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Freemasonry and Christianity - are they compatible?

Dr Kelvin McCracken

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Introduction

Much has been written on this subject in published books and on the internet. Freemasons who have a Christian background are convinced that ‘there is nothing within Freemasonry harmful to their beliefs’. However most mainline Christian denominations have either expressed reservations about the beliefs and rituals of Freemasonry or have condemned them outright.

If you are a member of the Masonic Order and have Christian beliefs we hope that you will find the information provided enlightening.

If you are a wife, son or daughter of a Freemason or know that there has been Freemasonry in your past generations please go to the section on Principles and Practice of Freemasonry.

If someone has invited you to consider joining the Masons please go to the section on Principles and Practice of Freemasonry.

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Freemasonry - unwitting and unintended idolatry

I expect that, if you are Freemason reading this, your instant reaction to this title has been deep pain, even anger, at the perceived insult. Let me say, at the outset, that I have considerable understanding of your view, having been a Mason for some 17 years and fully acknowledging my own blindness, during that period, to the fact that I was unwittingly breaking the first three Commandments. As someone who was a professing Christian from the age of 16 and rededicated my life to Jesus in 1979, I am fully aware of how God-fearing men of integrity get drawn into something which seems perfectly harmless, even good and charitable, and become spiritually blinded to the truth as soon as they are initiated into the first (Entered Apprentice) degree.

Please let me pose two questions.

1. Have you ever bought something substantial, e.g. a house, without getting a thorough survey and first reading the contract? Indeed would you have agreed to the deal on the doorstep without first going around every room to check it out?

2. Would you join a political party, trade union or similar organisation without first determining what you would be signing up to?

In either case would you take the word of two people you knew slightly as being sufficient? No doubt your response to both is a resounding ‘NO’ and rightly so. Yet that is precisely what you did with your spiritual life and that of your family when you agreed to join Freemasonry.

Now please cast your mind back to your initiation and let me pose 7 more questions!!

1. At your initiation into the first degree did you really have the information which enabled you to say ‘Yes’ to the question “Are you solely influenced by a preconceived idea of the excellence of our Order”?

2. If a Christian, was it appropriate for you to be described as ‘one in darkness, wishing to approach the light’ when Jesus Christ is the Light of the World?

3. Did you realise that the ‘Supreme Being’ referred to was not Jehovah but any God and would variously be described in different degrees as the ‘Great Architect of the Universe’, ‘Great Geometrician of the Universe’ and in higher degrees, of which you were at that time unaware, as ‘Jahbulon’, ‘Ahura Mazda’ (Prince of Persia) etc.?

4. Did you know, before you entered the Lodge, that you would be asked to bow, wearing a ‘blindfold’ at an altar, upon which would be ‘graven images’(King James Bible, Exodus 20 v 4) in the form of the square and compasses and take an oath of secrecy, the so-called ‘voluntary obligation’ that you had never been shown and which would prohibit you sharing the secrets with any non-Mason, even your wife?

5. Did you know that the vow of secrecy would be completed with an ‘ancient penalty’ which is, in effect, a spiritual curse on you and your family? Would you ever knowingly acquiesce to something potentially hurtful to your family?

6. Did you know that you would be asked, in ritual preparation, to remove all money, jewellery,  etc, including your wedding ring if you wear one, and that this could have spiritual consequences for your material well-being and marriage relationship?

7. Did you know that, if you continued to further levels of Freemasonry you would ultimately take part in rituals blaspheming every major Christian doctrine, including the Lordship of Jesus as the Light of the World?

If all, or any, of the above had been explained to you would you have ever agreed to continue with initiation into Freemasonry? I suspect not!!! Let me remind you of some key aspects of your initiation and explain why I am convinced that Freemasonry is one of the most serious forms of unwitting idolatry in our community, and with major effects on individuals, families and Churches.

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Summary of principles and practice of Freemasonry

Freemasonry (FM) claims to be rooted in antiquity. The exact beginnings of modern Freemasonry are the subject of debate but there is evidence to suggest that some activity occurred  during the 1600’s.  However, organized FM appears to date from 1717 when the Grand Lodge of England came into being (www.ugle.org.uk/ugle/the-history-of-grand-lodge.htm). Initially there was one degree but quite soon the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason, which are the bedrock of Freemasonry, came into being. Subsequently other degrees were added, notably the York rite and Scottish rite. The latter incorporates 33 degrees. The first three degrees (plus Worshipful Master) constitute the Blue lodges. Entry to the 'Red' and higher degrees is via the Blue, by invitation.

Freemasonry (FM) is described as 'a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols'. It emphasises the moral virtues, encourages members to read the scriptures and encourages charity. However, until the last 25 years or so the major focus of its charity was inward--looking, relating to the care of widows and orphans of deceased freemasons. In the 1980's this was recognized as being bad for the image and a new dimension came about i.e. fund-raising for charitable organizations such as Alzheimer's Disease Society.

FM claims not to be a secret society but a ‘society possessing secrets’ and any Mason will confidently affirm that FM is not a religion. Entry is based on a suggestion that someone might like to consider joining the Order, coupled with mention of the charitable aspects and the 'benefits' arising from the provision for widows and orphans. The only other information available to a potential candidate is that he must express a belief in God and that there will be an initiation procedure.

