No 14

(Secretive cults)

Secretive cults have been around for centuries and most find their origins in the Roman Catholic system of beliefs and the occult. Here are a few of these cults: 1) The Illuminatti which means, in Italian, the “enlightened” or in Spanish “alumbrado”; it began in the 16^th or 17^th century. The followers of this mystic cult believe that they can communicate directly with the Holy Spirit of God; the majority of the members were either Jesuits or Franciscans; but today, laypersons are members also. 2) Freemasonry is another; it began in the Middle Ages amongst stone masons and cathedral builders. The first “Grand Lodge” was founded in 1717 in England; it is the largest secretive society in the world. There are many sub-groups such as: Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (the “Shriners”), Order of the Eastern Star, Order of DeMolay, Order of Builders, Order of Job's Daughters and the Order of Rainbow. 3) The Rosicrucians is the last one we will look at. Its origin is rather obscure but it allegedly began in 1378 by Christian Rosenkreuz who lived for 106 years; he was more a legend than a founder. The name comes from their symbol that depicts a rose and a cross. The true founder of the Rosicrucians is Paracelsus, a Swiss who died in 1541. They claim to have wisdom derived from ancient occult beliefs and practices. Just another group of people desperately looking for the meaning of life.

We, as born-again Christians, have the answer to the meaning of life – Jesus Christ!! Is there anyone else who really matters?? Now, is it wrong for Christians to pursue these matters of secretive societies? I would answer yes and no. Yes, because it leads nowhere and if we pin our hopes on any of it, we sin. No, if it is just to find out about these counterfeit groups so we can warn others. The banks have a good method of training their tellers regarding counterfeit money – they constantly show them the real thing so that when a false one comes along, they are able to identify it with no problem. “ Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.