Joseph Herrin (02-07-08)

You will notice by the date above that this is a re-print of an article I posted last year on the Heart4God website. As it is this time of year again, I thought I would re-post this article on the Parables Blog. I am sure that many will have their eyes opened to discern things that they had not previously considered, among them being the origin of the images of the heart pierced with an arrow and cupid.

NOTICE!: It was necessary in declaring the truth of the origin of Valentine’s Day, and the symbols associated with it, to include some material of a sexually graphic nature. The intent of this writer is not to be controversial, nor to stir up impure thoughts of a sexual nature, but rather to expose the deceptions of the enemy in order to lead the Elect of God to separate themselves from all that is impure.

I felt it prudent to secure the witness of several Christian brothers and sisters who have demonstrated spiritual perception and sound spiritual judgment in the past. I therefore sent this writing to a total of four individuals and asked them to examine this message carefully, as well as the form of its presentation, and to give me their judgment on the matter. All were unanimous in declaring that this is a message that the saints need to hear. Among the comments and suggestions that I received from those reviewing this article were the following:

That I change the name from its original title “Valentine’s Day – A Celebration of Sex,” to something that declares more specifically the aim of the article to reveal the Babylonian origins of this festival.

That I make an additional emphasis on the harmful effect that Valentine’s Day has on corrupting and distorting Yahweh’s desire for marriage to be holy and honorable.

One of the four people reviewing the article said he only was able to make a hasty perusal of the article. Due to my desire that the article should be considered prayerfully and patiently before commenting, I was led to discount his suggestion that I leave out the graphics relating to the sexual origins of the symbols associated with Valentine’s Day. I have often found that the things that offend us upon first examination of a matter are later moderated when we have sat patiently before the Father and asked His counsel and His mind on a matter. None of the other three reviewers who took time to read the article, pray about it, and comment at length, recommended the removal of the graphics, so I have decided to include them here.

If I have erred in this matter, the error is my own. I think it needful in this hour to show the saints clearly the polluted source from which the world offers to feed the children of God. It is my expectation that a day marked by a greater light and purity will arise when it is no longer needful to dwell upon matters that are disgraceful, but the present hour is very dark and the minds of many saints will only with the greatest proofs admit to the darkness of the world’s ways, and even then some will not.

We should not be surprised to learn that many symbols and traditions that have been handed down to us from former generations have their origin in some idolatrous practice or obscene source. Much that mankind deems to be innocent and harmless today was birthed in the mind of the one who is the adversary of God, and the adversary of man. The Scriptures declare the following concerning Satan:

I John 5:19-21
The whole world lies in the power of the evil one… Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world…

In recent months the Spirit of Christ has led me to put together a number of presentations that focus upon the spirit of Babylon. Babylon throughout Scripture is a symbol for the kingdoms of men under the direction of Satan. Babylon was marked by its extreme idolatry, as the prophet Jeremiah declared. As the end of this age draws near we find that Satan is seeking to restore his dominion over all the kingdoms of the earth, in effect rebuilding Babylon.

We can discern Satan’s present activity as we observe the judgment Yahweh brought on the first construction of ancient Babel. This was the Babel of Nimrod and Semiramis. The practices of this ancient city were very profane, as the idolatrous religion that sprang up there was focused upon fertility rites that included orgies and prostitution.

An excellent, and well documented book, that explores the origin and dispersion of what became known as “The Mystery Religions” is The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop. In this book it is demonstrated that Nimrod and Semiramis became the original pattern for a myriad of religions that spread throughout the world when Yahweh confused the language of the people at Babel. These people took their idolatrous practices with them, using many different names for the deities they worshiped, although all can be traced back to Nimrod and Semiramis.

