Pergamos Men Conquer and Rule The Seat of Satan...
http://yadayahweh.com/chapter.aspx?g=5105&i=51503
Before we examine what Yahushua had to say about the assembly, or
"church" that would serve as the "seat of Satan," please remember that
these
open letters should be analyzed the same way we reviewed Genesis one.
Three
perspectives are evident in the one account.
First, there is the obvious historical context. Seven actual
assemblies, located within a relatively short distance of each other, all
in
the Roman province of Asia, in today's western Turkey, displayed seven
different spiritual profiles. By cracking open our history books we will
discover why these specific, and otherwise insignificant, assemblies were
called out for examination.
Second, as with all of Yahuweh's prophecies, there are important
lessons for every local ekklesia, and indeed every called-out individual.
The conditions praised and scorned coexist side by side. We can scrutinize
our lives in the light of these letters, to assess whether we are being
commended or chastised.
Third, there is a prophetic element. Each assembly represents a
broad
period of church history. Yahushua's commentary presents their most
salient
manifestations, good and bad, over the course of the past 2,000 years.
However, there are echoes of each of these assemblies in evidence
simultaneously throughout the age, just as there were in John's day.
As we discovered in the last chapter, we can date the Smyrna era
precisely because it speaks of "ten days" of persecution, a condition that
began under Nero in 67 CE and culminated under Diocletian in 303 CE. The
Pergamos chapter begins nine years later with the emergence of General
Constantine in 312 CE. Yahuweh is crediting him with establishing a
hierarchal religion that would serve as the seat of Satan's influence.
Pergamos was forty-five miles north of Smyrna. It was the Sin City
of
its day-one of the most religious places on earth. The people were known
as
"the temple-keepers of Asia." The largest shrine belonged to the Grecian
sun
idol Zeus, but the city was acclaimed for being the headquarters of the
serpent god, Asklepios. I suspect they recognized that the sungod and the
serpent represented the same spirit, but they might not have known that
they
both were kleptos-Greek, for "those who steal men's souls."
In this religious haven, the favorite spirit of the people was
Bacchus, the Greek god of carousing, drinking and orgies. Bacchus modeled
many of Osiris' traits who was in turn based upon the sungods Adonis,
Ba'al,
Bel, and Tamuz, digressing in time from the Egyptians to the Phoenicians,
Assyrians and Babylonians. Satan has always found it handy to change his
names and disguises. It's easier and more beguiling than changing his
nature. Today, Catholics commemorate the end of the Babylonian pagan rite
of
Lent, by celebrating the Bacchanalia under its new name "Mardi Gras." Lent
itself is based upon the Babylonian practice of weeping for Tammuz-the Son
of the Sun.
As we shall see as we journey into the Messiah's letter, the initial
doctrines of Roman Catholicism become clearly evident in Yahushua's words.
Moreover, from this point on, the Roman Catholic Church began to live up
to
its name, becoming "Universal." They became by default, the only possible
candidate for God's scathing indictment. By the time Constantine had
finished converting Mithraism-the violent and politicized sungod
religion-into Christianity, there were no other significant churches to
kick
around.
Alright, now that we are more cognizant of who Yahushua must be
talking about, it time to recall an old enemy. Remember the Nicolaitanes,
those whom the Ephesus Assembly kept at bay? Well, the Pergamosians wasn't
so conscientious. They not only ignored Yahuweh's advice, failing to
expose
and condemn them and their false doctrines, they accepted and endorsed
their
spirit of universalism. The "church" was poisoned with false teaching
(corrupting the mind), sexual immorality (corrupting the body) and
Gnosticism (corrupting the soul). The Nicolaitane's hierarchal class of
clerics became commonplace. Even their names-pope, cardinal, priest, monk,
and nun-and their costumes-black, white, and red robes and hats-were
borrowed from a pagan past. These politicized clerics used religion and
politics to rule over the populous. While these concepts were born in the
demonic cesspool of Babylon, Pergamos marked the place in which Yahuweh's
Called-Out Assembly was first poisoned by Satan's caustic brew. The
Babylonian deceptions Halal ben Shachar had so carefully concocted,
seasoned, and stirred as his counterfeit religion would be amalgamated
into
Christendom courtesy of a demon possessed pagan sungod worshiper named
Constantine during the Pergamosian era.
Yahuweh's disdain for a politicized and hierarchal clergy is
something
about which most Christians remain unaware. The Nicolaitane doctrine that
He
will again condemn in Pergamos literally means "to conquer and rule over
the
people." Today, and for nearly 1,700 years, a clerical chain of command
has
formed the basis of Roman Catholicism. And it began during the Pergamos
period.
In the apostolic era, all anointed leaders were elected through
democratic process. Ordinary lay folk voted for other ordinary lay people
using a system of black and white stones. Moreover, everyone who served
had
a job and earned a living doing something else. There were no full time
clerics. The priesthood and pastors are a legacy of Roman Catholicism, who
in turn borrowed the scheme from the Babylonians, Egyptians and
Nicolaitans.
In the latter years of the Pergamos assembly, the Nicolaitanes made
a
successful bid to completely overthrow the laity. At the Roman Senate of
499
CE, twenty-five full time clerics signed in as Cardinals. Pope Symmachus,
who was crowned as if he were king, endeavored to get rid of political
opponents and lay siege to universal power by excluding the Senate and
ordinary laymen from voting and holding office. He established a law that
said only the clergy of Rome could elect a pope. In time, these men would
claim absolute and supreme imperial power over everyone within their
grasp.
