From time to time here at Answers in Genesis we get inquiries about a telescope called LUCIFER that the Vatican supposedly owns. This story has been circulating around the internet for nearly a decade. It certainly sounds shocking, so its no wonder why people ask us about this. Is there any truth to this rumor?
Vatican Telescope in Arizona? Many people are surprised to learn that the Vatican even has an observatory. The history of the Vatican Observatory goes back two and a half centuries. During its history, there has been some turmoil and several moves to escape the light and other hindrances that large cities, such as Rome, pose to doing astronomy. Therefore, more than a half-century ago the Vatican Observatory established a research group at the Steward Observatory of the University of Arizona in Tucson, while the Vatican Observatorys headquarters remained in Italy.
Vatt it is! Vatican astronomers used some of the facilities of Steward Observatory, but in 1993 the 1.8-meter Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT) opened on Mount Graham in southeast Arizona. The same year, Steward Observatorys Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope (SMT) also opened on Mount Graham. A little more than a decade later, the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) opened on Mount Graham. With twin 8.4-meter mirrors, the LBT is one of the largest optical telescopes in the world. The LBT is owned and operated by a consortium of institutions in the United States and from around the world.1 Collectively, the three facilities atop Mount Graham, VATT, SMT, and LBT, comprise the Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO).
Whats in a Name? Astronomers mount various instruments on telescopes for research. They usually come up with catchy, and often humorous, names for these instruments. For instance, 35 years ago I used an infrared photometer on a telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona. Since warm objects emit infrared radiation, it is important to cool infrared detectors, or else the signal you are trying to measure will be swamped with noise. The system I used cooled the detector to a very low temperature with a special refrigerator unit using liquid helium. Some cooling systems vent off gas, but this one didnt. Therefore, they called this the Closed Circuit Cooling Photometer (CCCP). This title was descriptive, though it wasnt very interesting. Or was it? This was during the Cold War, and many people knew that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in Russian and in the Cyrillic alphabet was CCCP. Therefore, most people on the mountain jokingly called this the peoples photometer.
Sinister Sense of Humor While this cute moniker wasnt official, others have been. An example is a very complex, useful instrument designed for the LBT. At its inception, the system was called Large Binocular Telescope Near-infrared Spectroscopic Utility with Camera and Integral Field Unit for Extragalactic Research (LUCIFER). The full title was descriptive of what the instrument was to do, but it was a mouthful. And notice that they had to play games with the acronym to get it to spell out anything memorable. Im sure that the astronomers who came up with this one were amused.
#1: Deckard To: A K A Stone (#0)
Yes.
Okay, in Arizona, this is where the Vatican advanced technology telescope is. Its outside of Tucson. This came from a project by the University of Arizona where they have a conglomerate of Vatican various United States Universities like Notre Dame and the University of Arizona. And then we have a whole cadre of Germans the Max Planck Institute the institute in Heidelberg. So these people have all come together to build this observatory complex. Now the first telescope to appear up on Mt. Gram was the Vatican Advanced Technology telescope.
Now the Lucifer device is actually an infrared camera thats attached to the large binocular telescope which is just a few hundred yards from the Vaticans facility. Now this is the most powerful telescope in the world. I mean they actually say that it gets clearer images than the Hubble Space telescope. Thats because the University of Arizona pioneered a new mirror technology and the size of the mirror is really the function of the power in telescopes.
Now the Lucifer device like I said is an infrared camera and its really useful in looking for exo-planets; planets with earth-like conditions where they think that they might find extraterrestrial life. Now why did they name it Lucifer is beyond me, it really looks like they went to extravagant lengths to kind of force it to be you know the diabolical name of Lucifer.
I mean its an acronym it stands for Large Binocular Telescope Near Infrared Spectroscopic Utility with Camera and Integral Field Unit for Extra Galactic Research. Now thats quite a stretch. You know there was a reporter that called them and first they denied that it was associated with the devil. I mean the name Lucifer is drawn from Isaiah 14 where that famous passages where it seems to talk about the fall of the arch angel who tries to exalt himself above God. Now you know the Germans they first say Well, thats really about the king of Babylon its not really about the devil so were not naming that after the devil. Then they contradicted themselves in a very next sentence they said that Theres a German politician whose name is Teufel and thats actually the German word for devil and he was instrumental in getting the funding for them to build this thing so they wanted to honor him by naming it after his last name which is the German word for devil.
Sid: Now why should we be concerned about this project?