Before checking up on the initiation procedure you may find it enlightening to look at the section entitled Freemasonry- unwitting and unintended idolatry.

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Initiation to Entered Apprentice Degree

For initiation to the Entered Apprentice (EA) degree, the first degree in FM, the candidate is divested of certain articles of clothing, a halter is placed round the neck 'in token of submission to the ordeal of initiation' and a blindfold or 'hoodwink' is placed over the eyes 'representing one in darkness'. The candidate is received in the Lodge room with a 'dagger pointed at the naked and defenceless breast' as a symbol of the 'torment to the conscience should he be tempted to betray the trust about to be reposed in him' and three questions are put. He is eventually led to kneel before an Altar and is asked to take a 'voluntary obligation' to preserve the secrets which will subsequently be revealed. He is advised that this 'contains nothing contrary to his religious beliefs or political opinions, nothing at variance with the allegiance owed to the Sovereign or Rulers of the State and nothing hurtful to his feelings as a man of honour'.

He then is fed a detailed legalistic statement (the so-called Voluntary Obligation) by the Worshipful Master, which he repeats a few words at a time. The oath is completed with a terrible penal clause – by which he is bound under the so-called ‘Ancient penalty’, which is, in effect a spiritual curse, and the ‘Real penalty’ of being ‘deservedly branded as a wretch, base, faithless and unworthy to be received among men of honour should he violate’ his obligation. He is then asked to ‘ratify the voluntary obligation by kissing the Volume of Sacred Law, raising the right hand or in any way equally binding upon his conscience’. Clearly this is an oath !!

Following completion of the oath the ‘blindfold’ is removed, the candidate is given a lecture explaining the symbolism of the ritual and the so-called ‘secrets’ of the degree which he has agreed to keep secret on pain of death. Part of the lecture focuses on 'the undying hostility which will pursue him should  he ever betray the trust reposed in him'. Eventually he is invested with a Masonic apron as a symbol of his entry into the ‘brotherhood of Freemasonry’.

For the Christian there are several aspects of this which must raise serious questions as to its compatibility with Christian teaching. Upon close examination it is clear that there are several serious deceptions including the oath, which are not immediately apparent to the candidate during the initiation procedure. First, you may wish to consider some Biblical principles.

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Some Biblical principles

The person of God as Father, Son and Holv Spirit is revealed throughout the Holy Bible. The names by which he is revealed include:

GOD	Jehovah, I AM, Creator, Eternal God, Heavenly Father, Almighty, Judge, Love.
JESUS	Saviour, Redeemer, Master, Rabbi, Beloved Son, Good Shepherd, Prince of Peace, Rock, The Way, the Truth and the Life, Light of the World, Resurrection and the Life, Lord.
HOLY SPIRIT	Comforter, Counsellor, Spirit of Truth

God's holiness and justice are manifest throughout the Bible, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus, and his desire is for us to ‘be holy as he is holy’. To this end he has given us the Commandments as a guide to holy living and for our protection. When we break the commandments we give Satan authority (a foothold) until we repent. The first three Commandments are particularly for protection of our relationship with God. (Revised standard , Exodus 20).

1. You shall have no other Gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation -------

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Much of the Old Testament illustrates the problems which arose when God’s chosen people (Israel) fell into patterns of idolatry, either deliberately or unwittingly, and broke these Commandments.

The nature of Satan is first revealed in Genesis in the serpent deceiving Eve (Gen 3:4-5). In Matthew 4:9 we see how he sought to tempt Jesus and to get Jesus to bow down and worship him and how he misused scripture. Jesus described him as a liar and murderer (John 8 :44) and the thief who comes to kill and steal and destroy (John 10:10) and in 2 Corinthians 11:14, we are reminded that he masquerades as an Angel of Light. Satan still wants to be worshipped and he does not care how he gets it. We see all these aspects of his modus operandi, especially the web of deceit, within the rituals and teachings of Freemasonry.

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Deceptions in Freemasonry

Satan is no fool. He does not tell big lies but uses subtle deceit as represented in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). However, careful examination, in the cold light of day and guided by the Holy Spirit, reveals the web of half truth which seems wholly acceptable when in the midst of an initiation, disoriented by the ‘blindfold’ etc. The examples discussed below are not a comprehensive list but serve to illustrate how rational men of integrity are trapped. Please read this next sentence carefully. They are not deliberately trapped by the other Lodge members who are simply passing on the ‘oral tradition’ which they have accepted as truth and are truly blind to the real nature of Freemasonry. In my experience, from the taking of the first oath with the physical blindfold on the eyes, it is as if the spiritual eyes are veiled, as in the words of Isaiah 6:9 ‘Be ever hearing but never understanding; be ever seeing but never perceiving’. Examples are:

1. The questions put to the candidate at initiation. One of these asks the person to confirm ‘a preconceived idea of the excellence of our Order’ about which the initiate knows nothing.

2. The description of the ‘oath’ as a 'voluntary obligation' and the assertion that it contains ‘nothing contrary to one's religious beliefs or hurtful to one's feelings as a man of honour’. In Matthew 5:34-37, Jesus says 'Do not swear at all -- simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' 'No', anything beyond this comes from the evil one.’ As described earlier, the oath is fed to the candidate a few words at a time. He has never seen it and does not know to what he is agreeing but is, in effect, bowing at a false altar, and swearing an oath to a false God. The final part leads to an abominable penal clause, the so-called ‘ancient penalty’ with terrible spiritual (and physical and emotional) consequences for the candidate and his family.

