Home






mason eye




Freemasonry Watch Banner



The Southern Baptist Convention and Freemasonry





Rotating Compass & Square








The Hoodwinked


Jah-Bul-On = Jahwah + Baal + Osiris





This is the document that was mailed to 5,000 Southern Baptist Ministers and Church Leaders that resulted in the ground breaking passage of an Official SBC Doctrinal Statement in 1993 that Freemasonry was incompatable with Christianity and Southern Baptist Doctrine.

The Southern Baptist Convention and Freemasonry,
By James L. Holly, M.D.

CONTENTS

Preface iv-vi

Part I: The Mystery Religions 1

A. Secret Societies 2
B. Freemasonry is Occultic 2


Part II: What Does The Bible Say About Mystery Religions 3

A. Secret Organizations and the Word of God 3
B. Fables-MUTHOS 4
C. Conclusion: MUTHOS Condemned by the Word 6


Part III: Masonic Authorities 7

A. Lightfoot's Manual of the Lodge 7
B. Lousiana Masonic Monitor 7
C. The Meaning of Masonry by Wilmshurst 8
D. The Masonic Bible 8

Holman Bible Publishers 9

E. Conclusions 9


Part IV: Who Knows the Truth About Freemasonry? 10

Part V: The Occultism of Freemasonry 11

A. Secret Organizations Condemned by the Word 11

1. Secrecy is Hallmark of Occultism 11

2. Differences Between Confidentiality and Secrecy 11

a. Secrecy 11

1) Way and place of wicked 11
2) Shameful 12
3) Contrary to ways of God 12
4) Illusion 12
5) Pretense 13

i

b. Confidentiality 13

1) Involves timing of release 13
2) Time for validation 13
3) Accountability 14
4) Constructive and destructive 14
5) Bear the burdens of others 15
6) Prevents hastiness 15
7) Training as faithful man 15

3. Husband To Be To Wife What Christ to Church 16

4. Truth not to be secreted among privileged 16

5. Ezekiel 8 reveals abomination of secrecy 16

B. Freemasonry has not Spirit of Christ 17


Part VI: The god of the Lodge: Lucifer 18

A. Albert Pike: Lucifer is God 18
B. Wilmshurst: Lucifer is God 19
C. Freemasonry: Modern Version of Condemned Mystery Religions 20
D. Doctrine of Emanation 22

Masonic Plan of Salvation 23
EN SOPH 24


Part VII: Knights Kadosh -- Thirtieth Degree 25
A. Meeting with Satan 25
B. Decorations of Thirtieth Degree 25
C. Who Is In The Coffin in The Thirtieth Degree 26
D. The Revelations of the Thirtieth Degree 28
E. The Crime of Sectarianism 29
F. The Meaning of Previous Degrees in the Scottish Rites 29

1. Sixteenth Degree: Foundations of Public Education 29
2. Seventeenth Degree: Doubt Is The Only Truth Man Can Embrace 30
3. Nineteenth Degree: Cynicism of Toloration 30

a. Toleration Defined 31
b. Receiving Defined 32
c. Receiving and Toloration Contrasted 34

ii

4. Masonic Judgement on the Bible 35
5. Name Of Jesus Ridiculed by Lodge 36
6. 21st Degree: Man Will Become a God 36
7. 22nd Degree: Anti-Sectarian 37
8. 24th Degree: Sectarian Imprisons the Mind of Man 38
9. 25th Degree: Masonry, French Revolution Secular Humanism 38
10. 27th Degree: Reason Above Revelation 38

G. Opposing Sectarianism 40
H. Thirtieth Degree Continued 40

1. Superstition Rejected 41
2. Universalism of Freemasonry 42
3. Faith of One's Childhood to be Rejected 42
4. EN SOPH is god to the Lodge 42
5. Oath to Secular Humanism 42
6. Hatred of Christianity Called "Fanaticism, 43
Intolerance, Imposture, and Superstition" 44
7. Masonry Hates Revealed Religion, i.e., Christianity: The Profession of Faith in the Lodge 44
8. The cup of the Lodge a Human Skull 46
9. The Masonic Lodge's Definition of a Man 46
10. Masonry, Public Education, Secular Humanism 46
11. Covenant Meal From a Human Skull 48
12. Final Discourse Shows How Masonry Contradicts the Bible and Faith in Jesus Christ 48


Part VIII: Summary: How Can Christians Be So Duped? 51

Part IX: What Are Christians and Churches To Do? 53

APPENDIX: Southern Baptist Convention Resolution on Freemasonry, Dallas, Texas, 1985 55

iii

PREFACE

This booklet has been prepared with a prayer for revival among Southern Baptists. It does not pretend that the only problem hindering revival is Freemasonry. It does recognize however that the leaven of the occult will corrupt the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and will sap her vitality.

The men who are involved in Freemmasonry, on the whole, are not evil men. Yet, they are men who are being used for an evil purpose. It is the spirit which empowers the Lodge which we wish to expose. The ludicrousness of the secret words and the secret handshakes would be laughable if it were not for the spirit behind Freemasonry. The spirit makes this more than a bad joke, it makes the issue of Freemasonry among Southern Baptists a serious issue of life.

Many fear addressing the issue of the Lodge, and without the power of the Blood and of the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ well they ought to fear "taking on" the allies of the Devil. The problem of Freemasonry will not be solved by a vote of the Southern Baptist Convention, this year or any year. Yet, without the Convention voting to declare Freemasonry an evil which must be removed from the church, the problem will not be solved. The vote is not the solution; it is only the begining of the solution.

Wars are fought initially by a declaration of war. As a nation is not able to garner its forces to fight a war without declaring the enemy by name, so the Christian church will never wage a successful war against the Devil until she identifies all of his allies that are encamped within her borders. Freemasonry is one of the allies of the Devil.

James asks the question: "From whence come wars and fightings among you?" Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (James 4:1) Two different Greek words are translated "war" in this verse. The second is a word which means "soldiering, the passions that disquiet the soul which are like a military encampment which is formed to make a military expedition."

James 4:1 really states that Christians have allowed an alien military force to bivouac in their lives and homes. But, unlike the temporary bivouac, this encampment has become a permanent installation. The "camp" has become a "fort".

The church has also allowed "an alien military force" into her membership. This "military force" -- the membership of the Masonic Lodge -- is pledged to another general and works for the glory and honor of a foreign god. Until they are dislodged from the church, the Lodge will continue to disrupt God's plan and desire to revive His people.

This booklet is not a call to purge the church, but for every member to purify himself. This booklet is a call for the standard to be lifted by the Southern Baptist Convention in order for every man to try himself by the "plumb- line of Christ". That "plumbline" declares that no spirit-filled man of God can be a member of the occultic organization called Ancient Free & Accepted Masonry, in any of its forms and/or in any of its Lodges. Therefore, no member of such a Lodge

iv

should be accepted into leadership in a Southern Baptist church. And, all members of Southern Baptist churches should be encouraged publicly to renounce any association with the Masonic Lodge.

This presentation should be read with the following considerations:

1. All of the quoted sources, except one, are written by and/or published by Masons for Masons. The author of this paper possesses each and every one of these books. Except in the case of the quotes from the Jewish Kaballa in Mackey's Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, quotations are not from secondary sources.

2. The author of this paper has reviewed this material with Masons of high degree, who have confirmed the literal truth and absolute accuracy of what is contained herein. In one case, an inspector of the Lodge in Texas was consulted. This man's knowledge of all degrees of Freemasonry is so extensive and his dedication to Masonic brotherhood was so total, he had the authority to enter a Lodge unannounced and examine those present as to their knowledge of the degrees of Freemasonry. If in his estimation, their knowledge was inadequate, he had the authority to close the Lodge until an investigation could take place. After coming to Christ as Saviour, he was impressed of the Lord to leave the Lodge. He had given his life and considerable fortune to the Lodge, but he obeyed. Yet, he did not understand why he was to leave the Lodge. An Assembly of God evangelisst called this writer and asked him to come and visit with this man. After three hours of uninterrupted explanation by this writer, the former Mason said, "All that you say is true and there is more. I can quote forty hours of Masonic Material and every word you say is true."

3. There have been many exposes of the Blue Lodge, the first three degrees of the Masonic Lodge. This presentation focuses upon the thirtieth degree of the Scottish Rite because it is clearly the most occultic. However, at the very first moment when the entered apprentice -- the first degree of the Blue Lodge -- stands with his left trouser leg rolled up, his left foot bared, his left breast uncovered, a cabletow (a rope) around his neck and blindfolded, he should recognize the devilish nature of the Lodge. When the Christian is identified by the Steward of the Lodge as "a poor blind candidate who is desirous of being brought from darkness to light" (*Standard Freemasonry Illustrated: Full Ritual and Secret Work of the Three Blue Lodge Degrees Profusely Illustrated*, Charles T. Powner Co., 1983, p.99) he should know that such words are blasphemous to the God of Light, the Lord Jesus Christ. The oaths and secret words of the Blue Lodge contradict the word of God. Anyone who seeks the Lord through the Word of God will have confirmed to his spirit the truth of the wicked- ness of the Masonic Lodge. Any man or woman who does not, is either lost or deeply deceived.

4. Many will argue that Freemasonry is a "Dying Organization". That is not true. The week of the publication of this booklet, one pastor said to this

author: "Freemasonry is not dying;it is increasing in its power over the lives of men and women." Another church staff member said, "I have served in Southern Baptist churches in four states, from the east to the south to the southeast. I have never served in a church which was not dominated by the spirit of Freemasonry."

5. There are many hindrances to revival in the Southern Baptist Convention. Freemasonry is only one of them. It is, however, not only one of the most obvious, it may be the key one. If Southern Baptists want revival, they can have it. God only awaits our fulfilling the fourth requirement of revival listed in II Chronicles 7:14 to pour out spiritual renewal upon us.

6. No pastor or church staff member should address the issue of Freemasonry in the local church unless and until the Lord specifically gives direc- tion to do so. Many churches have been wrecked by Freemasons who have controlled for as long as they can, and when they could no longer control they have destroyed. It is this which makes it imperative for the South- ern Baptist Convention and the leadership of that Convention, both of whom are essentially immune from the vindictiveness of Masons, to address this issue. This will then take the pressure off pastors in smaller churches where the Masons are stifling the movement of God. If however, because of fear of losing members or money,we allow ourselves tocontinue to ignore this evil in our midst, we can pray until Jesus' coming, but revival will pass by Southern Baptists. If we say, "Well, I don't have this problem in my church, so I can ignore it." then we will not see revival. The Devil hopes to devide us and thereby conquer us. Thus far, he has. Those who have the problem of Freemasonry and know it, feel that they can do nothing about it. They often feel betrayed by the leadership of the convention which conveniently looks the other way while they perish. Those who don't have the problem are relieved. Those who have the problem and dont know it, wonder why their efforts for the Lord are so stymied. The issue here is not moderate or conservative, the issue is God and the Devil.

7. Mission and Ministry to Men, Inc. is not an anti-Masonic ministry organ- ization. Unless specifically requested by the pastor of the sponsoring church,discussion of Freemasonry is NOT a part of any of the conferences conducted by this ministry.Questions about Freemasonry which might arise will be either refered to the pastor or answered in private. This is not to express fear of addressing this issue, but it is to say that the re- sponsibility for addressing this issue is the pastor's and not this au- thor's.

May God give Southern Baptist leadership the courage and the will to raise this standard to the glory of God and to the good of all Christians, and espec- ially Southern Baptists.

James L. Holly M.D.
Proverbs 22:17-21
Spring, 1992

vi

WHY FREEMASONRY IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

by James L. Holly, M.D.

PART ONE: THE MYSTERY RELIGIONS

The Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries have seen an explosion of religious activity both in the orthadox Christian community, in the marginal "Christian sects", in other world religions and in the rapid growth of those religious bodies that we call "cults". In addition, there is an increasing interest and activity in the "occultic".

The "occultic" is defined as that which is:

"deliberately kept hidden: not revealed to others; secret. Of, relating to, or dealing in matters regarded as involving the action or influ- ence of supernatural agencies or secret knowledge of them."

The Christian faith has knowledge, wisdom and understanding which are "hidden" from those who have not bowed their knee to the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, the manner in which Christian knowledge is hidden from those who do not embrace it is not the occultism of secrecy. It is in that the truths of Christ do not make sense and are not attractive to those who don't love the Lord Jesus Christ. It is important, therefore, to distinguish faith in the Lord Jesus Christ from the occultic practice of imposing silence upon the initiated, which silence is enforced with threats of strangulation, disembowelment and/or other violent and sado-masochistic punishments.

Freemasonry is an occultic organization, and it is contrary to the Word of God. In the first step into the Lodge, and at every step into the Lodge, the alert and committed Christian should recognize that which is not acceptable to Jesus Christ. The spirit-filled believer who is in daily fellowship with Christ cannot be in fellowship with the Masonic Lodge. Therefore it is the contention of this presentation that no Freemason should be elected to a leadership role in a Southern Baptist Church.

1

A. SECRET SOCIETIES

Secret Societies are not new to the world. In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Dr. Cullen Brown states:

"The secret cults of the Hellenistic period were open only to initiates, who were granted redemption and access to the eternal world of the devine being. Among the most important mystery cults were the Greek cult of Dionysus (Bacchus), the mysteries of Isis and Serapis which originated in Egypt, the Syrian Adonis cult, the worship of the mother god Dybele and Attis in Asia Minor, and the mysteries of the light god Mithras from Persia. The mystery gods were originally nature divinities whose death and return to life mirrored the chance of the seasons. Through the cult, the initiate participates in the fate of the diety. Since the mystery cults made no exclusive claim on their adherents, one could be initiated into several cults in order to gain as much devine, life-giving power as possible. (p.64)

Entrance to these secret cults was contingent upon the initiate going through a period of training where he learned certain secret information about the god of the cult. Upon completion of this "learning", he then went through an initiation rite during which he swore allegiance and fidelity to the god of that cult. This pattern was repeated many times in many different cults.

B. FREEMASONRY IS OCCULTIC

But, what of all this? Why should Christians occupy themselves with such ancient and seemingly absurd practices? The reasons are several. First, the Word of God gives strict warnings about cults and the occultic. Second, there are many unsuspecting Christians, and many unsaved church members, that are currently participating in secret cults, which are really by definition, occultic.

The largest of these, and the one which effects Southern Baptists the most, is Freemasonry. The parallels between the ancient mystery religions and Freemasonry are obvious:

1. There are secrets revealed only to the membership.

2. The Masonic Lodge has a plan of salvation

3. Initiates go through a program of education so they can enter into the occultic brotherhood.

4. It is possible to be part of more than one of these organizations. Masons can be members of a Baptist church and of the Lodge, thereby, they think, assuring their salvation whichever is right.

5. Masons go through a death and resurrection ritual in the Master mason degree. Membership is dated from the time they were "raised", resurrected or saved, by membership in the Lodge. Salvation is maintained through faithful membership in the Lodge.

2

PART TWO: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT MYSTERY RELIGIONS?

In I Timothy 6:3-4, aul gave instructions to the young minister, Timothy saying:

"This is the sort of thing you should teach and preach, and if anyone tries to teach some doctrinal novelty and does not follow sound teaching (which we base on our Lord Jesus Christ's own words and which leads to Christ-like living), then he is a conceited idiot! His mind is a morbid jumble of disputation and arguement, things which lead to nothing but jealousy, quarreling, insults and malicious innuendoes -- continual wrangling, in fact, among men of warped minds who have lost their real hold on the truth but hope to make some profit out of the Christian religion." (J.B. Phillups)

Paul affirmed that he based his teachings on the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must be careful that we do the same. *In matters of faith and/or doctrine, where the Word of God is absolutely silent, we must broach no opin- ions; in matters of faith and/or doctrine where the Word of God is absolutely clear we must embrace no reservations, exceptions or exemptions.*

A. SECRET ORGANIZATIONS AND THE WORD OF GOD

What does the Bible teach concerning secret -- occultic -- organizations? There are hundreds of passages of Scripture that deal with them indirectly. Four New Testament passages deal directly with occultism; they are:

"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless geneol- ogies which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do." (I Timothy 1:3-4)

"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and excercise thyself rather unto Godliness." (I Timothy 4:6-7)

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3-4)

"This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." (Titus 1:13-14)

3

In understanding the Bible's teaching on the occultic,the key word in these passages is "fables". There is a fifth occurrence of this word in the New Test- ament. eter in affirming the nature and inspiration of the Scriptures said:

"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty." (II Peter 1:6)

B. FABLES -- MUTHOS

"Fables" is the translation of the Greek word MUTHOS (#3454) which means:

"a speach, word, saying, a fiction, a fable; an invention, falsehood: the fictions of the Jewish theosophists and Gnostics, especially concerning the emanations and orders of the aeons." (*Thayers's Greek Lexicon*)

MUTHOS is derived from the word MUEO (#3453) which means:

"to initiate into the mysteries, to teach fully, instruct, to accustom one to a thing; to give one an intimate acquaintance with a thing. (Ibid)

Both MUTHOS and MUEO are derived from MUO which means "to shut the mouth." In all secret societies, especially Freemasonry, if the mouth is not shut voluntarily, the threat is made that it will be shut violently. Another im- portant theological word which is derived from this stem is MUSTERION (#3466) which means "a secret or mystery, through the idea of silence imposed by initi- ation into religious rites." MUSTERION is defined by *Thayer's* as:

"A hidden thing, secret, mystery: generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to be communicated by them to ordinary mortals."