A council of bishops would declare the pope to be above mere mortals. The
religious, political, intellectual, and economic oppression of the Dark
Ages
was the result.
The corruption of the Anointed Way began in earnest in 312 CE when
the
Roman General Constantine claimed to have seen a sign in the sky,
motivating
him to aspire to the imperial throne. Thus dawns the Universal Era of
church
history. The vision the general claimed to have seen was a fiery cross
superimposed in front of the sun. He attests to hearing a voice cry out:
"In
this sign, conquer." Ignorant of the symbolism, Catholics believe that
this
miraculous signal formed the basis of Constantine's conversion to
Christianity, leading to the birth of the Roman Catholic Church. Yet
history
confirms an entirely different conclusion. Constantine's coinage continued
to be emblazoned with crosses in honor of Mithras, the Unconquerable Sun
(Sol Invictus). The voice was Satanas Diabolos.
As an interesting historic note, Constantine's conversion occurred
precisely 300 years before Satan would inspire Muhammad to lead Muslims in
jihad against all mankind. Men of similar character (actually, lack
thereof), one was to corrupt the message of Yahushua while the other was
to
repudiate it. One religion was for the confused, the other for the
comatose.
Both arose and thrive by oppression in milieus of ignorance and
indoctrination. No informed rational person could possibly tolerate
either.
And that is the lesson for us today, in this era in which evil has a
Trinity. In addition to the religion of the confused (Catholicism) and
comatose (Islam), we have a religion for conceited collectivists. The
religion of man is known by many names: Communism, Socialism, Fascism,
Secular Humanism, and the New World Order. It parades under the slogans:
Human Rights, the Rights of Man, the Dignity of Man, Humanism, Reason,
Enlightenment, Political Correctness, and Social Democracy. These
manifestations of evil-Confused, Comatose, and Conceited-share many things
in common. The leaders of all three strive to control people. Their modus
operendi is deception and indoctrination. They prevail because the
populous
is ignorant and apathetic.
Conquering people is the antithesis of the message taught by
Yahushua
but it is consistent with that of the Nicolaitans-the people and
principles
Yahushua hates. Moreover, there are no "crosses" in Scripture, so there
must
have been another basis for Constantine's symbolism. The Greek word
stauros,
meaning "upright pole" was changed to the Latin crux, for "cross" by the
Roman Catholic Church in their Vulgate to serve Satan and legitimize
Constantine. The first religious use of a cross was for Tammuz, the
Babylonian Son of the Sun. Catholics still celebrate his birthday every
Christmas.
Crosses attached to or superimposed on circles were the most common
Satanic symbols in pagan religions. The Egyptian Ankh, the Hindu Swastika,
the Druid "Peace Sign," and the Roman Chi Rho are all examples. The
scientific symbol for "woman," a circular sun with an external cross, was
first used in Babylon to designate the "Mother of God." The biological
male
designation, a circle with an arrow emanating from it, is also of
Babylonian
origin. It signified the sun, represented by the circle, sending a ray,
represented by the arrow, out to Mother Earth, impregnating her at the
Festival of Ishtar, celebrated on the Sunday nearest the Vernal Equinox.
True to the faith of Constantine, Catholics celebrate the Sun's
achievement
each year on Easter Sunday, nine months before the Sun God's nativity on
December 25th.
There are several explanations for the origin of the cross in
Satanic
sun god lore. It represented the first letter of Tammuz's name. And the
sun
"crosses" the equator at the Vernal Equinox, the day the Babylonians
believe
the sun impregnated mother earth giving birth to Tammuz nine months later
at
the Winter Solstice. Pagans celebrated Easter Sunday by baking sun-shaped
rolls with crosses cut into them. The custom continues with the baking of
Hot Cross Buns today. Constantine, and his "Sign of the Cross,"
ritualistically imitated by all Catholics today, elevated the Satanic
symbol
to universal acclaim.
As bad as all this is, it only gets worse. The High Priest of the
astrological fertility cult the Magi brought from Babylon to Pergamos held
the title of "Chief Bridge Builder," meaning "the one who spans the gap
between mortals and gods." In Latin this title is written "Pontifex
Maximus"
or Pontiff for short. In keeping with the arrogance of the Caesars, it was
adopted by Constantine in 325 CE. The emperor also called himself "the
Vicar
[the person who is authorized to perform the functions] of Christ." This
too
was contrary to Scripture because Yahushua alone is the bridge between man
and God. He said, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the Messiah Yahushua." (1Timothy 2:5)
In a move that many see as positive, Constantine declared an end to
Christian persecution. Forgetting for a moment that persecution actually
ended under Diocletian in 303 CE, twenty years before Constantine became
Emperor, the announcement was counter productive. It effectively ended the
effectiveness of the martyrs' witness-a testimony which had by then
inspired
an awesome number of Greeks and Romans to abandon paganism and follow The
Way. Recognizing their numbers and growth, Constantine's edict was
designed
to consolidate his power. There is no better way to control the masses
than
to claim the authority of God. That is why he declared that Christianity
was
the official state religion-a religion he himself was to officiate. Never
mind that Yahuweh never intended His covenant relationship to be a
"religion," much less political. But the Devil and his disciple had other
plans.
