EZEKIEL
and YHWH’s
Judgment
for the
Good News
PEOPLE
VOLUME XIV
Christian Religion
EZEKIEL and YHWH’s
Judgment for the
Good News People
Volume XIV--Christian Religion
by
an unworthy servant
And you shall know the truth,
and the truth will make you free.
(John 8:32)
Common Law Copyright, 2003 & 2005 CE, an unworthy servant, Calder, Idaho. The author claims his Right of exclusive ownership and control of this publication, the fruit of his labor, as a matter of Intellectual Property protected by the Laws of YHWH and as guaranteed by the US Constitution for the United States. Permission is granted to quote provided appropriate credit is cited together with the Publisher’s web site name and postal mailing address––WWW.AgeEnd.Com PO Box 473, Calder, ID 83808, USA.
Contents
Volume XIV--Christian Religion
CHAPTER PAGE
- Cover Page 1
- Title Page 2
- Contents 3
- Publisher’s Preface 5
Part OO--Christian Religion
201 Christian Idols and Images I 6
202 Christian Idols and Images II 14
203 Modern Sun Worship Theology I 22
204 Modern Sun Worship Theology II 30
205 Modern Sun Worship Theology III 43
206 Modern Sun Worship Theology IV 54
207 Modern Sun Worship Theology V 67
Part PP--The Essence of Christianity
208 Anti-Torah 79
209 More on Christian Gnosticism 84
210 More Beliefs of the Ancient Sun Cults 88
Part QQ--Christian Words
211 Words of the Christian Church I 95
212 Words of the Christian Church II 109
213 Words of the Christian Church III 119
214 Words of the Christian Church IV 132
Part RR--The Ministry
215 The Scriptural Ministry 146
216 The Christian Ministry 154
SHEERIT YISRAEL
PO Box 473
Calder, Idaho 83808, USA
Publisher’s Preface
Greetings! The following presentation is volume fourteen of a 36-volume production of some 6,000 pages on “Ezekiel and YHWH’s Judgment for the Good News People,” all of which is on the Internet at the www.AgeEnd.com web site.
This overall effort provides an interpretation of the Good News message in the New Testament, its linkage to the book of Ezekiel, and an application of both to the age-end prophecies relating to certain nations and peoples now out in the world. In order for this single volume to be understood and comprehended, it is imperative that the study be read from its beginning--from page one of volume one.
Anyone trying to read this volume or the study’s 6,000 pages at any mid-point will end up in a state of confusion without having read and digested the preceding material. It is crucially important that this work be read in sequence from its beginning--otherwise, the reader will almost certainly end up missing the essence of the message!
The effort was originally set on a Macintosh computer with Microsoft Word 6.0.1. It was set in Helvetica, 12-point type (18 pt on chapter headings); single line spacings; and margins: left 1.2”, right 0.8”, top 0.7”, bottom 0.8” and footer 0.6” (for page numbers).
For further information on obtaining this study in 18 computer floppy disks (IBM-formatted, high density, 2HD, 1.44 MB, 3 1/2 inches); in a single CD-Rom; or in hard copies (when the Internet or a compatible computer is not available); please write the publisher at the above address and send a stamped, self-addressed, long (legal-size), return envelope.
With a CD-Rom or computer floppy disks, the study is readable on Macintosh (systems 5.0 and later) or IBM/compatible (with Microsoft Word-Windows) personal computers. May The Great CREATOR and SOVEREIGN OF THE UNIVERSE bless you as you study His word to learn His will and to obey Him. Shalom (peace) to you and yours!
an unworthy servant, Hanukkah 2003 CE
Chapter 201--Christian Idols and Images I
Christian Problems?
As suggested in the former chapters, certainly some and perhaps even many modern peoples are beginning to understand that there are serious problems in Christendom.
In support of this realization, several important and revealing books have surfaced over the years--like Alexander Hislop's "The Two Babylons," Joseph Zacchello's "Secrets of Romanism," John Foxe's "Book of Martyrs," G. M. Bowers' "Faith and Doctrines of the Early Church," O. C. Lambert’s “Catholicism Against Itself,” C. J. Koster’s “Final Reformation,” Lew White’s “Fossilized Customs,” Dan Israel’s “Christianity Unmasqued” and others.
Christian Idols and Images!
Beyond these classic books, one might also find interesting some penetrating observations by James Hastings, in "The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics," when he said that "no religion can rival Christianity in the multiplicity of its images" (v. VII, p. 111).
Hastings goes on to note that some European churches have up to 4,000 statutes, icons and images and from 3,000 to 5,000 pictures or figures on stained glass.
Probably, Christian Catholic Churches are most noted for their images and idols (in many Catholic Churches, worshippers bow before and pray to these images). But the reader should be cognizant of the fact that many Christian Protestant Churches have eagerly carried this practice forward from Catholicism into their organizations.
Protestants are particularly guilty of adoring and keeping pictures around of a long haired, effeminate Gee-Zeus which are both sickening and contrary to the Word in violation of the second commandment (Ex 20:4-5), Shaul's condemnation of long haired men (I Cor 11:14), and other references to be elaborated upon shortly.
Consequently, the idol problem is widespread throughout Churchianity with very few, if any, exceptions.
While Christendom leads the pack in idols and images, which form the very basis for outright, blatant idolatry in violation of YHWH's law (Ex 20:4-5), Buddhism is second and Hinduism is third, in numbers, as Hastings sees it. Other religions, including some with ancient roots and expressly condemned in the Scriptures, rank on down the line behind the three leaders in regards to the proliferation and use of images in worship.
Of course, there is categorically no authorization or basis whatsoever in the Scriptures for images, pictures, etc., much less the blatant idolatry attached to these reproductions. At a first perusal, it would seem that the second commandment in the Decalogue clearly places these images in the context of idolatry and sin.
So, if they are not Scriptural, what is the basis for them and their extensive presence in Churchianity? Yes, the source of these pictures, paintings, images, etc are all from Babylonian sun worship (per Alexander Hislop in “The Two Babylons and Ralph Woodrow in “Babylon Mystery Religion).
Images in Ancient Sun Worship
As Hislop, Woodrow and others all note, the ancient pagan (sun worship) temples, buildings, priests’ clothing, etc made extensive use of images of their different gods and particularly the sun god himself. Any student of the more recent Greek and Roman civilizations must be struck with the prevalent remaining evidence of images used in worship.
In an article on images in the “Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature” (p. 471, 482-484), John McClintock and James Strong say that images were commonly placed in sun worship churches and temples (obviously, as also found in Christian Churches, ed).