In this group of words the key is MUTHOS. Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, in the *Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible*, gives this lexical entry for MUTHOS:

"Mostly used in the New Testament as a lying fable with all its falsehood and all its pretenses to be what it is not. Thus in I Timothy 4:7 fables are described as profane and belonging to old women. In Titus and II Peter the result of sophistry or cunning fables for the purpose of deceiving. In I Timothy and in II Timothy 4:4 the use of the word is equally degrading and contemptuous. Although LOGOS and MUTHOS begin together with the thought, intel- ligence, mind, they part ranks since the first ends in the kingdom of light and truth and the second in the kingdom of darkness and lies.

4

* Expositor's Greek New Testament * says of I Timothy 1:4:

"There is a strong temptation for mystics to justify to themselves the continued use of an antiquated sacred book by a mystical interpretation of whatever in it has ceased to apply to daily life...* They read the holy scriptures, and explain the philosophy of their fathers in an allegorical manner, regarding the written words as symbols of hidden truth which is communicated in obscure figures...* the promoters of an eclectic synthesis of the then fashionable Gentile philosophy and of the forms of the Mosaic Law." (Vol. IV, p.92)

These are excellent descriptions of the Masonic Lodge. As such they demonstrate that the deceit, the syncreticism, the symbolism and the secretive- ness of the Masonic Lodge qualify it as a practice condemned by the Word of God. No Christian body that embraces the inerrancy of the Word of God can ignore that Word's condemnation of the Masonic Lodge.

In this study, it will be shown that Freemasonry is a practitioner of the Black Arts. It will be shown that the Masonic Lodge teaches that when the Bible says God "revealed" something, it really means that he "re-vailed" it -- He hid it from all but the initiates of the Masonic Order. It will also be shown that Masonic Masters teach that when the Bible states, "Out of Egypt will I call my Son." God referred to His bringing the mystery religion of Sun worship out of Egypt. They teach that Moses brought the occultic practices of Egypt into Isreal and "re-vailed" them with Hebrew religious words. Many other such bizarre "re-interpretations" of the Holy Scriptures have taken place as the Masons apply their occultic symbolism to Biblical vocabulary. The only cult which has a more bizzarre interpretation of Scripture to is the cult which sprang from Freemasonry which is Mormonism, founded by the Freemason, Joseph Smith.

In *Barnes Notes*, Dr. Albert Barnes states:

"The word rendered fable means properly speech or discourse, and then fable or fiction, or a mystic discourse. Such things abounded among the Greeks as well as the Jews, but it is probable that the latter here are particularly intended. These were composed of frivolous and unfounded stories, which they regarded as of great importance, and which they seem to have desired to incorporate with the teachings of Christianity...* One of the most successful arts of the adversary of souls has been to mingle fable with truth; and when he cannot overthrow the truth by direct opposition, to neutralize it by mingling with it much that is false and frivolous."

The syncretism -- "the mingling of fable with truth" -- of masonry is well known. The tragedy is that the Christian church, in a misguided desire for "peace", has allowed the leaven of the occultic -- the leaven of the Freemasons -- to mingle with born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. This has "neutralized" the power which God, the Holy Spirit, wishes to pour out upon God's people.

5

Titus 1:10-16 is a perfect description of the Masonic Lodge. In Titus 1:12, reference is made to an aphorism about the Cretians, which states:

"The Cretians are always liars...:

This quote is from the Greek poet, Epimenides. This aphorism was earned because the Cretians maintained that the tomb of Jupiter was located on their island. They taught that Jupiter and all the gods were only mortals that had beed raised to become a god. Thus the Greeks maintained that the Cretains were always proclaiming a falsehood by asserting this opinion.

In modern times the Cretains are with us. Their lie abounds. Not only does the Mormon cult teach that man can become a god; but the Masonic lodge with its various degrees, recreates the "aeons and eminations" through which it is taught that man can become god. This will be explained in detail later in this presentation.

C. CONCLUSION: * MUTHOS * CONDEMNED BY THE WORD OF GOD

Paul's warnings to avoid fables, condemns the secret societies which propagated these fables. The mystery religions were not the way to God; they were the product of the pride of man. The modern day counterparts to the mystery religions are legion. There are numerous men, women and children who through their initiation into the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls and Demoley, are participating in the very activities which the Word of God condemns. This is the thesis of this paper, and it will be the purpose of the remainder of this presentation to prove to anyone's satisfaction that freemasonry is not only inconsistant with Christianity, but that freemasonry is the avowed enemy of Jesus Christ and of Christianity.

6

PART THREE: MASONIC AUTHORITIES

Before the relationship between Freemasonry and the condemned mystery religions can be authoritatively established, a close connection or an identity with the mysteries must be established. In order to do this, Masonic authori- ties will be quoted. Direct, verbatim quotes will now be presented to establish the credibility of these Masonic authorities. The books cited are ones used by every man who bows his knee to the god of the lodge.

A: * LIGHTFOOT'S MANUAL OF THE LODGE *

The first Masonic book to be examined is *Lightfoot's Manual of the Lodge -- Texas.* The edition which is quoted is copyrighted by the Grand Lodge of Texas Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 1934. The memorial to this book concludes with the statement:

"This is to certify that Lightfoot's Manual of the Lodge was approved and adopted as the official manual or monitor of the Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F.& A.M. and its subordinate Lodges, by a resolution adopted

December 5,1934." The preface to this edition further states:

"A section has been added, entitled 'Commentaries' which is designed to present in condensed form, additional light on our ancient rites, forms, symbols and ceremonies. The commentaries are largely compiled from the standard works of the best Masonic scholars, including Mackey, Pike, Bromwell, Oliver, Preston, Webb, Tannehill, Higgens and others.."

Every Mason in Texas has this book in his home. The most recent edition of the *Monitor* which was adopted in the late 1980's eliminated the commentar- ies section because it revealed too much about the truth of Freemasonry. This book establishes Albert Mackey and Albert Pike as "the best Masonic scholars."

B: * Lousiana Masonic Monitor *

The *Louisiana Masonic Monitor* begins with a title page on which three quotations appear:

"Let there be light." -- Gen. 1:3

"There never was a false god, nor was there ever a really false religion, unless you call a child a false man." -- Max Muller

"Every age has a religion suited to its capacity." -- Albert Pike

7

Every Mason in Louisiana, including this writer's father and father-in-law, has a copy of this Monitor in his home. These quotes alone are sufficient to warn the man of God to flee the Lodge. To say that there is no false religion to to say that there is no true religion either.

C. * THE MEANING OF MASONRY * BY W.L. WILMSHURST

Further affirmation of the authoritative nature of the Masonic writings of Albert Pike, Albert G. Mackey and W.L. Wilmshurst is found in the foreword to the volume, *The Meaning of Masonry*, by W.L> Wilmshurst. Allan Boudreau, Ph.D., Curator and Librarian, Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of the State of New York, wrote in July, 1980:

"Freemasonry has had many great scholars who devoted their time and talents to the philosophical exposition of the character of the Craft, the meaning of Craft, symbols, and the religious aspects of the Fraternity: Albert Pike, Robert Freke Gould, Fort Newton, Albert Gallatin Mackey, and W.L. Wilmshurst.

Walter Leslie Wilmshurst was a mystic with a practical knowledge and profound understanding of the religions of the world. *The Meaning of Masonry* discloses the real purpose of Modern Freemasonry and clearly states the true body of teaching and practice concerning the esoteric meanings of Masonic ritual." (Emphasis added)

This affirmation of Pike, Mackey, and Wilmshurst will be very important in the remainder of this discussion. The condemnation of Freemasonry which will be established herein is based on Masonic manuals and Masonic scholars. Out of their own mouths they will condemn themselves.

D. * THE MASONIC BIBLE *

The acceptance of Albert Pike as an authority on Freemasonry and in the interpretations of the symbols of Freemasonry is universally affirmed among the adherents to that occultic brotherhood. This is no where more evident than in the Masonic Bible.

The very concept of a Masonic Bible is offensive,for in subsequent sections it will be established that the Lodge and its brotherhood hold the Word of God in very low esteem. But, in the *Masonic Edition Cyclopedic Indexed Holy Bible* on pages 9-20, there are lengthy direct quotations from *Morals and Dogma* by Albert Pike. In addition, on page sixteen there is a full-page picture of Pike with his title, Grand Commander Supreme Council of 33rd Degree Southern Juris- diction of the United States, inscribed at the bottom. These quotes affirm the esteem in which Pike is held by the Lodge.

8

* HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS *

It is worthwhile for Southern Baptists to know that Holman Bible Publishers have published numerous editions, styles and sizes of Masonic Bibles for years. When the Baptist Sunday School Board bought the Holman Bible company their first act was to sell the Masonic Bible publishing rights. It could be legitimately asked, if Freemasonry is not a problem for Southern Baptists, why did we stop publishing their Bibles? If Freemasonry is a problem, why did we not destroy the plates rather than "turning a profit" in their sale?

E. CONCLUSIONS

Albert Pike, Albert G. Mackey, and W.L. Wilmshurst are embraced by Masons as authorities on Freemasonry. They can speak of the real intent of the secret society of Freemasonry. Extensive quotations from *Morals and Dogma* by Albert Pike, *The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry* by Albert Mackey and *The meaning of Masonry* by Wilmshurst, as well as from the commentaries of the *Texas Lodge Manual Monitor*, will be given to establish the fact that Freemasonry not only is, but proudly claims to be, in the tradition of and the direct successor to the secret societies and mystery religions which are condemned by the Word of God.

9

PART FOUR: WHO KNOWS THE TRUTH ABOUT FREEMASONRY?

If Freemasonry is as wicked as this paper contends, then how can otherwise sincere men, who genuinely believe that they are Christians, embrace the tenets of an occultic and indeed satanic organization? The answer requires discovering, "Who knows what masonry really means?" Do the initiates in the first three degrees of what is called the Blue Lodge have any idea what masonry is really about, where it really came from and what its goals really are? They should have known; they could have known, if they listened to the spirit of the Lord. When they stand before God at the Judgement, they will be without excuse. But Albert Pike said, "No! They do not know because we lie to them."

"The Blue Degrees are but the outer court or portico of the temple. Part 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 im- agine he understands them. Their true explication is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry." (*Morals and Dogma*, p.819)

What a brotherhood?! A brotherhood which willfully, contemptuously and intentionally misleads its adherents. Surely, the "New Age" envisioned by the "Illuminati" of Freemasonry doesn't mean this? But, alas, they do. In the previously quoted foreword to *The Meaning of Masonry*, Dr. Allan Boudreau states:

"In this new Aquarian age, when many individuals and groups are working in various ways for the eventual restoration of the mysteries, an increasing number of aspirants are begining to recognize that Freemasonry may well be the vehicle for this achievement. We have here a sincere effort by a learned and earnest Brother to point to the source of Masonic Light in elegant, and at times profound, language. They who look with him may enjoy the same felicity. The great value of this book is that it was written by one who sets an example for all Masters of the Lodges...In these pages, he whispers the password to those of us who still clamor at the gate, enabling us to enter that inner chamber where we can join the true initiates and share EXPERIENCES NOW VEILED FROM ALL BUT A HANDFUL OF BRETHREN." (The Meaning of Masonry, p.4 -- Emphasis added.)

Only a "handful of brethren" understand what masonry really means; others are intentionally misled and lied to. It is no surprise that Southern Baptist 0en say, "That's not true! That's not what the Lodge is all about." They have been deceived and lied to. Yet, they are without excuse, for they could have known; they should have known.

10

PART FIVE: THE OCCULTISM OF FREEMASONRY

' A. SECRET ORGANIZATIONS CONDEMNED BY THE WORD OF GOD

1. SECRECY IS HALLMARK OF OCCULTISM

The first characteristic of the Masonic Lodge which condemns it is that it is secretive. The Bible repeatedly warns believers not to do things in secret and in the dark. FOR A CHRISTIAN TO ALLOW HIMSEF TO BE BLINDFOLDED, SYMBOLICAL- LY CONFESSING THEREBY THAT HE IS BLIND, WHEN THE CREATOR GOD OF THE UNIVERSE ABIDES IN HIS HEART, IS AN ABOMINATION. Ephesians 5:6-13 warns against the deceit of those things which are done in dark and in secret. The Lord Jesus Christ warned that everything which is done in secrecy will be revealed in the light and that every word which is spoken in the dark will be shouted from the roof tops. (See Luke 12:1-3)

2. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECRECY

There is a difference between that which is secret and that which is confidential. There are many things in a Christian's life which should be confidential; there is nothing which should be secret.

a. SECRECY

1) SECRECY IS THE WAY AND THE PLACE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WICKED.

Psalm 10:8-9 identifies the nature of the "functional atheist" -- the one who would agree that God exists, yet lives his life as if He doesn't; it states:

"He sittith in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den."

The functional athiest operates in secret to gain advantage over others and to achieve his or her covetous desires. Secrecy is also the method of those who attempt to influence another to abandon God; Deuteronomy 13:6 states:

"If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own should entice ("entice" is the translation of a Hebrew word which means "to make room for that which God has not made room for") thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy father."

The world always attempts to seduce God's people in secret. The works of evil are always done in secret or so the wicked thing, for indeed nothing is secret from God. There is no commandment or allowance for God's people to do anything in secret.

11

2) THAT WHICH IS DONE IN SECRET IS SHAMEFUL

Jesus said that no one lights a candle and puts it under a bushel basket. That which is done in secret is not done for and because of light; it is done for and because of darkness, which is evil in the Biblical metaphor.

Ephesians 5:12 states:

"For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."

There is nothing done in secret which is honorable and noble. All that is done in secret is selfish, sensual, sinful or Satanic. Romans 6:21 states:

"What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death."

The end of the activities of the Lodge is death -- eternal death in hell. Recently, a patient was witnessed to by a physician. When asked if he were a Christian the man responded, "No, but I'm O.K. with God; I'm a mason." Few will state it so blatantly, but it is in the heart and mind of every adherent to this occultic brotherhood.

3) SECRECY IS CONTRARY TO THE WAYS OF GOD

Jesus Christ said:

"I spake openly in the world: I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing." (John 18:20)

If the Lord Jesus Christ said nothing is secret, then His followers should do nothing in secret. There is no element, ceremony or practice of Christianity which should be or must be conducted in secret. There is no aspect of the Christian faith which requires a cloak of secrecy for success. In private devo- tion and in private prayer,believers are admonished to "enter into their closet" and "their Father which seeth in secret will answer openly." The issue here, however, is not secrecy, but confidentiality.

4) ALL THINGS DONE IN SECRET WILL BE REVEALED,
I.E., SECRECY IS AN ILLUSION

In his pride man pretends that he is sovereign, yet the Bible has revealed that man can do nothing independent of God's power and/or God's presence and knowledge. THEREFORE, THE PRETENCE OF SECRECY IS THE FUNCTIONAL DENIAL OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD BECAUSE MAN LIVES UNDER THE ILLUSION THAT SOMETHING CAN BE KEPT FROM GOD. David said:

"Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me: even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee." (Psalm 139:7-12)

12

Jesus said:

"Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." (Luke 12:1-3)

Furthermore, the writer of Hebrews, expanding upon this concept, said:

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: But all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do." (Hebrews 4:13)

The Masonic claim to secrecy is an offense to the God of Light, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing can truly be done in secret. It is an illusion of man's imagination for man to believe he can hide from God.

