HOW DOES SOMEONE GET SAVED DURING THE TRIBULATION?

By Grace Kemp

www.scriptureseries.com

How does someone get saved during the Tribulation? That's a great question.

In the Old Testament, salvation was "of the Jews" (John 4:22).

Anyone who wanted to be saved came through the Jews and their animal sacrifice system. Jews were called a "kingdom of priests" (Ex. 19:6), meaning they were the mediators of salvation on earth.

Following the rapture and during the tribulation, salvation will again be "of the Jews."

Two "witnesses" will descend from heaven (Rev. 11:3) and who likely remain in Jerusalem preaching the "Gospel of the Kingdom," at the altar in front of the newly-built Jewish temple on the temple mount (Rev. 11:1,2)

Their "first fruit" converts will be 144,000 Jewish men.

By the midpoint, 1/3 of all the Jews will accept Christ as their coming King and Messiah (Zech. 13:8,9).

During the second half of the tribulation, the 144,000 converts will travel around the world preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to the Gentiles. Millions will be converted to Christ (Matt. 24:14).

Salvation will consist of rejecting the Beast in Jerusalem who will claim to be God, and believing Christ to be the true and coming King.

If they "endure to the end" (maintain that belief), they will be rescued at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

HOW TO DEAL WITH BIBLE "DISCREPANCIES."

The following seems to be a handy—and solid—rule of thumb.

In interpreting Scriptures, we must follow a strict rule that no part contradicts any other. We must seek to harmonize apparent discrepancies.

A wise rule to follow is to make the obscure fit into the plain, or take the few and fit them into the many.

The reverse of this has produced divisions and many cults.

Here is an example:

1 Corinthians 15:29 speaks of "baptism for the dead." It is used by others to baptize a living person on behalf of the dead. This is interpreting it at face value and ignoring the many verses that teach only living believers should be baptized.

Beware of what man says! Colossians 2:8-10 states, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

"For in him dwelleth all the FULLNESS of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."

RCC: King of the Cults
By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com

Call this outrageous if you like, but I struggle to understand why the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) can be considered a Christian institution, despite its statements, symbols, and size.

That must sound massively bizarre. After all, Roman Catholicism fixes largely on the Lord Jesus Christ, His death, resurrection, and mostly on His atonement.

I am aware that the RCC has a 1,700-year history and boldly claims to be the only true church of Jesus Christ. It claims to have been founded by the Lord Himself who, according to the RCC, crowned the Apostle Peter as His go-to first pope.

Having said that, let me stir the fire by suggesting that the Church of Rome is a false cult of massive proportions. It ranks down there with the Jehovah's Witnesses and The Church of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons).

Like the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons, the RCC solidly fits the true definition of a cult. The commonly held definition of a cult is simply a belief system.

More correctly, a cult is a group led by a dictatorial leader who demands unquestioning adherence to his doctrines, which are generally taken from or based upon the Scripture, but out of context or twisted to fit a styled teaching. A cult also allows for "new revelations of truth."

This is so true of the Roman Catholic Church. The RCC is headed by the Pope who, at times, claims to speak for almighty God. Papal edicts must be obeyed, without question, for its followers to crack Heaven's gate when they die.

RCC leaders say that after Jesus returned to Heaven, the Apostles taught early church doctrines through inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is true.

They say their added doctrines are God-inspired, too. No. Many of the central gospel planks taught in the Bible have been horribly changed by the Church of Rome under what it bills as holy traditions.

Here's what the RCC proclaims about its position on traditions: "And (Holy) Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit."

The RCC, therefore, declares that both Scripture and tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence. Huge error there. The problem with this theology is that many of the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church are blatantly in opposition to what the Bible proclaims.

In the event of a suggested contradiction between tradition and Scripture, which wins? The church's traditions do every time. As one wise old Bible teacher used to put it, "This is playing with fire!"

The Bible insists that a doctrine, to be valid, must conform to the Word of God, and it alone. Isaiah 8:20 in the Old Testament says, "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them." Is that emphatic enough?

This is sadly ironic because the 27 books of the New Testament were approved by the Roman Catholic Church at the Council of Hippo in North Africa in 393 AD after much work in previous councils.

Nowhere in the Bible does it suggest God will ship us more inspired writings. We have the complete WORD OF GOD.

It goes without saying that God rode shotgun over which books would be considered Canon-worthy and which writings would be rejected at Hippo. God is not about confusion. He would not give us a faulty manual.

What does the Bible say about bowing to traditions?

Colossians 2:8 says, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

In other words, if a belief is opposed or not given room for support in the Bible, it must be shunned.

Jesus was no fan of churchy traditions. While on earth, He always dismissed the fake Temple priests and quoted the Old Testament as His source of truth. Here are some other Bible verses which address traditions.

Matthew 15:1-3 states, "Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 'Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat'!"

Jesus replied,"And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition'?"

Matthew 15:6 says, "Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition."

Mark 7:8 says, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

Beliefs and Practices

Let's examine a few Roman Catholic beliefs and practices based on tradition and which fly directly in the face of what Holy Scripture teaches. These teachings are heresies to the max degree.

1. The Bible portrays the blessed mother Mary as the earthly mother of The Lord only, not the "Queen of Heaven" as the Roman Catholic Church proclaims. Mary was not sinless, as Rome insists.

She confesses that she was a sinner—who would need the same salvation cleansing that we all do by the atoning blood of Jesus—when she referred to Jesus, in Luke 1:47, as "God my Savior." A sin-less person would not need a savior.

The Bible does not teach Christians to devote themselves to Mary as the Popes demand, especially these days. Nowhere does it suggest we seek her as our advocate or go-between before God.

To the contrary, the Bible points out in 1 Timothy 2:5 that "There is one God, and one mediator (go-between) also between God and men, Christ Jesus." (See this article for more on Mary.) http://home.cogeco.ca/~wwjs/dts45.html

2. Paying to have a priest pray for the soul of someone who is dead is traditional bunk but is a grand cash cow for the Vatican. Reformer Martin Luther thundered loudly against this practice which is still carried on today. Cha-ching!

2 Corinthians 5:8, which applies to the born-again Christian only, mentions no sin-cleansing Purgatory: "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

3. The Latin language was imposed as the language of prayer and worship in churches by Pope Gregory I, 600 years after Christ. In 1 Corinthians 14:9, God forbids praying and teaching in an unknown tongue.

"Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air."

