Freemasonry and the Destruction of Rome?

COGwriter

What is Freemasonry?

Were many American leaders Freemasons?

Are the Rotarians Freemasons?

Can biblical Christians actually be Freemasons?

What is a major difference between Anglo and non-Anglo Freemason groups?

What is the position of the Church of Rome and Freemasonry?

Might the relationship between the Vatican and the Freemasons change?

Could there be a prophetic role in the Book of Revelation that the Freemasons may play?

This article will provide answers to those questions.

Here is a link to a related sermon: Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome.

What is Freemasonry?

From time to time, some have asked about Freemasonry.

Well, Freemasonry is a 'secret society' (meaning that although the group itself is known, its members are sworn to secrecy about much of what it is and does).

They have the word "Free" as centuries ago, masons were allowed to freely cross national borders in order to build massive buildings. While modern Freemasons are rarely builders of massive monuments anymore, they kept the term "Free," which seems to imply they are free to learn more about the practices, etc. of Masonry.

Here is some information from an actual Freemason website:

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely recognized fraternal organization in the world. Founded in London, England in 1717, its current worldwide membership totals 3.6 million members, 1.6 million of which are in North America. ...

As a fraternal organization, Freemasonry unites men of good character who, though of different religious, ethnic, or social backgrounds, share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind.

The traditions of Freemasonry are founded upon the building of King Solomon’s Temple, and its fraternal ceremonies use the working tools of the stonemasons to symbolize moral lessons and truths. For example, Masons are reminded at Lodge to “meet upon the level of equality, act by the plumb of uprightness, and part upon the square of virtue.” https://www.freemason.com/how-to-join/what-is-freemasonry/ access 08/25/18

The following gives some information about that movement:

Freemasonry is a worldwide fraternal organization. Its members are joined together by shared ideals of both a moral and metaphysical nature, and, in most of its branches, by a common belief in a Supreme Being. Freemasonry is an esoteric art, in that certain aspects of its internal work are not generally revealed to the public. Masons give numerous reasons for this, one of which is that Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical and philosophical issues, and this system is less effective if the observer knows beforehand what will happen. It often calls itself "a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." ...

Religious Tolerance

Opinions about Freemasonry around the world may differ from place to place, but Freemasons always stress non-dogmatism and tolerance (albeit often within certain defined limits). This openness has led to friction between Freemasonry and organizations which hold a negative view of ecumenism, or are themselves intolerant towards other forms of belief and worship. Masons have been opposed throughout history by various religious groups, such as some Protestants and certain Muslims.

In general, there are two doctrinal objections to Freemasonry made by established Christian denominations, Catholic and non-Catholic alike:

• The ecumenical nature of Masonic membership, which is at odds with the claims of exclusivity of belief that distinguish the various religious denominations.

• The "esoteric" aspect of Masonic ritual, which is seen as synonymous with Gnosticism, declared heretical and suppressed by the early Christian church. (Manifestations of Gnosticism also appeared in the Jewish and Muslim communities, as Kabbalah and Sufism respectively; however, these movements have survived within Judaism and Islam.) Gnosticism is identified with the early Christian churches west of the Red Sea, such as the Egyptian and Ethiopean Coptic churches. The Nag Hammadi scrolls, discovered in Egypt, in 1945, which contain such apocrypha as the Gospel of Thomas, are considered to be Gnostic inspired or influenced. Thus, the possible connection between Gnosticism and the mythical Egyptian roots of Freemasonry is a subject of interest. The Rosicrucians, a modern Gnostic movement, claim such a connection.

The most vigorous opposition to the fraternity has come from the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is openly hostile to Freemasonry, deeming it at least partly responsible for the French Revolution and the resulting decline of the church in Europe. The Knights of Columbus and other Catholic fraternal organizations were established to provide alternatives to Freemasonry for observant Catholics. (Ironically, one of these organizations, Opus Dei, has been the target of accusations similar to those leveled against the Freemasons.) Although most Freemasons in the English-speaking world are Protestant, some Protestant churches hold that Freemasonry is incompatible with being a member of a community of Christian faith, based on the scriptural holding that "no man can serve two masters".

(Crystal E. Freemasons. http://www.crystalinks.com/freemasons.html accessed 09/18/16)

It is the ecumenical and interfaith bent of the Freemasons that gets me to consider that aspect of them will involve them in events in the end time (see also Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?).

Notice also the following from a website of a Freemason lodge:

What is the Mission of Freemasonry?

To promote a way of life that binds like-minded men in a worldwide brotherhood that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences;

(Reading Lodge No. 254 Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California. https://reddinglodge.org/mission-and-vision-of-freemasonry/ access 09/04/18)

The Freemasons believe that they promote "a worldwide brotherhood that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences."

Biblical Christians do not believe that any society should transcend/surpass God's religion as that would be a violation of the first commandment. So, that is one of many issues that those in the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) have with freemasonry).

The Freemasons are a global organization and in certain ways should be considered as globalists or at least supportive of aspects of the globalist agenda.

Notice that in the past, the Masons have stated (correctly) that Roman Catholicism has been a major opponent of Freemasonry. However, as Pope Francis has a similar view towards other faiths, we may well see an alliance coming between a changed group called 'Catholic' and the Freemasons.

In the USA, most Freemasons have historically been Protestant.

Many founders of the USA, like George Washington, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin, were Freemasons. It is believed that between 9 -13 signers of the US Declaration of Independence were Freemasons.

Then following is from the George Washington Masonic National Memorial:

George Washington and Freemasonry

The two Lodges most closely associated with George Washington are Fredericksburg Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia (his Mother Lodge) and Alexandria-Washington Lodge at Alexandria, Virginia, where he was elected Charter Master under the Grand Lodge of Virginia. No precise date can be found when the Lodge at Fredericksburg began. The date of its first meeting is usually found as September 1, 1752, under a dispensation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Colony of Massachusetts. The Lodge was granted a charter on July 21, 1758, by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Brother Washington received his Masonic degrees over a nine-month period. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice on November 4, 1752, passed to Fellow Craft on March 3, 1753, and raised to Master Mason on August 4, 1753. https://gwmemorial.org/pages/landmark accessed 10/17/18

At least 16 US Presidents have been Freemasons. The last one who claimed to be was Gerald Ford. Lyndon Johnson had been a Freemason, but supposedly was not one when he was US President. There are rumors that other more US Presidents were Freemasons, but that does not seem to have been officially acknowledged.

Washington D.C., itself, has the markings of freemasonry designs. The US Capital building is claimed to have essentially been designed by Freemasons as a temple or even an 'American Temple of Solomon' (http://omnithought.org/masonic-symbolism-of-u-s-capitol/3735 accessed 10/19/18). Notice also the following:

How many recognize the Capitol is a temple?

Thomas Jefferson called it “The first temple dedicated to the sovereignty of the people.”

An anonymous essay of 1795 described the Capitol building as a ‘temple erected to Liberty’.

Specifically, the founders of the Capitol Temple likened it to Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem.

“I have every hope that the grand work we have done today will be handed down…to a late posterity, as the like work of that ever memorable temple to our order erected by our ancient Grand Master Solomon.” Maryland Grand Master Joseph Clark, September 18, 1793, at the laying of the cornerstone of the Capitol.

“It would be unbecoming the representatives of this Nation to assemble for the first time in this solemn Temple without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and imploring His blessing.” President Adams, November 22, 1800, opening the Second Session of the Sixth Congress in the new Capitol building. http://www.williamhenry.net/2009/01/the-u-s-capitol-and-the-temple-in-man/ accessed 10/19/18

While Thomas Jefferson was not publicly known as a Freemason (and may not have been one), even he saw the US Capital building as a type of temple.

Temples have religious connotations and the Masons call their lodges temples.

Some believe that certain monuments in Washington, D.C., were placed in ways to show freemasonry influence, as well as ties to paganism. Essentially certain pentagrams (used in occult worship) and even a goat head can be discerned by running lines connecting various buildings and markers that Freemasons were involved with.

In the 20th century, both Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt were Freemasons. So Anglo-American politics have been affected by Freemasons.

All that being said, it has basically been the view of many that US freemasonry has been more of a social club in the 21st century and less of a political force than in the previous centuries.

The Vatican and Freemasonry

What about the Vatican and Freemasonry?

Well, there have long been Catholic concerns about it:

Many Catholics view Freemasonry as a dangerous—even Satanic—conspiracy founded to destroy the Faith. On the other hand, the Craft likes to present itself as “an ancient Order dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God.” Some of the “Brethren” may take that description seriously, depending on which room of the Masonic edifice they inhabit. But the Lodge has many suites, annexes, and outbuildings whose inmates are not necessarily fraternal towards each other, much less filial towards God.

The basic unit of “regular” Freemasonry is the Blue (or Craft) Lodge, which “works” (imparts) the three traditional degrees—Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master. Initiation is the main business of a local Masonic Temple. Members learn grips, signs, and rituals. ...

To see why the Catholic Church has strongly and repeatedly condemned membership in Freemasonry or any of its allied movements requires a glance at Masonic teachings and history. Freemasons pretend to preserve ancient secrets handed down from Solomon’s builders and pagan mystery cults via the medieval Knights Templar. Some have even identified Adam, Noah, and St. John the Evangelist as Brother Masons.  The Craft claims to offer “Light” unobtainable elsewhere that will perfect the initiate and improve society. Their foremost modern commentator, Henry Wilson Coil, describes Freemasonry as “a system of morality and social ethics, a primitive religion, and a philosophy of life.”

But the real origin of the Craft, as Masonic historians now admit, lies in Renaissance esotericism, injected into the guild traditions developed by medieval stoneworkers. Spurred by interest in the symbolic possibilities of architecture, men who were not professional stonemasons (“non-operatives”) began joining workmen’s lodges in Scotland in the 1590s. These fellowships had just been turned into permanent organizations by the king’s chief builder, a Catholic named William Schaw. Professor David Stevenson has amply documented this transformation in The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland’s century 1590-1710 (Cambridge University Press, 1988). ... the Grand Orient Lodges of France, Iberia, and Latin America were building a far grimmer anti-Catholic edifice. They attracted men hostile to both Church and State who found Masonic structures and secrecy useful for political subversion. Masons were prominent in the French Revolution and the Irish rising of 1798. They helped lead the South American revolts against Spain as well as the unification of Italy. Discarding even the pretense of Deism, Grand Orient Lodges ceased to revere the Bible or any Volume of Sacred Law. They dominated the bitterly anti-clerical French Third Republic (1870-1940) that confiscated all Church property in France. They persecuted and slaughtered Catholics after the Mexican Revolution and during the Spanish Civil War. Even in today’s European Union, Masons favor radical secularization.

Outraged by these activities, conspiracy-minded Catholics have claimed that they are all part of a vast “Judeo-Masonic plot” that also created Communism. ...

Fear of “Judeo-Masonry” and its ilk clouds analysis of the Craft’s intrinsic and irremediable flaws: Relativism and Naturalism. Blue Lodge Freemasonry treats all religions alike but inferior to the “Light” it offers to its select Brethren. They trust reason alone, not supernatural revelation. But Christians know that salvation comes from the real Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, not the dubious legend of Hiram Abiff.

Furthermore, the higher degrees of Masonry’s Appendant Bodies are frankly blasphemous. The Royal Arch Degree of the York Rite reveals that the true name of God is JAH-BUL-ON, a fusion of the Hebrew Jaweh (Yaweh) with the names of pagan gods Baal and Osiris. ...

In 1738, Pope Clement XII condemned the Craft for its reliance on mere natural virtue while ignoring Christ’s unique role as Savior. Pope Clement also denounced the rash, blood-curdling oaths demanded of members to protect trivial Lodge secrets. Ironically, those precious secrets are anything but secret. All the details have been revealed numerous times, for example in ex-Mason Walton Hannah’s Darkness Visible: A Christian Appraisal of Freemasonry.

Pope Clement decreed that Catholics who joined the Masons were excommunicated with reconciliation reserved to the pope. Unfortunately, this had little effect because the rule was not published in every country, nor was it taken seriously where it was published. Eight subsequent popes had to repeat the message, most forcefully Leo XIII in his 1884 encyclical, Humanum genus. Denouncing the Lodge as “a deceitful and crafty enemy,” Pope Leo declared: “Let no man think that he may for any reason whatsoever join the Masonic sect, if he values his Catholic name and his eternal salvation as he ought to value them.” This stern prohibition was included in the 1917 Code of Canon Law.

After the Second Vatican Council, however, the long antagonism between the Church and the Lodge seemed to be easing.  A reinterpretation of the anti-Masonic canons in 1974 led some Catholics to think that only Masonic groups actively plotting against the Church were forbidden to them. ...

The Catholic Church and the Lodge can never be reconciled. Freemasonry teaches a rival religion of Naturalism, whether it plots, persecutes, blasphemes, engages in philanthropy, or behaves politely. It treats all religions as equal but inferior to its own Gnostic wisdom. (Miesel S. Freemasons and their craft: What Catholics should know. Catholic World Report, February 7, 2017 https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2017/02/07/freemasons-and-their-craft-what-catholics-should-know/ accessed 08/25/18)

Historically, one of Masonry's primary objectives has been the destruction of the Catholic Church; this is especially true of Freemasonry as it has existed in certain European countries. In the United States, Freemasonry is often little more than a social club, but it still espouses a naturalistic religion that contradicts orthodox Christianity. (Those interested in joining a men's club should consider the Knights of Columbus instead.)

The Church has imposed the penalty of excommunication on Catholics who become Freemasons. The penalty of excommunication for joining the Masonic Lodge was explicit in the 1917 code of canon law (canon 2335), and it is implicit in the 1983 code (canon 1374). https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-does-the-church-say-about-freemasonry?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpP7E2rCI3QIVHLjACh0L9wHzEAAYASAAEgId7fD_BwE accessed 08/25/18

The Craft originated in the British Isles and the overwhelming majority of its members still live in English-speaking countries. ...

American Masons came to hold disproportionate power at all levels of government, including the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court.  They led the fight against parochial schools and demanded absolute separation of Church and State.  Networks of influence among Masons stifled competition from outsiders in business and the professions.  Lodge membership became a badge of middle-class Protestant respectability at the peak of Freemasonry's popularity, 1920-1960.

Meanwhile, the Grand Orient Lodges of France, Iberia, and Latin America were building a far grimmer anti-Catholic edifice.  They attracted men hostile to both Church and State who found Masonic structures and secrecy useful for political subversion.  Masons were prominent in the French Revolution and the Irish rising of 1798.  They helped lead the South American revolts against Spain as well as the unification of Italy.  Discarding even the pretense of Deism, Grand Orient Lodges ceased to revere the Bible or any Volume of Sacred Law.  They dominated the bitterly anti-clerical French Third Republic (1870-1940) that confiscated all Church property in France.  They persecuted and slaughtered Catholics after the Mexican Revolution and during the Spanish Civil War.  Even in today's European Union, Masons favor radical secularization. ...

From the time Freemasonry penetrated Europe, the Catholic Church has watched and warned against it. ...

Numerous other Christian bodies also condemn Freemasonry, including many Lutherans, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Baptists, and Orthodox followers of the Holy Synod of Greece.  Even the Mormons, originally influenced by Masonry, condemn the Craft.

The Catholic Church and the Lodge can never be reconciled.  Freemasonry teaches a rival religion of Naturalism, whether it plots, persecutes, blasphemes, engages in philanthropy, or behaves politely.  It treats all religions as equal but inferior to its own Gnostic wisdom. (Sandra Miesel "Freemasons and Their Craft: What Catholics Should Know." Catholic World Report, February 7, 2017. Reprinted with permission of Catholic World Report. https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/common-misconceptions/freemasons-and-their-craft-what-catholics-should-know.html accessed 10/19/18)

Priest O’Connor (20th century?): This final false prophet will be a bishop of the church and will lead all religions into becoming one…

Priest Paul Kramer (21st century):The errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church, it will be an ecumenical church because the Anti-Pope will be recognized by the world—not by the faithful, but by the world—by the secular world and the secular governments…

The Anti-Pope will be recognized as the legitimate Pope of the “church,” and the legitimate head of the Vatican State. That “church” will be united with all the false religions. They will be united together under the universality of the Masonic umbrella. In that motley ecumenical union will be the established religion of the so-called civilized world. This is how we will get into the time of great persecution such as the world has never seen (2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, pp. 171, 173).

Freemasonic “Unity” As Pope John Paul II him- self declared in Ut Unum Sint , ecumenism had its origin in the churches of the Reform: the Protestants. We can go back further and we will see that ecumenism, before it invaded the Church and before it invaded the Protestant denominations, was first promoted by Freemasonry. It is of Jewish origin: the idea of natural religion as the vehicle of salvation for the Gentiles. ... It is Freemasonry that would set up in the world a one-world religion with this Jewish/Protestant idea of unity. The idea that all the Christian denominations can coexist in peace and harmony and unity is absolutely incompatible with the Catholic Faith, the doctrine of unity, the bonds of communion. It is coherent strictly, entirely, logically in the absurd notion of Protestantism that there can be communion in doctrinal diversity. (Kramer P. What are the missing contents of the third secret? Fatima Crusader, 95, Summer 2010, pp. 42-43)

Historically, there were some ties between the Freemasons and a group called the Illuminati in the 18th century. Some claim that the Freemasons are the Illuminati. Others believe that the Illuminati are like a subset of the Freemasons, whereas others feel that the Illuminati per se, no longer exist, but that many of their ideas live on in Freemasonry.

There are still Roman Catholic concerns about it:

June 1, 2019

For the past 300 years, Freemasonry has done all in its power to do to the Catholic Church what the old heretics did to Christ, they wish to make it a merely human institution without divine powers.  In this way, divorcing it from the divine assistance, they can overpower it. https://fsspx.news/en/news-events/news/ephesus-fatima-48248

Roman Catholics, historically, have considered the Freemasons to be a threat.

But they did not seemingly start out that way. Here is a report of some history from the 12th through 19th centuries:

Freemasons, Francmaçons, Libremuoratori, Freimauren, were the names given throughout Europe to the builders of the great medieval cathedrals. They belonged to Catholic guilds and were bound by strict adherence to the tenets of the Catholic faith and morality. As they traveled from country to country with different languages and customs, they developed their own set of signs, symbols and gestures as means of mutual recognition. These builders were known as “operative” masons.

Beginning in 16th and 17th century England, having lost the true Catholic Faith, free-thinkers, agnostics, alchemists, “antiquarians” (those interested in pre-Christian religions), spiritualists, and Rosicrucians (a fellowship dedicated to restoring the earthly paradise through scientific advancement and occult knowledge) emerged and began openly forming cenacle, salons, clubs and secret societies to further their aims. In 1717 many came together to form a unified “Grand Lodge” to build not cathedrals to the glory of God, but a temple dedicated to the glorification and  perfection of man. Under the guise of rebuilding Solomon’s Temple, a  symbol of human wisdom, these “Free builders” or “speculative” masons adopted the rituals and signs of the earlier Cathedral builders to secretly set about building a new world order, or Novus Ordo Saeculorum. This new order, according to its adepts would be based on human rights, liberty, equality, fraternity and the universal brotherhood of man.

Supposedly free from the arbitrary dictates of “altar and throne,” Masonic lodges spread across continental Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries fomenting political unrest and social upheavals. The vast majority of revolutionary thinkers of the period, including Rousseau and Voltaire, were inducted Freemasons.

The lure of the lodges was that in a highly structured class system also religiously divided, they accepted men of all ranks, stations and faiths without distinction into a fraternal bond of philanthropy. Masonry presented itself as “a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.” The “Craft” was there to “make good men better” regardless of their religious or political affiliations.

Beneath the high-sounding rhetoric, smoldered a deep hatred of the Roman Catholic Church and its teaching authority on faith and morals. The words with which Voltaire signed many of his letters come to mind, “Écrasez l’infame “ (Crush the loathsome thing) — referring to the Catholic Church. (May 12, 2017 https://onepeterfive.com/freemasonry-catholic-church-brief-introduction/ accessed 10/19/18)

Jean Frangois Marie Arouet de Voltaire was a famous French philosopher and writer who was initiated into Freemasonry in 1778.

The Freemasons were blamed for causing issues with the Church of Rome in France, Ireland, Mexico, Italy, and elsewhere in the 18th-19th centuries.

Now it has been claimed that a copy of the following, called The Permanent Instruction of Alta Vendita, fell into Vatican hands in the mid-19th century.

Our ultimate end is that of Voltaire and of the French Revolution — the final destruction of Catholicism and even of the Christian idea. . .

The Pope, whoever he is. will never come to the secret societies; it is up to the secret societies to take the first step toward the Church, with the aim of conquering both of them, The task that we are going to undertake is not the work of a day or of a month, or of a year it may last several years perhaps a century; but in our ranks the soldier dies and the struggle goes on.

We do not intend to win the Popes to our cause to make them neophytes of our principles, propagators of our ideas. That would be a ridiculous dream: and if events turn out in some way. if Cardinals or prelates for example of their own free will or by surprise should enter into a part of our secrets this is not at all an incentive for desiring their elevation to the See of Peter. That elevation would ruin us. Ambition alone would have led them to apostasy, the requirements of power would Force them to sacrifice us. What we must ask for, what we should look for and wait for as the jews wait for the Messiah, is a Pope according to our needs.