In this hour the Holy Spirit of Christ is proclaiming the following message:

Revelation 18:4-5
“Come out of [Babylon], my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”

Yahweh judged Babylon the first time by confusing the language of the people there and bringing division among them. He judged Babylon a second time when He brought all the prophecies of Jeremiah upon her, drying up her waters, and making her a waste place inhabited by the jackal and the hyena. Satan, however, is seeking to make the earth into Babylon once more. This is observed by the efforts to bring forth a one world government, as seen in the activity of the United Nations. It is seen in the ecumenical movement that is seeking to merge all the religions of the world together into one great amalgamation where the holy and profane are thrown together in an abominable mixture.

Babylon was the last place where the people of the world were united, and Satan is seeking to unite them once again under his dominion. The number three is symbolic of completion and fulness. There will be a third judgment of Babylon when the Lord returns, judges the world, and destroys this latest incarnation of Babylon.

Revelation 18:20
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”

The whole world, including a carnal and sleeping church, lies in the power of the evil one. His power is deception. He has led even the saints of God to embrace and participate in festivals and holidays that were consecrated to idols, and which are filled with impure images and rites. He has hidden the understanding of these images and rites and has supplied false meanings for them in order to lead people to embrace that which is profane and vile. I have written about the particulars of Satan’s practices in the following writings.

Freemasonry, the Spirit of Babylon
http://www.heart4god.ws/id546.htm

Removing the High Places
http://www.heart4god.ws/id585.htm

I have deemed it profitable to add this latest writing in order to instruct the saints of Christ regarding one more idolatrous festival that the church participates in with all the fervor and zeal of the unregenerate world around them. Almost all Christians do so out of ignorance, but the Spirit is calling His children to separate themselves from all that is unholy and profane that He might not judge them along with Babylon. The practices and symbols spoken of here are disgraceful, and will certainly be shocking to some who will for the first time understand their origin. I am sharing these things in the spirit of the following command of Scripture:

Ephesians 5:11-15
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light… Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise…

I have at times questioned whether these things should be shared, for they are disgraceful to speak of, yet the injunction above is not to be silent, but to expose such things that the saints might not participate in the works of darkness. This is the same cry that the Spirit is proclaiming as He urges the children of God everywhere to no longer participate in the works of Babylon. These celebrations began in Babylon, and their symbols are directly related to the veneration of the sex act that was made the focus of idolatrous worship through Nimrod and his wife.

Valentine’s Day has been called many different things through the centuries, and even today it is called various names by the nations. The following information is taken from the website www.wikipedia.org

In France, a traditionally Catholic country, Valentine’s Day is known simply as “Saint Valentin,” and is celebrated in much the same way as other western countries.

In Denmark & Norway Valentine’s Day (14 Feb) is known as Valentinsdag… people take time to eat a romantic dinner with their partner, to send a card to a secret love or give a red rose to their loved one. In Sweden it is called Alla hjärtans dag (“All Hearts’ Day”) and… its celebration is recognized and sales of cosmetics and flowers for this holiday are only bested by those for Mother’s Day.

In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into “Friend’s day…”

In Turkey, Valentine’s Day is called Sevgililer Günü which translates into “Sweethearts’ Day…”

According to Jewish tradition the 15th day of the month of Av – Tu B’Av (usually late August) is the festival of love. In ancient times girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyards, where the boys would be waiting for them (Judges 21:19-25). In modern Israeli culture this is a popular day to pronounce love, propose marriage and give gifts like cards or flowers…

Valentine’s Day has emerged in Japan and Korea as a day on which women, and less commonly men, give candy, chocolate or flowers. It has become an obligation for many women to give chocolates to all male co-workers…

By a further marketing effort, a reciprocal day called White Day has emerged. On March 14, men are expected to return the favour to those who gave them chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Originally, the return gift was supposed to be white chocolate or marshmallows; hence “White Day.” However, lingerie and jewelry have become common gifts…

In Chinese culture, there is a counterpart to Valentine’s Day, called “The Night of Sevens”; according to legend the Cowherd and the Weaver Maid meet in Heaven on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar…

