is FreeMasonry a Cult?

[Revmitchell]

No, I mean, what exactly has been exposed in freemasonry over the last 20 years?

Freemasonry requires its members to believe in the existence of a Supreme Being and also to believe that there is only One God. Freemasonry refers to its god as the Great Architect of the Universe. It teaches that all men, of all the various religions, worship the one God, simply using a variety of different names. It is on that basis that Masons may be Hindus, Moslems, Buddhists, or men who profess to follow Jesus. Freemasonry requires a belief in the existence of A Supreme Being, but does not define that being.

http://www.emfj.org/quickly.htm

 

[JonC]

Ok so some say they know of many - others not.

I guess we have to go with whoever did the last actual survey.

in Christ,

Bob

I don't think many really care anymore. At least I hope not. Too much real work for the Church to get tangled in distraction.

 

[Revmitchell]

An overview of ritual
The degrees are named as follows: The first degree is called Entered Apprentice; the second degree is Fellow Craft; and the third degree is Master Mason.

The Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees, mechanically, are pretty much in "lock-step" with each other. The lessons and teachings covered in each of these degrees is different, one from the other, but the mechanics are basically the same. In each of these degrees, the candidate dons the required clothing, which includes a blindfold; he enters the lodge room and is conducted around the lodge room for inspection; he kneels at an altar to assume an obligation; his blindfold is removed; he is invested with certain signs, grips, and words; he proves to the principal officers that he can properly communicate said signs, grips, and words, he is presented, emblematically, with the Working Tools of the degree; he is led from the lodge room so he can change into his regular clothing; and he is then returned to the lodge room for further instruction, by way of a lecture.

In the Master Mason degree, however, once the candidate has undergone procedures somewhat similar to what he experiences in the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees, but before he receives instruction by way of a lecture, which he will hear later, he finds himself in a very different situation. After donning his own clothing, rather than returning to the lodge room for instruction, by way of a lecture, he is returned to the south side of the lodge room and escorted to the empty chair which is the station of the Junior Warden, one of the three principal officers of the lodge.

He is given a ruse of an explanation that he will be sitting in the station of the Junior Warden, as an honorary sort of thing, in celebration of his having become a Master Mason. The jewel of the Junior Warden is hung around his neck, and he is shown a very simple procedure he is to follow when the Worshipful Master raps his gavel, signaling the members present that lodge has resumed. His instructions are to stand the gavel that is resting on the stand in front of him, to an upright position, signifying that lodge has returned from refreshments to labor (in other words, signifying that the short recess period called for the purpose of allowing him time to get back into his regular clothes is now over with).

The Worshipful Master raps his gavel; the candidate leans forward and places the Junior Warden’s gavel in the upright position; then he sits back to enjoy the celebration of his achievement, or so he thinks.

However, the Worshipful Master raps his gavel a second time, looks to the candidate and says, "Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?". The candidate stands up, but he is usually very confused at this point, because he has no idea what the meaning of the question is. The Worshipful Master raps his gavel again and repeats, "Brother Junior Warden, what is the hour?".

Now the Senior Warden rises and says, "Worshipful Master, there appears to be a stranger in the South."

The Worshipful Master says, "What?! A stranger in the South?! Brother Senior Deacon, conduct the stranger to the East."

The candidate is then brought before the Worshipful Master who tells him: Even though he has been obligated as a Master Mason; even though he has received the Working Tools of a Master Mason, including the proper use of the Trowel, the principal Working Tool of a Master Mason; even though he has been taught to wear his apron as a Master Mason; and even though he now wears the jewel of the Junior Warden, one of the three principal officers of the lodge, he has not yet attained to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. He has not yet proven himself to be a Master Mason.

The Worshipful Master advises him that there is one more hill he must climb, so to speak - one more test he must pass, to demonstrate that he is indeed a Master Mason. He is informed that it is a dangerous way to go, and that he may even meet with death, as did once befall an eminent brother of this degree.

(Please note a similarity at this point, between Christian baptism, and what I refer to as Masonic baptism: I have already quoted from the Southern Baptist statement on baptism that baptism "…, is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership…" In a Masonic lodge room, the Worshipful Master informs the candidate that what he is about to endure is prerequisite to his becoming a Master Mason.)