With that we shall march more securely towards the assault on the Church than with the pamphlets of our brethren in France and even the gold of England. ...

Now then, to assure ourselves a Pope of the required dimensions, it is a question first of shaping for this Pope a generation worthy of the reign we are dreaming of. Leave old people and those of a mature age aside: go to the youth, and if it is possible, even to the children. ...

You will contrive for yourselves, at little cost, a reputation as good Catholics and pure patriots.

This reputation will put access to our doctrines into the midst of the young clergy, as well as deeply into the monasteries, In a few years, by the force of things, this young clergy will have overrun all the functions; they will form the sovereign's council, they will be called to choose a Pontiff who should reign. And this Pontiff, like most of his contemporaries, will he necessarily more or less imbued with the {revolutionary} Italian and humanitarian principles that we are going to begin to put into circulation. (The Permanent Instruction of the Alta Vendita. J. Vernetti, Catholic editor. TAN Books, 2009)

The Vatican was not pleased with that.

Here is some of what Pope Leo declared about Freemasonry a document titled HUMANUM GENUS ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON FREEMASONRY in 1884:

At this period, however, the partisans of evil seems to be combining together, and to be struggling with united vehemence, led on or assisted by that strongly organized and widespread association called the Freemasons. No longer making any secret of their purposes, they are now boldly rising up against God Himself. They are planning the destruction of holy Church publicly and openly, and this with the set purpose of utterly despoiling the nations of Christendom, if it were possible, of the blessings obtained for us through Jesus Christ our Saviour. http://w2.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_18840420_humanum-genus.html accessed 08/25/18

Notice also something almost exactly a century later from the REFLECTIONS A YEAR AFTER DECLARATION OF CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH Irreconcilability between Christian faith and Freemasonry:

On 26 November 1983 the S. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (S.C.D.F.) published a declaration on Masonic associations (cf. AAS LXXVI [1984], 300). At a distance of little more than a year from its publication, it may be useful to outline briefly the significance of this document.

Since the Church began to declare her mind concerning Freemasonry, her negative judgment has been inspired by many reasons, both practical and doctrinal. She judged Freemasonry not merely responsible for subversive activity in her regard, but from the earliest pontifical documents on the subject ...

the Sacred Congregation points out to the faithful that this membership objectively constitutes a grave sin and by specifying that the members of a Masonic association may not receive Holy Communion, it intends to enlighten the conscience of the faithful about a grave consequence which must derive from their belonging to a Masonic lodge.

Finally, the Sacred Congregation declares that «it is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations which would imply a derogation from what has been decided above. http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19850223_declaration-masonic_articolo_en.html accessed 08/25/18

Notice the following belief:

Saint Maximilian Kolbe's second account was published in 1939:

In the years leading up to the war, the masonic "clique," disapproved of on several occasions by the Sovereign Pontiffs, governed in Rome, the capital of Christianity, with ever greater impudence. It did not even hesitate to brandish in the streets of the City during the festivities in honor of Giordano Bruno, a black flag showing the Archangel St. Michael beneath the feet of Lucifer; still less did they hesitate to brandish masonic insignia beneath the windows of the Vatican. A reckless hand felt no repugnance in writing: Satan will rule in the Vatican and the Pope will serve him in the uniform of a Swiss Guard, and other things of that kind. This mortal hatred for the Church of Jesus Christ and for His Vicar was not just a prank on the part of deranged individuals, but a systematic action proceeding from the principle of Freemasonry: Destroy all religion, whatever it may be, especially the Catholic religion. (in Donnelly N. Our Lady of Fatima and the Battle With Freemasonry, Part 1, Church Militant, Published 2/25/17 https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/our-lady-of-fatima-and-the-battle-with-freemasonry-part accessed 08/25/18

Yet, consider that the Freemasons are quite ecumenical.

Notice the following about that:

Yves Marsaudon of the Scottish Rite in his book Ecumenism Viewed by a Traditional Freemason, praised the ecumenism nurtured at Vatican II. He said:

Catholics . . . must not forget that ail roads lead to God, And they will have to accept that this courageous idea of free-thinking, which we can really call a revolution pouring forth from our Masonic lodges, has spread magnificently over the dome of St, Peter's.

Yves Marsaudon was delighted to add that "One can say that ecumenism is the legitimate son of Freemasonry. (As cited in Kramer P. Devil's Final Battle. The Missionary Association, 2002, p. 61)

It should should be noted that according to the Bible, all roads do not lead to God:

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12, NKJV throughout unless otherwise noted)

13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad the road which leads to ruin, and many there are who enter by it; 14 because narrow is the gate and contracted the road which leads to Life, and few are those who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14, Weymouth NT)

There is only one way:

6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

10 ... the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, .... 11 This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12)

Anyone, Freemason, pope, minister, etc. that does not realize this is false.

Getting back to the Masons, now notice some comments from Masons related to Roman Catholicism and Pope Francis:

The fact: Freemasonry today is no more anti-Catholic than it is anti-vegetarian. ... As an organization, however, Freemasonry takes no position whatsoever on any religion and in fact encourages toleration in all its members. http://www.masonicinfo.com/anticatholic.htm accessed 10/19/18)

On March 15, 2013, the website of the Virtual Grand Lodge of Italy, GLVDI, published a statement (though dated March 13, 2013) of Grand Master Luciano Nistri concerning the election of the new pope:

The Catholic Church has chosen as Pope the Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio who assumed the name of Francis. A clear-cut choice, away from the logic of the Roman Curia and of the temporal power. From the first moment on, Pope Francis, a man who comes “nearly from the end of the world,” rejecting the ermine robe and gold cross and replacing it with an iron cross, made his first tangible act. In his first words of greeting he fostered a desire for dialogue with the world and with mankind, nurturing the vivid hope for laymen and nonbelievers that change is underway. Maybe this is really what the world expects and what it expected. A new Church that knows how to reconnect love with truth in a confrontation among institutions not entrenched in the defense of their own power. It is that same hope for which the world — and especially Latin America, where the Masons Simon Bolivar, Salvador Allende and the same Giuseppe Garibaldi [especially while in Brazil] among the many who have given liberty to those peoples — has always longed for.

A message that Freemasonry itself perceives a sharp break with the past and one which is turned now to listening to the poor, the marginalized and the weakest. To the new Pontiff we send our best wishes for his good work for years to come. Luciano Nistri, Grand Master GLVDI.

On September 21, 2013, moreover, during the celebrations by the Freemasonry of the Grand Orient of Italy on the occasion of the recurrence of the 20th of September and of the Fall Equinox, the Grand Master Gustavo Raffi stated, inter alia:

Pope Francis launches messages of humanity that are in tune with what we have been saying for years. He also invites people to come out of the catacombs and not to withdraw but to witness among the different peoples to one’s own values [sic], in speaking to society. The reflections should not be limited to today but should build the future. This is a living Masonry, talking to people [in a dialogue].

In an interview published (but left undated) some time after his election in December 2013, Vincenzo Romano, 33°, the then-newly elected Deputy or Vicar Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Italy of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons — Piazza del Gesù — Palazzo Vitelleschi, pointed out that Freemasonry does not follow the [Catholic] tenets and complained that the Church does not accept the way of thinking of the Masons. He then answered to the following question:

“Pope Bergoglio has [already] made many openings; may there be something positive to be seen from him with regard to Freemasonry?”

The Mason replied:

“Pope Bergoglio thus far proved to be a great Pope, but I do not know if he has some prejudice against us. Let’s wait to see if there will be any reactions. We declare ourselves ready to embrace the Catholic world. (April 7, 2017 https://onepeterfive.com/freemasons-love-pope-francis/ accessed 08/25/18)

Some of the Eastern Orthodox have had concerns about the Vatican and Freemasonry:

To His Excellency, Francis,
Head of State of the Vatican City
Vatican City, Rome

Your Excellency,

With due respect and sincere love, we send you this Episcopal letter, ...

Your Excellency is a favorite of the Freemasons, who, according to their own publications, were anxiously awaiting your election and rejoiced when you were chosen! In a statement by the “Grand Master,” G. Raffi, he stresses that, “With Pope Francis, nothing will be as it was before. It is a clear choice of fraternity for a Church of dialogue, which is not contaminated by the logic and temptations of temporal power. He is a man of the poor, far away from the Curia. Fraternity and the desire to dialogue were his first concrete words. Perhaps nothing in the Church will be as it was before. The simple cross he wore on his white cassock lets us hope that a Church of the people will re-discover its capacity to dialogue with all men of good will and with Freemasonry, which, as the experience of Latin America teaches us, works for the good and progress of humanity!” So here is the heart of the matter: “dialogue with all men of good will,” which means an intensifying of ecumenism! Are you not aware, Your Excellency, that Freemasonry promotes, through Ecumenism, the universal religion of Lucifer, as well as the fact that the source and womb of Freemasonry is the hideous International Zionism?…

Freemasonry is “pagan cult worship, an adversary of the pure Orthodox Catholic Church.” That is to say, it is clearly an antichristian and pagan religion. The Masons are “Satan worshipers and luciferists, followers of the religion of Antichrist.”…

There can exist no form of compromise between Orthodoxy and Papism, neither with its older nor its modern spirit, nor with its idolatry…

With respect,

+ Andrew of Dryinoupolis, Pogoniani and Konitsa

+ Seraphim of Piraeus and Faliro

(Letter to Francis. HOLY AUTOCEPHALOUS ORTHODOX CATHOLIC CHURCH OF GREECE. April 10, 2014. http://cdn.romfea.gr/images/stories/photos/2014/4/romfea1/spiti/Epistle%20to%20Pope%20Francis%20I.pdf viewed 04/20/2014)

The above from Greek Orthodox leaders contained a lot of anti-Rome statements, not just anti-Masonic ones (to see more, check out the article Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? (And the Protestants)).

Perhaps I should add something from Roman Catholic priest and scholar C.F. Aiken:

Mithraism did not begin to attract attention till towards the close of the first century, and did not assume importance till the middle of the second. Hence it could not have come in contact with Christianity early enough to have exercised any marked influence on its chief rites or doctrines. Again one has never explained how the Christian religion could have borrowed from a cult like Mithraism, whose rites and teachings were guarded from public knowledge by a veil of secrecy as strict as that which hides the inner ceremonies of a lodge of freemasons. (Aiken C.F., Mithraism and Christianity, p. 382)

Mithraism was a pagan faith that the Emperor Constantine followed in the fourth century. Many groups, and not just Freemasons, seem to have adopted parts of the practices of that pagan faith (see also Do You Practice Mithraism?).

Emperor Constantine believed that merging paganism with his version of 'Christianity' was a good thing--despite it being in scriptural error. Most in the ecumenical and interfaith movements hold to similar errors--including Freemasons.

Idolatry, which the Greek bishops alluded to, is endorsed by many involved in the interfaith movement. This is not something that God wants His people to be involved in (cf. 1 John 5:21; Revelation 18; see also The Mark of Antichrist).

Now it should be noted that some claim that Pope Francis has taken strong anti-masonic steps:

It has emerged that during a meeting between Pope Francis and Cardinal Burke in November about the scandal of the Knights of Malta distributing condoms and oral contraceptives in Africa, the Holy Father instructed Cardinal Burke to “clean out” Freemasonry from the order. The Holy Father gave this order to Cardinal Burke in his role as patron of the Knights of Malta by papal appointment. (Pope ordered Card. Burke to clean out Freemasons from the Knights of Malta 01/12/2017 https://catholiccitizens.org/news/69506/pope-ordered-card-burke-clean-freemasons-knights-malta/ accessed 08/25/18)

While some think that the Pope Francis made very strong statements against Freemasonry, when I looked at the two Roman Catholic sites linked to, I did not get that impression. Notice also the following:

Archbishop of Milan to Take Part in ‘Historic’ Closed-Door Seminar With Italy’s Freemasons

February 15, 2024

MILAN — The Archbishop of Milan has surprised many Catholics with the news that he plans to take part in a seminar in the northern Italian city on Friday with the grand masters of Italy’s three Freemasonic lodges, despite the Church’s longstanding censure of Freemasonry.

Archbishop Mario Delpini, Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president emeritus of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, and Bishop Antonio Staglianò, president of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, will be among Church representatives attending the closed-door event to discuss The Catholic Church and Freemasonry.

The Freemasons will be represented by Stefano Bisi, grand master of the Grand Orient of Italy, the country’s largest Freemasonic lodge, and leaders of two other national lodges: the Grand Lodge of Italy and the Grand Regular Lodge of Italy.

Bisi has called the meeting “historic.”  …

Pope Francis has occasionally been vocally critical of the secret society. Speaking in 2015 on a visit to Turin, a city well known for its ties to Freemasonry, he recalled that at the end of the 19th century “Freemasonry was in full swing,” helping to make it “one of the ugliest times and the ugliest places in the history of Italy.” In 2013, he criticized the presence of “Masonic lobbies” within the Church.

Masonry-Friendly Pontificate?

But this pontificate has also drawn noticeable approval from Italian lodges. This became especially apparent in 2020 when Francis’s Human Fraternity document, co-signed with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, received a ringing endorsement from Bisi’s Grand Orient Lodge. The document, read an article in its quarterly magazine, was “innovative” and a “slow-release drug” that could herald a “new era” and represent a “turning point for a new civilization.”

Freemasons in other parts of the world have also welcomed other initiatives of this pontificate, such as when Spanish Freemasons congratulated the Pope on his encyclical Fratelli Tutti (Brothers All), saying the Church had finally embraced “universal fraternity, the great principle of modern Freemasonry.” By 2017, this pontificate had reportedly already received some 62 messages of public support from various Freemasonic figures and lodges. …

Significantly, Bisi said a dialogue between Freemasonry and the Church began in the 1960s, when the then-grand master of his lodge, Giordano Gamberini and his successor Lino Salvini, had exchanges with Pauline Father Rosario Esposito.

“Meetings, discussions … then stopped,” Bisi said, but now “they can start again,” and he recalled an open letter, penned by Cardinal Ravasi and addressed to “Dear Brother Masons” published on Feb. 14, 2016.

The then-president of the Pontifical Council for Culture said the Church’s declarations underlining Freemasonry’s incompatibility with the faith “do not impede dialogue” with Masonry on areas such as “works of charity, the fight against materialism, human dignity, and knowledge of each other.” https://www.ncregister.com/blog/archbishohp-delpini-freemasonry-seminar

Here is something from the Freemason’s website announcing that meeting (https://www.grandeoriente.it/chiesa-cattolica-e-massoneria-il-16-febbraio-seminario-a-milano-con-il-gran-maestro-bisi/), which I had machine-translated from Italian into English:

On Friday 16 February in Milan, Grand Master Stefano Bisi will participate in the important seminar on “Catholic Church and Freemasonry”. The event will take place in the headquarters of the Ambrosianum Cultural Foundation in the presence of important religious authorities such as the Archbishop of Milan Mario Delpini, the president of the Pontifical Academy of Theology Monsignor Francesco Stagliano’ and Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the legislative texts.

This is a meeting that can be defined as historic and in which the centuries-old and complex relationship between the Catholic Church and Freemasonry will be addressed. Grand Master Bisi will speak with a report on the topic “Freemasonry between Ratzinger and Bergoglio”. An important moment of dialogue that will allow religious people and Freemasons to freely discuss the reconcilability of Masonic values ​​with Catholic ones.

So, yes, the Freemasons and the Vatican, to a degree, do want to cooperate with each other.

In November 2023, when the Vatican, in a letter again stated that Roman Catholics are not be become Freemasons, I noted:

the wording of the Vatican’s letter does not prohibit cooperation with the Freemasons–and that is something that I believe the Vatican will, to a degree, continue to have–despite this latest letter. So, no this does NOT stop all future cooperation between the Vatican and the Freemasons. (Thiel B. Church of Rome prohibits its members from being Freemasons, but … COGwriter, November 16, 2023)

Freemasonry, like the Vatican, is pushing a globalist agenda; hence cooperation, for a time, with the Church of Rome is expected, as both have some similar objectives.

There has been a lessening of hostilities between the Masons and the Vatican that even Roman Catholics have acknowledged (http://catholicherald.co.uk/issues/august-11th-2017/the-real-reason-catholics-cant-be-freemasons/).

Anyway, irrespective of what Pope Francis, himself, may think of the Freemasons, he and they do share an interfaith and ecumenical vision (see also Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?).

Rotarian Connections?

Are the Rotarians Freemasons?

Well, some are. But the two organizations are fairly separate, though with some somewhat overlapping goals.

Here is something that the Rotarians teach about themselves:

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. ...

Our mission

We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary accessed 10/16/18

8. Prestige: Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, the professions,

art, government, sports, military, religion, and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and

most prestigious service club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, and

professionals - people who make decisions and influence policy.

9. Citizenship in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says "Rotary International."

There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is

welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of the 30,000 clubs in 194 nations and

geographical regions. This encourages new friendships in both local and world

communities. ...

16. The Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice a 4¬Way Test that governs their

ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal

relationships. 

17. Cultural Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture,

race, creed, political persuasion, language, color and ethnic identity is represented

among members of Rotary. Rotary is a cross section of the world's most prominent

citizens who are aware of their cultures and have developed a love of working with

people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries in the process.

18. Nice People: Rotarians are the nicest people on the face of the earth. 

19. Absence of an Official Creed: Rotary has no secret handshake, no official creed, no

secret meetings or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who simply believe

in helping others. 

20. Opportunity to Serve: As a service club, Rotary's business is mankind and its product

is service. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do good. https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary accessed 10/16/18

Some believe that the Freemasons recruit from groups like the Lions, Kiwanis, and the Rotarians.

There was some type of decree from the Vatican on 20 December 1950 that prohibited Catholic clergy, but not lay members, from joining such groups or even attending their meetings (see articles at https://gloria.tv/article/soMfEZ62uAxW3WCfyEHDsT1BA), but this is NOT something I could find at the Vatican's official website.

What I did find were some pro-Rotary statements in many articles there. Here is part of one from Pope John-Paul II:

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II 
TO THE MEMBERS OF "ROTARY INTERNATIONAL" 

Thursday, 14 June 1979 

Dear friends, 

FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE of my predecessor Paul VI, I am happy to extend a cordial welcome to members of Rotary International. It is a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to continue, on an international level, the conversation which Paul VI inaugurated with you years ago in Milan, and which he later carried on in Rome. I too am very willing to reflect with you on your important aims and on your worthy activities. 

Your presence here today indicates a great power for good. You come from many different nations and backgrounds. You bring with you vast experience in the economic, industrial, professional, cultural and scientific fields. In the solidarity of your association, you find mutual support, reciprocal encouragement and a shared commitment to work for the common good. http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1979/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19790614_rotary-international.html accessed 10/17/18

Here is something I had machine translated from the Vatican website from Italian to English:

POPE FRANCESCO

GENERAL AUDIENCE

St. Peter's Square
Wednesday, 22nd January 2014

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning.

Last Saturday began the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity , which will end next Saturday, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. This spiritual initiative, which is extremely precious, has involved the Christian communities for over a hundred years. It is a time dedicated to prayer for the unity of all the baptized, according to the will of Christ: "that all may be one" ( Jn 17.21). Every year, an ecumenical group from a region of the world, under the guidance of the Ecumenical Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity , suggests the theme and prepares grants for the Week of Prayer. ...

I extend a cordial welcome to the faithful of the Italian language. In particular, I greet the participants at the meeting of the Regional Coordinators of the Apostolate of the Sea, with Cardinal Antonio Maria Vegliò, urging them to be the voice of workers who live far from their loved ones and face situations of danger and difficulty; the members of the Local Police of Macherio and Sovìco with Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi and the Rotary Club of Lanciano with the Bishop Emidio Cipollone. original Italian link: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/it/audiences/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20140122_udienza-generale.html

So, Rotarians were there during an ecumenical week, but if, or how, they participated was not clear from Pope Francis's message.

Furthermore, here is some information related to Pope Francis from a different website:

Today (30 April 2016) Francis had a special general audience to which he invited a lot of Rotarians who were in Rome.  The purpose of the Rotarians being in Rome was to participate in a conference organized by the Jesuit Refugee Service with the topic of “Helping Refugees to Start Over”, one of Francis’ pet causes.  Also participating in the discussions were The United Nations Refugee Agency and the United Nations World Food Program. One couldn’t come up with a set of groups which reflect the one world government mentality more and which are hell bent on de-Christianizing Europe.

This isn’t Francis first interaction with with Rotary International nor his predecessors.  Francis back in 1999 when he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio and only a year into his appointment as the archbishop of Buenos Aires was named a honorary Rotarian.  A few years later in 2005 he was honored as Argentina’s Rotarian of the Year.

Francis reserved 8,000 tickets for the Rotary International at today’s general audience and over 9,000 showed up!  Francis is just following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Saint John Paul II who in the Jubilee Year of 2000 welcomed Rotarians on pilgrimage to the Vatican.  At the end of his general audience today, Francis met with Rotary International President K.R. Ravindran.

