the 4th day of the week and rose again on the seventh day before sunset: https://imgur.com/xuyMrUJ

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40)

"Christmas" and "Easter" are pagan festivals. They are not found in the Bible. The LORD God does not approve of worship in this way. As it is written:

“When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’ You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the LORD hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. (Deuteronomy 12:29-32 ESV)

Thus says the LORD: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.” (Jeremiah 10:2-5 ESV)

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8 ESV)

Remember:

One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36)

Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12)

The return of Christ will be unmistakeable, and not something that could secretly have happened.

But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness, and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus: men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:16-18)

“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ don’t believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. “Behold, I have told you beforehand. “If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ don’t believe it. For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:23-27)

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

This is false doctrine. Where is Christ and His saints reigning over all the earth? Why aren't we visiting Jerusalem every year to keep the feast of booths, and since we aren't, how is it that we still have rain?

It will happen that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of Armies, and to keep the feast of booths. It will be that whoever of all the families of the earth doesn’t go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Armies, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt doesn’t go up and doesn’t come, neither will it rain on them. This will be the plague with which the LORD will strike the nations that don’t go up to keep the feast of booths. This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that don’t go up to keep the feast of booths. (Zechariah 14:16-19)

God wrote the Ten Commandments with His own hand—not Moses, not man, but the LORD God Himself (Exodus 31:18). Why would He suddenly change the seventh day Sabbath to Sunday? Where is the biblical evidence for that? There is none. Jesus affirmed the enduring nature of God’s Law, declaring that He did not come to abolish it but to fulfil it, and that not even the smallest part of the Law will pass away until heaven and earth pass away (Matthew 5:17-48). Instead, we know that pagan Rome, under Constantine, infiltrated Christianity and introduced Sunday observance, merging it with their own sun worship customs.

This isn’t some opinion—it’s a historical fact, and the information is out there for those who are genuinely looking. Yet many who argue for Sunday worship cling to a single moment in the book of Acts (Acts 20:7) where believers gathered on the first day of the week. If we’re being honest with ourselves, that was not a Sabbath gathering but a meeting after the Sabbath, at night (which in biblical timekeeping is part of the first day). They presumably gathered for a farewell meal and to support further evangelism—not to establish a new Sabbath. Furthermore, the book of Acts contains far more references to believers gathering on the Sabbath (refer to Acts 13:14, 42-44; 16:11-15; 17:1-2; 18:4).

Some try to justify the supposed change of the Sabbath to the first day of the week by stating that Jesus rose on that day (likely referring to Mark 16:9). Just because this important event may have occurred on a day other than the Sabbath does not, in any way, shape, or form, justify changing God’s Sabbath commandment. If it was to be changed because of such an event, then God would explicitly state this in scripture. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that Mark 16:9 (as well as verses 10-20) was a later addition, as it is not found in the earliest manuscripts. There is also strong scriptural evidence that Jesus did not rise on the first day of the week, but rather sometime before sundown on the Sabbath, three days and three nights after His death on the 4th day of the week (Matthew 12:40).

Meanwhile, there is abundant scripture proving that the Ten Commandments are still binding, have never changed, and that the Sabbath is still in effect. With remarkable audacity, the Roman Catholic Church admits that they believe they had the authority to change the Sabbath! They don’t even claim it was changed in the Bible—they just assert that they had the right to do it. This is consistent with Daniel’s prophetic vision (refer to Daniel 7:25). Furthermore, they are even so bold as to call it the day of the sun! Refer Catechism of the Catholic Church—II. The Lord’s Day: “We all gather on the day of the sun,”. The same abominations being committed during the time of Israel are being repeated today (Ezekiel 8:15-18), as it is written in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “That which has been is that which shall be, and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun”.

Which commandments should we obey, those of a man or those of God (Acts 5:29)? As Jesus once rebuked the Pharisees and scribes: “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?” “You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.” Just as Isaiah prophesied of the people of Israel before the siege of Jerusalem, so it is today: “This people draws near with their mouth and honours me with their lips, but they have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which has been taught.” “And they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.” (Matthew 15:1-9 and Isaiah 29:13)

No, this is reality, and unless you repent, you too will perish. God has set before you life and death—choose life @SonofaCoalMiner. Repent and believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

They can call the days whatever they like. The seventh day is still the seventh day.

The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were finished. On the seventh day God finished his work which he had done; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done. (Genesis 2:1-3)

You can come up with semantical reasons as to why you might not keep it, but disobedience is still disobedience. God sees the true intentions of your heart.

There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. (Hebrews 4:9-13)

Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him, we ask you not to be quickly shaken in your mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter as if from us, saying that the day of Christ has already come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction. He opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God. Don’t you remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things? Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Because of this, God sends them a powerful delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they all might be judged who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 WEBPB)

Yes, but some have turned it into a pagan sun-worshipping ritual practiced every Sunday, as the Roman Catholic Church has.