9th Crimson Arrow Degree biblically examined

Valients of Truth???

The 9th degree of the Royal Black is called the “Crimson Arrow” degree. The name Crimson Arrow is said to refer to the bloodied arrow with which Jehu smote wicked Jehoram “between his arms” and which “went out at his heart” (2 Kings 9:24), killing this evil son of Ahab and Jezebel. In the course of his initiation the candidate takes upon himself the character of Jehu and mimics his preparation for and destruction of this enemy of Israel. The degree testifies,

“Why do you wear that emblem?
What emblem?
That crimson arrow?
Because I am a follower of Jehu.
Why do the followers of Jehu wear the crimson arrow?
Because they are warriors of the Lord and should fight against all idolatry and infidelity.
Why was the arrow crimson?
Because it was dyed in the heart blood of Jehoram that wicked and idolatrous son and seed of the house of Ahab and Jezebel.”

The Black likes to portray itself as a bulwark of the evangelical Protestant faith, standing firmly against error and apostasy. The Order is always trying, in its internal teaching, to identify itself with God’s chosen people in the Old Testament. It attempts to represent itself as a constituent part of modern-day Israel. Throughout its rituals it lauds the Old Testament heroes and their great exploits and tries to link its purpose for existing with these ancient champions of the faith. The Black does this by claiming to reproduce their spiritual achievements.

Anthony D. Buckley explains: “Biblical texts provide a prime focus for the symbolic and ritual activity of the different ‘Orange’ secret societies … The texts provide a set of metaphors which allow Ulster Protestants in general, and members of the Black Institution in particular, to see themselves as similar in certain respects to the Israelites and Jews as described in the Bible” (The Chosen Few).

In this introductory catechism the member is said to be a follower of Jehu. The evidence of this is apparently demonstrated in the crimson arrow he wears. It should be noted that only Crimson Arrow Blackmen are entitled to wear this symbol. The lecture goes on to explain the significance of this emblem in response to the question: “Why do the followers of Jehu wear the crimson arrow?” The answer is given: “Because they are warriors of the Lord and should fight against all idolatry and infidelity.” Here, Crimson Arrow Blackmen are lauded as heroic stalwarts of the faith standing against any sign of religious compromise. Furthermore, this description is attributed wholesale to all 9th degree Blackmen regardless of their spiritual standing. This can again only give unsaved men the impression that they are something they are not. This is common within the Loyal Orders.

As is its procedure, the Black lecturers apply the heroic qualities of the character in view to the candidate being initiated. Whilst it is true we are to follow the righteous example of the great men of God of old, we are never counselled to replicate their actions in the theatrical way the Black ritually re-enacts them. Notwithstanding, the Royal Black’s requirement that its members personally avow “I am a follower of Jehu” is entirely unbiblical. The Bible contains no directive that we should become a follower of any man such as Jehu. In fact, 2 Kings 10:31 informs us that “Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart, for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.”

In the New Testament the word “follower” (Gr. mimetes) has the moral force of being an imitator. The apostle Paul therefore urges that we be followers or imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1); or of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6); or even of himself, but in his own case he is careful to add “even as I am also of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The very idea of professing Christians avowing themselves to be followers or imitators of a failed man such as Jehu is very typical of the unbiblical and man-made inventions of the Royal Black Institution. It is not of God.

Read a detailed exposure of the Royal Black Institution:

Christians are followers of Christ, not followers of Jehu. It is therefore wrong for the Knight of the Crimson Arrow to commit to Jehu. Nowhere in the New Testament does it say that we are disciples of Jehu. Like the Roman Catholic Church which exalts dead “saints,” secret societies do similarly. This is wrong. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who should be the pre-eminent focus of the believer’s life. Sadly, the Lord is constantly being bypassed so far as the focus and theology of these secret societies is concerned and replaced by other Bible figures and by spurious rituals that supposedly represent them.

