Throughout history, religious institutions have often intertwined spiritual authority with economic power to control resources and maintain dominance over societies. The ancient Babylonian religion and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) exhibit notable parallels in how their priesthoods managed commerce, influenced religious practices, and linked material wealth with spiritual authority. This examination delves into the practices of Babylonian priests and their counterparts in the RCC, highlighting how both systems utilized religious authority for economic and spiritual control.
Archaeological excavations in Babylon have unearthed significant evidence of the economic roles played by religious institutions. Notably, the German archaeologist Robert Koldewey led extensive excavations from 1899 to 1917, revealing monumental structures such as the Ishtar Gate and the foundations of the ziggurat Etemenanki. These findings underscore the grandeur and influence of Babylonian temples, which served not only as religious centers but also as hubs of economic activity. The discovery of numerous clay tablets, including administrative records and receipts, further illustrates the integration of religious and economic functions within these institutions. These tablets reveal the detailed management of temple land, allocation of resources, and the financial transactions overseen by the Babylonian priesthood.
Earlier archaeological efforts in Babylon also shed light on the nature of ancient Babylonian religion. Fulgence Fresnel, a French Orientalist, led an expedition from 1851 to 1854 accompanied by architect Félix Thomas and Assyriologist Jules Oppert. Although much of their findings were tragically lost when rafts carrying the artifacts sank in the Tigris River in 1855, their work provided early insights into Babylonian religious and economic practices.
British Vice Consul J.E. Taylor conducted important excavations at key southern Mesopotamian sites, including Ur (modern Tell el-Muqayyar), identifying the locations of ancient cities and furthering understanding of Babylonian culture. Additionally, William K. Loftus undertook excavations at Warka (the ancient city of Uruk) and at Ur, providing valuable information on early urban centers and their economic connections to religious institutions.
These early archaeological endeavors laid the foundation for future studies and enhanced our comprehension of Babylonian history, particularly in terms of the intricate relationship between religious authority and economic power.
Priestly Authority and Control in Ancient Babylonia
In ancient Babylonia and Assyria, religion was deeply intertwined with political and economic life. The priesthood played a central role, acting as intermediaries between the gods (fallen angels, demons) and humanity, with temples functioning not only as places of worship but as centers of commerce, education, and governance. The Babylonian priesthood wielded significant control over land, which they managed and allocated for farming. Acting as administrators, the priests decided who could use temple-owned land and what could be grown on it, granting them immense influence over the economic life of the community.
In addition to controlling land, Babylonian priests managed surplus resources such as grain, livestock, and other essential commodities. By distributing these goods, the priests maintained power over the local food supply and ensured that temple wealth continued to grow, reinforcing their authority. Temples also operated as financial institutions, providing loans to farmers and merchants. These loans often required repayment in produce or goods, further solidifying the temple’s financial power.
The priesthood’s authority extended beyond material wealth, as they facilitated rituals believed to secure a favourable journey to the afterlife. Families paid the priests to perform these rites, convinced that their financial contributions would secure divine favor for the deceased. This created a direct connection between economic contributions and spiritual security, making the temple indispensable in both life and death. Essentially, they were surrendering their souls to dark forces, fueling the wealth and power of the priesthood.
A central figure in Babylonian religion was Ishtar, the Queen of Heaven, who was believed to possess supernatural powers, including the ability to bring worshippers back from the dead. Temples dedicated to Ishtar were focal points for religious festivals and processions, reinforcing her status as the most important goddess in the Babylonian pantheon.
Babylonian temples and palaces were adorned with depictions of enormous bulls and lions as symbols of divine strength, power, and authority. The bull, associated with Bel (Baal), represented power, fertility, and dominance, while the lion was linked to Ishtar, symbolizing war and protection. These symbols were more than mere art; they conveyed a powerful message of divine authority and control over the people.
In a powerful act of defiance against the corruption of religious authority, Jesus Christ overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple, declaring, "My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (Matthew 21:13). This moment symbolized Christ’s rejection of using spiritual authority for material gain and stands in stark contrast to systems where economic power is intertwined with religion, such as in ancient Babylon and later in the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Christ's actions emphasized that true worship should be free from exploitation, driven by sincere devotion rather than commerce.
