APOSTASY

[herald2]

"And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone...Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similtude of any figure, the likeness of male or female...And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them...Deut 4:12-20.

And yet, that is what the children of Israel did, over and over again - even the priests (2 Ki 23:4-11). Matthew Henry makes a connection between this worship and the worship of Lucifer (Isa 14:12), who said, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God...I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."

God showed Ezekiel, twenty-five women weeping for Tammuz (sun-god) and men in the inner court of the Lord's house, between the porch and the altar, worshipping the sun, towards the east. Ezek 8:13-18.

"Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. Therefore, I will also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them."

The Lord had told them to destroy the graven images (Deut 7:25) and all of their pictures (Num 33:52).

At Babel, the people said that they would build a tower, whose top would reach unto heaven (Gen 11:3,4). "Unto heaven," is a figure of speech as in Deut 1:28. There is enough evidence to show that the tower ("ziggurat") was connected with sun-worship.

The Romans, when conquering, would take the people's gods, thinking to undermine their power. Many graven images were brought back to Rome, and, later, into the church. For example, the statue of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica, was that of Jupiter (sun-god).

The golden child in the Vatican treasury, is reminiscent of the ancient worship of Tammuz. Born on December 25th, he represents the rebirth of the sun. He was called, "Baal-berith," or lord of the fir-tree. The word "yule" is a Babylonian word for infant. Both the Egyptians and Persians celebrated the birthday of their god on December 25th. Other names applied to the sun-god are Mithras, Horus, Isvara, Deoius, Jupiter, Plutus, Ninus, Osiris, Dionysus, Bacchus, Iacchus, Adonis, Attis, etc.

The placing of Mary in a crescent is a remnant of the fertility cults of the ancient mother-goddess, traceable to the Babylonian queen, Semiramis, titled, "Mother of God," or "Queen of Heaven."

The pagans placed a circle or aureole around the heads of their gods, which continued in the art of the Roman church. Even, Buddha, has this circular symbol around his head. The disk was used to represent any being as a god or goddess. Thousands of pictures of Mary and the saints have this same symbolism.

As paganism and Christianity blended, sometimes a saint was given a similar-sounding name as that of a pagan god or goddess. The goddess Victoria was renamed St. Victoire, Cheron as St. Ceranos, Artemis as St. Astemidos, Dionysus as St. Dionysus, etc. The goddess Brighit (the daughter of the sun-god with a child in her arms) was renamed St. Bridget. In pagan days, her chief temple was at Kildare and was served by Vestal Virgins, who tended the sacred fire. Later, her temple became a convent and her Vestals, nuns. Now, it is called, "St. Bridget's fire." Babylon Mystery Religion, by Ralph Woodrow.

Originally, the obelisk was associated with sun-worship, a symbol of "Baal." (which was a title of Nimrod), because it pointed toward heaven. It, also, had a sexual significance - the phallus, as with the sun, is a symbol of life. The same obelisk (the ancient symbol of Osiris, the solar phallic god), that stood in Egypt, is now, in the entrance to St. Peter's.

The largest occult solar wheel on earth is the court of St. Peter's - a wheel within a wheel, with eight spokes, a common symbol of cosmic energy in paganism.

The Pope's mitre (hat) comes from sun-worship, as seen in pictures of Dagon and Oannes, the Babylonian fish-god and Vishnu, Hindu fish-god.

There is so much more...Constantine had a vision of the cross of Mithra and heard a voice, saying, "In this sign, conquer..." Though pagan Rome was corrupt and oppressive, Jesus never rallied an army to overthrow the empire. He taught us that we were to fight a different kind of warfare - spiritual warfare for the souls of men. Constantine, a christian? He had his wife and eldest son murdered. Constantine established the first Sunday law in 321 A.D. He was attempting to unite his empire - the Christians and the pagans. In 364 A.D., at the Council of Laodicea, the Sabbath was, officially, "changed" to Sunday (called, "The Lord's Day," in pagan, sun-worship). The "Little Horn" (Antichrist) who was to arise out of the Roman Empire would "think to change times and law." - Dan 7:25.

Jesus, referred to Himself, as "Lord of the Sabbath," the day He sanctified at Creation, and the day He told us to "remember" in the fourth commandment.