The sun worshippers believed that their (true) deity was worshipped in images just like false ones were. This is a most profound revelation of truth.
It was classically demonstrated in the situation at the Exodus when the people prevailed upon Aaron to make them a physical image of The HIGHEST. Aaron did so with the golden calf and proclaimed a feast to YHWH (Ex 32:1-8). The people did not want to worship The ELOHIM in His usual invisible state. They wanted to see and worship an image or a representation of Him (as the pagans worshipped their gods).
Yes, the ancient sun worshipping faiths worshipped the sun god in idolatrous images, paintings, etc (and this propensity has spread into Christianity where the people want an image to see and worship). Yet, the Book makes no provision for such worship and clearly forbids it in the second commandment of the Decalogue.
McClintock and Strong’s article on idols (p. 467, 471, 484) mentions that the worship of idols is more than just bowing down to or prostrating one’s self before an idol. They quote Josephus to show that in Second Temple days, worship involved deep respect, admiration and/or honor which one might show to an idol, person or symbol of a deity.
The Statute of “Peter”
St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican has a bronze statute which is alleged to be a statute of the “Apostle Peter.” In “Come Out of Her My People” (p. 104-105), C. J. Koster indicates that it originally was supposedly an image of Jupiter (the Roman version of the Greek sun god Zeus) which was adopted, canonized and sanctified for use in the Vatican.
This image is prayed to, worshipped and adored by the Catholic masses who visit St. Peter’s. One big toe has been reverenced, kissed and cried over so much by the pagan worshippers that it is marred and badly worn. Truly, this image of an alleged Peter is one of the most gross forms of blatant idol worship in Christianity. Of course, it is not the only one.
While the link to Jupiter is interesting and accepted by most scholars who have looked into the origin of this statute, there are some more fascinating points about it which can be dug out with a little time and research. For this, it is necessary to turn to a book called “Simon Magus,” by G. R. S. Mead.
The history of Christianity will be assessed in future chapters herein and there is no intent presently to broach that topic. As briefly cited in a previous chapter, Simon Magus was first mentioned in the Scriptures with his run-in with the leaders of the Apostolic Assembly in Samaria when he tried to buy with money the Baptism of The RUACH HA KODESH/Baptism of Fire (Acts 8:18-24).
From Samaria, Simon eventually migrated on to Rome (before 50 CE) where he became very influential in the developing Christian Church.
The evidence is massive that he was the first Peter (in the sense of a title) of the Roman Catholic Church and played a huge role, not only in the formation of that church, but certainly in the development of the Christian Greek New Testament, as noted earlier (to be addressed in more detail in later chapters herein on Christian history).
Anyway, Mead (p. 10, 26, 30) reports that statutes were made for the followers of Simon to worship at an early time of both Simon Magus and his girl friend and/or whore assistant named Helen (who will be discussed in the subsequent chapters on church history). Simon was portrayed as the sun god Jupiter or Zeus while Helen was supposedly Minerva or Athena.
Since Simon Magus was originally a representation of Jupiter and since he later became “the Peter” of the early Roman Catholic Church, the evidence is persuasive that this statute image of the so-called Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica is really a statute of Simon Magus from Samaria. This seems to be the best explanation of this image. It will be further discussed in the later chapters on church history.
Hans Kristian
A Western writer named Hans Kristian visited a Russian museum in the old Soviet Union some years ago. He came back to the West and wrote of his experiences in a book called “Mission: Possible.” In the museum, Kristian found some most fascinating icons, images and statutes formerly used by the Russian (Eastern) Orthodox Church.
He said: “There were a number of factual displays that one could not argue with because they told the truth. One was an icon that was obviously genuine. It looked as though it had been kissed and fondled and wept over thousands of times. The ‘saint’ pictured in it supposedly wept when people prayed to it. The display revealed how this deceptive religious trick worked.
“There was a tiny hole in the corner of each eye, into which led a tube connected to a bottle of water behind. A priest hiding behind the icon would release some water whenever anyone came to pray and watch the saint ‘cry.’ From this evidence, the descriptive writing under the icon concluded that all religion was a fraud.”
Halo Around Pictures and Paintings
Often, the early sun worship paintings from ancient Babylon and other sun worship cultures had an image of the sun god with a nimbus, halo or sun rays around his head. Of course, Christendom picked up on this practice and often paint pictures of its Gee-Zeus, Mary and various saints with similar halos or nimbuses.
C. J. Koster, in the “Final Reformation” (p. 42-44), quoted from Forlong’s “Encyclopedia of Religions.” Koster noted that the nimbus, halo or aureole symbols all were “originally indicative of solar power and the sun’s disk, hence an attribute of the sun gods.” Alexander Hislop adds that the practice was common in ancient Egypt and Babylon (“The Two Babylons,” p. 87-88).
The Long Haired Look for Men, Revisited
While most Christians are acutely aware of the fact that long hair for a man is sharply condemned as sin in the Scriptures (Lev 10:6 [in the sense of letting the hair grow long and loose, as will be explained in comments to follow]; Ezek 44:20; I Cor 11:14), they persist in believing in and adoring pictures of a long-haired, effeminate Gee-Zeus--as alluded to above and as cited elsewhere in this work.
It is strange and a paradox of sorts that such a belief persists. Even many Christian scholars are both uninformed and uninterested on this theme, as well as lay people. Certainly, Shaul saw no Scriptural basis for effeminate men when he sharply condemned them and put them in the same category as idolaters, fornicators, adulterers and homosexuals (I Cor 6:9).
And why would any man want to wear that which pertains to a woman (long hair) in clear opposition of various Scriptural texts (Deut 22:5). Interestingly, Yohanan identified some beings (evidently masculine) who have hair as the hair of women--obviously long hair (Rev 9:8).
This question of long hair on a man has been briefly mentioned in previous comments herein. The situation here is that YHWH has established a broad, general principle or rule that Adamite men are not to have long hair, but are to cut (or poll) the hair on their heads (less their beards, which will be addressed in a later chapter). This is the essential, general standard outlined in the Torah.
Exceptions?
But there are at least a couple of exceptions to this general rule on hair. First, Leviticus 13:45 (per the “Amplified Bible”) specifies that the leper is to let his hair “hang loose” (from the Hebrew “parua,” which means “to let go, to let the reins loose, or to make unbridled, and lawless” --suggesting rebellion and evil, as found among long haired men, even today).
If the unclean and shamed leper is healed and restored to health, there is a purification ritual and a sin offering--following the declaration by the priest that he is clean (Lev 14:1-32). This cleaning ritual required the man to shave his head and beard (Lev 14:8-9).