It's interesting to note that The lion has been a prominent symbol in royal heraldry, representing strength, courage, and sovereignty. Many monarchs and nations have incorporated lions into their coats of arms. For instance, the Royal Arms of England famously display three gold lions passant guardant on a red field, a design traceable to the reign of King Richard the Lionheart in the late 12th century. Similarly, the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland features a red lion rampant on a yellow field, known as the "Lion Rampant," adopted during the reign of King William I, also known as William the Lion, in the 12th century. These examples highlight the lion's widespread use in royal emblems across Europe.
In papal heraldry, the use of animal symbols is less common, but there are notable exceptions. Pope Honorius IV (1285–1287), born Giacomo Savelli, had a coat of arms featuring two lions supporting a rose, reflecting his family's emblem. Additionally, the Chigi family, from which Pope Alexander VII (1655–1667) hailed, bore a coat of arms displaying six hills topped by a star, sometimes accompanied by a lion. While the lion appears occasionally, the ox or bull is a rarer symbol in papal heraldry. One example is the coat of arms of Pope Alexander VI (1492–1503), born Rodrigo de Borja, which includes a bull, a reference to his family's name and emblem.
Throughout history, numerous popes, kings, and queens have incorporated symbols such as lions, snakes or bulls into their coats of arms. Here is an expanded list highlighting some of these figures:
Papal Coats of Arms:
Pope Gregory X (1271–1276): Serpent symbol in his coat of arms (Visconti family emblem).
Pope Martin V (1417-1431): Silver field with a black eagle (eagle is linked to the sun), reflecting the Colonna family arms.
Pope Nicholas V (1447-1455): Blue field with five golden keys arranged in a cross.
Pope Alexander VI (1492-1503): A bull, symbolizing the Borgia family's emblem.
Pope Julius II (1503-1513): Oak tree with acorns, representing the della Rovere family.
Pope Leo X (1513–1521): Lion and Medici family balls (palle), symbolizing courage and nobility.
Pope Paul III (1534-1549): A crowned eagle, reflecting the Farnese family's heraldry.
Pope Gregory XIII (1572-1585): Dragon emblem, symbolizing the Boncompagni family.
Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644): Three bees on a field, representing the Barberini family.
Pope Innocent X (1644-1655): A silver dove, symbolizing the Pamphilj family.
Pope Clement XI (1700-1721): A black eagle, reflecting the Albani family arms.
Pope Benedict XIV (1740-1758): Three gold crescents on a blue field.
Pope Pius VII (1800-1823): Oak tree (link to the "gods") with three gold stars, reflecting the Chiaramonti family.
Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903): A lion holding a book, symbolizing justice and peace.
Pope Pius X (1903-1914): Winged lion of St. Mark, reflecting his tenure as Patriarch of Venice.
Pope Pius XII (1939-1958): Doves and a fleur-de-lis, symbolizing purity.
Pope John XXIII (1958-1963): Winged lion of St. Mark, symbolizing Venice.
Pope Paul VI (1963-1978): Three fleurs-de-lis on a blue field.
Pope John Paul I (1978): Winged lion of St. Mark, reflecting Venetian heritage.
Pope John Paul II (1978-2005): A cross with the letter 'M', representing Mary. (But I thought they worshipped Christ, not Mary?)
Pope Benedict XVI (2005-2013): A seashell and a Moor’s head, symbolizing pilgrimage and theological heritage.
These coats of arms symbolize the heritage, values, and backgrounds of each pope, reflecting their personal missions and theological themes throughout the history of the papacy.
Kings and Queens:
King Richard I of England (1189–1199): Known as Richard the Lionheart, his shield bore three lions passant guardant.
King Henry II of England (1154–1189): His arms featured a single lion rampant.
King Edward IV of England (1461–1483): Arms included supporters such as a lion argent and a bull sable.
King Henry VIII of England (1509–1547): Crowned lion and red dragon as supporters.
King James I of England (1603–1625): Lion and unicorn as supporters, symbolizing the union of England and Scotland.
Queen Mary I of England (1553–1558): Her supporters featured a lion and a dragon.
Queen Elizabeth I of England (1558–1603): Her coat of arms included a crowned lion and a golden dragon.
King Edward III of England (1327–1377): His arms displayed three lions passant guardant.
King William III and Queen Mary II of England (1689–1702): Joint coat of arms featuring a lion and a unicorn.
Queen Anne of Great Britain (1702–1714): Coat of arms included a lion and a unicorn as supporters.
King Edward VI of England (1547–1553): Supporters featured a lion and a dragon.
King Charles II of England (1660–1685): Crowned lion and unicorn as supporters.
King Henry V of England (1413–1422): Arms supported by a lion and an antelope.