3. The claim that FM is not a religion. Freemasonry requires belief in a ‘Supreme Being’, accepts that there is an after life, uses scripture, prayer, 'hymns' and frequently describes the buildings as Masonic Temples. In the centre, facing East, there is an Altar on which is placed the 'Volume of Sacred Law', incorporating the square and compasses. Oaths are taken in the 'presence of the Most High God', there is a theme of 'Salvation by works' and parodies of Baptism, Atonement, Resurrection, Ascension, Priesthood and Communion.

   Furthermore the writings of many senior masonic 'experts' clearly identify it as a religion and, indeed, one which is opposed to Christianity.

   e.g. Albert Pike - Morals and Dogma: ‘Every Masonic lodge is a temple of religion and its teachings are instruction in religion -- this is the true religion revealed to the ancient patriarchs— ‘

   J D Buck -- Symbolism or Mystic Masonry: ‘salvation by faith and the vicarious atonement as now interpreted, were not taught by Jesus --they are later and ignorant perversions of the original doctrines.’

4. The true nature of the ‘god’ of Freemasonry. Although the candidate for initiation is asked to affirm his belief and trust in God, it subsequently becomes clear that the names by which God is known (Great Architect of the Universe, Great Geometrician, Great God of the Universe) are not found in Holy Scripture. In higher degrees the name of Jehovah is linked with those of false gods such as Baal and On or Osiris (the Sun god) in passwords given to the candidate e.g. Jahbulon. In the 32nd degree in Scottish rite Ahura Mazda, the Prince of Persia, is described as ‘the true source of light’.

5. 'Volume of the Sacred Law'. One of the most fundamental deceptions, which is indeed blasphemous, relates to the so-called 'Volume of the Sacred Law' which is open on the Altar during every Lodge meeting. In Irish FM the book is a version of the Holy Bible but the square and the compasses, the symbols of FM, are placed on top. Along with the Bible they are described as 'the three great lights of FM'. Thus, in direct conflict with the second commandment, the Holy Bible - God's revealed Word, is placed on a par with two man-made objects (graven images).

6. Misuse of scripture. There are many examples. For example, in the Entered Apprentice (EA) degree the Bible is open at Psalm 133 –‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity’. However this is a false unity based on ‘never discussing religion or politics as these are two subjects on which men can never agree’. Also in the EA degree at removal of the hoodwink, the Worshipful Master says -- 'and God said, let there be light and there was light' (Gen 1:3). In some cases passages from the New Testament referring to the Body of Christ are applied to the Freemason; e.g. in the Entered Apprentice degree the reference to Masons as: 'Living stones in the spiritual building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, where the Great Architect of the Universe lives and rules forever.' (Parody on 1 Peter 2 : 4-9).

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Names of God in Freemasonry and misuse of Biblical names in passwords

As discussed in a previous section on Biblical principles the Name of the God of  Christianity and Judaism is to be revered.  The Name which most fully represents God is Jahweh or Jehovah but other words illustrate aspects of his character, e.g. Creator, Eternal God and, in the New Testament, Heavenly Father, Love etc.

Nowhere in the Bible do we find the names ascribed to the ‘Most High God’ of Freemasonry.  These include Great Architect of the Universe (Entered Apprentice and several higher degrees), Great Geometrician of the Universe (Fellowcraft), Great God of the Universe (Master Mason).  Whilst these may seem innocuous they still represent a subtle distortion of the truth.  However, of even greater concern, is the fact that, in the 31^st degree, in Scottish rite , the Egyptian gods (Anubis, Osiris and Isis ) are honoured and the gods acknowledged in the 32^nd degree are Ahura Mazda, the son of Zoroaster, the ‘one God’ of Persian religion and the Hindu Trinity of Brahmin, Vishnu and Siva.   Undoubtedly, Ahura Mazda is the ‘Prince of Persia’ mentioned in Daniel Ch10.  Hence, he is a mighty demonic power.  In this degree he is described as ‘the true source of light’, clearly a direct challenge to Jesus as ‘the Light of the World’ (John 8 :12).

Many Biblical names are used in various degrees as ‘passwords’.  These include ‘Emmanuel’, ‘Abaddon’ (Revelation 9 :11), and ‘Golgotha’. Two of the most serious, are the use of ‘I AM, I AM’  and ‘Jahbulon’ in the Royal Arch degree. The first of these is a parody of how God revealed himself to Moses and the second links the Name of Jehovah with those of pagan gods.  Jahbulon is a composite of  Jahweh, Bul (Baal) and On (Osiris) shortened to J.B.O. in the subsequent passage which is taken directly from the lecture on the Royal Arch degree. The new initiate is told:

It is very clear from this that Jehovah is being placed on the same level as the pagan gods of Egypt, Assyria etc., a direct infringement of the first commandment.

