The Trojan Horse Of Religious Freedom!
By L. McGuire
What is this huge massive horse and what does it mean? Let's go back in time to where it all started... The Trojan War.
I still find the epic story of the Greek's Trojan Horse, to be extremely fascinating! The battle between the Greeks and that great city of Troy, lasted a decade, before the Greeks conquered the city. The Trojan War was remarkably won by the Greeks. Indeed, they outwitted their opponent when they made the huge wooden horse.
Thinking this massive idol to be a token of peace, and a gift to their deities, the naive Trojans dragged it up the shore bringing it into the city! How excited the Trojans must have been. For ten long years, the city was under siege. Day after day, they endured massive attacks. Finally, the battle was over. Believing they, The Trojans were indeed victorious over the Greeks, massive celebrations of victory and freedom broke out.
As the Trojans slept, many men were in a drunken stupor, the wooden horse came to life. The adrenaline filled Greeks, who quietly dropped out of the wooden horse. How thrilled these Greeks must have been. After years of fighting, these few men were the first Greeks to breach the wall. They received a free ride. These first class tickets, took them right into the city.
With hearts pounding, these men signaled for their fellow comrades. They barged into the city. How devastating it must have been for the people of Troy. Many awoke to screams of horror while blood was being shed within the streets. Helpless victims filled with panic ran throughout the city in fear. Soon the city would be desolate. The Greeks having won the victory! All the men were murdered and the women along with the children taken for slaves. Odysseus was one of the main leaders during the Trojan War. His cunning plan still amazes many people
During this computer age, there is another type of Trojan Horse that attacks computers. There are seven different types of computer destructive Trojan Horses. The most destructive one is the one that can actually keep record of every single key stroke you make! This information is then stored in a massive computer database.
The Trojan Horse is: "A destructive program that masquerades as a benign application. Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive. One of the most insidious types of Trojan horse is a program that claims to rid your computer of viruses but instead introduces viruses onto your computer." (www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/Trojan_horse.html)
Hmm... a devise that makes you think it is good yet in reality it destroys! I am reminded of how the Scriptures tell us there is one that comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
As cunning as the above are, one succeeds them all! This clever deceptive plan has been around long before the Trojan War and the creation of computers. The success rate of this Trojan Horse is innumerable!
Just as, Laocoon and Cassandra of the Trojans were against bringing the wooden horse into the city, there has always been a remnant of Yahuah that has exposed the "Trojan Horse of Religious Freedom".
At the turn of the century, true believers of Yahushua Ha Mashiach were persecuted to the fullest! These early believers were a sect within the Yahudim community. They were called, Natsarim meaning: 'Followers Of the Way!' As hatred grew towards the Yahudim, the Greeks decided to Hellenize everything remotely resembling anything Yahudim (Jewish).
Prior to 312-313 A.D. it was against man's law to be a taught one (disciple) of Yahushua, Ha Mashiach. These qodesh ones, saints (Rev. 14:12) would not compromise their faith, even faced with physical death. Their faith was strengthening. They knew not to fear those who could destroy the body but fear Him who has the power to destroy both the body and the being in the Gehenna (Mat 10:28). History has and will always repeat itself! Scriptures tells us the following: "What has been is what shall be, what has been done is what shall be done, and there is no new matter under the sun". (Ecc 1: 9)
Despite, the persecutions they endured, the congregation grew at an exceptional rate. Converts were being immersed on a daily basis.
To the human eye, this religious war appeared to be having no winner. The more martyrs brought more converts! Even though, Yahushua has overcome this spiritual war battle for us, ha shatan (the devil, serpent, satan) still wants to be worshiped!
Like a knowledgeable general, ha shatan thought up a plan so deceptive that the outcry can still be heard today. Any method he could find, he used. Openly or by beguiling even the elect, if it were possible.
Suddenly, through the Emperor Constantine, the Natsarim were free! Finally, it was not against the law to be a follower of, 'The Way'.
