The House of Habs'Burg, also called the House of Austria, was one of the most influential royal houses of Europa. A series of dynastic marriages enabled the family to vastly expand its domains to include Burgundy, Spain and its colonial empire, Bohemia, Hungary, and other territories.
The name comes from one of the first progenitors of the Habs'Burg dynasty Radbot(with his 2 brothers, Werner and Rudolph I), Count of the Habs'Burg (985-1045 CE), also known as Radbot of Klettgau on the High Rhine in Swabia. The High Rhine is the name used in Germany for the part of the Rhine that flows Westbound from Lake Constance to Basel. The Lake is situated in Germany, Switzer'Land, and Austria near the Alps. The Rhine flows into the Lake from the South, with its original course forming the Austria-Swiss border, and has its outflow on the Lower Lake where -except for Schaff'Hausen (Northern most canton)- forms the German-Swiss border.
Radbot built the castle, as a fortress, in 1020s, in present-day Swit'zer'Land, in the area of Aar'Gau, and chose to name his fortress Habs-Burg. His grandson Otto II was the first to take the fortress name as his own, adding "Count of Habs'Burg" to his title. The House gathered dynastic momentum through the 11th,12th and 13th centuries.
In 1027, Radbot established the Abbey of Muri, built up by Benedictine monks descending from Einsiedeln Abbey. His older brother was Bishop Werner I of Strass'Bourg from 1001 until his death in 1028. Werner was one of the last bishops to be appointed by Otto III, Roman Emperor. In 1000 CE, through this emperor, OttoIII, the influence of the interpretation of Christianity was extended to Poland, Bohemia, and Hungary, and the first Christian king was crowned in Hungary.
The Einsiedeln Abbey in which the Bennedictine monks housed themselves, was in the canton of Schwyz, Switzer'Land, and was known as a major resting point on the Way of St. James for centuries. Tradition states that the remains of the apostle are buried in that area and many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. The route has a number of resting stops towards the shrine in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
In ancient times the area was controlled by Helvetians, a member of the Celt tribal groups, as far back as 200 BC. The area was eventually occupied by the Romans and then by the 6th CE, by the Franks. The name Helvetii is derived from Gaulish 'elu'-, meaning "gain, prosperity, or multitude," cognate with Welsh 'elw' an old Irish prefix 'il,' meaning "many" or "multiple." The second part of the name has been interpreted as 'etu'-, meaning "terrain, grassland," thus interpreting the full name as "rich land."
In the medieval times, the area was a disputed border region between the duchies of Alamannia and Burgundy.
The fertile undulating tract nearby the area, named the Wetterau, holds a long history and is one of the oldest cultural landscapes that exists in the today World. It was always a fertile region and was populous from as early at the 10,000 BC. Artifacts from successive civilizations that populated the area also exist, being the most prominent discoveries the tombs from Bronze Age. The area also was of high strategic relevance for the Romans during its advance into Germania. After the end of the Germanic and Gallic wars (58-51 BC) a number of Roman forts and roads were built in the Wetterau area. The fortifications were a border defense or delimiting system of ancient Rome, they marked the boundaries and provinces of their empire.
During the 8th to 11 CE, a clan of Franconian counts and dukes (the Corandines) related by blood to Louis the Child (893-911), king of East France (899-911), and last ruler of Carolingian dynasty, intermittently held the countship of Aargau from 750 until about 1030CE. The Carolingians were a Frankish noble family with origins in the Arnulfin and Pippinid clans of the 7th CE. The name 'Carol' derives from 'kerlin,' meaning 'descendant of Charles Martel' (Latin for Carolus). They became the real power behind the Merovingian throne.
During 1138-1254 CE, the House of Staufen, a dynasty of German Kings controlled the area. The name comes for their seat at the Staufen Castle, which was in turn named for a nearby conical hill of the Swabian Alps. It is a region bounded by the Danube in the South East and the upper Neckar in the North West. In the South West the Alps rises to higher mountains that forms the Black Forest. Three member of this dynasty were crowned Roman emperors: Frederick I, Henry IV, and Frederick II.
From the extinction in 1254 of the House of Staufen until 1415, the area was ruled by the House of Habs'Burg, and many castles from that time still stand (examples include Habs'Burg, Lenz'Burg, Tegerfelden, Bobikon, Stin, and Wild'Egg).
By 1276 CE, Count Radbot's seven generation descendant of Rudolf of the House of Habs'Burg, moved the family's power base from the Castle to the Duchy of Austria. Rudolph had become King of Germany in 1273, and the dynasty was truly entrenched in 1276 when Rudolph became ruler of Austria, which lasted until 1918.
The throne of the Roman Empire was continuously occupied by the Habs'Burgs between 1438-1740.
From the House of Habs'Burgs also came emperors (kings) of the Kingdom of Bohemia (now Czech Republic), Kingdom of Eng'Land (by right of his wife), Kingdom of Germany, Kingdom of Hungary, Kingdom of Croatia, Kingdom of Ireland, Kingdom of Portugal, and Spain, as well as rulers of several Dutch and Italian principalities.
In the 16th century, the house separated the family into senior Habs'Burg Spain, and junior Habs'Burg Monarchy branches, and the mutual claims were settled in the secret Treaty of Onate on July 29, 1617.
Philip III, Spanish king of the senior Habs'Burg reached an agreement with the junior Habs'Burg Ferdinand II, Austrian Archduke. The senior Spanish branch ended upon the death of Charles II in 1700 and was replaced by the House of Borbon, a branch of the Capetian dynasty founded by Hugh Capet's male line descendants. It is among the largest and oldest royal houses in Europe and the World of Franco origin. The remaining Austrian branch became extinct in the male line in 1740 with the death of Charles VI, and completely in 1780 with the death of his eldest daughter Maria Theresa of Austria. It was succeeded by the Vaude'Mont branch of the House of Lorraine styling itself as the House of Habs'Burg-Lorraine.
The Habs'Burgs also founded a number of monasteries (with some structures enduring, e.g., in Wettingen (members of the Cistercian Order called the Bernardines, the term is also used of the Franciscan Order in Poland and Lithuania) and Muri (near Basel, Switzer'Land and formerly part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire), the closing of which was a contributing factor to the outbreak of the Swiss civil war in 1847.
In the New World, the Habs'Burg-Lorraine, produced the first emperor in the Second Mexican Empire under a limited hereditary monarchy by the European Assembly of Notable people on July 10, 1863, during the 2nd French intervention in Mexico. It was created with the support of Napoleon III of France, who attempted to establish a monarchist ally in the Americas. A referendum confirmed Austrian Ferdinand Maximilian, as Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico. Support came mainly from a rich and conservative elite of Catholics, supported by the French, which were a majority within the public affairs in Mexico. The monarchy came to an end with the execution of Maximilian I on June 19, 1867.
Sunday, 31 December 2017
Saturday, 30 December 2017
WHY JERUSALEM FELL IN 70 CE?
The fulfilment of Christ's prophecy concerning the destruction of the magnificent temple at Jerusalem ended one phase of God's plan and entered in the next phase -Christ's return to conquer and rule.
During Jesus' time, many Jews were so awe struck and impressed with the grandeur of the Herod's Temple that they replaced the true worship of God with respect and reverence for the Temple complex itself. Jesus was not impressed with the physical structure, because he knew that the Sovereign God is greater than any building that man can construct, no matter how grand and beautiful it is.
Looking back, in 40CE, the Roman senate appointed Herod as the ruler of Judea. He had previously served as the governor of Galilee and was a personal friend of Mark Anthony before Anthony was defeated by Octavian. Later Herod became a friend of Octavian who became the first Roman emperor as Caesar Augustus. Herod ruled Judea for the next 36 years, during which time he began many huge building projects including the building of a new Temple in Jerusalem.
The project was a huge undertaking which required a tremendous amount of labor, money and time. This building was said to be larger and a more beautiful than the one that Solomon built. From the beginning of the Temple project in 19BC, it took 46 years to complete the main building and another 36 years to finish the entire complex. However, 4 years after its complexion, it was totally destroyed and wiped from the face of the earth.
The Romans destroyed the 2nd Temple (Herod's Temple) in 70 CE, on the same date that the Babylonians had destroyed the 1st Temple (Solomon's Temple). 2 Kings 25 says about the first destruction the following, "On the 7th day of the fifth month of the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia, Nebuzaradan, adviser to the king and commander of his army, entered Jerusalem. He burned down the Temple, the palace, and the houses of all the important people in Jerusalem, and his soldiers tore down the city walls. Then Nebuchadnezzar took away to Babylonia the people who were left in the city, the remaining skilled workers, and those who had deserted to the Babylonians. But he left in Judah some of the poorest people, who owned no property, and put them to work in the vineyards and fields. (2 Kings 25: 8-12)
In the Book of Jeremiah we find how evil thoughts operates in human mind and it repeats its way as it is manifested in the same way through the minds which plot against Jesus. Jeremiah says: "The Lord informed me of the plots that my enemies were making against me. I was like a Trusting Lamb taken out to be killed, and did not know that it was against me that they were planning evil things. They were saying, 'Let's chop down the Tree while it is still healthy; let's kill him so that no one will remember him any more.' Then I prayed, 'Almighty Lord, you are a Just Judge; You test people's thoughts and feelings. I have placed my cause in Your Hands; so let me watch You take revenge on these people." (Jeremiah 11: 18-23)
When Jesus cried out "It is finished," at the same instant, the Herod Temple was torn in 2 from top to bottom. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. The tearing of the curtain of separation from top to bottom forever opened the Way for all humanity to eventually fellowship directly with God the Father.
This is the moment in time that Jesus spoke of to the woman of Samaria when he foretold that the existing worship system would be abolish, and that those who wanted to worship God would no longer need to travel to a specific location to worship: "True worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth." (John 4:23)
Punishing sinners is always associated with the Law-keeping Covenant observed by God's people. Under Covenant, His people is blessed if they follow His commands and curse if they do not. After Jesus died on the cross, a New Covenant arose that included Jews and Gentiles. Jesus understood the heart of the vast majority of Jews and their leaders and the fact that they would not repent of their evil ways. This is one of the reasons he wept over Jerusalem as he foretold its destruction.
Hebrews 8 says: "Jesus has been given priestly work which is superior to the one on earth, just as the Covenant which He arranged between God and His people is a better one, because it is based on Promises of better things. If there had been nothing wrong with the First Covenant, there would have been no need for a Second One. But God finds Fault with His people when He says, 'The days are coming, when I will draw up a New Covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the Covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They were Not Faithful to the Covenant I made with them, and so I paid No Attention to them. Now, this is the Covenant that I will make with My people in the days to come. I will put My Laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be My people." (Hebrews 8: 6-10)
Jesus predicted again the destruction of Jerusalem when he was being led to the place of his execution. The streets along the way were packed with his enemies as well as with those who followed his teachings and were hopeful that he was indeed the prophesied Messiah. Jesus foretold to those showing concern for him and the injustice that was about to befall him, the destruction of Jerusalem and the horrible starvation, sickness, and death that would come upon them before and after the Romans destroyed the city and its Temple.
On 24 August,79 CE, nine years after Roman legionaries destroyed Jerusalem, God sent a powerful eruption in Mount Vesuvius destroying the affluent Roman cities of the Bay of Naples, including Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the temples of Serapis, Isis, Neptune, and Jupiter among others. Also many luxurious public buildings were destroyed by the blast (100,000 times more powerful that Nagasaki / Hiroshima nuclear bombs). The quakes lasted for several days.
In the spring of 80 CE, a fire broke out in Rome, burning large parts of the city for 3 days and 3 nights.
Although the extent of the damage was not as disastrous as during the Great Fire of 64 CE, a great deal of important public buildings were destroyed, including Agrippa's Pantheon, the Temple of Jupiter, the Diribitorium, parts of the Theatre of Pompey, and the Saepta Julia (a building to cast votes) among others. A plague also broke out during the fire. The nature of the disease, however, or the death toll are totally unknown.
During Jesus' time, many Jews were so awe struck and impressed with the grandeur of the Herod's Temple that they replaced the true worship of God with respect and reverence for the Temple complex itself. Jesus was not impressed with the physical structure, because he knew that the Sovereign God is greater than any building that man can construct, no matter how grand and beautiful it is.
Looking back, in 40CE, the Roman senate appointed Herod as the ruler of Judea. He had previously served as the governor of Galilee and was a personal friend of Mark Anthony before Anthony was defeated by Octavian. Later Herod became a friend of Octavian who became the first Roman emperor as Caesar Augustus. Herod ruled Judea for the next 36 years, during which time he began many huge building projects including the building of a new Temple in Jerusalem.
The project was a huge undertaking which required a tremendous amount of labor, money and time. This building was said to be larger and a more beautiful than the one that Solomon built. From the beginning of the Temple project in 19BC, it took 46 years to complete the main building and another 36 years to finish the entire complex. However, 4 years after its complexion, it was totally destroyed and wiped from the face of the earth.
The Romans destroyed the 2nd Temple (Herod's Temple) in 70 CE, on the same date that the Babylonians had destroyed the 1st Temple (Solomon's Temple). 2 Kings 25 says about the first destruction the following, "On the 7th day of the fifth month of the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia, Nebuzaradan, adviser to the king and commander of his army, entered Jerusalem. He burned down the Temple, the palace, and the houses of all the important people in Jerusalem, and his soldiers tore down the city walls. Then Nebuchadnezzar took away to Babylonia the people who were left in the city, the remaining skilled workers, and those who had deserted to the Babylonians. But he left in Judah some of the poorest people, who owned no property, and put them to work in the vineyards and fields. (2 Kings 25: 8-12)
In the Book of Jeremiah we find how evil thoughts operates in human mind and it repeats its way as it is manifested in the same way through the minds which plot against Jesus. Jeremiah says: "The Lord informed me of the plots that my enemies were making against me. I was like a Trusting Lamb taken out to be killed, and did not know that it was against me that they were planning evil things. They were saying, 'Let's chop down the Tree while it is still healthy; let's kill him so that no one will remember him any more.' Then I prayed, 'Almighty Lord, you are a Just Judge; You test people's thoughts and feelings. I have placed my cause in Your Hands; so let me watch You take revenge on these people." (Jeremiah 11: 18-23)
When Jesus cried out "It is finished," at the same instant, the Herod Temple was torn in 2 from top to bottom. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. The tearing of the curtain of separation from top to bottom forever opened the Way for all humanity to eventually fellowship directly with God the Father.
This is the moment in time that Jesus spoke of to the woman of Samaria when he foretold that the existing worship system would be abolish, and that those who wanted to worship God would no longer need to travel to a specific location to worship: "True worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth." (John 4:23)
Punishing sinners is always associated with the Law-keeping Covenant observed by God's people. Under Covenant, His people is blessed if they follow His commands and curse if they do not. After Jesus died on the cross, a New Covenant arose that included Jews and Gentiles. Jesus understood the heart of the vast majority of Jews and their leaders and the fact that they would not repent of their evil ways. This is one of the reasons he wept over Jerusalem as he foretold its destruction.
Hebrews 8 says: "Jesus has been given priestly work which is superior to the one on earth, just as the Covenant which He arranged between God and His people is a better one, because it is based on Promises of better things. If there had been nothing wrong with the First Covenant, there would have been no need for a Second One. But God finds Fault with His people when He says, 'The days are coming, when I will draw up a New Covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the Covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They were Not Faithful to the Covenant I made with them, and so I paid No Attention to them. Now, this is the Covenant that I will make with My people in the days to come. I will put My Laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be My people." (Hebrews 8: 6-10)
Jesus predicted again the destruction of Jerusalem when he was being led to the place of his execution. The streets along the way were packed with his enemies as well as with those who followed his teachings and were hopeful that he was indeed the prophesied Messiah. Jesus foretold to those showing concern for him and the injustice that was about to befall him, the destruction of Jerusalem and the horrible starvation, sickness, and death that would come upon them before and after the Romans destroyed the city and its Temple.
On 24 August,79 CE, nine years after Roman legionaries destroyed Jerusalem, God sent a powerful eruption in Mount Vesuvius destroying the affluent Roman cities of the Bay of Naples, including Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the temples of Serapis, Isis, Neptune, and Jupiter among others. Also many luxurious public buildings were destroyed by the blast (100,000 times more powerful that Nagasaki / Hiroshima nuclear bombs). The quakes lasted for several days.
In the spring of 80 CE, a fire broke out in Rome, burning large parts of the city for 3 days and 3 nights.
Although the extent of the damage was not as disastrous as during the Great Fire of 64 CE, a great deal of important public buildings were destroyed, including Agrippa's Pantheon, the Temple of Jupiter, the Diribitorium, parts of the Theatre of Pompey, and the Saepta Julia (a building to cast votes) among others. A plague also broke out during the fire. The nature of the disease, however, or the death toll are totally unknown.