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Attacks on Christian doctrine

There is clear evidence that every major Christian doctrine is insidiously attacked within the FM rituals. In the first degree, a King James version of the Bible (in Irish FM) is open on the altar, interestingly at Psalm 133, but on top, as discussed above, are the square and compasses. These three are described as ‘the three great lights of Freemasonry’. Thus, in conflict with the second commandment, two man made objects are elevated to being on a par with God’s holy and infallible Word. Indeed, in other branches of FM, the Holy Bible is replaced with the writings from other World religions but the square and compasses remain. Clearly, in the eyes of Freemasons, these hold a higher position than the Christian Bible. The second Commandment is very clear on the issue of idolatry. The consequences of the unwitting idolatry of the Israelites in making the Golden Calf (Exodus 32) should be adequate warning of God’s attitude to this.

There is a false resurrection in the 3rd (Master Mason) degree where the candidate is ‘raised from the dead level to the living upright’ into the ‘brotherhood’ of Freemasonry.

In one of the higher degrees of Scottish rite (33 degrees in all) the candidate is described as ‘a priest forever in the Order of Melchizedek’, his arm is cut ceremonially and the blood sprinkled upon the altar, representing that he himself is the blood sacrifice for sin. Later a copy of the New Testament is burned and the ‘priest’ declares ‘It is finished’ - the words spoken by Jesus before He died on the cross (John 19:30).

In another of the higher degrees of Scottish rite there is a false communion where we find the deity of Jesus and his act of atonement attacked. Part of the ritual includes: 'thus the bread we eat and the wine we drink - may we enter into and form part of the identical particles that once formed part of the material bodies called Moses, Confucius, Plato, Socrates or Jesus of Nazareth. In the truest sense we eat and drink of the bodies of the dead'.

In the 32nd degree Ahura Mazda (AUM) is described as the 'true source of light' and as being the Hindu Trinity (Brahmin, Vishnu, Siva) and AUM is one of the most powerful mantras in yoga. Ahura Mazda is the son of Zoroaster, the Persian ‘God’ and presumably the Prince of Persia referred to in Daniel (Chapter 9). This would seem to be the main demonic stronghold in Freemasonry and a direct attack on the Lordship of Jesus as ‘the Light of the World’ (John 8:12) and on the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

It is hard for a Christian who is not a Mason to understand how anyone could be so blind to the blasphemy of these rituals. However, from my own experience and that of others who have renounced Freemasonry, I sincerely believe that the spiritual ‘blindfold’ is so strong that they genuinely do not perceive the truth.

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Voluntary Obligation

In each of the degrees the candidate is asked to take a ‘voluntary obligation’ to keep the secrets which will be revealed later. He is assured that this ‘contains nothing contrary to his religious beliefs or political opinions be they what they may, nothing at variance with the allegiance owed to the sovereign or the rulers of the State and nothing hurtful to his feelings as a man of honour’. He is then fed a very detailed legalistic statement, a few words at a time, by the Worshipful Master. In the Entered Apprentice (first) degree the wording is as follows:

“ I, -------, of my own freewill and accord, in the presence of the Most High God, the Great Architect of the Universe and of this worthy, worshipful and warranted Lodge of ancient, free and accepted Masons, regularly constituted, properly assembled and duly dedicated in His Most Holy Name, do hereby and hereon solemnly and sincerely promise, vow and declare that I will ever hele, conceal and never will reveal aught of the hidden points, secrets or mysteries of or belonging to Ancient Craft Masonry which have heretofore, shall now or may hereafter become known to me in any manner whatsoever. I will not communicate, divulge or discover these secrets to anyone in the whole world save to him or to them to whom the same shall surely, justly and of right belong ---- ----- I will not write print or in any way delineate these secrets on anything moveable or immoveable, beneath the canopy of heaven whereby any letter, symbol or the least trace thereof may become unlawfully known, legible or intelligible to myself or anyone else through my inadvertence, negligence or misconduct".

This is followed by the ancient and real penalties and the candidate is then commanded by the Worshipful Master to ‘ratify the obligation’ by ‘kissing the Volume of Sacred Law which lies in (your) hands or in any other manner equally binding on (your) conscience’. Thus the ‘voluntary obligation’ is, in fact, an ‘oath of secrecy’. This reveals the deceit of the earlier statement that ‘it contains nothing contrary to (your) religious beliefs’. Jesus made it very clear (Matthew 5:37) that we should not swear oaths of this nature; “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’, ‘no’ – anything beyond that comes from the evil one”. Interestingly, there is similar caution in James 5:12, just before the verses relating to praying for the sick “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’, ‘no’ or you will be condemned.”

Furthermore, even cursory study shows that the wording of the oath is so incredibly legalistic that it would be impossible for anyone not to break it. The remedy is spelt out in Leviticus Chapters 4 & 5. For example (Leviticus 5:17-18) “suppose you sin by violating one of the Lord’s Commandments. Even if you are unaware of what you have done you are guilty ----- you must bring a guilt offering ----- and you will be forgiven”.

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Ancient penalties

One of the most terrible aspects of the degrees is the penal clauses at the end of each oath in which the candidate invokes 'ancient penalties' against his own body. There are specific oaths and penal clauses associated with each of the three Blue Lodge degrees and with many, if not all, of the higher degrees.

e.g. Entered Apprentice degree: 'All these points I solemnly promise vow and declare that I will observe without evasion, equivocation or mental reservation whatsoever, bearing in mind the ancient penalty of having the throat cut across, the tongue torn out at the root and buried in the deep sand of the sea ----- should I ever violate, in letter or in spirit, aught of this my most solemn, sincere and voluntary obligation'.

