10th Link & Chain degree

Raised to a place of Dignity

The new initiate to the 10th degree is told: “Why do you wear that emblem? What emblem? That gold link and chain? Because I have been raised to great dignity.” The lecture later continues: “How did you prepare to become a Knight of the Gold Link and Chain? I was highly elevated, raised to great dignity, clothed in scarlet with a chain of gold around my neck.” Here the aspirant is likened to Daniel in his award by Belshazzar for interpreting the writing on the wall, although the accompanying ostentatious language has been added to the scriptural account. Daniel 5:16 records “thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.” When the initiate reaches the Link & Chain degree he is impressively knighted with the pronouncement he is “highly elevated” and “raised to great dignity.” This is hardly frivolous language, especially considering that it is couched in religious instruction. It shows the importance Blackmen attach to their Order, and particularly ascending to the 10th degree. They take it upon themselves to raise all their members to the highest status. They attribute this high distinction to carnal men, despite the fact that there is only one worthy of such a position – the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:9-10 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” It matters little whom men elevate, it is God alone who elevates. Once again, the Royal Black Institution hoists its recruits to a place belonging alone to Christ. All 10th degree Blackmen are viewed as “highly elevated” and “raised to great dignity” on the sole grounds that they have attained the penultimate degree in the Black ladder. This is a carnal arrangement, a humanly devised ritual that has no spiritual or scriptural authority. One cannot quantify the harm this does to the many unsaved men who receive this counsel. Remember, they are told this by a so-called Protestant Order that purports to be evangelical. Such declarations can only but do great injury to the Gospel message. It pronounces this tribute upon countless carnal men, despite the fact that many of them are unregenerate sinners. The only thing that is “highly elevated” through this degree is the Blackman’s ego and human pride. James 4:8-10 tells us, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” The plague which blights this Institution and all other similar secret societies is self-praise. Jesus significantly counselled in Luke 14:11, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” The password of the Knights of the Gold Link & Chain is revealed as “Me-ne Me-ne Te-kel U-phar-sin.” The great and grand password of the degree is “the-Son-of-God.” The mystical number of the degree is “one hundred and twenty and three … Because it pleased Darius the king to sit over his kingdom one hundred and twenty princes and three presidents of whom Daniel was the first.” ADDRESS The emblems worn for this degree is a crimson arrow protruding through the heart representing the fate of Jehoram for his infidelity. The lesson we learn from this degree is one of sincerity. By the continuous practice of false religion the house of Ahab gained notoriety and their advancement in obstinate idolatry had built a wall of wickedness around them, with which they defied the power of God. But when the arrow of judgment delivered from the bow of righteousness went forth justice took the place of mercy and sudden destruction visited the idolatrous son and seed of the house of Ahab and Jezebel. In the justice of God their punishment was uncommonly terrible and as it stood as a warning to Israel it should also stand as a warning to us, that whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. Black Degrees

The Royal Black Institution consists of eleven degrees, as follows: –

(1) Royal Black degree – exposed and biblically examined (2) Royal Scarlet Degree – exposed and biblically examined (3) Royal Mark degree – exposed and biblically examined (4) Apron and Royal Blue degree – exposed and biblically examined (5) Royal White degree – exposed and biblically examined (6) Royal Green degree – exposed and biblically examined (7) Gold degree – exposed and biblically examined (8) Star and Garter degree – exposed and biblically examined (9) Crimson Arrow degreee – exposed and biblically examined (10) Link and Chain degree – exposed and biblically examined (11) Red Cross degree – exposed and biblically examined The Institution also possesses a final retrospective degree, which is essentially an overview of the 11 degrees that the candidate has traversed. Red Cross Grand Charge – exposed For further revelations read Inside the Royal Black Institution