I found this deeply profound, and I just love the historical significance of places like these:
There is a rock outcrop that juts out below Mount Hermon (sacred mountain). It is called Caesarea Philippi. It was a place dedicated to the worship of many pagan gods such as Ba’al, the roman goddess Diane and the Greek throwback of the ancient Nephilim, Pan, the goat/man god.
Dug into the rock were various arched ledges for the idols of pagan gods and goddesses to sit. Temples were built so patrons could visit and worship various pagan deities, one after the other.
The temples had long since vanished but the etchings and ledges are still visible. Pictures: creative commons: https://vici.org/vici/17872/
There was a special court area built for the hypnotic flute playing Pan, the dancing goat/man god that chased woodland nymphs for sexual frolic. (Who Alexander Hislop claims was really the first man, Adam in his book The Two Babylons) 😏Hislop was a con.
There was also an area set aside for Pan and the sacred goats and another for Pan and the nymphs. There was a temple for Echo, (the goddess Pan couldn’t catch), a Temple for Zeus and one for the Greek goddess Nemesis.
This rock foundation where the Gates of Hades is located is where Christ had stood when his true identity was revealed to Peter. Yes, Peter's name meant rock in the Greek: but let's look at the location, and the deeper implication behind why this particular area was chosen. Christ stood on the outcropping of Caesarea Philippi, the entrance to the underworld - Gates of Hades and the central location of pagan worship. This area was where he announced that upon THIS rock he would build his church: Greek: ἐκκλησίαν, ekklēsian; meeting, calling out, congregation, -- and the gates of hell would not prevail against it.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
He could have done this anywhere but, by choosing this specific location, His message was a spiritual rebuke against the entities of darkness and a testimony to the Church to stand firm against demon worship and spiritual warfare.
His message to the disciples was to build the church on a steady foundation of faith strong enough to withstand and defeat evil; look at the demonic roots of pagan worship in the face and stand firm! Stand firm and be as a rock!
This is where the spiritual battle begins within the church, at the front door of evil. When the church speaks the Word of God to its parishioners it becomes a blockage to the gates of hell. When a false church speaks of a different Christ, a false Christ and partakes with the acceptance of worldly views, it becomes a portal to the gates of hell.
Peter, being the little rock: Πέτρος (Petros) is the 'little rock,' would have understood the message and the meaning behind the location. You can tell this by his letters to persecuted Christians; his letters were full of faith and hope. Christ has overcome and there is no need to fear Hades, death.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. I Peter 2:9
No wonder there is a falling away from within the church. The fundamental teaching of the church is being corrupted; the world is invading, replacing Jesus as its head with the dark lord of the Satanists, the Father of Lies. People are flocking to these worldly churches in droves as false teachers are placating sin. Sexually debauchery, mutilation and men in drag are the newest westerly phenomenon of social justice pitted against the family unit and, the bringer of Peace.
As the light of Christ Jesus dims from the world; the darkness is given way to demonic influence that has begun to manifest in earnest. Doctrines of demons, demon worship and the lack of empathy for human life intensifies, as the veil between good and evil is thinning.
The world will be soon given over to deception, and Satan who masquerades as an angel of light, could not be more pleased.
No comments:
Post a Comment