THE REAL HYSSOP ( WILD OREGANO)
The Biblical Hyssop (Wild Oregano), in most cases, is mentioned as a genuine purifier-often in combination with lamb's blood, scarlet wood, and water, with the purpose of cleansing ceremonies in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, after Jesus redemption, his blood is the Hyssop, cleansing us from sin.
A famous line from Psalm 51 confirm the type of cleansing that Hyssop did in the Old Testament by saying: "Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! Wash away all my evil and make me clean ... I have been evil from the day I was born; from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful. Sincerity and Truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Pslam 51: 2-7)
Since these plants can grow up to 3 or 4 feet tall and tend to have woody stems, the rod that raised a sponge of vinegar to Christ's mouth was the oregano. Psalm 69 presages the scene with the Hissop rod long before it actually happened: "You know how I am insulted, how I am disgraced and dishonored; you see all my enemies. Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I had hoped for sympathy, but there was none; for comfort, but I found none. When I was hungry, they gave me poison; when I was thirsty, they offered me vinegar." (Psalms 69: 19-21)
The name Oregano is derived from the Greek "oros" meaning "mountain" and "ganos" meaning "delight", hence, the name means, "Joy of the Mountain."The Greeks gave credit to their goddess Aphrodite for the existence of the oregano herb as a symbol of happiness. So bridal couples were crowned with the herb to ensure a cheery future. And in the case of the deceased growing oregano in their tombs supposedly indicated the deceased's satisfaction with his/her afterlife.
The most potent medicinal Oregano grows in the Mediterranean region, and in the Highlands of Peru.
Oregano is loaded with antiseptic compounds and it is a very effective antibiotic. It has been used for medicine and food preservation for thousands of years. During Middle Ages the herb was used as a germ killer, and over the centuries oregano has been used as a remedy for a wide range of lung and stomach conditions.
Oregano is one of the most richest herbs in antioxidants and it is still extensively used in cooking. It is also used as a digestive aid and expectorant, to ease congestion from colds, flu, etc.
In ancient times people strewed the floors with oregano, as well as packing it into bags and grinding it into powder. Its invigorating odor helped cover up a multitude of less pleasant smells.
The presence of oregano in the Old Testament as a purifier and then at the crucifixion has a great symbolic significance. Christ, is intended to be the final sacrificial lamb whose blood purge the sins of mankind. That is the kind of cleansing that even the best herb can't accomplish.
A famous line from Psalm 51 confirm the type of cleansing that Hyssop did in the Old Testament by saying: "Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! Wash away all my evil and make me clean ... I have been evil from the day I was born; from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful. Sincerity and Truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Pslam 51: 2-7)
Since these plants can grow up to 3 or 4 feet tall and tend to have woody stems, the rod that raised a sponge of vinegar to Christ's mouth was the oregano. Psalm 69 presages the scene with the Hissop rod long before it actually happened: "You know how I am insulted, how I am disgraced and dishonored; you see all my enemies. Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I had hoped for sympathy, but there was none; for comfort, but I found none. When I was hungry, they gave me poison; when I was thirsty, they offered me vinegar." (Psalms 69: 19-21)
The name Oregano is derived from the Greek "oros" meaning "mountain" and "ganos" meaning "delight", hence, the name means, "Joy of the Mountain."The Greeks gave credit to their goddess Aphrodite for the existence of the oregano herb as a symbol of happiness. So bridal couples were crowned with the herb to ensure a cheery future. And in the case of the deceased growing oregano in their tombs supposedly indicated the deceased's satisfaction with his/her afterlife.
The most potent medicinal Oregano grows in the Mediterranean region, and in the Highlands of Peru.
Oregano is loaded with antiseptic compounds and it is a very effective antibiotic. It has been used for medicine and food preservation for thousands of years. During Middle Ages the herb was used as a germ killer, and over the centuries oregano has been used as a remedy for a wide range of lung and stomach conditions.
Oregano is one of the most richest herbs in antioxidants and it is still extensively used in cooking. It is also used as a digestive aid and expectorant, to ease congestion from colds, flu, etc.
In ancient times people strewed the floors with oregano, as well as packing it into bags and grinding it into powder. Its invigorating odor helped cover up a multitude of less pleasant smells.
The presence of oregano in the Old Testament as a purifier and then at the crucifixion has a great symbolic significance. Christ, is intended to be the final sacrificial lamb whose blood purge the sins of mankind. That is the kind of cleansing that even the best herb can't accomplish.
Wednesday, 27 December 2017
THE STOIC THINKING.
Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy that flourished throughout the Roman and Greek World until the 3rd century BC. Based on the ethical ideas of the Cynics, it taught that the goal of life was to live in accordance with Nature. It advocated the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. As reasoning creatures, people was able to gain happiness by rigorous training and by living in a way which is natural for themselves, rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, sex, and fame. Similar ideas appeared in early Christianity.
Stoicism was founded by Zeno of Citium (334- 262 BC), a thinker from Citium, Cyprus, of Phoenician descent. Zeno's interest in philosophy began when he consulted the oracle to know what he should do to attain the best life, and that the god's response was that he should take on the complexion of the dead, perceiving from this the study of ancient authors. He became a wealthy merchant. On a voyage from Phoenicia to Peiraeus he survived a shipwreck, after which he went to Athens and visited a bookseller. There he encounter Xenophon's Memorabilia. He was so please with the book's portrayal of Socrates that he asked the bookseller where men like Socrates were to be found. Just then, Crates of Thebes, the famous Cynic living at that time in Greece happened to be walking by, and the bookseller pointed to him. He became Crate's pupil, showing a strong bent for philosophy, though with too much modesty to assimilate Cynic shamelessness. Crates, desiring to cure this defect in him, gave him a pot full of lentil-soup to carry, and when he saw that Zeno was ashamed and tried to keep it out of sight, Crates broke the pot with a blow of his staff. As Zeno began to run off in embarrassment with the lentil-soup flowing down his legs, Crates said, "Why run away, my little Phoenician? Nothing terrible has befallen you."
Apart from Crates, Zeno studied under the philosophers of the Megarian school (pupils of Socrates) and the dialecticians Diodorus Cronus, and Philo. He is also said to have studied Platonist philosophy under Xenocrates and Polemo. His disciples were initially called Zenonians, but eventually they came to be known as Stoics, a name previously applied to poets who congregated in the Stoa Poikile.
Zeno died around 262 BC. Diogennes Laertius reported the following about Zeno's death: "As he was leaving the school he tripped and fell, breaking his toe. Striking the ground with his fist, he quoted the line from the Niobe: 'I come, I come, why do you call for me? ' and died on the spot through holding his breath.' "
Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus. She was mentioned in Homer's Iliad which relates her personal quality of excessive pride and dangerous overconfidence, in combination with arrogance, for which she was punished by Leto, a daughter of a Titan, to slay all of her children.
Her father, Tantalus became one of the inhabitants of Tartarus, the deepest portion of the Underworld, reserved for the punishment of evildoers. He was punished for his evil behavior by standing in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, the branches raised his intended meal from his grasp. Whenever he bent down to get a drink, the water receded before he could get any. This fate cursed him with eternal depravation of nourishment.
Stoicism was founded by Zeno of Citium (334- 262 BC), a thinker from Citium, Cyprus, of Phoenician descent. Zeno's interest in philosophy began when he consulted the oracle to know what he should do to attain the best life, and that the god's response was that he should take on the complexion of the dead, perceiving from this the study of ancient authors. He became a wealthy merchant. On a voyage from Phoenicia to Peiraeus he survived a shipwreck, after which he went to Athens and visited a bookseller. There he encounter Xenophon's Memorabilia. He was so please with the book's portrayal of Socrates that he asked the bookseller where men like Socrates were to be found. Just then, Crates of Thebes, the famous Cynic living at that time in Greece happened to be walking by, and the bookseller pointed to him. He became Crate's pupil, showing a strong bent for philosophy, though with too much modesty to assimilate Cynic shamelessness. Crates, desiring to cure this defect in him, gave him a pot full of lentil-soup to carry, and when he saw that Zeno was ashamed and tried to keep it out of sight, Crates broke the pot with a blow of his staff. As Zeno began to run off in embarrassment with the lentil-soup flowing down his legs, Crates said, "Why run away, my little Phoenician? Nothing terrible has befallen you."
Apart from Crates, Zeno studied under the philosophers of the Megarian school (pupils of Socrates) and the dialecticians Diodorus Cronus, and Philo. He is also said to have studied Platonist philosophy under Xenocrates and Polemo. His disciples were initially called Zenonians, but eventually they came to be known as Stoics, a name previously applied to poets who congregated in the Stoa Poikile.
Zeno died around 262 BC. Diogennes Laertius reported the following about Zeno's death: "As he was leaving the school he tripped and fell, breaking his toe. Striking the ground with his fist, he quoted the line from the Niobe: 'I come, I come, why do you call for me? ' and died on the spot through holding his breath.' "
Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus. She was mentioned in Homer's Iliad which relates her personal quality of excessive pride and dangerous overconfidence, in combination with arrogance, for which she was punished by Leto, a daughter of a Titan, to slay all of her children.
Her father, Tantalus became one of the inhabitants of Tartarus, the deepest portion of the Underworld, reserved for the punishment of evildoers. He was punished for his evil behavior by standing in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, the branches raised his intended meal from his grasp. Whenever he bent down to get a drink, the water receded before he could get any. This fate cursed him with eternal depravation of nourishment.
MOTHER'S ADVICE TO A SON.
The Book of Proverbs is based on metaphor. It is packed with Word-Pictures of universal Truths.
King Lemuel is mentioned as the author of Proverbs 31. So, as he was growing up, his mother gave him a solemn advice, which he later arranged in poetic form and recorded for the ages.
The name Lemuel means "for God" or "devoted to God." The mother's counsel is good advice for any men who needs to be a leader to himself and through his own example leader of men.
In the 2nd Letter from Peter, addressed to a wide circle of believers, its main concern is to combat immorality by using these Words: "God's divine power has given men everything they need to live a truly moral life ... so that ... they may escape from the destructive lust that is in the World ... do your best to add goodness to your Faith; to your goodness add Knowledge; to your knowledge add Self-control; to your self-control add Endurance; to your endurance add Godliness; to your godliness add Affection; and to your affection add Love ... if you do not have them , you are so shortsighted that you cannot see ... try even harder to make God's call and His choice of you a permanent experience, if you do so you will never abandon your Faith. 2 Peter 1: 1-11
Proverbs 31 then reinforce this advice with the following words of a mother to her son:
This are the solemn Words which the mother of King Lemuel said to him: "You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you? "
"Do not spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings."
"Listen Lemuel, Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol. When they drink, they forget the Law and ignore the rights of people in need. Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery. Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness."
"Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31: 1-10
Throughout the Book of Proverbs, Wisdom is anthropomorphized as a woman. Proverbs 31 provides a detailed metaphor of feminine Wisdom in the context of a family and a community. One of weaknesses the king's mother mentioned in her advice to her son was the susceptibility of his strength to be harmed by improper relationships with women. Then the following verse do illustrate a fitting description of what kind of woman Lemuel should seek.
Proverbs 31 continue saying:
"How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor. As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm. She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth. She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do. She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do." Proverbs 31: 10-15
"She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard. She is a hard worker, strong, and industrious. She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night. She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth. She is generous to the poor and needy. She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing. She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen." Proverbs 31: 16-22
"Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens. She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants. She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future. She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family's needs. Her children show appreciation, and her husband praises her. He says,'Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.'Proverbs 31:23-30
"Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone. Proverbs 31: 30-31
King Lemuel is mentioned as the author of Proverbs 31. So, as he was growing up, his mother gave him a solemn advice, which he later arranged in poetic form and recorded for the ages.
The name Lemuel means "for God" or "devoted to God." The mother's counsel is good advice for any men who needs to be a leader to himself and through his own example leader of men.
In the 2nd Letter from Peter, addressed to a wide circle of believers, its main concern is to combat immorality by using these Words: "God's divine power has given men everything they need to live a truly moral life ... so that ... they may escape from the destructive lust that is in the World ... do your best to add goodness to your Faith; to your goodness add Knowledge; to your knowledge add Self-control; to your self-control add Endurance; to your endurance add Godliness; to your godliness add Affection; and to your affection add Love ... if you do not have them , you are so shortsighted that you cannot see ... try even harder to make God's call and His choice of you a permanent experience, if you do so you will never abandon your Faith. 2 Peter 1: 1-11
Proverbs 31 then reinforce this advice with the following words of a mother to her son:
This are the solemn Words which the mother of King Lemuel said to him: "You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you? "
"Do not spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings."
"Listen Lemuel, Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol. When they drink, they forget the Law and ignore the rights of people in need. Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery. Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness."
"Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31: 1-10
Throughout the Book of Proverbs, Wisdom is anthropomorphized as a woman. Proverbs 31 provides a detailed metaphor of feminine Wisdom in the context of a family and a community. One of weaknesses the king's mother mentioned in her advice to her son was the susceptibility of his strength to be harmed by improper relationships with women. Then the following verse do illustrate a fitting description of what kind of woman Lemuel should seek.
Proverbs 31 continue saying:
"How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor. As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm. She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth. She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do. She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do." Proverbs 31: 10-15
"She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard. She is a hard worker, strong, and industrious. She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night. She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth. She is generous to the poor and needy. She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing. She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen." Proverbs 31: 16-22
"Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens. She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants. She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future. She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family's needs. Her children show appreciation, and her husband praises her. He says,'Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.'Proverbs 31:23-30
"Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone. Proverbs 31: 30-31
Monday, 25 December 2017
THE 2nd HALF ACCOUNT OF EDEN.
The 2nd half of the account of Adam and Eve's life after Eden that fills in the blanks in the biblical story, come to us from a variety of documents in Greek, Latin, Georgian, Armenian, Slavonic, and even Old Irish. Most of them are translations, either of each other or of original documents that have long been lost. Biography was an extremely popular literary genre during late Hellenistic period of Judaism (3rd BC to 3rd CE), and legends of biblical figures were numerous.
The various versions are not entirely consistent with each other, making it difficult to pin down exactly what the original text was, when it was written, and in which language. By carefully combining the different versions, we get a pretty good sense of the text. It was probably written in Hebrew or Aramaic and we can date it approximately to the days of Jesus.
The text was supposedly written by Moses after he received the Tablets with the 10 Commandments.
Content of the Text : After being vanished from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve go to the East and live there for 18 years and 2 months. Eve gives birth to Cain and Abel. Eve dreams that Cain drinks the blood of Abel, but that it then came out of his mouth. Cain kills Abel. Michael promises to Adam a new son, and Seth is born in place of Abel.
Adam begets 30 other sons and 30 daughters. As Adam falls sick and is in pain, all his sons and daughters come to him, and he briefly recounts to them the story of the Fall. Seth and Eve travel to the doors of the Garden to beg for some oil of the Tree of Mercy (Tree of Life). On the way Seth is attacked and bitten by a wild beast, which goes away when ordered by Seth. Michael refuses to give them the oil at that time, but promises to give it at the End of Time, when all flesh will be raised up, the delights of paradise will be given to the holy people and God will be in their midst. On their return, Adam says to Eve: "What has you done? You have brought upon us great wrath which is death."
-Eve recounts to her sons and daughters the story of the Fall from her perspective: In the Garden, she is separated from Adam. She stays with the female animals and Adam with the male ones. The Devil persuades the male snake to rebel against Adam and his wife. At the hour the angels go up to worship the Lord, Satan disguises himself as an angel and speaks to Eve using the mouth of the serpent. The serpent seduces Eve, who swears to give the fruit to Adam to eat too. The serpent places in the fruit the poison of his wickedness, which is lust. When Eve eats it, she discovers that she is naked. All the trees of the Garden lose their leaves. Only a Fig Tree, the plant she ate of, still has leaves, and she hides her shame with its leaves. Eve looks for Adam and deceives him. He also eats the forbidden fruit.
-Michael sounds a trumpet, and God enters the Garden mounted on the chariot of his Cherubim and preceded by the angels. His Throne is set where the Tree of Life is, and all the trees break out in blossoms. He calls Adam, who his because he was naked, and reproaches Adam, Eve and the serpent. When the angels are casting Adam out of paradise, he asks to be allowed to implore God, saying:"For I alone have sinned." He begs God to be allowed to eat of the Tree of Life. God refuses to give him the fruit of immortality, but promises, if Adam will keep from all evil, to raise him up in the Last Day and give him the fruit. Before being cast out, Adam is allowed to take sweet spices and seeds for his food.
-Adam lies sick and foretells that Eve will die shortly after. He asks Eve to pray, because they do not know whether God is angry with them or merciful. While Eve is praying on bended knee, the Angel of Humanity (probably Michael) comes and shows her the spirit of Adam gone from his body and ascending to God.
-The funeral of Adam is narrated with great richness of liturgical detail.
-A chariot of Light, borne by 4 bright eagles with Seraphim and angels, arrives where Adam's body lies. The 7 heavens are opened and Seth explains to his mother who are the 2 fearful figures in mourning: the sun and the moon, deprived of their light, because God is present. God has mercy on Adam, who is cleansed 3 times in water before being carried before God. God stretches out His Arm, and hands Adam over to Michael to be carried to the Third Heaven until the Last Day.
