Little Boot and Vatican CircleByDewey MaggardHis nickname, Caligula, was bestowed on him by the soldiers when he was only a boy a few years old; he used to wear the minature uniforms of a private soldier, including the half-boot (Caliga). He was named by Emperor Tiberius as his heir and succeeded that emperor in AD 37. While under the influence of his grandmother, Antonia, he showed promise of becoming a good emperor, but in his later years, he became seriously ill and possibly insane. Hereafter, his reign was noted for his personal depravity and pubic oppression. He was eventually murdered by a group of Praetorians on January 24, AD 41.
Caligula’s should be remembered for a most interesting achievement not remembered or known until 1954. This was a stunt of having transported Egypt’s prized obelisk from Heliopolis, Egypt to his circus on the Vatican Hill where now stands St. Peter’s Cathedral. Heliopolis, the city from which the obelisk was originally transported is but the Greek name of Bethshemesh, which was the center of Egyptian sun worship in ancient days. This was the very place of which we read in scripture of the false worship that existed there, and in which special mention is made by the prophet Jeremiah of the “Images (Obelisks) of Bethshemesh, (The House of the Sun).” See Jeremiah 43:13. “He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the Land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire. Another reference to the sad state of Egypt is found in Isaiah 19;18. “In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts; one shall be called, the city of destruction.” My bible margin notes has it that this city is Heres, another of their names for “of the sun”.
Of course, sun worship is abominable in the Lord’s sight. There is absolutely no question as to the symbolism of the obelisk in connection with sun worship. Considering the significance of obelisks, we need not be surprised to find their use was forbidden in the scripture. The word “images’ in Jer. 43:13 is translated from several different words, having different shades of meaning. In this instance, I call your attention to the word “matzebah” meaning “standing images – that is obelisks. There are several references but Michah 5:13 should suffice- “Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shall no more worship the work of thine hands. Another original word that often refers to obelisks is “hammanim”, meaning “sun images”. Found in the original text of Isaiah 17:8 and 27; 9. See your margin notes on these texts.
How in order for these obelisks to carry out their heathenistic symbolism, they were placed upright erect. Thus, they pointed up toward the sun. As a symbol of the phallus, the erect position also had an obvious significance. Considering how important this erect position of an obelisk was to those worshippers of the “Mysteries,” it is interesting to notice what God said in warning of his wrath against such false worship. Our Lord declared that their “images shall not stand up.” (Isa 27;). Thus, our Lord’s displeasure with these erect images is plainly revealed.
Among ancient heathen nations, not only were statues of the gods and goddesses in human form made, but also many objects were venerated that had a symbolical or hidden mystery meaning. Diadorus says that queen Semiramis erected an obelisk at Babylon, which was 130 feet in height. (1). Consequently, obelisks were used in the religion of Babylon. Later, as we have seen, it was especially in Egypt, their use became most prominent.
There are still a few ancient obelisks in Egypt, however, a number of them have been moved to other nations (Including Central Park in New York City) Another is in London, but the most important one is now in Rome by the orders of Caligula who later proved to be a depraved mad man.
Originally, these obelisks were associated with the sun worship. They were symbols of Nimrod or Baal in deified form. (2) Those ancient people having rejected the knowledge of the true Creator, seeing the sun gave life to plants and to man, looked upon the sun as God, the Great Life Giver. Not only were the obelisks sun-symbols, they were also recognized as sex symbols. Ancient people knew that through the sex act, life was produced.
As is well known by all who have studied into it, the phallus (male organ of reproduction), was also considered along with the sun as a symbol of life, and as such, as symbol of their sun-god. It was this sun-sex belief that was symbolized by the obelisk. (3)
When backslidden children of Israel mixed heathen worship with their worship of the true God, they too erected an “Image of jealousy in the entry’ of the temple. See Ezek;8:5. According to Scofield, these people were ‘given over to Phallic cults.” (Scofield Bible notes page 847). This practice of placing an erect obelisk at the entrance of a heathen temple was an established custom of the time. An obelisk stood at the entrance of the temple Tum, for example, as well as in front of the temple of Hathor, the “abode of Horus”, (Tammuz). (4) Ezekiel 8:14 reads, “then he brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord’s house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping forTammuz. Now Tammuz is a Babylonian deity, son of the great goddess “Mother” under their name of Rhea or Semiramis who was actually the wife of Nimrod. Tammuz is also commonly known by the classical writers as the god Bacchus, or that is to say, “The Lamented one.” (5) It was from her son Tammuz, that Semiramis derived all her glory and her claims to deification. Now, this is the Babylonian Madonna. “The Son,” was sufficient to originate the peculiar worship of the “Mother and Son,” so extensively diffused among the nations of antiquity.