4. The worship of the cross, images, and relics is given the green light by the RCC. It is severely condemned and called idolatry in the Bible. Exodus 20:4 says, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."

5. Canonization of dead saints was first declared by Pope John XV in 995 AD. The Bible says every believer and follower of Jesus Christ is a saint.

Romans 1:7 says, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 9:32 says, "As Peter travelled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda."

6. The Roman Catholic mass was developed gradually as a sacred sacrifice. Attendance was made obligatory in the 11th century. The Bible teaches that the sacrifice of Christ was offered once and for all, and His death is not to be repeated, but only commemorated in the Lord's Supper.

Hebrews 9:26-28 says, "Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

"Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

7. Is infant baptism, a RCC ceremony where God through a priest is said to wipe away a child's inherited sin, biblical? No. It's a tradition. It is not supported by the Bible. Interestingly, Jesus was baptized at age 30 and He had no sin.

Mark 1:9 says, "And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan."

8. Does regular church attendance, confession of one's sins to a priest, and participation in a mass, put us on the right road to Heaven? No. The Bible teaches that the church is not something we go to.

Rather, the church is the people of God, the worldwide collective of the Body of Christ.

The Bible teaches that we are to call no man on earth "Father," and that the bread and wine services are in "memory of" rather than the RCC mass practice of literally re-sacrificing Jesus and eating His literal flesh and drinking His literal blood.

Jesus said in Luke 22:19, "This is My body which is given to you; do this in memory of Me."

9. Is praying the rosary mentioned in the Bible or was it made up by the RCC? It's made up. As pointed out above, the Bible does not say that Mary whispers messages into the ears of Jesus.

Rosary prayers don't make it to the ceiling. Jesus teaches us that repeating prayers, like the rosary, over and over again is of no value.

Matthew 6:7 says, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: For they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."

10. The RCC teaches that the condition of our soul at the moment of death affects our eternal destiny. This teaching is blind tradition.

Jesus said that those who belong to Him would never be condemned to Hell. John 10:28 states, "I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand."

11. The celibacy of the priesthood was decreed by Pope Hildebrand Gregory VII in 1079. Jesus imposed no such rule, nor did any of the apostles. On the contrary, Peter was a married man, and Paul says that bishops were to have wife and children.

Matthew 8:14-15 says, "When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him."

12. The Inquisition of "heretics" and the slaughter of many was instituted by the Council of Verona in 1184. Jesus never taught the use of force to spread or to protect His gospel.

Matthew 10:14-15 say, "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city."

The following is from two historical accounts of unholy aggression. "In the middle of the fifth century, Pope Leo the Great commended the Emperor for torturing and executing heretics on behalf of the Church.

"Anyone in Villaro who declined to go to a Roman Catholic mass was liable to be crucified upside down, but there was some variation in the manner of killing in other towns.

"Some were maimed and left to die of starvation, some had strips of flesh cut off their bodies until they bled to death, some were stoned, some impaled alive upon stakes or hooks. Some were dragged along the ground until their flesh was scraped away.

"One at least was literally minced. Daniel Rambaut had his toes and fingers cut off in sections: One joint being amputated each day in an attempt to make him recant and accept the Roman faith."

13. Confession of sin to a priest at least once a year was instituted by Pope Innocent III, in the Lateran Council in 1215. The Bible does not say anything about our need to pray to or through a priest or pastor.

We are to confess our sins directly to God. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

14. The Scapular was invented by Simon Stock, an English monk. It is a piece of brown cloth with the picture of Mary, and it is supposed to contain supernatural virtue to protect from all dangers those who wear it on naked skin. Yeah, that flies! This is fetishism.

15. In 1229, reading the Bible was forbidden to laymen and placed in the Index of forbidden books by the Council of Valencia.

Jesus and His disciples said the Scriptures should be read by all. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

16. The Council of Trent, held in the mid 1500s, declared that tradition is of equal authority with the Bible. Tradition is human teachings. The Pharisees believed the same way, and Jesus bitterly condemned them, for by teaching human tradition they nullified the commandments of God.

Mark 7:7-9 says, "They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions."

Colossians 2:8 says, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

Personal Observations:

The majority of murals displayed by the Roman Catholic Church depict the Blessed Mother Mary as the head, mothering the helpless baby Jesus or grieving over the dead Jesus.

Very rarely does one see a rendering of Mary with the grown man, the Lord Jesus Christ. That's backwards.

Protestants, by and large, hold that the Bible is the stated one-and-only Word of God. Most reject man-made traditions. Sadly, many Protestant pastors do not—as the Bible demands—preach a clear salvation message of the atoning blood of Jesus alone. Too many serve up thin soup focused on social betterment.

All this church stuff aside, what does the Bible say we each must do to qualify for Heaven? I think the majority of us will agree that there can only be one truth. God did not create chaos nor many ways to Heaven.

Jesus states flatly in John 14:6: "Jesus saith until him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." It's Jesus' way or the highway.

Salvation is through Him alone. It is not by church affiliation or good works, although church membership and good deeds are noble.

Neither the words "Protestant" nor "Roman Catholic" are mentioned in the Bible. Jesus emphasized, "I am the Way."

Jesus taught that to get into Heaven one must "be saved," "be born again," "receive," "accept," "believe". They all mean the same thing.

Simply put, the Bible says we are all sinners facing an eternity in Hell unless we ask to be saved. How do we get saved? It's quite easy, actually. Jesus made it so simple that even a kid can become a Christian. In a private, honest, one-on-one prayer to God we must:

1. Confess to God that we have sinned.

2. Choose to believe that when Jesus died and rose again He paid for all our sins in full.
If we receive or accept Him and what He did, we will be saved. It's a one-time thing, like taking out citizenship.

We do not gain-lose-gain our salvation. If we honestly believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again for us and we invite Jesus to take command of our life, our salvation is sealed.

What do we pray? Well, something like this:

Dear God: I am a sinner. Others have sinned greater than I have. Nevertheless, I stand before you now as a lost sinner, deserving of Hell. I choose to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who became a man. I choose to believe He allowed Himself to be put to death, arose again on the third day, and is alive today.

The Bible says our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ, and I believe that. Father I want to be cleansed of all my sins right now. I know I am not right with God, and I want to be. I want to go to Heaven when I die. Right now at _______ (date and time), I bow at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, and I am putting all of my sins there. All of them. I ask that the blood of Jesus Christ wash away all my sins—past, present, and future. I am sorry for my sin, and I accept your forgiveness.

