Part 23 (2/2)
I do not wish to be understood, however, as limiting the release of the dragon and his work to the system of infidelity that had its origin in France. I merely refer to that unfortunate system as the beginning of the dragon's release and work--the re-introduction to the world of those principles of public hostility to Christianity which had lain buried since the days of Pagan Rome. The dragon in the beginning was a deceptive system, one that ”deceived the whole world”; but its deceptions were uncovered by the light of Christianity, and then it became the bitter public opposer of the religion of Christ. In the release of the dragon the order is reversed. He first appears as the public enemy of Christianity in the form already mentioned, but afterwards changes his tactics to milder methods in order the better to ”deceive” the people, as we shall see hereafter.
But there is another chapter in the history of the dragon's career that we must not overlook--his partners.h.i.+p with Gog and Magog. The original signification of the terms _Gog and Magog_ is difficult to ascertain, as all known accounts are conflicting. The terms occur in Ezek. 38 and 39 also. In the Revelation, however, it is clear that these terms are applied to Romanism and Protestantism, and under the special leaders.h.i.+p of this spirit of antichrist they are gathered together to battle against the saints of the most High. I will again quote the description of this union as given under the sixth vial, which refers to the present time: ”And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of G.o.d Almighty.... And he gathered them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Chap. 16:13-16. It will be noticed that the field of operations under this grand confederation of the three unclean spirits is enlarged so that it includes not merely the Apocalyptic earth, but ”the whole world.”
In order to form a confederation of powers each of which holds its own distinctive principles, it is necessary that each make certain concessions, in outward appearance at least, so that they can work together in harmony against a common foe. In this case it will be necessary that three points be conceded before the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet can agree. First, the dragon must not appear in his true character as antichristian; he must be clothed in some different attire in order to ”deceive.” Second, Catholicism must stop her work of slaying those who disagree with her and cover up her true principles. Third, Protestantism must cease protesting against the abominations of Catholicism. We are living in the time when this confederation of the powers of wickedness is being effected; therefore we must not expect to see the dragon as a terrible creature with heads and horns standing as the open adversary of G.o.d, but we must look for him dressed up in a garb ”to deceive.” If necessary he can place himself under a Christian garb without violating his conscience--of which he has none.
It will perhaps be beneficial to give the reader a short account of some of the forms under which the dragon is manifesting himself at the present time in order to ”deceive” the people. It will be remembered that, in the description of the first vial, which represented the awful system of infidelity that was spread over Europe, Dr. Adam Weishaupt of the University of Ingolstadt, formed a secret society under the name of the Illuminati in order the better to spread these wicked principles. A quotation was also made showing that ”_Freemasonry_ being in high repute all over Europe when Weishaupt first formed the plan of his society, he availed himself of its secrecy to introduce his new order, which rapidly spread, by the efforts of its founders and disciples, through all those countries.” Now, if Freemasonry was such an excellent channel for the dragon to begin his work through, is it not reasonable to suppose that he would still retain his position in that order, and especially since _the very name of Christ_ is barred from its rites, rules, and ceremonies? And this thought is especially convincing when we consider the fact that Freemasonry is in its very nature and const.i.tution only a form of Paganism. This vast body is founded on what they call the ”ancient mysteries.” The following is taken from Masonic Salvation by Fred Husted:
”Warburton says: 'Each of the Pagan G.o.ds had (beside the public and open) a secret wors.h.i.+p paid unto him, to which none were admitted but those who had been selected by preparatory ceremonies called initiation.
This secret wors.h.i.+p was called ”the mysteries.”'
”Mackey, another member of this order, says: 'These mysteries existed in every country of heathendom, in each under a different name, and to some extent under a different form, but always and everywhere with the same design of inculcating (teaching) by allegorical and symbolical teachings the great Masonic doctrines of the unity of G.o.d and the immortality of the soul. This one important proposition and the fact which it enumerates (states) must never be lost sight of, in any inquiry into the origin of Freemasonry; for the Pagan mysteries were to the spurious Freemasonry of antiquity precisely what the Masters' lodges are to the Freemasonry of the present day.'
”This is certainly a frank statement, coming as it does from a man who is an acknowledged and highly esteemed authority in matters pertaining to the craft. Daniel Sickles says, 'In Egypt, Greece, and many other ancient nations Freemasonry, that is, the Mysteries, was one of the earliest agencies employed to effect the improvement and enlightenment of man.' Pierson says, 'The ident.i.ty of the Masonic inst.i.tutions with the ancient Mysteries is obvious,' which means clearly to be seen, manifest to any and all.