Cris: You know it begs the question What is the Vatican doing with an observatory thats looking for exo-planets, why is the Vatican involved in astrobiology? They had an astrobiology conference in Rome in 2009 and invited the top secular scientists in the world. Were talking about atheists, and you know evolutionists and evolutionists who really believe that life is just an accident that happens by chance. And because theres so many other planets out in the universe its just the law of averages mean itll happen somewhere else as well. And the Vatican is intimately wrapped up in this.
Sid: Okay so if they believe that life happened by chance then that discounts the validity of the creation story from the Bible.
Cris: Yes it absolutely does and you know I take them to task in the book of Exo-Vaticana especially these Jesuit scientists. You know Sid I dont see any difference in the sort of things that they are saying you know when it comes to Darwinism and these issues of the origin of life and the sorts of things that someone like Richard Dawkins the famous atheist says. They really have adopted this idea that life just evolved you know from pond scum and you know the fact that the earth is not a very special place means that they can just sort of extrapolate that to happen over and over again and out of the universe. So extraterrestrials are really just an unavoidable part of their world view.
Sid: Now paint me a little picture based on your research because this sounds so ominous about the Catholic Church may actually get into extraterrestrial evangelism?
Cris: Yeah you know its so odd that you would think that you know that it was almost a joke but theyre absolutely serious. You know one of the things that I would challenge your listeners to do is to just go to your computer and type extraterrestrial and baptize into a search engine and hit search and see what pops up. And what youre going to discover is thousands of hits of articles mainly interviewing these Vatican astronomers, these Jesuits, who have made all sorts of comments about baptizing extraterrestrials into the Catholic Church. Now all of that started back in 1992, just about a month before the Vatican advanced technology telescope went into operation on top of Mt. Gram. The leader of the Vatican Observatory Research Group the acronym is VORG. George Cornye actually gave a bunch of interviews to the press. At that time he absolutely said that The Vatican was teaming up with NASA to search for extraterrestrials and then baptizing them into the Catholic Church. Now he made these statements and they were reported in mainstream newspapers and articles online and they werent it doesnt seem tongue in cheek at all, in fact it seems very serious.
Sid: Well, where is this leading?
Cris: Well Sid you know we dont believe that what is going on has anything to do with actual extraterrestrials; we dont think that entities that people are coming in contact with are space aliens. We really believe that this is leading to what the Bible says is the strong delusion; we think that these are evil supernatural entities fallen angels that are deceiving the world. I think that you know that the worldview thats associated with evolutionist and Darwinism and its idea that life is nothing special is you know intentionally designed to under mind the Biblical worldview. Its intimately designed to undermine the gospel and I think that whats going on is that strong delusion that we see predicted in Biblical prophecy.
Sid: Now lets go back to what the Bible talks about these Nephilim because thats what youre talking about; tell me about that.
Cris: Well in Genesis 6 it does talk about these entities known as the Nephilim. Now its my belief that that term Nephilim is based on an Aramaic word that means giants. That interpretation is kind of borne out by the Greek translation of the Old Testament that the Septuagint it actually uses the term ugantes. So when you look in you know Numbers chapter 13 it talks about that the Israelites thought that they were grasshoppers in the sight of these huge beings. So it really does seem that these fallen angels are able to manifest bodies and to procreate with human women to create a hybrid offspring that is quite a bit larger than a normal human being. And that really does seem to be the meaning of the text.
Sid: What Biblical evidence is there that the Nephilim will reemerge in the last days?
Cris: I think the principal starting point is Jesus inference that As in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. You know when we think of the days of Noah thats Genesis Chapter 6 and you know thats where this passage about the Nephilim is found. So I dont think its too much of a stretch to associate the days of Noah with these hybrid offspring with the evidence we see coming from the UFO abduction phenomenon it does seem that the same sort of thing is going on today.
Sid: Speak a little bit about your chapter on the return of hybrid humans; what does that mean?
Cris: Well, the Nephilim are described as hybrids between angelic or these sons of god, elohim, which are spiritual beings who also seem to manifest bodies. So the Nephilim are hybrids. Then you know the sort of literature that scholars in the UFO community like David Jacobs who is a PhD historian at Temple University wrote a book called The Threat. Where he absolutely believes that these alien entities are collecting human being a for the purpose of a hybrid program to integrate themselves into our world.
Sid: You know its kind of interesting that Hollywood has a lot of movies about these things and TV that seems to be very popular now.