These same Hebrew consonants of parua can be translated as “the hair or locks, as growing loose and free and long hair of head or long hair of woman.” This parua reference in Leviticus 13:45 is the exact opposite of Leviticus 10:6 which demands that the priests not allow their hair to remain loose, but to cut or poll it (by extension, this mitzwah extends to all Israelites, who are to be a kingdom of priests--Ex 19:6).
The point is that long hair on a man is associated with rebellion and sin. In terms of the leper, it is a symbol of his disease and shame and his status of being an outcast from the congregation of Yisrael. It is no wonder that Shaul would say that long hair on a man is a shame (sin) and contrary to nature (I Cor 11:14).
The second exception to the rule concerns the Nazarite where a believer separates himself from others (in the same sense that the leper had to separate himself from others) and commits his whole life and being to YHWH in the context of a vow for a specified period of time, usually 30 days (Num 6:1-8).
The Nazarite could not cut his hair, nor could he eat any vinegar, grape products or alcoholic beverages or touch the dead. In this separated state, he voluntarily enters into a state of sin (Num 6:14, with his long, uncut hair). Yes, this is the essence of the state of the Nazarite. He was in a voluntary state of sin. While this seems incredible, it appears to be the precise situation with the Nazarite.
Hence, when the vow is completed, the man has to go through a purification ritual and the making of a sin offering to become clean again--because of the state of sin and shame that he had experienced (Num 6:9-21). As a part of this cleansing process, the Nazarite must shave his head and burn his hair on the altar--by the fire burning his offering.
At this point, it is crucial to realize that YESHUA was not a Nazarite--because He did touch the dead (Mk 5:35-41; Lu 7:12-14) and drank wine and products from the vine (Mk 14:23-25). Conversely, there are reasons to believe that perhaps Yohanan the Baptist might have been a Nazarite (Lu 7:33-34).
The Peyot
For one more supposed exception on long hair, mention might be made to the practice of some Ultra Orthodox sects to let their earlocks grow without being cut. While these persons typically cut the rest of their head hair, often to the skin, they do wear these long earlocks--called peyot. This procedure seems based upon the first part of Leviticus 19:27, about not rounding the corners of your heads.
“Encyclopaedia Judaica” (v. 13, p. 269) notes that the Talmud defines this as it is forbidden to “level the growth of hair on the temple from the back of the ears to the forehead (Mak. 20b). Per Maimonides, a minimum of 40 hairs is required for a peyot. Since the Talmudic authority is doubtful, this writer reads this text differently.
Historically, priests and various religious orders have had peculiar methods of shaving or cutting the hair. Over many years, Catholic monks have cut their hair in a fashion as if a round bowl was placed over the top of the head and everything falling below it (including the beard) is shaved off.
In these cases, hair on the top of the head (covered by the round bowl appearance) can be quite long. But otherwise, the hair is shaved all around.
Probably, the question of tonsures (worn by Catholic priests long ago) have a focus in these comments. This issue will be further addressed in subsequent chapters. Suffice to say, this peyot practice of some Ultra Orthodox Jews seems to lack Scriptural support. Thus, it is not an exception to the overall rule of cutting the hair (as is true with lepers and Nazarites).
The Long Haired Zeus and Serapis
Furthermore, with just a minimum of effort, one can quickly perceive that there is a definite link between the long haired, Christian Gee-Zeus (as visualized in Christendom) with the long haired, Greek, sun god Zeus, as well as with the Egyptian Serapes (a Zeus counterpart worshipped in Alexandria, Egypt, which was a center of mysticism and other peculiar forms of religion, as discussed in former chapters).
But the relationship of the long haired look is even more profound in terms of the history of sun worship, as will be proven in comments to follow.
Apollonius
In “Apollonius, the Nazarene,” Dr. R. W. Bernard offered this revealing description of Apollonius (the spokesman for the Eastern sun worship Chrishna faith in Europe which will be examined in some detail in later chapters herein):
“He had a Zeus-like head, long beard and hair descending to his shoulders. Damis describes Apollonius as ever mild, gentle and modest, and in this manner, more like an Indian than a Greek, though when witnessing some special enormity, he would burst out indignantly against it. His mood was often pensive, and when not speaking he would remain for long with eyes cast down, plunged in deep thought.”
If that wasn’t enough, Bernard, elsewhere in the same book, added that Apollonius “was the personal embodiment of the imaginary traits of the Christian Jesus, and was no doubt the original of the pictures of the so called Nazarene, now so venerated by the uninformed professors of the Christian religion.”
Bernard added a footnote by saying that “Almost every picture that in modern times is recognized as a likeness of Jesus really have their origin in a portrait of Apollonius of Tyana painted in the reign of Vespasian.”
In “Mystery Babylon and the Lost Ten Tribes in the End Time” (p. 3), Darrell W. Conder quoted “Flavius Philostratus’s Life of Apollonius,” which said that Apollonius “was a worshipper of the one true God and declared that religion meant not the sacrifice of beasts but the practice of charity and piety and the shunning of hatred and enmity.
“He was said to have worked miracles of goodness, casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead. His exemplary life led some of his followers to claim he was a son of God, though he called himself the son of a man. Accused of sedition against Rome, he was arrested. After his death, his disciples claimed he had risen from the dead, appeared to them alive, and then ascended to heaven.”
Apollonius died or was executed in 98 CE. He was to have a profound effect upon Christendom, as will be established in later chapters. Assuredly, these descriptions of him have become the embodiment of what Christians believe about their Gee-Zeus. The evidence is massive that indeed the early Christians and painters used Apollonius as their model for the paintings which ultimately became known as Gee-Zeus.
Satan
Space will not permit any examination of the several applicable Scriptural texts; but there is an abundance of material which is very suggestive that it is Satan who is a long-haired, effeminate, queer-like creature--rather than The MOST HIGH (in His human form of YESHUA The MESSIAH, which Churchianity seems intent on trying to adore, paint and draw pictures of--for its false worship purposes).
As will be discussed later herein, possibly Satan, in his pride and rebellion, grew long hair (contrary to YHWH’s law). In this sense, long hair on man has come to equate to rebellion and anarchy.
Perhaps The MOST HIGH then went on to create woman (in the image of the long haired, effeminate Satan) with a provision that she should show her submission and humility to man (her head) by being feminine and wearing long hair, contrary to how the effeminate Satan had been rebellious and proud with his long hair (as pointed out to this writer by a friend named James Griffin, to be later discussed herein).