-The chariot and all the angels bear Adam's body to the Garden and lay him on the earth. Only Seth can see the scene. The body is covered with linen clothes and fragrant oil is poured on it. The body of Abel also, which until then the earth had refused to receive, is taken to the same place. Both bodies are buried in the place from which God took the clay to create Adam. God calls Adam, whose body answers from the earth. God promises Adam that he and everyone of his seed will rise again.
-Six days later, Eve asks to be buried near Adam and dies praying to the Lord. Three angels bury Eve near Adam, and Michael tells Seth never mourn on the Sabbath.
The various versions are not entirely consistent with each other, making it difficult to pin down exactly what the original text was, when it was written, and in which language. By carefully combining the different versions, we get a pretty good sense of the text. It was probably written in Hebrew or Aramaic and we can date it approximately to the days of Jesus.
The text was supposedly written by Moses after he received the Tablets with the 10 Commandments.
Content of the Text : After being vanished from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve go to the East and live there for 18 years and 2 months. Eve gives birth to Cain and Abel. Eve dreams that Cain drinks the blood of Abel, but that it then came out of his mouth. Cain kills Abel. Michael promises to Adam a new son, and Seth is born in place of Abel.
Adam begets 30 other sons and 30 daughters. As Adam falls sick and is in pain, all his sons and daughters come to him, and he briefly recounts to them the story of the Fall. Seth and Eve travel to the doors of the Garden to beg for some oil of the Tree of Mercy (Tree of Life). On the way Seth is attacked and bitten by a wild beast, which goes away when ordered by Seth. Michael refuses to give them the oil at that time, but promises to give it at the End of Time, when all flesh will be raised up, the delights of paradise will be given to the holy people and God will be in their midst. On their return, Adam says to Eve: "What has you done? You have brought upon us great wrath which is death."
-Eve recounts to her sons and daughters the story of the Fall from her perspective: In the Garden, she is separated from Adam. She stays with the female animals and Adam with the male ones. The Devil persuades the male snake to rebel against Adam and his wife. At the hour the angels go up to worship the Lord, Satan disguises himself as an angel and speaks to Eve using the mouth of the serpent. The serpent seduces Eve, who swears to give the fruit to Adam to eat too. The serpent places in the fruit the poison of his wickedness, which is lust. When Eve eats it, she discovers that she is naked. All the trees of the Garden lose their leaves. Only a Fig Tree, the plant she ate of, still has leaves, and she hides her shame with its leaves. Eve looks for Adam and deceives him. He also eats the forbidden fruit.
-Michael sounds a trumpet, and God enters the Garden mounted on the chariot of his Cherubim and preceded by the angels. His Throne is set where the Tree of Life is, and all the trees break out in blossoms. He calls Adam, who his because he was naked, and reproaches Adam, Eve and the serpent. When the angels are casting Adam out of paradise, he asks to be allowed to implore God, saying:"For I alone have sinned." He begs God to be allowed to eat of the Tree of Life. God refuses to give him the fruit of immortality, but promises, if Adam will keep from all evil, to raise him up in the Last Day and give him the fruit. Before being cast out, Adam is allowed to take sweet spices and seeds for his food.
-Adam lies sick and foretells that Eve will die shortly after. He asks Eve to pray, because they do not know whether God is angry with them or merciful. While Eve is praying on bended knee, the Angel of Humanity (probably Michael) comes and shows her the spirit of Adam gone from his body and ascending to God.
-The funeral of Adam is narrated with great richness of liturgical detail.
-A chariot of Light, borne by 4 bright eagles with Seraphim and angels, arrives where Adam's body lies. The 7 heavens are opened and Seth explains to his mother who are the 2 fearful figures in mourning: the sun and the moon, deprived of their light, because God is present. God has mercy on Adam, who is cleansed 3 times in water before being carried before God. God stretches out His Arm, and hands Adam over to Michael to be carried to the Third Heaven until the Last Day.
-The chariot and all the angels bear Adam's body to the Garden and lay him on the earth. Only Seth can see the scene. The body is covered with linen clothes and fragrant oil is poured on it. The body of Abel also, which until then the earth had refused to receive, is taken to the same place. Both bodies are buried in the place from which God took the clay to create Adam. God calls Adam, whose body answers from the earth. God promises Adam that he and everyone of his seed will rise again.
-Six days later, Eve asks to be buried near Adam and dies praying to the Lord. Three angels bury Eve near Adam, and Michael tells Seth never mourn on the Sabbath.
Sunday, 24 December 2017
EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA.
Eusebius of Caesarea (260/265-339/340), also known as Eusebius Pamphili, was a historian of Christianity. He became the bishop of Caesarea Maritima about 314 CE. He is regarded as an extremely learned Christian of his time.
The city port and the coastal city of Caesarea was described in detail by the 1st-century Roman Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. He describes tha harbor as being as large as the one at Piraeus, the major harbor of Athens. Remains of the principal buildings erected by Herod and the medieval town are still visible today, including the city walls, the castle and a Crusader cathedral and church. Caesarea grew rapidly, becoming the largest city in Judea. At its height, the port was one of the most impressive harbors of its time. It had been constructed on a coast that had no natural harbors and served as an important commercial harbor in antiquity, rivaling Cleopatra's harbor at Alexandria.
Little is known about the life of Eusebius. His surviving works probably only represent a small portion of his total output.
By the 3rd century, Caesarea had a population of about 100,000. Pompey gave control of the city to the gentiles during his command of the Eastern provinces in the 60s BC. The gentiles retained control of the city for the 3 centuries to follow. Gentile government was strengthened by the city's refoundation under Herod the Great (37-34 BC), when it had taken on the name of Augustus Caesar. In addition to the gentile settlers, Caesarea had large Jewish and Samaritan minorities. Eusebius was probably born into the Christian contingent of the city. Caesarea's Christian community had a history reaching back to apostolic times.
Through the activities of the theologian Origen (185-254 CE) and the school of his follower Pamphilus (later 3rd century-309), Caesarea became a center of Christian learning. Origen was largely responsible for the collection of usage information, or which churches were using gospels, regarding the texts which became the New Testament. Eusebius used the information passed on to him by Origen to create his list and Origen's list about what texts were accepted by the 3rd-century churches throughout the known world. Together with the books of Origen's patron Ambrosius, Origen's library formed the core of the collection that Pamphilus established. He had gathered Bibles from all parts of the world and maintained close contact with his students. Eusebius, in his history of the persecutions, alludes to the fact that many Christians martyrs lived together in Caesarea, under Pamphilus' protection.
Pamphilus began teaching Eusebius, who was then somewhere between 20 and 25 years old. Neither Panphilus nor Eusebius knew Origen personally. Pamphilus probably picked up Origenist ideas during his studies in Alexandria.
In the 290s, Eusebius began to work on his Magnum Opus, the Ecclesiatical History, a narrative history of the Church and Christian community from the Apostolic Age to Eusebius' own time, and completed the first edition of his work before 300 CE. At about the same time, Eusebius worked on his Chronicle, a universal calendar of events from the Creation to, again, Eusebius' own time.
Eusebius succeeded Agapius as Bishop of Caesarea soon after 313 CE and was called on by Arius who had been excommunicated by his bishop Alexander of Alexandria. An episcopal council in Caesarea pronounced Arius blameless. Eusebius, a learned man and famous author, enjoyed the favor of the Emperor Constantine. Because of this he was called to present the creed of his own church to the 318 attendees of the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. However, the anti-Arian creed from Palestine prevailed becoming the basis for the Nicene Creed.
The theological views of Arius, that taught the subordination of the Son to the Father, continued to be a problem. Eustathius of Antioch strongly opposed the growing influence of Origen's theology as the root of Arianism. Eusebius was reproached by Eustathius for deviating from the Nicene faith. Eusebius prevailed and Eustathius was deposed at a synod in Antioch.
Eusebius remained in the Emperor Constantine's favor throughout this time and more than once was exonerated with the explicit approval of the Emperor. After Constantine's death (337 CE), Eusebius wrote the Life of Constantine, an important historical work. Eusebius died in 339 CE. Much like his birth, the exact date of Eusebius' death is unknown.
From a dogmatic point of view, Eusebius stands entirely upon the shoulders of Origen. Like Origen, he started from the fundamental thought of the absolute sovereignty of God. God is the cause of all beings. But He is not merely a cause; in Him everything good is included, from Him all life originates, and He is the source of all virtue. God sent Christ into the World that it may partake of the blessings included in the essence of God. Christ is God and is a ray of the eternal light.
The city port and the coastal city of Caesarea was described in detail by the 1st-century Roman Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. He describes tha harbor as being as large as the one at Piraeus, the major harbor of Athens. Remains of the principal buildings erected by Herod and the medieval town are still visible today, including the city walls, the castle and a Crusader cathedral and church. Caesarea grew rapidly, becoming the largest city in Judea. At its height, the port was one of the most impressive harbors of its time. It had been constructed on a coast that had no natural harbors and served as an important commercial harbor in antiquity, rivaling Cleopatra's harbor at Alexandria.
Little is known about the life of Eusebius. His surviving works probably only represent a small portion of his total output.
By the 3rd century, Caesarea had a population of about 100,000. Pompey gave control of the city to the gentiles during his command of the Eastern provinces in the 60s BC. The gentiles retained control of the city for the 3 centuries to follow. Gentile government was strengthened by the city's refoundation under Herod the Great (37-34 BC), when it had taken on the name of Augustus Caesar. In addition to the gentile settlers, Caesarea had large Jewish and Samaritan minorities. Eusebius was probably born into the Christian contingent of the city. Caesarea's Christian community had a history reaching back to apostolic times.
Through the activities of the theologian Origen (185-254 CE) and the school of his follower Pamphilus (later 3rd century-309), Caesarea became a center of Christian learning. Origen was largely responsible for the collection of usage information, or which churches were using gospels, regarding the texts which became the New Testament. Eusebius used the information passed on to him by Origen to create his list and Origen's list about what texts were accepted by the 3rd-century churches throughout the known world. Together with the books of Origen's patron Ambrosius, Origen's library formed the core of the collection that Pamphilus established. He had gathered Bibles from all parts of the world and maintained close contact with his students. Eusebius, in his history of the persecutions, alludes to the fact that many Christians martyrs lived together in Caesarea, under Pamphilus' protection.
Pamphilus began teaching Eusebius, who was then somewhere between 20 and 25 years old. Neither Panphilus nor Eusebius knew Origen personally. Pamphilus probably picked up Origenist ideas during his studies in Alexandria.
In the 290s, Eusebius began to work on his Magnum Opus, the Ecclesiatical History, a narrative history of the Church and Christian community from the Apostolic Age to Eusebius' own time, and completed the first edition of his work before 300 CE. At about the same time, Eusebius worked on his Chronicle, a universal calendar of events from the Creation to, again, Eusebius' own time.
Eusebius succeeded Agapius as Bishop of Caesarea soon after 313 CE and was called on by Arius who had been excommunicated by his bishop Alexander of Alexandria. An episcopal council in Caesarea pronounced Arius blameless. Eusebius, a learned man and famous author, enjoyed the favor of the Emperor Constantine. Because of this he was called to present the creed of his own church to the 318 attendees of the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. However, the anti-Arian creed from Palestine prevailed becoming the basis for the Nicene Creed.
The theological views of Arius, that taught the subordination of the Son to the Father, continued to be a problem. Eustathius of Antioch strongly opposed the growing influence of Origen's theology as the root of Arianism. Eusebius was reproached by Eustathius for deviating from the Nicene faith. Eusebius prevailed and Eustathius was deposed at a synod in Antioch.
Eusebius remained in the Emperor Constantine's favor throughout this time and more than once was exonerated with the explicit approval of the Emperor. After Constantine's death (337 CE), Eusebius wrote the Life of Constantine, an important historical work. Eusebius died in 339 CE. Much like his birth, the exact date of Eusebius' death is unknown.
From a dogmatic point of view, Eusebius stands entirely upon the shoulders of Origen. Like Origen, he started from the fundamental thought of the absolute sovereignty of God. God is the cause of all beings. But He is not merely a cause; in Him everything good is included, from Him all life originates, and He is the source of all virtue. God sent Christ into the World that it may partake of the blessings included in the essence of God. Christ is God and is a ray of the eternal light.
THE 4 GREAT CODICES.
The 4 great codices that have survived to the present day and contain the entire text of the Greek Scripture (Old and New Testament) are: Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus, and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus. Although discovered at different times and places, they share many similarities.
The Codices are written in a certain style of calligraphy using capital letters without regular gaps between words. All these manuscripts were made at great expense of material and labor, written on prepared animal skin (calf skin), with leaves arranged in quarto form, by professional scribes. They seem to have been based on the most accurate texts in their time.
Alexandrinus, a fifth-century manuscript of the Greek Bible, containing the majority of the Septuagint and the New Testament, was the first of the greater manuscripts to be accessible to scholars.
Vaticanus became known to Western scholars as a result of correspondence between Erasmus, a Dutch theologian, and the prefects of the Vatican Library. In the 19th century the translation of the full Codex were completed. It was at that point that scholars realized the text differed significantly from the Textus Receptus, the translation-base for the original German Luther Bible, the New Testament into English by William Tyndale, the King James Version, the Spanish Reina-Valera translation, the Russian Synodal Bible, and the most Reformation-era New Testament translations.
Most current scholars consider the Vaticanus to be one of the best Greek texts of the New Testament, with the Sinaiticus as its only competitor. It was extensively used by Wescot and Hort in their edition of the New Testament in the Original Greek in 1881.
Until the discovery of the Sinaiticus text by Tischendorf during his visit at Sinai, the Vaticanus was unrivaled. The text of the codex was published in 1862.
It has been speculated that Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus were part of a project ordered by Emperor Constantine the Great to produce 50 copies of the Scripture.
Codex Vaticanus uses the oldest system of textual division in the Gospels. Codex Alexandrinus and Ephraemi Rescriptus use also a division according to the larger sections (chapters). Codex Vaticanus has more archaic style of writing than the other manuscripts, and has no introduction to the Book of Psalms, which became a standard after 325 CE, whereas Sinaiticus and Alexandrinus do. They also have different order of books.
The Codices are written in a certain style of calligraphy using capital letters without regular gaps between words. All these manuscripts were made at great expense of material and labor, written on prepared animal skin (calf skin), with leaves arranged in quarto form, by professional scribes. They seem to have been based on the most accurate texts in their time.
Alexandrinus, a fifth-century manuscript of the Greek Bible, containing the majority of the Septuagint and the New Testament, was the first of the greater manuscripts to be accessible to scholars.
Vaticanus became known to Western scholars as a result of correspondence between Erasmus, a Dutch theologian, and the prefects of the Vatican Library. In the 19th century the translation of the full Codex were completed. It was at that point that scholars realized the text differed significantly from the Textus Receptus, the translation-base for the original German Luther Bible, the New Testament into English by William Tyndale, the King James Version, the Spanish Reina-Valera translation, the Russian Synodal Bible, and the most Reformation-era New Testament translations.
Most current scholars consider the Vaticanus to be one of the best Greek texts of the New Testament, with the Sinaiticus as its only competitor. It was extensively used by Wescot and Hort in their edition of the New Testament in the Original Greek in 1881.
Until the discovery of the Sinaiticus text by Tischendorf during his visit at Sinai, the Vaticanus was unrivaled. The text of the codex was published in 1862.
It has been speculated that Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus were part of a project ordered by Emperor Constantine the Great to produce 50 copies of the Scripture.
Codex Vaticanus uses the oldest system of textual division in the Gospels. Codex Alexandrinus and Ephraemi Rescriptus use also a division according to the larger sections (chapters). Codex Vaticanus has more archaic style of writing than the other manuscripts, and has no introduction to the Book of Psalms, which became a standard after 325 CE, whereas Sinaiticus and Alexandrinus do. They also have different order of books.
THE THIRD HEAVEN.
The Scripture speaks of 3 different heavens. Genesis 1:1 says that God created "the heavens." The first heaven is assumed as the atmosphere around the earth in which the air is the vital ingredient for life on the earth. In describing the rain that brought on the Flood of Noah's time, Genesis 7:11 says "the windows of heaven were opened." Commenting on the extent of the water, verse 19 says "all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered."
The 2nd heaven is commonly referred to as "outer space." Exodus 32:13 is one of many references to "the stars of heaven." Stars are not in the skies from which the rain falls, but in a space beyond our atmosphere. Nehemiah 9:6 also refers to space as heaven: "You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host."
A 3rd heaven is mentioned in a letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. He writes, "I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago was caught up to the Third Heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know -God knows. And I know that this man -whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows -was caught up to Paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell."(2 Corinthians 12: 2-4) The apparent parallelism of the passage equates the Third heaven with Paradise.
Revelation 4:2 reveals that God's throne is in heaven, the location must be the heaven of heavens.
