Let me begin by quoting the Apostle Paul:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high (epouranios – heavenly) places.” – Ephesians 6:12We must realize that this spiritual enemy is still battling us today.
Scholars tell us that many of the “mythical gods” have several names, depending on the culture that worships them. For example, Baal of the Middle East is the same as Zeus of the Greeks, who is the same as Jupiter of the Romans. Same god, different names.
I would like to try to follow the Thread of Evil associated with Baal/Zeus/Jupiter.
As we know from the Bible, Baal was worshipped by the Canaanites and others who lived near Israel. Later, even some of Israel worshipped Baal. This worship included child sacrifice among other abominations.
By the time of Hellenistic Antiochus IV Epiphanes, Zeus was worshipped. Antiochus was king of the Seleucids who conquered Judah in 167 B.C. Antiochus is a type or foreshadow of the anti-Christ of the Last Days. He sacrificed a pig on the Temple altar and erected an idol of Zeus within the Temple.
This was a high point in Satan’s career. Remember his statement in Isaiah 14:13, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation …” Antiochus helped Satan achieve his goal. But the Jews recaptured the Temple under the leadership of the Maccabees about 165-164 B.C., and the idol of Zeus was destroyed.
The Thread of Evil then moved to Pergamos in Asia Minor, which is Turkey today. Building of the Altar of Zeus began in Pergamos between 170 B.C. and 159 B.C. My guess is it began in 165-164 B.C. when the idol of Zeus was removed from the Temple of God. To understand the importance of this pagan building, we must read the opinion of the Lord Jesus.
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write … I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat (thronos – throne) is.” – The Revelation 2:12-13The Altar of Zeus was a site of pagan worship in Asia Minor until the Christian Age. At some point in time it fell into disuse. Many of its hewn stones were taken to be used in other buildings. Eventually it became a ruin and was literally covered by the sands and dirt of time. The Altar of Zeus was dormant throughout the Age of Grace that we are so blessed to live in. But its dormancy ceased late in the Nineteenth Century.
The Thread of Evil will continue in the next lesson. Until then, praise the Lord for the Grace and Salvation that we have received. And pray for the Salvation of the many lost sheep of this world.