As the last Smyrna Epoch persecution took place, it was almost as if
Satan grumbled to himself, "This isn't working. I need a new strategy."
Under pressure, the Anointed Assembly had not died out; it had grown
stronger. It was hard to seduce hypocrites and heretics to corruption when
false illusions cost more than the breath it took to profess them.
Persecution kept the false prophets at bay, but the politicized church
opened the flood gates of hell. So, Halal ben Shachar, the Arrogant
Morning
Star (a.k.a. the sun god), figured, if murder and mutilation wouldn't
prevail against the Ekklesia, maybe success would. So he had his pal
Constantine "convert" to "Christianity," and, as Roman emperors were wont
to
do, he issued an edict that made the Roman world a Christian domain. The
reason "converted" is in quotes is because Constantine actually converted
Roman paganism, called Mithraism, into Christianity, rather than
converting
himself. The legacy of that solitary act has cursed us all, even to this
day.
While the Called-Out Assembly came out of the catacombs, the
celebration was short lived. Constantine had no intention of actually
letting Yahuweh prevail over him-he was the emperor of Rome, after all.
Besides, economically and socially, paganism would have to be accommodated
for the Roman economy to flourish. So he dressed up the old celestial
holidays in new, "Christian" costumes. It's called syncretization, but
what
it meant is that the most vital Scriptural truths were surrendered to
Satan.
Forgetting Tabernacles, the Winter Solstice Festival that commemorated the
son of the sun god's birthday in pagan Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome,
was
renamed Christmas. The Church kept the pagan tree and its decorations, the
yule designation, mistletoe, circular wreaths symbolizing the sun, and the
exchange of presents. Simultaneously, they forget Passover, replacing it
with the Babylonian-derived fertility bash, Ishtar. It had always been
celebrated on the Sunday nearest the spring equinox so that nine months
later, the Son of the Sun could be born. This purely pagan abomination was
syncretized by the Roman Catholic Church to commemorate "Christ's"
resurrection. (In actuality, Yahushua's resurrection occurred before
sunrise
so it was late on the Sabbath and not the morning of the first day of the
week.)
Satan being disingenuous, not stupid, had his Catholic cronies
corrupt
the Passover message by attributing the resurrection to Babylon's most
important festival. So arrogant were they, the "Church" didn't even bother
changing the name, day, or symbols for Easter. And sadly, Protestants were
no less cooperative. The authorized and thus politicized clerics who
translated the King James Bible actually replaced the name "Passover" with
"Easter" in their "Bible." Both Catholics and Protestants retained the
Babylonian cross, designating when the sun crossed the equator of mother
earth at the equinox. Both encouraged the slaughter and consumption of
swine, known today as the Easter Ham, although it was expressly forbidden
in
the Old Covenant and specifically denounced in Isaiah 65. Both encouraged
their faithful to scoff at Yahushua's sacrifice by teaching children about
the Babylonian fertility cult's "Easter Bunny," a rabbit whose "eggs" were
dipped in the colors of spring. It was perfect in a demonic sort of way.
Forgetting the Fourth Commandment and it's spiritual, historic, and
prophetic significance, Constantine, the founder of Catholicism, condemned
the Sabbath at the dawn of the Pergamos Era, making worship on that day a
capital offense. He wanted his idol, Mithras, the sun god, worshiped on
Sun-days. While many have filled entire books with Constantine's
satanically
inspired perversions of Yahuweh's teachings, I simply want to provide a
sampling.
Here is an interesting one: Constantine's historian, Eusebius,
recorded the following imperial edict in 321 CE, "All things whatsoever
that
it was the duty to do on the Sabbath, these we have transferred to the
Lord's
Day." Ba'al must have been pleased. Then he called Sunday "Sol Invictus
Mithras"-"the day of the Unconquerable Sun, Mithras." Under penalty of
death
he decreed that all within his empire must cease work on Sun-Day to honor
the sun god. America's Blue Laws are an abominable legacy.
Forgetting that Rome murdered the Messiah, and forgetting that
Yahushua was a Yahuwdy, Constantine at Satan's urging went on to say of
the
chosen people: "We will have nothing to do with the cursed wretches who
killed our Lord-nothing in common with the hostile rabble of the Yahudim."
And with that blow the Torah was replaced by the edicts of man. The
foundation of Yahuweh's message, the four thousand year old prophetic
witness that had provided mankind's lone light was extinguished. To have
"nothing in common with the Yahudim" is to exclude salvation as it comes
through the generosity of Yahushua, a Yahuwdy. With this edict, all
Catholics and all who follow their guidance would be damned, as mankind's
only chance of forming a relationship with Yahweh had been designated
illegal by a religion.
Satan left another fingerprint on Constantine's quote. The "Lord's
Day" is Satan's day. The name of the sun god worshiped by the Phoenicians
and Babylonians, Ba'al, means "Lord." For example, the Babylonian's
observed
the Ba'al Beriyth, known as the "Lord's Covenant." Lord/Ba'al and his
alias'
Adonis, Tammuz, Osiris, and Bacchus, were prototypes and forerunners of
Mithras. Halal ben Shachar, the pretend sungod, wanted to lord over
men-possessing an attitude and ambition he shared with the Catholic
clergy.
