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.

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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)

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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.

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* 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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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* 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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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,

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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.

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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.

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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)

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"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.

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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

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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

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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."

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"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

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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

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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

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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.

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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:

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"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

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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.

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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)

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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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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?"