The Senior Deacon conducts the candidate to the altar, where he is once again blindfolded. He is caused to kneel and pray. He is told that his prayer may be mental or audible, and when he has concluded it, he is to audibly say "Amen", and rise. Upon conclusion of the candidate’s prayer, the Hiramic Legend begins.

The candidate represents Hiram Abif in ritual
The candidate is caused to represent a character named Hiram Abif. Even though there is no historical evidence to back up any part of the "drama" that is about to unfold, it is explained to the candidate, or initiate, that Grand Master Hiram Abif was the Grand Architect at the building of King Solomon’s Temple. Supposedly, Hiram knows some sort of a secret which, by its mere possession, a person would be allowed to pass himself off as a Master Mason, or journeyman builder, if you will, thus allowing him to travel and work in foreign countries, and to receive Masters’ wages.

It had been promised to the workmen on the temple that upon its completion, those who were found worthy would receive the secrets, but three of the Fellow Crafts got a little over anxious and entered into a pact of extorting the secrets which Hiram supposedly held. So, one day Hiram is confronted by these ruffians, demanding the secrets from him. He refuses their demands, and they kill him.

http://www.emfj.org/dbr.htm

 

[Revmitchell]

Death
It is at this point that the candidate, portraying Hiram Abif, experiences part I of the symbolism of baptism - Death.

At midnight, or low-twelve, under the cover of darkness, they remove his body from the temple grounds and take it to the brow of a hill where a grave had already been dug for the purpose, and bury him.

Burial
It is at this point that the candidate, portraying Hiram Abif, experiences part II of the symbolism of baptism - Burial.

The ruffians attempt to flee the country, but they are discovered by three Fellow Crafts who had been sent out in search of them. They are returned to the temple and brought before King Solomon, who is portrayed by the Worshipful Master. They confess their guilt, and are summarily executed.

A new search is launched to find the remains of Hiram Abif. These same three Fellow Crafts return to the brow of the hill where they had come across the ruffians, and there they discover what appears to be a newly made grave. They dig down and find a body. Owing to the high state of decomposition, the body cannot easily be recognized, but the Fellow Crafts remove the jewel from around its neck and carry it back to King Solomon, who identifies it as being the jewel of Grand Master Hiram Abif.

King Solomon then leads a procession to the gravesite, presumably for the purpose of removing the body from the grave and returning it to the temple for more decent interment. Further, he advises the workmen that even though the Master’s Word, which it had been promised they would eventually receive, has now been lost, he will devise a substitute word that will do just fine until the real word is found again.

In a lecture that the candidate is to hear later on, after the conclusion of the Hiramic Legend, he is told that the body of Hiram was indeed removed from the temporary grave and returned to the temple, where it was buried in due form. But that is not what transpires at the gravesite.

Rather, King Solomon orders the Senior Grand Warden (Hiram, king of Tyre) to raise the body by the grip of an Entered Apprentice. The Senior Grand Warden applies that grip to the cadaver, but owing to the high state of decomposition, the skin slips from the flesh, and the body cannot be raised. King Solomon then orders him to apply the grip of a Fellow Craft. He does so - first, with the Pass Grip of a Fellow Craft, and then with the Real Grip of a Fellow Craft - and for the same reasons as before, neither of those grips is strong enough. King Solomon asks, "What shall we do?". And the Senior Grand Warden suggests, "Let us pray.".

The Chaplain then leads all those present in a prayer which concludes with,

"Yet, O Lord, have compassion on the children of Thy creation; administer them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an everlasting salvation."
(Nevada ritual, p. 137)

Resurrection
After praying for the salvation of the fallen martyr, King Solomon states how timely the prayer is, and declares that the body will be raised. After determining a substitute word to replace that which was supposedly lost upon the death of Grand Master Hiram Abif, King Solomon informs the craftsmen that the substitute word will be the first word uttered after the body is raised. The Worshipful Master, who up to this time has been portraying King Solomon, then reaches down and grasps the hand of the candidate, who up to this time has supposedly been portraying Hiram Abif, with the real grip of a Master Mason, or lion’s paw. And by the real grip of a Master Mason, the candidate is raised

"from a dead level to a living perpendicular".
(Officers’ Manual of Lodge Organization and Operation - Nevada, p. 96) (Note: This is not the terminology that is used during the legend, but I bring this phrase to your attention because you will see it a little later on.)