Tying it all together, Ba'al was worshiped in the likeness of a bull, a
golden calf with a circular sun disk between his horns. And that leads us
right back to Easter Sunday, the day the sun crosses the equator at the
vernal equinox. Each year when that happens the sun is in the
constellation
of Taurus-the bull.
The prophet Jeremiah, speaking for Yahuweh, revealed God's
perspective
on this subject. The mystery religion of Lord/Ba'al had spread from
Babylon
to Yisra'el. There it had been accepted by some and tolerated by others,
leaving the chosen people in a state of decay. Yahweh begins by
contrasting
His relationship to the politicized religious schemes of men. "'I am a
God/'Elohiym
of (min) close personal relationships (qarob - approachable and timeless
kinship),' declares Yahuweh, 'and not a Deity/'Elohiym of distant
separation
(rachowq - remoteness).' 'Can a man conceal himself from Me, hiding
secrets
that I do not see (ra'ah - observe, consider, and attend to)?' declares
Yahuweh. 'Do I not fulfill abundantly, accomplishing a satisfactory
confirmation (male - completely satisfy and proclaim sufficiently) in the
heavens (samayim) and earth?' proclaims Yahuweh." (Jeremiah 23:23-24)
Yahuweh has amply demonstrated His existence in the cosmos with the
enormity
of its magnitude and on earth with the complexity of its life. He has made
Himself known sufficiently through His Word and the witness of His people.
And He has proven that He inspired what we are reading by fulfilling
abundant prophecies.
Yet mankind, self-serving and self-reliant has elected to deceive,
destroy, and damn in an ill-fated quest for sex, power, and money. False
prophets have become as deadly as they have become ubiquitous, as ignorant
and they are arrogant. They occupy our statehouses, media houses,
educational institutions, businesses and sanctuaries. There is no escaping
them or their schemes. "'I have heard (shama' - received the news and
reports of) enchanters ('ashaph - sorcerers and magicians), prophets who
speak avowing ('amar - revealing their hearts and minds, arrogantly
boasting, inferring, promising and commanding) falsely (sheqer - with
misleading lies and deceptions, mistaken beliefs, disappointing
falsehoods,
deceit, fraud, and irrational vanity) in My name saying ('amar), "I have a
dream. I have a dream (chalam - a restoring revelation that will make us
strong)!" When and for how long (matay 'ad - to what degree, end, or
purpose) shall this be (yesh - exist) in the hearts and minds (leb - inner
nature, inclination, understanding, and thinking) of prophets who
communicate deceptively (sheqer - who verbally convey misleading lies and
deceptions based upon mistaken beliefs which will disappoint, who convey
falsehoods, frauds, and irrational vain shams)? For how long and for what
purpose (matay 'ad) will the spokesmen and heathen prophets (nambiy') of
treachery deceive (tormah - of fraud and deception delude; from ramah, an
elevated place or position of illicit religious worship which beguiles and
betrays, treacherously tricking) their hearts and minds (leb - inner
natures, inclinations, understandings, and thinking)?" (Jeremiah 23:25-26)
There is no doubt Yahuweh knows us. He is under no illusions. Too
bad
the same cannot be said for humankind. Look at what we have done to
ourselves in spite of Yahuweh's prophetic warning. "They invent and scheme
(chashab - calculate, fabricate, plot, and contrive, reckoning and
imputing
devices, planning to determine value and values) to cause My family ('am -
people, specifically Yisra'el) to forget and ignore (shakach - mislay and
become oblivious to) My personal name (shem - proper designation,
reputation, renown, information, title, honor, character, authority, and
position) by their dreams (chalowm - series of feelings, images, and
revelations) which through relationships and associations ('asher) they
relate and recount (caphar - rehearse, declare, and record; officially
enumerating in written material) to mankind ('iysh), to friends,
neighbors,
companions, fellow citizens and associates (rea'). Sadly broken and cowed
through intimidation (ka'ah - to have one's resolve and courage subdued
and
destroyed; to be disheartened and discouraged) as their fathers ceased to
care about, forgot and ignored (shakach - mislaid, allowing to wither,
becoming oblivious to) My name because of Ba'al (Ba'al - the proper name
of
the supreme male sungod divinity of the Babylonians, Phoenicians,
Canaanites, and now Israelites meaning Lord, Owner, and Master)?'"
(Jeremiah
23:27)
Proving Yahuweh right, the translators of every popular English
Bible
carelessly and inaccurately replaced Yahuweh's personal name with "LORD"
and
yet carefully and accurately transliterated Satan's moniker as "Ba'al."
These clerics, scholars, and pastors demonstrate a greater respect for the
Adversary than they do for the Creator and Savior.
Re'a, meaning "fellow countrymen, neighbors, ethnic groups,
companions, and associates," also implies people of "like mind, reasoning,
and thought." As such it speaks to the West today, people who have been
conditioned to think and respond collectively, embracing diversity and
multiculturalism as an interrelated family of man. In that the same two
Hebrew letters (????) also signify "evil, wickedness, rotten ugliness" and
"immorality," we have a good idea of what Yahuweh thinks of man's
replacement morality-political correctness.
This passage also explains the what, how, and why of the Catholic
Church's egregious and destructive deceptions during the Pergamos period.