Embracing the "Trojan Horse of Religious Freedom", these early believers, did not have to fear for their lives. They could be Followers of Yahushua openly! What a joyful time that must have been. However, something so sinister and grand was hiding deep within this camouflaged horse!
As the Trojans slept, a great distress emerged from within the city! Ha 'Shatan quietly hid inside this false freedom, waiting for the early believers to fall into a spiritual drunken stupor state. Compromise triumphantly emerged, as the great counterfeit began to rise! Slowly, the true followers of Yahushua were besieged!
This attack would last far more than the decade long Trojan War. The consequences can be felt even in our day. As a matter of fact, this war continues today! "Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual matters of wickedness in the heavenlies." (Eph 6:12)
Believers soon found themselves having to submit to the iron claws of the Papacy or be killed. Many fled for their lives.
Soon the early believers received a new name, they were now called, 'Christians'. If you happen to be a Christian, may I humbly ask you to take some time to study the birth of Christianity. Then do a cross reverence back to the history of Mithraism. This new faith has a form of reverence (godliness) but denies the power thereof (2 Tim.3:5).
The Trojan Horse of Religious Freedom came with an awful price, Compromise! The changing of their name was just the start ha shatan gave this fourth beast his power, seat and great authority (Rev.13:2). This beast did the unthinkable, it thought to change Yahuah's (the Creator) times (as in feast days) and His Laws (Torah) (Daniel 7:25).
There were two ways the Papacy got people into the church. One was by great force. The other was by adopting paganism! Which included the worshipping of the whole host of heaven. Soon, the Yahudim Messiah was transformed into a Greek Trinitarian deity. The Messiah's name was changed, to be more acceptable and pleasing to the people. His beloved mother, Miriam became an idol given the title, 'Queen of Heaven' and 'Mother of God'. The first early taught ones were given the label "saints". Pictures of dead people were found on the walls. Praying to and honoring the dead became common. To invite the host of heaven, candles were soon placed throughout the church; believers were told this made the services more 'holy'. The Ruach Ha Qodesh was suppressed, as the Pater ruled each parish/church. The laity was ruled by the Nicolaitanes. Graven Images were set up and worshipped, along with the T Cross and other relics. Rosaries become popular. Anointing oil was replaced with holy water. The practice of paying a loved one out of purgatory known as 'sale of indulgences' became very popular. The dogma of 'trans-substantiation' was enforced. The Pope was considered the Messiah on earth and that he is infallible! Some believe now in Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) and that we all are little christos.
The above briefly describes some of the changes instituted by the Papacy and Constantine. One more must be told. During the Creation week, Yahuah instituted a day of rest, namely the seventh day (Gen. 2:3) But the RCC has thought to change the day of rest from the 7th day to the 1st day. This decree was first instituted under Constantine in honor of Sol Invitus (the unconquered sun) under a penalty of death! This was the first national Sunday law. Do not be deceived by this Religious Trojan Horse! The Rams horn has been blown!