Fellowcraft degree: ‘Bearing in mind the ancient penalty of having my left breast torn open and the heart plucked thence and cast as a prey to the birds of the air’.

Master Mason degree: ‘Bearing in mind the ancient penalty of having the body sawn in twain, the bowels taken thence and with the body burnt to ashes and the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven’.

Knight's Templar degree: 'under no less penalty than loss of life, by having my head struck off and placed on the point of a pinnacle or spire, my skull sawn asunder and my brains exposed to the scorching rays of the sun----- '

These, in combination with the different ritual preparations (such as the halter and blindfold in the first degree), passwords, salutes etc affect just about every part of the body and mind so that almost every known infirmity could be attributed to a Freemasonry curse. However, let us be quite clear that this is not saying that all illness is attributable to Freemasonry.

It is also worth comment that, following criticism by the Church of England of these barbarous oaths, the English Grand Lodge has removed mention of the specific penalties. This simply means that the candidate is now bound under the ‘ancient penalty’ without knowledge of its true nature which has not changed.

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Infirmities

As mentioned earlier, almost any disease or affliction known to man could be associated with FM curses. However, it is important to stress that not all illness is due to FM, though it can certainly be a major block to healing. It is always wise to consider, before praying, if there are particular health problems or known health conditions within your family lines, which may be related to FM or other curses. Some examples of problems frequently identified with FM include early death, depression, migraine headaches, bowel problems, gynaecological problems, infertility, hip and knee problems, respiratory problems, heart disease, kidney problems, sinus and throat and neck problems, ear problems (e.g. tinnitus), dyslexia and ME.

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Other Secret Societies with similarities in Ritual

The Eastern Star is a version of Freemasonry for women. It is not recognised by the main Freemasonry Grand Lodges. There are a few lodges in Northern Ireland.

After Freemasonry the most significant in Northern Ireland are the Royal Arch Purple Chapter and the Royal Black Institution. The founders of the Orange Order were Freemasons and the initial rituals were based on the first three degrees of FM. In 1798 the Grand Orange Lodge was formed and the leaders objected to the ‘heathen ritual’ and started afresh. Those who were removed went off and formed the Royal Arch Purple degree incorporating the first 3 degrees of FM. However, entry to the Royal Arch Purple Chapter (RAPC) is through the Orange Order and the RAPC is the stepping stone to joining the Royal Black Preceptory.  Hence all those in the Royal Arch Purple and Royal Black Preceptory have been unwittingly initiated into the rituals of Freemasonry ‘by the back door’ and are under the same spiritual curses as Blue Lodge Masons (see www.nireland.com/evangelicaltruth/fmas.html and/or the book “Behind Closed Doors”, by Paul Malcolmson)

Recently Paul Malcolmson has published a further book ‘Inside the Royal Black Institution’ which clearly demonstrates the ‘the Black’ has bought into further layers of idolatry and blasphemy found within higher levels of freemasonry. It is possible that some of the penal clauses in ‘the Black’ are unique to it. Indeed, part of the teaching of the initiatory degree include the words ‘They will also correspond with the number of Apostles of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, one of whom fell, and the ancient custom of our Order teaches us that he who would betray his trust deserves no better fate than that which befell Judas Iscariot’ ( Inside the Royal Black Institution, p89, W P Malcolmson).

Other secret societies (sometimes called the poor man’s FM) are the Royal and Ancient Order of Buffaloes, the Elks and the Oddfellows. The former is active in Northern Ireland. According to Yvonne Kitchen (Freemasonry: Death in the Family)  there are many curses associated with the  Buffaloes, some similar to those in FM and others different. One of the major ones is the curse of insanity (associated with the story of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel Ch. 4). Others include: rebellion; accidental burning; curses of death, murder, suicide; humiliation, premature loss of hair and skin diseases associated with having the hair cut off; alcoholism; lust and adultery.

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Inherited spiritual ‘baggage’

Just as we inherit physical and personality characteristics from our past generations we also inherit a spiritual legacy. This can have both positive and negative aspects.  The second Commandment and other scriptures point to the consequences being effected to the ‘third and fourth generation’ and the practical outworking of this principle is seen both in the Old Testament and in personal experience over the past 15 years.

     Inherited roots are both positive and negative. Spiritually God wants the  

     positive roots to be a blessing to us and future generations (Acts 2:39)

     while we should be cleansed of our negative roots (1 Peter 1:18,19)

Some Christians question the truth of this, focusing on scriptures such as ‘we are a new creation’.  It is true that for the Christian ‘born again’ (John 3:3,7) through faith in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary, we are living under the New Covenant of Grace. However, this does not mean that we are automatically released from all the consequences of generational sin or even our own sin.  This is tied in with the process of sanctification where we apply the remedy of confession, repentance and forgiveness of those who have sinned against us.  Since we are not directly responsible for the sins of past generations we cannot ‘repent’ but we can confess the sin, forgive those who sinned and brought consequences upon us and renounce the behaviour for all time. This is important for any pattern of iniquity but especially important with areas of occult activity, whether deliberate, as in Witchcraft, or unwitting as in Freemasonry, Buffaloes, Royal Arch Purple etc.

