Should You Wear a “Christian” Cross? Millions Wear Or Have a Cross, Yet Few Are Aware of Its Ancient Roots

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ck photo cans to PHOTO: Should You Wear a “Christian” Cross? Millions wear or have a cross, yet few are aware of its ancient roots.

dramatic voice emanates number shown on the screen, and The cross is venerated and admired from the television: “The we will rush you your very own across the wide spectrum of traditional cross for three easy payments of Christian churches. It is a cornerstone A cross is revered throughout symbol—supposedly representing the Christianity as a symbol of faith $39.95. Quantities are limited, so message of Jesus Christ and how He in Jesus. We are pleased to present do not delay!” died for the sins of humanity. this beautifully detailed 24-karat Stirred to action by the present- Worn around the neck, placed on the dashboard of a car, hung from a wall, gold cross with matching gold er’s words and images of a sparkling golden cross, a TV viewer picks up neatly lined in cemetery rows, placed chain. It will bring you great joy the phone and dials the number. on top of church steeples, or found along highways either alone or with while you proudly wear it as a Like millions of others, he wants symbol of your faith. Let it inspire two slightly smaller crosses on each to wear this display of his religion. side, this icon is made of varied materi- you in your Christian walk. Place He wants others to know he is als and found in different shapes, forms your order now by calling the “Christian.” and places.

1 Most display the simple cross—an of the Christian faith. In order to increase upright stake with an intersecting cross- Before Christ the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical beam located about a third of the way The cross was not widely used in main- system, pagans were received into the down from the top. Some have two stream Christianity until the time of the churches…and were permitted largely crossbeams; others have an oval shaped Roman Emperor Constantine—about to retain their pagan signs and symbols. circle on top. Still another type, called 270 years after Christ established His Hence, the Tau or T, in its most frequent a crucifix, has an image of “Jesus” Church on Pentecost AD 31. None of form, with the cross-piece lowered, was affixed to it. The shapes, sizes and con- the apostles or first-century Christians adopted to stand for the cross of Christ.” figurations are seemingly endless, with used it or accepted it as a “Christian” Who was this Tammuz? Anciently, “something for everyone.” symbol. he has been known by many names: While the King James Version of the The Classic Encyclopedia, based on Baal, Molech, Osiris. The Bible identi- Bible speaks of the “cross of Christ” the famous 11th edition of Encyclopaedia fies him as Nimrod: “He was a mighty (Gal. 6:12), does this mean a Christian Britannica, states: “From its simplicity hunter before [in place of ] the Lord” should use this symbol as a physical of form, the cross has been used both as (Gen. 10:9). manifestation of his faith? a religious symbol and as an ornament, The famous Jewish historian, Since Jesus warned His followers from the dawn of man’s civilization. Josephus, records in Antiquities of the against blindly following the traditions Various objects, dating from periods Jews important evidence of Nimrod’s of men (Mark 7:6-7), you must not make long anterior to the Christian era, have role in the post-Flood world. Notice: “He assumptions. Do not just accept or assume been found, marked with crosses of also gradually changed the government that the cross is biblical—demand proof! different designs, in almost every part into tyranny…He [Nimrod] also said he of the old world. India, Syria, Persia would be revenged on God, if He should Constant Reminder? and Egypt have all yielded number- have a mind to drown the world again; Symbols carry significance and mean- less examples, while numerous instanc- for that he would build a tower too high ing. Often, they are used to invoke es, dating from the later Stone Age to for the waters to be able to reach…Now feelings or thoughts in the mind of the Christian times, have been found in the multitude were very ready to follow viewer. Some bring remembrance of nearly every part of Europe. The use of the determination of Nimrod, and to events, places or people: national flags, the cross as a religious symbol in pre- esteem it a piece of cowardice to submit war memorials, monuments to famous Christian times, and among non-Chris- to God.” persons, or grave markers. tian peoples, may probably be regarded Ezekiel 8:13-14 records a picture The image of a cross is no different. as almost universal, and in very many of the women of Israel “weeping for Yet few people consider what meaning cases it was connected with some form Tammuz.” This Tammuz (the god of this symbol has for God. Many ques- of nature worship.” fire) of the Babylonian mystery religion tions flow from this: Does God want According to Babylon Mystery is none other than Nimrod. The etymol- you to wear a cross and display it where Religion by Ralph Woodrow, “Ages ogy of the word Tammuz bears exami- you live? ago in Italy, before the people knew nation: tam means “to make perfect” Does God want to see this instrument anything of the arts of civilization, they and muz “fire.” In other words, to make of cruelty hanging from Christians’ believed in the cross as a religious sym- perfect through burning in fire! necks, on the wall of their homes, or bol. It was regarded as a protector and Ancient Israel fell into worshipping placed on the dashboard of their cars? was placed upon tombs.” This symbol is Tammuz. Again, he was also known Does He want to look upon a symbol still placed on graves today! as Baal or Molech: “And they built the that reminds Him of when He had to The book continues, “In 46 B.C. high places of Baal, which are in the completely turn from His Son? (Read [Before Christ], Roman coins show valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause Matthew 27:46, II Corinthians 5:21, and Jupiter holding a long scepter terminat- their sons and their daughters to pass Isaiah 53:6; 59:2.) And would you wear ing in a cross. The Vestal Virgins of through the fire unto Molech; which I a constant reminder of how your child pagan Rome wore the cross suspended commanded them not, neither came it was put to death? Think about this! from their necklaces, as the nuns of the into My mind, that they should do this Consider further. If Christ were put Roman Catholic church do now.” abomination…” (Jer. 32:35). to death with a .38 Special handgun, According to Vine’s Expository These practices were so terrible that would you wear this around your neck? Dictionary of Old and New Testament God says they never entered His mind— If Jesus were put to death in an elec- Words, the shape of the cross “had its they were unimaginable to Him! tric chair, would you place a miniature origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used If a symbol was first used for a one on your dashboard as a sign of as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being pagan god—one tied to child sacri- faith? What if by lethal injection? Would in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial fices—should you still wear it around you have its representation prominently of his name) in that country and in adja- your neck? placed on the wall of your home? cent lands, including Egypt. Also notice what the Davis Dictionary Why venerate—give honor to—an “By the middle of the third century of the Bible states about the origin of instrument used in Christ’s death? Are A.D. the churches had either departed the cross: “The pre-Christian cross of you certain God desires this? from, or had travestied, certain doctrines one form or another was in use as a