Farasi wa Trojan wa Uhuru wa Kidini! L. McGuire: Farasi huyu mkubwa ni nini na anamaanisha nini? Hebu turudi nyuma katika wakati ambapo yote ilianza... Vita vya Troja. Bado naona hadithi ya hadithi ya Ugiriki ya Farasi wa Trojan, kuwa yenye kuvutia sana! Vita kati ya Wagiriki na mji huo mkubwa wa Troya, viliendelea kwa miaka kumi, kabla ya Wagiriki kushinda jiji hilo. Vita vya Troja vilishindwa na Wagiriki. Kwa kweli, walimshinda mpinzani wao walipokuwa wakitengeneza farasi huyo mkubwa wa mbao. Wakiwa wakifikiri sanamu hiyo kubwa ilikuwa ishara ya amani, na zawadi kwa miungu yao, Watroja wasio na busara waliivuta kwenye ufuo na kuileta jijini! Ni lazima Watrojan wawe walikuwa na msisimko kama nini. Kwa miaka kumi mirefu, jiji hilo lilizingirwa. Siku baada ya siku, walivumilia mashambulizi makubwa. Mwishowe, vita vilikuwa vimekwisha. Kwa kuwa waliamini kwamba kwa kweli Watroja walikuwa wameshinda Wagiriki, sherehe kubwa za ushindi na uhuru zilianza. Wakati watu wa Troja walipokuwa wamelala, wanaume wengi walikuwa wamelewa, farasi huyo wa mbao akaamka. Wagiriki walijaa adrenalini, nao wakateremka kimya-kimya kutoka kwenye farasi wa mbao. Ni lazima Wagiriki hao wawe walifurahi kama nini! Baada ya miaka mingi ya kupigana, wanaume hao wachache walikuwa Wagiriki wa kwanza kuvunja ukuta huo. Walipata safari ya bure. Tiketi hizi za darasa la kwanza, ziliwapeleka moja kwa moja jijini. Wakiwa na mioyo mikali, wanaume hao waliwatumia rafiki zao kuwaita. Waliingia jijini kwa ghafula. Ni lazima hilo liwe lilikuwa jambo lenye kuhuzunisha sana kwa watu wa Troa. Wengi waliamka kwa kilio cha hofu huku damu ikimwagika barabarani. Waathiriwa wasio na msaada waliojaa hofu walikimbia jijini kote wakiwa na hofu. Punde si punde jiji hilo lingekuwa ukiwa. Wagiriki wameshinda! Wanaume wote waliuawa na wanawake pamoja na watoto wakachukuliwa kuwa watumwa. Odysseus alikuwa mmoja wa viongozi wakuu wakati wa Vita vya Troja. Mpango wake wa ujanja bado unawashangaza watu wengi Katika enzi hii ya kompyuta, kuna aina nyingine ya farasi wa Trojan anayeshambulia kompyuta. Kuna aina saba tofauti za kompyuta uharibifu Trojan Farasi. Ya uharibifu zaidi ni ile ambayo kwa kweli inaweza kuweka rekodi ya kila hit muhimu moja wewe kufanya! Kisha habari hiyo huhifadhiwa katika hifadhidata kubwa ya kompyuta. Farasi wa Trojan ni: "Programu ya uharibifu ambayo hujificha kama programu isiyo na madhara. Tofauti na virusi, farasi wa Trojan hawajirudishi wenyewe lakini wanaweza kuwa wenye uharibifu kama huo. "Mmoja wa aina za ""farasi wa Trojan"" ni programu inayodai kuondoa virusi kwenye kompyuta yako, lakini badala yake huingiza virusi kwenye kompyuta yako." (www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/Trojan_horse.html) Hmm... kifaa ambacho kinakufanya ufikiri ni kizuri lakini kwa kweli kinaharibu! "Hii inatufanya tufikirie jinsi Maandiko yalivyotuambia kwamba ""yule atakayekuja kuiba, kuua na kuharibu"" (Yohana 10:10). - Yohana 10:10." Hata kama hao walio juu ni wajanja, mmoja