Cris: Yeah absolutely you know I wrote about what I call The UFO Mythos meaning that there is a mythology that associated with aliens and UFOs thats really predominate in the culture a lot of people
Sid: Woops Im sorry were out of time.
Deckard posted on 2019-03-04 09:11:46 Reply Private Reply
#2: Gatlin To: ALL (#0)
And I quickly think .so what?
Then I realize that it matters to some.
For if you are an extreme conspiracy theorist - as unfortunately a few here are - you hasten to gash and scream out that the name Lucifer is another name for Satan and that the Vatican has a big telescope designed to look for the Devil.
On the other hand, if you are an intelligent person who is well educated to think rationally you are quick to remember that Lucifer in a literary sense is the planet Venus when it rises in the morning.
So, does it matter?
I guess it all boils down to whether you want to believe the Vatican is looking upward into the sky to try and find the Devil .or the Vatican is looking up in the sky to study the planet Venus.
In which school of thought do you rest
Gatlin posted on 2019-03-04 09:38:40 Reply Private Reply
#3: Gatlin To: Deckard (#1)
Gatlin posted on 2019-03-04 09:42:01 Reply Private Reply
#4: Deckard To: Gatlin, A K A Stone (#2)
How Did Lucifer Fall and Become Satan?
I didn't realize that the bible is just a "conspiracy theory manual".
Deckard posted on 2019-03-04 10:00:40 Reply Private Reply
#5: Gatlin To: Deckard, A K A Stone (#4)
I never said the bible was a conspiracy theory manual.
Learn to read.
I said there were two definitions or applications of the term lucifer.
Is that true?
Of course it is.
Check it out:
For your Bible Study Class .you have hereby been awarded a F and ordered to report to remedial classes beginning tomorrow morning.If you feel alone, ask your conspiracy theorists buddies to join you there.
And when will you ever learn not to challenge me?
You are such an ignoramus et ignorabimus.
And oh, Stone: While Deckard for some reason saw the need to ping you - and I of course naturally had to do the same - this decree does not in any way include you. I am only addressing this rabid Ron Paul conspiracy theorist, Deckard, who if Ron Paul were to tell him that shit is chocolate ice cream .the dumb bastard would eat it.
Gatlin posted on 2019-03-04 11:04:29 Reply Private Reply
#6: IbJensen To: A K A Stone (#0)
IbJensen posted on 2019-03-04 11:08:32 Reply Private Reply
#7: A K A Stone To: Gatlin (#5)
I don't think he would. I don't think you think that either.
I disagree with Ron Paul on some issues. He is kooky on some issues.
Nevertheless he is still right on most issues. More than most people.
A K A Stone posted on 2019-03-04 11:14:22 Reply Private Reply
#8: Deckard To: Gatlin (#5)
Seriously?
No thanks, I'll stick with facts from the bible.
And oh, Stone: While Deckard for some reason saw the need to ping you -
He posted the article, it's courteous to ping them.
I am only addressing this rabid Ron Paul conspiracy theorist, Deckard, who if Ron Paul were to tell him that shit is chocolate ice cream .the dumb bastard would eat it.
Looks like you've been taking lessons in boorishness from your mentor, the sociopath who poses as a cop.
Go bother someone else - it's obvious you are trolling for attention.
Deckard posted on 2019-03-04 11:14:50 Reply Private Reply
#9: randge To: Deckard (#4)
The apparent objects of this name in the Old Testament are arrogant human actors who are prophesied to be brought low, like the Price of Tyre or the remnant of the tribes left in Jerusalem. Getting knocked off a high perch is a dominant theme in the OT which I am slogging through. Leave it to the Latins to monumentalize it.
It all doesn't amount to a hill of beans except insofar as it applies to the beliefs of influential modern cults. Fr. Malichi Martin has written extensively on a Vatican cult that venerates Lucifer behind closed doors. We also hear it reputed that Lucifer is an object of devotion of Freemasons. I've heard that alluded to by a modern Mason, and Albert Pike makes mention of it.
A good name for a telescope though. The "light bearer."
randge posted on 2019-03-04 11:37:47 Reply Private Reply
#10: A K A Stone To: randge (#9)
So in your opinion it seems there is no perfect word of God. We have to wing it.
I disagree with that sentiment.
A K A Stone posted on 2019-03-04 11:42:04 Reply Private Reply
#11: Gatlin To: Deckard (#8)
Hey, you stupid Paultard.
YOU pinged me.