2 sacred symbol among the Chaldeans, upright stakes or poles. Other times graven image, or any likeness of any the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, and they used wooden crosses by attaching thing that is in heaven above, or that many other…nations. The Spaniards in beams either at or just below the top. is in the earth beneath, or that is in the the 16th century found it also among The Bible does not specify the exact water under the earth: you shall not the Indians of Mexico and Peru. But its shape of the “stauros” or “xulon” on bow down yourself to them, nor serve symbolic teaching was quite different which Christ was crucified. But in light them…” (Ex. 20:4-5). from that which we now associate the of the historical meanings of “stauros” Crosses are made—“graven”—by cross.” and “xulon,” it was likely on a stake or man’s hand. They are of “the earth How was its meaning different? upright pole, not on a two-beamed cross. beneath.” Supposed pictures or images It was used as a symbol of fertility. Do not, however, put too much of Jesus Christ or God the Father (who “Various figures of crosses are found emphasis on the shape of the cross. If are in heaven above) are also rendered everywhere on Egyptian monuments God thought it were important for us by the hands of men. Both are used as and tombs, and are considered by many to know exactly which, He would have objects of worship—they are adored and authorities as symbolical either of the clearly recorded it, leaving us without venerated. phallus [a representation of the male sex doubt. Any picture, image or statue of Jesus organ] or of coition…In Egyptian tombs The shape is not important—but Christ or God is in clear violation of the crux ansata [cross with a circle or Christ’s sacrifice is! the Second Commandment, and this handle on top] is found side by side includes all crosses and crucifixes. All with the phallus” (A Short History of Wrong Focus such icons become the object of worship, Sex-Worship). Established Christianity often has its which breaks the First Commandment Clearly, the cross symbol in its vari- adherents focus on a Jesus Christ who as well: “You shall have no other gods ous forms has pagan origins—and mean- is either pictured as a helpless baby in before Me” (Ex. 20:3). ings—outside of Christianity. Origins a manger or a long-haired, effeminate Ancient Israel constantly fell into that long predate the birth of Jesus weakling hanging dead on a cross. worshipping physical objects, such as Christ—and the Church He founded. It Yet the Bible reveals that Christ now the golden calf in Exodus 32. It is no was “Christianized” and brought into looks completely different. Inspired by different today. mainstream Christianity. God, the apostle John described Jesus’ Physically minded human beings present appearance: “His head and His desire physical representations of God, as What Did It Look Like? hairs were white like wool, as white as well as physical symbols to which they What did the instrument of Jesus Christ’s snow; and His eyes were as a flame of can attach meaning. They find it hard (in suffering look like? What was its shape? fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as if fact impossible) to worship a God they There are differing opinions. they burned in a furnace; and His voice as cannot see. Yet Hebrews 11, verses 1 and Professing Christianity has tradition- the sound of many waters. And He had in 6, states that we must believe God exists ally taught that Christ died on a two- His right hand seven stars: and out of His even though we cannot see Him. beamed cross—His feet nailed togeth- mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: God is composed of spirit. He does er, with arms outstretched. The gospel and His countenance was as the sun not consist of anything made by human accounts do say that Christ was nailed shines in [its] strength” (Rev. 1:14-16). hands, of wood, stone, gold, silver, ivory to a cross. Yet closer examination is God would not have inspired this or otherwise. God seeks those who will warranted. description unless He wanted us to know worship Him in spirit and truth (John The word “cross” is translated Christ’s glorified appearance. Instead of 4:23-24)—not with physical objects. from the Greek word stauros. Vine’s focusing on how He may have looked in See the cross symbol for what it is— Expository Dictionary of New Testament the past, we should think about Christ’s pagan! Its meanings and symbolism do Words states that this word “denotes appearance in terms of how He looks not honor God or Jesus Christ. The Bible primarily, ‘an upright pale or stake.’ On today—as a soon-coming King who will clearly teaches that God’s people must such [criminals] were nailed for execu- rule all nations! not practice or tolerate any pagan ways, tion. Both the noun and the verb stauroo, This is a very different picture customs, traditions or practices (Deut. ‘to fasten to a stake or pale,’ are origi- from the one invoked by traditional 7:1-6; Jer. 10:1-5; Rev. 18:1-4). nally to be distinguished from the eccle- Christianity!—which has its emphasis siastical form of a two beamed cross.” on “feelings,” “emotions” and “physi- The Right Focus Interestingly, other scriptures record cal” things. The Bible calls this approach How then should a person honor Jesus that Christ was nailed to a “tree” (I a false “form of godliness” (II Tim. 3:5). Christ? What kind of worship does Pet. 2:24; Acts 5:30, 10:39, 13:29). The This is especially true of a cross. He approve? Allow God’s Word to Greek word used in these verses, xulon, People own crosses and other reli- answer: “For even hereunto were you means “timber, stick, club, tree or other gious items to “feel religious.” But the called: because Christ also suffered wooden article or substance.” Second Commandment clearly prohibits for us, leaving us an example, that Anciently, Roman soldiers would any rendering of Christ’s or the Father’s you should follow His steps: who did crucify people using wooden structures appearance or any other religious image: no sin, neither was guile found in His of various shapes. Sometimes they used “You shall not make unto yourself any mouth: who, when He was reviled,

