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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: gbennett76 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What are urim and thummim? | Ex 28:30 | gbennett76 | 95419 | ||
Israel Divination part 2 The standard Tarot deck is comprised of seventy-eight cards; twenty-two making up the "Major Arcana" (a collection of symbolic cards) and the "Minor Arcana" (composed of four suits; "wands", "cups", "swords" and "discs/pentacles"). It is believed that the original Tarot deck was made up of only the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana, and the Minor Arcana (a precursor to the modern playing deck) was added later on (21). What immediately is striking is the fact that the Major Arcana, the central focus of the Tarot, has as many cards are there are Hebrew letters. This understanding of the basis of each card from the Major Arcana as corresponding to a particular Hebrew letter from which it gains its divinatory power is maintained in the thought of prominent Tarot scholars; Eliphas Levi (22), Paul Foster Case (23), and Arthur Waite (24) are to name a few. The way in which Tarot cards are read are by means of "spreads"; particular arrangements based on religious concepts; the Celtic cross is one example, the four letters of the name of God and the four faces of the vision of Ezekiel are another. The meaning of the spread is interpreted by means of the symbol of card by virtue of the context of the spread in which it appears, and even more importantly, the inherent divinatory value of the card. Cards have different divinatory understandings by virtue of context as they appear with different cards or in different spreads. The divinatory value of the card is dependent on the Hebrew letter to which it corresponds and its mystical value in the general scheme of Creation. It is through the model of Tarot as a modern analogue worthy of further consideration that a clearer view of the Urim and Thummim can be seen. Biblical date alone helps us to know that the Urim and Thummim were stored in the priestly vestment of the breastpiece of judgment, which was attached to the epod. We know that the Urim and Thummim's purpose was to "inquire of God", in the context of the prophetic functions of the High Priest. From eptymological analysis of the Urim and Thummim we learn that illumination, light, truth and perfection are important themes that define the Urim and Thummim in a profound way. From studying the rabbinic and kabbalistic commentaries on the Torah we learn of a further understand of the Urim and Thummim as having relation to the Hebrew alphabet and its creative, mystical, and hence divinatory power. This leads us to the question of the usefulness of "modern" ( I admit Tarot as we know it isn't exactly "modern", but certainly not "ancient") analogues in understanding the exact way in which the Urim and Thummim would have been utilized. I propose not an argue for a historical link between the Tarot tradition and the Urim and Thummim; Tarot does not equate with the Urim and Thummim, they are not one and the same. Instead I see the Tarot's "spread" model of divination as analogous to the Urim and Thummim. I therefore conclude that the Urim and Thummim were a collection of twenty-two objects (likely discs or flat stones) upon which a Hebrew character was inscribed on each. These objects would be arranged in a particular spread and the high priest would then interpret them according to a method not unlike that of way cards are read in the Tarot tradition. |
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2 | What are urim and thummim? | Ex 28:30 | gbennett76 | 95418 | ||
Israel Divination Part 1 What we can glean from the biblical data describing the physical identity of the Urim and Thummim is there is an certain connection between the Urim and Thummim and the vestments of the High Priest, specifically the ephod and the breastplate of judgment. Exodus 28:30 writes that "in the breastpiece of judgement you shall put the Urim and Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron's heart when he goes in before the Lord." Lev. 8:8 further states that "[Moses] placed the breastpiece on [Aaron], and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and Thummim." From this data we can see that the Urim and Thummim were physical objects that were put inside the ephod. We also can that these objects were a plurality, due to the Hebrew plural suffix "im" added to each word. Biblical data further states that the practice that accompanied use of the Urim was to "inquire of God". This inquiry of God was specific, as only one particular form in the Hebrew text is used when the seeker is inquiring of God by means of Urim and Thummim; sa'al be-eloh'im. The basic function of the Urim and Thummim then, we can easily conclude, is to inquire of God. The difficulty at this point is realizing the limits of the biblical data, seeing that these are the only two general certainties that can be gleaned from the biblical texts regarding the physical identity of the Urim and Thummim. Seeing the Urim as "lights", "revelation", and "manifestation" gains a sense of the fact that the Urim were a means of enlightenment, for they revealed hidden truths, and made manifest things which the Israelite seekers sought from the High Priests prophetic capacity. As for the Thummim we see them as "truth" and "perfection" as characterizing words, for by means of urim (enlightenment, revelation, the manifestation of the unseen) the thummim (the truth, the path of perfection) was what followed directly. This is articulated similarily in the Pseudo- Jonathan texts on Exod. 28:30: And you shall put into the breastplate the Urim, which illuminate