Of particular importance is the role of sexual sin, whether in the present or past generations.  As clearly stated in Genesis 2:24, 1Corinthians 6:16 and Ephesians 5:31, when we have sexual intercourse we  become ‘one flesh’.  Thus we share the spiritual inheritance of our sexual partner.  If this is within the purity of marriage it still means that we can be affected by the spiritual legacy of the past generations of our wife / husband.   In the case of fornication or adultery we create a major foothold for Satan and open ourselves to an unknown spiritual legacy from the sexual partner(s) and his/ her past generations. 

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The Structure of Freemasonry

33° Grand Sovereign Inspector General

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Need for deliverance

Where there is FM or any form of similar idolatry in our generation or past generations we need to renounce any such involvement, ask for forgiveness, forgive those who have unwittingly exposed us to such curses and ask God to release us from all the curses and infirmities associated with the accumulated oaths and rituals. That this applies to unintentional sin as well as to deliberate sin is clearly spelled out in Leviticus (Chapters 4 & 5). For example (Leviticus 5:4-5) “Or suppose you make a foolish vow of any kind ----- when you realise its foolishness you must admit your guilt. When you become aware of your guilt in any of those ways you must confess your sin ----- bring a sin offering ----- making you right with the Lord”.

Many of the curses are directed at the senses. For example, in the Entered Apprentice degree the combination of the ‘blindfold’, the oath, the penal clause and other words spoken directly affect the eyes, ears and speech. Many others affect the mind and emotions.

One frequent area of release is in relation to the ability to read God's Word and/or pray in public. There are many recorded cases of people being healed from physical conditions after release from the curses of FM.

The prayer and procedure shown below cover both current and generational involvement in all forms of occult activity with special emphasis on FM. It should be noted that further prayer is likely to be required to deal with the accumulated curses of Satanism, Witchcraft or some New Age activities. Many FM deliverance ministries deal with each degree in turn. However, it seems that the spiritual oppression is largely determined by the higher demonic powers and therefore the present approach seeks to be ‘top down’ thus alleviating any need to know what level of involvement occurred.

One key issue is the nature of the ‘one flesh’ relationship between people who have intercourse, whether within the purity of marriage or in sinful sexual activity. It is vital therefore, as part of the process, to confess any sinful sexual relationships so that any spiritual ‘baggage’ from other generational lines can be dealt with, hence the wording of the first paragraph of the prayer.

The prayer was ‘given’ by God and has nine key aspects.

• First, the recognition of the person and power of the Trinity and of Jesus as the Light of the World.

• Second, confession of all forms of occult activity as sin.

• Third, the effects of generational iniquity (inclusive of sexual sin).

• Fourth, specific recognition of the various ‘secret societies’ as having unwitting associations with the occult.

• Fifth, specific recognition of the attacks on Christian doctrine within Freemasonry and similar rituals.

• Sixth, recognition of wrong Covenants which have been undertaken within the Protestant churches.

• Seventh, and very importantly, forgiveness of those who have unwittingly brought any curse upon us by any such involvement.

• Eighth, asking God to set us free from all the accumulated curses and powers of darkness.

• Finally, recognizing the Lordship of Christ and giving Him praise and worship.

It is important, prior to prayer, to destroy / dispose of all items of regalia which may be in your possession, preferably by burning where possible. It is also desirable that you should enlist the support of mature Christians during the prayers of renunciation. If possible you are advised to contact TRM and make an appointment for prayer with an experienced Counsellor. If this is not possible for geographical reasons we may be able to recommend someone in your vicinity.

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Prayer for Deliverance

Praise God that He has now declared you and subsequent generations free from the curses of Freemasonry and other idolatrous practices. Now you need to declare this over your life in the Name of Jesus. The following procedure is recommended to deal with all accumulated potential curses and associated spirits.

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Procedure for Deliverance following Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have heard my prayer and declare me (and my family) released from all the curses of Freemasonry, witchcraft and all other forms of idolatry and from the power of the all-seeing eye. I symbolically place the Cross between myself and those who were involved in any idolatrous rituals and cut all ungodly soul-ties. ·    

In Jesus Name I bind and rebuke all spirits of FM (including Ahura Mazda, Lucifer, Baphomet, Abaddon, Tammuz, Jahbulon, Jezebel, the Hydra, Kundalini, Horus), the false gods of Brahmin, Vishnu and Siva, Anubis, Osiris and Isis, Greek and Roman gods, false angel spirits, Druid and Buddhist Spirits and all other related Spirits of witchcraft, mind control and infirmity and command them to depart to the place Jesus has appointed. In Jesus Name I declare all curses on my mind and emotions to be broken and I command all associated spirits including spirits of legalism, secrecy and silence, self-righteousness, perfectionism, submission to ‘salvation by works’, saviour mentality, control, domination, deception, insomnia, adherence to false doctrine, unbelief, inability to interpret God’s Word, love of position, unwitting entrapment of others, insanity, depression, other mental illness (e.g. autism other??), rebellion, anxiety, alcoholism, anger, vengeance, intimidation, fear of rejection, fear of man, fear of the dark, ME etc. to go in the authority of Jesus Name.