The universe of the ancient Israelites was perceived as a flat disc-shaped world floating on water with heaven above and the underworld below. Humans inhabited earth during life and the underworld after death, and the underworld was considered neutral. In Hellenistic times the Israelites begin to adopt the Greek idea that it would be a place of punishment for misdeeds, and that the righteous would enjoy an afterlife in heaven.
Around the time of Jesus, the Greek idea that God had actually created matter replaced the older idea that matter had always existed, but in a chaotic state. This concept is now the accepted one of most denominations of Judaism and Christianity, believing that a single, uncreated God was responsible for the creation of the cosmos.
In the non-canonical 2nd Book of Enoch, Third Heaven is described as a location between corruptible and incorruptible containing the Tree of Life,"whereon the Lord rests, when He goes up into paradise."
Two springs in the Third Heaven, one of milk and the other of honey, along with two others of wine and oil, flow down in to the Garden of Eden. In contrast with the common concept of Paradise, the book also describes a Third heaven, "a very terrible place" with "all manner of tortures" in which merciless angels torment "those who dishonor God, who on earth practice sin against nature," including sodomites, sorcerers, enchanters, witches, the proud, thieves, liars, and those guilty of various transgressions.
The concept of the cosmic axis, in certain beliefs and philosophies is the World center, the connection between Heaven and Earth, regardless of the number of heavens, where the 4 compass directions meet. Communication from lower realms may ascend to higher ones and blessings from higher realms may descend to lower ones and be disseminated to all. Because the cosmic axis is an idea that unites a number of concrete images, no contradiction exists in regarding multiple spots as the center of the world. The symbol can operate in a number of locales at once. Mount Hermon was regarded as the cosmic axis in Canaanite tradition, from where the sons of God are introduced descending to lower realms. (1 Enoch 6:6) The ancient Greeks regarded several sites as places of earth's navel stone, notably the oracle at Delphi, while still maintaining a belief in a cosmic world tree and in Mount Olympus as the abode of the gods. Judaism has the Temple Mount, Christianity has the Mount of Olives and Calvary, Islaam has Ka'aba, said to be the 1st building on earth, and the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock).
The 2nd heaven is commonly referred to as "outer space." Exodus 32:13 is one of many references to "the stars of heaven." Stars are not in the skies from which the rain falls, but in a space beyond our atmosphere. Nehemiah 9:6 also refers to space as heaven: "You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host."
A 3rd heaven is mentioned in a letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. He writes, "I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago was caught up to the Third Heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know -God knows. And I know that this man -whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows -was caught up to Paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell."(2 Corinthians 12: 2-4) The apparent parallelism of the passage equates the Third heaven with Paradise.
Revelation 4:2 reveals that God's throne is in heaven, the location must be the heaven of heavens.
The universe of the ancient Israelites was perceived as a flat disc-shaped world floating on water with heaven above and the underworld below. Humans inhabited earth during life and the underworld after death, and the underworld was considered neutral. In Hellenistic times the Israelites begin to adopt the Greek idea that it would be a place of punishment for misdeeds, and that the righteous would enjoy an afterlife in heaven.
Around the time of Jesus, the Greek idea that God had actually created matter replaced the older idea that matter had always existed, but in a chaotic state. This concept is now the accepted one of most denominations of Judaism and Christianity, believing that a single, uncreated God was responsible for the creation of the cosmos.
In the non-canonical 2nd Book of Enoch, Third Heaven is described as a location between corruptible and incorruptible containing the Tree of Life,"whereon the Lord rests, when He goes up into paradise."
Two springs in the Third Heaven, one of milk and the other of honey, along with two others of wine and oil, flow down in to the Garden of Eden. In contrast with the common concept of Paradise, the book also describes a Third heaven, "a very terrible place" with "all manner of tortures" in which merciless angels torment "those who dishonor God, who on earth practice sin against nature," including sodomites, sorcerers, enchanters, witches, the proud, thieves, liars, and those guilty of various transgressions.
The concept of the cosmic axis, in certain beliefs and philosophies is the World center, the connection between Heaven and Earth, regardless of the number of heavens, where the 4 compass directions meet. Communication from lower realms may ascend to higher ones and blessings from higher realms may descend to lower ones and be disseminated to all. Because the cosmic axis is an idea that unites a number of concrete images, no contradiction exists in regarding multiple spots as the center of the world. The symbol can operate in a number of locales at once. Mount Hermon was regarded as the cosmic axis in Canaanite tradition, from where the sons of God are introduced descending to lower realms. (1 Enoch 6:6) The ancient Greeks regarded several sites as places of earth's navel stone, notably the oracle at Delphi, while still maintaining a belief in a cosmic world tree and in Mount Olympus as the abode of the gods. Judaism has the Temple Mount, Christianity has the Mount of Olives and Calvary, Islaam has Ka'aba, said to be the 1st building on earth, and the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock).
BABYLON EPIC OF CREATION.
The Enuma Elish, also known as the Seven Tablets of Creation, is the Mesopotamian creation myth whose title is derived from the opening lines of the piece "When in the Height." All of the tablets containing the myth were found at Asshur, Kish, in the ruined Library of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh, Sultantepe, and other excavated sites, date to 1100 BC. However, the tablets found are only copies of a much older version of the myth.
The Enuma Elis is the earliest written text about a civil war between the entities inhabiting the primeval world in which Marduk, a very young god, answered the call and was promised the position of head god if he would destroy the tyranny of Tiamat and her liuetenant (who was also her son and consort), Kingu. Marduk battles the tyrannical primordial chaos, in the form of a sea-serpent goddess Tiamat with her own evil champion, Kingu. Marduk defeats her and her son using an arsenal of super-weapons. After his victory Marduk is made the leader of the gods by acclamation. Marduk then claimed the Kingu's prized Tablets of Destiny and fashioned a new cosmic order that included humankind, out of Tiamat's body. Humans were created to bear the burdens of life so the gods could be at leisure. Marduk divides Tiamat's corpse into two portions, the upper half becoming the sky and the lower half, the earth, and then creates humanity from his blood and bone.
It has been hypothesized that this is a legend about the overthrow of the matriarchy or records of some cosmic catastrophe. Other scholars says that the myth was created to explain how Marduk came to a position of supreme power. The story became an important part of Babylonian culture and was re-enacted annually in lavish New Year festivities.
Marduk literally means "bull calf of the sun; solar calf,"although he was also a deity of fertility and storms. He was one of the sons of the chief god of the city of Eridu, Enki. The exact meaning of Enki's name is "Lord of the Earth." Enki was the god of water, crafts, intelligence, and creation.
Sometimes portrayed as double-headed, Marduk was later given the title Bel, or Lord, and was referred to simply as "Bel" in a manner similar to that of the Canaanite Baal (master/lord). When Babylon became the political center of the Euphrates Valley, Marduk rose to the head of the Babylonian pantheon, a position he fully acquired by the 2nd half of the 2nd millennium BC. Marduk was thus the chief deity of the Babylonian Empire during the period of Israel exile in Babylon (6th-5th BC).
In the Scripture, in the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 51, God says: "I will punish Marduk, the god of Babylon, and make him vomit up everything he gobbled down. The nations will no longer bring him gifts, and Babylon's walls will crumble. Get out of Babylon, My people, and run for your lives, before I strike the city in My anger! Don't be afraid or lose hope ..." (44-45)
The Enuma Elis is the earliest written text about a civil war between the entities inhabiting the primeval world in which Marduk, a very young god, answered the call and was promised the position of head god if he would destroy the tyranny of Tiamat and her liuetenant (who was also her son and consort), Kingu. Marduk battles the tyrannical primordial chaos, in the form of a sea-serpent goddess Tiamat with her own evil champion, Kingu. Marduk defeats her and her son using an arsenal of super-weapons. After his victory Marduk is made the leader of the gods by acclamation. Marduk then claimed the Kingu's prized Tablets of Destiny and fashioned a new cosmic order that included humankind, out of Tiamat's body. Humans were created to bear the burdens of life so the gods could be at leisure. Marduk divides Tiamat's corpse into two portions, the upper half becoming the sky and the lower half, the earth, and then creates humanity from his blood and bone.
It has been hypothesized that this is a legend about the overthrow of the matriarchy or records of some cosmic catastrophe. Other scholars says that the myth was created to explain how Marduk came to a position of supreme power. The story became an important part of Babylonian culture and was re-enacted annually in lavish New Year festivities.
Marduk literally means "bull calf of the sun; solar calf,"although he was also a deity of fertility and storms. He was one of the sons of the chief god of the city of Eridu, Enki. The exact meaning of Enki's name is "Lord of the Earth." Enki was the god of water, crafts, intelligence, and creation.
Sometimes portrayed as double-headed, Marduk was later given the title Bel, or Lord, and was referred to simply as "Bel" in a manner similar to that of the Canaanite Baal (master/lord). When Babylon became the political center of the Euphrates Valley, Marduk rose to the head of the Babylonian pantheon, a position he fully acquired by the 2nd half of the 2nd millennium BC. Marduk was thus the chief deity of the Babylonian Empire during the period of Israel exile in Babylon (6th-5th BC).
In the Scripture, in the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 51, God says: "I will punish Marduk, the god of Babylon, and make him vomit up everything he gobbled down. The nations will no longer bring him gifts, and Babylon's walls will crumble. Get out of Babylon, My people, and run for your lives, before I strike the city in My anger! Don't be afraid or lose hope ..." (44-45)
THE POWER OF THE CHALDEANS.
The Chaldeans (which is current days Irak, East Syria, and South East Turkey), are a live continuation of all the indigenous people of Mesopotamia whether their tribal name were Sumerians, Akkadians, Amorites, Babylonians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Aramaeans.
The language of the Chaldean people is Syriac, which is essentially Aramaic (a different dialect than that spoken by Jesus Christ) with a dose of Akkadian, the original language of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Chaldean tribes.
The early kingdoms of Mesopotamia (area known today as modern day Iraq), consisted of Babylonia on the Southern plain and Assyria in the Northern plain. The first known reference to the name Chaldea, is found in the annals of Ashurbannipal II, king of Assyria (884-859 BC). The Assyrians who came on the scene about 1000 years later, quickly became a leading power owing to their military and administrative skills. Regardless of who ascended the throne (power shifted back and forth between Assyria and Babylonian), Babylon always remained as the capital, and the term "Babylonian" remained intact. During the latter years, Chaldean kings played an important role by ruling and maintained separate borders between Assyria and Babylon. The Assyrian Empire, especially under Sennacherib, stood indestructible for centuries. Sennacherib won every single battle he engaged in; a veritable military mind whom no one could destroy - except Babylon. Sennacherib was killed there in one of the Babylonian temples. The name "Chaldean," in this final stage, include both Babylon and Nineveh (Assyria). The Chaldeans and Assyrians of the old were ethnically, cultural and linguistically the same people divided along political and religious allegiances.
The basic characteristic of Mesopotamian religion was its view of the spiritual force behind natural phenomena. Each act of nature was believed to be the force of some entity who had the appropriate appearance in external form. Omens upheld ancestral beliefs in Heaven and Earth as complementary forces without one having more influence over the other. Crop failures, pestilence, wars, the death of a nobleman, were thought to depend upon the balance of these complementary forces. The entities in heaven held positions of power and each person were expected to serve the entity in charge of his well being. Through every situation the individual was likely to seek supernatural guidance through omens, that he might interpret as the will of the gods. From the farmer to the kings and rulers, such guidance was sought in all matters of importance.
Over time, many records of daily lunar activity and periodic solar eclipses were developed and kept for each and every day of the year along with each omen that accompanied the event. Through these records the Chaldeans developed theories that the same phenomena would recur in cycles. One of the cycles was discovering seasonal alignments with fixed stars. It gave them proof that the heaven and the earth were complementary.
The 5th tablet of its creation myth (Enuma elish) states that the Babylonian entity, Marduk, determined the seasonal boundaries and defined the divisions by setting up 3 constellations for each month for the 12-month year. The sets of 3 constellations were set up into 4 groupings. The 4 cardinal points came about by using the summer solstice as a mooring peg. Once established, the Chaldeans followed the Sun along the ecliptic, referred to as the Way of Anu. The year was divided into approximate 90-day periods, depending on the length of the Moon's lunation. These are recorded on tablets, the earliest dating around 1100 BC. The Chaldean astrologers, as priests, were especially renowned astrologers.
Even the Scripture refers to the astrological prowess of the Chaldeans, and during the classical period all astrologers were generically known as Chaldeans.
However, it wasn't until the Seleucid period that the Chaldeans began to develop their science and religion into art.
The Persian conquest into Babylon ended the history of the Babylonians in 539 BC. The Persians continue to rule the Babylonian peoples until Alexander the Great conquered the land in 330 BC. Upon Alexander's death, Seleucid, one of his generals, claimed ruler-ship over the land and began to Hellenize the region. During this Seleucid period (Greeks were enthusiastic diviners and readers of many different oracles), the scribal school at Erech remained active and continue to flourish; collecting ritual text and further developing astrology.
The language of the Chaldean people is Syriac, which is essentially Aramaic (a different dialect than that spoken by Jesus Christ) with a dose of Akkadian, the original language of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Chaldean tribes.
The early kingdoms of Mesopotamia (area known today as modern day Iraq), consisted of Babylonia on the Southern plain and Assyria in the Northern plain. The first known reference to the name Chaldea, is found in the annals of Ashurbannipal II, king of Assyria (884-859 BC). The Assyrians who came on the scene about 1000 years later, quickly became a leading power owing to their military and administrative skills. Regardless of who ascended the throne (power shifted back and forth between Assyria and Babylonian), Babylon always remained as the capital, and the term "Babylonian" remained intact. During the latter years, Chaldean kings played an important role by ruling and maintained separate borders between Assyria and Babylon. The Assyrian Empire, especially under Sennacherib, stood indestructible for centuries. Sennacherib won every single battle he engaged in; a veritable military mind whom no one could destroy - except Babylon. Sennacherib was killed there in one of the Babylonian temples. The name "Chaldean," in this final stage, include both Babylon and Nineveh (Assyria). The Chaldeans and Assyrians of the old were ethnically, cultural and linguistically the same people divided along political and religious allegiances.
The basic characteristic of Mesopotamian religion was its view of the spiritual force behind natural phenomena. Each act of nature was believed to be the force of some entity who had the appropriate appearance in external form. Omens upheld ancestral beliefs in Heaven and Earth as complementary forces without one having more influence over the other. Crop failures, pestilence, wars, the death of a nobleman, were thought to depend upon the balance of these complementary forces. The entities in heaven held positions of power and each person were expected to serve the entity in charge of his well being. Through every situation the individual was likely to seek supernatural guidance through omens, that he might interpret as the will of the gods. From the farmer to the kings and rulers, such guidance was sought in all matters of importance.
Over time, many records of daily lunar activity and periodic solar eclipses were developed and kept for each and every day of the year along with each omen that accompanied the event. Through these records the Chaldeans developed theories that the same phenomena would recur in cycles. One of the cycles was discovering seasonal alignments with fixed stars. It gave them proof that the heaven and the earth were complementary.
The 5th tablet of its creation myth (Enuma elish) states that the Babylonian entity, Marduk, determined the seasonal boundaries and defined the divisions by setting up 3 constellations for each month for the 12-month year. The sets of 3 constellations were set up into 4 groupings. The 4 cardinal points came about by using the summer solstice as a mooring peg. Once established, the Chaldeans followed the Sun along the ecliptic, referred to as the Way of Anu. The year was divided into approximate 90-day periods, depending on the length of the Moon's lunation. These are recorded on tablets, the earliest dating around 1100 BC. The Chaldean astrologers, as priests, were especially renowned astrologers.
Even the Scripture refers to the astrological prowess of the Chaldeans, and during the classical period all astrologers were generically known as Chaldeans.
However, it wasn't until the Seleucid period that the Chaldeans began to develop their science and religion into art.
The Persian conquest into Babylon ended the history of the Babylonians in 539 BC. The Persians continue to rule the Babylonian peoples until Alexander the Great conquered the land in 330 BC. Upon Alexander's death, Seleucid, one of his generals, claimed ruler-ship over the land and began to Hellenize the region. During this Seleucid period (Greeks were enthusiastic diviners and readers of many different oracles), the scribal school at Erech remained active and continue to flourish; collecting ritual text and further developing astrology.
Wednesday, 11 October 2017
THE LAMB AND HIS PEOPLE..
After the Human Disobedience, God said, "Now 'these human beings' have become like one of us ...' ". (Genesis 3:22)
God refers to a part of the human creation that disobeyed His Laws and elevated themselves in their minds to become like Him and have knowledge of what is good and what is bad, in their own terms.
God's plans to save His people started before the World was created. He gave to everyone the chance to prove themselves how loyal they were to Him and at the same time He used the World as a battle-ground between good and evil.
Since all human beings belonged to a specific way of living, just one wrong action jeopardized all of them. Then God banished all from the Garden of Eden to cultivate the soil (flesh and mind) from which they had been formed.