Right now I declare that I am a Christian. I ask, Father, that you will make me aware of when I want to sin and give me the courage to say no. I ask, too, that you will help me understand the Bible, and to make the rest of my days on earth count for eternity. I pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, my new Lord and Savior. Amen.

Do Unborn babies and Children Wind Up in Heaven?

By Grace Kemp
gracekemp@aol.com

1. Where in the Bible does it state that all infants go to Heaven? We are given a huge clue and great hope that babies go to Heaven in 2 Samuel 12:21-23. King David losses a child. He is sorrowful and wonders if it is his fault that the baby died. It is not his fault.

Then he realizes that one day he shall see the baby again. He says, "I shall go to him (when God calls the king home to Heaven), but he shall not return to me."…"

Jesus always had a soft spot for children. In Matthew 19:14, He tells His disciples, "Suffer (allow) little children to come unto me for of such is (present tense) the kingdom of heaven." The "children" referred to here are likely those who are physically and spiritually immaturity.

When we compare every occasion in which the Greek word for "children" is used in the New Testament, it suggests immaturity regarding exposure to truth.

2. What is the age of accountabiliity? An age of accountability is not clearly defined in the Bible. None of the arguments are solidly convincing.

- Some Bible teachers suggest that the biblical age of accountability is 20 because that is when Jewish boys were required to fight in war.

- Other Bible scholars say it is age 13 because of Bar-mitzpa: when a Jewish boy is considered an adult and responsible for his moral and religious duties.

- Some believe that age 12 is significance as that is the age when Jesus first taught in the synagogue. There is nothing written about Him in His childhood before this. At age 12 or so, many children are going through struggles of independence and wanting to make their own decisions, independent of their parents.

- Others are emphatic that only God knows, and that each individual is different. They say the reason there is no definitive verse that pins down the exact age of accountability is because the Lord wants us to leave this up to Him. They say God does not want us to fret ourselves into a huge mess.

It seems reasonable to many that the age of accountability is when a child can make a decision based upon their ability to personalize the gospel and respond to it.

In other words, if a child's parents told their toddler to believe in Santa Claus and they believe simply because their parents tell them to despite all the evidence against it, they are likely not yet accountable.

If a child is capable of making a decision based upon their personal analysis of the situation or facts and they are capable of understanding what they personally believe, then they become accountable. Then they may chose to believe or reject it.

3. What verse suggests that aborted or miscarried kids go anywhere? Logic dictates that the created eternal, human spirit is present from conception. We are told in Luke 1:41 of real human life in an unborn baby.

"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit."

It appears there will be many children in Heaven whose parents will be not be aware they had produced. This would be due to early miscarriages.

Conclusion: God is fair and loving. He will bring all those babies into Heaven who were cruelly murdered before they were given a chance to be born into this world.

In His mercy, He will spare the aborted babies the pain of growing up in an ungodly home and allow them to enjoy the riches of Heaven.

SRA and MPD

Things That TRIGGER

By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com


Those who deal with Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) are triggered - which means they switch personalities and are tossed into a flashback - six different ways:

1. Words
2. Smells
3. Sounds
4. Visual images
5. Unwanted touch
6. Taste

It often takes time and much practice to learn them. Take notes.

WORDS

It is wise to presume that most graphic sexual words will trigger a survivor of sexual abuse.

In the same ballpark are words like “babe” and such. Words of that type are used by abusers in their sick efforts to attract, turn-on or “comfort” their targets of sexual hurt.

Whispering to a survivor is often VERY triggery. Survivors have heard lying whispers during abuse.

If an abuse survivor has been through the many hurts of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA), it should be presumed that ALL God words are triggers which will prompt horrific flashbacks.

They can usually deal with the name Jesus, but not the word Christ. I won’t address the reason here.

Avoid using these words. Of course, there are other words.
1. Master
2. Christ
3. Blood
4. Lord
5. Savior
6. Alter, as Satanist's use evil altars, and crosses for their evil sacrificial practices.
7. Crucify
8. Cross
9. Slave
10. Basement
11. Christmas and Christian music

The Lord Jesus Christ can hear the heart, so it’s no big about not using clearly-pronounced words.

When a survivor gets saved and exposes himselve/herself to Christian music and Christian counseling, these triggers will sometimes be lifted, although, usually one at a time. It usually takes much time, focus and prayer.

Words spoken in anger and loud noises like crowds can trigger.

I’ve discovered a safe way around the God-related triggers is to use initials.

I tell SRA survivors that we are saved by the “b of the real L JC.”

The words these initials represent are used in connection with severe hurt (brainwashing) at Covens by Satanists. All Covens have abusive men and woman who claim they are God, Jesus, cops, priests, pastors, teachers, etc. They are, of course, fakes who hurt the held children.

The Satanists twist every sacred word of the true God and the true Lord Jesus Christ. Their gross actions and lies create severe hurt and confusion in the minds of those held.

Do not use striking words that refer to hurting such as:
1. Hit
2. Strike
3. Slap
4. Smack.
5. Hurt, etc.

It is generally okay to refer to these words as “bad things that were said and done to you.”

Many survivors will not watch TV or movies because of horror blood scenes. Trigger words are often used and there may be love, touch scenes.

SMELLS AND SOUNDS

The triggers prompted by smells and sounds are different with each survivor.

I suspect that the smell of aftershave, beer and blood, for example, may be triggers to all survivors..

I was once advised by a survivor never to use the word clock. I didn’t pursue why it was but accepted it.

Another survivor told me she triggers if she hears jangling keys. She said her abusive father always did that when he arrived home.

Anyone who is going to befriend or try to help an abuse survivor must be alert to these below-the-surface triggers and avoid them. Don’t hesitate to ask a survivor what to avoid saying or even talking about.

VISUALS

Survivors may trigger or will certainly turn away from quickly anything that reminds them of their abusers.

That can be anything from a guy – or gal, as women sexually abuse females too – who walks, talks or has certain mannerisms of an abuser from their past.

The sight of a person wearing a seldom seen baseball hat can trigger. A candle or fire can cause an MPD'er to trance which means Demons – if they are linked to the host body - can take control.

TOUCH

It is wise to never touch or hug a survivor without permission. A soft touch to the elbow can be even difficult to take.

TASTE

One survivor told me she wouldn’t eat bacon because her Satanist father forced it down her throat as a child. She says seeing bacon in a store tosses her back into that memory and makes her switch.