In Jesus Name I declare all additional curses associated with Buffaloes to be broken and command spirits associated with humiliation, premature hair loss, skin diseases, being burned or fear of fire, to go in Jesus Name. · I renounce all spirits of death, destruction, murder and infirmity arising from the oaths of the Ancient Order of Hibernians or similar organisations.

I symbolically remove all blindfolds or hoods and declare all curses, both physical and spiritual, on my eyes to be broken and thank you Lord Jesus for new spiritual insight and ask that you will give me your eyes of love and compassion for my neighbour. I command all spirits of spiritual blindness and infirmity to go off my eyes in Jesus Name.

In Jesus Name I also declare all curses on my ears to be broken and thank you Lord for new ability to hear your voice and discern the lies of the enemy. I command all spirits of infirmity, including tinnitus, fear of criticism (other??) to come off my ears now.

(If  deep rejection and self rejection are apparent it is wise to first forgive those who have caused rejection, spoken criticism etc and to confess sins of self rejection before dealing with ears).

In Jesus Name I command all spirits of migraine, headache etc and all spirits of infirmity on the nose and sinuses to go to the place Jesus has appointed. I symbolically remove all halters from around my neck and all cloaks, collars, sashes etc from my shoulders and I declare that all ‘yokes’ of slavery are removed, all curses broken e.g. fear of being choked, death by hanging and that I am free in the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. When the Son sets me free I am free indeed.

In Jesus Name I declare that all curses on the mouth, lips, tongue, throat, spinal cord, thyroid, voice box etc. are broken and command all associated spirits (spirits of death,  infirmity, lying spirits, spirits of silence, spirits of sexual perversion, lust etc)  to go. I will praise God with all my being and ask for power to speak his truth with new boldness and authority.

In Jesus Name I declare all curses on my arms and hands to be broken. I symbolically lift the Holy Bible aloft as a token of my desire to worship the one true God, Jehovah and renounce all worship of Satan. I command all spirits of infirmity (e.g. arthritis, other??) or bondage to go in Jesus Name. Lord I ask you to anoint my hands to be like your hands reaching out to those in need.

In Jesus Name I declare all curses, on my heart and lungs and on my respiratory and vascular systems, particularly the ‘dagger pointed at the naked and defenceless breast’ and ‘having the heart plucked thence’ to be null and void. I command all spirits of death by heart attack, lung disease, emphysaema, anaemia etc.  and other spirits of emotional pain, fear of man, fear of rejection,  fear of heart attack, brokenheartedness etc. to go in Jesus Name.

I symbolically remove all aprons associated with any degrees and declare all curses, in particular curses of sexual sin, lust and perversion to be broken. I declare all curses on the abdomen and internal organs, particularly ‘having the body sawn in twain and the bowels removed’, to be broken in Jesus Name and I command all spirits of infirmity* (*if specifics e.g. infertility, miscarriage, diabetes, are in family line name them) to leave my digestive system, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, bladder and reproductive system, now and go to the place Jesus has appointed. In Jesus name I receive healing in all of these organs.

In Jesus Name I declare the curse of having the body split perpendicularly to be null and void and command all spirits of confusion, double mindedness, schizophrenia etc to go. I receive healing from any curses on the spine and trunk and command all associated spirits of infirmity to go in Jesus Name.

I also declare broken all curses on the thighs, knees, calves, ankles and feet and command all spirits of witchcraft, bondage and infirmity to go in Jesus Name.

In Jesus Name I declare the curses of the three blows, the death ritual and false resurrection to be null and void and command all spirits of death, destruction, early death, death of first born, miscarriage, murder, suicide, death wish etc to go in Jesus Name. I declare that Jesus is Risen, Ascended and seated in Glory and that all authority is his in heaven and on earth. Jesus Christ is Lord.

I symbolically place the Cross between myself and all who delivered degrees to (myself and) any in past generations and declare the curse of the ‘five points of fellowship’ and the false unity to be broken and I release myself from all ungodly soul ties.  In Jesus Name I command all spirits of division, deceit and counterfeit to go and I declare that I am the Temple of the Holy Spirit and confess the unity of the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In Jesus Name I symbolically remove all false armour and I receive the true armour of God – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and above all the sword of the Spirit which is God’s precious word of truth and life. I ask you Holy Spirit to anoint me to use it for nurture of myself and others and for tearing down strongholds of the enemy.

In Jesus Name I declare all curses of poverty – over time, material blessings, relationships and spiritual abundance to be broken. The thief comes to kill and steal and destroy but Jesus has come and lives that we may have life to the full.

(Break curses over marriage relationships – this is associated with having wedding ring removed as part of the ‘poverty clause’ in 2^nd degree - and declare God’s good plans. Anoint wedding ring/finger with oil).

In Jesus Name I declare all curses associated with blasphemous distortion of Christian doctrine to be null and void, in particular the false atonement, the false communion and false resurrection and command any associated spirits of deceit and distortion to go and I affirm that I will be able to hear, interpret and understand God’s Word.

I declare all curses associated with handling cursed objects, including a skull, to be broken and release myself from all ungodly soul ties with those whose skulls were used in ritual. In particular I command any spirits of fear, horror or infirmity to come off my eyes in Jesus Name.