In Persian culture (Iran) Sepandarmazgan is a day for love, which is on 29 Bahman in the Jalali solar calendar. The corresponding date in the Gregorian calendar is 17 February. Sepandarmazgan were held in the Great Persian Empire in the 20th century BC hundreds of years before its acknowledgment by western world.
[End Excerpt]

There are many sources that trace the observance of Valentine’s Day back to the Roman festival known as Lupercalia. This became such a debauched event that Pope Gelasius abolished it during his reign between 492-496 A.D.. Although the Lupercalia was a local event in the city of Rome, a wider festival was observed by the people of this time known as Juno Februa, or Juno the Purifier. Juno is a type of Semiramis. The month of February takes its name from this festival that celebrated purification and fertility.

The oldest documented celebration I have found on this date is that of Sepandarmazgan, which was celebrated as early as 2,000 B.C. in the Persian Empire. That it should be found there is to be expected, for Babylon lies in what is now the nation of Iraq, and Iran is its immediate neighbor to the East. The following quotes are taken from Iranian (Persian) websites.

Sepandarmaz is another name for mainyu (earth) meaning sacred, humble, and passionate. It is the symbol of love. It is humble, meaning it is modest toward the entire creation. These are the qualities attributed to Earth that spreads beneath our feet, thus the symbol of modesty and love. As human beings, there are creatures that we find unpleasant and repulsive even, but Earth is not like us. She embraces all creatures the same and loves them the same; like a mother who loves all her children alike, even when they are ugly. In our ancient culture, mother is symbolized by sepandarmaz or earth.

In the feast of Sepandarmazgan, Earth was worshiped and women venerated. On this day, Royal women and girls sat on the throne and men and boys had to obey them and bring them presents and gifts. In this way, men were reminded to acclaim and respect women.
[Source: http://www.tavoosmag.com]

In the mystery religions, the earth and celestial bodies were envisioned as deities. Nimrod, who also was known as Baal, was pictured in the Sun. Semiramis was at times pictured in the Earth, as well as the Moon, for both are linked to fertility. A woman’s menstrual cycles are based upon the phases of the Moon. The ancient Indo-European word menes denoted both Moon and Month, and serves as the basis for the words menses and menstrual. Thus, the moon became a symbol of fertility. Crops were planted according to the phases of the Moon, and people determined the best dates for conception by the same observances.

The earth also served as a symbol of fertility, and it is this relationship that has given rise to the name “Mother Earth.” Semiramis, therefore, being the origin of the goddess of fertility was associated with both the Earth and the Moon. Sepandarmazgan is a feast established for the worship of Mother Earth, whose bounty was entreated by bringing gifts to women. This is the origin of men presenting gifts to their female lovers on Valentine’s Day. Chocolates, roses, greeting cards, jewelry, and a variety of other gifts are all the modern enactment of this ancient idolatrous festival.

Doing a search on this ancient festival will lead one to discern its origins in the Zoroastrian religion, and its association with the god Ahura Mazda. Alexander Hislop reveals that both Zoroaster and Ahura Mazda are other identities of Nimrod. Understanding these things is reason enough for a Christian to choose to not have any participation in this festival. The Scriptures state:

II Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”

The thoughtful Christian should consider that the various festivals and holidays that the world celebrates all had an origin at some point, and many of them can be traced back directly to idolatrous worship. When we discern that an event has such an origin, we should separate ourselves from any association with that which was birthed in idolatry. Even more, many of these idolatrous celebrations were very obscene, having a focus upon the act of reproduction that was distorted into something contrary to Yahweh’s desire. Rather than sex being viewed as a sacred thing to be shared among a husband and wife in a relationship of fidelity, it became something promiscuous.

The remainder of this teaching contains some images and content which is sexually explicit. To access the remainder of this teaching click on the following link:

http://www.heart4god.ws/id626.htm

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.

Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com

Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063