their words and make manifest the hidden things of the House of Israel, and the Tumim [sic] which perfect their deeds. (10) The same sentiment is found in the Babylonian Talmud; Why are they called "Urim and Thummim" "Urim" because they made their words enlightening. "Thummim" because they fulfill their words." (b. Yoma 73b) (11) And also the Jersusalem Talmud; "Urim because they luminated Israel and Thummim because they perfected they way before them" (y. Yoma 7.3) (12). The application of this character to the Urim and Thummim was re-iterated in the translations by Origen, "manifestation and truth", and Augustine, "showing and truth" (13). In essence, what the sense can be made of all this is that generally the Urim and Thummim are seen as a means of enlightenment, revelation, uncovering of truth. In turn, this means illuminating the way or path to truth or, in the same sense, perfection. |
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3 | What are urim and thummim? | Ex 28:30 | gbennett76 | 95417 | ||
Instruments prepared by God to assist man in obtaining revelation and in translating languages. In the Hebrew language the words mean “lights and perfections.” The Urim and Thummim consist of two stones set in silver bows and sometimes used with a breastplate. Using a Urim and Thummim is the special prerogative of a seer, and it would seem reasonable that such instruments were used from the time of Adam. “A seer is a revelator and a prophet also” ,and when necessary he can use the Urim and Thummim or holy interpreters. This earth will become a great Urim and Thummim in its sanctified and immortal state (Revelation 2:17). |
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4 | What are urim and thummim? | Ex 28:30 | gbennett76 | 95416 | ||
Instruments prepared by God to assist man in obtaining revelation and in translating languages. In the Hebrew language the words mean “lights and perfections.” The Urim and Thummim consist of two stones set in silver bows and sometimes used with a breastplate. Using a Urim and Thummim is the special prerogative of a seer, and it would seem reasonable that such instruments were used from the time of Adam. “A seer is a revelator and a prophet also” ,and when necessary he can use the Urim and Thummim or holy interpreters. This earth will become a great Urim and Thummim in its sanctified and immortal state (Revelation 2:17). |
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5 | until you have paid the last penny. | Matthew | gbennett76 | 94855 | ||
EDB - You found it humorous that I spoke of Purgatory as burning away works of wood and hay to refine the man to enter heaven.. Maybe you'd like to laugh at your precious bible this time: - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire. |
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6 | Scripture support? | NT general Archive 1 | gbennett76 | 94779 | ||
Where exactly does Scripture say that the Bible is incomplete? John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written. Where are these 'other' works called Scripture? Why would the apostles use anything else? |
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7 | Source? | NT general Archive 1 | gbennett76 | 94760 | ||
Its caled the white house tapes which were released after nixon's death. Im suprised you havent heard of them |
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8 | Where is a 1,260 year apostasy taught? | NT general Archive 1 | gbennett76 | 94744 | ||
http://www.whyprophets.com/prophets/theyknew.htm | ||||||
9 | Is god the same as jesus? | John 1:1 | gbennett76 | 94728 | ||
Here is a copy of my previous answer to this question: God refers to a Divine Nature. Jesus refers to a divine person belonging to the divine nature. Nature and Personhood are two entirely different things. God has one nature and three persons. You and I are humans.We share what is referred to as human nature. Humanity has one nature with trillions of persons. All these persons are individuals and distinct yet are one in nature. The Father, Jesus and The Holy Ghost are three persons whom share the divine nature. They are distinct and individual without robbing the divinity of the others. In the words of Athanasius : "But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost." and " But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved is must think thus of the Trinity." And Turtullian stated this :"Whatever, therefore, was the substance of the Word that I designate a Person, I claim for it the name of Son; and while I recognize the Son, I assert His distinction as second to the Father." [Tertullian, Against Praxeas 7 |
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10 | Is this a hint of Universalism? | 2 Tim 3:16 | gbennett76 | 94487 | ||
I claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of my cconscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. |
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11 | Does Jesus ever feel lonely? | Gen 1:1 | gbennett76 | 94156 | ||
Short Answer No. Jesus is a person of the Trinity. The second in partaking of the Divine Nature. As St. Athanasius stated. There is no dividing of the divine substance. Wheresoever the Father is; so also the Son is. | ||||||
12 | Will heaven include Animals. | Gen 1:1 | gbennett76 | 94154 | ||