”Masons say that the order is founded on the Bible--that is, unlearned Masons say so. Geo. Wingate Chase, in the Digest of Masonic Law, says: 'The Jews, the Turks, each reject either the New Testament or the Old or both, and yet we see no good reasons why they should not be made Masons.
In fact, Blue Lodge [first three degrees] Masonry has nothing whatever to do with the Bible. It is not founded on the Bible. If it were, it would not be Masonry; it would be something else.'
”Sickles says in speaking of the third, or Master Mason's degree, 'There are characters impressed upon it which can not be mistaken. _It is thoroughly Egyptian_.' He further says that the tradition is older by a thousand years than Solomon. 'That our [Masonic] rites embrace all the possible circ.u.mstances of man, moral, social, and spiritual, and have a meaning high as the heavens, broad as the universe, and profound as eternity.' Sickles in Gen. Chiman Rezon.
”The writer was informed when the charges were given him 'that our ancient brethren wors.h.i.+ped in high hills and in low vales, and that guards were placed to keep off cowans or eves-droppers.' By referring to Scripture we at once find the character of those who wors.h.i.+ped in high hills and low vales, and why they needed a guard to keep off eves-droppers. 'Thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.'
Jer. 2:20; 3:6. 'Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served other G.o.ds, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree.' Deut. 12:2.
'Enflaming themselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the vales under the clifts of the rocks.... Even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.' Isa. 57:5-7. They were not afraid of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Kings 7:10; 1 Kings 14:23), and they grew and multiplied in their reigns, and in the reigns of all those of whom it is recorded that 'they did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.'
Some of the kings of Israel and of Judah destroyed their high places for them and were highly favored of G.o.d for so doing.
”Again, 'The precepts of Jesus could not have been made obligatory upon a Jew. A Christian would have denied the sanction of the Koran. A Mohammedan must have rejected the law of Moses, and a disciple of Zoroaster would have turned from all, to the teaching of his Zend-Avesta. The universal law of nature, which the authors of the old charges have properly called the moral, is therefore the _only law_ suited in every respect to be adopted as the Masonic code.' Mackeys'
Textbook, Masonic Jurisprudence. If the statements just quoted do not place the secret society of Masonry on a footing decidedly Pagan, it is difficult to say just where it does stand....
”Tammuz, or Osiris of Egypt, who is declared to be the original of Hiram Abiff the temple-builder, is still mourned for. Ezek. 8:14. See Young's a.n.a.lytical Concordance or any standard Greek Mythology. Now see Piersons' Traditions of Freemasonry. 'The Masonic legend stands by itself, unsupported by history, or other than its own traditions. Yet we readily recognize in Hiram Abiff the Osiris of the Egyptians, the Mithras of the Persians, the Bacchus of the Greeks [G.o.d of drunkenness, or feasts and the like], the Dionysis of the fraternity of artificers, and the Atys of the Phrygians, whose pa.s.sions, deaths, and resurrections were celebrated by these people respectively.' Thus it is clearly shown that each of these ancient nations had its counterfeit Savior and Redeemer, and it is here proved by the words of Masonic Grand Masters, authors, and authorities, that Masonry is of Pagan origin.”
When we think of the millions of devotees of this form of Paganism, mult.i.tudes of church-members and preachers, surely it is not difficult to see that the dragon is loose in deceiving power again. That he is meeting with great success in forming his confederation of all false religions, is obvious. The world's Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago in the year 1893, is an ill.u.s.tration of this statement. The dragon, the beast, and the false prophet met in ”mutual confidence and respect,” a ”brotherhood” of religions. Theism, Judaism, Mohammedanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, s.h.i.+ntoism, Zoroastrianism, Catholicism, the Greek Church, and Protestantism in many forms--all these were represented. And the devotees of these religions met, as they said, ”To unite all religion against all irreligion; to make the golden rule the basis of this union; and to present to the world _substantial unity of many religions_.” The following are a few extracts from addresses made before the Parliament.
President Charles Carroll Bonney, in the opening address, said: ”Wors.h.i.+pers of G.o.d and lovers of man: Let us rejoice that we have lived to see this glorious day.... That we are permitted to take part in this solemn and majestic event of a World's Congress of Religions. The importance of this event can not be overestimated. Its influence on the future relations of the various races of men, can not be too highly esteemed. If this Congress shall faithfully execute its duties with which it has been charged, it shall become the joy of the whole earth, and stand in human history like a _new Mount Zion_, crowned with glory, and marking the actual beginning of a _new epoch of brotherhood_ and peace. _For when the religious faiths of the world recognize each other as brothers, children of one Father_, whom all profess to love and serve, then, and not until then, will the nations of the earth yield to the spirit of concord and learn war no more.... We meet on the mountain height of absolute respect for the religious convictions of each other.... This day the sun of a new era of religious peace and progress arises over the world, dispelling the dark clouds of sectarian strife.