Of course, there are fundamental differences between feminine females and effeminate males. In other words, woman is quite beautiful and proper with her long hair, symbolic of humility, submission and obedience, while the supposedly masculine Satan is a pervert or queer with his rebellious, long hair. The subject of hair length for women will be further assessed in a future chapter.
Consequently, the long haired Gee-Zeus has far more in common with the real sun god (Satan) and his earthly representations than with the short haired Scriptural MESSIAH.
There are profound reasons to believe that all of these pictures and representations of the long-haired, effeminate Gee-Zeus are nothing more than presentations of the pervert Satan (as painted or copied from Satan’s look-alike and early preacher and spokesman, Apollonius, as described above).
Tragically, many readers have never before in their lives considered the question of pagan sun worship which is abundantly present in Churchianity.
Chapter 202--Christian Idols and Images II
The Cross, Revisited
A former chapter addressed the Christian cross in quite some detail. There is no need to even broach the idea of repeating that discussion. However, the points made must be recalled here because the cross within Christendom has become such a fantastic and extraordinary idol and image used in Christian worship.
The tragedy about the whole subject of the Christian cross is that the Christian cross has some fantastic links to ancient sun worship, and the fact that YESHUA The MESSIAH did not die on such a device. Why in the world would anyone (with brains above the moron level) want to worship, adore and respect an ancient image used in heathen sun worship?
Even if the case could be made that this instrument was used in the death of YESHUA (which case cannot be made), then there still would be no reason to adore it and be obsessed over it in the vein of an image. Manifestly, the Christian cross is a 100% ancient symbol of sun worship. It is still the same thing today when it is used in Christian Churches.
There is absolutely no way to connect this sun image to the death instrument of YESHUA--which was a vertical pole, stake or tree. The cross is pagan to the core and should never be used by people in truth.
While the cross image and sign was probably used within all of the ancient sun cults (because it was a symbol of sun worship), perhaps the Mithra cult was one of the most notable ones using the cross in the days of YESHUA and the Apostolic Assembly.
In the V. I, No. 3 (2004) issue of the “Vendyl Jones Research Institutes Researcher” (p. 3), Larry Rogers notes that the famous use of the sign of the cross (on the head and body of Catholic believers), used in the anointing of believers, is traceable to the old Mithras sun cult. So the cross symbol and making the sign of the cross have some profound connections to pagan sun worship.
But Wisdom is Needed
The June 1998 “New Beginnings” (p. 12) had a story on “Jewish Hatred Towards Christianity,” by Israel Shahak, which suggested that pious Jews have often spit on crosses, crucifixes and other Christian symbols, although they have been careful about how to do it (in order to avoid Christian backlash and so-called anti-Semitism).
This article in a Christian magazine was apparently presented to convey the evil of pious Jews who would dare show contempt toward these so-called “loving and wonderful” Christian images. The fact is that these supposedly wonderful Christian images are relics of wicked sun worship which are hateful and detestable, per the Scriptures and righteousness.
It’s hard to fathom that truly religious people (who have some knowledge of truth and reality from the Scriptures) would not have contempt and animosity for the sun worship emblems, symbols and signs found within sun worship Churchianity.
Since Christendom has ruled the civilized world for the past 1,700 years, it goes without saying that informed religious people need to be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves on issues like this. It does not represent wisdom to publicly spit on heathen Christian symbols when it will arouse hatred and opposition on the part of ruling Christian authorities.
The Fish Symbol
Another extremely popular image in Churchianity is the fish symbol. One sees it commonly used in the symbolism of both Catholic and Protestant denominations. Not only do the Roman ecclesiastical authorities wear a mitre or headgear made in the form of a fishhead; but otherwise, the clergy and lay people generally try to incorporate the fish sign into their lifestyles in some fashion.
It is a very common thing to be driving down the road in an automobile and see a fish symbol (often, with a Scriptural citation) on the back of a passing car. Christendom relishes this image, supposedly because of YESHUA’s statement about His disciples becoming fishers of men (Matt 4:19; Mk 1:17). Christians like to think of themselves in that context (of throwing out a fish line to “hook” some innocent person).
The Christian Prophecy Club of Topeka, Kansas demonstrates this obsession over fish. The “Prophecy Club” newsletter (Jan-Feb 2002, p. 8) had a “Prophecy Club Fishing Report” with a record of the annual Christian conversions and rededications from the Club’s ministry.
For example, the Prophecy Club says that in 1997, there were 1,116 conversions and 2,607 rededications (as determined by a show of hands and public confession). In 1998, there were 557 conversions and 7,671 rededications. In 1999, the conversion total was 1,073 and the rededication figure was 10,059. In 2000, there were 394 conversions and 3,409 rededications.
Things slowed down in 2001 when the Club only had 70 conversions and 26 rededications. In 2001, the Prophecy Club cut back or stopped its primary outreach to conferences and meetings (which probably explains the 2001 slow-down).
Over the years, a number of excellent scholars involved in researching ancient Babylonian sun worship have discovered that the fish image was a very popular part of Babylonian theology. Some of these outstanding research efforts were noted previously in the preceding chapter on some of the published books which have assessed this subject.
In particular, Alexander Hislop’s “The Two Babylons” is especially noteworthy for pointing out the fact that the ancient sun worship priests of Babylon wore fish shaped hats, headgear and robes which were almost exact replicas of those worn today by the pope and Catholic cardinals.
More on Fish
In the “Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets” (p. 313), Barbara Walker reports that the world wide symbol of the Great Mother was the pointed oval sign of the yoni, called the “vesica piscis,” Vessel of the Fish, and that fish and womb were synonymous in the Greek “delphos.” This pointed oval sign is commonly used today in most Christian fish symbols.
Alexander Hislop notes that early Christians began to call their Gee-Zeus by the name of “Ichthys or Ichthus,” meaning “the fish,” in an apparent linkage to Dagon the fish god (“The Two Babylons,” p. 247, 252, 270). Hislop also observes that Ichthus was another name for Bacchus which was the same deity as the Babylonian sun god Tammus (ibid, p. 252, 270).
Otherwise, “The Final Reformation,” by C. J. Koster, also deserves recognition for its work in uncovering the incorporation of the fish image in the works of the early Christian Church fathers.
Writer Koster (ibid, p. 46) adds that the Church father Augustine childishly gave his reason for using Ichthus as being that it was a combination of the first letters of the Greek phrase “Iesous Chreistos Theou Uios Soter” (meaning “Jesus Christ the Son of God the Saviour”).