They not only mislaid Yahuweh's name, causing mankind to forget the proper
designation of their Creator and Savior, though their associations with
governments and academia, they caused men to cower under their
intimidating
ruthlessness, misleading countless souls to their temporal and eternal
doom
and damnation. Each and every pope from Constantine to this present day
has
been a "false prophet, an enchanter who avowed that which was not true,
revealing their hearts and minds, arrogantly boasting false promises,
misleading lies, mistaken beliefs, and irrational vanities."
There is no greater testament to this than Emperor Constantine's
most
fatal blow to humanity. It occurred at the much politicized and ruthlessly
commandeered Nicene Council in 325 CE. There, the "unification of
doctrines"
created the Roman "Universal," or "Catholic" Church. Forgetting that
Jerusalem was, and always will be, Yahuweh's beloved and set-apart city,
these men in their lust for power, selected Constantinople and then Rome.
Never mind that Rome allies with the Antichrist in Revelation, or that the
fourth beast of Daniel's prophecy was Rome, or that Rome was the most
militaristic and pagan of nations, the most morally perverse place on
earth,
the nation which crucified the Messiah, the nation which ruthlessly
savaged
Yahuweh's chosen people, the nation which devastated and then renamed the
Promised Land, calling Yisra'el, Palistina. "Catholic" was no better. The
name was derived from the Latin catholicus, meaning "universal,"
signifying
the "Church's" universal authority. And recognizing that "Church" is based
upon the name of a pagan sun deity, the supreme deity of the Romans,
Constantine's Council was a universal abomination.
With Pergamos, Satan had found "Christianity's" Achilles heel. The
"Church" embraced the very thing Yahushua had commended the assembly at
Ephesus for resisting: the Nicolaitan heresy and the doctrine of
Balaam-compromise, human dominion, and overt Satanism. Starting with
Constantine, the Roman Catholic Church swallowed these poisons whole. By
accommodating pagan rites into the liturgy of the Church, a religion was
born. The intimate, eternal, and loving personal relationship Yahuweh
desired was scrapped for a stifling and deadly dogma.
For the Pergamosians, good works remained a priority, out of habit,
at
least for a while, but the rationale for them was on its way out. Love was
being replaced with duty, truth with deception, choice with compulsion,
and
relationship with religion. The time historians paint as Christianity's
brightest hour was the Ekklesia's darkest.
Within this "religious" context, the God who pronounces judgment and
absolves from judgment instructed John to write: "To the messenger of the
out-calling (ekklesia) in Pergamos write, 'These things relates He who
holds
the swift and sharp (oxus - keen and quick) double-edged (rhomphaia - dual
mouthed) spear (distomos - lance worn on the right shoulder; that which
pierces the soul; from stoma-mouth, by implication language [always used
in
reference to judgment]): I see and know (eido) the household (oikeios -
the
family, adherents, and community) where (pou) you reside (datoikeo - dwell
and are governed), the location where (hopou - the cause, case and
rationale
of; from hos, meaning who and what, and pou, meaning the place where) the
Adversary Satan's (Satanas - the Accuser's, the one who opposes, the evil
spirit's) seat of power (thronos - throne) is." (Revelation 2:12-13)
Yahushua begins by calling the most religious place on earth the
seat
of Satan's power. According to God there is a direct correlation between
religion and the Devil. The Adversary uses the universalism conceived by
Constantine during the Pergamos period to deceive, destroy, and damn the
unwary. Prophetically, Catholicism has just been called "Satan's
Household."
In the context of time, this indictment is especially chilling.
There
is no denying that the Pergamos period coincides with the end of Christian
persecution spoken of in the Smyrna letter and the birth of the hierarchal
church of compromise addressed in this epistle. Therefore, Catholicism is
the lone candidate for this indictment. The One who holds the lance
capable
of piercing souls says of this assembly and its adherents, "You live and
are
governed by the people and place where Satan does his bidding."
Prophetically, Catholicism is being called a community of and for demons.
So in this most hellish place and time, the Redeemer reminds us of
Jeremiah's admonition. "You have the power to accomplish through and are
received by way of (krateo - are strengthened and are possessed by
carefully
and faithfully holding fast to) My proper name (onoma - deriving benefits
through remembering, mentioning, and using the authority associated with
My
name). Do not disavow or contradict (arneomai - reject, refuse, abrogate,
or
deny) your conviction in the truth (pistis - trustworthiness and
reliability) of Me (mou), even also (kai) in the days in which Antipas was
My trustworthy and trusting (pistos) witness (martus - genuine example and
martyr), who was killed beside you (para - among you in opposition,
holding
a contrary view), where (hopou - the cause, the case, and the raison
d'être)
of the Adversary Satan (Satanas - the accuser who opposes) dwells,
influences, pervades, prompts, and governs (katoikeo - permanently resides
and is present)." (Revelation 2:13)
The Pergamos ekklesia earned but a solitary line of praise, one that
was more useful advice than a commendation. And it was for something we
"Christians" no longer understand or do: "how to rely upon and use the
power
and strength" of Yahushua's "name." Not one in a thousand "Christians"
even
knows Yahuweh's name. We have had done to us, courtesy of the Catholic
Church, what the Jews of Jeremiah's day had done to them by way of their
priests. Men have schemed to cause us to forget that salvation,
relationship, and life all flow from a singular source: Yahuweh and His
redemptive manifestation, Yahushua.
