The Cross

	Introduction
	Background – Origin of the gentile/pagan crosses
	Origin of the ‘christian’ cross
	Conclusions
	Resources

Introduction

There are times that we have to be shaken to wake up. The Roman Church had caused many ideas to sink into the Congregation or Assembly of Yahushua during the last fifteen centuries or so. Normally these were to sever ties with the Yahudim (Jews) and/or Judaism or alternatively to obtain a better reception from the gentile masses they were so keen to absolve into the Church. With the cross it was exactly the same. In this case it was a matter of fitting better with the sun worshipping gentiles.

The question one tends to ask hastily is: “Now what could the Roman Church have done with the Cross? It is, according to all ‘Bibles’ the way Yahushua paid for our sins!”

Background – Origin of the gentile/pagan crosses

It would be necessary to examine the origins of the cross to explain this better. The cross had a very important role already in the very early history of man. As is known by most people today, the majority of ancient pagan religions worshipped the sun and along with it the heavens with all the planets, moon and stars. The annual seasons were very important, especially the two solstices. One in the summer and one in the winter. ‘Holy’ poles were very important and the shadows from the summer and winter solstices crossed each other on the ground. The winter shadow is shorter than the summer shadow and in the north western parts of Europe the shadows crossed at a right angle.

The cross in its most simplified form (shown above) is known in Northern Europe as Odin's cross, after the chief "god" of the Norse pantheon. It is often used as an emblem by Asatruar, followers of the Norse religion.

This cross was represented at times with one long arm and one short arm. It was also represented with arms of equal length and also in a circle, representing the sun. An additional cross was also used occasionally. These represented the spring and autumn equinoxes. In stead of 4 arms there were now 8 arms (sometimes 6). It now also resembles the 8 spoke wheel. This, however, existed long before the wheel was invented. The wheel, however, became an object of worship at a later stage. The cross was used for the layout and design of towns in many places, i.e. Ireland.

Various early forms of the cross and sun wheel

Many of the above are confirmed and/or deducted from rock art and excavations. In the middle East, however, we have sufficient proof from as early as 1500 BCE that the cross was associated and identified with the sun and thus the ‘sun god.’

The Tau cross also had enormous phallic significance. In reality far more than the equal-armed cross of ancient times. Most of the learned scholars believe that the Tau cross developed from the axe – an ancient symbol of the sun, widely used. It is also evident from a variety of research that the Tau cross was in fact the symbol of the mystic Tammuz. We know that Tammuz is the Babylonian ‘sun god’ and that Adonis and Adoni are respectively the Greek and Phoenician versions.

Two basic forms of the Tau cross

The Ankh cross is the symbol of everlasting life and was worn by the Egyptian (Mitsrites) ‘gods’ (mighty ones/ elohim) and priests as a mark of ‘godliness.’ The Ankh has yet again, phallic connections. There are even people describing the Ankh as the unity of the male and female sexual organs. The Ankh is also called the Tau by some or the Tau with a “handle”. The Ankh is also the first cross used by the Coptic Christians in Egypt. It also resembles the biological symbol for the female.

The Ankh cross

Origin of the ‘christian’ cross

Constantine had apparently seen a “cross” in the sky and he was supposed to use this symbol for his victory. What is interesting, though, is that even regarding Constantine’s cross there is no consensus of opinion. Some claim that it was the Greek letter X (which is a guttural G such as the Scottish ‘ch’ in loch). Others claim the letters X and P (Ch and R) from the Greek alphabet. There are those claiming it was on the sun, and others that it was the Ankh. Be it as it may, with reference to the origin, it is clear that the cross in ANY form does not represent Yahushua, our Messiah, the Son of the Supreme Elohim, YHWH.

In reality, the Chi-Rho cross – well known in ‘church’ circles – has it’s origin many centuries before the birth of Yahushua. It was part of the sun wheel with 4 or 8 arms and originated from it. The Rho or Greek letter P is also connected to the hammer of Thor or an axe. Through the ‘vision’ of Constantine he made ‘Jesus’ (Yahushua) just another ‘sun god’ – one of many!