Koster (ibid, p. 45-48) and James Hannay (in “The Rise, Decline & Fall of the Roman Religion,” p. 94) both confirm that the fish symbol is a common image of the sun god. Koster not only links it to various pagan deities, but adds that it was also an Egyptian phallic emblem, as well as a fecundity sign (of the female generative organ).
Moreover, there is every reason to believe that the Roman Catholic Church’s practice of allowing only the eating of fish on the sixth day of the week for most of the last 2,000 years also ties in with this worship of the fish god in the Babylonian Mysteries.
Darrell W. Conder quotes the “New Catholic Encyclopedia” which relates that the Mystery religions had a practice of eating fish as a custom of “sanctification to the Babylonian goddess” and that fish were particularly sacred to the goddess “Atargatis, the Great Mother.” Conder goes on to relate that this offering was made on her sacred day--Friday (“Mystery Babylon The Great,” p. 151).
Christian Church Steeples
Possibly, one of the most despicable and vulgar heathen images that has found wide acceptance in Christendom is the popular Christian Church steeple which actually links to the ancient Egyptian obelisks (sun images) that were dedicated to the sun god. A later discussion on Osiris will indicate the strange source for the popularity of these obelisks, historically found in Egypt.
While references to these obelisks are to be found in the Word, they are not present as Christians would want to believe. Yes, the Scriptures, themselves, provide a most convincing message that these evil images link to Egyptian sun worship, instead of to truth.
The prophet Yirmeyahu wrote about these obelisks (using the Hebrew word “metzebah”) and noted that they were to be found in Bethshemesh (in Greek “Heliopolis) in Egypt (Jer 43:13). In the “Final Reformation” (p. 78), C. J. Koster suggests that metzebah can best be translated as pillars, sun pillars or obelisks. Another related Hebrew word (Hammanin) can be translated as “sun images.”
Of course, one can find much condemnation of these things in the Book since they are, in fact, phallic symbols or representations of the erected male sex organ (per “Encyclopedia Britannica” and “Babylon Mystery Religion”).
Their height and domination of the surrounding territory made them useful as landmarks and guides to assist traveling and visiting sun worshippers in finding the closest sun temple (per Koster, “The Final Reformation,” p. 80-81).
“The Final Reformation” (p. 79) notes that some of the Roman emperors occasionally removed some of these obelisks from Egypt and moved them to Rome for installation.
In particular, Caligual (37-42 CE) had one brought from Heliopolis to his circus on Vatican Hill. Pope Sixtus V moved it to St. Peter’s Church in 1586. Another one of these Egyptian sun images was brought to New York City and installed there in later years. The Washington monument is one as well.
Nobel Prize nominee Dr Helen Caldicott attended a rally for the Palestinians in Washington on April 20, 2002. She said that the US, Britain and Israel are the real rogue nations and that the Washington Monument was a “phallic symbol,” representing America’s “missile envy” (May 2002 “Endtime News,” p. 1).
Some Bad Translations
Tragically, for the student of truth, some translations of the Old Testament into English fail to properly translate the Hebrew words metzebah and hammanin. “The King James Version,” in particular, often fails in this regard. However, there are some good translations which do the terms justice--such as “The Amplified Bible” and others.
In mentioning the great evil associated with these phallic sun images, pillars and/or obelisks, as they are manifested today in modern Christendom, the reader should understand that these vulgar symbols of sun worship are one of the most prevalent and extensive forms of idolatry present in the age ending House of Yisrael (Lev 26:1, 30; Isa 27:9; Ezek 6:4-6; Hos 10:1-2; Mic 5:12-14--per the "Amplified Bible").
YHWH hates them and ordered them all to be destroyed (Ex 23:24; 34:13; Deut 7:5; 12:3; 16:22; II Kg 3:2). Of course, it is this trash (as existing in Christian Israel?) which helps to precipitate the second destruction of the House of Yisrael in three judgments--famine, pestilence and war, as outlined in the Book (Lev 26; Deut 28; Ezek 4-7).
It appears that a nuclear assault on Yisrael (coupled with a foreign invasion) seems to be the catalyst that not only brings Yisrael down, but also helps to destroy her sun images and/or Christian church steeples throughout the land (Isa 1:7; 6:11; 9:18-19; 17:9, 11; 33:11-12; 40:23-24; Jer 9:7-14; 18:14-17; Lam 2:3-5, 21; 4:11, 18-19; Ezek 5:3-4; 6:14; 7:16-18; 12:20; 15:7-8; 22:20-22, 31; 33:28-29; Hos 8:14; 11:6; Joel 2:30; Amos 4:11; 5:6-9, 12-18; Mic 7:13; Hab 2:13).
In an article on “The Anatomy of a Church (p. 10), the former Dr Ernest L. Martin offered some interesting remarks on the use of these obelisks (steeples or spirals) in connection with a rooster, as found not only on Christian Churches; but also, in portions of the Western Christian culture and civilization.
Martin noted the popularity of having a rooster (a cock) positioned on top of a prick (a steeple) which was called a “peter” (obviously, in reference to the male sex organ). Also, he suggested that the word cock can refer to the male organ or it can have relevance to the female sexual attribute. Hence, this symbol can mean the male and female principles in copulation. Always, this architecture offers vulgar sexual nuances.
Again, it is interesting to observe that much of Christian practice (as found in the modern House of Yisrael) is not Scriptural at all. It's just not in the Book. So, if Churchianity didn't get her crosses, images, idols, pictures, church steeples, procedures and so forth from YHWH's Word, where then did such things come from? You can be the judge!
The Chair of Peter
When a Catholic pope rules ex-cathedra (that is from the chair), he has authority to establish moral dogma (of right and wrong or sin and righteousness) for the Roman Catholic Church. Interestingly enough, there once was an idolatrous, bronze (so-called) chair of Peter in the Vatican called the Cathedra Petri.
This chair was actually equated with the throne of The ELOHIM in Catholic eyes. Over the ages, it had become quite an idol in Rome which was adored and reverenced by most Catholics. Apparently, some popes had chosen to sit on it from time to time, in their role of governing the church and establishing Catholic morality.
Darrell W. Conder notes that the pope’s “throne” had become quite dirty and unseemly over the years because it had never been scrubbed down (“Mystery Babylon The Great,” p. 197-198).
In preparation for the Catholic festival of the chair on Jan 18, 1662, Pope Alexander VII (1655-1667) decided that the chair should be cleaned up. As Vatican workers began cleaning the dirt and grime off, they discovered some very fascinating inscriptions.