Then at the EAST side of the Garden of Eden God put Living Creatures (angels of the highest rank), and a Flaming Sword (His Word) and said, "They must not be allowed to take fruit from the 'Tree of Life', eat it, and live forever."
Then Cain, the first murderer, came to the World through Eve and became a farmer. After him came Abel who became a shepherd. Notice how specific the Scripture is in mentioning the craft in which both were involved; both had to deal with the flesh. Cain, as a farmer, chose to plant in his mind everything that pleased him without refrain. Abel, as a shepherd, instead chose to control the animal way in his self and offered the best of him to serve God.
The Scripture says, "After some time Cain brought some of his harvest and gave it as an offering to the Lord. Then Abel brought the First Lamb born to one of his sheep, killed it, and gave the best parts of it as an offering." (Genesis 4: 3-4). Symbolically it represent two groups of human beings. One group lacking Respect, Honor and Loyalty to God and the other group showing an immense amount of Faith towards God, and the sincere desire of pleasing Him.
In Exodus 19, the Scripture says, "The People of Israel left Rephidim, and on the 1st Day of the 3rd Month after they had left Egypt (World) they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and Moses went up the Mountain to meet with God. ... He told Moses to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants: 'You saw what I, the Lord, did to the Egyptians (the World) and how I carried you as an eagle carries her young on her wings, and brought you here to Me. Now, if you will obey Me and keep My Covenant, you will be My chosen people; a people dedicated to Me alone, and you will serve Me as priests." (Exodus 19: 1-6)
God planned everything in advance and made the rules in which free choice played a big role.
The Exodus 19:8 says, "Then all the people answered together, "We will do everything that the Lord has said," and Moses reported this to the Lord. And the Lord said to him, "Go to the people and tell them to spend 'today and tomorrow' purifying themselves for worship. (Even the priests who come near Me must purify themselves, or I will punish them.) They 'must wash their clothes and be ready' the Day after Tomorrow. On that Day I will come down on Mount Sinai, where all the people can see Me. Mark a boundary around the Mountain that the people must not cross and tell them not to go up the mountain or even go near it. If any of you set foot on it, you are to be put to death; you must either be stoned or shot with arrows, without anyone touching you. This applies to both people and animals; they must be put to death. But when the trumpet is blown, then the people are to go up to the Mountain. (Exodus 19: 9-13)
In the Book of Revelation, Chapter 14, the writer says,"... there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; with Him were 144,000 People who have His Name and His Father's Name written on their foreheads. Then I heard a 'voice from heaven' that sounded like a 'roaring waterfall', like a 'loud peal of thunder'. The voice sounded like the 'music made by musicians playing their harps'. (Revelation 14: 1-2)
The 144,000 People stood before the Throne, the 4 Living Creatures, and the Elders. They were singing 'a new song', which 'only they could learn'. (Revelation 14: 3)
Then the writer explains the nature of these People by saying, "Of the whole Human Race the 144,000 are the only ones who have been redeemed. They are the 'men who have kept themselves pure' by not having sexual relations with women (representing the world); they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from the rest of the Human Race and are the First Ones to be offered to God and to the Lamb. They have never been known to tell lies; they are faultless. (4-5)
In the Book of Revelation, Chapter 22, Jesus says, "Listen! I am coming soon! I will bring my rewards with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. I Am the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22: 12-13)
"Happy are those who wash their robes clean and so have 'the right to eat' the Fruit from the Tree of Life and to go through the Gates into the city. But outside the city are the perverts and those who practice magic, the immoral and the murderers, those who worship idols and those who are liars both in words and deeds." (Revelation 22: 14-15)
God refers to a part of the human creation that disobeyed His Laws and elevated themselves in their minds to become like Him and have knowledge of what is good and what is bad, in their own terms.
God's plans to save His people started before the World was created. He gave to everyone the chance to prove themselves how loyal they were to Him and at the same time He used the World as a battle-ground between good and evil.
Since all human beings belonged to a specific way of living, just one wrong action jeopardized all of them. Then God banished all from the Garden of Eden to cultivate the soil (flesh and mind) from which they had been formed.
Then at the EAST side of the Garden of Eden God put Living Creatures (angels of the highest rank), and a Flaming Sword (His Word) and said, "They must not be allowed to take fruit from the 'Tree of Life', eat it, and live forever."
Then Cain, the first murderer, came to the World through Eve and became a farmer. After him came Abel who became a shepherd. Notice how specific the Scripture is in mentioning the craft in which both were involved; both had to deal with the flesh. Cain, as a farmer, chose to plant in his mind everything that pleased him without refrain. Abel, as a shepherd, instead chose to control the animal way in his self and offered the best of him to serve God.
The Scripture says, "After some time Cain brought some of his harvest and gave it as an offering to the Lord. Then Abel brought the First Lamb born to one of his sheep, killed it, and gave the best parts of it as an offering." (Genesis 4: 3-4). Symbolically it represent two groups of human beings. One group lacking Respect, Honor and Loyalty to God and the other group showing an immense amount of Faith towards God, and the sincere desire of pleasing Him.
In Exodus 19, the Scripture says, "The People of Israel left Rephidim, and on the 1st Day of the 3rd Month after they had left Egypt (World) they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and Moses went up the Mountain to meet with God. ... He told Moses to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants: 'You saw what I, the Lord, did to the Egyptians (the World) and how I carried you as an eagle carries her young on her wings, and brought you here to Me. Now, if you will obey Me and keep My Covenant, you will be My chosen people; a people dedicated to Me alone, and you will serve Me as priests." (Exodus 19: 1-6)
God planned everything in advance and made the rules in which free choice played a big role.
The Exodus 19:8 says, "Then all the people answered together, "We will do everything that the Lord has said," and Moses reported this to the Lord. And the Lord said to him, "Go to the people and tell them to spend 'today and tomorrow' purifying themselves for worship. (Even the priests who come near Me must purify themselves, or I will punish them.) They 'must wash their clothes and be ready' the Day after Tomorrow. On that Day I will come down on Mount Sinai, where all the people can see Me. Mark a boundary around the Mountain that the people must not cross and tell them not to go up the mountain or even go near it. If any of you set foot on it, you are to be put to death; you must either be stoned or shot with arrows, without anyone touching you. This applies to both people and animals; they must be put to death. But when the trumpet is blown, then the people are to go up to the Mountain. (Exodus 19: 9-13)
In the Book of Revelation, Chapter 14, the writer says,"... there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; with Him were 144,000 People who have His Name and His Father's Name written on their foreheads. Then I heard a 'voice from heaven' that sounded like a 'roaring waterfall', like a 'loud peal of thunder'. The voice sounded like the 'music made by musicians playing their harps'. (Revelation 14: 1-2)
The 144,000 People stood before the Throne, the 4 Living Creatures, and the Elders. They were singing 'a new song', which 'only they could learn'. (Revelation 14: 3)
Then the writer explains the nature of these People by saying, "Of the whole Human Race the 144,000 are the only ones who have been redeemed. They are the 'men who have kept themselves pure' by not having sexual relations with women (representing the world); they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from the rest of the Human Race and are the First Ones to be offered to God and to the Lamb. They have never been known to tell lies; they are faultless. (4-5)
In the Book of Revelation, Chapter 22, Jesus says, "Listen! I am coming soon! I will bring my rewards with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. I Am the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 22: 12-13)
"Happy are those who wash their robes clean and so have 'the right to eat' the Fruit from the Tree of Life and to go through the Gates into the city. But outside the city are the perverts and those who practice magic, the immoral and the murderers, those who worship idols and those who are liars both in words and deeds." (Revelation 22: 14-15)
Sunday, 2 July 2017
THE HOUSE OF OMRI.
The House of Omri was a ruling dynasty of the Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) founded by King Omri.
According to the Hebrew Scripture, the territory of the Kingdom of Israel comprised the territories of the Tribes of Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, and Gad. Its capital was Samaria, according to the Book of Isaiah.
After the death of Solomon, all the Israelite Tribes except for Judah and benjamin (called the 10 Northern Tribes) refused to accept Rehoboam, the son and successor of Solomon, as their king. The rebellion gainst Rehoboam arose after he refused to lighten the burden of taxation and services that his father Solomon had imposed on his subjects.
Jeroboam, who was not of the Davidic Line, was sent for from Egypt by the malcontents. Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem and Jeroboam was proclaimed king over all Israel at Shechem. After the revolt at Shechem at first only the Tribe of Judah remained loyal to the House of David and little after the Tribe of Benjamin joined Judah. The Northern Kingdom continued to be called the Kingdom of Israel, while the Southern Kingdom was called the Kingdom of Judah. The 2nd Book of Chronicles also says that members of the Tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon feld to Judah during the reign of Asa of Judah.
Shechem was the first capital of the Kingdom of Israel. Afterwards it was Tirzah. King Omri built his capital in Samaria, which continued as such until the destruction of the Kingdom by the Assyrians.
The Scripture portrays the Omrides unfavorably, stressing their apostasy from the Law of God in favor of Baal. Little attention is devoted to Omri aside from noting his establishment of the dynasty and foundation of Israel's new capital of Samaria. In contrast, Omri's son Ahab is the subject of an extended narrative focusing on his troubled relations with the prophets Elijah and Elisha. He is depicted having a weak personality allowing himself to be led by his strong-willed wife Jezebel of Tyre, who advocated Baal worship. Note is also made of the dynasty's diplomacy, which connected it by marriage to Tyre and Judah and brought about a rapprochement with the latter after a long series of wars. The account of the later Omrides concerns the revolt of Moab, their conflict with Damascus over Ramoth-Gilead, the dynasty's extinction in Israel at the hands of Jehu, and Athalia's usurpation of the throne of Judah on the death of her son King Ahaziah.
Five Assyrian records are to refer either "Land of Omri" or "House of Omri." Also an archaeological reference to Omri and his unnamed son is found in an inscribed stone set up by King Mesha of Moab, (a kingdom located in modern Jordan). Mesha tells how Chemosh, the god of Moab, had been angry with his people and had allowed them to be subjugated to Israel, but at length Chemosh returned and assisted Mesha to throw off the yoke of Israel and restore the lands of Moab. Mesha also describes his many building projects. It is written in Phoenician alphabet. The Mesha stone in the only Nothwest Semitic inscription known to reference Omri.
According to the Hebrew Scripture, the territory of the Kingdom of Israel comprised the territories of the Tribes of Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, and Gad. Its capital was Samaria, according to the Book of Isaiah.
After the death of Solomon, all the Israelite Tribes except for Judah and benjamin (called the 10 Northern Tribes) refused to accept Rehoboam, the son and successor of Solomon, as their king. The rebellion gainst Rehoboam arose after he refused to lighten the burden of taxation and services that his father Solomon had imposed on his subjects.
Jeroboam, who was not of the Davidic Line, was sent for from Egypt by the malcontents. Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem and Jeroboam was proclaimed king over all Israel at Shechem. After the revolt at Shechem at first only the Tribe of Judah remained loyal to the House of David and little after the Tribe of Benjamin joined Judah. The Northern Kingdom continued to be called the Kingdom of Israel, while the Southern Kingdom was called the Kingdom of Judah. The 2nd Book of Chronicles also says that members of the Tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon feld to Judah during the reign of Asa of Judah.
Shechem was the first capital of the Kingdom of Israel. Afterwards it was Tirzah. King Omri built his capital in Samaria, which continued as such until the destruction of the Kingdom by the Assyrians.
The Scripture portrays the Omrides unfavorably, stressing their apostasy from the Law of God in favor of Baal. Little attention is devoted to Omri aside from noting his establishment of the dynasty and foundation of Israel's new capital of Samaria. In contrast, Omri's son Ahab is the subject of an extended narrative focusing on his troubled relations with the prophets Elijah and Elisha. He is depicted having a weak personality allowing himself to be led by his strong-willed wife Jezebel of Tyre, who advocated Baal worship. Note is also made of the dynasty's diplomacy, which connected it by marriage to Tyre and Judah and brought about a rapprochement with the latter after a long series of wars. The account of the later Omrides concerns the revolt of Moab, their conflict with Damascus over Ramoth-Gilead, the dynasty's extinction in Israel at the hands of Jehu, and Athalia's usurpation of the throne of Judah on the death of her son King Ahaziah.
Five Assyrian records are to refer either "Land of Omri" or "House of Omri." Also an archaeological reference to Omri and his unnamed son is found in an inscribed stone set up by King Mesha of Moab, (a kingdom located in modern Jordan). Mesha tells how Chemosh, the god of Moab, had been angry with his people and had allowed them to be subjugated to Israel, but at length Chemosh returned and assisted Mesha to throw off the yoke of Israel and restore the lands of Moab. Mesha also describes his many building projects. It is written in Phoenician alphabet. The Mesha stone in the only Nothwest Semitic inscription known to reference Omri.
WHAT WE LEARN FROM ELIJAH?
Elijah, a prophet of God whose name means "my God is the Lord," is one of the most interesting people in the Scripture. He came form Tishbeh in Gilead, but nothing is known of his family or birth.
God used Elijah during an important time in Israel's history to oppose Ahab, a wicked king, and bring revival to the land.
Elijah's life was filled with turmoil. At times he was bold and decisive, and at other times fearful and tentative. He alternately demonstrates victory and defeat, followed by recovery. Elijah knew both the power of God and the depths of depression.
Elijah suddenly appears to challenge Ahab, an evil king who ruled the Northern Kingdom.
Elijah prophesies a drought to come upon the whole land as consequence for Ahab's evil.
Elijah, warned by God, hides near the brook of Cherith where he is fed by ravens. As the drought and famine in the land deepen,
Elijah meets with a widow in a neighboring country as the drought and famine in the land deepen and, through her obedience to Elijah's request, God provides food enough for Elijah, the woman, and her son. Miraculously, the widow's barrel of flour and jar of oil never run out.
If we walk in Fellowship with the Lord and Obey Him, we will be open to His Will. And when we are in God's Will, He fulfills all of our needs, and His Mercy to us never runs short.
Elijah is presented as the central character in a face-off with the prophets of the false god Baal on Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal call upon their god all day long to rain fire from heaven to no avail.
Elijah builds an altar of stones, dig a ditch around it, puts the sacrifice on top of the wood and calls for water to be poured over his sacrifice 3 times. He calls upon God, and God sends fire down from heaven, burns the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones and licks up the water in the ditch.
God proved He was more powerful than false gods.
Elijah is an illustration that it is not the vessel but God in the vessel that demonstrates Power. He killed all of the false prophets of Baal. After the great victory, rain once again falls on the land.
Elijah enters a period of wavering faith in spite of victory and provisions from the Lord. Elijah feels sorry for himself, hides in a cave, and even comes to believe that he alone was left of the prophets of God. He got his eyes off of God and the emotional wave started to increase its power over him.
Elijah, then, is instructed by God, to go and stand on the mountain as the Lord passed by. There is a great wind, and earthquake, and then fire, but God is not in any of those. Then comes a still, small voice in which Elijah hears God and understand Him. When Elijah stopped focusing on the fear of what men could do and his feelings of being alone, God's voice was heard, and Elijah went on to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When we focus on the noise and tumult of life in this World, we get our eyes off of the Lord. However, if we listen for His still, small voice and walk in obedience to His Word, we find victory and reward.
Each person in the Scripture has a lesson for us to learn and aid our walk as believers.
Elijah struggled with typical human emotions, yet he was used mightily by God.
God used Elijah during an important time in Israel's history to oppose Ahab, a wicked king, and bring revival to the land.
Elijah's life was filled with turmoil. At times he was bold and decisive, and at other times fearful and tentative. He alternately demonstrates victory and defeat, followed by recovery. Elijah knew both the power of God and the depths of depression.
Elijah suddenly appears to challenge Ahab, an evil king who ruled the Northern Kingdom.
Elijah prophesies a drought to come upon the whole land as consequence for Ahab's evil.
Elijah, warned by God, hides near the brook of Cherith where he is fed by ravens. As the drought and famine in the land deepen,
Elijah meets with a widow in a neighboring country as the drought and famine in the land deepen and, through her obedience to Elijah's request, God provides food enough for Elijah, the woman, and her son. Miraculously, the widow's barrel of flour and jar of oil never run out.
If we walk in Fellowship with the Lord and Obey Him, we will be open to His Will. And when we are in God's Will, He fulfills all of our needs, and His Mercy to us never runs short.
Elijah is presented as the central character in a face-off with the prophets of the false god Baal on Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal call upon their god all day long to rain fire from heaven to no avail.
Elijah builds an altar of stones, dig a ditch around it, puts the sacrifice on top of the wood and calls for water to be poured over his sacrifice 3 times. He calls upon God, and God sends fire down from heaven, burns the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones and licks up the water in the ditch.
God proved He was more powerful than false gods.
Elijah is an illustration that it is not the vessel but God in the vessel that demonstrates Power. He killed all of the false prophets of Baal. After the great victory, rain once again falls on the land.