3 reviled not again; when He suffered, you keep My commandments, you shall While you can be “justified by His He threatened not; but committed abide in My love; even as I have kept blood” (Rom. 5:9), forgiven of past sins Himself to Him [God] that judges My Father’s commandments, and abide by His death, the next verse clarifies that righteously” (I Pet. 2:21-23). in His love” (John 15:10). you are “saved by His life” (vs. 10). Worshipping God in “spirit and Simply put, love for—worship of— Rather than focusing primarily on truth” means following the example God can only truly be expressed by Christ’s death, which is the central pur- set for us by Jesus Christ. It means pat- active Commandment-keeping. Our pose for displaying the cross, you should terning your life after Him. Your focus faith must be accompanied by actions emulate His life! If you will allow, He should be on how He lived—in com- (Jms. 2:20). Jesus Christ never wore will live that very same Commandment- plete submission to the Father—faith- or had a cross, and neither should His keeping life in you. fully obeying all of the Commandments, followers. True Christianity is a way of For a thorough examination of the including the Second Commandment. life you live—the exact same way Jesus life of Jesus, as well as how He kept the He said, “If you love Me, keep My Christ lived while on Earth—it is not Commandments, read The True Jesus commandments” (John 14:15). Also, “If demonstrated by any religious symbol. Christ – Unknown to Christianity. c

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