5) SECRECY IS USED TO PRETEND TO BE SOMETHING YOU AREN'T

In Luke 12:1-3, quoted above, Jesus Christ associated the hypocrisy of the Pharisees with the illusion of secrecy. THE ONLY MOTIVE FOR SECRECY IS EITHER A MAN IS ASHAMED OF WHAT HE IS DOING, OR HE IS TRYING TO GAIN SOME UNFAIR OR IMMORAL ADVANTAGE OVER OTHERS. Neither of these motives is Christian. Jesus Christ came to deliver man from the works of darkness and from the need to operate in secrecy, not to have His people involved in the occult -- in secret.

b. CONFIDENTIALITY

1) CONFIDENTIALITY INVOLVES THE TIMING OF THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION, NOT THE CONCEALMENT OF IT

Mark said of the Lord Jesus Christ:

"And He straitly charged them that they should not make Him known." (Mark 3:12)

Jesus was not operating in secrecy; He was just choosing the timing of the release of information about Himself. This is a legitimate decision. But, to have information which is vital to others, and permanently to withhold that information, is treachery. Paul "warned every man he met and taught every man he could all that he knew about the Lord Jesus Christ." (Colossians 1:27-29) He held nothing back for his personal advantage. He had no secrets; there was nothing which he chose to withhold in order to advance himself.

2) CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY OF TIME FOR GOD'S VALIDATION WITHOUT THE CONFUSION OF MEN'S WORD'S

Matthew said:

"And charged them that they should not make Him known. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Essias the prophet,

13

saying, Behold My Servant, Whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My Soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon Him, and He shall shew judgement to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear His Voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till He send forth judgement unto victory. And in His Name shall the Gentiles trust. (Matthew 12:16)

The fulfillment of God's prophesy about the Lord Jesus Christ required time. That time was provided by the maintaining of the confidentiality of Jesus' identity until the time in which the Father had chosen to reveal it. This is not secrecy; it does not attempt to exclude others by withholding information from them. The ultimate goal is, in God's time, to include all whom the Father has called.

3) CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCOUNTABULITY WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING EXPOSED TO RIDICULE

Proverbs 11:13 states:

"A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."

Leviticus 19:16 identifies one of the elements of holiness as:

"Thou shalt no go up and down as a talebearer among thy people."

The only secret which the Bible recommends is that of not betraying the failure of a brother or sister whose sin you know and/or whose trust you have been givin. Once again this is not secrecy, because that failure has already been confessed to God for forgiveness and to a faithful friend for victory in the future. This is a function of confidentiality which deals with the lim- iting of negative information to those who need to know,i.e., they are either a part of the problem and/or they are a part of the solution.

4) CONFIDENTIALITY MENAS THAT THERE IS SOME INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE CONSTRUCTIVE TO SOME AND DESTRUCTIVE TO OTHERS

Proverbs 16:23 states:

"The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips."

Proverbs 29:11 states:

"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards."

It is not necessary to say everything you know in order to avoid the Biblical condemnation of secrecy. The motive in withholding information is most often the issue which distinguishes between secrecy and confiden- tiality. It is not wise to tell everything you know to everyone you know.

14

5) CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO BEAR THE BURDENS OF OTHERS IN PRAYER WITHOUT THE DESTRUCTIVE INFLUENCE OF GOSSIP

The Bible states:

"He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." (Proverbs 20:19)

The man or woman of God will know much that he or she never speaks, but the motive is not secrecy, the motive is not secrecy, the motive is faithfulness. The prophets often demonstrated that "half the facts can be the whole truth", depending upon one's motive. Confidentiality allows for time to heal the pain of sin, after grace has healed the penalty, without others being injured by know- ledge of a brother or sister's failure.

6) CONFIDENTIALITY PREVENTS SPEAKING HASTILY AND BEFORE ONE UNDERSTANDS THE MEANING OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND EVENTS.

Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is said, kept many things in her heart for prayer, until she understood what she was to do about them. The Bible states:

"Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him." (Proverbs 29:20)

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

"And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart." (Luke 2:51)

Mary did not understand what was happening to her and did not understand Who her Son was. Therefore she remained silent until she did understand. There is wisdom in this. Confidentiality allows the discovery of the bigger picture and/or the real situation before acting or speaking.

7) BEING TRUSTED WITH "SPECIAL" INFORMATION -- CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION --IS ONE OF THE BEST EXERCISES IN LEARNING HOW TO BE A FAITHFUL MAN

The Bible states:

"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." (Proverbs 21:23)

One of the most needful character traits in order to be a "faithful" man of God is loyalty. This is best taught in the arena of confidentiality. A person is given information which he is required to keep to himself. Information is power in the modern world. Often, even very personal information is used by one to impress or gain favor with another. When a person can be trusted not to use private information about another for personal gain, they are learning the lesson of confidentiality and are learning how to be a faithful man or woman of God.

15

The Masonic oath of secrecy violates Scripture. The Bible clearly commands believers not to enter into oaths with other men. It also violates God's hatred of secrecy.

3. HUSBAND IS TO BE TO WIFE WHAT CHRIST IS TO THE CHURCH

It has often been the case that marriages have been injured because the Mason swears himself to secrecy in allegiance to his Lodge which excludes his wife and children. Wives often say, "The only thing which has ever come between my husband and me is the Lodge. He spends so much time and money there and tells me I can't know what they're doing."

A husband is to be to the wife as Christ is to the Church. Jesus said to the Church:

"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you." (John 15:15)

If God, Jesus Christ, refused to keep anything from His Bride, the Church, then why should men who claim to love Him keep anything from their brides? No Christian organization would require a man to swear an oath to keep something from his wife. There are many things a man of God might not tell his wife, there is nothing that he cannot tell her. And, a man of God must never allow himself to be sworn to secrecy against his wife.

4. THE BIBLE NEVER COMMANDS THAT TRUTH BE SECRETED AMONG THE PRIVILEGED

If the Lodge has the truth, as it pretends, and if the Lodge has the Spirit of Christ, then it ought to be evangelizing the world with the truth. Truth -- which by definition must be revealed by God -- is never given to an individual or an institution for their own exclusive use. Truth is given in order for it to be shared.

There are a number of motivations for men joining the Lodge. Almost all of them have to do with gaining an advantage over others. Truth was never given to one man in order for him to gain power, privilege, or advantage over another. Only the imitation truth of the Devil can be so used by men.

5. EZEKIEL 8 REVEALS THE ABOMINATION OF SECRECY AND THE DEGENERACY WHICH FOLLOWS ITS ADOPTION BY MEN

In a vision Ezekiel saw: "the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy." (Ezekiel 8:3b) This "seat of jealousy" is described in Ezekiel's vision as:

"...every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about. And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of insense went up. Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The Lord seeth us not: the Lord hath forsaken the earth." (Ezekiel 8:10-12)

16

"The seat of jealousy" is that which is done by God's people in the dark -- in secret -- and which reflects their belief that God is impotent, He cannot see them. Ezekiel 8 is a perfect picture of the Masonic Lodge. Three things about this vision relate to the study of Freemasonry:

a. For the prophet of God access to the chamber where these abominations took place was through a hole in the wall. (See Ezekiel 8:8) For the conspirators, the only access to the chamber was through a door. The Masonic Lodge has no windows and is often on the second story of a building to further increase its security and secrecy. Ezekiel saw through a hole in the wall. PAPERS SUCH AS THESE ARE A HOLE IN THE WALL OF THE LODGE, ALLOWING GOD'S PEOPLE TO SEE INSIDE AND TO FLEE FROM THE "SEAT OF JEALOUSY".

b. These men and their associates "worshipped the sun toward the east." (Ezekiel 8:16c) It will soon be established that the Lodge itself claims to be the heir to the Egyptian sun worship of the ancient world.

c. It was a chamber of symbols. All mystery religions use symbols which have secret and magical powers. The Masonic Lodge is filled with symbols which have esoteric and occultic significance. These will not be revealed to a man until he vows upon his death loyalty to the Lodge above all else, including the church and Jesus Christ.

The vision which was revealed to Ezekiel had immediate and direct meaning for Israel. Yet, that vision has implications for Christians today. They are to avoid and association with that which is done in secret. They are also to avoid anything which pretends to imbue symbols with magical powers. They are to avoid any semblance of reproducing in their lives a "seat of jealousy". The Masonic Lodge is a "seat of jealousy", and the men and women of the Lodge will stand before a Holy God and be judged for their association with it. IN ADDITION ALL WHO ENCOURAGE IT, WHETHER BY IGNORING IT OR BY NOT WARNING OTHERS ABOUT IT, WILL SHARE IN THAT JUDGEMENT.

B. FREEMASONRY WITH ITS LIES HAS NOT THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST

The word of God states:

"For there are many muruly and vain talkers and deceivers (intentionally deceiving others) specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre's sake." (Titus 1:10-11)

The "intentional deceiving" of others is born of the god of this world, not the God of Heaven. In addition, the telling of lies "for filthy lucre's sake" -- - for the gaining of pecuniary advantage -- which is one of the greatest motiva- tions for men to join the Lodge, is evil.

17

Anything that attempts to deceive man is born of the "god of this world", who is the great liar. God will not use a lie even to influence a man to embrace the truth. Masonry, which intentionally misleads and lies to its initiates, is born of the father of lies, Lucifer. Titus 1:16 is an excellent summary of the condition of church members who are active, enthusiastic members of the Masonic Lodge.

PART SIX: THE GOD OF THE LODGE: LUCIFER

A. ALBERT PIKE: LUCIFER IS GOD

What are the lies which the Lodge is designed to conceal? Why, if the Lodge is such a noble organization, does it need to deceive others? The truth is that the lies are necessary to conceal that Lucifer is the god of the Lodge and that all worship in the Lodge is the worship of Satan himself.

Every cult has its god. Every occultic society has its god. This is what is being covered up: the identity of the god of Freemasonry. Albert Pike re- vealed this in a speach given July 14, 1889, as Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World of Freemasonry in Paris, France:

"That which we must say to the crowd is -- We worship a god, but it is the god that one adores without superstition. To you, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, we say this, that you may repeat it to the brethren of the 32nd, 31st and 30th degrees -- The Masonic Religion should be, by all of us initiates of the higher degrees, maintained in the purity of the Luciferian Doctrine. If Lucifer were not god, would Adonay, (the God of the Christians) whose deeds prove his cruelty, perfidy and hatred of man, barbarism and repulsion for science, would Adonay and his priest, calumniate him?

Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay is also god. For the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two gods: darkness being necessary for light to serve as its foil as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive.

Thus, the doctrine of Satanism is a heresy; and the true and pure philosophical religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Adonay; but Lucifer, God of Light and God of Good, is struggling for humanity against Adonay, the God of Darkness and Evil." (Reference: "Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World", Albert Pike, Grand Commander, Sovereign Pontiff of Universal Freemasonry, July 14, 1889, Reported by A.C. De La Rive, *La Femme et L'Enfant dans la Franc-Maconnerie Universelle* p.588

18

In the late Nineteenth Century many anti-masonic books were written, pur- porting to be written by masons. Some have argued that this is one such book. There is no conclusive evidence either way. However, the contention that Lucifer is the god of the Lodge does not rise or fall on this quote from a book about masons. The following discussion will establish that fact from the mouths of Masons themselves.

B. W.L. WILMSHURST: LUCIFER IS GOD

Lucifer, worshipped as god, has been the goal of the mystery religions since Egypt worshipped the sun. W.L. Wilmshurst stated:

"Out of Egypt have I called My Son's is, in one of its many senses, a biblical allusion to this passing on of the catholic Mysteries from Egypt to new and virgin regions, for their enlightenment."

This is blasphemous, equating the Egyptian mystery religions with the Only Begotten Son of God. The purpose of the mystery religions in the ancient world was the establishing of Luciferian worship among men. Lucifer, who was the "bright one", the most beautiful of all of God's creation, lusted in his heart after the throne and majesty of God. The Word of God states:

"How art thou fallen from heaven. O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! for thou hast said in thine heart. I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." (Isaiah 14:12-14)

Lucifer did not succeed in exalting himself over the stars of God, nor did he succeed in being "like the most high". That honor was already the Eternal Possession of the One Who had been with the Father always. That One was, is, and ever shall be the Lord Jesus Christ.

But what did happen to Lucifer? Issiah 14:15-16 states:

"Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the houses of his prisoners?"

Lucifer -- Satan, the enemy of our souls, the adversary of Matthew 5:24 and I Peter 5:8 -- is an imitation "light" and a defeated foe. He has been cast out of heaven and placed under the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. Neverthelewss, there are allies of this "chief demon"that have been encouraging men from Adam's time to bow their knee to the "god of this world", Lucifer. These efforts have been through the ancient mystery religions and more recently through cultic and occultic practices, such as

19

Freemasonry. It is in this way that Satan has "made the earth to tremble" and in this way he "did shake kingdoms."

Freemasonry is the successor to the mystery religions. WHILE THIS IS OBVIOUS, THE WRITINGS OF THE AUTHORITIES OF FREEMASONRY WILL BE QUOTED TO PROVE IT TO MASONS WHO WANT TO MAINTAIN THEIR LODGE ASSOCIATION BECAUSE OF BUSINESS ADVANTAGE AND STILL PRETEND TO SERVE JESUS CHRIST.

The blasphemous comment of Wilmshurst, who cited Matthew 2:15 as proof that our Lord Jesus Christ, the "image of the Father", was a successor to the mystery religions of Egypt has already been quoted. This is one of the greatest proofs of the condemnation of Freemasonry. Our Heavenly Father called the Lord Jesus Christ out of Egypt to demonstrate forever to all mankind that His Son is to be worshipped rather than the false god of Egypt, the sun god, Isis. Isis is but a flickering candle in comparison to the radiance of the Glory of the God of Israel.

Wilmshurst confirms the relationship between Freemasonry and the ancient mysteries with its chief representative, the Jewish Kaballa, when he stated:

"But that light, like that of a Master Mason, has never been wholly extinguished, however dark the age, and by the tradition, this of ours is spiritually the darkest of the dark ages. 'God has never left Himself without a witness among the children of men,' and among the witnesses to the Ancient Wisdom and Mysteries is the system of Masonry; a faint and feeble flicker, perhaps, but never- theless a true light and in the true line of succession of the primitive doctrine, and one still able to guide our feet into the way of peace and perfection." (*The Meaning of Masonry* p.178)

Wilmshurst affirms:

a. Freemasonry is the modern manifestation of the ancient mystery religions.

b. Masonry is able to guide men "to peace and perfection". This is proof that masonry claims to be "a way" to salvation.

c. Freemasonry is a "witness" of and to the ancient mystery religions, not the Lord Jesus Christ.

C. FREEMASONRY: MODERN VERSION OF CONDEMNED MYSTERY RELIGIONS

Masonry is the successor to the mystery religions. Masonry claims to be the "true light" through which men can come to "peace" and "perfection." Recall the discussion of the condemned "fables" in Titus 1:10-16, in Timothy 1:6-7, in I Timothy 4:4 and in II Timothy 4:3-4. *Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon* iden- tifies "fables" as:

"The fictions of the Jewish Theosophists and Gnostics, especially concerning the emanations and orders of the aeons."

20

"Peace" is the Christian equivalent of salvation. "Perfection" is the Christian equivalent of sanctification. Both of these are achieved, argues Wilmshurst, through the Masonic Lodge.

In *Morals and Dogma*, Albert Pike stated:

"All truly dogmatic religions have issued from the Kaballa 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 Kaballa; ALL MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS OWE TO IT THEIR SECRETS AND SYMBOLS." (p.744)

Emanuel Swedenborg was the eighteenth century occultist who denied all of the books of the Bible except the Gospels and the writings of John. There is a Swedenborg Masonic Order and there is a church, which in the United States has several thousand members, founded on the occultic teachings of Swedenborg. Albert Pike affirms Swedenborg. In *Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry*, Mackey embraces Swedenborg also:

"...if there was really a borrowing of one from the other, and not an accideental coincidence, it was the Freemasons of the advanced Degrees who borrowed from Swedenborg, and not Swedenborg from them... WE CANNOT DENY THAT HE HAS UNWITTINGLY EXERCISED A POWERFUL INFLUENCE ON FREEMASONRY." (Volume 2, p.997)

No Christian should be associated with anything that an occultist like Swedenborg influenced. No Christian should have anything to do with anyone who denies the Word of God.

A brief review of *Morals and Dogma* reveals that all of the symbols of Freemasonry are interpreted in light of the "emanation and orders of the aeons" of the Kaballa. The Word of God specifically and categorically condemns and rejects the godless speculations such as these very activities in which Albert Pike and his Masonic "Brotherhood" are engaged.

In an article on the Kaballa, in *The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry*, Albert Mackey states:

"The mystical philosophy or theosophy of the Jews is called the Kaballa. The word is derived from the Hebrew Kabal, signifying to receive, because it is the doctrine received from the elders." (Volume 1, p.166)

According to *Thayer's* definition of "fables", God has condemned the Jewish Kaballa or mystery religions of the Jewish philosophers. But what is the connection, if any, between the condemned Kaballa and Freemasonry? Listen! Albert Mackey said:

"...INTIMATELY CONNECTED with the symbolic science of Freemasonry, the Kaballa may be defined to be a system of philosophy which embraces certain mystical interpretations of Scripture, and

21

metaphysical speculations concerning the Deity, man and spiritual beings." (Ibid, p.166)

On page 5 of this study, *Expositor's Greek New Testamnet* is quoted demonstrating that the Bible condemns bizzarre and esoteric interpretations of scripture. The Kaballa and the Masonic Lodge employ scripture in a spec- ulative and occultic manner. In fact, in a manner which the Word of God condemns.