Current ecological concern has raised the question of the status of animal life in the universe. The treatment of animals by man has ranged from worship to cruelty. What is the will of our Heavenly Father in regard to animals? When animals were placed upon the earth, our Heavenly Father said that it was good. (See Gen. 1:25.) Since the creation of the earth, man has been given dominion over the animals. That animals are to be treated with kindness is indicated in the law of Moses. The Lord enjoined the Israelites to show kindness to the ox by not muzzling it when it was treading the corn during the harvest threshing. (Deut. 25:4.) Undue strain on unequally yoked animals was forbidden as well. (Deut. 22:10.) The ancient Israelites were also to avoid destroying birds’ nests while working in their fields. (Deut. 22:6-7.) The Lord instructed the Hebrews to help the overburdened animal, even if it belonged to an enemy. (Ex. 23:4-5.) Even animals were to be spared labor on the Sabbath. (Ex. 20:10.) A proverb observed that “a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Prov. 12:10.) The prophet Isaiah revealed that during the millennial reign, cruelty to all living creatures would be abolished: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. “And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. “And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11:6-9.) The Lord further explained to Hosea concerning the millennial state of animals: “And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.” (Hosea 2:18.) Again the Lord’s concern for animal life is revealed in Luke 12:6, where he states that of the sparrows that are sold, “not one of them is forgotten before God.” Consider these verses as you ponder your question. |
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13 | pray to God or Jesus or same?? | Rom 1:8 | gbennett76 | 93821 | ||
Hi!.. this is a great question. I'll give it a shot. Firstly let's just clear up a few points regarding the character of "God". God refers to a Divine Nature. Jesus refers to a divine person belonging to the divine nature. Nature and Personhood are two entirely different things. God has one nature and three persons. You and I are humans.We share what is referred to as human nature. Humanity has one nature with trillions of persons. All these persons are individuals and distinct yet are one in nature. The Father, Jesus and The Holy Ghost are three persons whom share the divine nature. They are distinct and individual without robbing the divinity of the others. In the words of Athanasius : "But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost." and " But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved is must think thus of the Trinity." And Turtullian stated this :"Whatever, therefore, was the substance of the Word that I designate a Person, I claim for it the name of Son; and while I recognize the Son, I assert His distinction as second to the Father." [Tertullian, Against Praxeas 7 So now that we understand who we are praying to let us examine scripture to discover the true order of prayer: We are to pray directly to THE FATHER When a disciple asked for instruction regarding prayer, Jesus did not refuse to give it to him. According to Luke 11:2-4, he replied: "When you pray, say: FATHER, hallowed be thy name. We are to pray in JESUS NAME John 14:13-14 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (KJV) Well I hope this helps |
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14 | Did Adam and Eve go to heaven? | Gen 2:1 | gbennett76 | 93761 | ||
God prepared this earth as a home for his children. Adam and Eve were chosen to be the first people to live on the earth.Their part in our Father’s plan was to bring mortality into the world. They were to be the first parents.When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they were not yet mortal. They were not able to have children. There was no death. They had physical life because their spirits were housed in physical bodies made from the dust of the earth.They had spiritual life because they were in the presence of God .They had not yet made a choice between good and evil. God commanded them to have children and to learn to control the earth. He said, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over … every living thing that moveth upon the earth” .God told them they could freely eat of every tree in the garden except one, the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Of that tree God said, “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”.Satan, not knowing the mind of God but seeking to destroy God’s plan, came to Eve in the Garden of Eden. He tempted her to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He assured her that she and Adam would not die, but that they would “be as gods, knowing good and evil”.Eve yielded to the temptation and ate the fruit. When Adam learned what had happened, he wisely chose to partake also therefore being able to obey the command to multiply. The changes that came upon Adam and Eve because they ate the fruit are called the Fall. Some people believe Adam and Eve committed a serious sin when they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, their fall was a necessary step in the plan of life and a great blessing to all of us. Because of the Fall, we are blessed with physical bodies, the right to choose between good and evil, and the opportunity to gain eternal life. None of these privileges would have been ours had Adam and Eve remained in the garden. And now, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen [been cut off from the presence of God], but he would have remained in the Garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; … And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin. We should trust that all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. Therefore Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. When Adam transgressed, and ate the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, he did just that – he transgressed. He did not sin. He could not sin at that point. Why? Because sinning implies that you know the difference between