As the candidate is "raised", he and the Worshipful Master assume the position known as the five points of fellowship; and while in that position, which is foot to foot, knee to knee, breast to breast, hand to back, and cheek to cheek, or mouth to ear, the Worshipful Master whispers the words, "Mah-Ha-Bone" into the ear of the candidate, "Mah-Ha-Bone" being what is called the substitute for the Master’s Word.

And it is at this point, know as "raising", that the candidate symbolically experiences the third and final stage of the symbolism of baptism - Resurrection.

With the exception of explaining to the candidate what the word, "Mah-Ha-Bone" means - "What, the Builder"; and instructing him in the proper use of the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress, this pretty much concludes the second section of the degree.

You know doubt have noticed by now that there is no re-interment. No body is returned to the temple for the purpose of burying it in due form, because at this point, there is no body. The purpose of the Hiramic Legend is NOT the re-enactment of some nonsensical fairy tale with a moral attached to it, much like an Aesop’s Fable. The REAL intended purpose of the entire staged production, this "allegory illustrated by symbols", is just exactly what is symbolized - the death, burial, and resurrection of the candidate, that symbolism being exactly the same as is done by immersion in the baptismal font of a Christian church.

The candidate, "representing" Hiram Abif, has not been initiated into a fraternity. Rather, the candidate, representing no one but himself, has been baptized into "the religious faith of Freemasonry". (Remember that phrase. You will be encountering it again.)

Why do those who profess to be Christians not realize what it is that is happening to them at the time? The explanation is quite simple:

Allegory - "a long and complicated story with an underlying meaning different from the surface meaning of the story itself."

Generally, I would say that if an individual has had no discernment up to this point that he is involved in a religion, after undergoing the first degree, the second degree, and the first portion of the third degree, the chances are better than not that it isn’t going to happen during the "raising", or resurrection.

But even if a Christian does realize what it is that is happening, think of his circumstances at the time. Here he is, lying on the floor, surrounded by all these men. At this point, his blindfold has already been removed, and what is he confronted with? Maybe Mr. Johnson, his boss at work, is standing there. Maybe his very best friend is looking down at him. Maybe he is looking at his dad, his grand-dad, his uncle, his brother, standing over him. It would take a tremendous amount of courage on his part to pick himself up off the floor, say to those present, "Hold on, I now realize what is happening here, and because I am a Christian, I will have no part in it"; and then just walk out of the lodge room, leave the premises, and never look back - never come back again. Chances are better than not, you will not see or hear of something like that happening.

http://www.emfj.org/dbr.htm

 

[JonC]

I could respond by copying a page (pro-masonic page) that would counter this understanding of the degrees - but surely all here can look for themselves (and I don't necessarily believe the pro-masonic stuff anyway). And looking, we'd choose one to believe and one to dismiss.

But, as I stated earlier, I'm not really attached to the fraternity. I believe it a wast of time and resource - and I believe much of good meaning Christians are wasting time and resource. If it is benign, leave it alone. If it is cultic - share the gospel with its members.

Read 1 Cor 5:12 and decide.

 

[BobRyan]

I don't think many really care anymore. At least I hope not. Too much real work for the Church to get tangled in distraction.

Not my thread - I was just making a comment in passing.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[Revmitchell]

See...no secrets

I don't know what that means.

 

[JonC]

I don't know what that means.

Sorry, posted before I finished reading (edited thereafter).

 

[JonC]

Not my thread - I was just making a comment in passing.

in Christ,

Bob

Me too (just got stuck here) :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Zenas]

Uh huh...................

All right, I will be more precise. There are 21 active deacons in my church. I know all of them very well. Four of them (19%) are Masons.

 

[Revmitchell]

All right, I will be more precise. There are 21 active deacons in my church. I know all of them very well. Four of them (19%) are Masons.

That's a shame. But that does not add up to a lot in a lot of churches.

 

[JonC]

My experience is that Rev is wrong. But much of the symbolism of Masonry is what the Mason makes of it (it is and always has been up to interpretation – by design). In other words, strictly speaking the interpretation that he comes up with (or derives from others) is legitimate if the mason actually holds that view. Likewise, other’s views are just as correct. It is, in that respect, a very humanistic approach to common ground. (In other words, don’t expect to find religion, salvation, or absolute truth in a Masonic lodge – it’s strictly about common ground and working with diverse beliefs. That's why religion and politics are not discussed).