_It is the brotherhood of religions._”
Chairman John Henry Barrows, in his address, said: ”We are here not as Baptists and Buddhists, Catholics and Confucians, Pa.r.s.ees and Presbyterians, Methodists and Moslems; we are here as members of a Parliament of Religions, over which flies no sectarian flag, ... but where for the first time in large council is lifted up the banner of love, fellows.h.i.+p, brotherhood.... Welcome, one and all, thrice welcome to the world's first Parliament of Religions! Welcome to the men and women of Israel, the standing miracle of nations and religions! Welcome to the disciples of Prince Siddartha, the many millions who wors.h.i.+p their lord Buddha as the light of Asia! Welcome to the high-priests of the national religion of j.a.pan! This city has every reason to be grateful to the enlightened ruler of 'the sunrise kingdom.' Welcome to the men of India, and all faiths! Welcome to all the disciples of Christ! ... It seems to me that the spirits of just and good men hover over this a.s.sembly. I believe the spirit of Paul is here. I believe the spirit of the wise and humane Buddha is here, and of Socrates the searcher after truth.... When a few days ago I met for the first time the delegates who have come to us from j.a.pan, and shortly after the delegates who have come to us from India, I felt that the arms of human brotherhood had reached almost around the globe.” World's Parliament of Religions, Chap. III. Similar congresses have since been held. While I never expect to see all these principles of evil under one organized form, yet it is evident that the spirits of devils that have gone forth into ”all the world” are uniting them all under one _spirit_--that of Antichrist.
Another form in which the old dragon is manifesting himself and uniting thousands of people against the truth, and one in which the ”miracles”
ascribed to this latest confederation of Satan are performed, is that of ”Christian Science.” Attracted by its healing doctrine, mult.i.tudes are lured into this deceptive communion of Mrs. Eddy's. At the very best her system is, as every historian knows, only a slight revision of the Oriental Philosophy; and notwithstanding its forged name _Christian_, it is truly subversive of the doctrine of Christ. Her grand central doctrine of the ”allness” of mind and the unreality of matter is a true copy of the ”fantastic idealism” of the Gnostics. Gnosticism was based on ”speculative knowledge.” So is Mrs. Eddy's theory. Gnosticism denied the ”_true humanity_ of the Redeemer, and made his person a mere phantom, and his work a mere illusion.” So does Christian Science.
Although Mrs. Eddy clamours loudly that her work is _Christian_ and her mult.i.tude of followers believe her claim, still a careful study of her work Science and Health will convince any unprejudiced person that she utterly repudiates the atonement-work of Jesus Christ by denying his person and the reality of sin and matter. Though the system may contain some good moral principles, yet it has no power to save men from sin, since it denies the existence of actual sin. Her denial of the one personal G.o.d--”all is infinite mind, and its infinite manifestations,”-- is but a swing of the pendulum from the G.o.dless and graceless system of the materialistic philosophy propounded by Darwin and Haeckel and is as absurd and unscriptural (although opposite) as the rankest Pantheism.
The salvation of the soul through faith in Jesus Christ has absolutely no place in the Christian Science creed. It is nothing but a species of universalism. Individuals of every evil cla.s.s and character-- self-lovers, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of G.o.d, profane, murderers of fathers and mothers, man-slayers, wh.o.r.emongers, liars, drunkards, sorcerers, perjured persons, backbiters, haters of G.o.d, despiteful, inventors of evil things, implacable, unmerciful, abominable, and those unto every good work reprobate--any and all of these characters can and do come to the healers of Christian Science, and _not one word is said to them about getting salvation_ through repentance and living faith in the Savior; but, on the other hand, they are received as follows: ”As _children of G.o.d_ you have a right to the healing of your bodies”! The dragon is in it! I warn people to beware.
”They are the spirits of devils, working miracles,” and form an important proof that we are near the end of time.
Another form in which the dragon is manifesting his power on the deceptive and miracle-working line is modern Spiritualism. Mult.i.tudes of people of all cla.s.ses are believers in this soul-destroying doctrine.
The system is generally acknowledged to be but a modern form of what was anciently styled witchcraft, necromancy, magic, etc., while the mediums of to-day are of the same cla.s.s as those formerly known as ”witches,”
”sorcerers,” ”magicians.” This they themselves often admit. The system is so well known both in doctrine and in its pernicious effects that I will not devote further s.p.a.ce to the matter.[15] In many other forms the dragon is working his deceptions upon the people.
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