I was only RESPONDING.
What is wrong with you?
Geeeze
Gatlin posted on 2019-03-04 12:06:03 Reply Private Reply
#12: Gatlin To: Deckard (#8)
Then you show me EXACTLY where in the bible that the devil is called lucifer.
Please ping me when you find that reference.
Gatlin posted on 2019-03-04 12:11:50 Reply Private Reply
#13: randge To: A K A Stone (#10)
That's a really interesting proposition.
Though it is a different one than I was getting at.
It seems to me that the Latin and perhaps the Greek translators (heosphoros) as well as KJV scholars were intent on mythologizing a term that likely had a more mundane reference.
That's just a guess. I don't read Hebrew. But fabricating myths seems to be an irresistible human habit.
- Your indecent poster. ; )
randge posted on 2019-03-04 12:13:56 Reply Private Reply
#14: Gatlin To: randge (#9)
I could not have stated it any more clearly or made it even more understandable.Thank you, Preacher.
No sarcasm there.
I believe I did read where you said you are a preacher.
Am I correct?
Gatlin posted on 2019-03-04 12:16:10 Reply Private Reply
#15: randge To: Gatlin (#14)
I have always had an interest though in trying to figure out what really happened in the past, in a flesh and blood way, if a body really could "unwind the strings of time."
randge posted on 2019-03-04 12:30:09 Reply Private Reply
#16: Gatlin To: randge (#15)
You should maybe consider becoming one.
I have great respect for preachers, the good, honest and sincere ones.
But I despise the charlatan and fanatical ones.
I wish you well
Gatlin posted on 2019-03-04 12:56:26 Reply Private Reply
#17: Liberator To: Deckard, A K A Stone (#1)
The Vatican IS "The Belly of the Beast." Literally.
Liberator posted on 2019-03-04 13:00:28 Reply Private Reply
#18: randge To: Gatlin (#16)
randge posted on 2019-03-04 13:01:48 Reply Private Reply
#19: Liberator To: Deckard, A K A Stone (#4)
We have to realize that many old-timers are NOT going to be informed. Many are also going to remain ignorant and blind to the spiritual warfare and Luciferian NWO that has shed its mask.
So much is occurring RIGHT NOW. Psychologically it's much "safer" to embrace the fiction and fairy tales and LIES ALL of us have been conditioned to believe.
We are now in the End Days, aka, "As In The Days Of Noah." All events, all the widespread evil that's now unleashed and happening from now on in was prophesied; That knowledge would increase exponentially.
Most people can't handle the many truths that are now being revealed. They need to open their eyes and ears. AND...gird their loins with the Armor of God.
Liberator posted on 2019-03-04 13:09:22 Reply Private Reply
#20: Liberator To: Deckard (#8)
Amen, brutha...
I get the feeling you've been looking into the same stuff I have.
It takes a strong stomach and strong faith to dig deep and withstand an evil that's uncloaked itself and befallen this world, but if we don't expose it, many will fall prey to the lies and deceptions that are increasing by the day.
Liberator posted on 2019-03-04 13:13:02 Reply Private Reply
#21: Liberator To: randge, Deckard, A K A Stone (#9)
Actually...no. It is NOT "superstition."
I realize the interweb and its different sources of info can give conflicting accounts and definitions. I should be noted that as in the case of all good propaganda, many sources are designed to misdirect and confuse AND ridicule.(We see a couple of posters HERE using all three ploys ALL the time.) Someone like Alex Jones whose revelations quickly became 60% "Truth" and 40% misdirection/lies become far more valuable to the Luciferian-Elites than say...CNN, MSNBC or The NY Times.
All this said, few of us are totally immune to the tricks and propaganda of the elites, whose ownership of Gxxgle, YouTxbe, MSM, etal allows them to control, censor, and distort the truth. They use ridicule as a large part of that control -- besides the other usual excuses like, "racist," "homophobic," and "dangerous." The case of Alex Jones' ban from YouTube AND FB has provided Exhibit "A".(What are the Luciferian-Elites afraid of??: THE TRUTH GOING VIRAL.
Fr. Malichi Martin has written extensively on a Vatican cult that venerates Lucifer behind closed doors.
We also hear it reputed that Lucifer is an object of devotion of Freemasons. I've heard that alluded to by a modern Mason, and Albert Pike makes mention of it.
All of the above: ABSOLUTELY 100% TRUE.
Liberator posted on 2019-03-04 13:39:18 Reply Private Reply