The Black Knights portray their members as great soldiers of truth and the modern-day counterparts of the righteous old covenant guardians of the faith. This is surprising, coming from an Order that is steeped in much of the ancient idolatry of the Old Testament enemies of God. In the light of what we have uncovered in this research it would be reasonable to conclude that it is totally inappropriate for the Royal Black Institution to depict itself as such when it zealously and secretly practises so much that is an anathema to the true faith. This duplicity is found all the way through the communications of the Order. It has come to believe the propaganda contained within its repetitive rituals; and imagines itself as defending the faith they corrupt.

The Black denounces the idolatrous Ahab and his household for their evil in the most convincing terms possible, declaring: “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.”

The Black would do well to step back from its own propaganda for a moment and consider what they are actually producing in the name of Christ. They need to have a good long look in the mirror. They should consider: Are Black practices and teaching not more akin to the idolatry and apostasy employed by the enemies of God in olden days rather than the righteous activities of the Old Testament heroes of the faith? This enquiry would certainly be a suitable starting point in objectively establishing whether the Royal Black Institution is truly good or bad. Our study has showed us that the secret ceremonies practised behind the closed Black doors corresponds more with Israel’s foes in ancient times than with that employed by the true people of God.

Isaiah 29:13, 15 declares, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me … Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?”

The order then goes on to enlarge upon its beliefs:

“Can you describe the arrow to me as carnal? First the arrow was carnal that smote Ahab between the joints of the harness. Second the arrow was carnal when Jehu drew his bow at full strength and smote Jehoram between the arms the arrow passing out at his heart. Third the arrow was carnal that Elijah used to convey spiritual means. Fourth the arrow was carnal that was dyed in the blood of Calvary.

Has the armour any time changed since the days of your Grand Master Jehu? It has thus changed, it is no more carnal but spiritual and mighty even to the pulling down of strongholds.”

This use of the word “carnal” is confused and confusing. After commending the arrow and the praiseworthy retribution it meted out against wicked Jehoram, the Knights of the Crimson Arrow then equate it to the cruel arrow that pierced Christ. This is quite extraordinary. How are these two comparable? Jehoram was worthy of his punishment, Christ was not. He was innocent of all sin. At very least this teaching is bewildering, at worst it is blasphemous. The cryptic way in which the Royal Black Institution presents its secret theology is conducive for twisting truth and belittling the Person and accomplishments of Christ. Also, whilst the blood of Jesus is referred to in this address, Jehu and not Christ is identified as the “Grand Master” of the Knight of the Crimson Arrow. This again demonstrates the subtle manner in which secret societies dethrone Christ and lift up others in His place. Rather than this secret dogma glorifying Christ, adhering to Scripture and promoting the Protestant cause it ends up harming them. This is why this teaching has to be hidden behind closed doors.

The password for the degree is: “The-young-man-the-prophet-whom-Elisha-sent!” The mystical number for the degree is “seventy.” The great and grand password of the Knight of the Crimson Arrow is “E-L-I-S-H-A, Elisha!”

We would recommend a revealing book written by David W Daniels – Should A Christian Be A Mason:

All the 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 Crown degree – exposed and biblically examined
(8) Gold Star and Garter degree – exposed and biblically examined
(9) Crimson Arrow degreee – exposed and biblically examined
(10) Gold 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

Other Info

Purchase direct: Inside the Royal Black Institution

Testimonies from former leading Royal Blackmen Rev. Canon Brian T. Blacoe (former Deputy Grand Chaplain of the Royal Black Institution), Malcolm McClughan (former Royal Black Lecturer) and David Carson (Chairman of the United Protestant Council).

A book for Blackmen to seriously consider by Cecil Andrew of Take Heed Ministries.

The “Protestant” Knight of Malta exposed
The solid and unrelenting opposition of GOLI to the RAP and the RBI
The history of the Royal Black Institution
The history of the Black degrees

For more information read Freemasonry: The Invisible Cult by Jack Harris