Dear Lord Jesus I receive all the blessings which you have prepared for me (and my family) and I affirm that all of the curses broken today are null and void to subsequent generations in accordance with the promises in your Word. I ask you, Holy Spirit, to now fill me afresh with your love and power, healing my memories and emotions and sealing me against any attempt of the enemy to return. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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Testimonies

Testimony of a former Freemason

I joined Freemasonry nearly 40 years ago, shortly after taking up employment.  Two senior colleagues, both Churchgoers and men of the highest integrity, suggested that I consider joining.  The ‘carrots’ were: the suggestion that I was a man of integrity and interested in charitable deeds and would enjoy the company of like-minded men; that if anything happened to me my wife (and family) would be looked after; the implication that it may be helpful to my career.  At that time I was already a Christian (from age 16) and heavily involved in my local church (Sunday school teacher, Leader of Youth Group, Choir member etc).  During my initiation I felt ‘at home’ with the references to God, prayer, reading the Bible etc though some parts of the ritual did seem a bit peculiar.  By the time I had reached the third (Master Mason) degree I believe, with hindsight, that there was a little ‘bell’ ringing somewhere at the back of my head but I ignored it and became more involved, reaching the position of Worshipful Master by 1979.  That was also the year that I felt God challenging me about putting other things such as ambition etc. ahead of my commitment to Him.  I sat down one evening, confessed that I had been keeping some ‘doors shut’ and asked God to take over every aspect of my life.  Over the next three years I was growing in my walk with Jesus but also at my most active in Freemasonry, even being the main player in giving an exemplification of the first (Entered Apprentice) degree before the Grand Lodge in Dublin.

Gradually I began to see flaws in the Masonic ritual and teaching.  The first was a part of the wording in the second degree which I began to recognise as ‘salvation by works’. Next, I started to be uncomfortable with the teaching that ‘to maintain the unity of the Lodge-- we do not discuss religion or politics’ as these are two subjects on which men can never agree.  The outcome of this was that I was placing myself in a situation where I could not share my faith. Ultimately, this led to my resignation from the Lodge in 1987. In 1992, my wife and I were on holiday when we met a couple (David and Helen). David had been drawn into ‘deliverance ministry’ particularly associated with Freemasonry.  Recognising my Northern Irish accent he enquired about the rituals of the Orange Order and Royal Black Preceptory. I assured him that I knew nothing about them but ‘a bit about Freemasonry’.  I was somewhat shocked by his response to my comment ‘I was in it but came out of it’;  ‘You came out of it, did it come out of you?’   He explained that I ‘had taken serious oaths, completed with barbaric penal clauses, while kneeling at a false altar to a false god’ and that the spiritual consequences were on myself and my family.  Immediately I recognised the truth of what he was saying and agreed to meet with him and his wife for a time of prayer during which I would repent of my unwitting idolatry and the false oaths by which I had become ‘bound to freemasonry’.

During the prayer time I was unaware of anything significant but later realised that a serious problem with my left ankle had been healed.  However, from that day forth I began to realise that the ‘spiritual blindfold’ had been removed from my understanding and the Lord began to show me the many ‘deceits’ within the ritual including misuse of scripture, the fact that the god of Freemasonry is not Jehovah etc.  Over the next 5 years the Lord used my wife and I to lead others from the confusion and darkness of Freemasonry into new light and freedom in Jesus. In 1997, I received new revelations as to the demonic hierarchy at work behind Freemasonry, leading men of integrity unwittingly into idolatry and since then we have continued to see people released into spiritual freedom and physical and emotional healing as they renounced involvement in their own or past generations.  As Paul said to the Galatians  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”.

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Testimony of the wife of a Freemason

Imagine an idyllic holiday resort, turquoise seas, Christian fellowship and teaching – an ‘earthly Paradise’ to help our family recover from the deaths of two close family members.  But God, in HIS WISDOM, had an even greater surprise in store for us!! On the first evening after our Fellowship time we got into conversation with another couple. Knowing that we were from Northern Ireland the man asked my husband what he knew about ‘oath-taking organisations such as the Royal Black Preceptory’. My husband stated that he knew nothing about them, since he had never been involved but that he knew a bit about Freemasonry, having been a member but ‘having come out of it’.  To his surprise the man replied ‘You came out of it, did it come out of you?’ He went on to explain that my husband had, unwittingly, ‘bowed at a false altar, before a false God’ and that the oaths which he had taken had become curses on him and his family. He needed to repent of the idolatry to be set free from the curses.

It was agreed that we would meet with the other couple, next morning, for prayer.  As my husband repented of the oaths and rituals I became aware of the TRUTH that these had affected, not just my husband, but myself physically, emotionally and spiritually, through the ‘one flesh relationship’ (Matthew 19: 5-6).  Over a two hour period, as my husband was led systematically through repentance and deliverance, I experienced, to an even greater extent, the effects of the curses and was delivered from them.

Subsequently the Lord, in his great love and mercy, opened my eyes to vast treasures in the Scriptures, that I had often read but had not spiritually understood.  One particular example is Matthew 5:34-37, about oaths which is repeated in James 5:12, immediately before the ‘Prayer of Faith’.  Since then my husband and I have had the privilege of sharing with many others and seeing wives, children and grandchildren of Masons (Exodus 20 : 4-6), released into the freedom that Christ bought for us at Calvary. (Galatians 5 :1). “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”.

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Glossary

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