King Henry VI of England (1422–1461): Supporters included two antelopes argent.
King Edward V of England (1483): Arms featured a lion argent and a hart argent.
King Richard III of England (1483–1485): Supporters included a white boar and sometimes a lion.
King Henry VII of England (1485–1509): Supporters featured a red dragon and a white greyhound.
King William I of the Netherlands (1815–1840): Coat of arms included a lion rampant holding a sword and a bundle of arrows.
Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (1948–1980): Arms featured a lion rampant and a bull's head sable.
These heraldic symbols of lions, serpents, oxen, and bulls were deliberately chosen to signify strength, courage, authority, and nobility, reflecting the values and ambitions of rulers and religious leaders throughout history, echoing the ancient worship of Baal and Ishtar in pursuit of wealth and power.
With all these symbols of Baal and Ishtar- lions, serpents, and bulls, it’s pretty clear—Jesus was never invited to the party.
Regarding the Bible's depiction of kings and their relationship with Babylon, the Book of Revelation provides vivid imagery. Revelation 17:2 speaks of the "kings of the earth" committing acts of immorality with Babylon, symbolizing a city of great wealth and excess:
"With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication." (Revelation 17:2)
This passage suggests that earthly rulers have been seduced by Babylon's riches and luxuries, leading them to engage in morally corrupt practices. Furthermore, Revelation 18:13 lists commodities associated with Babylon's trade, concluding with "bodies and souls of men," indicating the exploitation and devaluation of human life in pursuit of wealth.
These biblical references highlight the moral and spiritual consequences of prioritizing material wealth and power over righteousness and human dignity.
Could this indicate that the Whore of Babylon represents the Queen of Heaven, the demon goddess Ishtar, while the apostate Church and false priesthood align more closely with the beast?
Priestly Authority and Control in the Roman Catholic Church
In medieval Europe, the Roman Catholic Church emerged as the most powerful religious and political institution, wielding immense control over land, wealth, and resources much like the priesthood of ancient Babylon. The Church became one of the largest landowners in Europe, with the papacy issuing papal bulls—official decrees that granted land rights, privileges, and economic power to monasteries, churches, and religious orders. A notable example of this authority is the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), which divided newly discovered territories between Spain and Portugal, effectively granting the Church significant political and economic influence.
The term “papal bull” itself carries a symbolic connection to Babylon, as the bull in Babylonian religion represented strength, power, and authority. Similarly, the papal bull acts as a decree of authority that carries the weight of the pope’s "divine" power (supernatural?), demonstrating how the concept of the bull has carried over from Babylon to the Vatican, serving as a tool of control and dominion.
The Church's influence extended beyond land ownership, as it regulated the collection of tithes—a portion of believers’ income or produce offered to the Church. These tithes funded religious activities, supported clergy, and maintained Church institutions. Papal bulls often enforced or regulated the collection of tithes, ensuring a steady flow of wealth into Church coffers.
In addition to acting as a landowner and collector of tithes, the RCC also functioned as a financial institution, granting loans to kings, nobles, and merchants. While the practice of usury (charging excessive interest) was officially forbidden, the Church found ways to circumvent this rule through various financial mechanisms. Papal bulls sometimes addressed financial matters, such as debt remission or granting indulgences in exchange for monetary contributions.
The RCC linked economic power to spiritual authority through the sale of indulgences, which promised believers a reduction in time spent in purgatory (perhaps it's part of the demonic kingdom? It’s certainly not aligned with Christ) in exchange for financial donations. This practice mirrored the Babylonian belief that payments to the temple could secure divine favour for the deceased in the afterlife, demonstrating a direct connection between material wealth and spiritual security.
In a parallel to the worship of Ishtar as the Queen of Heaven, the RCC elevated Mary to the same title. Mary was venerated as a mediator and intercessor for believers, and beliefs about her supernatural powers—such as her ability to intercede for souls—reflected Ishtar’s role as a divine figure with authority over life and death.
While the bull is represented in the papal bull as a symbol of authority, the lion continues to symbolize royalty and power, often representing kingship and divine authority within the Church. Just as Babylonian temples and palaces were adorned with depictions of bulls and lions, the RCC used cathedrals, statues, and artwork to convey divine authority and emphasize its connection to their "god". These visual symbols reinforced the Church’s claim to power, creating an image of dominance and divine right similar to the practices of ancient Babylon.