In a passage of Scripture quoted on page three of this paper, Paul warned Timothy about such idle speculations; he said:

"I am repeating in this letter the advice I gave you just before I went to Macedonia and urged you to stay at Ephesus. I wanted you to do this so that you could order certain persons to stop inventing new doctrines and to leave hoary old myths and interminable genealogies alone. Such things lead men to speculation rather than to the ordered living which results from faith in God. The ultimate aim of the Christian ministry after all, is to produce the love which springs from a pure heart, a good conscience and a genuine faith. Some seem to have forgotten this and to have lost themselves in endless words." (I Timothy 1:3-6, *Phillips*)

Masons busy themselves about "hoary old myths" which lead to "idle spec- ulation." God wants His people involved in "ordered living" which results in faith.

D: DOCTRINE OF EMANATION: GOD BECOMES MATTER

The "intimate connection" between the Kaballa and Freemasonry is more than illusory. The Kaballa, and other mystery religions, such as Zoroaster, teach the doctrine of "emanation". "Emanation" is defined by *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* as:

"The origination of the world conceived in Neoplatonism not as a creation out of nothing but as a series of hierarchically descending radiations from the Godhead to nous (consciousness) and other intermediate stages and ultimately to matter."

The contradiction of the Word of God as to Creation is clear. Biblical creation was DE NOVO, out of nothing. The doctrine of emanations is the precise opposite of this. Either the world was created by an emanation, by a gradual transformation of god into matter; or God spoke, and out of nothing, that which is came forth. The two theologies are mutually exclusive; one is true and the other is false.

The Supreme Being of the Kabbalist is not the God of the Bible. Of the Supreme Being of th4e Kabbalist, Mackey writes:

"The Supreme Being, say the Kaballists, is an absolute and inscrutable unity, having nothing without him and everything within him. He is called EN SOPH, 'The Infinite One'. In this infinitude he cannot be comprehended by the intellect, nor

22

described in words intelligible by human minds, so as to make his existence percepttible." (Ibid, p.167)

This is certainly not a description of the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. The "knowable-ness" of God by man is not only affirmed by Scripture (Romans 1), but is established as the very dynamic behind creation. The "mystery" becomes even more bizzarre as the god of the Kaballa, "The Great Architect of the Uni- verse", is further described by Mackey.

Because of his transcendent nature, and therefore "un-knowable-ness", the Supreme Being of the Kaballa needed to make himself comprehensible. Mackey stated:

"It was necessary, therefore, that, to render himself comprehensible, the EN SOPH should make himself active and creative. But he could not become the direct creator; because, being infinite, he is without will, intention, thought, desire or action, all of which are qualities of a finite being only." (Ibid, p.167)

The roots of secular humanism with its deification of man and its anthro- pomorphizing of God are seen here as the Kaballist creates a god who is inept.

Anyone familiar with the history of religion begins to recognize who EN SOPH really is. He is a "first cause", a "prime mover", the "creative force" in the world. Yet, he is a "first cause" of limited capacity. He is a god who is manageable by man. He is certainly not the caring, compassionate, communing God of David and the Psalms. He is not the omnipitent, creator God of Genesis and Jeremiah. Mackey commented further:

"The EN SOPH, therefore was compelled to create the world in an indirect manner, by ten emanations from the infinite light which he was and in which he dwelt. These ten emanations are the ten Sephiroth." (Ibid, p.167)

Thus, "god" "created" matter and the world by sequential transformations of himself into concrete, real objects. Man or matter then returned to its origin- al state as "god" or light through the reversal of these emanations, argues the Kaballist. The "plan of salvation" for the Kaballist was the progressive ascent back through these emanations until he was fused, once again as at the begining, with the EN SOPH.

MASONIC PLAN OF SALVATION

In *The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry*, Albert Mackey explained the relation- ship which emanations have to the Lodge:

"These ten Sephiroth, represented in their order of ascent from the lowest to the highest...FORCIBLY REMIND US OF THE SYSTEM OF MYSTICAL LADDERS WHICH PERVADED ALL THE ANCIENT AS WELL AS MODERN INITIATIONS; the Brahmanical Ladder of the Indian mysteries; the Ladder of Mithras, used, the Persian mysteries; the Scandinavian Ladder of the Gothic mysteries, and IN THE MASONIC

23

MYSTERIES THE LADDER OF KADOSH; AND LASTLY, THE THEOLOGICAL LADDER OF THE SYMBOLIC DEGREES." (Volume I, p.167)

What does this mean? It means that salvation for the Indian, the Persian, the Scandinavian and the Mason is through a sequence of emanations or ladders of excellence, through which each progresses by initiation into ever higher mysteries within their "faith". Through the emanations -- through passing through higher and higher degrees -- the Mason can return to the substance of god from which his Craft teaches him that he came.

It is through rising in the degrees of Freemasonry that the Mason becomes a god. It is the same for the Mormon, who is on his way, he is told, to god- head, if he is "good enough." The hellish doctrine of man becoming God, taught by Joseph Smith and his disciples came straight from the Masonic Lodge, as did the secret endowment ceremonies of the Mormon Temple. It is the Lodge and its craft that the Mason trusts for his redemption. And, so he swears as shall be seen from the examination of the thirtieth degree of Scottish Rite masonry. The Masonic plan of salvation is a works righteousness religion. There is no place for atonement, grace, faith and mercy. It is no wonder that Masons will build hospitals, churches and orphanages, at the same time that they blaspheme the name of Christ. They are, in their mind and in the Lodge's teaching, earning their salvation.

EN SOPH IS LUCIFER

But who is this god, EN SOPH? It is clear that he is not the God of the Bible or the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then who is he? The Kaballist identifies him, for Albert Mackey reported that in the death and resurrection ritual of the Kaballist it is said:

"This is he who causes the earth to quake and the kingdoms to shake." (Ibid, p.167)

Who, according to Scripture "caused the earth to quake and kingdoms to shake"? Re-read Isaiah 14:16 which states:

"They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying is this the man that make the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms..."

Who was this? The Word of God tells us that it was Lucifer. In 1889, Albert Pike identified Lucifer as god. In *The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry*, Albert Mackey established that the god of Freemasonry is Lucifer.

24

PART SEVEN: KNIGHTS KADOSH -- THIRTIETH DEGREE

A. MEETING WITH SATAN

If the "fables" that Scripture condemns are "Jewish theosophistry" and "emanations of aeons", and if Jewish Kaballism is "Jewish Theosophistry", and if the emanations of the Kaballish and the Masonic Ladder of Kadosh and the Theological Ladder of the Symbolic degrees of Freemasonry are "emanations of aeons", THEN, it should be very instructive to look at the Ladder of Kadosh of Freemasonry.

The Kadosh, says Mackey, is the "name of a very important degree in many of the Masonic Rites". The Knight Kadosh is the thirtieth degree of the Scot- tish Rite of Freemasonry. A detailed discription and analysis of the degree is presented in *Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated (The Complete Ritual of the An- cient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Profusely Illustrated by a Sovereign Grand Commander, 33~). This book is published by the Powner Company in Chicago, Illinois which identifies itself as: "a company from which Masons may order with confidence from a firm which has continuously served the craft since 1867."

This description of the thirtieth degree is that of the Masonic Lodge. It is a description which is distributed by this publishing company as a servant of the Craft. THE MASONS FIRST FACE TO FACE ENCOUNTER WITH THE GOD OF THE LODGE, WITH LUCIFER, WITH EN SOPH, WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE THIRTIETH DEGREE.

B. THE DECORATIONS OF THE THIRTIETH DEGREE

In the initiatory ritual of the thirtieth degree there are four apartments or rooms with special decorations which symbolize different aspects of the oc- cult. In this degree, there are four oaths that are recited. In the first apartment the following furnishings are present:

"This apartment is hung with black tapestry. A sepulchral lamp is suspended from the vault. In the middle is a mausoleum, above which is a coffin. In the coffin lies a knight, wrapped up in a white shroud, his face veiled. On the platform of the mausoleum are three skulls...At the west end of the apartment is a large transparency on which are written in flame colored letters the following words: 'Whoever shall overcome the dread of death, shall emerge from the bosom of the earth, and have a right to be initiated into the greater mysteries.' Beneath are the initials J.B.M." (*Scotch Rite Masonry, Illustrated*, p.257)

That the above does not describe the ornaments of a Christian service needs no arguement. That it does involve the occultic and Luciferianism is obvious to any that will consider what follows. The initiate is about to recognize that he has become an illuminati in the Kaballa faith which Scripture condemns.

After several moments of the playing of music the Thrice Puissant Grand Master says to the initiate:

25

"My brother, these objects conceal a great mystery. Are you prepared to undergo the trials which await you? They are fearful, but THERE IS NOTHING IN THEM TO ALARM YOU IF YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD THE DEGREES THROUGH WHICH YOU HAVE SUCCESSIVELY PASSED. I warn you moreover, that you will have to answer very serious questions, and must advise you to confine yourself in all your answers to these words only. 'I wish to procede.' YOU MUST COLLECT ALL YOUR POWER OF YOUR MIND, FOR ON YOURSELF ALONE YOU WILL HAVE TO DEPEND." (ibid, p.258)

The Thrice Puissant Grand Master admits that even though the real meaning of the Masonic symbols are concealed from the men of the lower degrees, that "if you have understood", then you will already know what you are about to be told. THE OCCULTISM OF THE LODGE IS DISCERNABLE AT THE LOWER DEGREES IF A MAN IS LISTENING. The lies of Freemasonry, while withheld from the Blue lodge members, are contained in the symbolism of those lower degrees, if a person is able to discern them. All men of the Lodge are without excuse. Either they are lost and blind, or they have allowed Satan to blind them.

Secondly, and more diabolical is the statement, "FOR ON YOURSELF ALONE YOU WILL HAVE TO DEPEND." The Christian God has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Where is this God Who promised such? Why are "Christians" en- couraged to cast Him aside and to rely only upon themselves? Why must the Christian be stripped of the reality of the Presence of the True God in order to proceed in this "brotherhood"? The reason becomes apparent soon.

After a period of silent meditation on the part of the initiate, the Knight in the coffin asks:

"Thou who comes hither to disturb my rest fear my wrath. What is thy wish? (Ibid, p.259)

C. WHO IS IN THE COFFIN IN THE THIRTIETH DEGREE?

Who does the Knight in the coffin represent? Albert Pike says that the an- swer lies in the mysteries of the Kaballa. Albert Mackey stated:

"The Kaballah was first taught by God to a select company of angels, who formed a theosophic school in Paradise. After the fall the angels most graciously communicated this heavenly doctrine to the disobedient child of earth..." (*Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry* Volume 1, p.166)

The only angels to be cast out of heaven were those who joined Lucifer in his rebellion against God. This "select company of angels" had to be those who rebelled with Lucifer and who were cast out of heaven. They then set about to mystify and to subvert man's loyalty to Jehovah. These angels that communicated heavenly visions to men were the legions of Lucifer, who enticed man to eat of the forbidden tree of knowledge of good and evil. Mackey's article on the Kabal- la, quoting from a work by Dr. Ginsburg entitled *Kaballa*,continues, contending that these secrets

26

were communicated from Adam to Noah. Then through Abraham they came to Egypt when (he) "allowed a portion of this mysterious doctrine to ooze out." It is further contended that Moses included this Kaballism in the Pentateuch, through which David and Solomon became initiated into the Kaballa. (Ibid, p.166)

The article continues:

"No one, however, dared to write it down till Simon ben Jochai, who lived at the time of the destruction of the second Temple (587 B.C.) Having been condemned to death by Titus, Rabbi Simon managed to escape with his son and concealed himself in a cavern, where he

remained for twelve years." (Ibid, p.166) This may all seem far afield; but observe the fate of Simon ben Jochai:

"Here (in the cavern), too, his disciples resorted to be initiated by their master into these divine mysteries; and here Simon ben Jochai expired with this heavenly doctrine in his mouth, whilst discoursing on it to his disciples." (Ibid, p.166)

How ordinary! He died. But listen to the events of his death according to the myth of the Kaballa:

"Scarcely had his spirit departed, when a dazzling light filled the cavern, so that no one could look at the Rabbi; whilst a burning fire appeared outside, forming as it were a sentinal at the entrance of the cave, and denying admittance to the neighbors." (Ibid, p.166)

This sounds like the "angel with a sword of fire" that was placed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden in Genesis three. This is a dramatic conclusion to the life of one who dared reveal the secrets that fallen angels communicated to fallen man. But the drama is not at an end, for Mackey states:

"As they were preparing for his obsequies, a voice was heard from heaven, saying, 'Come ye to the marriage of Simon ben Jochai; he is entering into peace, and shall rest in his chamber.' A flame preceded the coffin, which seemed enveloped by and burning like fire." (Ibid, p.166)

A voice from heaven! Who was this man? What merit was his that such a supernatural occurrence marked his death and burial? The truth? Mackey states:

"And when the remains were deposited in the tomb, another voice was heard from heaven, saying, This is he who caused the earth to quake and the kingdoms to shake!" (Ibid, p.167)

Who was Simon ben Jochai? He was the one and the same as in Isaiah 14:16. He was Lucifer or one of his demons disguised in the form of a man. Who does the man in the coffin in the thirtieth degree represent? He is the Simon ben Jochai of the Kaballa. He is Lucifer himself or one of his demons.

27

D. THE REVELATION OF THE THIRTIETH DEGREE

Once again, the words of the Knight in the coffin are heard, but this time with the identity of the interrogator and with the understanding of what he intends:

"Thou who comest hither to disturb my rest fear my wrath. What is thy wish?" (*Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated* Vol. 2, p.259)

The initiate, on his own now, answers as he was instructed, "I wish to proceed." So the initiate, unknowingly perhaps, but nonetheless certainly, begins his fatal converse with the enemy of his soul. After a moment the ceremony continues:

"The door is thrown open with a fearful crash. The Knight in the coffin resumes his position. Thrice Puissant Grand Master enters the room hurriedly with a burning torch in his left hand and a dirk in his right. The music stops. He walks up to the candid- ate and says to him in a threatening voice:

'Since your wish is to proceed; since your rashness prompts you to dare the wrath in store for so many centuries, follow me.'" (Ibid, p.259)

The Thrice Puissant Grand Master then "walking up majestically to the mausoleum and kneeling before the skull wreathed with the laurel says, "kneel down with me". He continues:

"Hitherto you have seen in masonry nothing but emblems and symbols. Now you must see in it nothing but reality. Are you determined to repudiate all prejudices and to OBEY, WITHOUT RESERVE all that you will be commanded to to do for the good of humanity?" (Ibid, p.259)

Innocent enough it may seem on the surface. But the reality of the symbols to be seen is Luciferianism and the prejudices to be repudiated are Christian doctrine, and the unique revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The greatest problem in the church today, beyond unbelief, is rebellion. Here it is seen that even Lucifer knows of the need for obedience and submission.

The phrase, "obey, without reserve" is a covenant vow which should not be offered to anyone but the One True God. A Christian should never vow to obey anyone or anything "without reserve" except the Lord God Almighty, the personal God of the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ.

At this point the first oath is taken by the initiate, he vows to:

"In the presence of God, our Father, and of this noble victim, I... solemnly promise and swear upon my word of honor, never to reveal the mysteries of the Knights Kadosh, and to obey all the rules and regulations of the order. I further promise and swear to punish crime and protect innocence." (Ibid, p.260)

28

E. THE CRIME OF SECTARIANISM

It is only later that the initiate learns that the crime to punish is "sectarianism" -- the belief that there is one true and exclusive faith through which man must know God -- and that the innocence to be protected is the preten- ded innocence of the Kaballa -- the basis of salvation in the Lodge.

Freemasonry has always been anti-Roman Catholic. Many Protestants, and not a few Anabaptists, agreed with their opposition to the sacrementalism of the Romanists. Therefore, they did not recognize that the Lodge's opposition to "sectarianism", while cleverly disguised as anti-Catholic, was really anti- revealed religion and therefore anti-Christianity. This understanding will take on an increasing reality as this study proceeds.

F. THE MEANING OF PREVIOUS DEGREES IN THE SCOTTISH RITE

1. Sixteenth Degree: Foundations of Public Education The initiate has already sworn in the earlier degrees to the following:

16th Degree: "Teaches that every religion of mere forms and ceremonies and and external practices, must eventually crumble to pieces, for it is a dead body without a soul, and that the MASONRY OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE, founded on the simple and pure doctrine of love, toler- ation and reason, must be eternal."