By honoring the day He chose, we demonstrate our allegiance to and honor Him, as Lord and Creator of the heavens and the earth, and most of all, of us.

[Leonard]

OK. We know you can read Hyslop...............

[billie]

I don't know any Christians who really believe December 25th is really Jesus' birthday. Could they be so uneducated about their own faith? Maybe new believers....

[RGR]

And so here goes another Christmas discussion! Oh well, it comes at the right time, lol! By the end of August, I'm usually listening to Christmas music!

[Leonard]

I suggest that before you get yourselves too worked up over such non-essentials, you peruse the classic THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JESUS THE MESSIAH, by Alfred Edersheim. Edersheim actually lays out a pretty good case for a birth date around 25 Dec.

Oddly, I've never seen Constantine listed as the 'first Pope' anywhere..........

[Marnie]

I suggest that before you get yourselves too worked up over such non-essentials, you peruse the classic THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JESUS THE MESSIAH, by Alfred Edersheim. Edersheim actually lays out a pretty good case for a birth date around 25 Dec.

Oddly, I've never seen Constantine listed as the 'first Pope' anywhere..........

I just read it. Excellent book.

[herald2]

Christmas is not the issue...

In 1 Corinthians 1-3 the Apostle Paul rebukes the church for their sectarianism; "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas (Peter); and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions are ye not carnal?"

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion (just like at Babel) and every EVIL work."

Some have estimated that there are over 20,000 distinct churches!

In Revelation, we see, two - In Revelation 17, the "Harlot and her daughters," the Catholic/Protestant denominational system of men that replaces the Word of God with her traditions. In my posts on the Antichrist, I have attempted to demonstrate that this is the system the Antichrist will use.

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

MANY will say to me in that day, Lord,Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ("Christians" do works in His name.) And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (lawlessness)

The flip side is "And hereby we do know that we KNOW HIM, IF we keep his commandments. He that saith, I KNOW HIM. and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth (Jesus, Himself) is not in him." 1 John 2:3,4.

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:4.

The Bride of Christ is mentioned in Revelation 12:17 - "And the dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

And "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

God's people are a commandment-keeping people - ALL ten.

[st. Worm]

Christmas is not the issue...

In 1 Corinthians 1-3 the Apostle Paul rebukes the church for their sectarianism; "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas (Peter); and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions are ye not carnal?"

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion (just like at Babel) and every EVIL work."

Some have estimated that there are over 20,000 distinct churches!

In Revelation, we see, two - In Revelation 17, the "Harlot and her daughters," the Catholic/Protestant denominational system of men that replaces the Word of God with her traditions. In my posts on the Antichrist, I have attempted to demonstrate that this is the system the Antichrist will use.

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

MANY will say to me in that day, Lord,Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ("Christians" do works in His name.) And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (lawlessness)

The flip side is "And hereby we do know that we KNOW HIM, IF we keep his commandments. He that saith, I KNOW HIM. and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth (Jesus, Himself) is not in him." 1 John 2:3,4.

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:4.

The Bride of Christ is mentioned in Revelation 12:17 - "And the dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

And "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

God's people are a commandment-keeping people - ALL ten.

Please tell me which one you have not broken this day.

sw

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Jas

[RGR]

Christmas is not the issue...

In 1 Corinthians 1-3 the Apostle Paul rebukes the church for their sectarianism; "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas (Peter); and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions are ye not carnal?"

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion (just like at Babel) and every EVIL work."

Some have estimated that there are over 20,000 distinct churches!

In Revelation, we see, two - In Revelation 17, the "Harlot and her daughters," the Catholic/Protestant denominational system of men that replaces the Word of God with her traditions. In my posts on the Antichrist, I have attempted to demonstrate that this is the system the Antichrist will use.

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

MANY will say to me in that day, Lord,Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ("Christians" do works in His name.) And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (lawlessness)

The flip side is "And hereby we do know that we KNOW HIM, IF we keep his commandments. He that saith, I KNOW HIM. and keepeth not his commandments is a liar, and the truth (Jesus, Himself) is not in him." 1 John 2:3,4.

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:4.

The Bride of Christ is mentioned in Revelation 12:17 - "And the dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

And "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

God's people are a commandment-keeping people - ALL ten.

Please tell me which one you have not broken this day.

sw