Different forms and development of the Chi-Rho cross

When we look further into where the idea of a “cross” or “crucify” come from, we sit in the dark. It is not from the Greek ‘New Testament’! The Greek word stauros is translated with cross and the verb stauroō with crucify. Have a look at what WE Vine has to say in his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (1st edition 1940  -  tot 17th edition 1966):

CROSS, CRUCIFY

STAUROS (σταυρός) denotes, primarily, an upright pale or stake. On such malefactors were nailed for execution. Both the noun and the verb stauroō, to fasten to a stake or pale, are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two beamed cross. The shape of the latter had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in that country and in adjacent lands, including Egypt. By the middle of the 3rd cent. A.D. the churches had either departed from, or had travestied, certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau or T, in its most frequent form, with the cross‑piece lowered, was adopter to stand for the cross of Christ.

As for the Chi, or χ, which Constantine declared he had seen in a vision leading him to champion the Christian faith that letter was the initial of the word "Christ" and had nothing to do with  “the Cross”

It is very clear that this word stauros means a stake. There is no mention of a cross. It is true though that people were nailed or tied to stakes resembling a cross. The stakes used had different forms. The normal was a straight upright pole, the Tau cross, a T-cross, and also a Y-cross or pole. It is possible that any of these were used for Yahushua. With the Tau and the T, the convicted had to carry the crossbar – very heavy by itself – to the site of execution. With the others the convicted had to carry the entire stake.

Various forms of stakes used in the time of Yahushua. The first is the standard STAUROS

What is very interesting is that the first group of “christians” that used the cross as a symbol did so many years after the first Messianic Congregation. Furthermore, it is greatly thanks to the translation into Latin during the 2^nd century where the word stauros was translated with crux (cross). Neither was the cross used in the Congregation of our Messiah nor in the growing “church” of Rome until the 4^th century. Thereafter it was strongly supported by the Roman Church and the cross itself was worshipped. Even with all the esteem that belongs to our Almighty Creator Elohim, YHWH. This new movement started by Constantine, caused may pagans to enter the “church” along with all their rituals, symbols and superstitions. Most of these originated from sun worship just as Constantine himself.

What followed this was of co course the crucifix or as is well known Yahushua (Iesous) nailed to the cross! What an audacity!! Initially this was a ‘live’ Jesus (Yahushua), but with time it was later replaced with a more realistic tortured and/or dead image. What an abomination and complete disregard of the Truth! We do not worship a dead Yahushua. Neither one still hanging on a “cross” or stake for torture. He had risen and had overcome!

Different Romish Crosses

Conclusion

The early “christians” (in reality believers) avoided the “cross” or stake because it was atrocious. They definitely did not want to see it as remembrance. We should remember the death of Yahushua. It was His commandment! But with a cross? No! We have to celebrate it with the Pesach (the Passover NOT Easter!!)

The question is: What are we to do? The Scriptures say the following:

Flee from the midst of Baḇel, come out i of the land of the Chaldeans. And be as rams before a flock. – Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 50:8

Flee from the midst of Baḇel, and let each one save his life! Do not be cut off in her crookedness, for this is the time of the vengeance of YHWH, the recompense He is repaying her. – Yirmeyahu 51:6

“Come out of Baḇel! Flee from the Chaldeans! Declare this with a voice of singing, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth! Say, ‘YHWH has redeemed His servant Ya’aqoḇ!’ ” – Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 48:20

And also the following:

To him, then, who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. – Ya’aqoḇ 4:17

For if we sin purposely after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a slaughter offering for sins, – Iḇrim/Heb 10:26

If we really want to be obedient to the Word of our Master, the only Creator, YHWH, we must seize the worshipping of the cross. We must seize to use it as a symbol around our necks, as symbol of identification or decoration as our places of worship. Our Elohim can not be made a part of Baḇel or any of her idols. This may sound radical and it probably is, but it is the truth and nothing but the truth. It is time to clean out our dwellings on every level and surface and be pure and clean before our Creator, YHWH and our Saviour, Yahushua.

I trust (pray our Father YHWH) that you will not reject this message summarily, and will allow the Spirit of Truth to convince you. Only then will the Truth set you free.

HalleluYah! – Awemaine

Resources:

	The Two Babylons – Alexander Hislop
	Come out of her, My people – Dr. CJ Koster
	Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words – WE Vine
	Sun Disc to Crucifix – Ian McNeil Cooke
	Body Guards – Desmond Morris
	The Scriptures - ISR (Institute for Scriptural Research)