The Dark History of the Rhodes Scholarship

Have you ever heard the expression, “I’m no Rhodes Scholar”?  It is a self-deprecating way of indicating that a person cannot match the intelligence of another.  But have you ever wondered what the term “Rhodes Scholar” even means?  People generally equate it with those who have had the opportunity to seek education at the highest levels.  However, there is a dark side to the name and legacy of the person from whom the Rhodes Scholarship derives its name.

Cecil John Rhodes was born in 1853 but died at the relatively young age of 48.  He constantly faced health challenges as a child and was ultimately dispatched to the warmer climate of the British South African Cape Colony.  During his time in South Africa, Rhodes became a mining magnate and politician who built one of history's most powerful monopolies in southern Africa's diamond industry, at one stage controlling approximately 90% of the world's diamond production.  Because of his unprecedented control over the diamond industry (later expanding into gold), Rhodes became extremely wealthy in his mid-30s.  He left most of his fortune to fund the Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford, which has reportedly helped to educate over 8,000 scholars. 

Although Rhodes has been called many things, what is undeniable is that he was an imperialist, specifically favouring English values which he believed were superior to all other empires.  In fact, he was a firm believer in the adage that “to be born an Englishman was to win first prize in the lottery of life”.  Not content to contain this worldview to the realm of his own mind, he sought to bring such “enlightenment” to the many different states in South Africa by uniting the whole continent under British rule.  But his ambition did not stop there.  He wrote this on 2 June 1877 as part of his broader literary work “Confession of Faith”: “Why should we not form a secret society with but one object the furtherance of the British Empire and the bringing of the whole uncivilized world under British rule for the recovery of the United States for the making of the Anglo-Saxon race but one Empire.”

What you will note from the above quote is that Rhodes was intent on forming a “secret society”.  Initially, he was a Freemason, being initiated in the Apollo University Lodge No. 357 based at the University of Oxford.  The numbers 3-5-7 are highly symbolic in Freemasonry.  According to the transcript of a Freemason lecture series: “Along the way, the three sets of steps—3, 5, and 7—impart a structured approach to self-improvement. From establishing a firm moral foundation (3), to refining one’s intellect (5), and finally striving for a holistic understanding of the world (7), this progressive journey underscores the essence of Freemasonry: the ongoing quest for knowledge, virtue, and service to others.”  However, many believe that Rhodes grew frustrated with Freemasonry, because he did not believe he could fulfil his plans of global domination in and through them.  As a result, many claim he went on to form another secret society with clearly defined and achievable goals.      

It is reported that the final words of Cecil Rhodes were: “So much to do; so little done.”  Still, Rhodes would not allow his death to stand in the way of his goals.  He said that he wanted to cheat the constraints of mortality by leaving a legacy.  The Rhodes Scholarships were originally designed as a means of continuing his dream of reestablishing British hegemony over the earth, including the goal of recovering the United States of America for the British Crown.  His last Will and Testament reaffirms his imperialist goals through educational indoctrination by stating: “Whereas I consider that the education of young Colonists at one of the Universities in the United Kingdom is of great advantage to them for giving breadth to their views for their instruction in life and manners and for instilling into their minds the advantage to the Colonies as well as to the United Kingdom of the retention of the unity of the Empire.”

Like so many men and women of the past and present who have world domination as their goal, Rhodes believed that political power and wealth would result in worldwide peace.  In his writings (a summary of which appears in his Will) we read: “What an awful thought it is that if we had not lost America, or if even now we could arrange with the present members of the United States Assembly and our House of Commons, the peace of the world is secured for all eternity! We could hold your federal parliament five years at Washington and five at London. The only thing feasible to carry this idea out is a secret one (society) gradually absorbing the wealth of the world to be devoted to such an object.”  How, according to Rhodes, would this unfold?  Through recruitment and the implementation of a “church” model.  This excerpt also appears in Rhodes’ Will: “After recalling how the Roman Church utilises enthusiasm, he suggests the formation of a kind of secular Church for the extension of British Empire which should have its members in every part of the British Empire working with one object and one idea, who should have its members placed at our universities and our schools, and should watch the English youth passing through their hands. Mr. Rhodes then proceeded to sketch the kind of men upon whose help such a Church could depend, how they should be recruited, and how they would work to ‘advocate the closer union of England and her colonies, to crush all disloyalty and every movement for the severance of our Empire.’” 

As you can see, the original purpose of the Rhodes Scholarship was to produce an English-speaking global elite in order to further the vision of Cecil Rhodes.  If the words of Fritz Springmeier, who wrote “Bloodlines of the Illuminati”, are to be believed: “Cecil Rhodes set up the Rhodes Scholarships to recruit and bring top men from several nations to Oxford to be initiated into the Illuminati and to learn about how to bring in a One-World-Government.” Illuminati is the plural form of the Latin word illuminatus, meaning “enlightened.”  Although the term originated in the 15^th century, its spiritual origins go back much further.  From Babel to the Beast (Antichrist), there has been a constant stream of people with the power, money and motivation to build a global society, usually with the assistance of secret societies and cults which lean heavily on the power of the demonic realm. 

Prior to the glorious Millennial Kingdom, the world will once again have to deal with a man who falsely claims he is able to rule a global society founded upon peace, safety and enlightenment.  He will fail miserably, but not before causing chaos throughout the world during his short tenure.  Many promote the centralisation of power in an individual they believe possesses the means, the money and the motivation to bring about the new world order.  However, what has been demonstrated in the past and what will be demonstrated in the future (in the form of the Tribulation Period) is that such thinking often produces deadly results.

I am glad to say I am no Rhodes Scholar.  I much prefer the goal of being known as a Bible scholar.  After all, I know whose plan is going to prevail.