good and evil (see James 4:17). But the whole point of eating the fruit was that before eating, Adam did not have knowledge of good and evil. Adam's transgression was certainly against what God said, but Adam did not appreciate the significance of that at the time, so cannot be justly condemned for it. We are really going off on a tangent here, but it is worth finishing. If the "fall" of Adam is so important, why did God say "don't eat the fruit?" That's easy. If you are a parent, you will know the answer already. Someone who loves their children will always try to stop them getting hurt. But you also know that the child must get hurt in order to learn. God loved Adam, so told him not to get hurt. But like any father, he knew that an inquisitive child who doesn't know any better will do it anyway, and that is as it should be. Adam had to learn for himself. Conclusion: So in conclusion: Adam was presumably a righteous man. So Adam is now in heaven. So Adam sits on a throne (Revelation 3:21). Adam is the most ancient of all mankind. Adam deserves respect from all mankind (as any parent deserves respect from his children). So Adam is truly "The Ancient of Days" (but thats another discussion altogether). |
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15 | Is sexual immorality OK? | Rom 1:27 | gbennett76 | 93078 | ||
Pastor Glenn "27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.[6] If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well." are you against blood transfusions.. do you personally know how your meat is slaughtered.. do you eat kosher only? And so again I ask .....“We have been unable to find any logical explanation that would justify conservative Christians concentrating so much on these two laws against homosexuality while abandoning most of the rest. “ |
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16 | Homesexuality? Wrong? | Rom 1:27 | gbennett76 | 92989 | ||
There was once a Catholic named J Who found out at age three he was gay Long hours in confession Brought an awful depression Til the Anglicans said "Okay " |
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17 | What is this third heaven? | 2 Cor 12:2 | gbennett76 | 80659 | ||
Please review Rev. 21:27,Luke 12:45-48 and Luke 12:45-(59) 1 Corinthians 3:15,1 Corinthians 15:41, -- Quite Simple the third Heaven is the abode of Elohim -The Father, Jehovah-The Son, and The Queen of Heaven. According thw works which a man does in this life so will his reward be. THere are many verses that can be sited to show the neccesity of works in salvation but that is another issue all together. The point in mentioning it though is that the three degrees of glory sited in 1 Corinthians 15 answers your question. At the ressurrection our works will determine or place or position in reference to God. Another words, He who has been the most righteous and whos sins can be covered under the merit of grace therefore being sinless will enter into the 'fulness of God's glory'----the third heaven which glory is as the sun in relation to the moon. Those who still have residual sins that cannot be covered under the merit of grace must walk through the atoning fire of purgatory or 'spirit prison' and that man will not be released "until he pays the tiniest penny" as Christ has said.This final purification of the elect is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.The purification is necessary because, as Scripture teaches, nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27) and, while we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven. However that man cannot ever recieve of God's fullness but recieves the heaven which has the glory of the moon. And so on and so forth..."For in my father's house are many mansions" |
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18 | Is 'Pneuma' really feminine? | Jer 7:18 | gbennett76 | 80655 | ||
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. 32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Proverbs 8:22-36, King James Version ---YES THE BIBLE DOES REVEAL THE GODDESS! AND HER NAME IS WISDOM---SOPHIA. Proverbs tells us that SHE was with the Father before the WORLD was. AND the Bible warns against those who would deny Wisdom her rightful place. "35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death." |
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19 | shekina glory | Jer 7:18 | gbennett76 | 80573 | ||
Many theologians and scholars realize that the Holy Spirit written as, "Pneuma" in Greek everytime it appears in the New Testament, is a feminine being. Note that Pneuma is a feminine word in Greek. This would make Pneuma, the Holy Spirit, a Christian Goddess, not a mysteriously veiled member of an all-male Trinity "club." Also, the Holy Spirit appears at Yeshua's baptism in the form of a dove. The dove has long been a symbol of the Goddess in the Ancient Near East, and was never used to symbolize a god. We must also look in the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, and consider the Goddess Sophia. Her name means "Wisdom." She is the Goddess of Wisdom referred to repeatedly in scripture as the wife of God-the-Father. See Proverbs, Song of Songs, also called Song of Solomon, the Book of Sirach and the Book of Wisdom from the Apocrypha (found in the center of any Catholic Bible). Asherah, the Shekinah, was originally worshipped right alongside her lover/husband Yahweh, or El, as He is also called in ancient writings. You've probably noticed His name in names like Mi-cha-EL, Gab-ri-EL, Rach-EL, which mean respectively, "Who is like God?", "Power of God," and "Fair One of God." In Genesis, God the Father turns to some companion, we are never told whom, and says, "Let us make man after our own image." Jewish