They found a representation of the Twelve Labors of Hercules and various pagan carvings connecting the chair to the Babylonian Mystery religion. The pope was upset. So he canceled the celebration. In later years, the church produced another chair to take the place of the one disgraced.
In 1795, some one discovered an Arabic inscription on the back of the new chair which said “there is no God but God, and Mahomet is his prophet.” This chair was retired and thus seems to have ended the pope’s throne of “God” (“Mystery Babylon The Great,” p. 198).
Rosary Beads
One of the popular idols in Catholic Christianity is rosary beads and the Catholic ritual of using them in idolatrous worship. While the Protestants have correctly ceased using them in their worship exercises (since they are totally foreign in both the Old and New Testaments), the question remains as to their source.
Quite naturally, the answer is fairly simple. Of course, they come from paganism like almost every thing else in Christendom. Specifically, devout Hindus pray at sunrise while seated in lotus or other positions and while touching (fumbling) their rosary beads (“What the Great Religions Teach,” p. 37).
Darrell W. Conder quotes Barbara Walker’s “Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets” which stated that the Great Mother of India was known as the Holy Rose and that the Hindu japamala or rose chaplet was the Rosary of the Mantras worn by the goddess Kali Ma. It had red and white beads (“Mystery Babylon The Great,” p. 154).
Also, Conder goes on to quote the “Catholic Encyclopedia” that almost all ancient countries used something in the nature of prayer counters or rosary beads to include Babylon and Assyria. Conder adds that Layard found an ancient monument from Nineveh which showed two women standing before a “holy tree” and holding rosary beads while apparently engaged in prayer (“Mystery Babylon the Great,” p. 154).
One more interesting facet about this discussion on rosary beads is the fact that in Catholicism there are a whole series of mysteries associated with the rosary prayer. These mysteries will be addressed in a subsequent chapter herein.
The Roman Catholic Church is so fanatical over this prayer that the present pope, John Paul II, has initiated action to add still more mysteries to the prayer (as will be commented upon in the later chapter).
Idols in Worship Sanctuaries
One of the fallouts of having and using idols, images and so forth in worship is that inevitably these idols become the important fixtures within worship sites and sanctuaries. Thus, the old sun cults all had their share of idols and images (like the sun worship cross; and as noted above, pictures of women fondling rosary beads in the East, etc).
Quite naturally, this sun worship practice has been carried forward into Christian Church buildings and worship sites. Catholic Churches are notorious for crucifixes and crosses of all kinds and types--plus statutes, artifacts and images of various alleged church saints and personalities (the supposed Mary is extremely popular for worship and adoration).
Protestant Churches also get on board in this regard as well. Many Protestant Churches have a significant representation of crosses, fish signs, pictures (to adore) and so forth. Even the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has gotten into the act over the years. The SDA Churches are generally obsessed with paintings and images of an effeminate, long haired person, they call Gee-Zeus.
As already established elsewhere, this long haired, effeminate character is actually a replica of Apollonius of Tyana (who, in turn, was a copy of the long haired Greek Zeus and the Alexandrian Serapis. These gods were copies of Satan himself). Hence, SDA people have pictures of Satan in their churches. They respect, adore, reverence and indeed worship these pictures/images.
There is absolutely no question about it whatsoever. Christian Church buildings and worship sites are ablaze with a host of pictures, statues, flags (church flags of a “Christian cross” are very popular), images and so forth. Almost all Christian Churches have these images and representations of their deity in some manner to worship; or at least, to reverence and adore (though some would argue otherwise).
Synagogues
Conversely, the situation in Jewish synagogues is entirely different. The pattern of NT Messianic worship is predicated upon the synagogue practices, as discussed in former chapters. Assuredly, the synagogue is the first important model to build upon in true worship in modern times.
It must be profound to note that the most precious, valuable and respected item in a Jewish synagogue is a Torah scroll of YHWH’s Word. Generally, in the synagogue, the only ritual of importance is that associated with bringing out this scroll during worship services and reading from it (in Hebrew, as happened in the NT).
Since YHWH YESHUA is the Word and the scroll contains that Word, it is clear that the respect and dignity attached to the Torah scroll represents the same respect and dignity attributable to YHWH YESHUA (though Jews do not understand the linkage of YHWH to YESHUA).
A second feature of the Torah scroll is a recognition that it is the tool from The HIGHEST which opens the door for learning. A disciple of YHWH is a learner. A learner or disciple must start and always emphasize the Torah first in life. This situation in a Jewish synagogue is, of course, a correct way to approach The MOST HIGH on Sabbaths at the worship site (along with prayer, praise and reverence).
This environment in Jewish synagogues is simply not to be found in sun worship sanctuaries. Christian Churches are patterned upon the practices of the old sun cults and not upon the Scriptural practices found in Jewish synagogues.
Chapter 203--Modern Sun Worship Theology I
Polytheism
Any discussion of sun worship must include an acknowledgment that the various sun worship religions have always included polytheism with the worship of many, many gods. Of course, the sun god, per se, was typically the principal, father god. But the worship in these evil cultures would often include a vast host of other lesser gods. Ancient Greece is a classic illustration of this situation, as will be shortly shown.
In the first place, the sun god was typically known by different names among the different peoples and nations. This reality can cause some confusion among students of truth taking a look at the old sun cults.
Therefore, the solar deity was Marduk to the Babylonians, Mithra among the Persians, Baal to the Canaanites, Rae among the Egyptians, Chrishna (Christ) to the Asian Indians, Jupiter among the Romans, Zeus to the Greeks, etc. While the sun god went by different names in the different cultures, he was the same deity in all cases.
And in some instances, a primary sun god would later give way to another sun god in the exact same culture and civilization (as happened in portions of Egypt when the sun god Rae was partially displaced by the star/sun god Osiris). Of course, this fact also acted to cause confusion in sun worship (yes, the sun worship faith, promoted by Nimrod, was Babel or confusion).
Of course, the real sun god behind the scenes was correctly “Nachash” (a Hebrew proper name, meaning to hiss like a snake; translated as serpent at Gen 3:1), also known with the title Satan.
Yeshayahu wrote about him in the context of the king of Babylon and called him “helel,” which actually means the day star (the sun) or shining one (Isa 14:12, per Young’s and other Hebrew lexicons). Incorrectly, the KJV of the OT renders this Hebrew helel as “Lucifer.”
Many Sun Deities
Beyond the confusing (again, Babylonian worship is confusing) direct references to the sun (day star) god, it should also be recognized that most of these sun worshipping cultures existed with a multiplicity of deities, beyond just the sun god who normally was the primary and main one, as just noted. In Greece, there was a whole host of pagan deities, along with Zeus, who was the “father” god of the others.
