Prophecy
Bacchanalia: another word for Debauchery, A wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity. An orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus (= Bacchus)
When the Roman Empire would conquor a region, they would usually incorporate the better avenues of that society into Rome life. In the case of the Greeks, they would incorporate the food, literature, gods, and language into the life of everyday Roman citizens. Today, even in America, we can trace certain things from the Roman culture. In this we find a myriad of Gods and traditions that have found their way to our land.
When Christmas was first celebrated in America, Puritans did not follow this custom. They knew the origins of it. Christmas was derived from the Pagan Organiastic festival of Rome, which was known as the “festival of Saturn" or Saturnalia. The time for heralding their God Saturn happened December 17-23.
This was time at the end of the Vintage and harvesting with feasting and unrestrained merrymaking. Observance included exchanging presents and offering sacrifices. Masters served their slaves as a token of the equality of rank and the lack of class distinctions during the golden age (which was supposedly ruled over by Saturn). It became later known as Saturnalia. The lower case saturnalia became known as synonymous with “orgy" among the Christians.
This Event became so unrestrained in its manner, it was later outlawed by the Roman Senate. However, during their reigns, many Caesar’s of Rome held celebrations close to the same type of orgy that was the rule in the festivals of Saturn.
Another festival to the god Dionysus, also commonly known by his Roman name Bacchus is related to Baachanalia and is held in the spring. He appears to be a god who has two distinct origins. On the one hand, Dionysus was the god of wine, agriculture, and fertility of nature, who is also the patron god of the Greek stage. On the other hand, Dionysus can also be traced to spiritism and related religions, such as those practiced at Eleusis: ecstasy, personal delivery from the daily world through physical or spiritual intoxication, and initiation into secret rites. The woman associated with this festival and the rites of Dionysus were called Maenads, interpreted to mean “a frenzied woman who is part of a orgiastic ritual". A more appropriate term is “nymphet". These woman according to history says that these women would get in a high “frenzied" nature through dance, wine, and orgasiatic (sexual) atmosphere they would run into the forest and tear apart any animal they saw and eat them raw. Thus we can trace the roots both of the Winter Solatice and Christman to this Saturn festival. Whereas, we can trace the Spring solatice and celebrations like Carnivale to the Dionysus festival, is it any wonder that not all people want to take part in such things with there dubious origins? Paul gives us a word on this manner.
2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly
7 ¶And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
“Vexed with filthy conversation"
This scripture in its context is about the “unlawful deeds" of the wicked. The examples given are “Sodom and Gomorah" with “Noah". Both the cities mentioned and the civilization in Noahs day were destroyed by the wickedness they participated in. To make sure we understand the words here, let us look at the words “Vexed", “filthy" and “conversation" in the original greek.
2 Peter 2:7 ¶And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: The word “vexed" here means:oppressed, to be oppressed, or distressed. Strongs # 2669
2 Peter 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds The word Vexed here means: to be tortured, tormented, in pain, to torture, or torment. Strongs #928
Lot as seen in this context was oppressed by those deeds that went on around him daily. The deeds and actions of the public distressed him. In Lot’s soul, his innermost being we find that it was actually tortured, tormented, and in pain caused by those actions of the public around him. Things had gotten so bad, the inner pain was like torture. Verse 9 of this scripture in context says it all “the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of these temptations[strongs # 3986-test or trial] and to reserve the unjust for judgment and punishment". This became a trial for Lot and just as it is a trial today for many believers who face the same kind of “filthy conversation"
Filthy conversation
filthy-strongs # 766 - debauchery(A wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity), sensuality-Desire for sensual pleasures-carnal gratification-, lewdness-behaving in an obscene inciting indecency or lust manner, lasciviousness-Feeling morbid sexual desire or a propensity to lewdness, wantonness-lacking control, free from inhibition-being lewd and lascivious,
conversation-strongs # 391- way of life, behavior
Just as the parties in Roman life celebrating the God Saturn became known as “orgies" or “saturnalia", so the parties to the god Dionysus became thus likeminded in actions. Many other pagan customs that were iniated in civilizations became the pattern of the day. Today, America has been thoroughly rowdy and accustomed to the same type of “orgies". From the vivid lewd movies, pictures, books, magazines, advertisements, and behavior of teachers, students, along with the people of this generation, we have become in love with “saturnalia".
Reports have come in from the “Repent America" people who demonstrate the love of God by showing placards at their parades which have the Word of God on them, urging the folks to repent of their “Unlawful deeds". These are deeds contrary to Gods Word. Even though it is acceptable in the USA, it does not change the Word of God. Noah’s generation was “exceedingly wicked" and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah “were homosexual and proud of it". All faced the judgment of God for their “unlawful deeds". Both Noah, his family, and Lot and his family were delivered from the judgment before God delivered the punishment. This does not precluded Noah and Lot with their respective families from facing this “Vexing of their souls" with the wickedness around them. They faced it and were delivered, although the wickedness caused much pain to them. So too, does this wickedness cause the same for many true believers today. The only ones it does not bother are those who are “lukewarm" and will do nothing about it. I urge you to read the churches of Revelation chapters 1-3.
Today, Christians even celebrate the books of C.S. Lewis and call them christian. However, there is debate as to how christian he was. When you can find witchcraft and godlessness celebrated in his books. For example:
Book four is entitled Prince Caspian, and in it we find Aslan, the type of Christ, leading a wild woodland dance along with Bacchus, the god of drunkenness and orgies, and the Maenads, who are orgiastic women that also tear apart live animals and humans and eat the raw meat of their victims. This fourth book also contains spells on how to summon up tree spirits with so-called white magic. All such things are strictly forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:9-12. [The Last Trumpet Newsletter, Pastor David Meyer].
Remember the Maenads? They were mentioned above in connection with the god Dionysius. The celebration they are connected with is pure lust and godlessness. In regards to C.S. Lewis, you can read more on the link above and make up your own mind.
In conclusion, the “vexing" of the soul today is real for many true believers. They see the filth, murder, pornography, rape, bloodshed, hatred, violence, homosexuality, lesbianism, child porn, teacher molesting their students, and plain wickedness going on daily. It is all around them. It never stops. It never will stop until the Lords kingdom is brought in. The Lord will deliver all those who trust in Him and will appoint the wicked a day for their punishment.
The scripture says of a society that forgets God that it will “be turned into hell". This is what is happening today. A literal hell of godlessness has been unleashed and will only get worse.
Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
The Apostle Paul tells us about the Last days Society in which we live:
2 Timothy 3:1 ¶This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
I urge you today to take heart in the fact that the Lord see’s you today. He can and will deliver you from what is facing you. Look to the Lord. If you are bound up in sin, look to the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. He saves, heals, and delivers all who call upon his name. Seek him today.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1040 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Dana Smith or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1040 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.