The second lesson is that "trust" in the "trustworthiness" of
Yahushua
is what is essential, not our faith or even our faithfulness. To receive
His
gift of eternal life, to be productive as a witness, we must not disavow
or
contradict, reject, refuse, or deny the truthfulness and reliability of
Yahushua.
Third, conviction, when it's grounded in truth, makes one a worthy
witness. Antipas was trustworthy because he was trusting, and for no other
reason. Antipas, whose name means "in opposition to the fathers," was a
contrarian and thus antiestablishment. His example was worthy of Divine
acclaim because he opposed the religious influence and pervasive
government
of Satan that was evolving in his presence. This is the third time in just
three letters, that Yahushua has praised what the world condemns:
intolerance.
And finally, this prophetic indictment of the Roman Catholic Church
is
even more stinging than the last. The Pergamos period marks the time in
which a "pervasive and influential governing authority" began to
"permanently reside in the presence of the people" in open opposition to
those with the conviction to witness to the truth. For over a thousand
years
since the founding of Roman Catholicism by Constantine, they have
condemned
all who have dared expose their deceit, calling Yahushua's martus
"heretics," and then killing them.
The doctrine of the Balaam, discussed in this next passage, can be
found in Numbers chapter 22-25. It is also covered in Second Peter, a
letter
that will form the basis of our next chapter. Admonitions against the
religion of Lord/Ba'al form the basis of Hosea and Jeremiah. Scripture
tells
us that Balaam was a pagan priest who practiced witchcraft in Babylon. He
was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. When Yahuweh
restrained Balaam, his shrewd and wicked religious clerics invited the
Yahudim to the licentious feast of Baal-peor. We find the results of this
evil assembly in the verse: "Yisra'el remained in Shittim (sitiym - those
who hate, are opposed, and bear a grudge, cherishing animosity, resisting
and acting adversarially). The people ('am - family) became profane,
defiled, desecrated and polluted (halal - pierced and wounded,
disrespectful
and irreverent, acting dishonorably) committing acts of fornication,
becoming harlots and whores (zanah - as and with unfaithful religious cult
prostitutes) in sexual intercourse with ('el) the daughters (bath - the
young girls) of Moab (Mow'ab - a son of Lot by his eldest daughter;
meaning
from her father). And they called (qara' - summoned and invited) the
people
('am - family) to the sacrifices (zebach - offerings of animals killed and
presented as an act of worship, expiation, or propitiation to a deity) to
their gods ('elohiym). And the people ate and bowed down, prostrating
themselves in homage (shachah) to their gods. Yisra'el joined (tsamad -
attached herself and became bound together with, shared common beliefs and
worshiped) Ba'al-Pa'owr (ba'al pa'owr - the Lord's wide and gaping
opening).
Yahuweh's anger was kindled against (harah - became hot and furious,
burning
against) Yisra'el." (Numbers 25:1-3)
Ba'al (Lord), Bel (Lord), Ba'al-Pa'owr (the Lord's Opening), and
Ba'al-Beriyth
(the Lord's Covenant) are derivations and expansions on Halal's name and
title, "Lord"-which may be why the basis of his name, "halal," was
imbedded
in this passage. In this light it's hard to fathom why every English Bible
erases Yahuweh's personal name from the text He inspired and replaces it
with the name of the false god the real God just condemned.
The doctrine of Ba'al is for those who dwell in Shittim-"the place
where God is opposed and hated, the place of the adversary who bears a
grudge." Satan found one of mankind's biggest weaknesses, a gapping hole
he
could exploit-sexual perversion. It is little wonder that the Socialist
Secular Humanists advocating Political Correctness and the New World
Order,
advocate licentiousness. But be forewarned. If you choose to defile
yourself
irreverently, committing acts of fornication in accordance with man's
revised morality, bowing down to their false gods and errant doctrines,
and
share their beliefs, you will be seen as having joined them. Attached to
them, you will share their fate, enduring Yahuweh's anger.
Now that you know who the players are, and what's at stake, here's
what Yahushua said next to the Pergamosians. As I have suggested several
times in the past, I encourage you to read the bold text of these next two
verses through first, prior to considering the full implications of each
word.
Yahushua transitions from His lifesaving advice to the name of the
adversary in a single word: "In opposition (allah - as the antithesis and
on
the contrary) I hold (echo - possess, have, and view) a few things against
you, because you hold fast to (echo - have relations with, are possessed
by,
and are joined to) that place where (ekei) the control and power of
(krateo - the ruling Lords and Masters possess, obtain, seize, manipulate,
and retain) the doctrines and teachings (didache - public religious
instructions) of Balaam (a transliteration of the name of the false and
demonic Babylonian prophet) are taught (didasko - delivered as a discourse
from an official teacher, preacher, or politician). Balak (the Moabite
king)
throws (ballo - scatters not caring where something falls, acquiesces
regardless of the result) a snare (skandalon - the trigger of a trap, a
stumbling block that leads to entrapment and death, an impediment placed
in
one's way) in front of (enopion - in the presence of, before and against)
the children of ??? (placeholder for Yisra'el, meaning, those who endure
with and are empowered by God) to eat things sacrificed to idols
(eidolothuton - compound of eidolon, an image or likeness, real or
imaginary, and thuo, to sacrifice), and to commit prostitution, engage in
immorality, and practice idolatry (porneuo - sexual acts with harlots,
fornication, the defilement of the body for money, indulgences, the
worship
of false gods, and fertility cult religious practices). Indeed (kai), in
this manner (houto) you likewise (homoios - similarly and in the same way)
regard, possess and hold (echo - have relations with and join, wearing the
garb of) those who are empowered by and gain custody over people through
(krateo - control and oppress by way of, seize power and rule through,
grabbing and maintaining possession by means of) the teachings (didache
instructions and doctrines, the religious assemblies) of the Nicolaites,
who
and which (hos) I hate (miseo - abhor, detest, oppose, and persecute)."
