Ruins of Bashan, located near the Sea of Galilee, thought to be the location in which Jesus removed the demons from the demoniac of Gadara.
We will discover in this most ancient region of the world, a kingdom completely forgotten. Though its name is no longer spoken, we will find, through a historical journey, rich beginnings, territorial dominions, age old alliances, and an appointment for Messiah’s complex victory. Bashan is a fruitful distinct, region on the east of Jordan referred to as “Land of Bashan.” It extends from the border of Gilead on the South, and Hermon on the North; and from the Arabah on Jordan Valley on the West, to Salshah on the Geshurites on the East.
Bashan was called the land of “sacred romance,” visited and occupied again the earliest days after the flood. Thousands of years ago this region was recognized, as its name implies, by the union of fallen angels with the daughters of men. Called also the “Land of the Giants,” all of which Bashan was occupied by giants in ancient times. Many remains which still existed as late as several centuries ago, were discovered by travelers, who described houses built of huge blocks; made of dark marble; with stone doors, windows, staircases, and galleries. The roofs and the rest of the buildings were also made of stone blocks. These houses show evidence of their giant inhabitants: their walls varying from 5 to 8 feet in thickness, and their roofs as thick as 6 inches; with ceilings heights reaching 20 to 30 feet; and doors higher than ten feet. Bible records are full of descriptions of the local scenes and terrain of that land. The graphic descriptions and historic records found in the Word of God, and confirmed by historians, shed an amazing light on the religion, the culture, the struggles, and most importantly, the victory of Christ our Messiah. From the remotest historic period, strange mysteries have been connected with that kingdom. The Rephaim, or giants, have been known to fortify there. Descriptions of the strength of its oaks (Ezek. 27:6), the beauty of its mountain scenery, the unrivaled luxuriance, the fertility of its plains makes us to know that Bashan was regarded as almost an earthly paradise. Remnants of the oak forests still clothe the mountain sides. Its cattle was made up of the fiercest, most powerful bulls of Bashan.
United under the rulership of Og the giant, the region boasted sixty fortified cities – walled, fenced, and barred. Although its name has disappeared from geographical history, yet the definitive description of its boundaries are clearly defined in the Holy Scriptures. Interestingly, Bashan was also used throughout history as a place of refuge because of the availability of its rocky terrain. It was said that if someone could arrive to Bashan, that they may never be found.
A Phoenician idol of a horned goddess with a sun disc in her horns. It represents Astarte, Asherah and Ashtoreth.
This entire kingdom was steeped in the worship of Ashteroth-Karnaim, the horned goddess of fertility, and Baal, the horned god called Elion by many giant tribes. The capital city and stronghold of the Rephaim was Ashteroth-Karnaim, named after their mysterious “two-horned Astarte.” The discoveries of houses, deserted halls, massive ruins, and sculptured images of their crescent moon were verified to have withstood for forty centuries. The rich plains, and wooded hills, offered a tempting prospect to many would-be invaders: however, Og, the giant king of Bashan, was an exceptional specimen, with strength and obstinate determination. This giant whose bedstead was made of iron and measured 18.5 feet in length and was 8 feet and 4 inches wide, possessed a potent genealogy directly linked to the father of the Rephaim. This king was acknowledge for his supremacy as a warrior and was followed faithfully by the inhabitants of his kingdom, who were also of the giant tribes.
Og and his army came out with the determination and full fury against Israel. Their battles were no doubt fierce, however, the Lord had spoken “Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand” (Deut. 3:2). God delivered Bashan into the hands of Israel. Og, the giant, was killed along with the inhabitants of that land, and although there were many other giant tribes, it seemed that the Rephaim branch was almost extinct. Sixty walled cities and many unwalled villages and towns were taken. All the land along the River Jordan was taken-from the Dead Sea on the South, to Mt. Hermon on the North; all the cities of the plain, all of Gilead, and all of Bashan. (Deut. 3:1-11).
The temple of Obelisks at Byblos, built in honor of the “Lady of Byblos” in 1600 B.C. This “Lady of Byblos” is the same as Ashtoreth, Astarte and the other horned goddesses of the Canaanites.