mystics and scholars of the Kabbalah have pointed out the obvious: Yahweh is talking to His wife. Even more intriguing: many researchers say it is She that is speaking to Him. The Hebrew word used for "God" in Genesis is Elohim, the plural of Eloah, a feminine title for the Goddess. Eloah (sometimes spelled Elat) is the female "half" of El. This Hebrew Goddess in Genesis is Asherah, the Shekinah, the Lady, speaking with Her mate. They agree to create, and so here we are. Many ancient religions, including the Greeks, believed that heaven is a male God who "covers" the feminine earth, Gaia in an intimate embrace. The earth, thus regularly impregnated, bears fruit. Asherah, the Shekinah, consort and beloved of Yahweh. God-the-Mother. Her sacred pillars or poles once stood right beside Yahweh's altar, embracing it. Moses and Aaron both carried one of these Asherah "poles" as a sacred staff of power. The Children of Israel were once dramatically healed simply by gazing at the staff with serpents suspended from it. This symbol, the snakes and the staff, has become the modern universal symbol for doctors and healers.* Asherah was also widely known in the Middle Eastern ancient world as a Goddess of Healing. Then She was removed forcibly from the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures around 400 or 500 B.C. Daughter of Zion, a term found numerous times in the Old Testament, was perhaps a term for a priestess of Asherah. As the "official" state worship became increasingly male oriented, and the establishment became hostile toward all forms of Asherah worship, a time of conflict and bloodshed lasting over a hundred years began. Those that still clung to Her worship paid the price with their lives at the hands of King Josiah and other rabid Yahwists. (Story in the Old Testament). But She could not be torn from the hearts and souls of Her people. |
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20 | sons of god as in early gen | Gen 6:2 | gbennett76 | 80182 | ||
Excerpt from Mischievous Angels or Sethites? by Chuck Missler The strange events recorded in Genesis 6 were understood by the ancient rabbinical sources, as well as the Septuagint translators, as referring to fallen angels procreating weird hybrid offspring with human women-known as the "Nephilim." So it was also understood by the early church fathers. These bizarre events are also echoed in the legends and myths of every ancient culture upon the earth: the ancient Greeks, the Egyptians, the Hindus, the South Sea Islanders, the American Indians, and virtually all the others. However, many students of the Bible have been taught that this passage in Genesis 6 actually refers to a failure to keep the "faithful" lines of Seth separate from the "worldly" line of Cain. The idea has been advanced that after Cain killed Abel, the line of Seth remained separate and faithful, but the line of Cain turned ungodly and rebellious. The "Sons of God" are deemed to refer to leadership in the line of Seth; the "daughters of men" is deemed restricted to the line of Cain. The resulting marriages ostensibly blurred an inferred separation between them. (Why the resulting offspring are called the "Nephilim" remains without any clear explanation.) Since Jesus prophesied, "As the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be,"2 it becomes essential to understand what these days included. "In the mouths of two or three witnesses every word shall be established." In Biblical matters, it is essential to always compare Scripture with Scripture. The New Testament confirmations in Jude and 2 Peter are impossible to ignore. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell Tartarus, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 2 Peter 2:4-5 Peter's comments even establishes the time of the fall of these angels to the days of the Flood of Noah. Even Peter's vocabulary is provocative. Peter uses the term Tartarus, here translated "hell." This is the only place that this Greek term appears in the Bible. Tartarus is a Greek term for "dark abode of woe"; "the pit of darkness in the unseen world." As used in Homer's Iliad, it is "...as far beneath hades as the earth is below heaven."22 In Greek mythology, some of the demigods, Chronos and the rebel Titans, were said to have rebelled against their father, Uranus, and after a prolonged contest they were defeated by Zeus and were condemned into Tartarus. The Epistle of Jude23 also alludes to the strange episodes when these "alien" creatures intruded themselves into the human reproductive process: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 6,7 The allusions to "going after strange flesh," keeping "not their first estate," having "left their own habitation," and "giving themselves over to fornication," seem to clearly fit the alien intrusions of Genesis 6. (The term for habitation, oivkhth,rion, refers to their heavenly bodies from which they had disrobed.24) For further exploration of this critical topic, see the following: George Hawkins Pember, Earth's Earliest Ages, first published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1875, and presently available by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids MI, 1975. John Fleming, The Fallen Angels and the Heroes of Mythology, Hodges, Foster, and Figgis, Dublin, 1879. Henry Morris, The Genesis Record, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids MI, 1976. Merrill F. Unger, Biblical Demonology, Scripture Press, Chicago IL, 1952. Clarence Larkin, Spirit World, Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, Philadelphia PA, 1921. This article was originally published in the August 1997 Personal Update NewsJournal. |
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