wao hufaulu wote! Mpango huu wa ujanja wa kudanganya umekuwapo muda mrefu kabla ya Vita vya Trojan na kuundwa kwa kompyuta. Kiwango cha mafanikio ya Farasi huyu wa Trojan ni kisichoweza kuhesabiwa! "Kama vile Laokoni na Kasandra walivyokuwa wakipinga kuingizwa kwa farasi wa mbao katika mji, ndivyo walivyoendelea kuwa mabaki ya Yahweh ambao wamemfunua ""farasi wa Troa wa Uhuru wa Kidini.""" Katika mwanzo wa karne hiyo, waamini wa kweli wa Yahushua Ha Mashiach walinyanyaswa kabisa! Waamini hao wa mapema walikuwa madhehebu ndani ya jumuiya ya Wayahudi. Waliitwa, Natsarim ikimaanisha: 'Wafuasi wa Njia!' Chuki dhidi ya Wayahudi ilipozidi kuongezeka, Wagiriki waliamua kugeuza kila kitu kilichokuwa na uhusiano wowote na Wayahudi kuwa cha Kigiriki. Kabla ya 312 KK, ilikuwa kinyume cha sheria ya mwanadamu kuwa mwanafunzi wa Yahushua, HaMashiach. Qudash ni watu watakatifu (Ufunuo. (Luka 14:1) Hawangekubali kuvunja imani yao, hata wakikabiliwa na kifo cha kimwili. Imani yao ilikuwa ikiongezeka. "Walijua kuwa hawapaswi kuwaogopa wale ambao wanaweza kuharibu mwili, bali wamwogope Yeye ambaye ana nguvu ya kuharibu mwili na kiumbe katika Jahannamu (Mathayo 10:28).""" Historia imerudiwa na itarudiwa sikuzote! "Mungu anasema hivi: ""Kilikuwa ni kitakachokuwa, na kilichotendeka ni kitakachotendeka, wala hakuna jambo jipya chini ya jua.""" (Mhubiri 1:9) Licha ya mateso waliyovumilia, kutaniko lilikua kwa mwendo wa ajabu. Wahamiaji walikuwa wakizamishwa kila siku. Kwa macho ya kibinadamu, vita hivyo vya kidini vilionekana kuwa havina mshindi. Kadiri wafia-imani walivyoongezeka ndivyo waliobadilika-badilika walivyoongezeka! Hata ingawa, Yahushua ameshinda vita hii ya kiroho kwa ajili yetu, ha shatan (shetani, nyoka, shetani) bado anataka kuabudiwa! Kama jenerali mwenye ujuzi, HaShanani alibuni mpango wenye kudanganya sana hivi kwamba kilio chao bado kinaweza kusikika leo. Alitumia njia yoyote aliyoweza kupata. Kwa wazi au kwa kuwapotosha hata wateule, ikiwa ingewezekana. Kwa ghafula, kupitia Maliki Konstantino, Wanatzarimu walikuwa huru! Mwishowe, haikuwa kinyume cha sheria kuwa mfuasi wa, 'Njia'. Kwa kukubali "Farasi wa Troja wa Uhuru wa Kidini", waamini hao wa mapema hawakuwa na hofu ya uhai wao. Wangeweza kuwa Wafuasi wa Yahushua waziwazi! Ni lazima wakati huo uwe ulikuwa wa shangwe kama nini! Hata hivyo, kitu fulani chenye kuogopesha na chenye fahari kilikuwa kimefichwa ndani sana ya farasi huyo aliyevalia mavazi ya kujificha! Waturaya walipokuwa wakilala, msiba mkubwa ulitokea ndani ya jiji! HaShem aliweka kimya ndani ya uhuru huu wa uongo, akingojea waumini wa mapema waanguke katika hali ya ulevi wa kiroho. Mapatano yalitokea kwa ushindi, wakati udanganyifu mkubwa ulipoanza kuongezeka! Polepole, wafuasi wa kweli wa Yahushua walizingirwa! Shambulio hilo lingedumu kwa muda mrefu kuliko Vita vya Troja vilivyoendelea kwa miaka kumi. Matokeo ya jambo hilo yanapatikana hata leo. Kwa kweli, vita hivyo vinaendelea leo! "Kwa sababu hatupigani na mwili na damu, bali na