"It is a tremendous honor to be part of this Jubilee Audience. Pope Francis has inspired men and women throughout the world – regardless of their faith – with his humble acts of kindness. His call to alleviate the root causes of extreme poverty and human suffering transcends religion, age, nationalism and politics. Rotary members from every religion, nation and creed share Pope Francis’ spirit of mercy and compassion, which inspires us to act boldly to address the most difficult challenges facing our world today.” - K.R. Ravindran - . http://callmejorgebergoglio.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-jubilee-of-rotary.html

Pope Francis seems to like Rotarians and at least some of them like him.

As far as the Rotarians go, they seem to support some of the same worldly goals as the Freemasons. This, however, does NOT make all the Rotarians Freemasons, nor a branch of the Freemasons.

Religion?

Jan Aaron Young often runs long, detailed ads in The Journal. Here is something he ran c. January 2006:

A man for 1st degree Mason must swear to have his tongue torn out and be cut from ear to ear if he reveals secrets. For 2nd, “ ‘your breast torn open and your heart plucked out.’ . . . Masons talk about friendship, morality and brotherly love and then swear that sort of grisly oath!” More degrees are more gruesome and more secrets given. Most of US founding fathers were Masons. Henry Coil wrote Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, accepted as their authoritative source. “Coil says that ‘if Freemasonry is not a religion, nothing would have to be added to make it such, and that the religious service at the funeral of a Mason is evidence enough that Freemasonry is a religion.’ Manly Hall says ‘When the Mason . . . has learned the mystery of his Craft, the seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands.’ (The Lost Keys of Freemasonry p. 48).”

Now a high ranking Mason I used to know denies freemasonry is a religion. But the Masons do have a lot of religious appearing practices and other aspects of a religion and I believe their practices are not consistent with those a biblical Christian could accept.

The Masonic Information Center prepared the following where it explains why it is not a religion:

Basic Principles. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members a belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual's dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings. ...

Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion: (a) It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy. (b) It offers no sacraments. (c) It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation. accessed 10/17/18 http://www.msana.com/religion.asp

Freemasonry is a type of way of life and at least a type of religion. Ancient pagans often had multiple religions.

The Masonic Information Center also prepared the following

Freemasonry Supports Religion. Freemasonry is far from indifferent toward religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his Duty to God above all other duties. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions. accessed 10/17/18 http://www.msana.com/religion.asp

While we will not speak for other religions, we in the CCOG disagree that masonry's "moral teachings are acceptable to all religions."

The Illuminati and Freemasonry

The National Geographic reported the following:

The 18th-century German thinker Adam Weishaupt would have been stunned if he had known his ideas would one day fuel global conspiracy theories ...

Born in 1748 in Ingolstadt, a city in the Electorate of Bavaria (now part of modern-day Germany), Weishaupt was a descendant of Jewish converts to Christianity. Orphaned at a young age, his scholarly uncle took care of his education, and enrolled him in a Jesuit school. After completing his studies, Weishaupt became a professor of natural and canon law at the University of Ingolstadt, married, and started a family. On the surface, it was a conventional enough career—until 1784 when the Bavarian state learned of his incendiary ideas. ...

Convinced that religious ideas were no longer an adequate belief system to govern modern societies, he decided to find another form of “illumination,” a set of ideas and practices that could be applied to radically change the way European states were run. Freemasonry was steadily expanding throughout Europe in this period, offering attractive alternatives to freethinkers.

Weishaupt initially thought of joining a lodge. Disillusioned with many of the Freemasons’ ideas, however, he became absorbed in books dealing with such esoteric themes as the Mysteries of the Seven Sages of Memphis and the Kabbala, and decided to found a new secret society of his own. ...

Society of Secrets

Weishaupt was not, he said, against religion itself, but rather the way in which it was practiced and imposed. His thinking, he wrote, offered freedom “from all religious prejudices; cultivates the social virtues; and animates them by a great, a feasible, and speedy prospect of universal happiness.” To achieve this, it was necessary to create “a state of liberty and moral equality, freed from the obstacles which subordination, rank, and riches, continually throw in our way.”

On the night of May 1, 1776, the first Illuminati met to found the order in a forest near Ingolstadt. Bathed in torchlight, there were five men. There they established the rules that were to govern the order. All future candidates for admission required the members’ consent, a strong reputation with well-established familial and social connections, and wealth.

In the beginning, the order’s membership had three levels: novices, minervals, and illuminated minervals. “Minerval” referred to the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva, reflecting the order’s aim to spread true knowledge, or illumination, about how society, and the state, might be reshaped.

Over the following years, Weishaupt’s secret order grew considerably in size and diversity, possibly numbering 600 members by 1782. They included important people in Bavarian public life, such as Baron Adolph von Knigge and the banker Mayer Amschel Rothschild, who provided funding. ...

By the end of 1784, the Illuminati had 2,000 to 3,000 members.

Baron von Knigge played a very considerable role in the society’s organization and expansion. As a former Freemason, he was in favor of adopting rites similar to theirs. Members of the Illuminati were given a symbolic “secret” name taken from classical antiquity: Weishaupt was Spartacus, for example, and Knigge was Philo. The membership levels also became a more complex hierarchy. There were a total of 13 degrees of initiation, divided into three classes. The first culminated in the degree of illuminatus minor, the second illuminatus dirigens, and the third, that of king. ...

Weishaupt and Knigge increasingly fought over the aims and procedures of the order, a conflict that, in the end, forced Knigge to leave the society. At the same time, another ex-member, Joseph Utzschneider, wrote a letter to the Grand Duchess of Bavaria, supposedly lifting the lid on this most secret of societies. ...

The revelations were a mix of truth and lies. According to Utzschneider, the Illuminati believed that suicide was legitimate, that its enemies should be poisoned, and that religion was an absurdity. He also suggested that the Illuminati were conspiring against Bavaria on behalf of Austria ... in March 1785, the Bavarian sovereign passed a second edict, which expressly banned the order. In the course of carrying out arrests of members, Bavarian police found highly compromising documents, including a defense of suicide and atheism, a plan to create a female branch of the order, invisible ink recipes, and medical instructions for carrying out abortions. The evidence was used as the basis for accusing the order of conspiring against religion and the state. In August 1787, the duke-elector issued a third edict in which he confirmed that the order was prohibited, and imposed the death penalty for membership. ...

The Bavarian state considered the Illuminati dismantled.

Their legacy, however, has endured and fuels many conspiracy theories.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/magazine/2016/07-08/profile-adam-weishaupt-illuminati-secret-society/ accessed 09/01/18

So, that is basically the official mainstream version. I also heard basically the same view in a documentary that I believe was on the American Heroes Channel (AHC--originally called the Discovery Wings Channel) and/or The History Channel.

But at least one of the documentaries I watched added that there were 'Illuminati' in ancient times, and that perhaps something like the Bilderberg group could be considered like the Illuminati today.

As far as the ancient Illuminati go, even the second century apostate Justin seemed to have a type of connection.

Consider also:

In a historical sense, the term "Illuminati" refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, a secret society that operated for only a decade, from 1776 to 1785. ...

There were two sides to the historical Illuminati: their odd rituals and their ideals.

The Illuminati did plenty of unusual things. They used symbols (like the owl), adopted pseudonyms to avoid identification, and had complicated hierarchies like Novice, Minerval, and Illuminated Minerval that divided the ranks. ...

But while they were following these bizarre rituals, they also promoted a worldview that reflected Enlightenment ideals like rational thought and self-rule. Anti-clerical and anti-royal, the Illuminati were closer to revolutionaries than world rulers, since they sought to infiltrate and upset powerful institutions like the monarchy. ...

Historians tend to think the Illuminati were only mildly successful — at best — in becoming influential. ... It's also difficult to untangle the success of the Illuminati from that of the Freemasons, which they infiltrated and commingled with. It's just as tough to tell what influence the Illuminati actually had as opposed to the influence people think they had. ...

Almost immediately after the Illuminati were disbanded, conspiracy theories about the group sprang up.

The most famous conspiracy theories were authored by physicist John Robison in 1797, who accused the Illuminati of infiltrating the Freemasons, and Abbe Augustin Barruel, whose 1797 history of the Jacobins promoted the theory that secret societies, including the Illuminati, were behind the French Revolution. Historians tend to see these as the first in a long line of conspiracy theories (though, again, for those who believe the Illuminati run the world today, this is arguably proof of the group's power). ...

Later on, some of the Founding Fathers managed to stoke interest in the Illuminati in the United States. In 1798, George Washington wrote a letter addressing the Illuminati threat (he believed it had been avoided, but his mentioning it helped bolster the myth). In the panic caused by the anti-Illuminati books and sermons, Thomas Jefferson was (baselessly) accused of being a member of the group. https://www.vox.com/2015/5/19/8624675/what-is-the-real-illuminati access 09/01/18

Are Freemasons connected to the Illuminati?

In conspiracy circles, “Freemason” and “Illuminati” are often used interchangeably to refer to the “new world order”, the shadowy cabal of powerful figures who supposedly direct global affairs.

Beyond a shared interest in ritual and symbolism, however, there is no clear connection between freemasonry and the Illuminati, a short-lived order founded in 18th century Bavaria. The association of the two may have arisen because Illuminati recruited many members from Masonic lodges, (This Week. August 1, 2018. http://www.theweek.co.uk/in-depth/91455/who-are-the-freemasons-and-what-do-they-do accessed 09/01/18)

Anyway, the ancient as well as 18th century Illuminati were pagan. Presuming there are any still around, they too, would likely be pagan. Pagans. by the way, tend to be quite ecumenical in a sense.

Anciently, they considered the early Christians as atheists because the Christians would not accept other gods.

It would seem that any with an Illuminati bent in the 21st century would likely support the ecumenical movement pushed by the World Council of Churches (watch World Council of Churches Peace Plan and The 'Unpardonable Sin' and 'Climate Change'? and Beware of the 'Ecumenical Cross'), United Nations (see United Nations: Humankind's Last Hope or New World Order?), and the Vatican (see Laudato Si: Pope's Agenda or Kingdom of God?). Even if they hated Catholics and Protestants.

Ecumenical Agenda is Deceptive

The Protestants (see Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!), Catholics (see Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? And the Protestants), and others (see Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?) are pushing the ecumenical and/or interfaith agendas.

I strongly expect the Freemasons and Roman Catholics will make some declaration of peace together. But that will not last.

Satan influences people around the world--and he is the chief conspirator. Many who inadvertently support him, including religious leaders, seem to appear good:

14...For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

Satan has powerfully misled the world:

2 ... the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (Ephesians 2:2-3)

9 ... the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; (Revelation 12:9)

This includes deceiving those who think they have a proper worldly plan to fix the world.

The real solution is the good news of the Kingdom of God. Not any false gospel from the world.

Be Wary of Freemason-Claimed Prophecies

Now some have falsely made predictions about Freemasonry.

Here are a couple accounts of one:

Thomas Horn was awakened by the Lord at 2 a.m. in 2008 and sat straight up in bed. He had been wrestling with certain images and enigmatic information for years having to do with the beliefs of an occult elite pertaining to the return of a pagan deity, which many believe will rule a final earthly empire. The Bible identifies this personality as the Antichrist…

Unrecognized by the vast majority of people around the world is the greatest conspiracy of all time, sitting right in the open in Washington, D.C., and at the Vatican. It is an ancient, magical, talismanic diagram – the Lost Symbol – which awaits its final use by the hidden hand guiding the secret destiny of America toward the year 2012…

Jesus himself, in Matthew 24, may have set the date for the apocalypse around the year 2012 (http://superstore.wnd.com/sales/The-Dark-Side/Apollyon-Rising-2012-Paperback)

Horn says, “Given the rejection of Jesus by orthodox Jews as Messiah, this coming could herald the coming of Antichrist in 2012.”…

Horn says from deepest antiquity, a plot involving pagan sun-worshippers, America’s Founding Fathers, Masons and Freemasons has apparently been in the works, culminating in the end time with the return or resurrection of an evil, supernatural being. That character may actually be pictured as the all-seeing eye on top of the uncapped pyramid on the Great Seal of the United States, found on the back of a $1 bill.

Others have speculated the eye on top of the pyramid could be a representation of Jesus Christ, since the Bible notes, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” (Psalm 118:22 New International Version).

The date at the base of the pyramid is 1776, which is not only the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, but also the beginning of a new Mayan “katun,” a time period of 19.7 years. If each of the 13 levels of the pyramid on the Great Seal represents one of these time periods, the top level would mark the year 2012. http://www.wnd.com/2011/11/368437/#v0kUjoCKhoFVObf2.99

I denounced the above: ‘Great Seal’ Does Not Predict 2012. The only reason that is mentioned is to warn people against believing every conspiracy that mentions the Masons.

Now, were others I saw in the AHC documentary. And it tied in the Masons with treasure and destruction.

Before mentioning what the documentary had, notice the following item:

Many believe that the time on the clock on the back of the old $100 bill is an encoded time related to the collapse of America and or the dollar. Note; the official government website says the time is 4:10, when clearly it is 2:22. The confusion arises from which one is the minute hand and which one is the hour hand.  If you look closely you will see that the longest hand is between the 4 and 5, thus I believe that the time is 2:22. http://endtimesforecaster.blogspot.com/2014/03/time-of-financial-collapse-encoded-on.html accessed 10/18/18

Well, to me it looks like it pointed to 4:10 as the hand pointing to the 2 was not almost half-way between the 2 and the 3--by the way, that is NOT the time on the current $100--which looks like 10:30. But, let's accept 2:22 for the time being, and perhaps some interpreting that to point to 2022.

Notice the following about 2022:

Hampton Palace: The Doomsday Pyramid Clock
Hidden Encrypted Year Countdown to 2022 ...

The longitude at the base of this Hampton Pyramid begins with 19 degrees 06 minutes or the year 1906. At the other end of the pyramid, just outside the Palace at the western entrance, the longitude corresponds to 20 degrees, 22 minutes or the year 2022.

What this time line is possibly signaling then is a countdown to the year 2022 specifically. What is or will be significant about the year 2022? Could this year ‘countdown’ possibly be correlated to a ‘Doomsday’ or an end of a time sequence? It could correspond to the time when this present Age is to come to a close, or as in a ‘doomsday’ coming upon Earth that the Bible and many other extra-Biblical sources predict it will happen. The possible implications of this Doomsday Pyramid timeline does corroborate with Biblical and extra-Biblical prophecies. ...

The angle of the Hampton Pyramid has the classic equidistant 60 degrees. A 60-60-60 or 666 pattern. This Pyramid also follows the classic rendition of the Masonic All-Seeing Eye truncated pyramid. ...

The Hampton Court Palace Pyramid does appear to configure a time clock or perhaps as some would see it as a ‘Doomsday Pyramid’ with a ‘countdown’ to the year 2022. This study has only sought to examine the pattern that might be prophetically significant given a Biblical context of interpreting the end of this Age. Some in the occultic realm perhaps have secret foresight as to this ‘timeline countdown’ and of the coming calamities; perhaps even Planet X.

Such secret societies like the illuminati, masons, etc., have been given ‘secret information’ by their fallen angelic demons they worships but in has been at the exchange for their eternal souls. http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/oct2013/luisv104.htm accessed 10/18/18

Now, on the AHC Codes and Conspiracies program, Freemasons episode (original air date April 13, 2014), Warren Getler said that the Freemasons may have buried treasure to rebuild society after disaster. He indicated this could be the secret of Freemasonry. If that were so, they would have to only have very view know about it or some would have taken it (if it existed) long ago.

Others on the program claimed that certain Masonic symbols prophetically pointed to disaster.

William Henry, for one example, said that Masonic messages encoded in stone recurrently pointed to cataclysm. He and/or the narrator indicated that this could be the ultimate secret of the Freemasons.

Edward McHinney said that Masonic architecture and symbols contained timelines. When he combined certain information from the Great Pyramid and the Washington Monument (which had Masonic design) he claimed that this timeline pointed to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and that it pointed to Armageddon in 2022.

Whether the Masons did this is highly questionable.

Freemason Akram Elias, past Grandmaster of Washington D.C. Masonic lodge, chuckled after being told of these conspiracy theories. He also indicated that there were many false theories about freemasonry. He also claimed that freemasonry was needed to bring light to darkness (which sounds like Illuminati)--but one would think that if Freemasons were to bring light, they would not have a lot of secret rituals, etc.

As far as Armageddon goes, what is not false nor questionable is that since the confirmation of deal of Daniel 9:27 has not yet taken place (see The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27), Armageddon cannot come by 2022.

The confirmation of that deal comes about 7 years before the prophesied gathering at Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16; see also Armageddon). Therefore, biblical Armageddon cannot take place in 2022 as that is too soon (see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).

The Bible warns:

12 "Do not say, 'A conspiracy,'
Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy,
Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. (Isaiah 8:12)

So, be careful about Masonic and other conspiracies you may hear about.

That being said, Satan is the one who has deceived the world (Revelation 12:9). And the Bible shows that he will deceive nations around the world at the end:

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Revelation 16:13-16)

Satan's demons will deceive many who be alive then who are Masons as well as those that are not.

Information from the old Radio Church of God on Freemasonry

What about the Church of God (COG) and Freemasonry?

Some falsely mislead that the Church has actual Masonic ties. While some COG groups have (and still do) rent buildings from many sources, including sometimes Masonic and governmental entities, faithful members are of the Church of God are not masons nor members of Masonic lodges. The COGs do not derive any of their teachings or practices from the Masons (but, of course, any former Masons who repent, etc. are not discriminated against, nor are others).

Many Masonic beliefs (swearing oaths, certain ceremonies, ecumenical views) are in direct opposition to COG doctrines and positions.

As far as the Church of God goes, the old Radio Church of God published the following booklet:

This emblem and the organization for which it stands has provoked the curiosity of many. Before you become entangled within it, read carefully the FACTS contained in this book.

What Church Members Should know about MASONRY

   EDITOR'S NOTE: An intensive and extended examination and thorough research into the FACTS was necessary to reveal the TRUTH, too long concealed from the Church. The facts brought to light from many authentic sources are astounding. This startlingly revealing book was written as a Thesis, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Theology conferred on Mr. Elliott, June 6th, 1958, by Ambassador College.
   You will find it to be an astonishing and eye-opening revelation. We feel it is breathtaking in interest, intriguing, and shocking — but it is all the TRUTH, carefully documented. We feel it is high time these little known facts be published for Our Church members. We need to know HOW it came about that, even in our modern times, as the Word of God foretold: "all nations were deceived!"
   Is MASONRY a Christian organization? Do they have the truth? Why are they so secret? Is it all right to remain in the Lodge? Is it all right to join the Masons?
   This dissertation is designed to help you answer these questions, give the reasoning behind the answer, and produce the evidence to back it up!
   It is important that members of the Church know something about the Masonic Lodge — its teachings and its beliefs — so that they can answer questions on the subject with understanding. Many persons who are interested in the WAY OF LIFE ask questions that need a true and accurate answer, not the evasion they get when they ask information from a Mason.
   The Mason cannot answer most of your questions because he has sworn, under penalty of death, not to reveal Masonic secrets. Since the details cannot be revealed, he merely assures you that "Masonry is a Christian organization based on the Bible." He further assures you that Masonry is in accordance with God's laws and a candidate is not required to take any action against nation, state or family.
   Is this true? You had better make sure before you gamble away your life on it.

Part I

BEGINNING OF A DILEMMA

   WE HAVE all heard a lot about Masonry and Masons. Many of the things we hear are contradictory. What are the REAL FACTS about Masonry?
   Definitions of Freemasonry have been numerous. Seldom do you find two alike. Here are quoted some of the most celebrated ones which were composed by influential Masons and, as you might expect, they heap much praise upon the Lodge.
   "Freemasonry is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory, and illustrated by symbols." Hemming.
   "Masonry is an art, useful knowledge and learning, and stamps an indelible mark of pre-eminence on its genuine professors, which neither chance, power, nor fortune can bestow." Preston.
   "The grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race. " — George Washington.
   If such statements can be made of the Lodge by such noted people, then surely it is a worthy organization! "How can belonging to it be a discredit to anyone?" they ask.
   Take a closer look and you will see that while these definitions are impressive, they still leave' the reader in the dark as to the what, why, and how of Freemasonry.

Confusion in Doctrine

   Masonic doctrine is very pliable because it is so loosely knit together and embodies such a tremendous scope of Christian as well as pagan ideas. Furthermore, it is cushioned with allowances for those members who wish to disagree with either or both because the Lodge embraces men of all religions. These allowances also absorb or explain away any accusations brought against Masonic doctrine. It makes no difference whether the accusation is pro-Christian, pro-Mohammedan, pro-Pagan, or pro-anything. To be more specific, Masonic philosophy is very inexact, vague in principle and so devious in application that it can mean almost anything to anyone. Its basic teaching method is by subtle suggestion which allows the candidate to warp his former beliefs into the Masonic framework.
   Masonry can be more revealingly defined as a group of men, banded together in an exclusive lodge to advance, first and foremost, their PERSONAL INTERESTS and second, the interests of certain others of their fellowmen. They set as their guide, morals that are as high as other man-made codes. The fact that they are man-made is not considered a degradation by the brotherhood.
   They set as the highest and simplest of these morals "brotherly love" — (the brother referred to, however, is a brother Mason). The spirit of Masonry is that of mystery, feigned pomp and ceremony, and intemperate revelry. They search ancient writings, Christian and pagan, in order to find the mysterious secrets of life.
   The teachings of the Holy Bible and the ancient (pagan) mysteries are accepted alike and constitute their main sources of information. From these they select the principles which most appeal to their desires. They have worked out ten of their own commandments which are an amalgamation of some of God's laws, and some gleaned from the "ancients."