(*Scotch Rite Masonry -- Illustrated*, Vol. II, p.404) This clearly is an anti-Roman Catholic statement. Many men would subscribe to the emptiness of the Roman Catholic Ritual, which is a form without a soul; but what is not initially clear is that Masonry is opposed to all "revealed" religion and contends that only reason can teach man the "right way".

This antagonism to revealed religion, i.e., Christianity of any and all forms, is the foundation and origin of secular humanism. THE ROOTS OF SECULAR HUMANISM, FIRST ESPOUSED BY THE FOMENTERS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION WITH ITS MOTTO, "lIBERTY, eQUALITY, fRATERNITY", HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO MODERN SOCIETY BY THE FREEMASONS. The Masons adopted the motto of the French Revolution as their own, exalting reason above revelation. This was the issue in the Garden of Eden: would man live by the Tree of Life, i.e., by revelation and in depend- ence upon God, or would man live by the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, i.e., by reason and dependent upon man's mind and will?

It is worthwhile to remember that the formulaters of public school educa- tion in America were Freemasons. That is took almost a century for the spirit of public education to declare its antagonism to revealed faith is only testi- mony to the patience of the enemy and of his henchmen. PUBLIC EDUCATION IS NOT INTRINSICALLY EVIL, BUT IT IS FOUNDED UPON AN EVIL PREMISE, I.E., MAN DOES NOT NEED GOD AND THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WHICH EDUCATION AND REASON CANNOT SOLVE. Pub- lic education is also founded on the concept of evolution -- a secularized ver- sion of the Kaballist's En Soph.

The phrase,"the Masonry of the Ancient and Accepted Rite...must be eternal" declares that Masons believe the teachings of the Lodge to be truth, for only truth

29

is eternal. The arrogance of this statement is astonishing! But, it is not surprising when it is realized that Masons believe that the teachings of the Lodge are superior even to the word of God. THIS IS AN INTERESTING DISCOVERY; THE LODGE WHICH ARGUES AGAINST ANY RELIGION'S CLAIM THAT IT EXCLUSIVELY HAS THE TRUTH, NOW CLAIMS THAT FREEMASONRY EXCLUSIVELY HAS THE TRUTH.

2. SEVENTEENTH DEGREE: DOUBT IS THE ONLY TRUTH MAN CAN EMBRACE

17TH Degree: "THE MASTER OF NAZARETH PASSED AWAY IN DOING GOOD, and we are rich with the splendid inheritance he left us. His death teaches us civil and religious toloration, and that, short as is our mental vision, and limited as our knowledge of the great mysteries of God and nature must ever be, we must never persecute, or ever become a stranger, to our brethren, because the opinions which they enunciate, conflict with those that we entertain." (Ibid. p.405)

Without the resurrection, Christianity is the worst of all religions. Paul said, "If Christ be not resurrected then we of all men are most miserable." (I Corinthians 15) Jesus Christ was not "the Master of Nazareth". He is the incarnate God. Jesus Christ did not "pass away." He laid His life down of His Own will. (See John 10:18) Jesus Christ did not teach us that truth cannot be known by man; He taught us that truth was revealed by His Words and His Life, for He is The Truth. When Jesus Christ said, "no man can come to the Father except by Me.", He established the most sectarian, the narrowest, faith con- ceivable. He said, "I am THE Way, THE Truth, THE Life." No place for another given. IT IS EITHER CHRIST'S WAY OR NO WAY. way, another truth, another life was given. IT IS EITHER CHRIST'S WAY OR NO WAY. Jesus Christ rejected the unitarian liberalism of the Masonic Lodge. So should every Southern Baptist.

3. 19th DEGREE: CYNICISM OF TOLERATION

19TH Degree: "Teaches us that, as true apostles of the doctrine of civil and religious toleration we must, as it were, bridge the abyss that devides us from our brethren, who adhere to the old law and ceremonial observances of the past, and win them over to us by kindness and reason." (Ibid., p.407)

Jesus Christ never commanded toleration as a motive for His disciples, and toleration is the antithesis of the Christian message. The cynicism of tolera- tion as a motivation is its implication that there is nothing worth standing for. According to toleration, truth is relative so it should never be held tightly. In opposing the concept of toleration, the Christian does not then advocate coercion. Faith, to be efficacious, must be embraced by the heart and soul of the adherent. Even if it were possible to effectively mandate and/or force belief, it would be false faith and would have no value. But, the avoidance of coercion does not require the assertion that no faith is superior to any other faith, as the Masonic Lodge argues.

30

a. Toleration Defined

The central dynamic of the Freemason drive for world unity through frater- nity, liberty and equality is toleration. This is seen in the writing of all the "great" writers of Freemasonry. On the other hand, the central dynamic of the Christian faith is receiving.

The contrasting of the concepts of the Masonic ideal of "toleration" and of the Christian ideal of "receiving" gives considerable insight into the mut- ually exclusive nature of these two religions. This contrast will enable one to discover why in the end one or the other must "win" by overcoming and destroying the other.

While Biblical eschatology is clear as to how this conflict will conclude, the process of the ultimate triumph of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ over her enemies, including Freemasonry and its god, Lucifer, requires the church to engage in mortal combat with her enemies because they are the enemies of her Lord. The process of this triumph is facilitated by the examining of the dif- ference between "toleration" and "receiving", and by, exposing the central dif- ference between the method of the god of Freemasonry and the motavation of the God of the Bible.

The *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* defines "toloration" as:

"a permissive or liberal attitude toward beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own -- sympathy or indulgence for diversity in thought or conduct -- breath of spirit or of viewpoint -- the act of allowing something -- the allowable deviation from the standard."

*Roget's Thesaurus -- International Edition* gives the following list of synonyms for the word "toleration":

"broad-mindedness, wide-mindedness, large-mindedness, catholicity, liberal-mindedness, lattitude, liberalism, latitudinarianism,open mind, indulgence, lenience, condonation, bigheartedness, unprejudice, disinterestedness, indifference, neutrality, freethinker."

*Roget's Thesaurus* lists the following verb phrases as synonymous with "toleration":

"Keep an open mind, be big, judge not, suspend jedgement, view with indulgence, listen to reason, see both sides, live and let live, lean over backwards, shut one's eyes, look the other way, wink at, blink at, overlook, disregard, 'swear allegiance to the words of no master.'"

The centrality of the concept of toleration to the Masonic brotherhood has been demonstrated. THE BATTLE CRY OF THE LODGE IS "TOLERATION" OR IN OTHER WORDS, THEIR BATTLE CRY IS THAT THERE IS NO BATTLE WORTH FIGHTING, LEAST OF ALL A BATTLE FOR THE TRUTH OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. THEY DENY THAT CHRISTIANITY HAS ANY GREATER VALUE THAN ANY OTHER RELIGION AND, IN FACT, SEE CHRISTIANITY, TAUGHT AS THE ONLY TRUE FAITH, AS THE GREAT ENEMY OF THE PROGRESS OF MAN.

31

The appeal for toleration seems "good" upon superficial examination, but when contrasted with the Biblical concept of "receiving" the insidious nature of the Masonic lie will be apparent.

b. Receiving Defined

*Webster's Dictionary* defines "receive" as:

"to come into the possession of -- to be placed under the burden, charge, or constraint of -- to partake of (the eucharistic sacrament) -- to accept as true or valid -- to recognize as authoritative."

The King James translation of the Word of God uses the word "receive" in a very restricted sense. The English word does not reveal all of the wealth of meaning contained in the New Testament concept of receiving than virtually any other passage of Scripture. That passage states:

"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another who is weak eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not: and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him...Wherefore receive ye one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God..." (Romans 14:1-3, 15:7)

The Greek word translated "receive" means to "take to one's self, to grant one access to one's heart, to take into friendship and intercourse." (Kenneth Wuest) The *Expositor's Greek Testament* says of this concept that "if Christ received both, they are bound to receive each other." (p.709, Romans) Dr.Albert Barnes, stated in Barnes Notes:

"It means here that God hath received him kindly; or has acknowledged him as His Own friend; or he is a true Christian. These scruples, on the one side or the other, are not inconsistant with true piety; and as God has acknowledged him as His, notwithstanding his opinions on these subjects, so we also ought to recognize him as a Christian brot- her. Other denominations, though they may differ from us on some sub- jects, may give evidence that they are recognized by God as His, and where there is evidence, we should neither despise nor judge them." (Romans p.298)

32

On Romans 15:7, Dr. Barnes commented: "Acknowledge one another as Christ- ians, and treat one another as such, though you may differ in opinion about many smaller matters..." (Romans, p.315)

Matthew Henry's comments are instructive:

"Receive one another into your affection, into your communion, and into your common conversation, as there is occasion. '...for some- times the prejudices of the weak Christian make him shy of the strong, as much as the pride of the strong Christian makes him shy of the weak, neither of which ought to be. Let there be a mutual embracing among Christians. Those who have received Christ by Faith must receive all Christians by brotherly love; though poor in the world, though persecuted and despised, though it may be a matter of reproach and danger to you to receive them, though in the less weighty matters of the law they are of different apprehensions, though there may have been occasion for private piques, yet, laying aside these and life considerations, RECEIVE YOU ONE ANOTHER." (Vol. 6, p.485)

But the reason for this receiving, Henry says, is:

"Now the reason why Christians must receive one another is taken, as before, from the condescending love of Christ to us...Can there be a more cogent argument? Has Christ been so kind to us, and shall we be so unkind to those that are His? Was He so forward to enter- tain us, and shall we be back backward to entertain our brethren? Christ has received us into nearest and dearest relations to Himself: has received us into His fold, into His family, into the adoption of sons, into a covenant of friendship, yes, into a marriage-covenant with Himself; He has received us (though we were strangers and enemies, and had played the prodigal) into fellowship and communion with Him- self. Those words, to the glory of God, may refer both to Christ's receiving us, which is our pattern, and to our receiving one another, which is our practice according to that pattern." (Romans, p.435)

33

c. Receiving and Toleration Contrasted

Our pattern is Jesus Christ, Who received us; our practice is the covenant relationship among all who name the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The real issue is, "How does toleration, which is espoused by the Masonic Lodge, differ from receiving which is commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ?"

No. TOLERATION RECEIVING
1. Based on CONTRACT -- conditional acceptance Based on COVENANT -- unconditional acceptance.
2. Demands RECIPROCITY, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Demands nothing in return -- Giving without any hope of getting.
3. Accepts the POSITION, ignores the PERSON. Accepts the PERSON, evaluates the POSITION.
4. Stems from a desire to be tolerated. Stems from having been received by Christ.
5. Based on AMBIGUITY and uncertainty about reliable truth. Based on the CERTAINTY of the Truth.
6. Opposes any absolute STANDARD particularly the Word of God. Imposes an absolute STANDARD which is the Word of God.
7. Brings glory to man by accommodating ANYTHING. Brings glory to God by LOVE of the brethren.
8. Requires the IGNORING of one another. Requires the EXHORTING of one another.
9. Demands the INCLUSION of anyone and everyone. Requires the EXCLUSION of anyone who violates truth.
10. Encourages a person to become all that HE wants to be. Encourages a person to become all that God made him to be.
11. Results in PRIDE of man and self adulation. Results in WORSHIP and PRAISE of God.
12. Dependent on OUTWARD APPEARANCES. Dependent on INNER Condition of the heart.
13. Provides the foundation for SECULAR HUMANISM. Provides the foundation for Christ-centered living, the dynamic of the church.

34

This is not an exhaustive analysis of the difference, the essential and eternal difference, in these two concepts and dynamics, but it is adequate to demonstrate that the Masonic ideal of toleration does not have its roots in the Biblical concept of receiving. If the Masonic ideal is not Biblical, then from where does it spring? It springs, as demonstrated in the initial study in this series, from the pits of hell and from the father of lies, Lucifer.

4. Masonic Judgement on the Bible

The Masonic rejection of Christianity is declared in the *Masonic Altar Bible*, which sits on the altar of worship in every Masonic Lodge in America; it states:

"For Masonry knows, what so many forget, that religions are many, but Religion is one...Therefore, it invites to its altar men of all faiths, knowing that, if they use different names for 'the Nameless One of a hundred names,' they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all; knowing, also that while they read different volumes, they are in fact reading the same vast Book of the Faith of Man as revealed in the struggle and sorrow of the race in its quest of God. So that, great and noble as the Bible is, Masonry sees it as a symbol of that eternal Book of the Will of God...What Homer was to the Greeks, what the Koran is to the Arabs, that, and much more, the grand old Bible is to us...like everything else in Masonry, the Bible, so rich in symbolism, is itself a symbol -- that is, a part taken for the whole. It is a sovereign symbol of the Book of Faith, the Will of God as man has learned it in the midst of the year -- that perpetual revelation of himself which God is making mankind in every land and every age. Thus, by the very honor which Masonry pays to the Bible, it teaches us to revere every book of faith in which men find help for today and hope for the morrow,joining hands with the man of Islam as he takes oath on the Koran,and with the Hindu as he makes covenant with God upon the book that he loves best." (emphasis added) (p.5)

The Masonic Lodge rejects the unique name of Jesus Christ. The Masonic Lodge rejects the unique nature of the Bible. The Masonic Lodge rejects the unique and narrow redemptive plan of Jehovah God. The Masonic Lodge claims that the Bible is only a symbol of the will of God. Recall the discussusions from pages five and twenty-one as to the Masonic Lodge's bizarre use of the word of God. Add to this the Masonic belief in a continuing revelation, thus rejecting the Biblical canon, and the depths of the heresy of Freemasonry is comprehended. The Bible, to the Mason,is a product of man's reason -- a product of the "strug- gle and sorrow of the race in its quest of God" -- not a product of God's revelation.

Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church institutionalized the concept of a "per- petual revelation" -- God continuing to speak to men with new and different rev- elation throughout time. Where did he get such an idea? From the Freemasons, obviously! The Bible maintains that while God continues to commune with His people in devotions, in prayer and in the Word of God, there will be no "per- petual revelation"; the Canon of Scripture is closed. The Bible encourages no confidence

35

in any other "revelation", and the Bible does not allow "joining hands" with those who substitute the Koran, the Vedas or the Book of Mormon for the Word of God.

5. Name of Jesus Ridiculed By the Masonic Lodge

Masonry holds up to ridicule the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, both by eliminating it from the Lodge in prqayer and in Bible readings when it occurs, and by saying that His Name is just one of the names whereby God can be known. The previous quote from the *Masonic Bible* states:

"...it (the Lodge) invites to its altar men of all faiths, knowing that if they use different names for the 'Nameless One of a hundred names,' they are yet praying to the one God and Father of all..."

The Bible says that there is "no other Name given among men whereby we must be saved." The Bible states that God has given Jesus Christ a "Name which is above every Name, at which Name every knee will bow." Either the Masons are right or the Bible is right. Both cannot be true.

In the *Masonic Edition Cyclopedic Indexed Holy Bible*, the following comment is made on page 13:

"The foregoing selections from Scripture, slightly paraphrased, are peculiarly appropriate by reason of their reference to the principle symbol of the degree."

The "slight paraphrasing" to which the Masonic Master, Albert Pike, refers is that the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is removed from every New Testament verse quoted in his explanation of the Masonic Degrees. The same abomination is found in the *Masonic Altar Bible* which states:

"The direct textual quotations (of Scripture) require no comment except the obvious one that references to the New Testament do not appear to have been made with evangelical or other dogmatic intent." (p.6)

Once again the examination of the quotations demonstrate that the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ has been removed from all Scripture used by the Lodge. HOW COULD A SUPPOSEDLY CHRISTIAN DEACON, PASTOR OR LAYMEN BOW HIS KNEE TO SUCH A BLASPHEMOUS ALTAR? The absence of "evangelical or other dogmatic intent" means the absence of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Masons teach that the Bible is no different than any other "book of faith" and that the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is no different than the name of any other God. No one who worships Jesus Christ as God could belong to such an organization.

6. 21st Degree: Man Will Become a God

21st Degree: "Teaches you to strive earnestly to learn the means necessary to vindicate the power of truth, in bringing together all God's children, whatever their religions and political opinions. That means TO RAISE MAN TO THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF WHAT HE IS, AND

36

WILL SOON BECOME; WHAT HE OUGHT TO BE." (*Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated*, Volume II, p.408)

The "consciousness of what (man) is, and will soon become; what (man) ought to be" is the consciousness of his ability to become a god. The national magazine of the Masonic Lodge has been titled, *The New Age*, since the middle of the nineteenth century. As Allan Boudreau, Ph.D., Curator and Librarian Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, said in the foreword to Wilmshurst's *The Meaning of Masonry*:

"In this new Aquarian age, when many individuals and groups are working in various ways for the eventual restoration of the mysteries, an increasing number of aspirants are begining to recognize that Freemasonry may well be the vehicle for this achievement.