(Revelation 2:14-15)
Had there been any doubt, it has now been eliminated. The doctrine
of
the Nicolaitans, the people and dogma Yahushua hates, has been defined in
unequivocal terms. So that we wouldn't miss the connection between the
Whore
of Babylon and the Nicolaites, Yahshua used two different words to convey
"in like manner" and "similarly." The name Nicolaites, which means "to
utterly vanquish the laity and obtain superiority over people through
opposition and conquest" has been linked directly to the prophets of Ba'al
and thus to Satanism, to the politics of power and control, to the
religious
rites of the Whore of Babylon, to purposeful deception and false teaching,
to oppression, idolatry, and immorality. Yahshua has connected the dots
for
us, defining that which He despises. The Nikolaites embraced the errors of
Lord/Ba'al and his Babylonian sungod religion. Those who advocated these
doctrines caused people to stumble, ensnaring and entrapping them. They
promoted sexual immorality and idolatry as human rights. They coveted sex,
money, and power and trampled over people in the name of religion to
acquire
what they craved.
Krateo isn't a pleasant word. What little was left to our
imagination,
was illuminated by its use in connection with the human and satanic
schemes
Yahuweh abhors. It is most often translated "to seize power and arrest
people, to take, restrain, and hold others in submission." According to
the
Greek poet Homer, krateo means "to possess power through strength, to have
the power to control and lord over people." It is used of political,
religious, and military officials who "gain the upper hand through
conquest." Such people "control the masses by imprisoning their
opponents."
Those who krateo believe "they have the right to possess people, places,
and
things." As such, krateo is the foundation of today's three greatest
menaces: Communism, Catholicism, and Islam. Under Weishaupt's and Marx's
banner, Mao, Lenin, and Stalin murdered 70 million people in their
conquests
of control. Constantine's "Under this sign conquer" and Muhammad's "I have
been made victorious through terror," all speak to man's lust for power
and
control.
In His letter to those enduring the Pergamos period, Yahshua focused
on false teaching-just as He had done with Ephesus and Smyrna. Bad ideas
are
a much bigger problem than bad behaviors because one not only leads to the
other, false doctrines separate us from Yahuweh. Our Creator is intolerant
of false teachings and false teachers. In this regard, the Greek word
"echo"
is interesting. If one has relations with those who retain and use the
words
of false prophets, they will come to hold them too. If one even associates
with those who proclaim false religions, they will echo their deceptions.
They will become a victim of their quest for power and control.
I also find it interesting that the word which defines the moral
meltdown of mankind today, "porneuo," is directly associated with
idolizing
the wrong thing, indulging the flesh rather than celebrating the spirit.
All
of it is Satanic-born and bred in Babylon by the Devil himself. Halal
wants
to be Ba'al, Lord and Master. He lies so as to snare us, creating a
stumbling block that leads to death and destruction, to proneuo, hoping
that
we will echo the false notions that Yahuweh detests.
Yahushua's warning to those caught in the web of religious,
political,
and societal lies is unequivocal. "Therefore (oun - consequently, these
things being so, indeed as a result) change your way of thinking (metanoeo
-
reconsider and amend your ways, change your mind and adjust your
attitudes),
or (de - moreover, or then) otherwise (ei - but if not) I will appear
(erchomai - come forth and become known) to you suddenly (tachu - quickly
and momentarily without delay) and will be engaged in a war, fighting,
quarreling, and disputing (polemeo - battling) with (meta) him or her
(autos - as a unique individual, distinct and set apart from others) with
piercing and cutting words (rhomphaia stoma - sharp language, a biting
tongue, the lance of the mouth, and spearing speech)." (Revelation 2:16)
This is directed at those who simply echoed or clung to the false
and
oppressive teachings of Universalism, better known as Catholicism. Man has
been put on notice. Death will come quickly and when it occurs, those
individuals who opted for religion instead of relationship will appear
before an unrelenting God. His words will pierce his or her soul. There
will
be no excuses in this dispute. None of man's pleas will help: "I went to
mass." "I supported the church." "I said my prayers." "I tried my best and
led a good life." Yahuweh's sharp and hostile words will cut through all
of
this, leaving the victim of religion finding themselves on the wrong side
of
the law.