Biblical Warning: Kings of the Earth and the Fornication with Babylon
The Bible speaks of a dark relationship between earthly powers and spiritual Babylon, describing a world where the pursuit of wealth and power overshadows truth and righteousness. In the book of Revelation, it is revealed how the rulers of the earth have become entangled with Babylon, seeking to gain riches and influence through their association with her. This prophetic imagery unveils a system where economic gain takes precedence over spiritual integrity, enslaving humanity in a cycle driven by materialism and deception.
How, you might ask? Instead of seeking righteousness, we’re continuously manipulated into craving the next gadget, car, bigger house, luxurious vacation, or the latest fashion—clothes, shoes, handbags, and endless products for a lavish lifestyle. TV, film, and music relentlessly promote sex, indulgence, violence, and even witchcraft, driving society deeper into sin. The further we fall, the more we suffer mentally and physically, lining the pockets of big pharma as they rake in billions. Meanwhile, industries like pornography and banking thrive—banks profiting off lending money that isn't even their own.
The cycle never ends, enslaving us to pay the price while they bask in luxury. Those in the know—the top one percent and members of secret societies like the Bilderberg Group—plot to keep us manipulated through technology, media, and psychological tactics, all to feed their insatiable hunger for wealth and power.
The scripture states, “For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” (Revelation 18:3). This passage exposes how the world’s leaders and merchants are complicit in this corrupt system, reaping great wealth while turning a blind eye to the spiritual consequences of their actions. The imagery of Babylon’s “delicacies” suggests an enticing lure that blinds humanity to the truth, ensnaring them in the pursuit of fleeting riches.
Further, the Bible reveals the extent of this corruption by listing the commodities of Babylon’s trade, ending with a chilling revelation: “And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.” (Revelation 18:13). Here, we see that Babylon’s economic system is not merely about material goods but includes the sale of human souls. This speaks to a world where people are reduced to commodities, exploited and enslaved to feed the insatiable appetite of a system built on greed.
In this hidden bondage, humanity becomes complicit in its own enslavement, chasing after wealth and comfort while losing sight of the things that truly matter. It echoes Christ’s warning, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26). The pursuit of material gain, at the expense of spiritual truth, is the ultimate trap laid by Babylon—a system that seeks to bind humanity in servitude for wealth, while true freedom in Christ is ignored.
This is not merely an ancient warning but a present reality, where economic power and religious authority have intertwined to control the minds and lives of the people. The illusion of wealth and prosperity serves as the chains that keep us bound to a system that values profit over people, gain over godliness. It is written, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Yet Babylon's seductive power entices many to serve mammon, prioritizing the fleeting riches of this world over eternal truth and freedom in Christ.
In this light, spiritual Babylon becomes more than a metaphor—it represents the very system that enslaves humanity for wealth, drawing them away from the truth of the Gospel and into a cycle of perpetual bondage, one that masquerades as prosperity but leads only to spiritual death and Spiritual Control
The parallels between ancient Babylonian religion and the Roman Catholic Church reveal a consistent pattern of using religious authority to gain and maintain economic power. In both systems, the priesthood controlled land, managed goods, acted as financial agents, and linked material wealth to spiritual security. The use of a Queen of Heaven figure, the role of priests as intermediaries, and the promise of eternal security through wealth and offerings further highlight the similarities between these two religious institutions.
Both systems demonstrate how spiritual authority has been historically wielded as a tool for material power, creating a direct link between commerce, religion, and the afterlife. The symbolism of the bull in the papal bull and the depiction of lions as symbols of royalty further emphasize the shared imagery of power, authority, and dominance across these two systems.
The warnings in the Bible about the kings of the earth fornicating with spiritual Babylon and the sale of human souls serve as a cautionary message about the corrupting influence of economic power over genuine spiritual truth.
If our souls are being sold as described in the Bible, and the priests of old controlled the economy, it raises the question of whether the same principle applies today. The Bible explicitly states that Babylon’s trade includes the “souls of men” (Revelation 18:13), suggesting that spiritual enslavement is tied to economic systems. In ancient Babylon, this was evidenced by the discovery of 20,000 clay tablets, believed to be receipts detailing transactions controlled by the priesthood. This practice of linking wealth to spiritual power created a system where individuals’ livelihoods—and possibly their souls—were bound to the temple’s authority.
The Knights Templar, founded in 1119 as a monastic military order to protect Catholic pilgrims, eventually became one of medieval Europe's most powerful financial institutions. Known for their battlefield prowess, the Templars also developed a network of wealth and commerce, becoming the world’s first international bankers. They created a system where pilgrims could deposit funds at one site and withdraw them at another, effectively pioneering modern banking practices.