vyeo vya enzi, na mamlaka, na watawala wa ulimwengu wa giza la enzi hii, na mambo ya roho ya uovu katika mahali pa mbinguni.""" (Waefeso 6:12) Punde si punde, waamini walijikuta wakilazimika kujitiisha chini ya mikunjo ya chuma ya Upaji au kuuawa. Wengi walikimbia ili kuokoa uhai wao. Punde si punde waamini wa mapema walipata jina jipya, sasa waliitwa, 'Wakristo.' Ikiwa wewe ni Mkristo, naomba kwa unyenyekevu uchukue muda wa kujifunza kuzaliwa kwa Ukristo. Kisha fanya heshima ya msalaba nyuma ya historia ya Mithraism. Imani hii mpya ina namna ya heshima (ucha Mungu) lakini inakataa nguvu yake (2 Tim. Farasi wa Trojan wa Uhuru wa Kidini alikuja na bei mbaya sana, Uvumilivu! "Kubadilisha jina la mnyama huyo kulikuwa mwanzo tu, kwa kuwa Shetani alimpa yule mnyama wa nne nguvu zake, kiti chake cha enzi, na mamlaka yake kubwa.""" Mnyama huyo alifanya jambo lisilowezekana, akafikiri kubadilisha nyakati za Yahweh (Mumba) (kama vile siku za sikukuu) na Sheria zake (Torati) (Danieli 7:25). Papa alikuwa na njia mbili za kuingiza watu kanisani. Moja ilikuwa kwa nguvu kubwa. Jambo jingine lilikuwa kwa kuiga dini ya kipagani! Ambayo ilitia ndani kuabudu jeshi lote la mbinguni. Punde si punde, Masihi wa Kiyahudi alibadilishwa na kuwa mungu wa Utatu wa Kigiriki. Jina la Masihi lilibadilishwa, ili liwe lenye kukubalika zaidi na lenye kupendeza zaidi kwa watu. Mama yake mpendwa, Miriamu akawa sanamu akipewa cheo, 'Malkia wa Mbingu' na 'Mama wa Mungu'. Wale waliofundishwa mapema walipewa jina la utani "watakatifu". Picha za watu waliokufa zilipatikana kwenye kuta. Kusali na kuwaheshimu wafu kukawa jambo la kawaida. Ili kuwakaribisha majeshi ya mbinguni, mashumaa yaliwekwa upesi kotekote kanisani; waumini waliambiwa kwamba hilo lilifanya ibada ziwe 'takatifu zaidi.' Ruach Ha Qodesh ilifungwa, kwa kuwa Pater alitawala kila parokia/kanisa. Watu wa kawaida walitawaliwa na Wanikolai. Picha za makaburi ziliwekwa na kuabudiwa, pamoja na Msalaba wa T na vitu vingine vya ukumbusho. Rozari zinakuwa maarufu. Mafuta ya kutiwa mafuta yalibadilishwa na maji matakatifu. Zoea la kumlipa mtu mpendwa kutoka katika toharani linalojulikana kama 'kuuza indulgences' likawa maarufu sana. Nadharia ya 'kuhama-hama' ilitekelezwa. Papa alionwa kuwa Masihi duniani na kwamba yeye ni asiyeweza kukosea! "Wengine wanaamini kwamba ""Mara moja umeokolewa, daima umeokolewa"" (OSAS) na kwamba sisi sote ni christos kidogo." Maelezo yaliyotajwa hapo juu yanafafanua kwa ufupi baadhi ya mabadiliko yaliyoanzishwa na Upaji na Konstantino. Jambo moja zaidi lazima lisemwe. Katika wiki ya uumbaji, Mungu alianzisha siku ya kupumzika, yaani siku ya saba (Mwanzo 2:3) lakini RCC imefikiria kubadilisha siku ya kupumzika kutoka siku ya saba hadi siku ya kwanza. Amri hiyo ilianzishwa kwa mara ya kwanza chini ya Konstantino kwa heshima ya Sol Invitus (jua asiyeushindwa) chini ya adhabu ya kifo! Hiyo ilikuwa sheria ya kwanza ya kitaifa ya Jumapili. Usidanganywe na Farasi huyu wa Dini wa Trojan! Pembe ya Rams imepigwa!