She said she also detests miniature hot dogs, but she can eat regular-sized hot dogs. “I don’t know why,” she says. “There must be memory link there that I’m unaware of.”

The taste of blood can be a monstrous trigger.

ONE FINAL THING…

We must keep in mind that survivors of brief or prolonged sexual abuse who have other personalities - or insiders – are not freaks.

Their life is a mountainous journey.

We must talk and walk tenderly.

(You might find this article I wrote of interest.)

The ABCs of SRA and DID
http://www.scribd.com/doc/10125792/The-ABCs-of-SRA-and-DID-PDF-File

Being Happy When We Hurt

A cynic asked an elderly believer who had endured great physical pain for 20 years, "What do you think of your God now?

The godly sufferer replied, "I think of Him more than ever." Sorrow can be the means of bringing us heart-to-heart with God.

When repeated strokes of adversity have robbed us of health, friends, money, and favorable circumstances, God then becomes the only thing in life for us.

We come to love Him for whom He is and not merely for what He has to give.

In those times we cry out with the Psalmist, "Whom do I have in Heaven but You! And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You." (Psalm 73:25)

The path of sorrow leads us to the place where we can say, "My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26).

Then, too, we must remember, on ahead lies Heaven, where "God will wipe away ever tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain." (Revelation 21:4)

Did Jesus have brothers and sisters?

By Wayne Blank

One of the most hotly-debated subjects between Roman Catholics and Protestants is the question of whether Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, had other sons and daughters after the miraculous virgin birth of The Messiah.

Mary would have been approximately in her late teens or early twenties when Jesus was born, so what happened in her family life, if anything, during the next 30 years until Jesus' crucifixion?

What does The Holy Bible actually say about it?

"Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what The Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel," which means, God with us.

"When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of The Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called His name Jesus." (Matthew 1:20-25 RSV)

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.

"And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:4-7 RSV)

"Coming to His own country He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?" [see Miracles Of Jesus Christ]

"Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all His sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?

"And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." And He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief." (Matthew 13:54-58 RSV)

"This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. After this He went down to Capernaum, with His mother and His brothers and His disciples; and there they stayed for a few days." (John 2:11-12 RSV)

"So His brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that Your disciples may see the works You are doing. For no man works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.

"For even His brothers did not believe in Him." (John 7:3-5 RSV) (Note: "brothers" here cannot mean His disciples, or the Twelve, who did believe in Him)

Fact Finder: Keeping in mind that the apostle James (the brother of John) was killed (Acts 12:2) before the New Testament book of James was written, what other prominent and highly regarded James (who after Jesus' resurrection realized that his older brother really was the Savior, and then became a converted believer) is the most likely author? Galatians 1:19, Matthew 13:55, Acts 12:17

Freemasons: Roots and links to the occult

* Masons meet in temples, such as the Scottish Rite Temple. They have an altar and there is a "holy book" on it that, they say, is superior to Christianity.

* Not only is Freemasonry a religion, its highest authorities claim that it is superior to Christianity.

* They say the writings of Masonry's highest authorities clearly show that it is actually antagonistic to Christianity, to the point that Masons are not supposed to mention the name of Jesus in the Lodge.

* The Royal Arch Degree shows that Masons are really Baal worshippers.

We are told that Freemasonry is not Christianity, nor a substitute for it. "It does not meddle with sectarian creeds or doctrines, but teaches fundamental religious truth." (Albert G. Mackey, "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry," page 162)

"Masonry, like all the religions, all the mysteries, hermeticism and alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the adepts and sages, or the elect, and uses false explanations and
misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be misled; to conceal the truth, which it calls light, from them, and to draw them away from it." (Albert Pike, "Morals and Dogma," page 104)


"Drop the theological barnacles [timeless Biblical truths] from the religion of Jesus, as taught by Him, and by the Essenes and Gnostics of the first centuries, and it becomes Masonry, Masonry in its purity, derived as it is from the old Hebrew Kaballa as a part of the great universal religion of the remotest antiquity." (J. D. Buck, "Mystic Masonry," page 119)

By a concerned Christian researcher who prefers to remain anonymous: "On the surface, Freemasonry looks wholesome. There is fellowship, loyalty, and the support of good causes such as burn units in hospitals. The Masonic motto is "Making good men better". Few men understand what they are getting into when they become Masons."

Most Masons join because they trust friends, family members, or church members who invite them. Others join for business connections or political votes. Some men join because of Masonic charities.

Most who join have no idea that, during their initiation, they will be required to make solemn blood oaths.

American Freemasonry includes local Lodges, Scottish Rite Temples, York Rite, and the Shriners. Prince Hall is a Masonic order for black men.

The Eastern Star is an auxiliary organization for wives and adult daughters of Masons. There are also Masonic organizations for children -- DeMolay (for boys), Job's Daughters, and Rainbow Girls.

These are known as "adoptive" masonry, which means that wives, sisters, daughters and sons of Masons are spiritually adopted into the Masonic order. As a result, they are under the spiritual authority of Freemasonry. (William Schnoebelen, Masonry: Beyond the Light, page 104)


MASONS ARE DECEIVED

For the vast majority of Masons, Freemasonry is a lifelong succession of deceptions. Most Lodge leaders do not realize that they are deceiving their members. For the most part, they are simply reciting the same things they have heard and said, over and over, assuming that they are right and good.

However, the Princes and Adepts of Freemasonry deliberately deceive the Masons under them. (See Tom C. McKenney, "Please Tell Me...Questions People Ask About Freemasonry -- and the Answers," pages 123-133.)

Masons take blood oaths, but are told that they are only symbolic. They participate in rituals that they don't understand, assuming that they must be alright because their Masonic friends have done it.

This paper contains quotations which would shock most Masons because they have never read what the highest Masons say about Freemasonry.

Masonry is a system that confuses, deceives and controls men, getting them to do things that they would not do if they understood them.


The highest-level Masons (Princes and Adepts) deliberately deceive the Masons under them. For example, Albert Pike was one of the highest authorities in American Masonry. He was Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry from 1859 to 1891. He was also Grand Commander of the Thirty-Third Degree, as well as a Prince Adept.

His book "Morals and Dogma" is given to men when they reach the 32nd degree. The following quotations from Pike's "Morals and Dogma" show that Masons of the highest level deliberately deceive the Masons below them.

Many of the symbols are displayed there to the initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them; but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them." (Albert Pike, "Morals and Dogma," page 819)


"There must always be a commonplace interpretation for the mass of initiates, of the symbols that are eloquent to the Adepts." (Albert Pike, "Morals and Dogma," page 819) [The "Adept" are Thirty-Third Degree and above.]

