Ancient Baal worship is happening today, a sophisticated and deceptive modern pagan worship. Paganism is in the culture and in the church.
Ancient Baal claimed worship because, as his priests said, “He is king of the gods and rules the heavens as lord of rain, dew, clouds and lightning.” He achieved this power by seizing the title “divine kingship” from the god Yamm who ruled the lakes, rivers, underground springs and the seas. The priests announced he was, “The Universal god; god of life and fertility.” That was as close as Baal could get to being, “The Creator of Life.” Thousands of Baal priests indoctrinated and taught the people and zealously guarded pagan worship. It gave the priests power, authority, prestige and riches.
Pagan worship came rooted in sensuality. Baal had sexual relations with Anath, his consort and sister. His pagan worship involved ritualistic sex with male and female prostitutes. King Ahab of Israel built a temple to Baal in Samaria, for worship and sex rites. (1 King 16:30-34, Prophets and Kings pgs. 114,115). There were also “groves and high places” in the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. At times, appeasing Baal required human sacrifice, usually the first born.
The largest Baal Temple was in the city Ugarit, (Northern Syria) and near his Temple was another – the Temple to Baal’s father – Dagon! The Philistines worshipped Dagon (1 Samuel 5:1-6). All idolatry is ultimately devil worship. People worshiped their gods with loud music, drums, sensuous dancing, and illicit sex.
When Did Baal Worship Enter into the Lives of the Children of Israel?
At Baal-Peor, just before they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Numbers 25:1-18).
“… That country, so rich in natural advantages, had been defiled by the inhabitants. In the public worship of Baal, the leading deity, the most degrading and iniquitous scenes were constantly enacted. On every side were places noted for idolatry and licentiousness, the very names being suggestive of the vileness and corruption of the people.
These surroundings exerted a polluting influence upon the Israelites. Their minds became familiar with the vile thoughts constantly suggested; their life of ease and inaction produced its demoralizing effect, and almost unconsciously to themselves, they were departing from God and coming into a condition where they would fall as easy prey to temptation.”
“At first there was little intercourse between the Israelites and their heathen neighbors, but after a time Midianitish women began to steal into the camp. Their appearance excited no alarm, and so quietly were their plans conducted that the attention of Moses was not called to the matter. It was the object of these women, in the association with the Hebrews, to seduce them into transgression of the Law of God, to draw their attention to heathen rites and customs, and lead them into idolatry. These motives were studiously concealed under the garb of friendship, so that they were not suspected, even by the guardians of the people.” (Patriarchs and Prophets pgs. 453,454).
Silently, stealthily Baal worship infiltrated Israel, the people chosen by God to share His Light and Truth and Love with the ancient world. The majority of the people lost their way and turned from obedience to God’s truths and chose the culture of their world, Baal worship. God sent warnings through his prophets. Jeremiah warned and pleaded but the Jewish Priests refused to listen. (Jeremiah 11:9-13,17). Baal worship never completely left the Children of Israel until they returned from the Babylonian captivity.
Has our church also lost its way?
We, too, were raised up with a special work for the Lord, to share His Light and Truth and Love with the world. We are called to preach the Three Angels’ messages, to warn the world of the very soon, glorious Second Coming of Jesus in the clouds of heaven. Today, a modern, sophisticated, unholy Baal worship that deceives on all levels, at all angles and in all directions has stealthily crept into our beloved church.
May our loving and merciful Savior forgive all our sins when we come to Him in sorrow and true repentance.
What is in churches that is unholy Baal worship?
1. Unholy loud music with drums, guitars and dancing which people often claim is from their culture. The culture is pagan. There is Rap music, Rock music, flashing lights, artificial smoke; music so loud and worldly the beat is deafening, the dancing sensual. This is occurring in churches, at our concerts, school gatherings and camp-meetings. Please read Selected Messages, vol. 2 pgs. 36-37.
2. LGBTQ+ acceptance is a pagan deception. In many churches, Church Universities and schools today, LGBTQ+ is called “Love” and celebrated with “Pride Month.” Pride is the sin God hates most.
“Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15,16).
“I saw that God hates pride, and that all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1 pg. 132).
