SYMBOLS: A popular practice among ancient pagan religions was to use man-made artifacts, as well as natural items such as the sun, moon, animals, rock formations, etc., as visual objects to which they paid homage. The heathen viewed those items as either symbols of their respective god, or as the god him/herself. Teitan, whose symbol was the “tau” (cross) on which his worshipers sacrificed human beings to him, was a very popular god. Following the defeat of Teitan’s worshipers at the hands of the Roman Empire, the empire’s rulers began using the tau as the preferred method by which to inflict capital punishment. Read Did Jesus Die on a Cross? Key word–Cross. Knowing an effective religious symbol when they saw one, and having removed the Lord’s command concerning graven (hand-made) symbols, the Catholic Church began using the cross as a symbol of their religion.

When the Protestants left the mother church they took many of her heathen traditions with them, believing them to be of the Lord. As I have noted in previous series, the so-called “protesters” (Protestants) did not leave Catholicism because of her theology, but rather because of the personal sins of the priesthood. A popular pagan deity was Dagon whose fish sign was worn or sewn into the clothing of those who served him. This sign is the fish symbol one sees on automobiles and hanging from ears and around necks today. As people become less knowledgeable of God’s Word, the fish symbol is gaining in popularity within professing Christianity. Read more about this abomination using the key word–Symbols.

STEEPLED BUILDINGS: Anciently, tall, sharply-pointed projections were erected above the meeting places of pagan religionists to deal with evil spirits which would hopefully become empaled on them when they supposedly fell from the sky with the intention of invading religious meeting places. Now, as then, the demons are in charge of what goes on during their meetings. Note that in Revelation 3:20 Jesus is standing OUTSIDE THE DOOR of the modern-day (Laodicean) church. He will not enter where the people are worshiping and obeying His enemy. Notice that He says IF those inside will allow Him to enter their hearts He will do so and will teach them (sup with) them His ways. Otherwise, He remains outside the “sinner saved by grace.” Read Revelation 3:14-20.

STATUES, PICTURES AND ETCHINGS: Among the pagans, their hand-made items used for religious observances often depicted human figures which served as a way to honor their respective gods and goddesses. As God makes clear in the Ten Commandments, ANY man-made object used in the worship of or service to Him is an abomination unto Him in that, in His view, it represents another god. Such man-made items have become commonplace in man’s modern version of Christianity due to ignorance of or rejection of God’s Word.

CHRISTMAS: According to legend, Simiramus, the widow of Nimrod the sun god, found herself “in the family way,” as pregnancy was referred to years ago. Her explanation for her untimely condition was that Nimrod had impregnated her with his rays. Her “divinely conceived” son was born on December 25 and was named Tammuz (Eze. 8:14). Tammuz was killed early in life and supposedly replaced his father as the sun god. Read about the Israelites worship of him in Ezekiel 8. Several heathen societies worshiped their respective sun god on his day–Sunday. Tammuz returned on his birthday each year to leave presents under trees his followers had brought into their houses. Sound familiar? Read Jeremiah 10:1-4. Read the series on Christmas. Key word–Christmas. Modern sun worshipers unknowingly worship the sun each sun god day–Sunday–and observe his birthday with gifts, etc. each December 25th.

EASTER: Easter is an ancient observance in honor of the “Queen of Fertility,” also known as the “Queen of Heaven” whom I call the “heavenly whore.” Among her heathen disciples it was believed that she caused rabbits to lay eggs. Anciently, children were sacrificed to her and their blood was used to die rabbit eggs on the day she was honored each spring. The symbols used to honor her were relative to reproduction–eggs, rabbits and chicks. This abominable celebration has taken the place of God’s commanded observance of Passover. Read more about Easter using that word as key.

THE SABBATH: In honor of Sol the pagan sun god, the apostate church substituted his day for God’s Holy Sabbath in the fourth century. Read about God’s Holy Sabbath using Sabbath as the key word. Modern sun worshipers, following the tradition of their ancestors, gather in his honor on his day each week.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST: Having rejected the Lord’s own Words about His death and His resurrection three days and three nights later, the modern (Laodicean) church claims that He was in the tomb only one day and two nights. In this way false believers reject the only sign He provided that He was the Son of God. Like their spiritual ancestors, modern religionists do not believe His Words. Read the truth about Christ’s resurrection by using the word–Resurrection.

To learn about these and other Satanic beliefs and traditions of the Institutional Church, read Simon of Samaria: the Legacy. Key word–Simon. L.J.