Even a Thirty-Second Degree Mason will have limited understanding unless he studies the Secret Doctrine and the writings of the Princes and Adepts of Masonry. It is difficult for a man to turn away from Freemasonry because of the many blood oaths which he has made in order to obtain his degrees.

Furthermore, he has invested a lot of time, effort and money into Masonry, and many of his friendships and business connections are with fellow Masons.


Freemasonry is a religion.

Masons meet in temples, such as the Scottish Rite Temple. They have an altar and there is a "holy book" on it. They have prayers, deacons, and religious titles for their leaders, such as High Priest and Worshipful Master.

They say that they bring men from spiritual darkness to spiritual light. In some Masonic degrees, they even serve communion.

Although Freemasonry is a religion, most Masons deny it. They use double talk and say "We are an order of religious men, but not a religion." Most of them are quite sincere about this. (Tom C. McKenney, "Please Tell Me," pages 81-82)


Most Masons sincerely (but wrongly) believe that Freemasonry is not a religion. How can they be so wrong when they are so sincere? Tom McKenney says, "...they were told upon entering the Lodge that, whatever their religion, Masonry would not conflict with or contradict it.

They believed this because sincere men told them so. Those sincere men who told them so believed it because an earlier generation of sincere men had told them the very same thing.
And so, this deception, which originated as a lie in Masonry's dark beginnings, is perpetuated generation after generation." (Tom C. McKenney, "Please Tell Me," page 82)

MASONRY CLAIMS TO BE SUPERIOR TO CHRISTIANITY

Not only is Freemasonry a religion, its highest authorities claim that it is superior to Christianity. Freemasonry is considered to be the highest and purest form of religion:
"Freemasonry is not Christianity, nor a substitute for it. It does not meddle with sectarian creeds or doctrines, but teaches fundamental religious truth." (Albert G. Mackey, "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry," page 16)

Christianity is even considered to be Freemasonry that has become encrusted with inflexible Biblical doctrines or "theological barnacles". "Drop the theological barnacles from the religion of Jesus, as taught by Him, and by the Essenes and Gnostics of the first centuries, and it becomes Masonry, Masonry in its purity, derived as it is from the old Hebrew Kaballa as a part of the great universal religion of the remotest antiquity." (J. D. Buck, "Mystic Masonry," page 119)

To better understand Mr. Buck's statement, it is necessary to understand what the Kaballa is. (Kaballa can also be spelled Kaballah, Kabala or Cabala.) Webster's dictionary defines it as:

"1. A kind or system of occult theosophy or mystial interpretation of the Scriptures among Jewish rabbis and certain medieval Christians. 2. Secret or esoteric doctrine or science, in general; occultism; mystic art; mystery." ("Webster's Collegiate Dictionary," Fifth Edition, 1947)
The following definitions give clarity to the above definition of the Kaballa:
"Occult. Of, pertaining to, concerned with, or designating alchemy, magic, astrology and other arts and practices involving use of divination, incantation, magical formulae, etc." ("Webster's Collegiate Dictionary," Fifth Edition, 1947)

"Occultism. Occult theory or practice; belief in hidden or mysterious powers and the possibility of human control of them." ("Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Fifth Edition, 1947)
Albert Pike also stresses the fundamental importance of the Kaballa to Freemasonry:

"All truly dogmatic religions have issued from the Kaballah and return to it; everything scientific and grand in the religious dreams of all the Illuminati, Jacob Boeheme, Swedenborg, Saint Martin, and others, is borrowed from the Kabalah; all Masonic associations owe to it their Secrets and their Symbols." (Albert Pike, "Morals and Dogma," page 744)

MASONRY IS ANTI-CHRISTIAN

Considering Freemasonry's roots in the Kaballa, it is not surprising that it opposes Christianity.
The writings of Masonry's highest authorities clearly show that it actually is antagonistic to Christianity, to the point that Masons are not supposed to mention the name of Jesus in the Lodge.

"A Christian Mason is not permitted to introduce his own peculiar opinions with regards to Christ's mediatorial office into the lodge." (Albert G. Mackey, "Lexicon of Freemasonry," page 404)

"Whether you swear or take God's name in vain don't matter so much. Of course the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as you know, don't amount to anything, but Mah-hah-bone--O, horror!

“You must never, on any account, speak that awful name aloud. That would be a most heinous crime--unmasonic--unpardonable." (Edmond Ronayne, "Masonic Handbook," page 184) James Shaw, a former Thirty-Third Degree Mason, was appointed Chaplain in the Scottish Rite. Since at that time he didn't know how to pray, he got a book of John Wesley's prayers and read one, ending "in Christ's name".

For that he was sharply rebuked by his Commander and reported to the Secretary of the Scottish Rite, who told him that he was never to end a prayer "in Jesus' name" or "in Christ's name." (Tom McKenney, "Please Tell Me," page 72)

MASONRY CLAIMS TO PROVIDE SALVATION WITHOUT JESUS

The following quotation shows that Freemasonry promises "assurance of a future life" apart from Jesus. Most people familiar with salvation would take this to be a promise of salvation. However, eternity in hell is a form of "future life." Everybody has a future life. The question is, will they spend it in Heaven or in hell?

"The symbolism of the Master's Degree, as we have it now, is necessarily restricted to the First Temple and to the present life; although it reaches a climax in the assurance of a future life all without the aid of the Bible, God, Jesus Christ or the church." (John A. Hertel Company, "The Masonic Bible,' pages 10-11)

MASONS WORSHIP PAGAN GODS


When Masons first join a lodge, they worship G.A.O.T.U, which they are told is the god of their own religion. When they have progressed, they are told that G.A.O.T.U. stands for the Grand Architect of the Universe. Then they search for the true name of God, which they are told was lost. In the process, they are taught that the God of the Bible is the same as the old pagan gods:

"The masonic doctrine of the unity of God teaches that:

(1) The names of the different nature gods (Brahma, Baal, Om, On, Dagon, Osiris, Allah, Molech, and Shango), along with Jehovah, all denote the generative (reproductive) principle in nature.

(2) All religions are essentially the same in their ideas of the divine.

(3) It is for this express purpose that the simple Mason is instructed to look upon every man's religion as his own." (C. F. McQuaig and James D. Shaw, "The Masonic Report," page 8)
In the Royal Arch Degree (13th degree), the Mason is given a three-syllable name for God. Each syllable stands for a different god.

