Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

THE PEACE SYMBOL OR SATAN'S MARK?Rev. Robert More, Jr.,Almonte, Ontario, CanadaA certain denominational paper named the CanadianChurchman in its December, 1970 issue printed a pictureand poem supposedly in the interest of peace. It featured adove holding an olive sprig. The moon had a "peace" signshining from its surface while the dove left tracks on thebeach sand in the form of the co-called ' 'peace symbol.''This paper professedly seeks peace. Hence the symbolis prominent. You know what it is — a circle with a straightline down the centre and two radial arms downward at thebottom.But what is that "peace" sign after all? Might therebe some ancient symbolism which the public does notrealize? Is it really Christian — worthy of a churchpublication? And what is real "peace"?I. The Peace Sign and Ancient SymbolismMr. David E. Gumaer in American Opinion magazineof Boston authored an article which has been reprinted in abooklet entitled "Peace Symbols: The Truth About ThoseStrange Designs." This scholarly article indebts allthoughtful Christians and is the source of the followinginformation.Likely the first question that should be asked is: Whenwas this modern "peace" symbol first used, and by whomwasit devised? The "World Without War Council" said itwas designed on February 21, 1958 while the "WarResisters League" in their paper called Win said it publiclyappeared at the "first Aldermaston March (in London,England) at Easter of that year" of 1958. Then whofashioned it? The Roman Catholic paper called the DenverRegister declares it "was designed by the Englishphilosopher Bertrand Russell" whom Current Biographystates was (until death recently) a member ' 'of the FabianSociety," that is, wealthy Marxists seeking to subvert thefree world.The next question then is: But what does the peacesymbol SYMBOLIZE? The first public explanation was thatit merely was a "composite semaphore signal for the letter'N' and 'D' standing for Nuclear Disarmament." Howeverthe "War Resisters League's" magazine goes further. Itclaims there is a Christian cross included in it and it was anancient symbol of the "gesture of despair" and the "manrune,"the mark of the "death of man."The third question then automatically arises: Howlong has this "death of man" symbolism been around?Gumaer shows its historical existence for a long, long time.In his article he draws from a German book by BernardKoerner which dealt with ancient symbols and another byRudolf Koch entitled The Book of Signs, published in 1955.He shows that in Hitler's Germany it was called "todersrune"or "death mark," being the identification ofobituaries.Moving back in time, the article reprints a woodcutcredited to John Knox. The original is now housed in theMuseum of Witchcraft at Bayonne, France and depictsAPRIL 28, 1971Satan. A look at the eyes is startling, for they are nothingother than the "peace sign" now!Then the Marquis dc Concressault in his book Symbolof the Anti-God declares the symbol was popular in themiddle ages in connection with "Black Mass and WitchSabbath with the symbol of the Anti-God (peace symbol)adorning the altar as an 'unholy relic'From the fifth century A.D.. there has come down acrude illustration of Peter's crucifixion upside down.Significantly he is fastened to the "peace symbol" but thencalled the "Neronian Cross" or more often, the "Sign ofthe Broken Jew."Also back in 1866 archeologists uncovered an ancientRoman villa with the "peace sign" laid as a floor mosaic inhonor of the Emperor Nero.Finally, Christian writer Nestorius the Syrian,Patriarch of Constantinople, in 428-431 A.D., said thatNero became so morally deranged that he built a cross;broke the arms; fastened them to the base; and thencrucified Peter on that hideous tree. Then he concludes thiswas the Neronian "symbol of the 'anti-Christ.' "Interestingly, it is now called the "peace symbol"!II. True PeaceThere is no better place to learn the true source ofpeace than in Psalm 46, especially verses 9 and 10. Drawingthe translation from several sources, it would say ofJehovah, "All over the world (He is) silencing wars. . .Desist, and recognize that (it is) I, God; I will be exalted bythe nations, I will be exalted in the earth."In the historical setting of the Psalm, the Assyrian haddescended upon God's people like a wolf upon the fold. Awar-like nation they were who prevented the world fromenjoying true peace. Proverbially they were "the cruelAssyrian." People craved for peace. Thence enters Jehovah.He silenced THE war throughout the world. The presentparticiple, followed by a future signifies that the historicalday long ago was just a beginning. It is the Father's goodpleasure to continue His work until there is lasting peace —until the world knows the silencing of war.The Biblical peace, however, contains one more step.Whether peace be "nuclear disarmament" or "halting ofoppressive nations" matters not. Jehovah says that silencingof war is conditional upon, "recognize that (it is) I, God"who makes peace. In other words, that so-called "peacesymbol" — actually a witch's foot; the anti-God sign; theanti-Christian Neronian Cross — is therefore simply one ofthe present-day oppressors, persecutors of God's believingpeople. It simply is an arm of the war of the flesh against thesons of God. Hence even it must be humbled and broughtlow. It too must be forced to recognize and acknowledge thatGod alone is able and equitable enough to create world-widepeace. Onlv when nations exalt Prince Messiah, and whenpeoples of sin desist in humble submission, will, in fact,wars cease o'er the earth.It is too shameful a thing for the Christian Church topublicize and praise a Satanically devised symbol describingdead man and anti Christ. But there is true peace, enduringpeace, universal peace— in the words, "It is I. God," whomakes it in Mv Prince ot Peace.•••u.