The value of close Scriptural scrutiny becomes especially evident
when
we consider Yahushua's parting comments to the Pergamos Ekklesia. English
Bibles render "leukos psephos" as "white stone." While that is a
permissible
rendering, it misses the entire significance of Yahshua's message. "He who
has the ability to listen, let him hear what the ??? (placeholder for
ruach,
meaning Spirit, from the Greek pneuma, meaning spirit) says to the
ekklesia/out-calling. To him who overcomes and prevails I will give manna
(manna - a transliteration of the Hebrew man, or bread for heaven) in
secret
to eat. And I will give (didomi - grant and bestow, furnish and deliver,
reach out, extend, and present a present to) him a light (leukos - that
which is bright and brilliant, dazzling and shining white, radiant and
gleaming) acquittal stone and invitation (psephos - a white rock which was
used in courts to designate a favorable verdict; a rock used as an
invitation to a feast; from pselaphao, meaning to seek after, touch and
feel
the token of a person), and upon (epi) the acquittal stone (psephos -
invitation) a new and distinctive (kainos - renewed, more valuable,
impressive, and superior) name (onoma - character, authority, rank,
resolution, and advantage associated with the personal moniker) in written
words engraved (grapho - expressed and described in writing) which (hos -
who) no one (ouden) knows (oida - appreciates and understands, is aware
of,
recognizes and can be sure of) save (eime - except) him who takes hold of
it
(lambano - is offered, receives, accepts, associates with and holds onto
[Him]).'" (Revelation 2:17)
A "token" is a "symbol, an outward sign, an indication, a
characteristic, an expression, or manifestation of someone or something
that
distinguishes them." All three of Yahuweh's favorites are included in this
list. He is the "Rock of our Salvation." He is "Light." He is "the Word."
Because psephos was used as an "invitation to a banquet" it is Yahushua's
ticket to paradise.
There is some dispute as to whether Yahushua said oida/knows or
oikeios/family member, relative or household in this verse. The oldest
texts
show a blending of these words. And in a way, it makes no difference. To
know the "most valuable, impressive, and superior name" is to know Yahuweh
because Yahuweh is the name of whom Yahushua was speaking. To know Yahuweh
is to become a member of His eternal family, to become a son or daughter
of
God, and to live in His household.
Speaking to the Philadelphian Assembly of renewed souls who have
become upright pillars in Yahuweh's Tabernacle in Revelation 3:12 through
the gift of salvation, Yahushua says that He will write Yahuweh's name on
them. This is consistent with the Old Covenant where Isaiah reveals: "So
therefore (ken - this is right, just, honest, verifiable, correct, and
true), My family ('am - relatives) shall know (yada' - possess an
awareness
of and information regarding it that focuses on relationship, be
acquainted
with it in a relational sense, discern and recognize) My name (shem)."
(Isaiah 52:6)
Similarly, the conclusion of the 22nd Psalm confirms as much: "The
entire world shall return and be restored (shuwb - turn around and think
differently, reestablishing Spiritual relations, refreshed and renewed)
thinking about, paying attention to, recalling, and confessing (zakar -
being brought to remembrance so as to declare, recite, proclaim, and
commemorate) Yahuweh.. Posterity shall serve Him, and it shall be recorded
and recounted (saphar - inscribed and proclaimed) to the foundation of the
Upright One ('edon), for a place to dwell over time (dowr - a house,
dwelling place, and tabernacle). They shall come conspicuously announcing,
exposing and declaring (nagad - explaining and manifesting) His
vindication
(tsadaqah - declaration of innocence) to a family ('am) that shall be born
that He has accomplished (asah - instituted and bestowed) this." (Psalm
22:27, 30-31)
In the Torah, the same message comes through loud and clear: "By the
greatness and magnitude (gadowl) of Your sacrificial Lamb (zarow'a), they
[the Lord/Ba'al serving adversaries] will be silenced (damam). Now and
forever ('ad - eternally and continually throughout time) the Rock ('eben
-
the stone which establishes and restores) passes over ('abar) the family
('am) of Yahuweh, eternally ('ad) passing over ('abar) the family ('am)
whom
(zu) You acquired by purchasing them in a redemptive act (qanah)." (Exodus
15:13)
Do you yada'/know Yahuweh? Are you part of His 'am/family? Have you
been qanah/redeemed by the zarow'a/sacrificial lamb? Are you
tsadaqah/vindicated? Are you shuwb/restored? Do you serve the
'edon/upright
one? Do you zakar/confess Yahuweh's shem/name? Or are you religious,
swimming in the cesspool of the Church?
If Yahushua were addressing a letter to you, would it include
commendation or condemnation? Would you be Ephesian or Pergamosian? The
answer is based entirely upon what you understand, who you know, what you
trust, who you rely upon, what you condemn and what you commend.
Sadly, more than a billion people are still living under the
influence
of Pergamos. The Church born under Constantine is as it has always been:
the
seat of Satan's power. But the emperor wasn't the last bad influence on
the
assembly. A new epoch begins in 606 CE, with the crowning of Boniface III,
the first united and universal Pontifex Maximus. As we shall learn, he
raised the stakes, kicking God out of the Church, he invited Satan in. The
Dark Ages followed.
Some Catholics will protest that it isn't fair to pin all of this
Satanic stuff on them. But Yahushua's description fits them perfectly in
every respect, right down to the most incriminating details. Constantine's
creation did everything Yahushua's rails against, incorporating one
Babylonian scheme into the Church after another, and he did them precisely
when God said he would. So that being historically irrefutable, Catholics
are left to protest that if it weren't for them there would have been no
church. But that's simply not true. The Way grew faster and was healthier
before Constantine than after him. The General turned Emperor adapted and
then adopted Christianity as the state religion because he would have lost
control had he not done so.
And that is the bottom line. Religion has always been about control.
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