The first stands for Jehovah, the God of the Bible. The second stands for Baal. The third stands for a Chaldean (Babylonian) god. This name signifies that the God of the Bible and Baal are one and the same, being different facets of the same god. (See page 97 of Martin L. Wagner's "Interpretation of Freemasonry" and pages 8-9 of "The Masonic Report" by C. F. McQuaig and James D. Shaw).


According to the Bible, pagan gods are really demons. The conflict between Elijah and the prophets of Baal demonstrates that Baal worship and worship of the God of the Bible are incompatible. (See 1 Kings, chapter 18) Christians are warned that they cannot worship both the God of the Bible and pagan gods.

I Corinthians 10: 19-21, the Bible states, "What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons."

The Royal Arch Degree shows that Masons are really Baal worshipers. Most Masons do it without realizing it by participating in rituals that they really don't understand. However, a few top-level Masons (those in highest authority) know exactly what they are doing.

In Old Testament times, the Canaanites worshipped Baal by having men have sexual intercourse with temple prostitutes (both male and female, including children), and by burning babies alive.

Other pagan gods were worshipped in similar ways. In some countries, this kind of pagan worship continues to this day. For example, according to eye-witness accounts, children in India are still being drowned in the Ganges River as sacrifices to pagan gods. In this century, Amy Carmichael and her coworkers rescued children from temple prostitution in India.

Most Masons don't understand that they are really worshipping demons when they worship pagan gods. They also have little or no knowledge of the atrocities that men have committed in pagan worship.

MASONIC INITIATION


Before being initiated, candidates for membership do not know that any oath will be involved, much less the bloody nature of the oath. They take the oath a few words at a time, repeating the words as the Worshipful Master says them. Before they start saying the oath, they are assured that nothing they are going to say will in any way conflict with their religion.

At the time that he is led in the oath, the candidate is disoriented, blindfolded, half naked, confused, afraid, and humiliated. He has been stripped of all his clothes and his wedding ring, and has put on something similar to pajamas, with one leg rolled up and the shirt half off his torso.

He has been blindfolded with a hood, and had a rope put around his neck. He has been led around during the initiation ritual like a blind dog on a leash. He has no idea who is watching him or how many men there are. He has been told that he is in darkness and must depend on Masonry to give him light.

After having been pressured into taking an oath that he never expected to take -- and which he only partly understood because he was disoriented and only heard a few words at a time -- the initiate is given a written copy of the oath. He is required to memorize it word for word. This is similar to being pressured into signing a blank check, and later finding out what it is going to cost you.

All of this is a powerful means of subjugation and mind control. It can bind men to the Lodge and its authority both mentally and spiritually. (See Tom C. McKenney, "Please Tell Me," pages 66-69 and 124).

MASONIC OATHS

The first degree, or Entered Apprentice, swears, with his hand on the sacred book of his religion (the Bible, Koran, etc.). His oath states various obligations, and concludes: "I do most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear, without the least equivocation, mental reservation, or self evasion of mind in me whatever; binding myself under no less penalty than to have my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the roots, and my body buried in the rough sands of the sea at low watermark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours; so help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same." (Captain Morgan, "Freemasonry Exposed," pages 21-22.)

Penalties for violating oaths of the next two degrees include having his heart ripped out, and being cut in two and disembowelled. A Christian Mason makes these vows with his hand on the Bible, asking God to keep him steadfast in performing it.

Once a man becomes a Master Mason, he is eligible to join the Scottish Rite or the York Rite. Scottish Rite Masonry has twenty-nine more degrees and York Rite has ten more degrees. Each of these degrees includes initiation, with a blood oath. A Thirty-Second Degree Mason is a man who reached the Third Degree (Master Mason) in his local Lodge, and then went through twenty-nine more degrees in the Scottish Rite.

Thirty-Second Degree Masons are eligible to join the Shriners (an American order of Freemasonry). Initiation into the Shriners includes a taking blood oath and swearing allegiance to Allah. (Allah is not another name for the God of the Bible. It is the name of another god, a pagan god.) (C. F. McQuaig and James D. Shaw, "The Masonic Report," page 72)

Membership in the Thirty-Third Degree is by invitation only. Initiation includes drinking wine out of a human skull and taking a solemn oath that their primary allegiance is to the Thirty-Third Degree Masons. (Jim Shaw and Tom McKenney, "The Deadly Deception," page 104)

MASONIC SECRETS

Masons spend their lives carefully guarding secrets -- initiation rituals, secret words, "obligations" (oaths), "signs" (special body language), and secret distress signals (the Grand Hailing Sign, and the question: "Is there no help for the widow's son?") They take blood oaths, promising to allow themselves to be killed if they betray any of these secrets. However, most of these secrets have been matters of public record for over a century.

In 1826, Captain William Morgan (a Mason of the Royal Arch Degree) renounced Freemasonry. He then wrote "Freemasonry Exposed", a book revealing Masonic oaths and secrets.

He and his publisher were kidnapped by Masons. Captain Morgan was murdered, but his publisher escaped and told people about the murder. As a result of Captain Morgan's Murder, thousands of Masons became disillusioned and renounced Freemasonry.

Some of them testified in court, thus revealing more masonic secrets. These written court records have been available to the public since 1826. (See the section of this paper on
"Masonic Morals" for further information regarding Captain Morgan's murder.)


In 1869, Evangelist Charles Finney (a former Mason) published a book further exposing Freemasonry. In this book (which was published 130 years ago), Rev. Finney discusses eight books that had already been published by former Masons.

One of them was a comprehensive book written by a committee of sixteen former Masons, which gives the signs, tokens, grips, sacred words, passwords, oaths, and hieroglyphics of forty-eight degrees of Freemasonry. It also has diagrams of lodges and drawings representing signs and ceremonies.

Another book covers sixty-two degrees of Freemasonry. In addition to the Blue Lodge degrees (which go through Master Mason) and the Scottish Rite and York Rite degrees, a number of European degrees are also described in these books. (Charles G. Finney, "The Character, Claims and Practical Workings of Freemasonry," pages 174-176) Since then, other former Masons have written books exposing Freemasonry.


In 1988, Jim Shaw (a former Thirty-Third Degree Mason) wrote about his personal experience in "The Deadly Deception," a book which he co-authored with Tom McKenney. This autobiography shows the human, experiential side of Freemasonry through the Thirty-Third Degree, in addition to giving secrets, oaths, and rituals. It shows love for the men, while exposing the system.