 

[webdog]

Freemasonry is the epitome of what Satan being deemed an angel of light is all about. No believer has any business messing with such blatantly, open Satanism. The symbolism alone should make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Paganism at every turn.

 

[BobRyan]

That's a shame. But that does not add up to a lot in a lot of churches.

unless you believe what the latest survey says?

 

[BobRyan]

Freemasonry is the epitome of what Satan being deemed an angel of light is all about. No believer has any business messing with such blatantly, open Satanism. The symbolism alone should make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Paganism at every turn.

Ellen White claimed God gave her a vision of what was going on there and strongly condemned the Masonic groups as well as other forms of secret societies -- but naming specifically the Masons. It was even more popular to belong to such groups in the 19th century than for Baptists to be members of it at the end of the 20th century.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[webdog]

That's like me receiving a vision that a car driving towards a cliff with no brakes will go over the edge.

 

[JonC]

I keep my visions to myself.

 

[The Biblicist]

Or is it just a social club, as many cliam? many baptists even belong to this, don't they?

Just read the introduction found in the Masonic edition of the Bible! I have read it. It will tell you that Masonism is a superior light to Christianity and that Christ is but one of many great prophets no less but no greater than the others. It will tell you that the Koran is just as suitable as the Bible for use in Moslem countries.

Have you ever had a joint funeral with the Masons? I have! The Masonic brethren and their master showed up with myself and just the immediate family. I preceded them and when it came to singing the one and only song none would join in. Their master went on to proclaim a universal salvation message which is consistent with their faith as they regard all religions that confess a god to be equal to Christianity.

Those who believe Masonism is not a cult should be suspect as cultic themselves because Masonism denies the true God of the Bible, denies the Bible is the only and/or final written revelation from God, denies Christ is the Son of God but merely a prophet no less but no greater than Mohammed or any other world religion prophet, and that Christianity is a lessor light than Masonism.

 

[Gup20]

Star of David is the seal of Solomon (he was Jewish – go figure), who’s a character in the first three degrees. Eastern Star, of course, is supposed to be the star (pointing down) that guided the magi to Bethlehem with the five points pointing to different character lessons (Jephthah’s daughter – faithfulness, Ruth - fidelity, the elect lady of 2 John – piety and charity, blah..blah..blah…).

Skull and crossbones – mortality of man (which is interesting to me because I had asked why skulls were used so much in the old cemeteries and churches when I was in Germany and that was the answer I received – those darn Germans)… and so it goes on and on.

In short, freemasonry may not be nearly as interesting as the anti-mason’s would hope. Their “rituals” may appear juvenile, but probably not as juvenile as those who would object.

For the record, I’m still a Mason as I have not demitted the fraternity although I haven’t attended a meeting in over a decade. If you have any questions I’d be happy to reply – but if you’re looking for satanic practices you’ll only come away with thinking I’m a liar or indoctrinated in its cultic cloud of deception.

1Ki 11:1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women,
2 from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the sons of Israel, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods.” Solomon held fast to these in love.
3 He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away.
4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.
5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites.
6 Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done.
7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon.
8 Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
9 Now the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,
10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not observe what the LORD had commanded.
11 So the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant.
12 “Nevertheless I will not do it in your days for the sake of your father David, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.
13 “However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.”

Solomon was completely corrupted by false gods in his later years. He built high altars for all of his foreign wives' gods... even to Molech, and Asheroth, and Baal. The hexegram is a symbol of witchcraft (hence the word "hex"). It has never, ever been a Jewish symbol. The only place it appears in Jewish literature is in the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism and witchcraft). The blue hexegram on the flag of Israel was done as a curse on the people of Israel - it was not and never has been the star of David.

The upside-down pentagram is the symbol for Satan. It is the baphomet.

Do this: Go to YouTube and look for TheFuelProject and watch their series "Know your Enemy" http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCED9C361662866BD

He does an excellent job tracing the Babylonian Mystery Religion throughout all of time. Free Masonry is absolutely Satanic.

 

[The Biblicist]

The upside-down pentagram is the symbol for Satan. It is the baphomet.

Do this: Go to YouTube and look for TheFuelProject and watch their series "Know your Enemy" http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCED9C361662866BD

He does an excellent job tracing the Babylonian Mystery Religion throughout all of time. Free Masonry is absolutely Satanic.

Well guppy, we don't always agree with each other but we certainly do on this. Yes, go to this website and check out this extremely well done and comprehensive presentation.