Israel and Babylon religions; idolatry; Pharaoh & Egyptian gods; golden calf is Nimrod the bull, false messiah; Molech, Baal & Ashtareth

ISRAEL AND THE RELIGIONS OF BABYLON

The Old Testament contains many references to the Babylon religions. The idolatry in the nations bordering Israel that Israel persistently copied in defiance of God's laws can be traced to the worship of Nimrod and his wife in one form or another. The recurrence of the same thing in different forms is what the Ecclesiastes writer had in mind in Eccl 1:9

...there is nothing new under the sun. NIV

Pharaoh

We've already seen that one of the titles of Nimrod as king of Babylon was "The Shepherd," which in Chaldee was, "He-Roe." Aspects of the Babylonish monarchy were widely copied by other nations in the ancient world. Nimrod set the pattern of being king, shepherd and high priest. We see this with the king of Egypt who was called "Pharaoh" throughout history = "He-roe" in Chaldee and "Ro-eh" in Hebrew.

The word "Pharaoh" is also connected to the worship of the sun god Nimrod, in that the name Pharaoh also means, "sun." Evidence is given in the Bible that the king of Egypt followed the pattern set by Nimrod by the title "Pharaoh Hopra" that means, "Priest of the Sun."

Jer 44:30 I will turn Pharaoh Hophra, king of Egypt, over to those who seek his life, just as I turned Zedekiah, king of Judah, over to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.'" TLB

The Golden Calf

In the course of the many years that the Israelites were in Egypt, it is evident that they worshiped the Babylonish idols of the land (Ezek 20:5-9). It is no wonder therefore; that they returned to the idols the moment they thought Moses might not return to them. They insisted that Aaron make them a golden calf.

Ex 32:5 So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD." 6 Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. NKJV

Not only did they bring their sacrifices at the rising sun, but also the idol was golden, the color of the sun.

After the death of Solomon, king Jeroboam made Israel to sin by worshiping two golden calves he had made.

1 Kings 12:28 So on the advice of his counselors, the king had two gold calf-idols made and told the people, "It's too much trouble to go to Jerusalem to worship; from now on these will be your gods-they rescued you from your captivity in Egypt!" TLB

The object of worship, the calf, and the name of the god had a hidden meaning. This is typical of the deceptive symbolism of the Mysteries religions that came from Babylon. The Israelites copied the worship of the calf from the Egyptians, who worshiped the god "Hapi" under the form of a male calf. This in turn was copied from the Babylonians, who used the bull as a symbol of Nimrod. Not only was a bull chosen because it symbolized might and strength, the Chaldee word for "bull" also carried a double meaning. Nimrod as a king was a ruler of the people, and the name for "ruler" is "Tur," that also means "bull" in Chaldee. Thus the bull was chosen to symbolize Nimrod in his worship.

The name of the god Hapi comes from the word "Hap," which mean in Chaldee "to cover" and in Egyptian "to conceal." Viz. the god Hapi is really "The hidden One" and is the hidden god of the Mysteries, and is only fully revealed to those admitted into the secrets of the system.

Thus we see that the Israelites quickly turned from God to the worship of the false messiah Nimrod, with inevitably, the fornication that is part of the abominable pattern set by Nimrod and his wife.

Unlike the Mystery religions of Babylon, the worship of God and all the sacrifices, rites and ceremonies of the Tabernacle were meticulously described to the Israelites and recorded in the first 5 books of the Bible. Although only the priests and levites were permitted to minister, the format of true worship was proclaimed openly to all. This is in total contrast to the secrecy of the Mysteries - something that doesn't happen in so-called Christian groups like the Jesuits as explained elsewhere.

Molech, Baal & Ashtareth

When the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, Canaan, they quickly fell into the idolatry of the nations around them. On their way there God repeatedly warned them through Moses not to have anything to do with these heathen gods. One of the most terrible was Molech, the abominable god of the Ammonites.

1 Kings 11:6 Thus Solomon did what was clearly wrong and refused to follow the Lord as his father David did. 7 He even built a temple on the Mount of Olives, across the valley from Jerusalem, for Chemosh, the depraved god of Moab, and another for Molech, the unutterably vile god of the Ammonites. TLB

The Lord says in the law of Moses:

Lev 18:21 "You shall not give any of your children to Molech, burning them upon his altar; never profane the name of your God, for I am Jehovah. TLB

That is sacrificing children to Molech in the fire. The name Molech signifies, "the King" and is yet another form of the great sun god Nimrod.

As we've shown, the reborn (reincarnated) form of the sun-god Nimrod was the child Tammuz. Fire and human sacrifices were part of Nimrod's worship from the very earliest days. Even the name Tammuz reflects this, for it's the Chaldee for "the perfecting fire." It was believed that fire was the means of perfecting and purifying man's soul. (See Purgatory)

The scriptures show from the condemnation of the worship of Baal, that Baal and Molech were really the same god. The word "Baal" means lit. "Lord, Master or Possessor." The prophet Jeremiah said of the children of Israel and Judah,

Jer 19:5 They have built high altars to Baal, and there they burn their sons in sacrifice-a thing I never commanded them nor even thought of!
Jer 32:35 And they have built high altars to Baal in the Valley of Hinnom. There they have burnt their children as sacrifices to Molech-something I never commanded and cannot imagine suggesting. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly! TLB

God's priests in the Tabernacle used meat of the sacrifices for food, and so did the priests of Baal also eat of the human sacrifices. We can not but note the similarity between the English word "cannibal" and the Chaldean "Cahna-Bal," which means, "Priest of Baal."