Considering the use of the obelisk at the entrance of the temples of ancient paganism, we need not to be too alarmed to find exactly the same thing in connection with modern Babylon. Yes, not only was an obelisk placed at the entry of the temples of the ancient sun-worshippers, but also in front of the entrance of St. Peter’s Cathedral at Rome, the very same symbol is found today! Any good photo of St. Peter’s church including from the “Square” shows the posing “Mother Church” of all Christianity, and right before it stands the image of jealousy, the obelisk, a symbol of the phallus! Here then, is another amazing clue on helping us identify modern Babylon.
How is it then, this very abominable thing came to be placed here? This brings us back to Caligula. As we study into the subject, we discover as the mystery religion spread to Rome, along with it came the obelisk as a symbol. Not only were obelisks made and erected by the Emperors and dedicated to the sun god “sol Invictus” in pagan days. This legend appears on many of Constantine Coins.
Such are the facts with the obelisk that stands before St. Peters. It is not a mere copy of an Egyptian obelisk, but is the very same obelisk that was worshipped in Egypt in ancient times! As previously stated, `Caligula had this obelisk which once stood at Bethshemesh transported to Rome to his circus on Vatican Hill where now stands St. Peter’s Cathedral.
This red granite obelisk of the Vatican is eighty-three feet high (one hundred thirty two feet high with its foundation), and weighs 320 tons. In 1586, to make certain this obelisk was centered directly at the entry of the Cathedral, it was moved a short distance to its present location- St. Peters square, by orders of Pope Sixtus V. Of course, moving it in those days was a most difficult task. Many Engineers refused to attempt the feat, especially when the Pope had attached the death penalty if the obelisk was dropped and broken. (6) This it should indicate how much importance the Pope accredited to the abominable idol.
Finally, a man by the name of Dominica Fontana accepted the responsibility of moving and erecting the Vatican Obelisk. With 45 winches, 160 horses, and a crew of 800 workmen, the task of moving began. On the date, September 10, 1586 multitudes crowded into the square while the obelisk was being moved; the crowd upon penalty of death was required to remain silent until the erection was made. Again, we see how much importance the Romish Church attributed to this idol! Finally, after near failure, the obelisk was erected to the sound of hundreds of bells ringing, the roar of canons, and cheers of the multitude. The idol was dedicated to the “cross” Mass was celebrated, and the Pope pronounced blessings on the workmen and their horses.
Even the choosing of Vatican Hill was a result of paganism. You see, this hill as the word indicates, was a place of divination’s.” (Vaticinia), the name is said to have come from the name of the divination deity Vaticanus who had headquarters on this hill. (7)
The true church filled with the spirit never went forth to build temples of stone and steel. They went forth to preach the glorious gospel of the kingdom to come. They did not resort to financial drives and oppressive pledges in an attempt to build a fancier building than a temple down the street. In fact, we have no record of a church building as such, being erected prior to 222-235 AD. (8) Of course, this is not to suggest that it is wrong to have a church building. No doubt, early Christians were not allowed to own title to property due to the widespread persecutions, which they faced. They probably would not have tried to compete with the heathen temple of Diana at Ephesus or the Pantheon of Rome.
As Paul says, “Ye are the temple of God, the spirit of God dwelleth in you.” (1 Cor 3:16). I am thankful men like Paul came along after tyrants like Caligula and gave us the inspired word of God and the truth to make us free.
References:
Hastings Ency of Religions, Vol 3 page 264
Fausset, Page 511
Ancient Pagan & Modern Christian Symbolism pg 99
The Two Babylons
Ibid
Ancient Monuments of Rome
Harpers Bible Dictionary ‘
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