“And there were sodomites in the land; and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.” (1 Kings 14:24).
3. Climate change is pagan. Baal worship claimed that he was in control of the weather and the world; lord of the rain and dew, the god who rode the clouds. Elijah proved that God in Heaven is the Creator Who rules the earth and sends the rain. Elijah did not use frightening words about inevitable climate change. He did not agree with the powerful men in government, he did not write articles on the topic for the local newspapers or church magazines regarding global warming. He did not preach or attend important business meetings and make powerful speeches on the climate. He gave all power and authority to God the Creator and on Mount Carmel simply prayed, “... Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and I am Your servant and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know You are the Lord God and You are God in Israel and I am Your servant and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that they may know that You are the Lord God and You have turned their hearts back again.” (1 Kings 18:36,37). Instantly, fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, altar stones and the water.
“The apostasy prevailing today is similar to that which in the prophet’s day over-spread Israel. In the exaltation of the human above the divine, in the praise of popular leaders, in the worship of mammon, and in the placing of the teachings of science above the truths of revelation, multitudes today are following after Baal.” (Prophets and Kings pg. 170).
4. Abortion is child sacrifice. The child is sacrificed for the saving of the woman’s reputation, convenience or comfort, or because the baby is the wrong gender.
Jesus, please forgive us!
“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous, in mercy and truth.” (Psalm 86:15).
5. BLM, Antifa, DEI and Social Justice, follow the culture of the world and the world is following Baal worship. The terminology of “love and acceptance” being used in the church today deceives because it is so close to the truth. These various groups bring chaos, anger and division; the devil’s trick to “divide and conquer,” which is the absolute opposite of God’s instructions. We are counseled to, “Press together, press together,” and Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heat be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).
6. Women’s Ordination. Even though this was voted down three times at General Conference Sessions, the proponents of women’s ordination are determined to never give up. They still stand against the word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy. Chapter three in the book “Prophets and Kings” is entitled “Pride of Prosperity.” This is where the church is today. Solomon also rejected the word of God and paganism entered and took control of Israel. Our church organization is doing the same.
“I asked the angel why simplicity had been shut out from the church, and pride and exaltation had come in. I saw that this is the reason why we have almost been delivered into the hand of the enemy.” (Testimonies for the Church vol. 1, pg. 114).
7. Church Authority and Policies.
In the Church organization we hear the term, “policy,” quoted so often. As an example, “Aug 21, 2012 – Note the gender specific language in the General Conference Working Policy for Ordination. It is consistently male.”
The Oxford English Dictionary’s definition of the words “consistent/consistently – Compatible or in harmony; not contradictory, dependable, faithful, undeviating, steadfast, unchanging.” According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the General Conference is now changing the meaning of words!
“Honesty and Policy will not work together in the same mind. In time, either policy will be expelled, and truth and honesty reign supreme, or, if policy is cherished, honesty will be forgotten. They are never in agreement; they have nothing in common. One is the prophet of Baal, and the other is the true prophet of God.” (Testimonies for the Church vol. 5, pg. 96).
Oh, how we must pray for wisdom and divine discernment, as more deceptions are coming. We are at “Baal Peor” just before crossing the “Jordan” into the Promised Land, God’s “Heavenly Cannan”. We must choose to be faithful and obedient to God’s clear Word, His loving, saving Truth.
“To be great in God’s Kingdom is to be as a little child in humility, in simplicity of faith, and purity of love. All pride must perish, all jealousy be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be encouraged. All such will find Christ their rock of defense, their strong tower. In Him they may trust implicitly, and He will never fail them.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5 pg. 130).
Precious Lord and Savior, forgive our sins and please have mercy on us all!
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Berwyn: I was born during the Second World War into a loving Adventist Family. We all believed God’s Truth, the Adventist Message. Our family worked to help our church and further the gospel commission. As an adult I spent 37 years working for attorneys. I retired over 6 years ago and moved to the mountains of Colorado where there is peace, beauty and you can almost touch the stars of heaven.
Resource Material
Holy Bible
Spirit of Prophecy
Encyclopedia Britannica, Oxford English Dictionary