David the king, a warrior who overcame Goliath, was also a priest and a prophet. His kingdom would be a type of a kingdom that will never end. Under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, the most astounding Messianic prophecies were uttered, with precise detail, demonstrating the ability of the only God, the true God, and the one who says it and brings it to pass. No doubt in hif fifth Messianic Psalm revealing the suffering of Christ, David the prophet was speaking as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. The position of prophetic intercession enabled the spirit of priesthood- the spirit of Christ – to testify beforehand of His own sufferings. This inspired psalm spoke relevantly to what would take place during their time, as well as simultaneously spoke prophetically of the accomplishments of Christ’s victory on behalf of all of mankind (Psalm 22). Recording beforehand the agony, lamentation and moaning or roaring of Christ’s prayers to His Father during “His Passion.” The Spirit describes clearly the antagonism, the laughter, the despising, and the scorn, that all men released against the suffering Savior. Reproach and derision was voiced throughout the mob that seemed to be, and certainly was, moved by the invisible forces of darkness.
A 3,000 year old terra-cotta drinking vessel in the shape of a bull’s head.
The prophetic word describes beforehand men’s saying and scorn, “they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him.” In verse 15 the Spirit continues by describing His thirst; the presence of a human assembly of the wicked; and the accuracy of the crucifixion – “they pierced my hands and my feet.” The stripes that He had taken had so wounded His flesh that His bones could be seen. His garments were parted among the soldiers; lots were cast upon His vesture. The Messiah continues in confidence, “I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee…..My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him” A prophetic supernatural conclusion is hundreds of years in advance, declaring that the kingdom is the Lord’s and He is the governor among the nations. This seemingly helpless condition of the crucified Master is accompanied by a victorious herald. Declaring that a seed will serve Him, a generation will come, a people will rise up and declare His righteousness; and that the provision of Salvation is paid for. This is the clearest evidence of the omniscience and omnipotence of the Lord declaring to the smallest detail His sacrificial work to deliver mankind; however, it is important for us to note the activities of the invisible spirit of darkness, and the presence of the demonic hoards, to oppose-hoping to see a defeat rather than a victory.
The Gilgal Refaim (The Circle of the Rephaim), located in the Land of Bashan. A massive monument, of unknown purpose, the Gilgal Refaim was built over 5,000 years ago, utilizing over 37,000 tons of stone. This amazing site and the other roughly 8,500 megalithic sites in the Land of Bashan, to this day, have barely been studied, due to the difficulty of reaching them and the unrest in the region.
Psalm 22 verse 12 reads, “Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.” He continues revealing that these bulls opened their mouths to devour Him like a ravening lion. Bulls are emblems of brutal strength: they gore and trample down. The bulls of Bashan were the largest and fiercest of all. “Strong bulls of Bashan,” acknowledged by Christ, no doubt speaks of the many invisible demon spirits territorially ruling through deception and oppression. These devils are the same spirits who would diabolically romanticize Bashan with an absurd title, “Land of the Sacred Romance”; and for the thousands of years wage a campaign to stop the coming seed of the woman. Giant tribes consumed with their nature are proven to be their offspring. These were the propagators of the religion, the religion of the titans, marked by images of the horned bull Baal and the two-horned goddess Ashteroth.
Ironically, during His victorious earthly ministry, when the Master would teach the multitudes, it is said that He did son the grassy slopes of Bashan’s hills. He miraculously fed the multitudes two times – giving in the land of takers, providing in a land of consumers, loving in a land of haters. These devils were, no doubt, infuriated further that He would take His close disciples on the boundary of Bashan’s kingdom, and there reveals His glorious transformation on the top of Mount Hermon. It is also no doubt that their encounter with Him on the western slopes while they were inhabiting the body of the demonic of Gad-era, made the truth to be known, responding to the Lord’s question, “What is your name?” In fear and pride they retorted, “My name Is Legion: for we are many,” revealing their age old hold on that part of the world. They asked Him not to cast them out of the region. These many bulls of Bashan were unified by assignment in the life of the Gadarene. “My name is Legion: for WE ARE MANY.”