Membership Is Lucrative

   Belonging to the Lodge is profitable for a number of reasons. Among these is the fact that a Mason is usually better informed than the average person on community and civil affairs. Masons are of every profession imaginable. They have a vast storehouse of knowledge at their command which they share with one another at "refreshment" and during special meetings. Furthermore, they do not content themselves with the knowledge that is already among them, but certain members make a life work of seeking out the uncommon, and proclaiming it from lodge to lodge at special meetings. Not all information is edifying, however. Much error is introduced by the "informed" (Among these is the erroneous teaching about the construction and architecture of King Solomon's Temple. Illustrative drawings of the structure while very impressive usually show it adorned with objects of pagan worship).
   Another helpful principle is that of extending aid to a brother Mason. Each member is dedicated to help a needy brother wherever or whenever he is able. Membership in the Lodge is therefore very useful to those who seek political office, political favor, employment opportunities, business connections, travel accommodations, or a privileged position in the community. So pronounced are some of these aids that all who do not enjoy them are greatly handicapped when they compete for certain offices or favor. Political office is a good example, and the Presidency of the United States is not excepted. Most of our Presidents have been Masons, either active or honorary.

Secrecy

   Our definition could not be complete without mentioning the secrecy of Masonry. Symbolism, which means nothing to the average person, is used to remind the Mason of his duties and morals while hiding the allegoric meaning and "beauty" from the "vulgar eye of the uninformed." Lodges meet in secret behind guarded doors. Secret signs, handshakes and utterances reveal one Mason to another regardless of his lodge, rite, or country.
   Membership in the Lodge is, therefore, a ticket to favoritism in any city or any state or any country, and is a Masonic promise to happiness and prosperity.
   In actuality, Masons find that altruistic ideals of the Lodge break down in practice. Brother Masons are not much more trustworthy than the "unenlightened." Some do not find the oaths they take binding enough to keep them from defrauding even a brother.
   At least two Church of God brethren have confided to this author that they have been seriously defrauded at the hands of brother Masons. One put it this way: "In swearing to give aid and assistance to a brother Mason, an up-right member falls prey to dishonest members of the Lodge and is frequently defrauded. I have found the word of most Masons is just so much wind, and they would not hesitate to defraud if they could do so successfully. They follow Masonic teachings just as far as is conducive to their own gain."

Size and Importance

   One does not ordinarily realize the scope or importance of Freemasonry in our country. Its different rites, all in an interdependent system, boasted 4,175,000 members in 1939 — 3,300,000 of which were in the United States. There are probably between five and six million members in the United States today.
   The various rites have upon their rolls the names of emperors, kings, Princes, priests, and governors, together with scholars, statesmen, and men of lesser stations in church and state. Here are a few famous men who have been Masons in the United States: Benjamin Franklin, Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Polk, Fillmore, Harrison, Buchanan, Johnson, Garfield, McKinley, Taylor, Pierce, Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, and Truman. Other Prominent members were Lafayette, Fulton, Montgomery, Sherman, Burr, Rush, Whipple, Paine, Hamilton, Gerry, Steubon, Stark, Livingstone, Dekalb, Warren, Paul Jones, Witherspoon, Revere and Hancock. Most of these are proclaimed Masons by no lesser authority than the Encyclopedia Americana.
   Most local, state and federal officials are Masons. Realize that when you apply for employment, the man who may or may not employ you is likely to be a member of the Lodge. By handshake or other Masonic sign, you would be able to greatly increase your chances of securing that job because he has sworn an oath to extend aid and comfort to a fellow Mason if it is within his means to do so.
   You are, likewise, in a much better position to have a favor granted from a public official who belongs to the Lodge when you are a member. Throughout the United States, many Masons admit that they know or have heard of brothers guilty of a crime against society who were never brought to trial because of their affiliation with the Lodge, and because of "aid" rendered by an official who was a Mason. Others who have been brought to trial were either acquitted by a jury containing Masons or were given light sentences.
   In one such instance which occurred recently, a man killed one of his close friends. He was convicted of "premeditated murder without malice," and sentenced to only two years in prison. After two months' imprisonment he was out on a 30 days' leave. The man was a Mason and so were a number of the jurors and law enforcement officials.

Anti-Masonic Literature

   One seldom sees anti-Masonic literature, even though much has been written. Because printers are often Masons, dedicated to conceal the secrets of the Lodge, it has little chance. Bookstore owners or librarians seldom stock books either pro — or anti-Masonic. Laymen who are Masons are unwilling to divulge secrets because they have been sworn to secrecy.
   Nevertheless, even in the face of all these obstacles, anti-Masonic literature does exist. Certain organizations have been very zealous in their fight against the Lodge. Today, though their zeal is gone, some continue to publish lodge secrets. Masons, more than anyone else, buy their books because they find them a convenient aid to learning the long list of lodge secrets. This is against lodge rules, however, because Masons are not allowed to write down these secrets, but new members are supposed to be taught by word of mouth only. The arduous and grueling task of instructing the uninformed is simplified greatly by this underhanded method of using available written material.
   One example is the Ezra A. Cook Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 796, Chicago 90, Illinois. A letter to the Ezra A. Cook Company requesting publications on the subject of Freemasonry will bring you a lengthy list of available books which accurately reveal Masonic secrets. These books are available to anyone.

Structure of Masonry

   Figure 1 is the symbolic representation of Freemasonry in America. It is represented by a square and compass supported by two pillars, Jachin and Boaz. The illustration has been considered highly secret and was allowed only to Masons of high degree. It was given to me by a church member who had formerly been a Mason. Recently however, an article appeared in Life magazine (October 8, 1956, pages 104-122) in which the structure of Freemasonry was represented in similar manner. The fact that Masons decided to let the "vulgar eye of the public" see the different but accurate illustration, demonstrates their inconsistency.
   The apprentice enters the structure, symbolically, between the two columns, Jachin and Boaz, which are said to represent the two columns of Solomon's Temple (see II Chron. 3:15) and progresses by degrees toward perfection. All this happens under the "All-Seeing Eye" shown at the top of the figure, "whom (they say) the sun, moon and stars obey and under whose watchful care even the comets perform their stupendous revolutions, (who) pervades the inmost recesses of the human heart, and who will reward us (Masons) according to our merits." (Lightfoot, page 33.) The reward supposedly comes after death releases him from this world and his soul progresses upwards toward heaven and perfection.
   When the apprentice enters Masonry, he is compared to a rough ashier (or rough building stone), and as the ashier is shaped and polished before it is ready for use, so must the candidate become perfected during the first three degrees until he becomes a perfect ashler and may be used as a building block in the house of God (the house of God as symbolized by the Masonic Temple ). Thus perfected the Master Mason may enter into and work within the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is symbolized by the central part of the structure surrounding the letter "G". The letter "G" stands for God; therefore work in all degrees from the master's up is done symbolically in the presence of God, in His most holy place.
   After one has successfully mastered the first three degrees, or the Blue Lodge, he proceeds up through the Grand Lodge by way of either the York or the Scottish Rite.
   The Scottish Rite accepts members of all faiths, so long as they profess a creator God and believe in a life after death. The York Rite is just as liberal, except in its higher orders an oath has to be taken that affirms a belief in Christ, thus excluding conscientious Jews from degrees beyond that point.
   More information can be attained from the Encyclopedia Britannica by those who wish to pursue the technical organization of Freemasonry in the United. States.

Masonic Interest

   Very few Masons understand or care about the technical aspects of the Lodge or about its symbolic teachings. They are interested instead in such questions as how important it is to be a member; therefore, how big, important and righteous Masonry is; how to join; how to climb to the top; how to keep others from getting to the top without due process; how to keep enemies out, et cetera.
   The great majority embrace Freemasonry for the purpose of enhancing their business prestige. As long as they can pass themselves as Masons and make use of the secret language which Masonry puts within their reach, they are perfectly satisfied and desire nothing more.
   A Mason is not required to know about the structure and organization of Masonry mentioned above unless he sits in one of the governing councils. It is only when his ambitions spur him in that direction that a Mason is willing to expend the effort to learn it, plus a mass of other laws, doctrines, and philosophies.
   The following information is concerned with what the candidate for the various degrees is exposed to and what he is forced to learn. Every attempt will be made to show you Masonry as the candidate sees it. Therefore, few remarks will be made to expose fallacies or to criticize the Lodge at this phase.
   As the candidate proceeds thru the degrees, no one points to any of the facets of Masonry and says, "That is condemned by God Almighty." On the contrary, each aspect is drawn up in beautifully phrased allegories — the high (human) morality being greatly emphasized. Who would dare question this "holiness"?

Who Can Belong?

   If a person wishes to become a member of the Masonic Lodge, he must be freeborn, under no bondage, of at least twenty-one years of age, in the possession of sound senses, free from any physical defect or dismemberment, and of irreproachable manners, or, as it is technically termed, "under the tongue of good report." No atheist, eunuch, cripple, or woman can be admitted. Even those who possess all these necessary qualifications can be admitted only under certain regulations.
   Masons' wives or children may not attend the regular meetings, but only such special functions as may be planned for them. To satisfy the desires of wives and children to take part in Masonic functions, special or side orders were adopted — such as the Eastern Star ritual, the De Molay for boys, and the Rainbow Girls. These orders have their own secrets and functions apart from the regular Lodge, but follow its general pattern. They are supervised by Masons. Indeed, their meetings cannot be held without a Mason present to supervise.

Joining the Lodge

   Because Masons are forbidden to solicit new members, a man must request admission for himself.
   The usual procedure for petitioning the Lodge is to have another Mason recommend the candidate. He does so by presenting a formal petition, signed by the candidate, to the particular lodge which he wishes to join.
   The applicant must be vouched for and recommended by one or more Masons. Once submitted, his petition is read before the assembly, and a committee is appointed to inquire into his character. If nothing is found to disqualify him and the committee gives him a favorable report, his petition is again presented to the assembly one month later and voted upon by the brethren. Once the applicant has been accepted, he becomes a candidate for the first, or Entered Apprentice, degree.

Preparation for Initiation

   Before attending any meetings or taking any part in Masonic rituals, the candidate must be initiated. On his first visit to the Lodge, he is kept outside in the anteroom (see Figure 2) while the first part of the meeting takes place. Neither he nor anyone else has a chance to know what is going on in the meeting because the door is closed and a guard — usually with drawn sword — is standing beside it. Finally, three raps are heard at the door and the guard (whom he will later come to know as the "TYLER") returns them in like manner.
   A short silence follows, then three Masons emerge to interrogate him. All wear short white aprons. These men are the Secretary and the two Stewards.
   The Secretary then proceeds to question him in a routine manner and to charge him with the great importance of belonging to the Lodge and the seriousness of his undertaking. At the same time the candidate is promised that he will not be required to do anything contrary to the laws of God or duty to his king, country, state, family or self.
   The reader must keep in mind that the candidate knows nothing of the rules and customs of the Fraternity. He can only take the word of Masons that there is nothing in those rules contrary to the laws of God, etc.
   After the Secretary leaves, the Junior Deacon, another official who had served as inside door keeper, joins the candidate and the Stewards and takes charge of preparing the candidate for initiation. He is taken into the preparation room, is divested of his coat, vest, pants, boots, stockings, drawers, neck-tie, collar — in fact, everything except his shirt. He is then handed a pair of drawers (always furnished by the Lodge) which he puts on.
   All the studs, sleeve — buttons and other furnishings are taken off his shirt. Everything of a metallic kind is taken away. The left leg of the drawers is rolled above the knee, so as to make the left foot, leg, and knee bare; the left sleeve of his shirt is raised above the elbow, so as to make the left arm bare; and the left breast of the shirt is tucked back, so as to make his left breast bare. A slipper is put on his right foot, with the heel slipshod; a hoodwink (blindfold) is fastened over his eyes; a blue rope, called a cable-tow, is put around his neck, and he is then duly and truly prepared to be made a Mason.
   The candidate has no idea why this is done, except he is told that it is necessary — the explanation must come later. The candidate is kept in a state of profound darkness and all is calculated to confuse and bewilder him. Once the hood-wink is placed over his eyes, he can see nothing and must rely totally on his other senses.
   Next, the candidate is conducted by the Junior Deacon to the door, where he is caused to give, or the Junior Deacon gives, three distinct knocks, which are answered by three from within. What goes on behind the closed door is still an enigma to the candidate — all this for the purpose of filling him with awe and cultivating an air of mystery. The door is then partially opened.
   Senior Deacon (from behind the door) calls, "Who comes there? Who comes there? Who comes there?"
   The Junior Deacon answers, "A poor blind candidate who has long been desirous of having and receiving a part of the rites and benefits of this worshipful lodge, dedicated (some say erected) to God, and held forth to the holy order of St. Johns, as all true fellows and brothers have done who have gone this way before him."
   Thus the initiation begins and the gullibility of the candidate is taxed to its extreme in the performance of weird rituals.
   During the initiation ceremony, the candidate is also required to solemnly swear never to reveal any of the secrets of Masonry under any less penalty than having his throat cut across, his tongue torn out by the roots and his body buried in the rough sands of the sea. To add solemnity to this gruesome oath, the candidate is made to kneel before an altar with both hands on the Holy Bible. The entire program for this initiation is included in the Handbook of Freemasonry by Ronayne available through the Ezra A. Cook Publishing Company.
   Once initiated, the new brother is allowed to attend meetings of the first, or Entered Apprentice," degree only. He is not allowed to attend or to learn any of the secret work of the higher degrees. To attempt to do so is a grievous sin in Masonry.
   A Lodge meeting consists of three parts: The opening, the closing, and the General Lodge business in between. The opening is an elaborate, monotonous routine primarily concerned with excluding all but bona-fide members from the meeting. The close, also routine and lengthy, must surely tax the patience of Lodge members. The central portion of the meeting is concerned with Lodge business such as lodge dues, finances, charities, passing, raising, initiating candidates, and finally "work" in each of the first three degrees.

Secret Work

   The first part of Lodge business is the reading of the minutes by the secretary. The second is the reading of petitions of applicants for admission into the fraternity, and the assigning of a committee to search into the character of the applicant. Third order of business is the consideration of reports made by committees assigned one month earlier to look into petitions entered then. Fourth, is the report from standing committees.
   Fifth part is the business of voting on a prospective candidate on which the committee has reported favorably (after one month's consideration). Voting is done by secret ballot, worked out by placing black or white balls into a box. A white ball is a vote for admitting him, and a black ball is a vote against admitting him. If a candidate receives only one black ball, he is rejected. The seventh order of business is unfinished business from the last meeting. The eighth is new business. The ninth is the work of the individual degrees. This is work of a SECRET NATURE, and proceeds through the first three degrees.
   If there is work to be done in the first degree, all remain present since all members are of the first degree or higher. The "Worshipful Master" simply traduces" the Lodge down to the first, or Entered Apprentice, degree. The members then proceed to initiate the candidate.
   Once finished with "work" in the first degree, all first degree Masons are discharged because they are not allowed to see what goes on in a higher degree. Then follows the — to the second, or Fellow Craft, degree. This is done in similar fashion to the act of lowering to the first degree.
   Once finished with work in this degree, the officers discharge all but Master Masons (the officers, especially the "Worshipful Master," hold much higher degrees).
   Finally, when the initiation of Master Masons and all other work is completed, the Lodge goes through the elaborate "close" ceremony.

Advancement

   Once our candidate has become a member of the Entered Apprentice degree, he is eligible to become a candidate for the next or Fellow Craft. Before he can do so, however, he must master the art of giving the secret signs, passwords, and the examination. The part referred to as the examination is often called by other names such as "lecture." The word examination will be used here to keep from confusing it with the lecture delivered by the "Worshipful Master." The examination is a ritualistic catechism of the signs, tokens, and working tools of the degree.
   There is an examination to be memorized for each of the first three degrees, but none for the degrees beyond that. The degrees above the third or Master degree are very recent in origin and are in actuality adoptive — the first three originally comprising the total of Freemasonry.
   Because the examination must be taught orally, a "bright" member of the Lodge is assigned to "post" the candidate in the examination. That means that one who has already mastered it must teach the candidate, supposedly without the aid of written material, the whole examination. This examination is so long that when written out it covers seven typewritten pages.
   When the candidate has learned the examination of the first degree, he is ready to apply for the Fellow Craft degree. Here he is initiated, introduced to new "working tools," taught the new handshake, due — guard, distress sign, secret words, and given a lecture on their symbolic meaning. Then he is required to memorize another examination.
   The same is true when he becomes a candidate for the Master Mason degree.
   It is only after a man has completed the Master Mason degree that he is a Mason in the true sense.
   Before he has received the "Master's secrets," he is considered an apprentice or learner. These secrets are drawn around a legend about a man named Hiram Abiff, and its setting is supposed to be Solomon's Temple.
   It is interesting to see what the Master's secrets are, and for those who care to take the trouble they can be found in Ronayne's Handbook of Freemasonry.

Grand Lodge Masonry

   Progress becomes easier for the candidate after he passes the first three degrees, or the "Blue Lodge." There are no examinations to learn, and he can take whole blocks of degrees at one time. In fact, one brother in the Church related to me that he took all the degrees from the fourth through to the thirty-second in four days.
   In the case of the brother above, he and a group of Master Masons received the fourth through the fourteenth degree the first day after arriving in the city in which the Grand Lodge was located. After a night of fun and revelry (and very little sleep), they went through the conferring of the "Chapter of Rose Croix," which is the fifteenth through the eighteenth degrees for the Scottish rite (Southern Jurisdiction). After another night similar to the first, he received the Council of Kadosh, or the nineteenth through the thirtieth degrees.
   Finally, on the fourth day, he received the "Consistory," or the thirty-first and the thirty-second degrees. The fact that they received little sleep at night seemed to be planned on the part of the officials, perhaps for the purpose of dulling the candidate's senses during the rituals. A clear head would seem inappropriate for receipt of these "honorable mysteries." The brother related that he had a hard time even remaining awake.
   After a man has reached the thirty-second degree, he can, if he chooses, become a Shriner. The Shriners are probably familiar to you. They are that group of jolly individuals who take over whole towns at convention time, wearing red hats adorned with tassels and "sausage knives." They engage in much celebration and revelry.
   Shriners, as you probably also know, can point with pride to their hospitals for crippled children, which open their doors to all the underprivileged, no matter what race or creed. The Shrine is the order, above all others, which attracts the public's attention to Masonry. As an advertisement, it is very effective.
   The Shrine, then, is a side order of the thirty-second degree. There remains only one degree higher than the thirty-second: that is the thirty-third or "Inspector General," which is honorary. It can only be conferred for some act of benevolence, endeavor, or esteem far and above the line of duty. It is usually conferred on presidents and kings and certain other dignitaries.
   With this introduction we are ready to plunge into an expose' of the mystery and deceit of Masonic philosophy and practice.

Part II

THE INNER SANCTUM

   IT IS our responsibility to take these seemingly harmless proceedings and examine them in the light of the Holy Bible. The results will be shocking.
   The average member of a popular denomination would see absolutely nothing wrong with Masonic proceedings. They appear wholesome and up-right to him; and unless a member of God's true Church is alert, he may see nothing wrong either — especially if that member is a new convert.
   We should realize that the average Lodge member has not had the advantage of seeing any Masonic teaching or symbol in the LIGHT of Scripture. He received all teachings at the hand of an apparently wise and trusted leader. The leader nearly always pointed to the Bible to prove that certain symbols are in accordance with God's teaching. Meetings are always opened with prayer and a Holy Bible is always open before the Lodge. To question Masonry would seem to him sacrilegious.

Who Can Be a Mason?

   No place in the Bible can it be found where knowledge of the way to live obedient and enlightened lives in service to God is limited to those over twenty-one, who are free from physical defects, and of irreproachable manners; nor are wives and children prevented, nor men who are unable to pay heavy dues. God does not even keep His truth from the ears of the weak-minded; instead, they are responsible for all that they can comprehend.
   If Masons do have such truth, they would be selfish indeed to zealously withhold it from the weak, the lame and the blind. Furthermore, they must either be guilty of this or be liars, because they do claim that Masonry is a way to happiness and immortality.

Swear an Oath

   One of the most predominant traits that characterizes Freemasonry is its oaths. The oath of the Apprentice given earlier is a typical example. Here the candidate swears, without reservation, not to reveal the secrets of Masonry under the penalty of death. He does so with both hands on the Holy Bible. In this holy book are the words of Christ himself, "But I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne; nor by the earth; for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem; for I is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou cans't not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" or "the evil one," as many translations of the Bible affirm (Matt. 5:33-37).
   Do the Masons not read this? Surely they do! They insist that it refers only to the use of profanity. They even make a pretext of keeping profanity out of the Lodge. The Scripture shows very clearly that profanity, as well as oaths, comes from the evil one.