In 1991, William Schnoebelen wrote "Masonry: Beyond the Light," which describes his personal experience in an "esoteric" degree which is even higher than the Thirty-Third Degree. (This degree is so secret that most Masons have never heard of it.)

MASONIC MORALS

Master Masons promise not to cheat, defraud, or do violence to a Master Mason. They promise not to commit adultery with the wife of a Master Mason or seduce his sister, daughter, or other female relative. These promises only apply to fellow Master Masons. They do not protect non-Masons, Entered Apprentices, or Fellow Crafts and their families.

Masons are required to tell lies and even perjure themselves to protect other Masons. They are also required to obey even orders which they know to be immoral:

"You must conceal all the crimes of your brother Masons, except murder and treason, and these only at your own option, and should you be summoned as a witness against a brother
Mason be always sure to shield him. Prevaricate [falsify], don't tell the whole truth in his case, keep his secrets, forget the most important points.

It may be perjury to do this, it is true, but you're keeping your obligations, and remember if you live up to your obligation strictly, you'll be free from sin." (Edmond Ronayne, "Masonic Handbook," page 183)

"Right or wrong, his very existence as a Mason hangs upon obedience to the powers immediately set above him. The one unpardonable crime in a Mason is contumacy [insubordination] or disobedience." (Robert Morris, "Webb's Monitor of Freemasonry," page 169)

According to Masonic oaths, Masons are to be killed if they reveal Masonic secrets. In 1826, Captain William Morgan, a high-degree Mason, made masonic secrets public in his book "Freemasonry Exposed." According to the "Masonic Handbook," he was murdered for it.

"When a brother reveals any of our great secrets; whenever, for instance, he tells anything about Boaz, or Tubalcain, or Jachin, or that awful Mah-hah-bone, or even whenever a minister prays in the name of Christ in any of our assemblies, you must always hold yourself in readiness, if called upon, to cut his throat from ear to ear, pull out his tongue by the roots, and bury his body at the bottom of some lake or pond.


“Of course, all this must be done in secret, as it was in the case of that notorious man Morgan, for both law and civilization are opposed to such barbarous crimes, but then, you know you must live up to your obligation, and so long as you have sworn to do it, by being very strict and obedient in the matter, you'll be free from sin." (Edmond Ronayne, "Masonic Handbook," page 74)

The murder of Captain Morgan -- and the kidnapping and attempted murder of his publisher, David Miller -- are described in detail (with extensive quotations from original sources) in the Introduction to the 1998 reprint of "The Character, Claims and Practical Workings of Freemasonry" by Charles G. Finney (pages xxi through xxxviii). (This book was first published in 1869.

In 1998 it was reprinted with a Foreword by Ed Decker and an Introduction and Epilog by John Daniel). Pages 6-10 give the death-bed confession of one of Captain Morgan's murderers.

Masons still murder people. In the Foreword to "The Character, Claims and Practical Workings of Freemasonry," Ed Decker tells how he survived attempted murder by Masons (pages i to iii).

MASONRY'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE MAFIA AND THE KU KLUX KLAN


Giuseppe Mazzini, a Thirty-Third Degree Mason, founded a group of revolutionaries called Young Italy. Their goal was to free Italy from the control of monarchy and the Pope. They succeeded, and Mazzini is honored as a patriot in Italy.

However, in the process, the Mafia was born. The Young Italy revolutionaries needed money, and they: "...supported themselves by robbing banks, looting or burning businesses if protection money was not paid, and kidnapping for ransom.

Throughout Italy the word spread that "Mazzini autorizza furti, incendi e attentati," meaning, 'Mazzini authorizes theft, arson, and kidnapping.' This phrase was shortened to the acronym, M.A.F.I.A. Organized crime was born." (John Daniel, "Scarlet and the Beast," Vol. I., pages 330-331)

Albert Pike was Grand Commander the Thirty-Third Degree, as well as Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was also a Confederate general. Pike was influenced by Mazzini. Both were military men who were good at fomenting rebellion. (William Schnoebelen, "Masonry," pages 191-192.)


When the Confederacy surrendered to the Union forces, Albert Pike was determined to start another Civil War so that South could win. He founded the Ku Klux Klan, which instigated riots throughout the South in an attempt to disrupt reconstruction and incite a second Civil War.

Pike gave Klansman Jesse James the assignment of robbing Northern banks in order to get money to fund this war. It is estimated that Jesse James and other Klansmen buried seven billion dollars in gold all over the western states. ("Scarlet and the Beast," Vol. 3, pages 76-77)
"Pike the old Confederate general, was a wily strategist who knew that if he could leave behind a secret terrorist society in the south to fight against freedom for black people as a rear guard action, the south's defeat might not be in vain." ("Masonry," page 192)

Two books from the turn of the twentieth century document Pike's direct involvement in founding the Klan: "Ku Klux Klan: Its' Origin, Growth and Disbandment" (1905) by J. C. Lester and D. L. Wilson; and "Authentic History: Ku Klux Klan 1865-1877" (1924) by Susan Lawrence Davis." ("Scarlet and the Beast," Vol. 3, page 76)

We should remember that Mazzini and Pike probably saw what they did as doing "whatever it takes" to accomplish goals that were important to them. This is a practical application of the philosophy that "the end justifies the means".

Mazzini successfully used guerilla warfare and civil disruption to instigate a civil war in Italy, in order to win freedom from control by the monarchy and the papacy. Pike attempted to do a similar kind of thing in the South, in order to win freedom from control by the North, but he failed.

MASONRY'S INFLUENCE ON AMERICA


The majority of Supreme Court justices were Masons from 1941 to 1971.
During this time, prayer and Bible reading were prohibited in schools, and pornography was redefined to allow things that had previously been considered indecent.

Sixteen presidents were Masons. Many judges and politicians are Masons. In 1950, one out of every twelve American men was a Mason, but membership has been decreasing since then.

MASONRY'S INFLUENCE ON THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA


According to a tract produced by Concerned Southern Baptists in 1994, twenty-six percent of Southern Baptist men are Masons, and the percentage is even higher among leadership. Masons are also common in other denominations. For example, Dr. C. F. McQuaig, an Assemblies of God pastor, had so many Masons in his congregation that he did extensive research and wrote "The Masonic Report."
FREEMASONRY AND CULTS

Joseph Smith founded the Mormon church, which is also called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Smith and his followers were Masons. Mormon priests go through the rituals of the first three degrees of Masonry.