It is also evident that Baal was the sun-god. We read that the Jews under king Josiah,

2 Chron 34:4 He went out personally to watch as the altars of Baal were knocked apart, the obelisks above the altars chopped down, and the shame-idols [images - NKJV] ground into dust and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. TLB

The word translated as "Images" literally means "sun images." In addition to identifying Baal with the sun-god, it is instructive to note that Baal was associated with the goddess Ashtareth. We read that the children of Israel,

"forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths." Judg 2:13-14 NKJV

Young's concordance states that the word "Ashtareth" means "a wife" and Hislop showed that Ashtareth is a version of the Babylonish goddess Astarte, which is just another name for Semiramis the wife of Nimrod. The word Ashtareth lit. means "the woman that made the encompassing wall" and ancient history records that it was Semiramis who first built the walls of Babylon. Thus the worship of Baal and Ashtareth, that Israel fell prey to, is none other than the worship of the sun-god Nimrod and his wife Semiramis.

Dagon and Baal-zebub

The Bible also speaks of two gods of the Philistines, Dagon, into whose temple the Philistines brought the Ark of the Lord after they had defeated Israel.

1 Sam 5:2 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the temple of Dagon and set it by Dagon. 3 And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. NKJV

The image of Dagon had the face and hands of a man, but a tail like that of a fish. The word "Dagon" lit. means "fish." Dagon was the Philistine version of the Babylon fish god. As we have already shown, Dagon was one form of the beast from the sea - Revelation 13.

Baal-zebub was the other god of the Philistines, kept at Ekron, to whom king Ahaziah of Israel send messengers to inquire about his illness.

2 Kings 1:3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?' NKJV

The word "Baal-zebub" means, "Lord of the fly." This god was said to kill flies, but "zebub" (fly) comes from the root word that signifies restless motion. Hence " Baal-zebub" signifies in its secret meaning, "Lord of restless and unsettled motion." This agrees precisely with the characteristics of Satan, when asked,

Job 1:7 And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." NKJV

This is confirmed in the New Testament from the Jews calling Satan "Beelzebub, the prince of the devils."

Matt 12:23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." NKJV

Uzziah in the Temple

He was a good king but then later became proud and did what the Babylonish king did in his capacity as priest and king:

2 Chron 26:16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. NKJV

The Babylonish monarch is also known in history by the Latin title "Pontifex Maximus" = "Supreme or Sovereign Pontiff." The word "Pontiff" comes from the Latin "pontifex" = "Roman high Priest." The connection with the Pope is obvious as we will see later. Uzziah therefore tried to be " Sovereign Pontiff" over the Lord's people that was totally forbidden.

Lucifer and Merodach

The king of Babylon was also called Lucifer:

Isa 14:12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. NKJV

He was exalted above kingdoms of the world, and would even try to exalt himself into the place of God. Nevertheless, Isaiah prophesied the fall of Babylon.

However, there is a deeper meaning to the passage. The word "Lucifer" is a translation of the Hebrew word "helel," which lit. means "Shining One." It is interesting to note the similarity with the Greek word "helios," = "sun." Viz. a connection with the sun-god Nimrod, who was the first king of Babylon. Nimrod in his various deified forms was worshiped as the supposed enlightener of the souls of men, hence the name "Lucifer." In modern times the followers of the Occult worship Lucifer as the light-bringer, the illuminator and the sun-deity.

This is also taught about Lucifer in Freemasonry. Therefore, Lucifer is in a deeper sense not just the king of Babylon, but is the devil or Satan, whose religious system had as its earthly head the king of Babylon. Lucifer is in reality Satan appearing as an "angel of light."

Note also the similarity between Isaiah's description of Lucifer's fall from heaven and the words of the Lord Jesus,

Luke 10:18 "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. NKJV

Jesus Christ vs. Lucifer: The Bible says about Jesus Christ that he is "the bright morning star" (Revelation 12:16) and "That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." (John 1:9) NKJV. This shows that Satan and his earthly representative, the king of Babylon, sought to usurp the place of Christ and to claim his glory. As we will see later, this is also the central attribute of the Antichrist.

Lastly, the king of Babylon was also called Merodach that was taken from Merodach the Babylon god of war.

Isa 39:1 At that time Merodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. NKJV

Merodach means "the great rebel." Thus we see another connection with the mighty warrior Nimrod, who led that great rebellion against the true worship of God.

Jeremiah and Ezekiel

They testified about the sins of Judah and Israel.

Jer 7:17 Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. NKJV

Ezekiel was given a vision of idolatry in the last days of Jerusalem, viz. the secret worship in the Temple where a form of the Mysteries were enacted. The passage is quoted at length below, because it describes many of the Babylonian forms of idolatry.

Ezek 8:3 He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. 4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.
5 Then He said to me, "Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north." So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance. 6 Furthermore He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations."
7 So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. 8 Then He said to me, "Son of man, dig into the wall"; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. 9 And He said to me, "Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there." 10 So I went in and saw, and there--every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. 11 And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. 12 Then He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, 'The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.' "
13 And He said to me, "Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing." 14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.
15 Then He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these." 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east. NKJV

(Back to the "Image of the Beast")

It will be shown in various discussions that the Church of Rome has copied many of the practices described by Ezekiel. Lately sound Protestant churches also follow these practices. Let us take heed to the warning in the Word of God about spiritual Babylon, that false church depicted in the book of Revelation:

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. Rev 18:4 NKJV

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