Elijah enters a period of wavering faith in spite of victory and provisions from the Lord. Elijah feels sorry for himself, hides in a cave, and even comes to believe that he alone was left of the prophets of God. He got his eyes off of God and the emotional wave started to increase its power over him.
Elijah, then, is instructed by God, to go and stand on the mountain as the Lord passed by. There is a great wind, and earthquake, and then fire, but God is not in any of those. Then comes a still, small voice in which Elijah hears God and understand Him. When Elijah stopped focusing on the fear of what men could do and his feelings of being alone, God's voice was heard, and Elijah went on to be taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.
When we focus on the noise and tumult of life in this World, we get our eyes off of the Lord. However, if we listen for His still, small voice and walk in obedience to His Word, we find victory and reward.
Each person in the Scripture has a lesson for us to learn and aid our walk as believers.
Elijah struggled with typical human emotions, yet he was used mightily by God.
Saturday, 1 July 2017
WHO WAS ATHALIAH?
Athalia (afflicted of the Lord) is the only woman in the Hebrew Scripture reported as having reigned as a monarch within Israel/Judah. She managed to remain sole monarch for 6 years. In the 7th year a revolution led by Jehoiada the High Priest puts on the Throne the 7-year-old Joash, Ahaziah's child who was rescued by his paternal aunt and Jehoiada's wife, from the royal bloodbath 6 years earlier.
Athalia, who walked in the ways of the House of Ahab, and called "daughter of Omri," was the Queen consort of Judah as the wife of King Jehoram, son of the pious Jehoshaphat king of Judah, descendant of King David, and later Queen regnant. As Queen, she used her power and her pernicious influence to establish the worship of Baal in Judah and drew into idolatry and crime both her husband and her son Ahaziah.
Athalia, born in Samaria, was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel and granddaughter of Omri, the 6th king in line of the Northern 10-Tribe kingdom. Nothing of Omri's ancestry is recorded. She was the sister of Israel's King Jehoram, and full or half sister of the other 70 sons of Ahab.
Athalia was given in a marriage of political expediency to Jehoram the eldest son of Jehoshaphat of Judah to seal a "treaty" between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. To secure his position Jehoram killed his 6 brothers, married Athalia and reigned for 8 years. Athalia became the mother of Ahaziah, who in time became king of Judah.
Like her mother Jezebel, Athalia egged on her husband Jehoram to do what was bad in God's eyes during his reign. And like her mother, she wantonly shed the blood of the innocent. Jehoram's rule was shaky. Edom revolted, and he was forced to acknowledge their independence. A raid by Philistines, Arabs, and Ethiopians looted the king's house, and carried off all of his family except for their youngest son, Ahaziah.
After Jehoram's death, her wicked son Ahaziah became king of Judah, and Athalia was Queen mother. He reigned for one year from the age of 22 and was killed during a state visit to Israel along with Jehoram of Israel, Athalia's brother. Jehu assassinated them both in God's Name, together with the other 70 sons of Ahab, and became king of Israel. He had Athalia's entire extended family in Israel put to death, ending Omri dynasty.
For her part, after the premature death of her son and the great revolution by which Jehu seated himself on the throne of Samaria, Athalia seized the throne of Judah, and sought to secure herself in it by ordering the execution of all possible claimants to the throne, including the remnant of her Omri dynasty. However, Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister, managed to rescue from the purge one of Athalia's grandsons with Jehoram of Judah, named Jehoash, who was only one year old.
Jehoash was raised in secretly by Jehosheba's husband, a bold and faithful high priest named Jehoiada. At length the high priest Jehoiada thought it time to produce the lawful king to the people, trusting to their zeal for the Worship of God and their loyalty to the House of David.
Thereupon Athalia installed herself as Queen for 6 years. During this time she robbed God's temple of the Holy Things and offered them to Baal.
When Jehoash reached 7 years of age, God-fearing high priest Jehoiada brought the lad out of secrecy from the place of refuge, and crowned him rightful heir to the Throne. Jehoiada's plan was successful.
Hearing the tumult, Athalia rushed to the Temple to stop the rebellion and upon seeing what was happening, cried, "Conspiracy! Conspiracy!" She was surprised when Jehoiada revealed that Jehoash lived and proclaimed him king of Judah. Then High Priest Jehoiada ordered the blood-stained Athalia to be taken outside the Temple grounds to be executed at the Horse Gate of the palace.
How true it proved to be the God's prophecy: "Nothing of God's Word will fall unfulfilled to the earth that God has spoken against the House of Ahab." 2 Kings 10:10, 11.
Athalia, who walked in the ways of the House of Ahab, and called "daughter of Omri," was the Queen consort of Judah as the wife of King Jehoram, son of the pious Jehoshaphat king of Judah, descendant of King David, and later Queen regnant. As Queen, she used her power and her pernicious influence to establish the worship of Baal in Judah and drew into idolatry and crime both her husband and her son Ahaziah.
Athalia, born in Samaria, was the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel and granddaughter of Omri, the 6th king in line of the Northern 10-Tribe kingdom. Nothing of Omri's ancestry is recorded. She was the sister of Israel's King Jehoram, and full or half sister of the other 70 sons of Ahab.
Athalia was given in a marriage of political expediency to Jehoram the eldest son of Jehoshaphat of Judah to seal a "treaty" between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. To secure his position Jehoram killed his 6 brothers, married Athalia and reigned for 8 years. Athalia became the mother of Ahaziah, who in time became king of Judah.
Like her mother Jezebel, Athalia egged on her husband Jehoram to do what was bad in God's eyes during his reign. And like her mother, she wantonly shed the blood of the innocent. Jehoram's rule was shaky. Edom revolted, and he was forced to acknowledge their independence. A raid by Philistines, Arabs, and Ethiopians looted the king's house, and carried off all of his family except for their youngest son, Ahaziah.
After Jehoram's death, her wicked son Ahaziah became king of Judah, and Athalia was Queen mother. He reigned for one year from the age of 22 and was killed during a state visit to Israel along with Jehoram of Israel, Athalia's brother. Jehu assassinated them both in God's Name, together with the other 70 sons of Ahab, and became king of Israel. He had Athalia's entire extended family in Israel put to death, ending Omri dynasty.
For her part, after the premature death of her son and the great revolution by which Jehu seated himself on the throne of Samaria, Athalia seized the throne of Judah, and sought to secure herself in it by ordering the execution of all possible claimants to the throne, including the remnant of her Omri dynasty. However, Jehosheba, Ahaziah's sister, managed to rescue from the purge one of Athalia's grandsons with Jehoram of Judah, named Jehoash, who was only one year old.
Jehoash was raised in secretly by Jehosheba's husband, a bold and faithful high priest named Jehoiada. At length the high priest Jehoiada thought it time to produce the lawful king to the people, trusting to their zeal for the Worship of God and their loyalty to the House of David.
Thereupon Athalia installed herself as Queen for 6 years. During this time she robbed God's temple of the Holy Things and offered them to Baal.
When Jehoash reached 7 years of age, God-fearing high priest Jehoiada brought the lad out of secrecy from the place of refuge, and crowned him rightful heir to the Throne. Jehoiada's plan was successful.
Hearing the tumult, Athalia rushed to the Temple to stop the rebellion and upon seeing what was happening, cried, "Conspiracy! Conspiracy!" She was surprised when Jehoiada revealed that Jehoash lived and proclaimed him king of Judah. Then High Priest Jehoiada ordered the blood-stained Athalia to be taken outside the Temple grounds to be executed at the Horse Gate of the palace.
How true it proved to be the God's prophecy: "Nothing of God's Word will fall unfulfilled to the earth that God has spoken against the House of Ahab." 2 Kings 10:10, 11.
Sunday, 18 June 2017
THE MEANING OF MOSES' SONG.
The LORD saved Israel that Day from the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore. And Israel saw the Great Work which the LORD did against the Egyptians, and the people Feared and Honor the LORD; and they Believed in the LORD and in His Servant Moses. (Exodus 14: 30-31)
Then in Exodus 19 , the Scripture says, "The people of Israel left Rephidim, and on the 1rst Day of the 3rd Month after they had left Egypt they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and Moses went up the Mountain to meet with God. ... God told him to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants: 'You saw what I, the Lord, did to the Egyptians and how I carried you as an eagle carries her young on her wings, and brought you here to Me. Now, if you will obey Me and keep My Covenant, you will be My own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be My chosen people; a people dedicated to Me alone, and you will serve Me as priests.' " (Exodus 19: 1-6)
Then all the people answered together, "We will do everything that the Lord has said," and Moses reported this to the Lord. And the Lord said to him, "Go to the people and tell them to spend Today and Tomorrow purifying themselves for worship. They must wash their clothes and be ready 'the Day after Tomorrow'. On that Day I will come down on Mount Sinai, where all the people can see Me. Mark a boundary around the mountain that the people must not cross, and tell them not to go up the Mountain or even go near it. If any of you set foot on it, you are to be put to death; you must either be stoned or shot with arrows, without anyone touching you. This applies to both people and animals; they must be put to death. But when the Trumpet is blown, then the people are to go up to the mountain." (Exodus 19: 9-13)
Exodus 15: Then Moses and the People of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for HE has Triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider (Egypt) HE has thrown into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song, and HE has become my Salvation; this is MY GOD, and I will PRAISE HIM. The LORD is a Man of War; the LORD IS HIS NAME. (15: 2)
Pharaoh's chariots and his host HE cast into the sea; and his picked officers are sunk in the Red Sea. The Floods cover them; they went down into the Depths like a stone. Your Right Hand, O LORD, glorious in Power, Your Right Hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. (15: 3-6)
In the Greatness of Your Majesty YOU overthrown the adversaries, YOU sent forth YOUR FURY, It consumes them like stubble. At the blast of YOUR NOSTRILS (the Word of God) the Waters piled up, the Floods stood up in a heap; the Deeps congealed in the Heart of the Sea. (15: 7-8)
The enemy said, "I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them." But YOU did blow with YOUR WIND, and the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the Mighty Waters. (15: 9-10)
Who is like YOU, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like YOU, Majestic in Holiness, Terrible in Glorious Deeds, doing Wonders? YOU did stretch out YOUR RIGHT HAND, the earth swallowed them. YOU have led in YOUR STEADFAST LOVE the People whom YOU HAVE REDEEMED.
YOU have GUIDED them BY YOUR STRENGTH to the HOLY ABODE. (15: 11-13)
The Lamb and His People.- Revelation 14: Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; with Him were 144,000 people who have His Name and His Father's Name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from Heaven that sounded like a roaring waterfall, like a loud peal of thunder. It sounded like the music made by musicians playing their harps. The 144,000 people stood before the Throne, the 4 Living Creatures, and the elders; they were singing a new song, which 'only they' could learn. Of the whole human race they are 'the only ones' who have been 'redeemed'. They are the men who have 'kept themselves pure' by not having sexual relations with women; they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from the rest of the human race and are the first ones to be offered to God and to the Lamb. They have never been known to tell lies; they are faultless. (Revelation 14: 1-5)
The Song of Moses continue: ... "The people from other nations have heard and they tremble; pangs have seized on the inhabitants of Philistia. Now the chiefs of Edom are dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the Greatness of YOUR ARM, and because of it, they are still as a stone, till Your People, O LORD, Pass By, till the People Pass By whom YOU HAVE PURCHASED."
"YOU will Bring Them In, and Plant Them on YOUR Own Mountain, the Place, O Lord, which YOU HAVE MADE for YOUR abode, the Sanctuary, O Lord, which YOUR HANDS have established. The LORD will reign FOR EVER AND EVER." ((Exodus 15: 14-18)
"For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the Sea, the LORD brought back the Waters of the Sea upon them; but the People of Israel Walked on Dry Ground in the Midst of the Sea." (Exodus 15: 19)
"Then Miriam, the Prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel (tambourine) in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels (tambourines) and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: 'Sing to the LORD, for HE has Triumphed Gloriously; the horse and his rider HE has thrown into the Sea.' " (Exodus 15: 20-21)
Then in Exodus 19 , the Scripture says, "The people of Israel left Rephidim, and on the 1rst Day of the 3rd Month after they had left Egypt they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and Moses went up the Mountain to meet with God. ... God told him to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants: 'You saw what I, the Lord, did to the Egyptians and how I carried you as an eagle carries her young on her wings, and brought you here to Me. Now, if you will obey Me and keep My Covenant, you will be My own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be My chosen people; a people dedicated to Me alone, and you will serve Me as priests.' " (Exodus 19: 1-6)
Then all the people answered together, "We will do everything that the Lord has said," and Moses reported this to the Lord. And the Lord said to him, "Go to the people and tell them to spend Today and Tomorrow purifying themselves for worship. They must wash their clothes and be ready 'the Day after Tomorrow'. On that Day I will come down on Mount Sinai, where all the people can see Me. Mark a boundary around the mountain that the people must not cross, and tell them not to go up the Mountain or even go near it. If any of you set foot on it, you are to be put to death; you must either be stoned or shot with arrows, without anyone touching you. This applies to both people and animals; they must be put to death. But when the Trumpet is blown, then the people are to go up to the mountain." (Exodus 19: 9-13)
Exodus 15: Then Moses and the People of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for HE has Triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider (Egypt) HE has thrown into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and my song, and HE has become my Salvation; this is MY GOD, and I will PRAISE HIM. The LORD is a Man of War; the LORD IS HIS NAME. (15: 2)
Pharaoh's chariots and his host HE cast into the sea; and his picked officers are sunk in the Red Sea. The Floods cover them; they went down into the Depths like a stone. Your Right Hand, O LORD, glorious in Power, Your Right Hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. (15: 3-6)
In the Greatness of Your Majesty YOU overthrown the adversaries, YOU sent forth YOUR FURY, It consumes them like stubble. At the blast of YOUR NOSTRILS (the Word of God) the Waters piled up, the Floods stood up in a heap; the Deeps congealed in the Heart of the Sea. (15: 7-8)
The enemy said, "I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them." But YOU did blow with YOUR WIND, and the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the Mighty Waters. (15: 9-10)
Who is like YOU, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like YOU, Majestic in Holiness, Terrible in Glorious Deeds, doing Wonders? YOU did stretch out YOUR RIGHT HAND, the earth swallowed them. YOU have led in YOUR STEADFAST LOVE the People whom YOU HAVE REDEEMED.
YOU have GUIDED them BY YOUR STRENGTH to the HOLY ABODE. (15: 11-13)
The Lamb and His People.- Revelation 14: Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion; with Him were 144,000 people who have His Name and His Father's Name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from Heaven that sounded like a roaring waterfall, like a loud peal of thunder. It sounded like the music made by musicians playing their harps. The 144,000 people stood before the Throne, the 4 Living Creatures, and the elders; they were singing a new song, which 'only they' could learn. Of the whole human race they are 'the only ones' who have been 'redeemed'. They are the men who have 'kept themselves pure' by not having sexual relations with women; they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from the rest of the human race and are the first ones to be offered to God and to the Lamb. They have never been known to tell lies; they are faultless. (Revelation 14: 1-5)
The Song of Moses continue: ... "The people from other nations have heard and they tremble; pangs have seized on the inhabitants of Philistia. Now the chiefs of Edom are dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the Greatness of YOUR ARM, and because of it, they are still as a stone, till Your People, O LORD, Pass By, till the People Pass By whom YOU HAVE PURCHASED."
"YOU will Bring Them In, and Plant Them on YOUR Own Mountain, the Place, O Lord, which YOU HAVE MADE for YOUR abode, the Sanctuary, O Lord, which YOUR HANDS have established. The LORD will reign FOR EVER AND EVER." ((Exodus 15: 14-18)
"For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the Sea, the LORD brought back the Waters of the Sea upon them; but the People of Israel Walked on Dry Ground in the Midst of the Sea." (Exodus 15: 19)
"Then Miriam, the Prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel (tambourine) in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels (tambourines) and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: 'Sing to the LORD, for HE has Triumphed Gloriously; the horse and his rider HE has thrown into the Sea.' " (Exodus 15: 20-21)
THE WORD OF GOD.