Mormon sources claim that Masons murdered Joseph Smith. As a result, Mormons aren't allowed to join Masonic lodges, even though their origin is masonic. ("Scarlet and the Beast," Vol. 1, pages 41-42)

Masons founded the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Scientology. Mary Baker Eddie, the founder of Christian Science, was strongly influenced by Freemasonry. Madame Blavatsky, the founder of Theosophy, was a Mason. (Some European lodges have admitted women.) Theosophy is foundational to much of the New Age movement. ("Scarlet and the Beast," Vol. 1, pages 42 and 649-650).

In 1951, a Mason named Gerald B. Gardner introduced Wicca to mainstream society.
Gardner was the first fully public witch of modern times. He made witchcraft more socially acceptable by changing its name to Wicca and calling it an ancient religion.

There is evidence that Gardner's witchcraft texts were his personal creation rather than being documents handed down from ancient tradition. This would make Wicca a modern Masonic invention rather than the resurrection of an ancient pagan religion. (For a discussion of this, see "Goddess Unmasked" by Philip G. Davis, pages 327-343.)

PRIMARY LOYALTY


When Jim Shaw became a Thirty-Third Degree Mason, all of the candidates swore that their allegiance to Freemasonry took priority over all other commitments. Among those present at this initiation were some highly influential men.

"We then swore true allegiance to the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree, above all other allegiances, and swore never to recognize any other brother as being a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry unless he also recognizes the supreme authority of 'this Supreme Council.' . . . There were some extremely prominent men there that day, including a Scandinavian King, two former presidents of the United States, an internationally prominent evangelist, two other internationally prominent clergymen, and a very high official of the federal government, the one who actually presented me with the certificate of the 33rd Degree." (Jim Shaw and Tom McKenney, "The Deadly Deception," pages 104-105)

The initiation consisted of two parts. The first involved things that were acted out. One of the candidates went through that, representing the entire group. The second part of the ritual was taking the oath. All of the men formally made the oath, which was sealed by drinking wine out of a human skull. "One of the Conductors then handed the 'candidate' (the man who represented all of the candidates) a human skull, upside down, with wine in it.


"With all of us candidates repeating after him, he sealed the oath, 'May this wine I now drink become a deadly poison to me, as the Hemlock juice drunk by Socrates, should I ever knowingly or willfully violate the same' (the oath).

"He then drank the wine. A skeleton (one of the brothers dressed like one -- he looked very convincing) then stepped out of the shadows and threw his arms around the 'candidate.' Then he (and we) continued the sealing of the obligation by saying, 'And may these cold arms forever encircle me should I ever knowingly or willfully violate the same.'" (Jim Shaw and Tom McKenney, "The Deadly Deception," pages 104-105)

CAN CHRISTIANS BE MASONS?

Because some Christians are Masons, many people sincerely believe that Freemasonry is compatible with Christianity. Unfortunately, just being sincere does not protect Christian Masons from having their Christian faith and fervor become weakened by Freemasonry.

Christians who become Masons are under two opposing spiritual influences -- Jesus Christ and paganism. The Bible calls this being double minded. The Apostle Paul said: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?

Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God." (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

FREEMASONS CURSE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES

Freemasonry is actually a pagan religion, the worship of pagan gods. It is idolatry. In the Commandment dealing with idolatry, God says: "...you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me." (Exodus 20:5)

BOOKS CITED

Books by Masonic authors are available at lodge libraries and Masonic distributors. Most of them are only sold to Masons. However, they can sometimes be found at used book stores and yard sales. Albert Pike's "Morals and Dogma" is difficult to obtain. All quotations from books by Masonic authors can be found in "The Masonic Report," which is described in the Bibliography.

The books in the Bibliography are all written by Christians. With the exception of Tom McKenney, the authors are former Masons who renounced Freemasonry. The first two books are available at Amazon.com and regular bookstores. Information for ordering the other three books is given in the Bibliography.

BIBLIOGRAPHY


"The Deadly Deception" by Jim Shaw and Tom McKenny (1988, Huntington House, Inc., Lafayette, Louisiana). This book describes Jim Shaw's experience as a Thirty-Third Degree Mason, his discovery of Jesus Christ, and his deliverance from Freemasonry.

"Please Tell Me...Questions People Ask About Freemasonry -- and the Answers," by Tom C. McKenney (1994, Huntington House Publishers, Lafayette, Louisiana).

After Deadly Deception was published, Tom McKenny was invited to answer questions on several hundred talk shows. This book answers the most frequently asked questions about Freemasonry. It is compassionately written and avoids gory details. If you are only going to get one book about Freemasonry, this is a good one to get. It is easy to read, covers the questions that people ask in real life, and doesn't go into a lot of gory details.

"The Masonic Report: New Revised Pastor's Edition" by C. F. McQuaig, with James D. Shaw (1976, Answer Books and Tapes, P.O. Box 1316, Norcross, GA 30091-1316) (Shaw was a former Thirty-Third Degree Mason; McQuaig was a former Thirty-Second Degree Mason.)
This book includes many quotations from high-ranking masonic authorities, books that would be difficult for non-Masons to obtain.

"The Character, Claims and Practical Workings of Freemasonry" by Rev. Charles G. Finney.
This book was first published in 1869. In 1998 it was reprinted with a Foreword by Ed Decker, an Introduction and Epilog by John Daniel, and an Appendix by four pastors. (Jon Kregel Inc. dba JKI Publishing, P.O. Box 131480, Tyler, Texas 75713; Phone: 800-333-5344.)

"Scarlet and the Beast" by John Daniel (2nd edition, 1995) is a comprehensive, three-volume work totalling over 1,400 pages. It is extensively documented. (The first volume contains 84 pages of Notes, a 13-page Bibliography, an Index, and 11 Appendixes.)
This trilogy shows the influence of Freemasonry on world history. It also contains the author's perspective on some end-time prophecies. (Whatever you may think of the author's eschatology, his historical research and documentation are impressive.)

Volume 1 shows Freemasonry's influence on American and world history. Volume 2 studies the occult history of Freemasonry. Volume 3 further elaborates on some topics which were covered in Volume 1, including Freemasonry's influence on international finance, drugs, the American Civil War, and assassinations. Individual volumes and the three-volume set can be ordered from JKI Publishing, P.O. Box 131480, Tyler, Texas 75713 (Phone: 800-333-5344).