The great value of this book is that it was written by one who sets an example for all Masters of the Lodges...In these pages, he whispers the password to those of us who still clamor at the gate, enabling us to enter that inner chamber where we can join the true initiates and share EXPERIENCES NOW VEILED FROM ALL BUT A HANDFULL OF BRETHREN." (*The Meaning of Masonry*, p.4)

The "new age" philosophy argues for the deification of man. This false theology was adopted from the Masons by Joseph Smith and incorporated into the cult which he founded and called, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is promoted today by the Masonic Lodge and all of its related organizations. IT IS ANTITHETICAL TO CHRISTIANITY, BUT MANY SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCHES ARE LED BY MEN WHO HAVE SWORN ALLEGIENCE TO THIS SPIRIT OF ANTI-CHRIST. No wonder that there is so little revival among Southern Baptists.

In a footnote on page 73 of *The Meaning of Masonry*, Wilmshurst states that the true Masonic teaching has always been that reincarnation is true. But because of Christianity's opposition to such an idea, it is not often discussed. Reincarnation is just a method whereby man eventually becomes a god.

7. 22nd Degree: Anti-Sectarianism

22nd Degree: "Teaches you that even after succeeding in that object, you would still need to be ever watchful and always on the alert, to bar the way of entrance against sectarianism." (*Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated*, Volume II, p.409)

From the rooftops let it be shouted, Jesus Christ is sectarian. Jesus Christ said, "I...". He did not say, "I and someone else...". He exclusively said, "I...". That is sectarianism. It excludes Buddha; it excludes Mohammed; It excludes Confucius; it excludes Joseph Smith. Jesus said, "I am THE..." He did not say that He is one among several from which man may choose. He established the most sectarian of all possible faiths. Either He is totally right or He is totally wrong. He left no room for equicocation.

37

When the Mason bars the way to sectarianism, he bars the way to Christ. The Pharisees did that, Jesus said in Luke 11:52. Now the Masons, the true spiritual heirs to the Pharisees, bar the way to Christ of many who have joined in the occultism of the Lodge.

8. 24th Degree: Sectarian Imprisons the Mind of Man

24th Degree: "Teaches how arduous is the task of a true Mason, who endeavors to oppose sectarianism, FOR THE SECTARIAN WILL ALWAYS OBSTINATELY MAINTAIN HIS OWN, NARROW AND EXCLUSIVE CREED, AS THE ABSOLUTE AND ONLY TRUTH, AND SUCH CREEDS WILL LONG CONTINUE TO HOLD A LARGE PORTION OF MANKIND IN BONDAGE." (Ibid., p.409)

The hatred of Jehovah God is manifesting itself. The agreement with the statement of Pike that Lucifer is God is clear. The denigration of Jehovah is complete. His truth, the 24th Degree implies, places man in bondage; the only hope for man is his rescue from the imprisoning teachings of the sectarian, Jesus Christ. The Mason joins himself with the secular humanist in the Human- ist Manifesto as they both oppose the Word of God and the God of the Word.

The mission of the Mason is to liberate man from the shackles of revealed religion. Man's liberty is dependent upon there being no reliable truth, or at least, no truth that can be reliably known. This is the contention of the ag- nostic and it is the logical implication of the doctrine of the Masonic Lodge. No man can claim Christ as Saviour, owning Him as The Way, The Truth and the Life, and be in affinity with the Blue Lodge of the Freemasons.

9. 25th Degree: Masonry, French Revolution, Secular Humanism

25th Degree: "Teaches us to maintain the doctrine of liberty, equality and fraternity, as the only means of gathering around us the intelligent and good men of every lineage, creed and opinion, to repel and defeat the encroachments of idle theorists and kingly and priestly usurpers." (Ibid., p.409)

The identification of the Masonic Lodge with secular humanism is complete. The adoption of the motto of the French Revolution was unfortunate for these occultists, for it betrays their agenda. Once again, Lucifer trips up himself and his followers.

10. 27th Degree: Reason above Revelation

27th Degree: Teaches that the noblest reward, of him who has proved himself the apostle and champion of universal peace and toleration; who has aided fraternity to overcome and annihilate all formulas that stood in his way...KNOWING THIS, THE MASON'S THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE INCREASES, AND HE LEARNS THAT ONLY BY

38

PROFOUND STUDY, CAN HE SOLVE THE GREAT PROBLEM OF THE ULTIMATE DESTINY IN STORE FOR HUMANITY." (Ibid., p.410)

What a burden! Through learning, i.e., education -- information -- the Mason must solve "the ultimate destiny...for humanity." Reading the Bible one might think that God in Jesus Christ had done just that. The Mason becomes the "apostle and champion of universal peace and toleration". No one could state the goal of the New Age movement more concisely. No one persues it more vigor- ously than the occultic brotherhood of the Masonic Lodge. The Masonic Lodge is one of the manifestations of the spirit of anti-Christ in the world today.

It is the claim of the Mason that his brotherhood can be dated from the earliest human history and especially from the building of Solomon's Temple. Yet, Solomon, who was supposedly one of the first Master Mason's, disagreed in writing with these men. Solomon said:

"And further, because the Preacher was wise, he (Solomon) still taught the people knowledge; and he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs The Preacher sought out acceptable words, and to write down rightly words of truth or correct sent- iment. The words of the wise are as prodding goads, and firmly fixed [in the mind] like nails are the collected sayings which are given [as proceeding] from one shepherd. [Ezek. 37:24] BUT ABOUT GOING FURTHER [THAN WORDS GIVEN BY ONE SHEPHERD], MY SON, BE WARNED. OF MAKING MANY BOOKS THERE IS NO END [SO DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ], AND MUCH STUDY IS A WEARINESS OF THE FLESH. All has been heard. The end of the matter is, Fear God -- know that He is, revere and worship Him -- and keep His commandments; for this is the whole of man [the full original purpose of His creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjust- ment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun], and the whole duty for every man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil. [Matthew 12:36; Acts 17:30,31; Romans 2:16; 1 Cor. 4:5] (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14, *Amplified Bible*)

Solomon does not seem to have a great deal of confidence in education as a means of transforming man's character. Listen again to his words:

"BUT ABOUT GOING FURTHER [THAN WORDS GIVEN BY ONE SHEPHERD], MY SON, BE WARNED. OF MAKING MANY BOOKS THERE IS NO END [SO DO NOT BELEIVE EVERYTHING YOU READ], AND MUCH STUDY IS A WEARINESS OF THE FLESH.

39 v It is not through education, experimentation and investigation that man will find fulfillment, happiness and joy. Solomon said that it is through " fearing God and keeping His commandments." Both of these are products of revelation and both require revelation to be known by men. Solomon sounds rather sectarian with his admonition not to go farther than the words given by "one shepherd."

G. OPPOSING SECTARIANISM

Initially, this opposition to sectarianism does not appear to be so of- fensive. After all, sects are normally associated with odd or unusual teach- ings. But, sectarianism is defined by *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* as:

"exclusive or narrow-minded attachment to a sect, denomination, party or school."

"Narrow", the word was elevated to its ultimate meaning in Matthew 7, when the Lord Jesus Christ stated: "Straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leads unto life." Jesus Christ further: "I am the THE way, THE truth and THE life. No man cometh unto the Father but by Me."

For narrowness and sectarianism,there is no equal to the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, for those who oppose all sectarianism, He is God! Therefore, if He says that He is Narrow, then narrowness ceases to be an evil and becomes very Good. The anti-sectarian and universalism of the Masonic brotherhood finds it- self in the unenviable position of fighting against God and against His Christ.

H. Thirtieth Degree Continued

After taking the first oath, the initiate is instructed by the Thrice Puis- sant Grand Master to "rise and imitate me." the Thrice Puissant Grand Master then stabs the skull crowned with a Tiara and says:

"Down with imposture, down with crime." (*Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated*, Volume II, p.260)

The "imposture and crime" is symbolically the Roman Catholic Church. How- ever, to Lucifer, it, the Tiara-crowned skull, is only the vicarious represent- ation of the Church of Jesus Christ, against which he desires to prevail by having his disciples, here the Freemasons, renounce all sectarianism.

What seems to be so right in the interest of toleration and its cousins -- Liberty, equality and fraternity -- is actually one of the subtlest lies of the "father of lies." After several other intermediate steps of the Thrice Grand Master says to the candidate:

"It is not yet too late; reflect on the importance of your obligation and on the dreadful consequences which perjury might bring upon your head. NOTHING COULD SAVE YOU FROM THE PUNISHMENT WE WOULD HAVE FULL RIGHT TO INFLICT. As already stated, we

40

have no more to do with symbols of more or less significance, it is truth; it is reality we have now before us. Our statues are dreadful ...You are now bound by your word of honor, and you may still retire. BUT ONE STEP MORE, AND YOU ARE BOUND TO US FOREVER AND AT THE PERIL OF YOUR LIFE." (Ibid., p.261)

Is it necessary to point out the dredful curse of being bound to "something" for the rest of your life? That is a covenant. Our Heavenly Father has said, "thou shalt not bow down to them or serve them for I, the Lord Thy God, am a jelous God visiting the iniquities of the fathers to the second and third gen- eration to those that hate Me." All who have bowed their knee to the god of Freemasonry must read Deuteronomy 7 and flee from the wrath that is to come upon all who entered into a covenant with the enemies of God and of God's people.

The Grand Marshall then enters, siezes the candidate by the arm and says:

"YOUR RASHNESS IS GREAT! YOU WISH TO PROCEED? YOUR DOOM IS SEALED! PUNISHMENT AWAITS YOU!" (Ibid., p.262)

The candidate then enters the second apartment, after a number of movements and statements in this apartment, the Grand Pontiff says to the candidate:

"You have already been informed that among the Knights Kadosh, truth and reality take the place of symbols, and even now your sagicity will partly raise the curtain which cannot be entirely removed untill you have sustained new trials. In all the preceding degrees you must have observed that THE OBJECT OF SCOTCH MASONRY IS TO OVERTHROW ALL KINDS OF SUPERSTITION...(Ibid., p.263)

1. Superstition Rejected

"Superstition" is, through out these and other Masonic teachings, iden- tified:

...as anything which suggests that man is not the controller of his own destiny and/or that man will confront any obstacle that he cannot with effort and education overcome...

This definition of superstition is a subtle work of Lucifer contradicting the revelation of God in the Bible. Man was created to live dependently upon God. But, to the Mason, dependency upon God is superstition and must be destroyed. Once again the serpent says to man, "Hath God said?" (See Genesis 3)

The Grand Pontiff continues the previous recitation without interruption:

"...and that by admitting in her bosom on the terms of the strictest equality, the members of all religions, of all creeds and of all countries, without any distinction whatever, she has, and indeed can have but one single object and that is to restore to the Grand Architect of the Universe; TO THE COMMON FATHER OF THE HUMAN RACE THOSE WHO ARE LOST IN THE MAZE OF IMPOSTURES, INVENTED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ENSLAVING THEM. The Knights Kadosh recognize no particular religion, and for that reason we demand of you nothing more than to worship God..." (Ibid., p. 263-264)

41

The bold faced (capitalized) phrase is referring to the ancient mysteries, not to Judaism and Christianity. The "common father of the human race" to the Mason is EN SOPH, Lucifer.

2. Universalism of Freemasonry

Universalism, that lie of the pit of hell, teaches that all men will be saved because of their intrinsic worth and value to God. Freemasonry, which is a particularly obnoxious form of this heresy, here flies its flag of universal- ism at high mast. THE ACCEPTANCE OF ALL RELIGIONS ARGUES THAT NO RELIGION IS TRUE. When a man believes that everything is true and that all religions are valid, he affirms his conviction that nothing is true and that all religions are equally vacuous. This is the belief of the secular humanist and of his brother, the occultist of the Masonic Lodge. Religion, i.e. Christianity, is "the maze of impostures, invented for the sole purpose of enslaving" man. The true Mason has as his purpose the freeing of man from this bondage. That is the bondage of revealed religion and the enthronement of man's reason, the only avenue to salvation.

3. Faith of One's Childhood To Be Rejected

The Grand Pontiff continues with the previous statement, which is delivered without interruption:

"And whatever may be the religious forms imposed upon you by superstition at a period of your life when you were incapable of discerning truth from falsehood, we do not even require you to relinquish them. Time and study alone can enlighten you. But remember that you will never be a true mason unless you repudiate forever all superstitions and prejudices." (Ibid., p.264)

How magnanimous! The toleration of the Masonic brotherhood extends to all errors of sectarianism, even those imposed upon a man in his youth. THE MASONIC LODGE WILL "TOLERATE" A MAN THAT HAS BEEN DUPED BY HIS PARENTS, PASTOR AND SUN- DAY SCHOOL TEACHER, UNTIL EDUCATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT ENABLE HIM TO REPUDIATE ALL OF THE "SUPERSTITIONS AND PREJUDICES" WHICH HE LEARNED FROM THE WORD OF GOD.

The statement, "we do not even require you to relinquish", trivializes the faith that a man would bring to this demonic brotherhood. Who could, in good conscience, allow this statement to be made of their childhood conversion and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour? Who desires to stand before God and answer the question, "Why did you allow them to trample under their swine's feet the Name and Blood of My Precious Son?" What a price to pay to become a "true mason", either to actually deny or functionally renounce the doctrines of blood atonement, the depravity of man and the narrow, exclusive doctrine of Christ as Saviour, Alone.

4. EN SOPH is god to the Lodge

As if this indignity to the Name of God is inadequite, the fiendish devils continue in the same instance of the Rite:

"however, until then, you will own that we have required of you

42

nothing more than to acknowledge with us the sole, the only certain and undoubted point admitted as such by all the human race without exception. We mean THE EXISTENCE OF A FIRST CAUSE WHOM WE CALL GOD Almighty. Repeat then with me the unusual oath of all who wish to proceed further and kneel before the altar of truth." (Ibid., p.264)

Is the ugly head of Kaballism with its worship of EN SOPH, the emanations from god and the "ladder" back to that existence, apparent? It should be. Here we have the God-less heresy of an impersonal, unknowable god of first causes, who is in every way contrary to the God of the Bible. An impotent being, who, unable to actively create, can only "ooze" over into states of existence until he (or it) becomes material and substance, is this god of the Kaballist. So is also the god of the heir of the Kaballist, the Mason.

What a lie to be quietly accepted by a man who has heard the Lord Jesus Christ say:

"And this is eternal life, that they may know (perceive, recognize, become acquainted with and understand) Thee, the only true God and Jesus ZChrist Whom Thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

What arrogance on the part of this "seat of the image of jealousy" (recall Ezekiel 8, page 16, this study) to reduce God's requirements of His creation to the lowest common denominator: just agreeing that a god exists.

5. Oath to Secular Humanism

The candidate then recites the oath of the second apartment:

"I...solomnly and sincerely promise and swear wholly to devote myself to THE EMANCIPATION OF HUMANITY, to practice toleration, in political and religious matters especially, toward all men. To strive unceasingly for the happiness of my fellow beings; for the propagation of light and FOR THE OVERTHROW OF SUPERSTITION, FANATICISM, IMPOSTURE AND INTOLERANCE..." (Ibid., P.264)

Happiness,by implication of this Masonic oath,proceeds from the unfettering of man from the constraints and anxieties produced by "superstition, fanaticism, imposture and intolerance." Of course, each of these is a synonym of revealed, God-centered religion. Happiness proceeds from man being "free" to discover himself through education and through re-ascending the ladder of emanations to rediscover the "stuff", the "ooze", the god from which he emanated. The oath of the second apartment of the thirtieth degree is in reality an oath to work for the destruction of Christianity.

"Toleration" sounds so "good", so right, but the "receiving of one another", which the Word of God commands, is not the toleration of the Mason. While the Christian is to receive each man (Romans 14:1-15:7), he is to abhor and avoid evil, and evil men. THE MOST INTOLERANT EVENT IN HUMAN HISTORY WILL BE THE SUPRAHISTORICAL EVENT OF THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT. There, the deeds, thoughts

43

and intents of the hearts of all men will be rewarded by a Holy,Righteous Judge, the Lord Jesus Christ. SINCERITY IN FOLLOWING AN ERROR WILL NOT BE MERITORIOUS AT THAT JUDGEMENT.