Secrecy

   One might ask, "If Masonic teaching" and morals are so high and pure, as Masons claim, why must they be secret? Masons answer, "Because the Bible says, 'Pure religion and undefiled force (God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world' (James 1.27). We Masons do take care of widows and orphans and we do keep ourselves apart from the world by means of secrecy."
   If the Mason really knows his craft he will not have to stop here. He will. quote Matthew 5:16, "Let your light ( shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
   He will be confident that every good Mason will be doing just that, and reference you might make to the fact that his Lodge meets in secret carries on business in secret will only reassure him that his action is according to the Scripture. If he is of the intelligentsia he may also remind you that Christ taught the disciples in parables to hide the meaning from the rest of the world (see Matt. 13:13). He will give this as the reason his Lodge uses secret words and symbols so that the uninformed will see or hear and not understand.
   Even if the Mason is not well versed in Masonic teachings, he at least has heard them and will be convinced that if the "Worshipful Master" or some other officer were present he could refute anything said against Masonry.
   Your task of showing him that Masonry is not scriptural is further complicated by his belief that you are not enlightened if you are not a Mason and that he should cease talking lest he reveal Masonic secrets to you and be worthy of death. He cannot tell you Masonic teachings; and if he feels that you are not truly familiar with them, further discussion is futile. The fact that you question Masonic teachings is enough to convince him that you don't know much about them.
   What is the answer to all these highly convincing arguments? Can you refute them?
   The true ministers of God's Church did not teach in secret, nor hide the fact that they were Christians.
   Paganism has always been a practice of secret and mystic rites. Masons make no bones about the fact that it is this system which they follow. They point with pride to the fact that most of their philosophies and symbols are borrowed directly from them. They see no wrong in doing so. They only attempt to prove them to be in accordance with Scripture too. This is not too hard to do if the one to whom they are attempting to prove it is somewhat careless.
   Christ spoke in parables because it was not given for the world to understand. Why was it not given for them to understand? Verse 15 of Matthew 13 explains, "For this people's heart is waxed gross (hardened) and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed."
   Why would a person harden his heart, close his eyes and refuse to hear God's laws and learn of His ways, unless he does not like them? Men have proven time and time again that they will not follow God's way or take His plan seriously. They will only do what they like best and try to reassure themselves that it has God's sanction.
   Jesus knew that if He spoke plainly they would understand Him, they would repent as before and again agree to follow God; but as before, they would fall back into worldliness. To keep the masses from doing that and losing eternal salvation by failing to fulfill the New Covenant, they were kept in ignorance.
   It is not God's plan to save the world now. He is merely calling out some the "first fruits." Large scale salvation is reserved for the Millennium and Great White Throne Judgment when Christ will be here in person to supervise and rule with a firm hand.
   Do Masons know this? Is that why they use secret signs and symbols?
   No! Freemasons use secret signs because their whole philosophy is centered around giving and receiving aid from a fellow Mason to the exclusion of all others. As stated above, they borrow this practice from the ancient pagans.
   Legendary records show that ancient pagans held public and secret assemblies in honor of their gods. The secret ceremonies and doctrines were known only to those who had been initiated and who possessed signs and tokens by which they were able to recognize each other. It is this practice that Freemasons copy and very few Masons are ignorant of the fact. Pagans took advantage of the allurement of secrecy to attract the gullible and because their lewd and licentious practice could not bear the light of public witness.
   The references to meeting places in the initiatory "work" of the first degree of Masonry is very significant. It states, Our ancient brethren met on high hills or low vales, (why?) the better to guard against the approach of cowans and eavesdroppers ascending or descending." (This is not what Christ did. He let them hear, but they could not understand because of the hardness of their hearts.)
   But this is exactly what the pagans did — worshipping atop high hills or in the depths of valleys! Read what God says about it in Jer. 2:20-23 and II Kings 17:9-11.
   Freemasonry uses secrecy to accomplish much the same that the ancient pagans did. While they do not practice sexual immorality in their meeting, their foolish eccentricities cannot bear the light of public observance, and the gullible are attracted to their ranks by promises of secret enlightenment. Further-more, they accomplish the exclusive nature of the Lodge by its use, and are able to PROFITABLY exchange "brotherly love" among the initiated.
   Their claim that they use secrecy to keep from being a part of "this world" is quite absurd. Masons take an active part in government, politics, economics, law enforcement and any other department of this world's society. Their attempt to explain away their purpose for secrecy in this manner only demonstrates their ignorance of what God meant when He said that we must come out of this world and be separate.
   This ignorance is due to the hardness of their hearts, and the true mysteries of God which they claim to possess are actually hidden from them.

Christian or Pagan?

   Many of our brethren are shocked when it is shown them that Masonic teachings and practices are not as wholesome and perfect as they had been led to believe.
   Ex-Masons had been introduced along with other new members to Masonic doctrine only after careful preparation.
   Their leaders took every precaution to make it look good and upright. Each part was unveiled and explained with reverence and solemnity. The Bible, among Christian nations, was quoted often to show divine sanction. The Lodge seemed beyond question. It was truly a shocking awakening to some to find Lodge teachings and practices of pagan — not Christian religion.
   Some are not yet convinced that ALL Masonry is pagan even though it has been proven that its oaths are anti-scriptural and that its secrecy is likewise contradictory to the Bible and pagan in origin. They reason, "If you look hard enough, you can find a little something wrong with any organization. Certainly the other practices and symbols with their allegoric meanings are sanctioned by God's word!"
   It is therefore necessary for us to examine other Masonic doctrine and practice to see if they are scripturally inspired as Masons claim.

What is the Source of Their Symbols?

   To prove that Masonic symbols and philosophies are borrowed from the ancient pagans is not difficult. The Masons prove it for us! Here is part of the official lecture for the first degree:
   "The Sun and Moon," says the learned Brother Delaunay of important Masonic symbols, "represent the two grand principles of all generations, the active and passive, the male and the female. The Sun represents the actual light. He pours upon the Moon his fecundating rays; both shed their light upon their offspring, the Blazing Star, or Horus, the three form the great Equilateral Triangle, in the center of which is the omnific letter of the Kabalah by which creation is said to have been effected." (Morals and Dogma of Free-masonry, by Albert Pike, pp. 13-14.)
   He did not find this in the Bible! The sun and the moon are important Masonic symbols, just as they were in the old Babylonian mysteries! This doctrine concerning them comes from ANCIENT SUN WORSHIP. The offspring, a blazing star, is of Egyptian origin — that same offspring which has been worshipped by pagans for generations Cinder many different names, one of them being Horus, another Anubis.
   Another quotation from the same lecture adds further confirmation of these facts. "The ornaments of a Lodge are said to be the Mosaic Pavement, the Indented Tessel, and the Blazing Star." The Mosaic Pavement (see Figure 6). Checkered in squares, or lozenges, is said to represent the ground floor of Solomon's Temple. The lecturer shows clearly that Masons know that it does not. In their own words, To find in the Blazing Star of five points an allusion to the Divine Providence, is also fanciful; and to make it commemorative of the Star that is said to have guided the Magi, is to give it a meaning comparatively modern. Originally it represented Sirius, or the Dog-Star, the forerunner of the inundation of the Nile; the God Anubis, companion of Isis in her search for the body of Osiris, himself symbolized also by the Sun, the author of the season, and the God of Time; Son of Isis, who was the universal nature, himself the primitive matter, inexhaustible source of Life, spark of uncreated fire, universal seed of all beings."
   There is no question that these symbols have their origin in paganism. As shown above, Masons prove it for us; in fact, they are proud of such an origin because of its ANTIQUITY.

The Masonic Temple Versus Solomon's Temple

   The lodge room is supposed to be a true representation of King Solomon's temple. Since the temple built by Solomon faced east and west, the Masonic Lodge is supposed to face east and west. The "Worshipful Master's" station is in the east, the Senior Warden in the west, the Junior Warden in the south, as shown in Fig. 8.
   Masons further claim that their temple is symbolic of the universe, having a cloudy canopy as its covering.
   At first glance all this seems right and in accordance with the Bible. But let's take a closer look.
   God's temple (often referred to as King Solomon's temple) faces east. Why? Because Christ's coming, at the time He enters the new temple, will be from the east toward the west (see Matt. 24:27). The over-all account of this is found in Ezekiel 43. "Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east; and his voice was like a noise of many waters; and the earth shined with his glory
   And the glory of the Lord came into the house by way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. So the Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house. And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me. And He said unto me, 'Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my Holy Name the house of Israel shall no more defile.'"
   Now study the arrangements of the Tabernacle (Fig. 7), which is a shadow, or type of God's throne in heaven, the general arrangement of which was reproduced in the temple built by Solomon. Contrast it with the Masonic Lodge in Fig. 8.
   While there is some similarity in form, they are exactly opposite in arrangement. The entrance to the temple is in the east. In the Masonic Lodge it is in the west. The Holy of Holies, where God's presence was manifest is in the west in God's temple. The "Worshipful Master" whose seat is under the "G" to represent "god" is in the east of the Masonic Lodge.
   When we understand that the temple of God represents God's throne, we should be able to see the symbolism of Christ as our High Priest sitting on the right hand of God. Upon becoming spiritual Israelites, we may boldly approach that throne through Christ, since the veil which separated the Israelites from God is rent in two. The Gentile was not even allowed in that part of the temple and, until this day, cannot approach God without first becoming an Israelite. This is represented by the court of Israel being between that of the Gentile and the Holy of Holies.
   The Masonic Lodge, therefore, represents a pagan temple which symbolizes this universe. The setting being the earth covered by a "canopy of Clouds and the starry heavens'' where these pagans worship the sun, which they call the father of all living; the moon which they call the mother; and all the starry hosts of heaven. They hope to ascend into this heaven by means of a ladder which Masons call "Jacob's Ladder," but which the pagans called by other names.
   If one visualizes this Masonic temple in its true symbolic meaning, they see that it is actually OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE of God as demonstrated by the placement of the two pillars Jachin and Boaz. The only places in the Bible where these two pillars are mentioned by name are I Kings 7:21 and II Chronicles 3:17. Here the pillars are described as sitting in the porch of the temple with Jachin on the right and Boaz on the left, as they would be viewed from God's throne. The latter is borne out and made clear by the Jewish and the Revised Standard translation of the Bible which render it as Jachin in the south and Boaz in the north.
   Masons have these reversed by placing the pillar they call Jachin on the right as you enter their temple and Boaz on the left.
   The only way a person could pass through the pillars of the temple of God so that Jachin was on his right and Boaz on his left would be when leaving the temple (going away from God). On the other hand, this happens only when entering the Masonic temple.
   It follows, symbolically, that a person enters a Masonic temple by leaving the true temple of God. Once there, he worships the sun in the east with his back to God.
   When one pictures Masons in this situation, he cannot help but remember Ezekiel 8:15 where God points out to Ezekiel the WORST OF THE ABOMINATIONS — "And he brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. "This is exactly what the Masons are doing. Is it possible that the future fulfillment of this prophecy will take place when some Jewish Masons will be in the temple of God and will actual turn their backs on Him to worship other gods?

Masonry Symbolized by a Ladder

   The Masonic ladder, introduced to the candidate in the lecture of the first degree as having three rounds — faith, hope and charity — is only for the novice. Masons use other "Jacob's Ladders" with greater numbers of rounds and with different names in the lectures of the higher degrees. One has seven rounds and is also supposed to reach to heaven. The first round (or gate) was made of lead and represented Saturn because of the "heavy nature" whereof his "dull slow progress" was symbolized. The second, of tin, was that of Venus, symbolizing her "soft splendor" and easy flexibility." The third, of brass, was that of Jupiter, emblematic of his "solidarity" and "dry nature." The fourth, of iron, was that of Mercury, expressing his "indefatigable activity" and "sagacity." The fifth, of copper, was that of Mars, expressing his "inequalities" and "variable nature." The sixth, of silver, was that of the moon. The seventh, of gold, that of the sun. (Morals and Dogma, p. 414.) Needless to say this doctrine comes from the ancient pagans, and if we take its symbols literally, it means that Masons attempt to reach heaven by means of honoring these pagan gods and being aided by them along the way.
   The candidate for the Knights Kadosh of the York Rite is made to climb up a ladder of seven rounds which are named: (1) Tsedakah (righteousness), (2) Shorlaban (white ox), (3) Mathok (sweetness), (4) Emunah (?), (5) Hamal (great labor), (6) Sabbal (patience), (7) Gemulah, Binah, Tebunah (retribution, intelligence, prudence). This ladder is borrowed from an ancient pagan one containing nine steps but was made to conform to the system of sevens by including the last three in the seventh round.
   The ancient pagans believed that they could, by perfecting themselves through practicing virtues, "proceed step by step" up the ladder of life. Each rung represents a higher state of existence than the one below. By diligent effort one could finally become like the god who abode in the sun and share his glory. That is why the last rung is often symbolized by the sun. This is a diabolical counterfeit of God's plan of salvation.
   Figure 9 is an interesting example of how Masons adapt these ladders to their need. They have selected a ladder of nine rounds and renamed three principal rounds faith, hope and charity." "FREEMASONRY ITSELF IS SYMBOLIZED BY A LADDER OR CIRCULAR STAIRWAY OF 32 STEPS OR DEGREES:' It is also supposed to be the means by which Masons symbolically climb to heaven. Through it they are supposed to perfect themselves, degree by degree, until they are worthy of eternal life in heaven.

"Worshipful Master"

   "Worshipful Master" is a title that belongs only to God. To call the presiding officer of a Lodge by that title is putting God's name to a wrong use.
   This is not the only way in which the master of the Lodge usurps that which is God's. He is literally supposed to stand in the place of God when he stations himself under the letter "G" in the lodge room. His station supposedly represents the Holy of Holies or the throne of God. His actions while in this office are also significant. Few candidates catch on when he asks them during initiation, "In whom do you
   Your trust?" The answer is "In but God." Then the master says, "Give ME your right hand. Your trust being in God, your faith is well founded. Arise!
   Follow your conductor, and fear no danger."
   By such words and actions, does not the master imply that the candidate is also to trust him? Then he must consider himself either an agent of God or actually standing in the place of God! Certainly he does! But, let us look into another official Masonic work to see which is the god in whose office the master stands.
   The General History, Cyclopedia and Dictionary of Freemasonry makes these statements in its reference to the sun: "The sun rises in the east, and the east is the place of the Worshipful Master. As the sun is the source of all life and warmth, so should the Worshipful Master enliven and warm the brethren in their work."
   This is even made clearer in the ceremony of the first degree when the Senior Warden informs the candidate "as the sun rises in the East to open and govern the day, so rises the Worshipful Master in the East (here the "Worshipful Master" rises to his feet in demonstration) to open and govern his Lodge?"
   Can anything be plainer? He stands in the office of the Sun god!

Is Masonry a Religion?

   Much of the conflicting thought in any controversy is erased when the parties involved define the terms they use. All people do not attach the same meaning to a given word. The word religion conveys more than one meaning. Webster's unabridged dictionary lists six related but different definitions for religion. One of them is, "Devotion or fidelity; conscientiousness." We are aware that true religion teaches a WAY TO LIVE useful, happy and purposeful lives through obedience to God's laws.
   Enough evidence has already been presented to prove beyond a doubt That, according to either definition, Freemasonry is a religion, but a false one. It teaches a way of life which is supposed to guide one's path toward heaven. It claims to be a ladder of thirty-two steps which provides the way to some Utopia. Most of the prominent Masonic writers call Masonry a religion, yet we find many Masons in America who deny this.
   As one man stated it in a recent article of the official Scottish Rite magazine, "He who truly understands Freemasonry knows that it is a moral philosophy, and not a religion." (V. N. Burrows, 32nd degree, K.C.C.H., "The Moral Duty of a Mason," The New Age, 63:6, June, 1955.)
   Can the two be distinguished? What is the real answer?
   The belief that Masonry is not a religion is supported by a statement in Morals and Dogma (Pike, p. 6): "Though Masonry never usurps the place of, nor apes religion, prayer is an essential part of our ceremonies." Here Masons use the word religion to mean DENOMINATION, or one of the systems of faith and worship whose main purpose is teaching about God. They claim that Masonry does not require its members to have any one creed, but rather that each be bound by a "moral law" (of brotherly love) in accordance with his own religious philosophy.
   Masons take pride in the fact that men of all denominations dwell together in their Lodge. They teach that their theistic doctrine is a broad over-all doctrine that includes all denominations and creeds within its framework.
   They therefore look upon themselves, not as an organization dedicated to teach any form of worship, but as a fraternity of "brethren" dedicated to help one another in a Masonic version of "brotherly love." According to Albert Pike,
   "Once enrolled among the children of Light, every Mason on earth becomes his brother, and owes him the duties, the kindnesses, and the sympathies of a brother. There is not a Mason in the world who is not bound to go to his brother's relief when he is in danger, if there be a greater probability of saving his life than of losing his own. What so many thousands owe to him, he owes to each of them. He has solemnly bound himself to be ever ready to discharge this sacred debt. If he fails to do it, he is dishonest and forsworn." when we understand the Masonic view, we should be able to see why Masonry does not want to be classed among the religions, or denominations, but pictures itself as encompassing them within the "brotherhood." If the "brotherhood" should grow to encompass the whole earth, then would be the fulfillment of the Masonic ideal — the philosophy known as "The Brotherhood of Man and the Fatherhood of God."
   From this viewpoint leaders of the Lodge in guiding the "brotherhood," picture themselves as something like scientists who are seeking to understand and explain the way, purpose and result of life in this chaotic civilization. This civilization Masonry pictures as being not chaotic, but harmonious and beautiful by virtue of its variations and conflicts which, to them, have the result of complementing one another. For example, sin in their view complements righteousness and hate complements love in the same way that opposite colors accent and complement one another.
   Even though this encompassing view of Masonry does include many 'religions within itself, it is nevertheless a way of life, and therefore a religion. With this usage of the word, Masonry will admit being a religion, and many of its proponents define it as such, but it does not want to be classed as just another religious denomination or creed!

Separation of Church and State

   Masonry is emphatic in its teaching that the church and state should be separate. This stand is surprising until you understand what is meant. In every way it is obviously a religion; and since a church is merely a congregation of people banded together by a common cause, they are technically a church. Even the building in which the Lodge is located is called a temple! Most such buildings have "Masonic Temple" written above their entrance. Furthermore, we find Masons taking a very active part in politics and government. In some countries they even run the government. It does not seem reasonable that they should believe in separation of church and state.
   Basically what Masons mean by the phrase, separation of church and state, is that they do not want the Catholic Church ruling over the state in which they reside. Catholicism and Freemasonry are mortal enemies. Catholics have excommunicated all who are Masons, and declared them anathema. If it were in the power of the Catholic Church to do so, it would have Masonry abolished. Catholicism has succeeded in driving Masonry from some countries. Masons who reside in countries where Catholicism is weak do all they can to cause it to remain weak. Theirs is basically a fight for power.
   If the Catholics' claim that they have the divine right to rule over nations and kingdoms were accomplished, where would that leave Freemasonry?
   Is there any wonder that these two should be mortal enemies since each tries to control, or at least influence the government of the country in which it resides!

