Is Mary in Heaven Today?
The Roman Catholic doctrine of the assumption of Mary teaches that she was assumed body and soul into heaven either without dying or shortly after death. The word assumption is taken from a Latin word meaning “to take up.”
The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary began in the Byzantine Empire around the 6th century. The feast honoring Mary grew into a commemoration of Mary’s death and it was called the Feast of Dormition “falling asleep.” As the practice spread to the West, an emphasis was placed on Mary’s resurrection and the glorification of her body as well as her soul. And the name of the feast was thereby changed to the Assumption. It is still observed on August 15, as it was in the Middle Ages. The Assumption of Mary became an official dogma of the Roman Catholic Church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
What Does the Bible Teach About the Assumption of Mary?
The assumption of Mary is not supported by the Bible. While the scriptures teach that God “assumed” Enoch and Elijah into heaven (Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11), there is no biblical support for the Assumption of Mary. There is no mention whatsoever of Mary or her death after Acts chapter 1.
In addition, we know that Jesus asked John to take care of Mary His mother when He was at the cross (John 19:26). And we also know that John was the last disciple to die and that he wrote 4 books in the Bible. But he didn’t mention any thing about Mary nor her death in his writings. If Mary was assumed to heaven, John would have without a doubt mentioned this miraculous fact.
The doctrine of the assumption is not supported by the Bible and the Catholic Church admits that: “the New Testament does not explicitly affirm Mary’s Assumption,” (General Audience, # 3, Pope John Paul II)
The Roman Catholic Church places the Assumption of Mary as an essential basis for why Mary should be venerated, worshiped, adored, and prayed to. And it exalts Mary to the divine state of Christ as equal. But according to the Bible, Jesus is the only Creator (Colossians 1:16), Redeemer (John 3:16), and Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) before God not Mary. The Assumption of Mary is a man-made teaching. Jesus rebuked people for following their own doctrines and He said, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).
For more on the “Assumption of Mary,” check the following link: https://bibleask.org/what-is-the-assumption-of-mary/
For a Bible study on what happens after death, please check the following link:
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
Disclaimer:
The contents of this article and website are not intended to be against any individual. There are many priests and faithful believers in Roman Catholicism who serve God to the best of their knowledge. They are seen by God as His children. Thus, the information contained herein is directed only towards the Roman Catholic religio-political system which has reigned in varying degrees of power for nearly two millennia. This system has established an increasing number of doctrines and statements that directly go against the Bible.
It is our purpose to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, to decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. Therefore, if you find anything here contrary to the Bible, do not accept it. However, if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality and feel that the Holy Spirit is revealing Truth to you, please make all haste to accept it.
