
Five Things You should Know about the Masonic Lodge:
By A. Kruse
1.
The history of Freemasonry~
In the 13th century certain stone masons who
built cathedrals began assembling in a meeting place to
discuss business and help each other. Soon the demand for
cathedrals began to dwindle, and so did the number men who
built them. The leaders of the Masonic lodge then began
accepting recommended men from the community. Over time they
accumulated many different beliefs from ancient religions
and created their own new religion. Though the origin of
freemasonry is somewhat obscure, scholars can date the
beginning of this organized secret society, back to the
seventeen hundreds. The first lodge was founded around 1717
in London, England.
2.
The symbols of the Freemasons~
Symbols and oaths, were formed to keep the secrets of this
secret society. Masonry, to many people, may seem harmless
and simply a way to meet
with other business men. In fact, their motto is “Liberty,
equality, and fraternity”. However underneath there are many
satanic influences and beliefs of ancient religions. Only an
elite group truly knows all that is taught by the Masonic
lodge. Symbols are used primarily to teach the mason’s
philosophy and moral values. As one progresses in the
society the symbols begin to change meaning. The first
degree symbol represents the eye of God. However, the third
degree symbol has a different meaning. The compass
represents the male element (solidarity), and the square
represent the female element (righteousness), the “G” in the
center represent God or geometry. Though masons may
acknowledge God, they also acknowledge other gods as
acceptable for worship. However God, the Creator of the
universe, is the only One who is worthy of our worship and
praise. Matthew 4:10 declares, “…thou shalt worship the
Lord thy God, and Him only shall I serve”.
3.
The oaths and rituals of Freemasonry~
The initiation ceremony is somewhat peculiar, with the
symbols that are used, and the promises that are made to
keep all that they hear a secret. The newcomer promises that
he will keep these secrets at all costs, even to the death.
He then must ask the leader of the lodge to lead him into
the enlightened way. The new mason is then instructed to
call the leader the worshipful master. Their allegiance is
then placed in the lodge and its leaders. Because of their
commitment they are now trapped into a system of laws and
codes.
They only know the true meaning of this trap and all that it
involves as they progress through the degrees of masonry.
Obviously this strict observance of secrecy has not been
kept, due to members that have recognized the deception of
the society and have removed themselves from its influence.
However, it is still a dangerous system that it hard to
withdraw from, once one is initiated. However, Jesus Christ
is the only true way, the only One that can give us true
light and satisfaction, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me”. John 14:6
4.
The Masonic belief system~
Mason’s encourage each member to stay in his particular
church. Members are required to believe in a higher being,
but not necessarily the One, true God of the universe.
Though not shared openly, the first “secret” that is
revealed to their new members is in fact that masonry is a
religion. Salvation is achieved through excellent moral
conduct. Their members are constantly seeking to better
themselves by doing good deeds. Some of these good deeds
include helping with community projects, and having upright
moral character. They are always striving to do better, but
never seem to achieve this goal. They continue their whole
lives seeking to achieve the salvation of their souls, when
only true salvation can come through faith alone in
Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God:”
5.
The goals of Freemasonry~ Many masons believe that
freemasonry is simply an organization that is seeking to
bring peace and the unity of the brotherhood to all.
However, its true goal is to unite the whole world under the
religion of masonry. They want all to believe the same
foundational truths of their doctrines. They would like to
unite all under one universal religion. Their goal is to
bring everyone into the “light” of freemasonry, for they
believe that without it all live in spiritual darkness. This
is more than an innocent fraternal brotherhood; this is a
religion which would like to unite all under its belief
system. Mason’s are seeking to accomplish this by
penetrating every religion in the world. They accomplish
this by encouraging every member of the lodge to remain and
be active in his religion, thereby infiltrating this
religion slowly with the deception of freemasonry. However,
the only true way of saving of one’s soul, is not through a
religion that seeks to infest and infiltrate other
religions. No, the true way of salvation is through Jesus
Christ, God’s Son. We do not achieve salvation through a
religion, but rather a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ.
The One who gave His life for us, that we may be saved from
the sin and degradation that infiltrates our lives, (Acts
4:10-12).
Sources:
Ankerberg, John & John
Weldon. Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions.
Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1999.
http://www.religion-cults.com/Secret/Freemasonry/Freemasonry.htm#Freemasonry:
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2 Tim 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
KJV
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