As noted in a former presentation on the trinity, the Babylonians worshipped a trinity that closely paralleled Christian ideas (Alexander Hislop’s “Two Babylons,” p. 7). Will Durant links this trinity to Egypt (“The Rise of Civilization,” v. 3, p 595). “What The Great Religions Teach” (p 42-43) ties it to Hinduism.
Not only was there this correlation and linkage between the different sun gods in the different Adamic cultures, it is also fascinating that the basic sun worship theology and rituals in the different cultures and with the different sun gods was either the same or at least very similar.
“Too Long in the Sun” (p. 35-36) notes that all of it came from ancient Babel, as established by Nimrod, just after the flood. Per this source, the primary difference between the various versions of the sun god was only in the chosen names of the different sun gods in the contrary cultures.
This same book quoted the famous historian George Rawlinson who said that “the real identity of the several gods and goddesses... (were) understood by the better instructed (sun-worshippers) to represent, not distinct and separate beings, but the several phases of the Divine Nature.” In the case of the Babylonians, in the 6th century BCE, their sun worship was likely the same as that followed in Nimrod’s day.
Christian Polytheism, Revisited
Tragically, one can find the same polytheistic thinking in Christendom and particularly with its ridiculous theories about a so-called trinity of gods (talk about Babylonian confusion--who can ever begin to understand the logic of the Christian trinity theology, if it has any logic and common sense at all).
Christian polytheism has been broached in a previous chapter. There is no need to repeat that presentation. Suffice to say, Christendom picked upon the ancient theories of polytheism in the sun cults and incorporated that nonsense into Christianity in the vein of the trinity.
Of course, the trinity teaching was so ridiculous and in such contrast to Scriptural monotheism that the Catholic Church developed a theory that the trinity was clouded in a mystery which could not be revealed to the dumb sheep or even outsiders. This stupid belief was also discussed in the previous chapter on Christian polytheism.
Although most Sardis people and certain other Christian faiths do not subscribe to the Christian trinity, many of these persons do hold to a form of dualism--in that there are two so-called Christian “Gods,” in the sense of the Father and the Son.
Flying Angels
Within Christianity, there is a common belief that Scriptural messengers are little angels which fly through the air with their little wings and often with bows and arrows. This utter stupidity and nonsense comes precisely from the old sun worship cults--as outlined earlier with the Christian theories on Eros or Cupid.
Furthermore, there is another Christian alternative on so-called angels. This belief hangs on the assumption that messenger spirits are invisible spirits which transfer instantly; or at least, move rapidly through space to enter humans/humanoids. This belief, like the just noted little flying angels, also seems to come exclusively from the old sun cults.
Yes, the Christian ideas associated with little flying angels or invisible spirits floating around the heavens all come from ancient sun worship. Over time, these ideas became entrenched in Christian theology.
Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
Some former remarks in this study were directed at the stupidity of the immortal soul doctrine, as advocated in much of Christianity, as well as in many Eastern religions. Clearly, the Scriptures say that the soul that sins shall die and not live on, as dictated by immortal soul teachers (Ezek 18:4, 20; Rom 6:23).
Since the Book declares that the sinning soul must die (as both Adam and Eve died), what then is the fate of the dead? If man does not automatically possess immortality, what is the basis for Churchianity’s ideas about heaven, hell and purgatory? Strangely enough, all three of these places, as destinies for dead souls, are non-existent in the Word, despite their prevalent acceptance in Christendom.
Assuredly, Christians cannot deny the reality of death. It’s just that they deny that “death” means “death.” As is well known, Christianity simply says that though a person dies, he/she does not really die, but lives on as an immortal soul in heaven, hell or purgatory.
Without repeating the data presented earlier on immortal souls, it would be well to point out that such beliefs come from the old sun worship cults (per “Comparative Religion” [p. 275-302] and “The Two Babylons” [p. 151]). Historically, sun worshippers have always believed in immortal souls which never die, as discussed formerly.
Thus, the question remaining for the student of truth is--are dead people dead or at death do they remain alive in the places accepted by Christians? And the answer from the Book--the dead are dead and are not cast into heaven, hell or purgatory.
In the first place, there is no such place as purgatory mentioned in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, at all, despite Catholic promotion of the locale. The thing allowable about this idea is that the Roman Church has successfully used it over the years to con vast sums of money out of the sucker’s pockets.
In pre-Christian times, the word purgatory was associated with and applied to the pagan womb-shrine or abaton used in pagan initiations, in which a candidate would enter an underground chamber, simulate death, undergo great trials, and experience a new birth into a new life.
The Christian Church picked up on this warped thinking and began calling the shrines “purgatories” (“Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets,” p. 828).
The Caiaphas Family Tomb
In December 1990, a first century CE tomb belonging to the family of Joseph Caiaphas (high priest, 18-36 CE) was discovered in southeastern Jerusalem, when construction workers accidentally unearthed it.
Archaeologists Zvi Greenhut and Ronnie Reich were commissioned to excavate it. This was an exceptionally important find and the work of Greenhut and Reich was fully described and documented in the Jul/Oct 1991 “Jerusalem Perspective.”
Besides the remains of Joseph (evidently dying at about 60 years of age), the tomb contained the bones of a 40 year old woman (named Miriam, daughter of Shimon) who had a coin of Herod Agrippa I (42-43 CE) in her skull remains.
Greenhut explains this practice as being a pagan custom of placing a coin between the teeth of a deceased person in payment to Charon, the ferryman in Greek mythology, who was supposed to carry the dead immortal soul across the River Styx to the Underworld.
There are several important features of this finding. First, it implies a belief in the presence of immortal souls. Next, it can be construed as a suggestion of something similar to purgatory in that the living relatives pay a coin or coins to the heathen god in an effort to transport or move the dead soul from an intermediate location to a better place of abode.
Finally, this is not something that one would expect to find in a tomb of a Jewish person and much less in one of a prominent Sadducean family--like that of Caiaphas (who ostensibly did not believe in a resurrection or after-life and who did hold that the soul [correctly spirit- ed] dies along with the body).
David Bivin (in the “Jerusalem Perspective” article) suggests that the coin could have been put in the dead woman’s teeth by a non-Jewish slave, as an act of love for the deceased woman, without the attendant participation or approval of the Caiaphas family.
Immortal Souls to Heaven?
In terms of immortal souls going to heaven at death, there is absolutely nothing in the Old or New Testament Scriptures that says anything about such speculations. Actually, such thinking comes from the ancient sun worship societies (“What the Great Religions Teach,” p. 7, 15, 151; “The Two Babylons,” p. 167).
