Page 654 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

VASHTI - VENGEANCE

VASHTI (lovely). The woman who was queen of Vatican II also opened the door for ecumenical overtures
Persia before Esther (Es. 1-2). to the non-Catholic world. While there were many other
VATICAN. The headquarters of the Roman Catholic peripheral changes made, Vatican II reaffirmed in the
Church. “Vatican” is from the Latin word vaticanus, plainest possible language the dogmas of Roman
signifying one of the seven hills of ancient Rome, on the Catholicism. The heart of this apostate religious system
west bank of the Tiber River (Webster’s Unabridged). The —the papacy, the priesthood, and the sacraments—
Vatican refers both to the papal palace and the papal remain unchanged. [See Roman Catholic Church.]
government. Consider the following description of the VAUNT. To boast; to brag; to make a vain display
Vatican state which exchanges ambassadors with most (Jud. 7:2; 1 Co. 13:4). [See Pride.]
of the nations of the world and wields tremendous VEGETARIAN. It is probable that men were
power over presidents and kings. vegetarians prior to the Flood (Ge. 1:29; 2:9). After the
“The Vatican cannot sign the United Nations Flood God instructed Noah and his family that they
Declaration on Human Rights because within its could eat meat (Ge. 9:3-4). Abraham served meat to the
boundaries there is no freedom of religion. The pope’s Lord and the angels (Ge. 18:5-8). The patriarchs ate
area of temporal domain is no larger than 109 acres, meat (Ge. 25:27, 28; 27:1-4, 17, 19, 31, 33). The Jews
with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants. It has a full civil ate meat (Ex. 12:8-9; Le. 7:6, 15; 10:14; 11:1-3, 9-10,
government with a flag, a police force, courts and 21-22). The Lord Jesus Christ ate meat; He ate the
postage stamps. It even issues currency in the form of
gold and silver with the effigy of the pope. Passover lamb (Mt. 26:17-19), and He ate fish (Lk.
“It has a very large and active diplomatic corp, the 24:41-43). The apostles warned that false teachers
finest in the world, headed by a secretary of state with would promote dietary restrictions (Ro. 14:15-20; 1 Co.
100 ambassadors called nuncios. These Vatican 8:8-13; Col. 2:16). To forbid eating meat is a doctrine of
ambassadors in most capitals outrank even the devils (1 Ti. 4:1-3). [See Beast.]
representatives of the United States. VEHEMENT. Intense; ardent; powerful (Jon. 4:8; 2
“The pope, however, is not just a temporal ruler in that Co. 7:11).
small area in Rome, he is ruler of an international VEIL. [See Vail.]
power, claiming authority from God, and demanding
adherence from all Catholics in all nations, including VENGEANCE. The terms “revenge” and “vengeance”
the United States. The sovereign power of the pope are translated from the same Hebrew and Greek words.
extends his jurisdiction to 800 million Catholics in They incorporate the following meanings: (1)
every country where there are Catholics. In more than Repayment for ill treatment or injury; punishment for
60 countries the majority of the population is Catholic, wrong doing (De. 32:42; Je. 15:15; Na. 1:2). When
and in half of those, more than 90 percent are used in this sense, the term “vengeance” does not
Catholic. necessarily carry a sense of spite or maliciousness as it
“The pope is considered a supreme ruler because when normally does in modern usage. God avenges sin, not
he is crowned, he is charged as follows: ‘Receive the out of spite or meanness, but because of His holiness
three-fold crown of the Tiara, and know that thou art and justice. The Greek word EKDIKEESIS is translated
the Father of princes and Kings, the Ruler of the round “avenge” (Lk. 18:7; Ac. 7:24), “vengeance” (Lk. 21:22;
earth, and here below the viceroy of Jesus Christ, to Ro. 12:19; 2 Th. 1:8; He. 10:30), “punishment” (1 Pe.
whom be Honor and Glory forever, Amen.’ 2:14), and “revenge” (2 Co. 7:11). The Greek word
“This man crowned ‘ruler of the round earth’ is one of DIKEE is translated “judgment” (Ac. 25:15) and
the few remaining absolute monarchs in the world. He
lives in an atmosphere of continuous adulation. His “vengeance” (Ac. 28:4; 2 Th. 1:9; Jude 7). (2) Justice;
Vatican palace has thousands of rooms. He is too retribution. Vengeance is also used in the sense of legal
exalted to eat a meal with any other human” (Ron punishment of evil by civil and ecclesiastical authorities
Maggard, Behind the Purple Curtain). (Lk. 18:3-5; Ro. 13:4; 2 Co. 7:11; 10:6; 1 Pe. 2:14). (3)
[See also Pope, Roman Catholic Church.] The O.T. “revenger of blood” was a relative or friend
VATICAN II. A Roman Catholic Church council who avenged the death of a loved one (Nu. 35:19-27;
conducted between October 11, 1962, to December 9, De. 19:6,12; Jos. 20:3-9; 2 Sa. 14:5-11). The cities of
1965. It was convened by Pope John XXIII, and after his refuge provided a safe haven for the one who killed
death in June 1963, was completed by Pope Paul VI. without evil intent. [See Cities of Refuge, Kill.] In the
The council was attended by more than 2,400 Roman sense of paying back ill treatment, the Bible says the
Catholic bishops. A number of important changes were Christian is to leave vengeance to God (Ro. 12:19; He.
made in the practice of Catholicism. Before Vatican II, 10:30). [See Anger, Judgment, Pacifism.] (4) The Great
the mass was performed in the Latin language. Vatican Tribulation is called the “days of vengeance” (Lk. 21:22)
II allowed for it to be conducted in the vernacular. because during these days God will pour out His wrath

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