The Real Secrets of Masonry

   Much has been said about the REAL SECRETS of Masonry. Masons are perhaps in as much disagreement as to what these secrets are as anyone else. One noted Masonic writer states: "The only secret of Masonry is that enjoined upon its apprentices which exists solely in the obligation to observe silence regarding the various signs of recognition and certain customs." (Lennhoff, p. 18.) There is much truth in the statement because most Masons are only interested in the social and economic advantages gained from the Lodge. They do not become enlightened in the deeper secrets because they are not interested in them. Lennhoff's book is obviously evasive however. It is written primarily for public consumption. It is not a secret work of Freemasonry.
   Other writers claim that there are no REAL secrets in Masonry because any or all of their secret signs, handshakes, due-guards, morals, symbols, philosophies, dogmas, and customs have been published, and can be purchased from the bookstores. This is also true The only catch is, most people do not know what to look for, or what it means when they find it!
   Those Masons who do search for deeper secrets in the Craft usually point to the dogma and morals underlying the Masonic symbols as their secret. The philosophical principles "veiled in beautiful allegories which hide them from the general public" are an empty secret indeed. They are nothing more than the secrets of the ancient mysteries. Even when explained they remain a confusing mass of unrelated pagan morals. Other, more intellectual members, try to fathom their depths in quest of a deeper, underlying principle on which the secret of life rests. As those who understand the purpose of life will agree, they are doomed to failure. Paganism, no matter how lofty its claims or how beautiful its symbols might appear, is not the true way of life. It is the way of darkness and death.
   To demonstrate the futility of that effort and the worthlessness of its empty findings we quote a noted Masonic writer. His name is Oliver. His book, Theocratic Philosophy... "Masons may be fifty years (Worshipful) Masters of the chair and yet not learn the secret of the Brotherhood. This secret is, in its own nature, invulnerable; for the Mason, to whom it has become known, can only have guessed it and certainly not have received it from anyone; he has discovered it because he has been in the Lodge marked, learned and inwardly digested. When he arrives at the discovery, he unquestionably keeps it to himself, not communicating it even to his most intimate Brother, because, should this person not have capability to discover it of himself, he would likewise be wanting in the capability to use it, if he received it verbally. For this reason IT WILL FOREVER REMAIN A SECRET." (Lennhoff, pg. 19-20.) The keeping of such an august secret from even your closest brother seems foolish indeed.
   Lennhoff finds excuse for this action because, as he says, "the mob fastens on to the heels of the proclaimers and only too often tread underfoot what has been the philosopher's highest ideal."
   The fact that the brother should never pass his secret to another insures two things: the sublime secret won't bear the light of inspection, and that secret will be DIFFERENT for each Mason.
   One man, Wilmshurst, felt that he saw the deeper meaning of Masonry and broke silence to go from Lodge to Lodge teaching it to brother Masons. His lectures have been published under the title, The Meaning of Masonry. In them he shows that his great secret is the answer to "three great questions" which he says press inexorably upon the attention of every thoughtful man and are the subject around which all religions and all philosophies move: "What am I?" "Whence came I?" "Whither go I?"'
   He further states, "It is a truism to say that in our quiet and more serious moments we all feel the need of some reliable answer to these questions The Masonic candidate is presumed to enter the Order in search of light upon these problems; light that he is presumed not to have succeeded in finding elsewhere."
   In his course of lectures Wilmshurst gave his answers to these three questions. His answers are essentially these:
   (1) Man is an immortal soul that is evolving spiritually toward perfection;
   (2) He existed in a higher state before he was born into this world but he lost something which left him in this lower state;
   (3) He will again attain that higher state of existence after death, provided he continues to perfect himself.
   These "secrets of life" are not taken from the word of God recorded in the Holy Bible, but from the same pagan sources from which the other Masonic secrets are borrowed. Neither are they new, because the "ancients" believed and taught them thousands of years ago.
   In Wilmshurst's words, "this — the evolution of man into superman — was always the purpose of the ancient Mysteries, and the real purpose of modern Masonry is, not the social and charitable purposes to which so much attention is paid, but the expediting of the spiritual evolution of those who aspire to perfect their own nature and transform it into a more god-like quality. And this is a definite science, and a royal art, which it is possible for each of us to put into practice; whilst to join the Craft for any other purpose than to study and pursue this science is to misunderstand its meaning." (Wilmshurst, p.47.)
   This is, of course, not the true answer to life's questions as revealed by the Bible. Adam was created by God and given the same choice which you and I face today: Obedience, and life or disobedience, and death. Adam, just as you and I, had no immortal soul; and, as you and I, he grew old and died. God would have raised him to immortality; however, he chose the way of disobedience and God left him to its reward — death. Thereby Adam set the example of disobedience which mankind has followed ever since (see Rom. 5:14-15). Brethren you and I should turn from that example and follow Christ's example of obedience to God that our reward might be life through the resurrection.
   Wilmshurst sees that there is something missing in man that he was supposed to have had before the fall. He says that in our pensive moments we are aware that there is something missing in us.
   Truly there is a very important thing missing in every one of us until we are converted. You and I know it is the Spirit of God which we must have if we are to overcome and grow in the ways of God.
   Wilmshurst, of course, did not come to this answer, Following the philosophies and symbols of the ancient pagans he looked for a mysterious, magical something which only the secretly informed could know. This mysterious something, he came to believe, was the genuine secrets of the Master Mason.
   These secrets are all connected wit an ancient legend which Masons call "The Legend of Hiram Abiff."
   I will not embarrass ex-Masons of our Church brethren by exposing the absurdity of the "secret rites" connected with this legend. Let it suffice to say that they are merely a ritualistic acting-out of the legend in which certain passwords, distress signs, grips etc. are introduced and demonstrated. The Masons then learn these secret tokens and use them to identify themselves and convey certain information to one another in everyday life.
   The candidate, without any attempt at rehearsal, is required to act out the role of the ancient Grand Master of Masonry, Hiram Abiff. This is not difficult because the role consists mainly of supposedly being killed and playing dead while he is moved here and there by Lodge members.
   Hiram Abiff, the hero of the legend, was supposedly murdered by the Fellow Crafts, fifteen of whom entered into a conspiracy to extort the secrets of a Master Mason from him, or take his life. But reflecting with horror on the atrocity of the intended crime, twelve of them recanted; the other three, however, persisted in their murderous design.
   The fantastic legend, as the "Worshipful Master" recites it to the candidates, is as follows:

Chief Masonic Legend

   "Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was slain at high twelve while the craft were called from labor to refreshment. It being his custom at that hour to enter into the unfinished 'sanctum sanctorum' or 'Holy of Holies' of the temple, there to offer up his devotion to the Deity and draw his designs on the trestle-board.
   The three Fellow Crafts who persisted in their murderous design knowing this to be his usual practice placed themselves at the South, West and East gates of the inner court of the temple and there awaited his return. Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, having finished his usual exercises was about to retire by the South gate, where he was accosted by the first ruffian, who thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason or Master's word and on his refusal he gave him a blow with the twenty-four-inch gauge across his throat after which he fled and attempted to pass out of the West gate where he was in like manner accosted by the second, who thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason or the Master's word, and in a like refusal he gave him a blow with a square across his breast. Whereupon he fled and attempted to escape by the East gate where he was likewise accosted by the third, who thrice demanded of him the secrets of a Master Mason or the Master's word, and on a similar refusal he gave him a violent blow with a setting maul on his forehead which felled him dead on the spot.
   "They then buried the body in the rubbish of the temple until low twelve or twelve at night, when they met by appointments and conveyed it a westerly course from the temple to the brow of a hill west of Mount Moriah, where they had been and dug a grave due East and West, six feet perpendicular, and there buried it. In the head of the grave they planted an acacia to conceal it and that the place might be known, should occasion ever require, and made their escape.
   "Our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was found to be missing on the day following, from there being no designs on the trestle-board. King Solomon being informed thereof, at first supposed him to be indisposed, and ordered strict search and due inquiry to be made for him in and about the several apartments of the temple. Strict search and due inquiry were accordingly made, but he could not be found. King Solomon then fearing that some fatal accident had befallen him ordered the several rolls of the workmen to be called.
   "At roll-call three Fellow Crafts were found to be missing, namely, Jubela, Jubelo, and Jubelum, who from the similarity of their names were supposed to be brethren and men of Tyre.
   "At this time the twelve Fellow Crafts who had recanted from their murderous designs appeared before King Solomon, clad in white gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, acknowledged their premeditated guilt and most humbly implored his pardon. King Solomon then ordered the twelve Fellow Crafts to divide themselves in parties and travel three East, three West, three North and three South (with others whom he should appoint), in search of the ruffians and return not without tidings. They traveled and at the point while pursuing a westerly course coming down near the port of Joppa, they fell in with a wayfaring man of whom they enquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way. He informed them that he had, three, who from their appearance were workmen from the temple and men of Tyre seeking a passage into Ethiopia, but not having King Solomon's pass could not obtain a passage and turned back into the country. They returned and reported this intelligence to King Solomon, who ordered them to disguise themselves and travel as before with positive injunctions to find the ruffians and with positive assurance that if they did not the twelve Fellow Crafts should be deemed the murderers and severally suffer for the crime committed. They traveled and as the party which pursued a westerly course a second time were returning after several days fruitless search, one brother being more weary than the rest sat down at the brow of a hill west of Mount Moriah to rest and refresh himself.
   "On attempting to arise he accidentally caught hold of an acacia which easily giving way excited his curiosity, whereupon he hailed his companions, and on their return and examination, they found the appearance of a newly made grave. While meditating on this singular circumstance they heard the following horrid exclamations from the clefts of an adjacent rock. The first was the voice of Jubela, who exclaimed, 'Oh, that my throat had been cut across, my tongue torn out by its roots and buried in the rough sands of the sea at low water mark, where the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, ere I had been accessory to the death of so great a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff!' The second was the voice of Jubelo, who exclaimed, 'Oh, that my left breast had been torn open, my heart plucked out and given as a prey to the beasts of the fields and the fowls of the air, ere I had consented to the death of so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff!' The third was the voice of Jubelum, who exclaimed in tones of greater horror than the others, 'Oh, that my body had been severed in twain, my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes and the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven, so that no trace or remembrance might be had of so vile and perjured a wretch as I, ere I had caused the death of so great and so good a man as our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff! Ah, Jubela and Jubelo, it is I who am more guilty than you both; it was I who gave the fatal blow, it was I who killed him! whereupon they rushed in, seized and bound them and took them before King Solomon, who, after a due confession of their guilt ordered them to be taken without the gates of the city and there executed according to their several imprecations, in the clefts of the rock. They were taken out and executed accordingly."

The Legend Continues

   "King Solomon then ordered that the twelve Fellow Crafts go in search of the body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, and if found to observe whether the Master's word, or a key to it or anything appertaining to the Master's degree were on or about it. The body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was found in a westerly course from the temple in a grave dug due East and West six feet perpendicular, in the brow of a hill where our weary brother sat down to rest and refresh himself. Nothing was found but the jewel of his office by which the body was designated. King Solomon then ordered the twelve Fellow Crafts to go and assist in raising the body, and as the Master's word was then lost, it was agreed between himself and Hiram, King of Tyre, that the first sign given on arriving at the grave and the first word spoken after the body should be raised, should be adopted as the sign and word for the regulation of all Master's Lodges until future generations should find out the right word.
   "On repairing to the grave King Solomon ordered one of the Fellow Crafts to take the body by the Entered Apprentice's grip (one of the secret Masonic handshakes) and see if it could be raised, but owing to the high state of putrefaction the body having been dead already fifteen days, the skin slipped and it could not be so raised. King Solomon then requested Hiram, King of Tyre, to take the body by the Fellow Craft grip and see if it could be raised, but owing to the reasons already assigned the flesh cleaved from the bone and it could not be so raised. King Solomon at length took the body by the strong grip of a Master Mason, or the 'Lion's Paw' and raised it on the five points of Fellowship, which have already been explained to you (the candidate). They then conveyed it back to the temple from which it was buried in due form."
   All of this the "Worshipful Master" recites with great solemnity and the gullible candidate listens in awe. Then the "Worshipful Master" continues:
   "The body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, was buried three times: first, in the rubbish of the temple, second, on the brow of a hill west of Mount Moriah, and third, and last time without the gates of the city, as near the unfinished 'sanctum sanctorum' or 'Holy of Holies' as the Jewish law would permit; and Masonic tradition informs us that they erected to his memory a marble monument, consisting of a beautiful virgin weeping over a broken column [see Fig. 10], before her a book open, in her right hand a sprig of acacia, in her left an Urn and Time behind her, standing unfolding her ringlets and counting her hair.
   "The beautiful virgin weeping over the broken column, denotes the unfinished temple and the untimely death of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff.
   "The Book open before her, that his virtues there lay on perpetual record.
   "The sprig of acacia in her right hand denotes the timely discovery of the body.
   "The Urn in her left, that his ashes were there safely deposited to perpetuate the remembrance of the amiable, distinguished and exemplary character.
   "And Time behind her, standing unfolding her ringlets and counting her hair, that time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things."
   The Master points to each of the above emblems on the chart as he proceeds with his explanation. All the foregoing, it will be observed is a rehearsal of the Temple Legend, and is of course esoteric or secret work and must be learned orally from the Grand Lecturer or other lawfully constituted teacher.

Counterfeit of Christ's Sacrifice

   Wilmshurst pictured Hiram Abiff as the symbol of Christ, and his death as the portrayal of Christ's death and resurrection. The Mason, when he dies, says Wilmshurst, will be raised to heaven by Christ with the strong grip of the Master Mason.
   Wilmshurst's philosophies are widely accepted in the modern "Christian" Lodges of America. Anyone familiar with the teachings of the popular denominations can readily see where such a philosophy is congruous with traditional "Christian doctrine" on the subject. Consequently, after hearing this explanation, few consciences are disturbed as Masons act out this legend again and again, each time a new member undergoes the initiation of the third degree.
   But, is that really what is pictured by the Legend? Christ was not secretly murdered by three ruffians. His body did not decompose (Acts 2:27), and He was not raised back to life by the "strong grip of a Master Mason."
   There is a more revealing answer! Let us compare the main points of the legend of Hiram Abiff, with the chief legend of the Ancient Mysteries.

Hiram Abiff is Nimrod!

   This legend stems from the exploits of Nimrod, a son of Cush, described in Genesis 10:8-10 as a mighty hunter and ruler.
   In organizing the people under his rule, Nimrod usurped one of the prerogatives of God, because God is the creator and sustainer of all the universe, and thereby its rightful ruler.
   Alexander Hislop in The Two Babylons gives some of the reasons for Nimrod's fame. On page 52, he writes that all tradition, from the earliest time, bears testimony to the apostasy of Nimrod and to his success in leading men away from the patriarchal faith. He delivered their minds from the awe of God and the fear of the judgments of heaven. Hislop showed also (p.50) that Nimrod was the object of high popularity, and through setting himself up as king, invaded the patriarchal system and curtailed the liberties of mankind. Yet, Nimrod was considered a hero and liberator to all his followers. No doubt it was because he "freed" them from following the way of God by giving them a counterfeit way — one which allowed them to follow their own lustful imaginations.
   Scripture does not reveal how Nimrod died, but all ancient traditions show that he came to a violent and early end!
   "Now," says Hislop on page 57, "when this mighty hero, in the midst of his career of glory, was suddenly cut off by a violent death, great seems to have been the shock that the catastrophe occasioned. When the news spread abroad the devotees of pleasure felt as if the best benefactor of mankind were gone... Then began the weeping for Tammuz (identified as Nimrod) in the guilt of which the daughters of Israel allowed themselves to be implicated (Ezek. 8:14).

Doctrine of Trinity Conceived

   Nimrod's wife, Semiramis, apparently wasted no time in influencing the people to begin worshipping him as a god. It was claimed that the parts of the mutilated body were found and put together again and that Nimrod was resurrected; that he ascended up into the heavens and dwelt with the gods. The sun was adopted as his symbol picturing his being overcome at night, and rising again the next day.
   As time and imagination continued he became accredited as being the light bringer, sustainer of life, and judge of the living and the dead.
   Semiramis, in her exalted position as wife of this mighty king who became god, played an important role in the new religion. She became the mother of a child which she claimed was the son of this god. And as time passed, all three were deified. In later years the son became confused with his father and the worship of one was attributed to the other, giving occasion for this goddess' having been worshiped as both wife and mother. This was the origin of what came to be called the "Blessed Trinity": the father, the mother (holy ghost) and the son.
   This is a diabolical counterfeit of God's plan of salvation for mankind as revealed in the Holy Bible, which plan God undoubtedly made known to the patriarchs with whom "He walked" (Gen. 6:9). With the knowledge of this plan, mankind, under Satan's inspiration, took matters into its own hands instead of waiting on the salvation of the Lord. Thus, the "Ancient Mysteries" began to evolve. While similarities exist between this counterfeit system and God's plan for the salvation of mankind, it should not be overlooked that important differences do occur. One of these is that the son, not the father, was resurrected back to life.
   After the dividing of languages at the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9), and the scattering of the nations, the names of these deified persons were changed and the legends about them grew in detail in each nation. New and different feats, characteristic of the nation in which they developed, were attributed to them and more symbols were adopted to picture these feats.
   Furthermore, the adoption of new gods did not end with these three. Other gods and goddesses continued to be created in human imaginations. Today, any study of pagan beliefs and customs is made extremely difficult by this great confusion. An accurate description of the worship and doctrine about any one of these gods would have to be limited not only to the nation, but to the locality and sect within that nation and the year of its occurrence, because everything was constantly changing. Yet, through it all, the central theme which deifies the person of Nimrod, Semiramis and her illegitimate son was retained in practically all ages and nations. It is the chief tenet of all the "Ancient Mysteries."

Masonic Symbols Adopted from Pagan Egypt

   Freemasonry borrowed most of its symbols from the ancient Egyptian system. To be consistent with this fact, and also to reduce confusion, we shall compare the legend of Hiram Abifi with the central legend of the Ancient Mysteries as they were observed in Egypt. Here the gods were called Osiris, Isis, and Horus.
   From Webster's Dictionary caption "Osiris," we read that Osiris is said to have been a wise and beneficent king of Egypt (i.e., Nimrod was king before the languages were confounded and the nations were formed. Each nation claims him to be its founder or king and its god, but each under a different name).
   Osiris, with the aid of Isis, taught his subjects agriculture and all the arts and crafts, conquering the rest of the world to civilize it. His brother Seth (whom Greeks called Typhon) treacherously murdered him, and cast the coffin containing his body into the River Nile. Drifting away to Byblos, it was discovered by Isis and taken back to Egypt. Seth again found the corpse, and cutting it in pieces, he cast them into the Nile — but Isis found them (more thorough accounts of the legend show that all but one part was found, the genital organ, for which she substituted the "Phallus"). Then came Horus to avenge his father Osiris, and the gods justifying Osiris, restored his body to life and immortality. This death and resurrection was symbolized daily by the setting and rising of the sun, and also yearly by the seasons during which the sun recedes until the winter solstice, then begins to be slowly "resurrected back to life." Seth (or Typhon) was the symbol of winter which destroys the fecundating and fertilizing powers of the sun, depriving him of life. When Seth was killed by Horus, the sun began to climb higher in the sky, as if being resurrected by the gods. It was a time for rejoicing. This custom of rejoicing at the time of the winter solstice has continued to our present day when people who call themselves Christians celebrate this pagan custom thinking they celebrate Christ's birth.
   When we examine the legend of Hiram Abiff we find that he possessed the valuable Master's Word, a badge of highest authority, just as Osiris (or Nimrod) possessed a kingdom and was an enlightened one.
   There was also conspiracy against Hiram just as there was against Osiris. Hiram, like Osiris, was attacked and killed, and this at the hand of a brother.
   The body was buried twice, not in the waters of the Nile, since this is identified only with Egypt, but in a more appropriate place under the rubble of the temple and later under an acacia tree. It was also discovered twice by the Fellow Crafts, this time not just as Isis discovered Osiris's body, but in a more "convenient" method for Freemasonry.
   As the legend says that Seth was killed for his crime by Horus, so were the ruffian murderers of Abiff killed by the Fellow Craft. A new twist is given the Masonic legend, however, for each ruffian is killed in a different manner be-fitting the degree of his crimes. The methods of death represent the penalties a Mason promises and swears to pay if he reveals the secrets of the first three degrees. (i.e., in the initiation of the First degree the candidate swears to pay the same penalty as the first ruffian paid if he reveals Entered Apprentice secrets).
   In the initiation of the Second degree the candidate swears to keep the secrets under penalty of the same death that the second ruffian suffered, etc.
   When Isis found Osiris's body one part was lost — the genital organ. When the Fellow Craft finds Hiram's body one part also is lost — the Master's Word. Isis substituted the Phallus; Masons substitute Mah-hah-bone. From Masonic writings Masonry Defined, pg. 643, 608, Mah-hah means literally, "What is this the" — and bone, coming from the Hebrew word boneh, means "builder." Mah-hah-bone then means, "What is this the builder?"
   In all appearances the "Master's Word" in Masonry symbolizes the same creative force that the phallus does; both are pagan symbols for the creator of life.

Meaning of Term "Hiram Abiff"

   Even the name "Hiram Abiff" is significant. Hiram it literally "most noble" and is therefore a title. Abiff, according to Masons, means "his father"; so the complete translation of the title is, most noble, his father." Who could this refer to other than Osiris, father of Horus?
   Is this pagan explanation of the mystery of life" contained in the symbolic legend of Hiram Abiff the ultimate of all the "genuine secrets" of Masonry?
   For some it is! Others prefer the Romanized version of the same fairytale. But for those Masons, bright enough to have their faith in this world's "Christendom" shaken by observing its parallelism with the ancient pagan mysteries, the Lodge has one more super secret.

Most Coveted Reward

   All through thirty-two degrees the Mason was promised a reward to be received at the top of the toilsome "winding stairs." Not money, nor corn, nor wine, nor oil. All these are but symbols. His wages were to be Masonic truth. This truth is one of the most concealed doctrines of the "science of Masonic symbolism." This most coveted and costly Masonic reward, "desired by the many, attained by the few;' the object of many years diligent preparation, is at last fully realized. It is the humiliating admission that Masons must always search for truth but never find it! In their official words, Machey, Masonry Defined, p. 561, "This divine truth, the object of all his labors, is symbolized by the Word, and this is intended to teach the humiliating but necessary lesson that the knowledge of the nature of God and of man's relation to Him, which knowledge constitutes divine truth, can never be acquired in this life."
   Thus, in one fell swoop, Masonry abolishes all pretext of encouraging its members to believe in the Holy Scriptures upon which it claims to base its allegories and upon which its oaths are administered. By this final secret they confirm what was always implied in the Lodge — that the way of life revealed in the Bible and God's plan of salvation outlined in it are lies — that man cannot know God nor understand his relationship to Him.
   WHAT IGNORANCE! "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Rom. 1:21-22).

