Babylonian Legend

Tammuz was born to Nimrod and Semiramis. He was associated with the sun god; he “dies” at the winter solstice (~Dec 22); is “resurrected” as the days get longer. Thus, celebrated by burning a “yule” log (Chaldean: infant), replaced by a trimmed tree the next morning (Jer 10:1-5). Also mistletoe (fertility); wassail, etc. [Hislop, The Two Babylons.] In addi- tion, celibate priests, purgatory, Mariolatry, all trace their origins to pagan Rome, a thin veneer over the Babylonian system (Cf. Rev 17:15- 18).

Babylonian Roots

It was Nimrod who founded the original Babylonian religion; virtually identical to Phaethon—or Aesculapius—eventually developing into the worship of his widow Semiramis and his posthumous son:

• Semiramis & Tammuz of Babylon
• Ashtoreth & Tammus of Phoenicia
• Isis & Horus of Egypt
• Aphrodite & Eros of Greece
• Venus & Cupid of Rome

(From Alexander Hislop)

The Migrating Priesthood

When Cyrus conquered Babylon, the Babylonian priesthood and their initiates fled and set up shop in Pergamos. As the centroid of power ultimately shifted to Rome, this same religious system adopted Latin labels and formed the foundation for pagan Rome.

Pontifex Maximus

When Cyrus conquered Babylon, they founded a new center at Pergamos and that king became Pontifex Maximus, the high priest of that pagan system. [Pember] Subsequent transfer of the cult from Pergamos to Rome, with the appointment of successive Caesars as high priest. By 378 A.D., Damasus, the Bishop of Rome, completed the absorption of Babylonianism into the Roman Church. [Hislop & Pember]

History of Rome

• 753B.C.          Rome founded,
• 343-272B.C. Subdued Italy,
• 264-146B.C. Conquered Carthage,
• 215-146 B.C. Greece, Asia Minor,
• 133- 31 B.C.  Spain, Gaul, Briton, Teutons,
• 63 B.C.                       Conquered Judea.

In its zenith, it spanned from the Atlantic to Euphrates and from the North Sea to the African Desert. Population: 120 million.

Caesar Worship

Augustus inaugurated emperor worship in order to give the empire a bond of common sentiment. Although not the seat of imperial and judicial authority, Pergamos became the center of the official religion of emperor worship. The first temple of this cult was erected at Pergamos in 27 B.C. Under Vespasian and his successors, it became a test of one’s loyalty if one would or would not offer incense to the statue of the emperor.

Rise to the Zenith

• 46-44 B.C. Julius Caesar
• 31-14 A.D. Augustus Christ was born in his reign.
• 12-37 Tiberius Christ crucified in his reign.
• 37-41 Caligula Unsuccessful attempt at desecration of the Temple.
• 41-54 Claudius
• 54-68 Nero Blamed his burning of Rome on Christians. Executed Paul.
• 68-69 Galba, Otho, Vitelius
• 69-79 Vespasian Titus destroyed Jerusalem (70)
• 79-81 Titus
• 81-96 Domitian Most violent; thousands slain; John banished to Patmos.
• 98-117 Trajan Sought to uphold the laws; Christianity regarded illegal.
• 117-138 Hadrian
• 138-161 Antoninus Pius Bar Kochba revolt; Aelia Capitolina replaces Jerusalem.
• 161-180 Marcus Aurelius Severest since Nero. Peak of Roman power.

Decline and Fall

Constantine

• 312 A.D: Constantine set out to defeat the forces of Maxentius, his rival, for supreme power in the empire. His father had prospered when he had prayed to the God of the Christians, and Constantine, in his extremity, resorted to the same action. It is said that on the next day he saw a shining cross in the sky with an inscription above it: in hoc signo vinces : “In this sign thou shalt conquer.” He defeated Maxentius at the Milvan bridge, and immediately declared his conversion to Christianity
• 325 A.D: Edict of Toleration established freedom of religion;favored Christians at court; exempted Christian ministers from taxes; issued a general exhortation to all his subjects to become Christians.
• 330 A.D: Moved the capital of the empire to Byzantium, calling it Constantinople.

Constantine ceased the gladiatorial fights, reduced the killing of unwelcome children, abolished crucifixion as form of execution, repealed the persecution edicts of Diocletian, assumed headship of the church, advanced Christians to high offices, declared Sunday a day of worship (forbid work on Sunday), and reduced slavery.

Marriage Consummated

• 361-363 Julian, “The Apostate” sought to restore paganism.
• 363-364 Jovian reestablished the Christian religion.
• 378-395 Theodosius made Christianity the state religion, forced conversions filled the churches with unregenerates. Ambition to rule, heathenism, and pomp emerge in the world church

Perverted Marriage

• Heathenism was Christianized; pagan temples became Christian churches; heathen festivals were converted into Christian ones.
• Pagan priests slipped into office as Christian priests.
• Change was mostly nomenclature
• What persecution didn’t accomplish marriage to world did…The underground Christians exchanged the rags of oppression for the silks of the court…