ROME: (New York Times/Special Report) - For many Roman Catholics the year 2000 offers early salvation. Pope John Paul II has announced that throughout the millennium celebration, those who do charitable deeds, or give up cigarettes or alcohol for one day can earn "indulgence" that will eliminate time in purgatory. Indulgences are an ancient form of church-granted amnesty that release penitents from certain forms of punishment. In fact the medieval church sold indulgences, a practice that drove Martin Luther to rebel, finally leading to the Reformation, from which many Protestant churches trace their beginnings. Some liberal Catholics are embarrassed by a practice that seems to offer such a simplistic shortcut to salvation.

In a papal document just released entitled Incarnations Mysterium (The Mystery of Incarnation), John Paul formally proclaimed the year 2000 a Holy Year. The edict will also in many ways serve as a practical guide to spiritual salvation during the millennium period. John Paul decreed that the jubilee would begin on Christmas Day 1999, and end on the Feast of Epiphany January 6, 2001.

The pope says individual sinners will be granted "plenary indulgences," a full pardon for sins as opposed to a shortening of time spent in purgatory. In Catholic theology, souls in purgatory are purifying themselves before entry into heaven.

The pope's decision to expand the use of indulgences during the millennium celebration is not entirely surprising. In 1985 the pope allowed Catholics to receive indulgences via television. But indulgences (which began in early times of the church) have not always been viewed favorably. In the 16th century Pope Julius II offered indulgences in exchange for contributions to the construction of St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Martin Luther protested and was excommunicated in 1521.

Only God can forgive sin! Any religious organization that suggests we can receive a form of forgiveness‚ regardless of what it is called,..is an organization that has: "a form of godliness, but denies the power thereof:...from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:5 paraphrased)

If "wisdom is the principal thing" (Proverbs 4:7), then we might be wise to pay close attention to the words of the Apostle Paul. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).