Part III

HISTORY OF MASONRY

   WHERE did Masonry originate? Some say Solomon originated it, others say Moses. Can this be true? Here is the shocking answer from the writings of the Masons themselves! Masons place much stress on the statement that "Freemasonry is both honorable and ancient." But when we search into the recorded history of the Lodge, the picture is somewhat confused, and one is not overly impressed with either its honor or its age.
   "The precise origin of the society has yet to be ascertained," says the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "and is not likely to be, as the early records are lost."

Origin Obscure

   Nevertheless, much has been written to justify the claim of its antiquity and honorable character. Some writings are based upon actual records which date back to the sixteenth century, but most have served only to amuse or repel inquirers.
   The earliest work on the subject was published in London in 1723 by the Rev." James Anderson, and it states: "Grand Master Moses often marshalled the Israelites into a regular and general Lodge while in the wilderness... King Solomon was Grand Master of the Lodge at Jerusalem... Nebuchadnezzar became the Grand Master Mason." Many more similar absurdities are to be found in its pages. These statements are quoted and declared absurd, ridiculous, and extravagant by no less authority than the Encyclopaedia Britannica (see "Freemasonry," p.732). Undaunted, Masons continue to make such claims, and many members of the Lodge believe them implicitly.
   Other "appeals to antiquity" written during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and offered in abbreviated form by the Encyclopedia Americana(under "Masonic Fraternity," p. 348) are (a) that the history of the race was the story of Masonry, beginning with the migration from the Garden of Eden; (b) that Freemasonry sprang from the Patriarchal period; (c) that the society was the successor of the ancient mysteries of the Orient; (d) that the temple of Solomon was its cradle; (e) that the Crusaders and the Knights Templar carried it forward from their times; (f) that the Roman colleges of artificers and builders of the Middle Ages handed down the craft to posterity.

Workmen's Guilds

   When we examine the form and ceremony of Freemasonry, we find a marked resemblance between it and the old guild systems which flourished in Europe at the time Freemasonry came into existence. These guilds played an important part in the social, religious, and political life. They, in turn, were patterned after the earlier Roman guilds or fraternities. The Roman guilds seem to have been chiefly religious and political societies, while the associations of workmen known as the Roman colleges of artificers were hereditary castes enjoying certain privileges and bound to certain duties — Encyclopedia Americana, caption, "Guild." Even these Roman guilds and colleges are not the oldest forms of such societies, but seem to be a connecting link between ancient pagan societies and the more modern ones.
   Freemasonry is merely a modern fraternity carrying on the outward form of these ancient societies. One did not necessarily develop into the other, but each has had a part in maintaining the early pagan doctrines and social practices. Some of the practices commonly found among them are: oaths of admission, strict requirements for admission and continued membership, special privileges for the initiates which are zealously protected from outsiders, closed meetings for members which are often of social and religious nature, tokens and secret signs by which they recognize one another, and mutual assistance among members in time of need.
   Since these practices are so common to Freemasonry, and since Freemasonry, as we know it, apparently came into being at the time the guilds were going out of style, the Lodge has obviously borrowed their structure. It is a convenient framework in which to conceal the practice of the ANCIFNT MYSTERIES.
   It was not until 1717 A.D. that the Mother Grand Lodge of England was formed. This central lodge was established in order that there might be central authority and standardization of practice. The smaller local lodges might have existed for several centuries prior to the establishment of this Mother Grand Lodge. Shortly after the local lodges became organized into grand lodges, Freemasonry came into the contempt of the Roman Church.

Offended Roman Church

   Their independent attitude toward church authority, which had supported the earlier guilds, undoubtedly brought about the schism. The Old Charges of Masonry written about 1738 states: "In ancient times the Christian Masons were charged to comply with the Christian (Roman Catholic) usage's of each country where they traveled and worked: but Masonry being found in all nations, even of diverse religions, is now generally charged to adhere to that religion which all men agree."
   This attitude, along with the threat it imposed, infuriated the Roman Church. Forbidding loyal Catholics to join Masonic ranks was not enough, for to do so cut off its source of information, and the Catholic Church no longer knew what went on behind Masonic doors. Lodges could then be a real threat to Catholic supremacy and could become foreign outposts in Catholic countries. In 1738, the same year that the Masonic charge was written, Pope Clement XII issued a Bull of excommunication entitled, The Condemnation of the Society of Conventicles de Liberi Muratori ,or of the Freemasons.
   The reasons for the condemnation are printed in the Catholic Encyclopedia under the caption, "Masonry," and repeated in abbreviated form in a booklet entitled, May Catholics Be Masons?, as follows:
   (1) "Freemasonry has peculiar Unsectarian, naturalistic character, by which theoretically and practically it undermines the Christian faith (or Catholic faith)... creating religious indifferentism and contempt for orthodoxy and ecclesiastical authority.
   (2) "The inscrutable secrecy, and the oaths of secrecy and fidelity of Masonry and Masonic work, cannot be justified in their scope, their object, or their form, and cannot, therefore, induce any obligation.
   (3) "Such societies involve a grave danger for the security and tranquility of the state and for the spiritual health of souls."
   From the time of Clement XII, seven supreme pontiffs of the Catholic Church have repeated the condemnation of Freemasonry for substantially the same reasons. This accounts for the enmity between the two organizations.
   There may very likely have been another more important reason for the Catholic action which the Pope would not dare mention. The Masonic devotion toward searching out the ancient mysteries makes him immediately aware of the great similarity between these Catholic mysteries and that of the Ancients.
   Rome could not afford to encourage such an open exposure of the source of her doctrine. Her symbols of crosses, circles, trinities, holidays and statues together with her customs stand as stark reminders that her doctrine did not begin with Christ, Peter or any of the apostles. Instead, they were in common usage for centuries before Christ was born and stood condemned in both old and new testaments. Rome could not afford to have their origin and meaning revealed outside her most private chambers.

Modern Masonic History

   Soon after the formation of the Mother Grand Lodge in England in 1717, grand lodges were set up in Ireland, 1725, and in Scotland, 1736. These lodges became the centers of Masonry and began to establish other grand lodges all over the world.
   The Grand Lodge of England instituted its first lodge in Paris in the year 1732, but one was formed still earlier on the Continent at Gibraltar 1728-1729. Others were also opened in North America in 1730, Germany 1733, Portugal 1735, Holland 1735, Switzerland 1740, Denmark 1745, Italy 1765, Russia 1771, and Sweden 1773. In most of these countries, grand lodges were subsequently created and continue to this date, except in those Roman Catholic countries, such as Italy, where no Masonic Lodges are permitted.
   Lodges were constituted in India from 1730 (Calcutta), 1752 (Madras), and 1758 (Bombay); in Jamaica 1742, Antigua 1738, and St. Christopher 1739, by the grand lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland.
   Shortly afterward these grand lodges had representatives at work throughout the whole civilized world.
   In North America, Masons flourished in individual lodges from a very early date. They had little regard for warrants and charters, and no attempt at organization was made until the Grand Lodge was established in Pennsylvania in 1730. This grand lodge, the first in America, was over the territories of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
   It was under the direction of Daniel Coxe, who was appointed "Provincial Grand Master" on June 5, 1730 by the Duke of Norfolk, Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England.
   It became known as the York, or American, Rite.
   The rival grand lodges in England, together with those of Ireland and Scotland, chartered lodges everywhere in the new country. After flourishing for almost a century, Freemasonry in the United States suffered a severe setback in 1826.

William Morgan Murder

   In this year (1826) an ex-Mason named William Morgan attempted to reveal the mysteries of Freemasonry and give to the outside world a description of the ceremonies observed in the Masonic Lodges of the first six or seven degrees.
   Morgan had presented the material to a printer by the name of David C. Miller to be published in book form when the thing became known. The contents of this expose' are still available from the Ezra A. Cook Company in a book entitled Freemasonry Exposed, by Captain William Morgan.
   The mere rumor that such a book was to be published created much astonishment and indignation among the Masonic fraternity of western New York. Particularly incensed were those who had associated with Morgan in the meetings of the Lodges.
   Great efforts were immediately made by a large number of Freemasons to stop publication of the book. First, they had Morgan arrested for debt, then they swore a complaint against him for larceny. While he was being prosecuted, they searched his apartments for the manuscript, but in vain. Finally, they kidnapped him from a jail at Canandaigua and took him forcibly by means of a closed carriage to Fort Niagara, which was then unoccupied, and there murdered him in cold blood.
   Even this drastic action of the Masonic brethren did not succeed in suppressing Morgan's expose'. Part of it had already been put to press by Miller, and the remainder of the manuscript remained undiscovered by the Masons, who searched his premises. This and other outrages, among which were the burning of the printing office, alarmed the citizens of western New York. Several arrests of the supposed kidnappers took place, and persons arrested were brought to trial. These records could be verified by checking the court files.
   Among those arrested, five men, including the sheriff of Niagara County, were found guilty of participation in the abduction, and were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. The murderers, however, remained unpunished.
   Meantime, the whole book had been published, and its contents had made public the somewhat ferocious oaths of Freemasons. Excitement was immediate and immense. It spread all over the country and lasted many years. Freemasonry became unpopular and many persons, including a great number of ministers, withdrew from the Lodge. Many lodges and chapters were disbanded, while their officers and members publicly renounced all future connection with the Masonic order.
   The murderers of Morgan, although known, were never prosecuted. This fact, kept before the people by a powerful political party which arose at that time, fanned the growing anti-Masonic feeling.
   Patience and perseverance on the part of the few remaining Masons paid off, however. A few years later the thing died down and Freemasonry began again to flourish. It was explained that the murderers of Morgan were simply ruffians and by no means representative of the main body of the fraternity.
   As the years passed and the Society once again gained repute, its membership grew to nearly six million members and boasted some of the most famous and important men of our nation. Most presidents of the United States have been Masons. In its ranks today we find ministers, doctors, lawyers, jurists, politicians; in short, the most influential men of our time. Free-masonry is no inconsequential secret Society!

Masonically Preferred History

   While this is all that history gives us on the origin of Masonry, the accepted origin among Masons varies from lodge to lodge. The origin accepted by any particular group seems to be the one preferred by most of the members in that group. Most of the lodges in the United States claim to be Christian in character and therefore claim a Biblical origin. Even here they cannot agree as to specific time or founder. Some say Adam was its founder, others say Moses or Solomon.
   Some of the more earnest, and serious-minded claim the Ancient Essenes originated Masonry largely because of the similarity of their doctrine. The Essenes were noted for their early practice of mixing Old Testament teaching with the traditions of the ancient mysteries. They apparently followed the Cabalistic doctrines, the written form of which is referred to by Masons as the Kabala, and is admittedly a chief source of Masonic doctrine. The Kabala is admired by Masons as being "a doctrine so logical, so simple, and at the same time so absolute" (Morals and Dogma, p.745). They picture the Bible (Old Testament) as containing "allegories expressed in an incomplete and veiled manner and as being the religious science of the Hebrews." "The Pentateuch and the prophetic poems (Psalms) were merely elementary books of doctrine, morals, or liturgy"; according to them, "and the true secret and traditional philosophy was only written afterward (in the Kabala)."
   Today in modern "Christian" lodges it is becoming more popular to accept the two Johns — John the Baptist and the Apostle John — as the ones who started the first lodge. This absurdity comes from a confusion of ancient and modern interpretations of the symbols pictured in Figure 11.
   With tongue in cheek Lodge "Masters" teach their "Christian brethren" that the Lodge is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, who are pictured on the border of a circle.
   The large circle supposedly circumscribes the candidate who is represented by the dot in the center.
   These so-called patron saints of Masonry represent two "perfect parallels" in Christianity as well as Masonry. Upon the vertex of the circle rests the book of the "Holy Scriptures" which points out, the whole duty of man. They moralize that a Mason should guard his actions so that he does not stray outside the guidance of these great authorities. "If he keeps himself thus circumscribed," they reason, "it is impossible that he should materially err.
   If this were the true meaning of these symbols and if Masons lives were truly patterned by them, the Lodge would have the upright character of which it boasts. In reality it is only the popular meaning used to satisfy the large numbers who go through the Lodge without seeking the deeper meanings of Masonic philosophy. These are only "vulgar" members who, according to Masons, have swarmed into the Temple for selfish gain (see Morals and Dogma, p. 37) and are not capable of learning the deeper meanings.

Adept Claim Paganism "Polluted" by the Bible

   Most of these modern Bible additions came into the Blue Lodge through the York Rite. The adept of the Scottish Rite deplore their introduction as pollution's of the ancient (pagan) rites.
   Albert Pike, the great Scottish Rite authority, said in his book, Morals and Dogma, p. 17, that it was a waste of time even to comment upon this incongruous (Bible) meaning. He showed (p.105) that the parallel lines do not represent the two Johns at all and that the Bible was added only recently. He said the parallel lines represent the same thing that the two columns, Jachin and Boaz, do. All have a more recondite and fruitful meaning in ancient symbol. For the true answer he suggests that the adept should look in the Kabalah (the supposedly entire, "perfect," unique theology in secret traditions which are expressed by the half-pagan Kabala, or Cabala).
   Later in his book (p.429) Pike revealed that "two parallel lines which support the circle of the Lodge" are from an ancient symbol consisting of a ring supported by two serpents. This was supposedly "emblematical of the world, protected by the power and wisdom of the Creator."
   You and I of course know that a serpent represents Satan the Devil. This symbol then shows that the ancient pagans were actually worshiping Satan as the creator and sustainer of this world!
   Pike further shows (p.506) that the two columns called Jachin and Boaz and the parallel lines actually represent older pagan symbols: the solstices, Cancer and Capricorn, the two gates of heaven, the two pillars of Hercules. He further showed that the point in the circle represented the sun god (Osiris). These parallel lines represent limits — good and bad, positive and negative, active and passive, light and darkness — beyond which the sun god will not go.
   This proves conclusively where Masonic symbols come from and that their leaders know where they come from. Their meaning is derived from the same diabolical tenets by which Satan has posed himself as an angel of light to rule over men. Men of all ages have flocked into these temples to worship him; many in ignorance, but some knowing full well what they were doing.
   Why would they do such a thing? Because men of this understanding and ability can become "Masters" and even "Grand Masters" of the Lodge. They can gain great power and influence in this world which they could not accomplish in any other way. It is the price they pay for greatness.

Why the Wolf Wears Sheep's Clothing

   Albert Pike expressed Masonic understanding of the practice which cloaked the Ancient Pagan Mysteries in Christian sounding names. In his instructions(Morals and Dogma, p.247) to the Knights of the East and West, the seventeenth degree of Masonry, he said that at the time of John the Baptist the old philosophical and religious systems were growing much alike because, in the great world ruling empires which existed since Alexander, the walls of separation between Greece, Egypt, Persia, and India were thrown down and the people intermingled everywhere.
   He claimed the West eagerly connected their faith with those of the East, and the Orient hastened to learn the traditions of Rome (this should not have been too difficult because they both came from the same old Babylonish source). The Jews and Egyptians — before, the most exclusive of all peoples — yielded to that eclecticism which prevailed among their masters, the Greeks and Romans.
   Thus men who embraced Christianity began to mingle the old mysteries with the new — a mixture of Christianity and Philosophy, or Apostolic teaching and traditions of Mythology.

Truth for the Simple — Mystery for the Wise

   Pike went on to explain the Masonic view (p.248) that the Apostles, speaking to mankind in general, stressed only the articles of the vulgar faith; but transmitted the mysteries to "superior minds" from generation to generation in esoteric traditions. To this new science of mysteries was given the name Gnosis (or Gnostic).
   Pike confirms the fact that their basic doctrine and ideas were derived from Plato, Philo, the Kabalah, and the sacred books of India and Egypt.
   What this amounts to is a bold-faced admission that most Christian and Masonic doctrine is a mixture of Bible teaching and pagan mysteries, and that the wise among them favor the mysteries as being deeper and wiser and spurn the plain Bible Scripture as being fit only for the vulgar masses. A rite, parable, letter, number, figure, word, etc. became a symbol, and he who had the key of science would interpret each according to the light he possessed.
   The uneducated and narrow-minded within their ranks heedlessly take them at face value while those who have ears to hear receive the "divine mysteries" because they have received the "sacred initiation" and have the intelligence to understand the deeper meaning.
   This thinly veiled admission by Masonry's most famous apostle, Albert Pike, explains why Masons call their temple Solomon's Temple when it was in actuality patterned after the greatest of pagan temples — the earth covered by the cloudy canopy of the heavens. The divinity which they worship within its walls is the sun, of which they blandly write.
   "There is no splendor beyond that which sets its morning throne in the golden East; no dome sublime as that of Heaven; no beauty so fair as that of the verdant, blossoming earth; no place, however invested with the sanctities of old time, like that home which is hushed and folded within the embrace of the humblest wall and roof."
   By the same practice they call Hiram Abiff the widow's son and quote I Kings 7:13-14. His name and situation have certain similarities which can be twisted until they almost appear to fit, even though many absurdities exist.
   Hiram was a very skilled artificer, and the building of the temple would be a convenient project for the characters of the legend to be engaged in, since the early Lodge was supposed to have been engaged in the building and decorating of splendorous stone structures.
   A careful study of the Holy Scriptures, however, reveals that this Hiram Abiff has nothing in common with the Hiram mentioned in I Kings. Neither is the temple around which the legendary story unfolds, the temple of Solomon. The temple of God, built by Solomon, was finished, but the one in the legend remained unfinished. The names were just added in "friendly" pagan — Christian tradition.
   There is a temple in antiquity, however, which is famous because it was never completed. The account is given in Genesis 11. It is the tower of Babel! It was built so that its top (also the head or ruler) might reach unto heaven (rule supreme), and to make for its builders a name, lest they be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth (see verse 4).
   Over the incomplete state of this tower, one so-called virgin may well afford to weep, because it wrecked, for a time, her plans and those of her husband who hoped to be that head. These two are the Nimrod and Semiramis mentioned earlier.

Virgin, Column and Time Significant

   The symbol of the Virgin, Column and Time presented at the end of the legend, represented in Figure 10, is also quite significant. In Masonic allegory, "The beautiful virgin (Semiramis) weeping over the broken column, denoted the unfinished temple (tower) and the untimely death of our Grand Master Hiram Abiff (Nimrod)."
   Albert Pike continues: "The book open before her, [means] that his virtues there lay on perpetual record."
   "The sprig of acacia (the pagan symbol of life which, in one account, led her to discover her husband's grave) in her right hand denotes the timely discovery of the body." (The body which the ancient pagans tried to preserve, and which action gave rise to another pagan philosophy — that so long as a body remained in a state of preservation, the person's spirit continued to exist).
   "The urn in her left, that his ashes were there safely deposited (attempts to preserve the body otherwise must have failed) to perpetuate the remembrance of the amiable, distinguished, and exemplary character." (It was explained earlier that this fallen god was supposedly raised to immortal life and became the sun god).
   "And Time behind her standing, unfolding her ringlets (she grew older) and counting her hair (Other, more secret accounts show him anointing her with Ambrosia, the food of the gods, which supposedly gave her eternal life.), that Time (the god of time, Osiris),patience and perseverance will accomplish all things." Thus it was that pagans made a noble attempt to cover up their disgrace, and Satan patched up his counterfeit that he might continue to palm himself off as the god of the universe.
   Pagans have continued to use the idea that time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things. By it theory of evolution) they try to deny the creation of the universe by a Supreme Creator, and in so doing they practice their teaching by patiently forcing the theory upon a gullible, hapless generation.

Part IV

THE AWESOME CONCLUSION

   FREEMASONRY is living proof that no teaching of man, regardless of how innocent or righteous appearing, can be taken for granted — that no teaching can be assumed good, just because it looks good — that no teaching can be assumed righteous, no matter how solemnly it declares itself so?or judged honorable because its own cherished records suggest honor.
   In many ways Masonry is the exact opposite of what it claims to be!

Masonic Claims

   To its initiates the Masonic Lodge teaches: "Masonry is useful to all men: to the learned, because it affords them the opportunity of exercising their talents upon subjects eminently worthy of their attention; to the illiterate, because it offers them important instruction; to the young, because it presents them with salutary precepts and good examples, and accustoms them to reflect on the proper mode of living; to the man of the world, whom it furnishes with noble and useful recreation; to the traveler, whom it enables to find friends and brothers in countries where else he would be isolated and solitary; to the worthy man in misfortune, to whom it gives assistance; to the afflicted, on whom it lavishes consolation; to the charitable man, whom it enables to do more good, by uniting with those who are charitable like himself; and to all who have souls capable of appreciating its importance, and of enjoying the charms of a friendship founded on the same principles of religion, morality, and philanthropy" (Morals and Dogma, p. 113).
   Now let us compare this with their actual practice. The Real Test God has set before each one of us a choice — a proving ground — to see whether we will love and obey Him and be allowed to live in the Kingdom which will be set up?or whether we will refuse and go our own way, into the lake of fire (Deut. 30:19-20).
   Other plans of salvation which teach a different reward and a different way of getting eternal life are without God's authority. Those foolish who waste their lives in pursuing such "wind" are unfortunate indeed.
   Freemasonry is just such a counterfeit. Its members waste untold hours acting out foolish rituals which accomplish nothing, and memorizing endless dialogue which helps no one. They ponder the moral philosophies of the ancients to discover wisdom, but they acquire only a hodgepodge of deceptive and foolish pagan reasonings.
   God declares there is only one WAY to live happy, useful lives. And that is the way HE has appointed for us. Any other — such as Masonry — no matter how good it may look, is at best a counterfeit and serves only to dupe people into thinking that they have what they have not.