Interestingly, on this line, the historic, Egyptian pyramids were built with a small shaft pointing to the Orion star constellation in the heavens so that the dead king’s immortal soul could “escape to heaven” (per “The Great Pyramid” video, of the Ancient Mysteries series, produced by A&E Home Video). The immortality of the human soul seems to be a common belief among all sun worshippers, without exception.
However, in asserting that there is nothing in the Scriptures suggesting or implying “heaven,” as a reward for the dead or immortal souls, the writer of this work is not broaching the subject of the resurrection of the elect dead at their properly scheduled times, nor of limiting any group of resurrected people explicitly to planet earth in the past ages. Some explanations were offered previously on these possibilities.
Hell Is More Complicated
Hell is a little more complicated than heaven because Christians and English “Bible” translations use hell frequently. In fact, whole books can be and have been written on this subject over the years by various people. A number of students of the ancient sun worship societies are well aware of the common teachings of a place of eternal torment and damnation among sun worshippers (“What the Great Religions Teach”).
The early Greek sun worshippers saw this place of damnation for the dead as being Hades, which was placed “beyond” and sometimes subterranean and sometimes at the furthest limits of the sea (“Greek and Egyptian Mythologies,” p. 112, by Yves Bonnefoy). Supposedly, Hades overlapped with Tartarus which was still further below and where the worst of sinners were cast.
Certainly, space herein is too limited to allow much of a presentation on this theme. But a few comments will be made to show the student of truth that such an idea of a place of eternal torment, as advanced by Christendom, is not present in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures.
The Word Hell
In the Greek, there are three words commonly translated as “hell” in most English translations of the New Testament. They are hades, gehenna and tartaroo. In the Hebrew Old Testament, the word “sheol” is sometimes translated as hell.
The words hades and sheol seem to express the same meaning--which is “the common grave.” As some of us know, the common grave is truly the destination of the dead. In the Tanakh, sheol is usually so translated. Even the Greek hades is translated to grave once in the KJV of the NT (I Cor 15:55).
The Greek word gehenna is also translated as hell in the NT. But as “Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words” notes, gehenna represents the Hebrew Ge-Hinnom referring to the “valley of Tophet” around Jerusalem. Here, trash and refuse (including the dead bodies of paupers) were thrown in, to be consumed by a fire which was kept continuously burning.
The Greek word tartaroo (tartarus) appears one time at II Peter 2:4, where it certainly does not refer to so-called human beings at all. However that text is to be interpreted, its use is totally in connection with sinning angels and has absolutely nothing to do with the destiny of Adamites, the behemah or the chaiyah.
Now, what about the English word hell. Actually, hell is an old Teutonic word from a root meaning “to cover” (per the “Encyclopedia Britannica,” v. XI, p. 402, 1953 ed). “Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language” (p. 674, 1959 ed) is more comprehensive in saying that hell is derived from the Anglo Saxon “helan,” meaning to cover, conceal or hide.
Therefore, in Old English, the helling of potatoes was simply the matter of putting potatoes into a hole in the ground and covering them for storage and preservation. Of course, this was the thinking of English translators of the Scriptures in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Even in later times, the “1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue,” compiled by Captain Gross, says that hell was “A Taylor’s repository for his stolen goods, called cabbage.” Thus, hell was a place to hide, conceal or cover over something (like the common grave for a dead body).
Civilized Men Kill (not Torture) Their Enemies
One more important note is now called for on this short dissertation. Historically, among civilized men, the classic punishment for the worst of enemies was always death. Civilized, Adamic people somehow never got much pleasure out of torturing and hurting their worst of enemies for long periods of time (as is envisioned in the context of the ever-burning infinity of the Christian hell).
Alternatively, probably Mongoloids are a little different on this in that they can and have taken delight in torturing and punishing their enemies for long periods of time before death finally takes over. Thus, in the days of the old West, the cavalry soldiers fighting Indians (Mongoloids) would always save their last bullets for themselves. It was very horrible to be captured by the cruel Indians.
But as man is created, death ultimately surfaces in all situations to allow torture, pain and suffering to cease. If this is the reality among evil, corrupt, sorry, little men, why then is it that Christendom teaches that The ELOHIM is so barbaric, evil and wicked that His worst enemies must be tortured, hurt, punished, pained and tormented for infinity in the throes of an ever-burning place called hell?
The question then is--do the Scriptures really declare and define A CREATOR Who takes pleasure in hurting limited little humans/humanoids for eternity and never allowing them any hope of mercy and compassion (as would be forthcoming, if death was allowed to ultimately take over)?
Or could it be that the Book advocates something far different from the ideas of confused men? Of course, the answer is the latter.
The Book says that the soul that sins must die (Ezek 18:4, 20; Rom 6:23). Adam and his sinning descendants have all died. They have not and do not continue to live on perpetually as immortal souls in heaven or hell with death. They have all died and laid dead (actually asleep) in their graves to await a future resurrection from the dead, as the Word assuredly promises.
Christian Thinking
And as is true with most of Churchianity’s ideas and thinking--the Christian concepts of heaven, hell and purgatory come from the old sun worship cults where they were accepted. The evidence is that the Tuscan poet Alighieri Dante (1265-1321) probably must get much of the credit for popularizing all three ideas in his “Divine Comedy” (“A History of God,” p. 207, 235, 290). Dante put hell at the center of the earth.
The ABC Good Morning America program of April 30, 1997, had Billy Graham on for a talk about his supposed “greatness” with the host, Charles Gibson. When asked about hell, Graham said that he thought it represented a “separation from God.” Then Graham went on to suggest that at his death (he was then 78 years old), he expected to be “in the presence of Christ.”
Two points surface from Graham’s comments. First, it demonstrates the continuing Christian ignorance on these subjects, which is totally “Babylonian” confusion. Secondly, one has to wonder how many years Graham had taught the traditional Christian ideas on an ever burning hellfire of torture for lost sinners before adopting his new thinking.
Billy Graham historically was a sun worshipping Southern Baptist, which certainly teaches hellfire and brimstone to its ignorant followers (to milk them out of all the money possible). While Christians have changed some of their doctrines over the years, hell-fire and brimstone is not one of them--at least among the Baptists.
If Graham has in later years changed his stance on hell, why then has he not come out and publicly apologized for all of the errors that he had preached and taught about in the past. He owes it to the stupid suckers that he has misinformed over the years.
Peter and the Keys to the Kingdom