Amen
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Q: "Is Amen' the name of a pagan idol? Should we refrain from using this word in our prayers and in worship?" Answer: Let us consider this word on the following levels: 'Amen' was one of the main deities in Egyptian mythology, the worship of which spread to Greece, Syria and surroundings. According to 'The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia', Columbia University Press. Copyright © 1991 by Columbia University Press: Amon (â´men, ä´-) or Ammon (à´men) or Amen (ä´mèn), ancient Egyptian deity. Originally the chief god of Thebes, Amon grew increasingly important in Egypt, and eventually, as Amon Ra, he was identified with RA as the supreme deity. He was also identified with the Greek ZEUS (the Roman JUPITER). (Ed.: Jupiter or 'Zues-Pater' - 'Zeus our father'). The Official Internet
Site of The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism Amen, his wife, Mut, and their son, Khonsu, represented the Theban
Triad, the sacred family of Thebes. Amen was the "King of the gods"
during the period of the New Kingdom in Egypt 1550-1070 B.C.E. when
Thebes was the capitol of Egypt. (refer
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/EGYPT/NEW.HTM It is during this period that the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, building the fortifications and lavish statues and temples of Egypt. During their 400 years of slavery, they lost their patriarchal Yahwistic religion as they fell into Egyptian paganism. Their epic exodus required a 40 year 'cleansing' period in the Wilderness, before they could enter the 'Promised Land of Israel'. If during this exodus they could build a golden calf idol, would it be far-fetched to surmise that they also carried the blemishes of Amen-worship with them into the future - a seed which may not have been uprooted to this day? Which brings us to our 2nd point of consideration: The word 'amen' is popularly used in Hebrew liturgy and Jewish worship. True, the root-letters a-m-n hold the following connotations in
modern Hebrew: Thirdly, its use in modern day Judaism and Christianity: The meaning for the word 'amen' is given as "so be it", "trustworthy" Knowing the pagan idol worship connotations of this word, it does
raise concern when one hears those phrases which are so popularly used
in Christian prayer: Similar usage is also common in Jewish worship liturgy. Should we use it in prayer and worship? The position assumed in all the Restorative Truths proclaimed by BIBLE REVELATIONS, is to avoid extremism. This position is also maintained in our study on the use of 'God or Elohim' and the use of the various forms of The Sacred Name. Like with all other considerations in the process of the Restoration of the Original True Hebraic Faith though, the question remains: "What does the Almighty expect from us?" Our intentions may be pure, but why persist in clinging to habits and traditions which have spurious origins or connotations? Do we really need this word to express our convictions and praises? It also is curious, that this almost mystical word, anciently referred to the "hidden god" - and it would surely not be far-fetched to surmise that perhaps Satan has managed to hide himself as the object of worship, to unsuspecting believer to this day? Could this realisation and avoidance oof such spurious terms lead us further from the Truth or closer to it? Is this not after all the purpose of true and pure worship, that we become aware of the traits and methods of the Deceiver and refine and purify our worship as far as is humanly possible? What are we defending by hedging against doubtful practices? There are, after all, 'pure' words like "HalleluYAH", or where necessary, the Sacred Name itself, which can replace this questionable praise word 'Amen', Ex. 23:13:"...and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of your mouth." Hosea 2:17,19 "I
(YHVH) will take the names of the Baals (lords) off her
(His Bride's) lips". |