Man-made Codes

   They set up their code of morals according to human understanding, not knowing that only God's laws shall stand. They revel in the idiocy of parading before relics of ancient sun worship in great solemnity, foolishly holding the sacred Word of God in no greater respect than they do any other ancient writing.
   Their work in the community is not the proclamation or upholding of God's Kingdom; it is, instead, the upholding of the system around them. They do not promote God's rule, but ignore it and set themselves up as the wise leaders, pretending to build character and feigning benevolence by giving charity to the, orphans and widows, while they privately endeavor to build their own prosperity
   The following example will serve to illustrate the enormity of their mistake of following what looks good to man instead of simply obeying their Creator.

Masonic Ten Commandments

   You are all familiar with the Ten Commandments recorded in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 of your Bibles. You would normally assume these to be recognized by Masons especially when they claim that their moral philosophy is based on the Bible. Again this is not the case. Masons have embraced another set of ten commandments which look better to their eyes than the ones God has given.
   For brevity only the first two need to be discussed, though all ten are reproduced from Morals and Dogma in Figure 12 on the next page. Read them carefully before you continue with this article. They appear to be very wholesome and good, don't they?

The Masonic Ten Commandments

Masonry has its decalogue, which is a law to its Initiates.

These are its Ten commandments:

I. God is the Eternal, Omnipotent, Immutable Wisdom and Supreme Intelligence and Exhaustless Love. Thou shalt adore, revere, and love Him! Thou shalt honor Him by practising the virtues!

II. Thy religion shall be to do good because it is a pleasure to thee, and not merly because it is a duty. That thou mayest become the friend of the wise man, thou shalt obey his precepts! Thy soul is immortal! Thou shalt do nothing to degrade it!

III. Thou shalt unceasingly war against vice! Thou shalt not do unto tohers that which thou wouldst not wish them to do unto thee! Thou shalt be submissive to thy fortunes, and keep burning the light of wisdom!

IV. Thou shalt honor thy parents! Thou shalt pay respect and homage to the aged! Thou shalt instruct the young! Thou shalt protect and defend infancy and innocence!

V. Thou shalt cherish thy wife and thy children! Thou shalt love thy country, and obey its laws!

VI. Thy friend shall be to thee a second self! Misfortune shall not estrange thee from him! Thou shalt do for his memory whatever thou wouldst do for him, if he were living!

VII. Thou shalt avoid and flee from insincere friendships! Thou shalt in everything refrain from excess. Thou shalt fear to be the cause of a stain on thy memory!

VIII. Thou shalt allow no passions to become thy master! Thou shalt make the passions of others profitable lessons to thyself! Thou shalt be indulgent to error!

IX. Thou shalt hear much: Thou shalt speak little: Thou shalt act well! Thou shalt forget injuries! Thou shalt render good for evil! Thou shalt not misuse either thy strength or thy superiority!

X. Thou shalt study to know men; that thereby thou mayest learn to know thyself! Thou shalt ever seek after virtue! Thou shalt be just! Thou shalt avoid idleness!

   When we remember that the adept in Masonry gain more knowledge from symbols than from plain statements of their sacred writings we should be aware that certain key symbols are included which will unlock these depths of meaning.
   Notice the little circle with the cross inside it at the beginning of the first commandment. Regardless of any beautiful phraseology Masons place on these symbols, their deeper meaning must invariably lead to ancient sun worship. The circle or disc symbolizes the sun and the cross symbolizes immortality. The three dots in the form of an equilateral triangle represent the first cause and trinity of the pagan godhead.
   So if the Mason is truly adept he would see that he has borrowed from the ancient sun worshipers symbols and creeds which would read this way for the first commandment of Figure 12. "God [the god whose symbol is a circle and a cross and triangular dots — the sun god) is the Eternal, Omnipotent, Immutable WISDOM and Supreme INTELLIGENCE and Exhaustless LOVE. (Wisdom, Intelligence and Love are capitalized to remind Masons of their I deeper meanings and that each in turn has been worshiped by their pagan ancestors).
   "Thou shalt adore, revere, and love Him!
   "Thou shalt honor Him by practicing the virtues of the ancient pagan" (see p.21 Morals and Dogma).
   What greater blasphemy could there be than this? How this must stink in the nostrils of the Living God! When they attribute the name and office of God to any other they break the first, second and third of — God's Commandments.
   The second of these Masonic commandments, as well as the remaining eight, are likewise contrary to the Commandments of God. By it the Mason is told to do "good" without defining what good is. Yet you can surely see that it is not referring to obedience to God because the next instructs him to seek out the wise MAN and obey his precepts. But Proverbs 14:12 states, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Masons in their ignorance have pursued the way of death.

Prestige and Prosperity Their Real Goal

   Few members of the Lodge could truthfully deny that their reason for belonging to the Lodge is the personal benefits which raise their community standing and financial prosperity.
   Members of the Lodge may already be prosperous and active members of their community before joining the Lodge. In fact it is usually after they obtain a certain measure of prestige within the community that they are allowed to join a fraternity. It is there, among the more prominent citizens, that they hope to further their prosperity. Such an honor usually aids one's social position, and also gives a social outlet, but this does not exalt God; it exalts only the man. When a man embraces the Lodge, other prominent men of the community become his brothers. Together they practice this doctrine of "brotherly love" assisting and encouraging one another while reaping the general good fortune of having a close set of influential and like-minded friends. It is here that Masonry pays off. A member who has an acceptable plea for help or a favor need only mention his need to the proper brother and the requested "aid" comes forth as if by answered prayer. Masons have more faith in receiving this petition from other members than they do in receiving answers to prayers from God.

Short of the Glory of God

   Even if the brothers understood and attempted to live up to Lodge teachings of moral conduct, and strove ever so hard to be considerate of their brethren, they still only attain a human righteousness which is far from the righteousness of God.
   In actual practice their human morals and ideals break down because human righteousness can extend only as far as the human character can back it up. Many are able to help and encourage one another as long as doing so remains profitable to themselves, but who among them can afford to help others at his own personal expense, especially over an extended period of time; and who among them has the character to withstand all the temptations of vanity, greed, and lust which life presents?
   During their conventions, Shriners take over whole towns, influencing police and officials so that they are free to do whatever they please. Who among them is seeking law and order? Who even tries to put aside foolishness, drunkenness, and fornication?
   These men would do well to ponder their actions, not in the light of the pagan doctrine of the "Brotherhood of Man," but in the true light of God's Word. The fourth and fifth chapters of Ephesians should convince any of the open-minded in their ranks that their way — Masonry — is wrong. In Chapter 5, verses 1 through 5, Paul instructs the brethren:
   "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savior. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking nor jesting (ribaldry), which are not convenient(befitting): but rather, giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God."
   Without the practice of some of these forbidden characteristics there would be no masonry!

Ignorance Understandable

   With this expose' and explanation of Freemasonry, it is hoped that the function of the fraternity is not only clear, but that the ignorance of its members may be made understandable. The Lodge rituals, as seen by the average initiate, appear harmless. He is not told what he will encounter in the Lodge before he is admittedly that nothing will be required of him which is against the laws of God and his duty to his state or family. The fact that this is a lie is seldom discovered by him because nothing is revealed until he has been psychologically prepared to receive it. This is done by the use of solemn prayer before each undertaking, and scripture quotations are read which seem to give divine sanction. All is done in such a way that it seems right and good to the gullible candidate who is blinded by his desire to receive new and mysterious light and to be counted among the wise, honorable, and prosperous.
   It is further hoped that this writing will provide church members with clear and accurate answers to questions on Masonry, and that they might be able to help others who are truly seeking to obey God. Such men, when their minds have been opened, can surely be shown where membership in the Masonic Lodge, as much as membership in any of the denominations, is incompatible with obedience and service to God. Avoiding Unnecessary Persecution.
   As was stated earlier, this series is not written for general publication, but for those members of the true Church who seek God's way of life. It would be a pointless waste of time and truth to try to convince others. They are satisfied with their status and would only turn again to rend you.
   If the material contained herein were published in such a way as to threaten the popularity of the Lodge, retaliation such as was brought against the Apostle Paul at Ephesus (see Acts 19:24-41) would surely result. The craftsmen who built the pagan shrines to Diana, which were mentioned earlier, were angry with Paul because he persuaded many to turn away from heathenism. The reason for the craftsmen's anger is given in verse 27. These are the words of the silver-smith, Demetrius, who reasoned, ". not only our Craft is in danger to be set at naught; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.9' (This temple to Diana was one of the so-called "seven wonders of the world").
   The fact that Masons proudly claim these ancient craftsmen such as Demetrius for their progenitors is recorded in the General History, Cyclopedia and Dictionary of Freemasonry, an authentic, Masonic work. It says that the traveling Masons (ancient craftsmen), from whom they supposedly derive their origin, built this same temple to Diana for the Kings of Asia (p.11).
   If these early artificers persecuted the Church in Paul's time because they feared that their craft and religion would suffer, their modern counterpart will not hesitate to do so today. Therefore, each one of you must use wisdom in order that unnecessary persecution may be prevented.

Demitting

   If it becomes your duty to advise a Mason to quit the Fraternity, do NOT tell him to stir up trouble for himself by going to the Secretary of his Lodge(or any other member) and announcing his opposition. This action would probably cause him to receive needless persecution. Usually it is better to withdraw by simply ceasing to pay dues and ceasing to attend meetings. The Lodge will drop him from its rolls quicker for nonpayment of dues than for any other reason. This, in it self, is a clue to the real motives behind the Craft!
   This method might cause Masons to encourage his resumed participation, but it will not bring the persecution that Masons have sworn to bring against those who oppose them or their teachings.
   The ex-Mason should realize, however, that withdrawing membership from the Lodge does not of itself release him from the many oaths he has taken. If he really believed, at the time, that he took the oaths to Almighty God, and unless these oaths prevent him from serving God and obeying His Laws, he should consider himself bound by them (Numbers 30:2).

Satan's Hapless Victims

   One cannot pass from the subject of Freemasonry without reflecting on the futility of the struggle of its victims, and feeling sorry for the gullible ones who have been led into its inner chambers like sheep to the slaughter.
   All they have for their efforts is certain material advancement which does not endure past the grave. As they laboriously ascended the "winding stairs," they were promised rich rewards for their labor. But instead of eternal truth, they were given fables. Instead of developing the righteous character of God, they grew in the unholy character of selfishness and greed through seeking extra privileges for themselves to the exclusion of others. Instead of growing in true knowledge, they tickled their vanity with mysterious phrases and symbols which meant nothing, but were empty and void, only to be told at the end of their wearisome journey that the Mason must ever be in search of truth, but will never find it.
   This august secret, the object of all their labors, is indeed, a humiliating reward.
   It is the reward of a cruel god (Satan) who deceives his worshipers into believing that divine truth can never be acquired in this life. Diabolically, his victims are taught by Masonic instruments that their ignorance must remain until they are raised from their graves and the knowledge of life is revealed.
   They never suspect that the reason they will not know truth in this life is that they have chosen the WRONG WAY AND THE WRONG GOD! (Elliot JR. The Truth About Masonry. Radio Church of God, 1961)

Perhaps I should mention that the membership of Freemasonry is believed to be lower in the 21st century than it was in the 20th.

Bible Prophecy and the Freemasons

Now, as far as the few Freemasons that I have knowingly met, all seemed like normal decent people.

None ever tried to cram freemasonry on me. One answered questions I asked, politely.

While there are many 'conspiracy theories' about Freemasons on the internet, I would prefer to directly tie what we actually know about the Freemasons, other groups, and what Bible prophecy teaches.

Freemasons are ecumenical--though some are really athiests.

It is the ecumenical/interfaith part of freemasonry that I believe Satan will clearly use--ecumenism is part of Satan's Plan.

European Freemasons are considered a bit more secularist and 'radical' than those of the USA. They seem to have interest in supporting an ecumenical multi-nation state.

The Vatican, or at least its current Pope Francis, is ecumenical. The United Nations is basically ecumenical as well.

Ecumenical types tend to believe that some version of ecumenism will lead to peace.

While the Bible does prophecy a peace deal BEFORE Jesus returns (see The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27), that deal will only be temporary:

26 And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).

The above is a reference to a European power confirming a temporary "one week" (seven-year) peace deal that will be broken in the middle of it. We know this is a European power as it was a European power that destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary/temple there in 70 A.D. (Roman General Titus led the battle). (Watch also Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?)

Now, while the leader above is called a prince in Daniel 9:26, he is later referred to as a king (Daniel 11:27) by the time he breaks the deal in Daniel 11:

31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. (Daniel 11:31).

The Bible tells that this one will deceitfully arise promoting peace:

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25, KJV).

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24, NKJV)

Some small group is going to back this leader. It is not certain that it is Freemasons or the Illuminati or something like that, but somehow there are supporters of the Beast's agenda.

Consider that the Bible warns of a power with a compromised religion (Revelation 17) that is involved in politics:

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." 3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 17:1-5)

It would seem reasonable that both the Vatican and the Freemasons would support this.

Let me add that it has long been my position, based on scriptures such as Daniel 11:38, that the Beast leader would, temporarily, feign a changed type of Roman Catholicism. So much so, that he would perhaps initiate a 'new order' within Roman Catholicism.

I do not believe he will truly be a believer in Roman Catholicism, but will use that faith and persuade it to compromise. He and the false prophet/beast of the earth, will promote a compromised version of Roman Catholicism, but not really even believe that.

Vatican involvement is clearly shown with the beast:

7 ... I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her ... 9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. (Revelation 17:7,9)

According to even Roman Catholic scholars the seven mountains/hills are a reference to Rome.

Notice a similarity to how the Beast gains his power and what we previously read in Daniel 11:23-24:

12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

Both the Vatican and the Freemasons have supported the European Union and various European goals. It may very well be that at least one of the kings who will support the Beast will have connections to the Freemasons, and perhaps be a member.

Notice the following from Zenit.org, a pro-Vatican news organization:

Freemasonry’s Influence in Europe

MADRID, Spain, JAN. 30, 2005 (Zenit.org).- To understand what is happening in Europe, the phenomenon of Masonry must be taken into account, says Protestant historian César Vidal. ...

Vidal says that “the secularist current promoted by the government headed by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero shares more than enough Masonry’s rank anti-clericalism.” ...

Q: What role does it have and might have in the European Union?

Vidal: Enormous if one takes into account that the project of the European Constitution has been promoted by a Freemason who has excluded mention of the continent’s Christian roots and, in addition, has insisted on the inclusion of an article that subjects the Churches to the different nations but frees “philosophical organizations” from that obligation. ...

Q: What percentage of Freemasons are there at present?

Vidal: Without a doubt, very small. In France it is said that they are not more than 0.6% of the population. However, that has not prevented their controlling the Socialist International or their spreading in the Right itself, through personalities such as Giscard D’Estaing. https://zenit.org/articles/freemasonry-s-influence-in-europe/ accessed 10/19/18

Now, it should be pointed out the in the Lisbon treaty, there was a reference to Christianity in Europe. Freemason leaders may well decided to compromise to try to get along better with the Vatican.

Here is another report related to Freemasonry and Europe where a Roman Catbolic magazine interviewed a convert (Christophe Flipo) who previously held high positions within Freemasonry:

June 5, 2023

In France specifically, there is a widespread atheist republican Masonry, which wants to “create a better world,” notably through what they describe as “freedom of conscience.” This type of Freemasonry is much more present in France and is somewhat widespread in Europe. It’s a political masonry that wants to change society, by tackling political issues such as education, instruction, euthanasia and so on. ... the Grand Orient de France, and the overwhelming majority of the Grande Loge de France, want to change society because they are atheists. When you’re an atheist, there’s no Hope; spirituality is reduced to creating a better world. ...

The atheist part of European Masonry has been greatly developed by the Grand Orient de France. For example, when Poland was liberated from the communist yoke, many Poles were initiated. Some became masters and worshipful masters in a single day, performed all the rites and immediately set up lodges in Poland to get the country off the ground again, and to sort of “take over the market” altogether. The idea was to set up political currents of thought to create an alternative to communism. But they pulled out all the stops because they even recruited former communist generals who turned their backs on communism. All this was done under the aegis of the Grand Orient de France. https://www.ncregister.com/interview/freemason-christians-are-deeply-incoherent-says-former-worshipful-master

Despite their relatively small number, Freemasons may well be behind the one that becomes the Beast. Again, consider the following about the King of the North:

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. (Daniel 11:23)

This leader is only called a 'prince' in Daniel 9:26, but is called the King of the North in Daniel 11:40. The final King of the North is the Beast of the Sea of Revelation 13 and the Beast of Revelation 17. Notice that he has a small amount of real supporters. The King of the North of biblical prophecy seems to be the same person as the Great Monarch of Catholic prophecies (for details, check out the article The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies and/or watch the videos Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies).

Now, although the beast and supporters appear to be in league with the Vatican (as the first 13 verses of Revelation 17 support), notice that supporters of the Beast will turn against the Church of Rome:

15 Then he said to me, "The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:15-18)

Well "that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth" is a reference to the compromised Church of Rome.

Now, presuming that there was Masonic support for the rise of the Beast, there may also be Masonic support for the destruction of the Church of Rome.

Notice also the following:

David Pollock, president of the European Humanist Federation, told EUobserver. “Some of the Grand Lodges are secularist organisations, and strongly for separation of church and state, but they also retain all sorts of gobbledygook and myths such as the Great Architect of the Universe.”

Emerging in the late 16th century in England and subsequently spread throughout the world, the Freemasons split in 1877 between the English-speaking lodges and their continental counterparts over the question of god. Anglophone Freemasons require that their members believe in a deity, while continental freemasons do not. ...

According to the commission’s Ms von Schnurbein, Brussels views the Freemasons as a “community of conscience interconnected throughout Europe,” and “a form of humanist organisation.”

She dismissed concerns that while churches and atheist groups are free for anyone to join, membership in the Freemasons, a private organisation of men, with some separate Grand Lodges for women, is by invitation only and requires initiation fees and an annual subscription. https://leighphillips.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/the-eus-very-odd-atheist-and-freemason-summits/ accessed 10/19/18

So, European Freemasons are allowed to be atheists and a connected community throughout Europe.

Satan will one day, in my opinion, also exploit the historical animosity between the Masons and the Vatican.

Kind of like the Masons, the Beast will probably initially push tolerance for nearly all religions. But this will be a bit more like ancient Rome.

Ancient Rome tolerated other religions, just so long as Emperor worship was also included.

Now the Jews were granted an exception as their faith was considered so ancient that they did not have to engage in emperor worship.

But the Bible shows that the Beast will persecute Christians and it shows no such Jewish exception as ancient Rome had:

7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:7-10)

15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:15-18)

Like the Freemasons, the Beast will consider himself above all other oaths and religions (cf. Daniel 11:36-39).

His supporters will turn against Catholicism (Revelation 17:15-18).

So, while we very may well see Masonic support for the Church of Rome's ecumenical and interfaith agenda, this too will apparently not last.

The Church of Rome will be destroyed.

Freemasonry, particularly European freemasonry, may be a part of it.

So how may freemasonry fulfill prophecies in the Bible?

By supporting the ecumenical-interfaith agendas of the coming European Beast, and later by turning against the Church of Rome as is prophesied in Revelation 17.

In Summary, Freemasons May Have an End Time Role

There is a secret society called Freemasons.

They have practices and beliefs that Bible-believing Christians could not accept, hence no Church of God Christian should ever join that organization. Many Freemasons in Europe are atheists.

Their biggest secret seems to be that there is no secret and when one gets to the top of their ladder, one realizes that Freemasonry does not have answers and one will never know. (To learn about the answers to some of the biggest questions, check out the free online book: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God create you?).

But be cautious about conspiracy theories related to the Masons (cf. Isaiah 8:12). And you can be sure that Armageddon will not happen in 2022 (see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).

We know that historically, there has been animosity between Freemasonry and Roman Catholicism.

However, the Masons have wanted a Pope like Francis and may well like any successor he may have even better.

Since the Vatican and the Masons share similar ecumenical and interfaith goals, they may well temporarily come together for a time.

The Vatican and Freemasons also share similar roles for Europe.

The King of the North Beast, that will rise up, will apparently feign a version of Roman Catholicism for a time.

But he and his supporters will turn against it.

The Masons may well be involved in that.

That is not a conspiracy theory, but this is consistent historically-available information as well as with biblical prophecies.

Here is a link to a related sermon: Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome.

Thiel B. Freemasonry and the Destruction of Rome? COGwriter (c) 2018 http://www.cogwriter.com/freemasonry.htm 2018 2019 2023 2024 0216

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