They were unified by assignment throughout the ages to spread the religion of the fallen angels, and now they were unified by assignment in Psalm 22. Joshua, the warrior of Israel had played a significant role of strength and courage. The Lord’s covenant with Abraham and Israel to possess the land of promise and over throw the giants was entrusted into his hands. The name Joshua means “savior.” The conquest of Canaan recorded in the book of Joshua consisted of his military invasion to overthrow and drive out the inhabitants of the land with the wisdom he received from Moses and the directon from God to “be of good courage.” His readiness to keep the book of the law in his heart and in his mouth and to meditate of its truth, and receive its light, would enable him to face the many giant nations of the land of Canaan, defeating them with the help of God. Joshua was an exceptional military general, trained by Moses himself, and yet the directions of God supplied him, and Israel, with the supernatural help needed to overcome insurmountable odds. The promise was already given; however, the possession of the land was necessary and only possible by facing the many giant tribes and engaging them in continual battle. The children of Israel were warring against beings of abnormal bodily size before whom they seemed as grasshoppers. All the giants would be described by the Hebrew word ‘gibbor’ translated giant, meaning powerful, mighty, or strong man. The nature of nephil meaning bully or tyrant, as well as giant and mighty, portrays the merciless cruelty of these nations. It seems significant that prior to the conquest of Canaan, the Lord would present Israel with the opportunity to slay the great king Og of Bashan, and virtually annihilate the Rephaim. It seems prophetical, the boastful title, “Land of the Giants,” and “Land of Sacred Romance” – titles that reveal clearly these giants’ identification with their original fallen fathers. It is possible that they identified themselves and are recognized prophetically, as representing forerunners in living, behaving, worshipping, and spreading the religion of the titans. Pursuant to their virtual annihilation, Joshua and his army would face and defeat all the giant tribes, and by this, would accomplish the possession of the land of promise. David the king was also a type of Christ, whose kingdom destroyed the remaining giants that were a terror to Israel at the time.
The Makthar megoliths, a set of solid stone burial chambers, similar to the massive stone houses that can be found in the Land of Bashan.
Jesus is our Savior, our Deliverer; His name means “Jehovah has become our salvation.” In making reference to the demonic spirits raging against Him, while He hung there on the cross, He identifies them as strong bulls of Bashan. The bulls of Bashan were known to be the most powerful, vicious, and destructive bulls; they were also the largest, and are now extinct. It is reasonable to conclude that the Lord identifies His enemies. These spirits united in rebellious assignment, at the cross, together with the imprisoned angels that left their first estate (2 Pet. 2:4).
The Lanyon Quoit, a large dolmen, like the ones in the Land of Bashan, located in the Cornwall, England. The capstone originally rested at 7 feet high and is 9 feet wide, 17.5 feet tall and weighs in at 27,000 pounds.
These angels that sinned, spreading the message of the abominable “sacred romance,” are confined in Tartaros (a dark abyss; a place of punishment). These imprisoned angels did not keep their own realm but left enamored by the daughters of men (Jude 6,7). By addressing the presence of many “bulls of Bashan,” Christ, by the Holy Ghost, reveals the union of assignment, as well as the nature and the might, of these invisible demonic spirits of darkness. By naming them, “strong bulls of Bashan,” He identifies the “bull like nature” and describes the demonic destroyers that will stop at nothing in their continual rebellion in battling the Godhead and apposing mankind. Christ identifies these spirits with the mightiest bulls, associated with the Rephaim’s rebellion and the nephil nature. Identifying these spirits at the cross as the most powerful devils ever gathered in one place, at one time. It is reasonable to conclude, with complete assurance, that the prince of darkness (Satan), had gathered with his mightiest generals and h is lewdest leading dignitaries, rulers, and spiritual wickedness; releasing the most murderous devilish influence, to witness the death of the Holy One. The proponents of the profane religion of fertility, the two-horned, the crescent moon, of the titans, the tyrants, and the wicked of this world, are revealed to us clearly by Christ. Their presence in great numbers of fortification, to witness their so-called victory, was to their demise. They were being delivered into the Savior’s hands. This is the great conquest of Calvary; this is the fall of the mighty, the paralysis of him who had the power of death – that is the devil. This is the greatest victory of the ages; the ransacking of the strongman’s house; the spoiling of all of the powers of darkness (Col. 2:15).
A giant stone house in the Land of Bashan.
Christ stripped and put off the power that Satan had to condemn the human race. Christ triumphed, through the death of the cross. This is the conquest of Calvary – “He shall bruise they head” (Gen 3:15). This was payment made in full; inheritance through giving (John 3:16); corruption conquered by Christ; rebellion defeated through obedience; and darkness overcome by the light (John 1:5). The darkness could not siege upon, stop, detect, or overcome the true light of the world. The Word is light, the Word is with God, the Word is God. He said it and He performed it. He was put to death in the flesh then quickened by the Spirit-made alive spiritually. He then preached to the spirits in Tartarus (1 Pet. 3:18-19). In death, He was victorious. In resurrection, He is glorious; and as our High Priest He lives to make intercession for us.
The Land of Bashan in modern times has come to be known as the Golan Heights and continues to be a strategic military position in the region.
This great plan of God, His bright shining wisdom in a mystery, was in the heart of Jehovah before the world, to the profit for our glory (1 Cor. 2:7-8). None of the princes of this world could comprehend it, because light is foreign to darkness; had these demonic princes known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.
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