Forgotten Symbols

There is a strange connection, a recurring theme in some well-known places around the globe, spanning different cultures with diverse religions. In Vatican Square, Mecca, Jerusalem and even in Washington, DC are found prominent, architectural monuments: huge stone obelisks which have their origins in ancient Egypt. It seems incongruous that such disparate locations and cultures around the world would feature monuments based on this ancient symbol.

Additionally, great cathedrals and many Protestant church buildings feature steeples ranging from soaring spires to more modest examples of the basic shape of an obelisk. Many mosques feature minarets—tall towers marking the location of places of Islamic worship, and used for the Muslim call to prayer. Is the similarity and prominence of these obelisks, spires and towers a remarkable coincidence, or is there a reason for their design?

In antiquity, Egyptians worshiped the sun, among many other gods, and the obelisk was an important symbol in their worship. These ancient pagan peoples often ascribed powers to symbols, particularly regarding fertility, abundant crops, healing and various magical powers. The obelisk, a phallic symbol in the form of a tall pointed spire, became an almost universal religious symbol spanning many cultures in ancient times. It has come down to modern times as an important symbol of Freemasonry, and is also used by much of mainstream Christianity in the construction of its places of worship. The meanings of these spires, steeples pagan symbols and structures has largely been forgotten down through time, as various religions have adopted them.

“Well, what difference does it make?” one might ask?. That is a fair question. If you look into the Bible, you will find that it makes a great deal of difference to our Heavenly Father. In fact, the phrase “sacred pillars,” which is a clear reference to the monuments and towers I have described, is mentioned at least 15 times in the NKJV, each time with instructions to remove or to destroy these symbols of pagan worship.

The basis for this instruction is the Second Commandment, “You shall not make for yourself a carved 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 nor serve them” (Exodus 20:4–5). Further, in His instruction to the nation of Israel, God said, “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations” (Deuteronomy 18:9).

The principle is clear. God chooses how He is to be worshiped, and using the methods, symbols, and practices of false, pagan religions to worship Him is not acceptable. In fact, He considers it an abomination. Over and over God instructed His people to remove these symbols of paganism. For example, “But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire” (Deuteronomy 7:5).Some will say, “But it’s a beautiful tradition!” Jesus let the people of His day know that traditions based on ungodly practices are not acceptable. “He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?’” (Matthew 15:3).

Beautiful buildings of fine quality in which to worship God are certainly an enjoyable blessing, but they are not a necessity. Today, congregations of the Church of God often meet in rented buildings. Symbols with origins in paganism are avoided since they are not pleasing to God.

If you are interested in knowing more about the beliefs and practices of the Church that Jesus built, free of pagan traditions, order our booklet, Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity. It costs you nothing, and the information is of great value.