In Genesis 3, the Scripture says, "Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the Lord God had made." (Genesis 3:1) Then when God pronounces Judgment on the snake, He says, "You will be punished for this (tricked the woman into eating the forbidden fruit); you alone of all the animals must bear this curse: From now on you will crawl on your belly, and you will have to eat dust as long as you live. I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring's heel." (Genesis 3:14-15)
Then the Lord God said, "Now these human beings have become like one of us and have knowledge of what is good and what is bad. They must not be allowed to take fruit from the tree that gives life, eat it, and live forever." So the Lord God sent them out of the Garden of Eden and made them cultivate the soil from which they had been formed. Then at the East side of the Garden God put Living Creatures and a Flaming Sword which turned in all directions. This was to keep anyone from coming near the Tree that gives Life. (Genesis 3: 22-24)
In Revelation 19, the writer says, " ... I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude of People In Heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and Glory and Power belong to our GOD, for His Judgments are True and Just; HE has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and HE has avenged on her the Blood of His Servants." (Rev. 19:1-2)
Once more they also said, "Hallelujah! the smoke from her burning goes up for ever and ever." Then the 24 elders and the 4 Living Creatures fell down and worshipped GOD Who is Seated on the Throne, saying, "Amen, Hallelujah!" And from the Throne came a Voice saying, "Praise our GOD, all you His Servants, you who Fear and Honor Him, small and great." (Rev. 19:3-5)
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the Sound of Many Waters and like the Sound of Mighty Claps of Thunder, saying, Hallelujah! For the Lord our GOD the Almighty reigns. Let us Rejoice and Exult and give Him the Glory, for the Marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; for the Fine Linen was granted her to be clothed with, bright and pure," for the linen is the Righteous Deeds of GOD's Holy People. (Rev.19:6-8)
The Lord sent His Messengers and Prophets to warn Israel and Judah: "Abandon your evil ways and Obey My Commands, which are contained in the Law I gave to your ancestors and which I handed on to you through My servants the prophets." (2 Kings 17: 13)
Then the angel said to me, "Write this: 'Blessed are Those who are Invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.' " And he said to me, "These are TRUE WORDS of GOD." (Rev 19:9)
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren who Hold the Testimony of JESUS. Worship GOD." For the TESTIMONY of JESUS is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. (Rev. 19:10)
Then I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a White Horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True and in Righteousness He Judges and makes war. His Eyes are like a Flame of Fire, and on His Head are many diadems (crowns); and He has a Name inscribed which no one knows but Himself. He is clad (dressed) in a robe dipped in blood, and the Name by which He is called is THE WORD OF GOD. And the Armies of Heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed Him on White Horses. From His Mouth issues a Sharp Sword with which smite the nations, and He will Rule them with a Rod of Iron; He will Tread the Wine Press of the FURY of the WRATH of GOD Almighty. On His Robe and on His Thigh He has a Name inscribed, KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. (11-16)
Then a saw and angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice, he called to all the birds that fly in mid-Heaven, "Come, gather for the Great Supper of GOD, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." (Rev. 19:17-18)
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him who sits upon the Horse and against His Army. And the Beast was captured, and with it the False Prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped its image. (19-20) These two were thrown alive into the Lake of Fire that burns with sulphur. And the rest were slain by the Sword of Him Who Sits Upon the Horse, the Sword that Issues from His Mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (21)
Chapter 20-Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the Dragon, that ancient Serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a 1,000 years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were ended. After that he must be loosed for a little while. (1-3)
Then the Lord God said, "Now these human beings have become like one of us and have knowledge of what is good and what is bad. They must not be allowed to take fruit from the tree that gives life, eat it, and live forever." So the Lord God sent them out of the Garden of Eden and made them cultivate the soil from which they had been formed. Then at the East side of the Garden God put Living Creatures and a Flaming Sword which turned in all directions. This was to keep anyone from coming near the Tree that gives Life. (Genesis 3: 22-24)
In Revelation 19, the writer says, " ... I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude of People In Heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and Glory and Power belong to our GOD, for His Judgments are True and Just; HE has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and HE has avenged on her the Blood of His Servants." (Rev. 19:1-2)
Once more they also said, "Hallelujah! the smoke from her burning goes up for ever and ever." Then the 24 elders and the 4 Living Creatures fell down and worshipped GOD Who is Seated on the Throne, saying, "Amen, Hallelujah!" And from the Throne came a Voice saying, "Praise our GOD, all you His Servants, you who Fear and Honor Him, small and great." (Rev. 19:3-5)
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the Sound of Many Waters and like the Sound of Mighty Claps of Thunder, saying, Hallelujah! For the Lord our GOD the Almighty reigns. Let us Rejoice and Exult and give Him the Glory, for the Marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; for the Fine Linen was granted her to be clothed with, bright and pure," for the linen is the Righteous Deeds of GOD's Holy People. (Rev.19:6-8)
The Lord sent His Messengers and Prophets to warn Israel and Judah: "Abandon your evil ways and Obey My Commands, which are contained in the Law I gave to your ancestors and which I handed on to you through My servants the prophets." (2 Kings 17: 13)
Then the angel said to me, "Write this: 'Blessed are Those who are Invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.' " And he said to me, "These are TRUE WORDS of GOD." (Rev 19:9)
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren who Hold the Testimony of JESUS. Worship GOD." For the TESTIMONY of JESUS is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY. (Rev. 19:10)
Then I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a White Horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True and in Righteousness He Judges and makes war. His Eyes are like a Flame of Fire, and on His Head are many diadems (crowns); and He has a Name inscribed which no one knows but Himself. He is clad (dressed) in a robe dipped in blood, and the Name by which He is called is THE WORD OF GOD. And the Armies of Heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed Him on White Horses. From His Mouth issues a Sharp Sword with which smite the nations, and He will Rule them with a Rod of Iron; He will Tread the Wine Press of the FURY of the WRATH of GOD Almighty. On His Robe and on His Thigh He has a Name inscribed, KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS. (11-16)
Then a saw and angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice, he called to all the birds that fly in mid-Heaven, "Come, gather for the Great Supper of GOD, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." (Rev. 19:17-18)
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him who sits upon the Horse and against His Army. And the Beast was captured, and with it the False Prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped its image. (19-20) These two were thrown alive into the Lake of Fire that burns with sulphur. And the rest were slain by the Sword of Him Who Sits Upon the Horse, the Sword that Issues from His Mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (21)
Chapter 20-Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the Dragon, that ancient Serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a 1,000 years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were ended. After that he must be loosed for a little while. (1-3)
UNDERSTANDING THE HORSE SPIRIT.
The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today. Horses are herd animals, with a clear hierarchy of rank, led by a dominant individual, usually a female horse. They are also social creatures that are able to form companionship attachments to their own species and to other animals. They communicate in various ways, including vocalizations such as nickering or whining, mutual grooming, and body language.
Many horses will become difficult to manage if they are isolated, but with training, horses can learn to accept human as a companion, and thus be comfortable away from other horses. Horses excel at simple learning, but also are able to use more advance cognitive abilities that involve categorization and concept learning.
Humans began to domesticate horses around 4,000BC. Since then it has been widespread all over the world. Horses were historically used in warfare, from which a variety of riding and driving techniques developed, using many different styles of equipment and methods of control. Most domesticated horses begin training under saddle or in harness between the ages of 2 and 4. They reach full adult development by age 5, and have an average life span of between 25 and 30 years, depending on breed, management and environment. Most light horse riding breeds were developed for speed, agility, alertness and endurance; natural qualities that extend from their wild ancestors.
Horses exhibit a diverse array of coat colors and distinctive markings. Often, it is classified first by its coat color, before breed or gender. Horses of the same color may be distinguished from one another by white markings, which, along with various spotting patterns, are inherited separately from coat color.
Horse breeds are loosely divided into 3 categories based on temperament: spirited "hot bloods" with speed and endurance; "cold bloods,"such as draft horses (cart horse, work horse, heavy horse) doing hard tasks, and some ponies suitable for slow work; and "warm bloods," developed from crosses between hot and cold bloods. There are more than 300 breeds of horse in the world today, developed for many different uses.
The following terminology is used to describe horses of various ages: Colt, a male horse under the age of four; Filly, a female horse under the age of four; Foal, a horse of either gender less than one year old; Gelding, a castrated male horse of any age; Mare, a female horse four years old and older; Stallion, a non-castrated male horse four years old and older; Yearling, a horse of either gender that is between one and two years old.
The height of horses is measured at the highest point of the ridge between the shoulder blades (withers) where the neck meets the back. It is the most stable point of its anatomy, unlike the head or neck, which move up and down in relation to the body. The horse skeleton averages 205 bones. A significant difference between horse skeleton and that of a human is the lack of a collarbone -the horse's forelimbs are attached to the spinal column by a powerful set of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that attach the shoulder blade to the torso. The horse's legs and hooves are also unique structures. Their leg bones are proportioned differently from those of human. The horse's "knee" is actually made up of the carpal bones that correspond to the human wrist. Similarly, the joint between the tarsal bones and tibia (hock) contains bones equivalent to those in the human ankle and heel. A horse also has no muscles in its legs below the knees and hocks, only skin, hair bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the assorted specialized tissues that make up the hoof.
Horses' anatomy enables them to make use of speed to escape predators. They have a well-developed sense of balance. Balance is the result of a number of body systems working together: the eyes (visual system), ears (vestibular system), and the body's sense of where it is in space employed in movement.
Horses also have a strong psychological reaction (Fight-or Flight) that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival, although horses will stand their ground and defend themselves when flight is impossible, or if their young are threatened. Related to this need, horses are able to sleep both standing up and lying down. They also tend to be curious and often hesitate an instant to ascertain the cause of their fright, and may not always flee from something that they perceive as non-threatening.
Horses' senses are based on their status as prey animals, where they must be aware of the surroundings at all times. They have the largest eyes of any land mammal, and their range of vision is more than 350* with approximately 65* of this being binocular vision and the remaining 285* monocular vision.
Horses have excellent day and night vision, but they have two-color vision that it is somewhat like red-green color blindness in humans, where certain colors, especially red and related colors, appear as a shade of green.
The horses' sense of smell, while much better than humans, is not as good as that of a dog. It plays a key role in social interaction of horses as well as detecting other key scents in the environment. They have two olfactory centers. The first is in the nostrils and nasal cavity, the second is located under the nasal cavity, having a separate nerve pathway to the brain and analyze hormones behavior.
The horse's hearing is good, and the visible part of each ear can rotate up to 180,*giving the potential for 360* hearing without moving the head. Noise impacts the behavior of horses and certain kinds of noise contribute to stress. A study indicated that stabled horses were calmest in a quiet setting, or if listening to classical music, but displayed signs of nervousness when listening to jazz and rock music. Another study found that stabled race horses listening to talk radio had a higher rate of gastric ulcers than horses listening to calm music, and race horses stabled where a radio was played had higher rate of ulceration than horses stabled where there was no radio playing. Also, when confined with insuficient companionship, exercise, or stimulation, horses developed an assortment of bad habits, mostly repetitive behavior that include wood chewing, wall kicking, rocking back and forth, and other problems.
The horses have an advance sense of taste, which allows them to sort through fodder and choose what they want, and their gripping lips can easily sort even small grains. Horses generally will not eat poison through plants, but in rare occasions they will eat toxic amounts of poisonous plants even when there is adequate healthy food.
Many products are derived from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, and pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares. Female horses (mares) carry their young for approximately 11 months, and a young horse (foal) can stand and run shortly following birth.
Horses are herbivores with a digestive system adapted to a forage diet of grasses and other plant material, consumed steadily throughout the day. Therefore, compared to humans, they have a relatively small stomach but very long intestines to facilitate a steady flow of nutrients. They are not ruminants, they have only one stomach, like humans, but unlike humans, they can utilize cellulose, a major component of grass, and the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. They can digest cellulose with the help of symbiotic micro-organisms that live in their guts. Horses cannot vomit, so digestion problems can quickly cause colic, a leading cause of death. In human nutrition, cellulose acts as a hydrophilic bulking agent for feces and is often referred to as dietary fiber.
Domesticated horses face greater mental challenges than wild horses, because they live in artificial environments that prevent instinctive behavior grow due to the influence of learning tasks that are not natural. Horses are animals of habit that respond well to regimentation, and respond best when the same routines and techniques are used consistently.
One trainer believes that intelligent horses are reflections of its trainers who effectively use response conditioning techniques and positive reinforcement to train in the style that best fits with an individual's natural inclination.
Many horses will become difficult to manage if they are isolated, but with training, horses can learn to accept human as a companion, and thus be comfortable away from other horses. Horses excel at simple learning, but also are able to use more advance cognitive abilities that involve categorization and concept learning.
Humans began to domesticate horses around 4,000BC. Since then it has been widespread all over the world. Horses were historically used in warfare, from which a variety of riding and driving techniques developed, using many different styles of equipment and methods of control. Most domesticated horses begin training under saddle or in harness between the ages of 2 and 4. They reach full adult development by age 5, and have an average life span of between 25 and 30 years, depending on breed, management and environment. Most light horse riding breeds were developed for speed, agility, alertness and endurance; natural qualities that extend from their wild ancestors.
Horses exhibit a diverse array of coat colors and distinctive markings. Often, it is classified first by its coat color, before breed or gender. Horses of the same color may be distinguished from one another by white markings, which, along with various spotting patterns, are inherited separately from coat color.
Horse breeds are loosely divided into 3 categories based on temperament: spirited "hot bloods" with speed and endurance; "cold bloods,"such as draft horses (cart horse, work horse, heavy horse) doing hard tasks, and some ponies suitable for slow work; and "warm bloods," developed from crosses between hot and cold bloods. There are more than 300 breeds of horse in the world today, developed for many different uses.
The following terminology is used to describe horses of various ages: Colt, a male horse under the age of four; Filly, a female horse under the age of four; Foal, a horse of either gender less than one year old; Gelding, a castrated male horse of any age; Mare, a female horse four years old and older; Stallion, a non-castrated male horse four years old and older; Yearling, a horse of either gender that is between one and two years old.
The height of horses is measured at the highest point of the ridge between the shoulder blades (withers) where the neck meets the back. It is the most stable point of its anatomy, unlike the head or neck, which move up and down in relation to the body. The horse skeleton averages 205 bones. A significant difference between horse skeleton and that of a human is the lack of a collarbone -the horse's forelimbs are attached to the spinal column by a powerful set of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that attach the shoulder blade to the torso. The horse's legs and hooves are also unique structures. Their leg bones are proportioned differently from those of human. The horse's "knee" is actually made up of the carpal bones that correspond to the human wrist. Similarly, the joint between the tarsal bones and tibia (hock) contains bones equivalent to those in the human ankle and heel. A horse also has no muscles in its legs below the knees and hocks, only skin, hair bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the assorted specialized tissues that make up the hoof.
Horses' anatomy enables them to make use of speed to escape predators. They have a well-developed sense of balance. Balance is the result of a number of body systems working together: the eyes (visual system), ears (vestibular system), and the body's sense of where it is in space employed in movement.
Horses also have a strong psychological reaction (Fight-or Flight) that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival, although horses will stand their ground and defend themselves when flight is impossible, or if their young are threatened. Related to this need, horses are able to sleep both standing up and lying down. They also tend to be curious and often hesitate an instant to ascertain the cause of their fright, and may not always flee from something that they perceive as non-threatening.
Horses' senses are based on their status as prey animals, where they must be aware of the surroundings at all times. They have the largest eyes of any land mammal, and their range of vision is more than 350* with approximately 65* of this being binocular vision and the remaining 285* monocular vision.
Horses have excellent day and night vision, but they have two-color vision that it is somewhat like red-green color blindness in humans, where certain colors, especially red and related colors, appear as a shade of green.
The horses' sense of smell, while much better than humans, is not as good as that of a dog. It plays a key role in social interaction of horses as well as detecting other key scents in the environment. They have two olfactory centers. The first is in the nostrils and nasal cavity, the second is located under the nasal cavity, having a separate nerve pathway to the brain and analyze hormones behavior.
The horse's hearing is good, and the visible part of each ear can rotate up to 180,*giving the potential for 360* hearing without moving the head. Noise impacts the behavior of horses and certain kinds of noise contribute to stress. A study indicated that stabled horses were calmest in a quiet setting, or if listening to classical music, but displayed signs of nervousness when listening to jazz and rock music. Another study found that stabled race horses listening to talk radio had a higher rate of gastric ulcers than horses listening to calm music, and race horses stabled where a radio was played had higher rate of ulceration than horses stabled where there was no radio playing. Also, when confined with insuficient companionship, exercise, or stimulation, horses developed an assortment of bad habits, mostly repetitive behavior that include wood chewing, wall kicking, rocking back and forth, and other problems.
The horses have an advance sense of taste, which allows them to sort through fodder and choose what they want, and their gripping lips can easily sort even small grains. Horses generally will not eat poison through plants, but in rare occasions they will eat toxic amounts of poisonous plants even when there is adequate healthy food.
Many products are derived from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, and pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares. Female horses (mares) carry their young for approximately 11 months, and a young horse (foal) can stand and run shortly following birth.
Horses are herbivores with a digestive system adapted to a forage diet of grasses and other plant material, consumed steadily throughout the day. Therefore, compared to humans, they have a relatively small stomach but very long intestines to facilitate a steady flow of nutrients. They are not ruminants, they have only one stomach, like humans, but unlike humans, they can utilize cellulose, a major component of grass, and the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. They can digest cellulose with the help of symbiotic micro-organisms that live in their guts. Horses cannot vomit, so digestion problems can quickly cause colic, a leading cause of death. In human nutrition, cellulose acts as a hydrophilic bulking agent for feces and is often referred to as dietary fiber.
Domesticated horses face greater mental challenges than wild horses, because they live in artificial environments that prevent instinctive behavior grow due to the influence of learning tasks that are not natural. Horses are animals of habit that respond well to regimentation, and respond best when the same routines and techniques are used consistently.