The Templars extended their financial influence by offering loans to kings and funding military campaigns, ultimately becoming principal bankers for rulers such as King Louis IX of France and even the Vatican. Their immense wealth and power made them an independent financial force beyond the control of any single authority.
This influence led to their downfall in 1307 when King Philip IV of France, heavily in debt to the order, conspired with Pope Clement V to disband them. Accused of heresy, the Templars were arrested, tortured, and their assets seized. Although officially dissolved, their financial innovations laid the groundwork for modern banking.
Their legacy of influence is believed to have shaped later groups like the Jesuits, founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola. The Jesuits became an elite order known for their educational, missionary, and political power, led by the Black Pope, a figure seen as wielding covert influence second only to the Pope himself. Both the Templars and Jesuits are linked by themes of secrecy, loyalty to the Vatican, and global influence, leading to perceptions that the Jesuits inherited the Templars’ legacy of hidden power.
Today, a parallel can be seen in modern economic systems. The Vatican, with its miles of secret archives and 35,000 volumes of hidden material, is believed to hold extensive records of wealth, history, and power. If each loan, mortgage, or financial contract we sign is an agreement tied to this system, could it be that we are, in fact, unknowingly selling our souls? By participating in an economic system rooted in materialism, we may be feeding into a spiritual structure that values profit over people, perpetuating the cycle of control and enslavement described in the Bible.
The Bible warns that “by thy sorceries were all nations deceived” (Revelation 18:23). If economic transactions are indeed a form of spiritual bondage, then through the sorceries of Babylon—through these systems of financial control—the souls of men are being sold. Each dotted line we sign may represent more than a legal agreement; it may symbolize our participation in a system designed to ensnare our souls for the enrichment of those in power. As we pursue material wealth and security, we risk becoming unwitting participants in the very system that seeks to control and enslave us, making others rich at the expense of our spiritual freedom.
On a different note, I want to discuss libations and how God was honored in the Old Testament, demonstrating that when Christ commanded us to remember Him, it was meant to be done in the same manner in the New Covenant—through a simple meal, not as part of some mystical ritual. It's important to recognize that eating and drinking can also be used as a medium for witchcraft and manipulation.
The pouring of libations is one of the most ancient religious practices, involving the offering of liquids such as wine, oil, milk, honey, or water to deities, spirits, or ancestors. This practice, prevalent in cultures from Mesopotamia to Greece, Africa, and the Bible, served as a physical act of honour and devotion, with meanings rooted in reverence, appeasement, covenant, remembrance, and purification.
In the Bible, libations were used as an offering to Yahweh, as seen in Genesis 35:14 when Jacob poured a libation on a stone pillar to honour God, or in Exodus 29:40-41 where wine was poured out as part of daily offerings. These offerings had no mystical transformation and were straightforward acts of devotion, connecting the worshiper to God without invoking any supernatural change in the substance itself.
This is in stark contrast to the concept of transubstantiation in the Catholic Mass, where the wine is believed to be mystically transformed into the literal blood of "Christ". The Catholic doctrine introduces a mystical element absent in biblical libations, making it more akin to the sacramental libations found in ancient pagan traditions. In these traditions, offerings of wine, milk, or honey were poured out or consumed as a means of connecting with the divine presence, as seen in the worship of deities such as Ishtar, where wine was offered in temples.
Furthermore, the act of remembrance commanded by Christ at the Last Supper was a meal—a communal act of fellowship—without any notion of a mystical or magical transformation. Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19), emphasizing the act of eating and drinking in a simple, symbolic way. In contrast, the mystical transformation of the Eucharist is far removed from the Hebrew worship practices found in the Old Testament, where offerings were physical symbols of devotion rather than channels for divine presence.
This difference is critical, as it underscores that the pouring of libations to Yahweh in the Old Testament had no magical or mystical connotations. Instead, these offerings were physical acts of honour and reverence, signifying devotion without the concept of divine transformation. The Catholic Mass, with its claim that the wine becomes divine, aligns more closely with the mystical and sacramental libations of ancient pagan religions, where offerings were believed to be imbued with divine essence. This divergence from biblical worship practices reveals that the Catholic Mass represents a mystical sacrificial ritual, rather than a simple act of remembrance as commanded by Christ.
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4)
"And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." (2 Peter 2:3)
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