6. Hatred of Christianity Called "Fanaticism, Intolerance, Imposture and Superstition.

The thirtieth-degree candidate then arises from his oath and is instructed to throw incense in the fire burning on the altar of perfumes. The Grand Pontiff then recites:

"Almighty Father, Holy and Merciful, Oh! Thou of whom we are the beloved children, accept this incense which we offer thee with our hearts, as a token of love and reverence. May thy kingdom come at last, and with it the end of all fanaticism, intolerance, imposture and superstition. Amen." (Ibid., p.264-265)

Galations 3:26 states:

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

No one can be called a "child of God" unless he or she has been born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Membership in the Masonic Lodge does not estab- lish or achieve relationship with the God of the Bible.

The sense of the occult is heavy in this apartment. Imagine the scene: a mausoleum, a human skull, a dark room, men be-robed in strange clothing and now the incantation of their diety through the altar of incense. STRANGE STUFF, PARTICULARLY COMING FROM THESE BRETHREN OPPOSED TO SUPERSTITION AND FANATICISM.

The candidate then enters the third apartment. In this apartment the sincerity of the candidate is challenged. A Free Judge says:

"I have good reasons to believe, nay I know, that the candidate entertains anti-masonic opinions; that is to say, intolerant and sectarian principles, not only in religious but also in Masonic matters. I know that his notions of politics and government are far from being liberal and it is now plain to me that the rapid progress he has made in the Masonic Hierarchy is owing merely to the unwise indulgence and weakness of his brethren. He knows nothing of our sublime institution and he would almost tax us with absurdity. I therefore request that he be commanded and en- joined to lay before us in writing, over his own signature, HIS PROFESSION OF FAITH, ON MASONIC, RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL MATTERS." (Ibid., p.267-268)

7. Masonry Hates Revealed Religion, i.e., Christianity: The Profession of Faith in The Lodge

The truth is out!! THEY WHO TOLERATE ANYTHING, WILL NOT TOLERATE ONE THING -- ACTIVE, VOCAL, FANATICAL FAITH AND DEVOTION TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD, THE UNIQUE, ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, WHO ALONE IS WORTHY OF ALL

44

GLORY, PRAISE, RICHES, WEALTH AND HONOR. This "brother" cannot continue his initiation unless and until he "professes" that he will not insult them with any such absurdities as the Nature, Person and Propitiation of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is another point at which the Christian would be required to run from this mockery of his God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. HE IS ABOUT TO BE ASKED, IN SUBTLE, BUT DEFINATE TERMS, TO RENOUNCE HIS FAITH IN THE GOD OF THE BIBLE AND TO EMBRACE THE GOD OF THE KABALLA.

The candidate is then instructed to retire until such time as HE HAS PRE- PARED THIS "PROFESSION OF FAITH" WHICH IN REALITY IS A "PROFESSION OF NO FAITH". So doing, and providing same to the sovereign grand judge, the candidate hears:

"The profession of faith which you have submitted to this tribunal, is the only defense which you could oppose to the accusations brought against you. Whatever might have been your opinions, we have no right to doubt your good faith. THIS PROFESSION WHICH YOU HAVE WRITTEN AND SIGNED WITH YOUR OWN HAND WILL REMAIN FOREVER IN OUR ARCHIVES. We believe it to be sincere, for we hold you to be a man of honor...But remember that THIS TRIBUNAL SHOWS NO MERCY TO TRAITORS AND PERJURERS AND THAT IT VISITS THEM WITH THE SEVEREST PUNISHMENT." (Ibid., p.268-269)

A man, who may be a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is instructed by the Word of God to press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ, now allows his testimony to be taken prisoner. The archives of this occultic society will hold hostage the statement of faith of this man, which statement, if ever amended, except as they allow and desire, could require the forfiture of his life. But remember this statement of faith is not in the Lord Jesus Christ. This statement of faith is in the purpose and in the god of the Lodge,both of which are antithetical to the purpose of the God of the Bible and of the Christian faith. FLEE O'THOU MAN OF THE LIVING GOD;FLEE FROM THIS ANTI-CHRIST, WHO WOULD ROB YOU OF THE VITALITY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IN CHRIST.

The third oath is now taken, the substance of which has little interest for this presentation. Now the candidate enters the fourth apartment. It is there that the meaning of all that has gone before becomes clear. The furniture of the fourth apartment in part consists of:

"...a funeral urn, covered with black veil, is placed on the platform of the mausoleum. It is surrounded by a crown of laurel. On the right of the urn is a regal crown; on the left a popish tiara. At the upper angle of the mausoleum is a vase in which burns spirits of wine... ...IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEST, IS AN ALTAR ON WHICH ARE PLACED A HUMAN SKULL INLAID WITH SILVER, A DECANTER OF RED WINE AND A LOAF OF WHITE BREAD, all of which is covered by a white cloth which is removed at a certain period of the ceremony.

Between the East and the altar is the mysterious ladder which a black cloth conceals from the candidate till the moment specified in the ritual..." (Ibid., p.271)

45

8. The Cup of the Lodge: A HUMAN SKULL

Any student of covenant theology is immediately aware that this apartment is prepared for the most sacred ceremony known to man. This candidate is about to enter into a covenant relationship with the god of this occultic brotherhood. It takes no arguement to support that the Holy God of the Bible does not use hu- man skulls and leavened bread as elements in a covenant ceremony. If not with He Who is the lover of our souls, then with whom is this covenant made? Could it be the loather of our soul, created by the One and True God, but fallen be- cause of pride and rebellion? Do not forget the Knight in the coffin. Do not forget Simon ben Jochai. It is he, "the god of this world", the imitation god of light, Lucifer, who presides at this covenant meal. Let every man beware who enters into covenat with the devil. LET EVERY SOUTHERN BAPTIST BEWARE, WHO HAVING BOWED HIS KNEE TO THE MASONIC ALTAR, HAS THEREBY BETRAYED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

The candidate is then led before the Thrice Puissant Grand Master once more and the Master of Ceremonies is asked:

"Since you have ventured to introduce this intruder among us, and were so bold as to give him no other title than that of being a man, what do you understand by that word?" (Ibid., p.275)

9. The Masonic Lodge's Definition of a Man v The Master of Ceremonies answers: "By 'MAN' I understand A BEING DIVESTED OF THE PREJUDICES AND SUPERSTITIONS OF HIS CHILDHOOD, who is determined to follow unflinchingly in the path of truth. A being whom no puerile considerations can check in his glorious career." (Ibid., p.275)

What are the "prejudices and superstitions of his childhood"? For many these are confidence in the Word of God as the only, unique, inerrant, reliable revelation of God and of Jesus Christ as the only way, the only truth and the only life. THE MAN OF THE LODGE HAS EITHER "SUCCESSFULLY" DIVESTED HIMSELF OF SUCH CHILDISH BURDENS AND DEPENDS ONLY UPON HIMSELF AND HIS LODGE FOR SUCCESS AND SALVATION, OR HE HAS ESTABLISHED THAT AS HIS GOAL IN LIFE.

On the contrary, the Bible says a man is one who embraces God in Jesus Christ; a man is one who owns his God in all circumstances no matter what the consequences; a man is a precious Creation of God who "fears God and keeps his commandments." But here, in the Masonic Lodge, this mutilated man is one that denies his "origins", and rejects his God.

10. Masonry, Public Education, Secular Humanism

This occultic brotherhood, which enthrones reason, education and ration- ality, reminds one of the secular humanists of the Modern American education establishment, which says of the children of America:

"...the battle for humankind's future must be waged and won in the school classroom by teachers who correctly perceive their role as the proselytizers of a new faith...The classroom must and will become the arena of conflict between the old and the new -- the rotting corpse of Christianity...and the new faith of humanism." (*The Humanist*, Jan./Feb. 1983, p.26)

46

The final confession of this "new faith" is made by a Harvard professor of educational psychology who stated at a childhood education seminar in 1973 (He reaffirmed these comments in a private telephone interview in March, 1983):

"Every child in America entering school at the age of five is mentally ill, because he comes to school with certain allegiances toward our founding fathers, toward our elected officials, toward his parents, toward a belief in a supernatural being, toward the sovereignty of this nation as a seperate entity...It's up to you teachers to make all of these sick children well by creating the international children."

There is nothing in the goals of the Masonic Lodge, as stated in the Kadosh Degree, that would conflict with this statement. The OPPOSITION TO FANATICISM -- which is the opposition to devotion to Jesus Christ personally -- the OPPOSITION TO SUPERSTITION - which is the opposition to the Bible and its teaching of man's need for God - and the OPPOSITION TO SECTARIANISM -- which is the opposition to the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God -- are analogous to and identical with the goals of this Harvard professor.

Is it possible that the "father of lies" has duped a group of good and well- intentioned men so completely? There is no question that he can and there is no question that, in this case, he has. The Thrice Puissant Grand Master then says: "If such be the disposition of the candidate let him kneel and behold that mausoleum." (*Scotch Rite Masonry Illustrated* Vol. II, p.275)

The candidate is caused to kneel, to turn toward the mausoleum, and to extend his hand toward the urn on which are written the letters J.B.M. The Thrice Grand Master then continues:

"When your rashness prompted you to enter this awful sanctuary, you were no doubt informed of the danger which threatened you, and of the trials which still await you. Swear therefore, upon your word of honor, never to reveal what you have seen or heard hitherto. Remember...THAT THE SLIGHTEST INDISCRETION WILL COST YOU YOUR LIFE..." (Ibid., p.275)

Avowing his desire to continue, the candidate is told:

"Since you will proceed, we must unfold to you the mysteries and real object of Scotch Masonry." (Ibid., p. 275-276)

The following are important quotes from the information then given to the candidate. The full text is available in the volume cited.

"...IN ONE WORD YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE TRUE LIGHT. Although the degree which is now being conferred upon you, is but the 30th of our Hierarchy, it is nevertheless the NE PLUS ULTRA (there is none higher) of Masonic knowledge..." (Ibid., p.276)

47

The Christian has been mistaken. He thought that Jesus Christ was the true light, but now his Lodge reveals the truth, the Lodge is the true light. Absurd!!

11. Covenant Meal From a Human Skull

The candidate is then led through the emanations of the ladder of Free- masonry, after which he recites the fourth oath, that of the fourth apartment. The Thrice Puissant Grand Master then states:

"My brother, you are now convinced that the degree of Knight Kadosh is the apex of the Masonic ediface. It contains all the science of Masonry. You are rapidly approaching the end of its teachings, and as all in this degree assumes an appearance of actual reality, I will as it is my duty, lay your finger on the terrible symbol of human equality. (He puts the candidate's hand on the skull)...This is the truth, acknowledged and proclaimed by the Knights Kadosh, and in order never to forget it, they all drink from the same cup, from the cup of equality. They all break together the bread of fraternity...

Thrice Puissant Grand Master then breaks the bread and distributes it among the Knights; then fills the cup, drinks and passes it to his neighbor, and he to his till all have drank." (Ibid., p.285) v The Word of God instructs that it is impossible to drink of the cup of the Lord and of the cup of devils. The Lodge claims that the human skull represents equality. In the sense that all men are equal in death, there is an element of truth to the presumption. But in reality the use of the skull represents Satan's pretended triumph over the image of God in man. Hebrews 2:14-17 identifies Satan as the one who has power over death. Here, in this covenent ceremony with his disciples, Satan glories in the death of man by using a human skull as a cup. The contempt which this shows for the life of mankind is great. The human skull is not the cup of the Lord. If not the cup of the Lord, then it must be the cup of Lucifer.

The Christ-centered mind and the Holy-Spirit-filled spirit recoils at the vileness of this last act. The covenant meal -- immortalized in the Pascal Lamb of the passover feast and realized in the Person and Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ -- is not to be lightly entered into. The proper meal, it is warned if partaken of unworthily, may result in death; how much more worthy of death would a Christian brother be who would profane the Name of his God by partaking of a covenant meal with devils by drinking from a human skull?

12. Final Discourse Shows How Masonry Contradicts the Bible and Faith in Jesus Christ

A long discourse then ensues, portions of which are:

"Let there be light', THE LIPS OF DIETY BREATHED MASONRY INTO EXISTENCE AND IT MUST LIVE FOREVER MORE; for truth is eternal, and the principles of truth are the foundation of Masonry.

48

MASONRY IS UNCHANGEABLE, but it must of necessity in the fulfillment of its mission keep pace with the advance of civilization, the arts and science...IF THOSE WHO POSSESSED THE CAPACITY AND POWER HAD EMPLOYED AS MUCH TALENT AND INGENUITY, AND EXPENDED AS MUCH TREASURE IN THE CULTIVATION OF THE MINDS AND FACULTIES OF THEIR SPECIES AS THEY HAVE IN BLINDING, DECEIVING AND DEBASING THEM, the noble family of man could at this day present a spectacle of so much happiness, peace and contentment, AS TO BE WORTHY THE REGARD OF THE CREATOR, WHO BEING GOOD AND JUST, CERTAINLY NEVER INTENDED THAT THEY SHOULD EXIST IN A STATE OF IGNORANCE AND MISERY...

What shall we teach our disiples? What dogmas, what principles?...You have sworn to combat fanaticism and superstition...To wage war against fanaticism and superstition, seems to me to be one of the most glorious human efforts of virtue...

But what is fanaticism and superstition?...Fanaticism is the offspring of ignorance. To ignorance, oppose knowledge, which springs from enlightened education. Instruct the masses; teach them truth. TO KNOWLEDGE ADD VIRTUE, and the universe is saved....

QUOTE OFTEN THE PRECEPTS OF ZOROASTER AND CONFUCIUS. Remind them of the devotion of Codrus and Leonidas, the virtues and maxims of Pythagoras, Socrates, of Plato, of Epictetus and of Marcus Aurelius.

Say with Zoroaster: 'Love your fellow men and succor them; pardon those who have offended you.'... (Ibid., p.290-299)

It is immediately obvious that there is no admonition to meditate upon the Word of God.

A Christian, Biblical commentary on this material would be voluminous. A few observations will have to suffice:

a. "...THE LIPS OF DIETY BREATHED MASONRY INTO EXISTENCE AND IT MUST LIVE FOREVER MORE..." (Ibid., p.290)

One edition of a Masonic Bible, which has since been burned by its owner, stated: "Some truth was revealed to Jesus Christ; all truth was revealed to Freemasonry." The arrogance and pride of this statement is characteristic of the god of the Lodge and is the spirit of anti-Christ, the author of secular humanism. The only knowledge which will live forever is the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. That knowledge is contained in a personal relationship with Him through repentance, salvation and worship.

49

b. "...IF THOSE WHO POSSESSED THE CAPACITY AND POWER HAD EMPLOYED AS MUCH TALENT AND INGENUITY, AND EXPENDED AS MUCH TREASURE IN THE CULTIVATION OF THE MINDS AND FACULTIES OF THEIR SPECIES AS THEY HAVE IN BLINDING, DECEIVING AND DEBASING THEM..." (Ibid., p.292)

This is the trust in education which gave birth to the public education system in America. Later in this quote it is stated, "To ignorance oppose knowledge, which springs from enlightened education. Instruct the masses..." THE BANKRUPTCY OF EDUCATION AS A TRANSFORMING INFLUENCE IN THE LIFE OF MEN AND WOMEN IS NO WHERE BETTER SEEN THAN IN THE FAILURE OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TO INCREASE RIGHTEOUSNESS, ALTHOUGH IT HAS INCREASED INFORMATION ABOUT GOD.

It was Lenin, the founder of another New Age movement, Communism, who called religion "the opiate of the people." This phrase is accurately translated into English by the Masonic accusation that religion produces "blind(ness), deception and debasement." All New Age movements, whether the bizarre oriental faiths, communism or the faith of the Masonic Lodge, are opposed to revealed religion. All that is required, the Mason is told, for man to enter the state of "peace and perfection" is for him to refocus his energies from revelation to peace, from the enlightenment of God to the education of man.

c. "...TO KNOWLEDGE ADD VIRTUE..." (Ibid., p.295)

The Bible commands that knowledge be added to virtue (II Peter 1:5) -- Character must precede increasing information. The world says that the way to character is increasing information. Masonry has a con- fidence in the perfectibility of man which the Bible does not substan- tiate.

If anyone harbors any illusion of the capacity for education to "make good men better", it is only necessary to examine Nazi Germany. Educa- tion has long been worshipped by the Teutonic Empire from which Germany emerged. Yet, the most morally and spiritually bankrupt system of this century was produced by this highly educated people.

With these brief comments,suffice it to say that in this final event of the initiatory rites of the thirtieth degree, the contentions concerning humanism, anti-Christ and Luciferianism in Freemasonry are confirmed.

The Word of God condemns "Jewish fables". These "Jewish fables" are the myths and lore of the theosophic societies which concern themselves with "eman- ations and aeons". The Kaballa is and was a Jewish theosophic society. The Kaballa is condemned by the Word of God. The occultic, secret society of Free- masonry with its offsprings of Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, and Demolay are among the successors to the Kaballa. They are all condemned by the Word of God.

50

PART VIII. SUMMARY: HOW CAN CHRISTIANS BE SO DUPED?

How can this be? How can so many ministers, deacons, Sunday School teachers and church members be involved not only in a cult, but, in the occultic? Scrip- ture gives the answer. Paul in writing to the Corinthians stated:

"For I am zealous for you with a godly eagerness and a devine jealousy, for I have betrothed you to one Husband, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ."

A chaste virgin is one who has not been involved in spiritual harlotry with other gods or other covenants. Paul continued:

"But [now] I am fearful lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ." (II Cor. 11:3 *Amplified Bible*)

Paul's affirmation of "devotion to Christ" sounds a great deal like the sectarianism which the Masons hate.

The enemy of our soul is subtile. That subtlety has been demonstrated in the teachings of Freemasonry. The ultimate subtlety in the Christian's life would be to have him accept "another" Jesus, Paul states:

"For [you seem ready to endure if] a man comes and preaches another Jesus than the One we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the [Spirit] you [once] received, or a different Gospel from the one you [then] received and welcomed. You tolerate [all that] well enough!" (II Cor. 11:4, *Amplified*)

Paul does not have such a high opinion of the toleration of the Freemason. He does not receive the spirit of Zoroaster and Confuscius. He does not allow for a non-gospel of an unknowable emanation called the Supreme Architect of the Universe, EN SOPH. He does not share the Freemason's enthusiasm for "another" jesus (no error in lower case), who was the heir of the ancient mysteries and the Jewish Kaballa. Paul identifies the source of these lies:

"For such men are false apostles -- spurious, counterfeits - deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles (special messengers) of Christ, the Messiah. And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. So it is not surprising if his servants also masquer- ade as ministers of righteousness. [But] their end will correspond with their deeds. (II Cor. 11:13-15, *Amplified Bible*)

The apostles of toleration of the Ancient and Accepted Rite do not seem so noble in the true light of the Word of God. IT WILL NOT BE BY THE REASON OF MAN, BUT BY THE

51

REVELATION OF GOD THAT MAN WILL DISCOVER THE WAY TO HAPPINESS, THE WAY TO WHOLE- NESS, THROUGH INTIMATE, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF GOD IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Paul said:

"And you [He made alive], when you were dead [slain] by [your] tres- passes and sins. In which at one time you walked habitually. You were following the course and fasion of this world -- were under the sway of the tendency of this presentage -- following the prince of the power of the air. (You were obedient to him and were under his control) the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience -- the careless, the rebellious and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God." (Ephesians 2:1-2 *Amplified*)

Satan is alive and is a lying spirit. The disobedient angels are his band of devils. Disobedient men are Satan's army of allies. The "careless" have allowed themselves to become duped by this clever liar, but it does not need to be always this way; Paul states:

"For though we walk [live] in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical (weapons of flesh and blood), but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [inasmuch as we] refute arguements and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ, the Messiah, the Annointed One." (II Cor. 10:3-5)

Freemasonry is a "proud and lofty thing that (has set) itself against the (true) knowledge of God." The "arguements and theories and reasonings" of Freemasonry must be and can be overthrown. The man who ignorantly joined hands with Satan and his henchmen in the Masonic Lodge can extricate himself. There is forgiveness with the Lord Jesus Christ even for the blasphemy of Freemasonry. But, it will require the mason to "humbly himself, to pray, to seek God's face and to turn from his wicked ways." (See Chronicles 7:14)

Spiritual renewal in the life of the individual Mason will await public renouncing of the Lodge. Spiritual revival for the Southern Baptist Convention will be delayed so long as this occultic brotherhood is not exposed and renoun- ced.

52

PART IX. * WHAT ARE CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES TO DO?

The "arguments and theories and reasonings" of the Masonic Craft can be brought down if Masons submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, Masonry was born in rebellion against God and that is why most Masons are the initiators of rebellion in the local church. They will not submit to the pastor's authority -- unless he is their personal friend and they choose to do so and/or unless he agrees with them. They generally are not spiritually minded men and they cannot be spirit-filled while they maintain the alliance with EN SOPH in the Lodge.

Masons will rise up against a move of God and will stifle what God is try- ing to do in a local church. All of this will be done in the guise of "defending" " the church. Masons will control the church until they can't, and then they will destroy the church.

What should be done? The following would be a start:

1. The Southern Baptist Convention's elected leadership and moral leadership must declare Freemasonry to be inconsistant with the Word of God and with faith in Jesus Christ.

2. The Southern Baptist Convention must officially establish the position that Freemasonry is incompatible with faith in Jesus Christ.

3. Then each Southern Baptist Church should apply that truth to its membership as the leadership of each church is led by the Lord.

4. The following recommendations would be made to Southern Baptist Churches and their pastors:

a. No man who is a Mason should be allowed to be a deacon or a leader in any Southern Baptist Church.

b. No man should be called as a pastor by any Southern Baptist Church who is a Mason. If he is "inactive", he should not be called unless he has publicly renounced the Lodge and has burned his apron and all of the Masonic paraphernalia which he was given upon entering the Lodge.

c. New converts should be counseled as to the impossibility of maintaining Lodge membership and being part of a New Testament church.

d. The Southern Baptist Convention has many churches which were founded in the Lodge and which have corner stones dedicated by the Lodge. Each of these churches should hold public ceremonies of repentance and of praying the blood and the Name of the Lord

53

Jesus Christ over the church and renouncing the oaths taken at the dedication of the church and/or the building. This will begin to break the spiritual bondage which prevents many of these churches from experiencing revival.

e. No pastor or laymen should ever participate in a funeral which is conducted by the Freemasons.

f. Upon their public withdrawal from the Lodge, repentance of the oaths taken in the Lodge and destruction of all Masonic materials, any Christian who was in the Lodge should be accepted back into full fellowship with the Church of Jesus Christ.

g. These same steps of action should be taken for those involved in Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls and Demolay.

Having come to the conclusion of the examination of the Masonic Lodge, it should be stated plainly:

The Church's battle is not with the Lodge. It is with the principal- ities and the powers which empower the Lodge.

To focus upon the Lodge would be to miss the point. Once a stand is taken against the Lodge, the Southern Baptist Convention must move on to stand against the Devil, to batter down the gates of hell, and to retake the spiritual ground which has been yielded to the enemy for many, many years by many, many Baptists and by many, many Southern Baptist Churches.

May God give us the spiritual wisdom to understand that it must be done. May He give us the courage to do it without regard to the cost. May He in all of this get glory for Himself and for His Son, our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

54

"FREEMASONRY NOT COMPATIBLE WITH BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE, BOLD MISSION THRUST, OR COOPERATIVE PROGRAM"

Resolution Introduced to Southern Baptist Convention

Dallas, Texas, June, 1985

By

Reverend Charles Burchett and Dr. James L. Holly

Whereas, The Word of God declares God as the Light, Jesus as the brightness of His Glory, as the express image of His Person, and that in Jesus Christ we have the mind of Christ and we are the light of the world;

But, Freemasonry denies the Word of God by saying that its Christian initiates are "poor, blind candidates, in darkness seeking light, more light and further light". (Reference: *Standard Freemasonry Illustrated, Full Ritual and Secret Work of the Three Blue Lodge Degrees Profusely Illustrated*, Ezra A. Cook Company Publishers, Chicago, Ill. pp.110, 181, 257 [a firm which has continuously served the craft since 1867], and

Whereas, the Word of God commands that we speak the Truth in love and put away lying and all falsehood;

But, Freemasonry denies the Word of God by saying that "the initiate...is in- tentionally misled by false interpretations...because it is not intended that he shall understand; but it is intended that he shall imagine that he understands..." (Reference: *Morals and Dogma*, Albert Pike, Prepared for the Supreme Council of the Thiorty-third Degree for the Southern Jur- isdiction of the United States and Published by its Authority, p. 819),and

Whereas, the Word of God declares that Jesus Christ is Lord and that His Name is above every name and the only Name whereby men must be saved, He is the image and fullness of the invisible God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, at whose Name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess His Lordship to the glory of God the Father;

But, Freemasonry denies the Word of God by saying, "the true disciple of ancient masonry has given up forever the worship of personalities...he realizes with the devine illumination of his lodge that as a mason his religion must be universal:Christ, Budda,[sic] or Mohammed, the name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer...". (Reference: *The Lost Keys of Freemasonry*, Manly P. Hall, 33~, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company., Inc., p.64-65), and

Whereas, the Word of God declares itself to be quick, powerful, piercing, dis- cerning, and enduring forever, as entirely inspired by God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness;

55

But, Freemasonry denies the Word of God by saying that "the Bible is used, among masons in this country, as the symbol of the Will of God, however it may be expressed; and therefore, whatever expresses that will may be used as a substitute for the Bible...whether it be the Gospel to the Christian, the Pentateuch to the Israelite, the Koran to the Mussulman, or the Vedas to the Brahman, it everywhere masonically conveys the same idea -- that of the symbolism of the Devine Will revealed to man." (Reference: *Manual of the Lodge - Texas Monitorial Instructions in the Three Degrees of Symbolic Masonry*, copyright by the Grand Lodge of Texas,Printed and Bound by Depar- tment of Printing Masonic Home and School, Fort Worth, Texas, p.227, and "The Bible in Masonry", *Masonic Temple Altar Bible*, published by A.J. Holman Company, Philadelphia, Penn., 1968, p.5), and

Whereas, the Word of God declares that we are not to swear at all, neither by heaven, by earth, by cities, or by parts of our bodies; but we are to communicate with a simple "yes" or "no". Anything more than this comes from the evil one, declares the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Word of God also declares that, as the Temple of God with the Spirit of God dwel- ling in us, we are not to defile His Holy Temple, under penalty of God's destruction if we do;

But, Freemasonry denies the Word of God by saying that each candidate must with repitition "solomnly swear..." to oaths of secrecy "binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my throat cut from ear to ear,my tongue torn out by its roots and buried in the rough sands of the sea...of having my left breast torn open, my heart plucked from thence and given to the beasts of the field and birds of the air as prey...of having my body sev- ered in twain, my bowels torn from thence and burned to ashes..." (Refer- ence: *Standard Freemasonry Illustrated, Full Ritual and Secret Work of the Three Blue Lodge Degrees Profusely Illustrated*, Ezra A. Cook Publish- ers, Chicago, Ill., pp.109, 180, 256 [a firm which has continuously served the craft since 1867]), and

Whereas, the Word of God declares that worshipping the sun, moon, or any of the host of heaven, using divination, or being involved in any occult practice is a despicable abomination;

But, Freemasonry denies the Word of God by saying "the Kabalah is the key of the occult sciences...all truly dogmatic religions have issued from the Kaballa and return to it...all the Masonic associations owe to it their Secrets and their Symbols..." and "the images of the Sun, Moon, and Mercury...are still the three great lights of a Masonic Lodge..."and "that Osiris and Isis were the Sun and Moon is attested by many ancient writers...the Sun was termed by the Greeks, the Eye of Jupiter, and the Eye of the World, and his is the All-Seeing Eye in our Lodges". (Reference: *Morals and Dogma*, Albert Pike, Prepared for the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree for the South- ern Jurisdiction of the United States and Published by its Authority, pp. 262, 744, 411, and 476-477), and

56

Whereas, the Word of God declares that we are to be obedient to God, not confor- med to the world or fashioned in former lusts, not yielding to any sensual- ity of thought, word, or deed, but to flee immorality and to be holy as God is Holy;

But, Freemasonry denies the Word of God by saying,"that which we must say to the crowd is -- We worship a God, but it is the God that one adores without su- perstition. To you, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, we say this, that you may repeat it to the Brethren of the 32nd, 31st, and the 30th degrees - The Masonic Religion should be, by all of us initiates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the Luciferian Doctrine. If Lucifer were not God, would Adonay (The God of the Christians) whose deeds prove his cruelty , perfidy and hatred of man, barbarism and repulsion for science, would Adonay and his priests, calunmiate him? Yes, Lucifer is god, and unfortun- ately, Adonay is also god. For the eternal law is that there is not light without shade, no beauty without uglyness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two gods: darkness being necessary for light to serve as its foil as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive. Thus the doctrine of Satanism is a heresy; and the true and pure philosophical religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Ado- nay; but Lucifer, God of light and God of Good, is struggling for humanity against Adonay, the God of Darkness and Evil." (Reference: "Instructions to the 23 Supreme Councils of the World", Albert Pike, Grand commander, Sovereign Pontiff of Universal Freemasonry, July 14, 1889, Reported by A.C. De La Rive, *La Femme et L'Enfant dans la Franc-Maconnerie Universelle* p.588)

Be it therefore resolved, that we the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Dallas, Texas, June 11-13, 1985, recognizing that the vast majority of men in Masonry are unaware of the occultic, Satanic, and sen- sual nature of Freemasonry, declare Freemasonry as a contemporary example of what God calls and condemns in the Word of God as "profane...Jewish fables" which cause men to question and turn from the truth, and

Be it further Resolved, that we urge all Southern Baptists to hear the truth of the Word of God when it says "Be ye not unequally yoked together with un- believers: For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the un- clean thing; and I will receive you."

and once having heard the Word of God, we urge every Southern Baptist to be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only, by confessing and repenting before the Lord of their involvement in this unGodliness and removing before men their names, energies, and resources from this spiritually devastating and unGodly brotherhood of Satanic darkness.

57

M M M

MISSION AND MINISTRY TO MEN, INC.

550 N. 10TH Street Beaumont, TX 77702 (409) 835-0314

Mission and Ministry to Men, Inc. produces materials for encouraging evan- gelism and discipleship. Dr. Holly and a team of men conduct men's conferences men's and women's conferences, Bible conferences, deacon's retreats, pastor's conferences and staff conferences across the United States. Additional infor- mation about the outreaches of Mission and Ministry to Men, Inc. can be obtain- ed by writing the above address or by calling the above number.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

Mission and Ministry to Men, Inc. affirms:

1. The Sovereignty of God and the responcibility of man.

2. That Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God the only saviour of mankind.

3. That Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, has an impeccable character, lived an immaculate life, died an atoning death, was resurrected on the third day and reigns in Heaven with the Father and Holy Spirit as the Lord of and the intercessor for the redeemed.

4. That man's only hope for eternal salvation and temporal satisfaction is through the atoning death of Jesus Christ, which is available to man only through the grace of God and the faith of Jesus Christ, without which man is hopeless as his works are ineffectual in the face of the righteous judgement of God.

5. That the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in the spirit of man at the time of conversion -- of being 'born again' -- providing by His presence the power to be a child of God, to live an abundant life in Christ, to declare to the world that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and also provid- ing supernatural gifts of motivation, ministry and manifestation for the carrying out of God the Father's singular purpose upon the earth today, the glory and honor, the exulatation and majesty of the Person and of the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

6. That the Holy Bible is the inerrant, eternal, immutable, universal Word of God, and that it is totally authoritative in all issues of faith and practice and is superior to to all other instruction.

7. That every believer is a priest before God, having access directly to God through Christ without mediation of another man and that every redeemed man has the capacity, through theilluminating work of God, the Holy Spirit, to read and rightly understand the Word of God for himself,constrained only by the principles of interpretation which that Word has established.

8. That every believer should live out his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in a local body of baptized believers, called The Church, in which the believer is actively involved with and supportive of.

58

* WHAT ARE SOUTHERN BAPTISTS TO DO ABOUT FREEMASONRY? *

"The intent of this booklet is to encourage the Southern Baptist Convention to take a stand on the issue of Freemasonry, and then for each individual church to apply that stand as they are led by the Lord. Recently, an African pastor, led to Christ by a Southern Baptist missionary, was asked, "What are the hind- rances to revival among Southern Baptists?" He said:

"rebellion...ignorance of the supernatural (spiritual warfare, not charismatic gifts)...and the toleration of Freemasonry in the church."

How each of our hearts yearn for the Holy Spirit empowered, Christ-honoring, life-changing revival to sweep America. It may happen. It can happen. We can be a part of it happening.Prayerfully read this booklet and support the S.B.C.'s declaring of Freemasonry to be incompatible with the message of the Bible and with the ministry of the church.

James L. Holly M.D.

(Back Cover)

"Helping Men Establish Courageousness in Convictions and Consistency In Commitments Based on the Commandments of Jesus Christ."

Proverbs 22:17-21

Mission and Ministry to Men, Inc. hereby grants permission for the reproduction of part or all of this booklet with two provisions: one, the material is not changed and two, the source is identified.

Additional copies are available from:

Mission and Ministry to Men, Inc. 550 North Tenth Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706 for two dollars each.


Further Reading:

Anti-Masonry: Points of View