One trainer believes that intelligent horses are reflections of its trainers who effectively use response conditioning techniques and positive reinforcement to train in the style that best fits with an individual's natural inclination.
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
GOD'S WAR AGAINST EVIL.
Two thousand years ago Revelation (17:14) predicted a conflict set to be in place, referring to the evil hordes that control this world: "these shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for HE is LORD of lords, and KING of kings, and they that are with HIM are called, and chosen, and faithful."
It is the thrill that precedes a new beginning -to build a society from the basic foundation since Creation.
Here is the way that God planned it. In Exodus, chapter 3, the plan starts with the smoting of every Egyptian firstborn child and firstborn beast. On the night of the smoting, GOD told each Israelite family to find a year-old Lamb without blemish, kill it, and wipe the blood on the top and sides of the door.
Exodus 12: 3-7 says: "In the 10th day of this month they shall take to them every man a Lamb ... without blemish, a male of the first year ... and you shall kill it in the evening, and they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses."
In that way when GOD came through Egypt looking for the first born Egyptians children and beasts to kill, HE would see the blood on the door posts and "Pass Over" the house.
Exodus 12: 12-13 says: "For I will pass through the Land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the Land of Egypt, both man and beast ... and when I see the blood, I will pass over you."
29-30 says: "At midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the Land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of the cattle ... and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead."
Why did GOD do it? Because HE wanted to show all His Power and that nobody else in earth is quite like Him, what HE can do with it showing that the whole earth belongs to Him, and introduce Himself to the Egyptians, to prove that HE is GOD, and giving us a story to tell our children and grandchildren.
Exodus 3:20 says: "I will ... smite Egypt with all My Wonders... Now shall you see what I will do to Pharaoh (6:1)... For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon your servants, and upon your people; that you may know that there is none like ME in all the earth ... that MY NAME may be declared throughout all the earth (9:14,16)."
Exodus 7:3 says: "I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the Land of Egypt... Go in unto the Pharaoh -for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these My Signs before him(10:1)... and the Egyptians shall know that I Am the LORD (7:5)... and how the LORD do put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel (11:7) ... against all the gods of Egypt I will execute Judgment (12:12)"
In any case, GOD is very clear in His Judgment and it was not easy to pull everything off even for Him. He had to harden the Pharaoh's heart 8 times to make it all work out as planned (4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1,20,27; 11:10).
In Isaiah 37:35-36 GOD says: "For I will defend this city to save it for MY OWN SAKE and for MY servant DAVID's sake." Then the Angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, all of these were dead. The main body of the Assyrian's army was slain.
Isaiah 10:12 says: "So it will be that the LORD has completed all HIS WORK on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem. HE will say, 'I will punish the fruit of the Arrogant Heart of the King of Assyria and the pomp of His Haughtiness.' " ... The LORD of hosts will arouse a scourge against him like the slaughter of Midian at the Rock of Oreb; and His Staff will be over the sea and HE will lift it up the way HE did in Egypt (10:26). And the Assyrian will fall by a sword not of man, and a sword not of man will devour him. So he will not escape the sword, and his young men will become forced laborers (31:8).
Micah 5:6 says: "They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, the Land of Nimrod at its entrances; and HE will deliver us from the Assyrian when he attacks our land and when he tramples our territory." The king of Assyria's own sons became his murderers.
Who ever hardened against GOD and prospered?
The history exhibits a strong proof of the good of FIRM TRUST and CONFIDENCE in GOD.
GOD will afflict, but not forsake His People.
It is well when our troubles drive us to our knees. But does it not reprove our unbelief?
How unwilling are we to rest on the declaration of GOD!
How desirous to know in what way HE will save us!
How impatient when relief is delayed!
But we must wait for the fulfilling of HIS WORD.
Isaiah 10:24-25 says: "Therefore this is what the Lord, GOD of the Heavenly Armies, says: 'O My People who dwell (live) in Zion, do not be afraid of (do not fear) the Assyrian, who (smites, oppresses, strikes) beat you with a rod and lift up (raises) a club (staff) against you (after the manner) as the Egyptians did long ago. For in a very little while My Indignation against you will be spent and My Anger will be directed to their destruction.' "
Exodus 5:14 says: "Moreover, the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, 'Why have you not completed your required amount either yesterday or today in making brick as previously?' "
In Exodus:14:13 Moses said to the People, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which HE will accomplish you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever."
Isaiah 7:1-5 says: "Now it came about in the days of Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not conquer it. Then the LORD said to Isaiah, 'Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-Jashub, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway to the Fuller's Field, and say to Ahaz, -Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands, on account of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah. Because Aram, with Ephraim and the son of Remalaih, has planned evil against you, ... 7:9 and the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah (king of Israel). If you will not belief, you surely shall not last.' "
Isaiah 30:15 says: For thus GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In Repentance and Rest you will be saved, In Quietness and Trust is your strength." But you were not willing ... Thus says the Lord, "Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed ME."37:9
Then 2 John 1:7-9 says : For many deceivers have gone into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the anti-Christ. Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, that you may be fully rewarded. Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have GOD.
It is the thrill that precedes a new beginning -to build a society from the basic foundation since Creation.
Here is the way that God planned it. In Exodus, chapter 3, the plan starts with the smoting of every Egyptian firstborn child and firstborn beast. On the night of the smoting, GOD told each Israelite family to find a year-old Lamb without blemish, kill it, and wipe the blood on the top and sides of the door.
Exodus 12: 3-7 says: "In the 10th day of this month they shall take to them every man a Lamb ... without blemish, a male of the first year ... and you shall kill it in the evening, and they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses."
In that way when GOD came through Egypt looking for the first born Egyptians children and beasts to kill, HE would see the blood on the door posts and "Pass Over" the house.
Exodus 12: 12-13 says: "For I will pass through the Land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the Land of Egypt, both man and beast ... and when I see the blood, I will pass over you."
29-30 says: "At midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the Land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of the cattle ... and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead."
Why did GOD do it? Because HE wanted to show all His Power and that nobody else in earth is quite like Him, what HE can do with it showing that the whole earth belongs to Him, and introduce Himself to the Egyptians, to prove that HE is GOD, and giving us a story to tell our children and grandchildren.
Exodus 3:20 says: "I will ... smite Egypt with all My Wonders... Now shall you see what I will do to Pharaoh (6:1)... For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon your servants, and upon your people; that you may know that there is none like ME in all the earth ... that MY NAME may be declared throughout all the earth (9:14,16)."
Exodus 7:3 says: "I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the Land of Egypt... Go in unto the Pharaoh -for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these My Signs before him(10:1)... and the Egyptians shall know that I Am the LORD (7:5)... and how the LORD do put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel (11:7) ... against all the gods of Egypt I will execute Judgment (12:12)"
In any case, GOD is very clear in His Judgment and it was not easy to pull everything off even for Him. He had to harden the Pharaoh's heart 8 times to make it all work out as planned (4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1,20,27; 11:10).
In Isaiah 37:35-36 GOD says: "For I will defend this city to save it for MY OWN SAKE and for MY servant DAVID's sake." Then the Angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, all of these were dead. The main body of the Assyrian's army was slain.
Isaiah 10:12 says: "So it will be that the LORD has completed all HIS WORK on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem. HE will say, 'I will punish the fruit of the Arrogant Heart of the King of Assyria and the pomp of His Haughtiness.' " ... The LORD of hosts will arouse a scourge against him like the slaughter of Midian at the Rock of Oreb; and His Staff will be over the sea and HE will lift it up the way HE did in Egypt (10:26). And the Assyrian will fall by a sword not of man, and a sword not of man will devour him. So he will not escape the sword, and his young men will become forced laborers (31:8).
Micah 5:6 says: "They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, the Land of Nimrod at its entrances; and HE will deliver us from the Assyrian when he attacks our land and when he tramples our territory." The king of Assyria's own sons became his murderers.
Who ever hardened against GOD and prospered?
The history exhibits a strong proof of the good of FIRM TRUST and CONFIDENCE in GOD.
GOD will afflict, but not forsake His People.
It is well when our troubles drive us to our knees. But does it not reprove our unbelief?
How unwilling are we to rest on the declaration of GOD!
How desirous to know in what way HE will save us!
How impatient when relief is delayed!
But we must wait for the fulfilling of HIS WORD.
Isaiah 10:24-25 says: "Therefore this is what the Lord, GOD of the Heavenly Armies, says: 'O My People who dwell (live) in Zion, do not be afraid of (do not fear) the Assyrian, who (smites, oppresses, strikes) beat you with a rod and lift up (raises) a club (staff) against you (after the manner) as the Egyptians did long ago. For in a very little while My Indignation against you will be spent and My Anger will be directed to their destruction.' "
Exodus 5:14 says: "Moreover, the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, 'Why have you not completed your required amount either yesterday or today in making brick as previously?' "
In Exodus:14:13 Moses said to the People, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which HE will accomplish you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever."
Isaiah 7:1-5 says: "Now it came about in the days of Ahaz, the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not conquer it. Then the LORD said to Isaiah, 'Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and your son Shear-Jashub, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway to the Fuller's Field, and say to Ahaz, -Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands, on account of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and the son of Remaliah. Because Aram, with Ephraim and the son of Remalaih, has planned evil against you, ... 7:9 and the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah (king of Israel). If you will not belief, you surely shall not last.' "
Isaiah 30:15 says: For thus GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In Repentance and Rest you will be saved, In Quietness and Trust is your strength." But you were not willing ... Thus says the Lord, "Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed ME."37:9
Then 2 John 1:7-9 says : For many deceivers have gone into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the anti-Christ. Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, that you may be fully rewarded. Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have GOD.
Tuesday, 9 May 2017
WHO WAS SOREN KIERKEGAARD?
Quotes: "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." "Once you label me you negate me." "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced."
Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (May 5, 1813-November 11, 1855) was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and religious author who is widely consider to be the first existentialist philosopher, though he did not use the term existentialism. He proposed that each individual -not society or religion- is solely responsible for giving meaning to life and living it passionately and sincerely, or authentically.
Existentialism is a term applied to the work that despite profound doctrinal differences, shares the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject -the acting, feeling, and living. Freedom is the predominant value, and authenticity its primary virtue. The individual starting point is characterized by a sense of disorientation, confusion, or dread in the face of an apparently meaningless or absurd world. The trend became popular in the years following World War II, and strongly influenced many disciplines besides philosophy, including theology, drama, art, literature, and psychology.
One of Kierkegaard's recurrent themes is the importance of subjectivity, which has to do with the way people relate themselves to (objective) truths. While objective facts are important, there is a second and more crucial element of truth, which involves how one relates oneself to those matters of fact. Since how one acts is more important than any matter of fact, truth is to be found in subjectivity rather than objectivity.
Kierkegaard recognizes and accepts the notion of alienation (feeling of separation from, discontent with, society; feeling of a moral breakdown in society; feeling of powerlessness in the face of the solidity of social institutions; impersonal, dehumanized nature of large-scale and bureaucratic social organizations), although he phrases it and understand it in his own distinctly original terms. For him, the present age is a reflective age -one that values objectivity and thought over action, lip-service to ideals rather than action, discussion over action, publicity and advertising over reality, and fantasy over the real world. The meaning of values has been removed from life by lack of finding any true and legitimate authority. Self-aware humans must confront an existential uncertainty. Humanity has lost meaning because the accepted criterion of reality and truth is ambiguous and subjective thought -that which cannot be proven with logic, historical research, or scientific analysis. Humans are not motivated and do not find meaning in life through pure objectivity. Instead, they find it through passion, desire, and moral commitment, something that come about through a direct relationship (rather than analysis) between one and the external world. This relationship is a way of looking at one's life that evades objective scrutiny. Individuals need to gain their souls from the world because it actually belongs to God. Kierkegaard concern is about the inner fight for faith.
He said, "Abraham had to leave his ancestral home and emigrate to an alien nation, where nothing reminded him of what he loved -indeed, sometimes it is no doubt a consolation that nothing calls to mind what one wishes to forget, but it is a bitter consolation for the person who is full of longing."
Kierkegard was discussing about the Christian who wants to be a Christian living in a world that has abandoned Christianity. A world where all individuals are forced to take an "image" of the positive part in Christian Democracy and in a non-Christian Democracy where none are allowed to take an active part in Christianity.
Kierkegard put it this way, "Getting the majority vote on one's side transforming one's God-relationship into a speculative enterprise on the basis of probability and partnership and fellow share-holders is the first step toward becoming objective." "The love which covers multitude of sins is never deceived. When the heart is filled with love, the eye has the power to foster the good in the unclean and is never deceived; for love when it gives, does not scrutinize the gift, and this eye does not see the evil but the pure and encourages the pureness of heart by loving it, this eye is fixed on the Lord. But when one gives with one eye and with seven eyes looks to see what one will get in return, then that heart is filled with envy, and the eye has power to call forth uncleanness even in the pure. Certainly there is a power in this world which by its words turns good into evil, and there is also a power above which turns the evil into good; that power is Love which covers a multitude of sins."
He continued, "Love does not seek its own, for there are no mine and yours in Love. The individual has the right to do so as he pleases with this contentious and yet legally entitled mine; and if he seeks his own in no other way than that which Justice allows, Justice has nothing with which to reproach him and has no right to upbraid him for anything. When Hate dwells in the heart, then sin lies at man's door, and its manifold desires exist in him; but when Love dwells in the heart, then sin flees away, and he sees it no more. Then, when disputes, malice, wrath, quarrels, dissensions, factions fill the heart, one then need to go far in order to discover the multitudinousness of sin. But when joy, long-suffering, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance dwell in the heart, a man, even if he were surrounded by a multitude of sins, remains an alien, a stranger, who understand only a very little about the customs of the country, even if these were explained to him. Justice is identified by its giving each his own, just as it also in turn claims its own. This means that justice pleads the cause of its own, divides and assigns, determines what each can lawfully call its own, judges and punishes if anyone refuses to make any distinction between mine and yours. As soon as someone is defrauded of his own, or as soon as someone defrauds another of his own, Justice intervenes, because it safeguards the common security in which everyone has his own. If the distinction between mine and yours is not achieve by its own, then confusion intrudes and a change is produced. Justice tries in vain to secure for each person his own; it cannot keep the balance and a revolution, war, earthquake, or so much terrible misfortune comes at stake. Yet does not Love in a certain sense, even in the most blissful way, produce the same confusion? But Love is the greatest of all, yet also the happiest. Love is a change, the most remarkable of all. Someone who is gripped by Love is changed or becomes changed. Love is the most blessed of all!"
Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (May 5, 1813-November 11, 1855) was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and religious author who is widely consider to be the first existentialist philosopher, though he did not use the term existentialism. He proposed that each individual -not society or religion- is solely responsible for giving meaning to life and living it passionately and sincerely, or authentically.
Existentialism is a term applied to the work that despite profound doctrinal differences, shares the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject -the acting, feeling, and living. Freedom is the predominant value, and authenticity its primary virtue. The individual starting point is characterized by a sense of disorientation, confusion, or dread in the face of an apparently meaningless or absurd world. The trend became popular in the years following World War II, and strongly influenced many disciplines besides philosophy, including theology, drama, art, literature, and psychology.
One of Kierkegaard's recurrent themes is the importance of subjectivity, which has to do with the way people relate themselves to (objective) truths. While objective facts are important, there is a second and more crucial element of truth, which involves how one relates oneself to those matters of fact. Since how one acts is more important than any matter of fact, truth is to be found in subjectivity rather than objectivity.
Kierkegaard recognizes and accepts the notion of alienation (feeling of separation from, discontent with, society; feeling of a moral breakdown in society; feeling of powerlessness in the face of the solidity of social institutions; impersonal, dehumanized nature of large-scale and bureaucratic social organizations), although he phrases it and understand it in his own distinctly original terms. For him, the present age is a reflective age -one that values objectivity and thought over action, lip-service to ideals rather than action, discussion over action, publicity and advertising over reality, and fantasy over the real world. The meaning of values has been removed from life by lack of finding any true and legitimate authority. Self-aware humans must confront an existential uncertainty. Humanity has lost meaning because the accepted criterion of reality and truth is ambiguous and subjective thought -that which cannot be proven with logic, historical research, or scientific analysis. Humans are not motivated and do not find meaning in life through pure objectivity. Instead, they find it through passion, desire, and moral commitment, something that come about through a direct relationship (rather than analysis) between one and the external world. This relationship is a way of looking at one's life that evades objective scrutiny. Individuals need to gain their souls from the world because it actually belongs to God. Kierkegaard concern is about the inner fight for faith.
He said, "Abraham had to leave his ancestral home and emigrate to an alien nation, where nothing reminded him of what he loved -indeed, sometimes it is no doubt a consolation that nothing calls to mind what one wishes to forget, but it is a bitter consolation for the person who is full of longing."
Kierkegard was discussing about the Christian who wants to be a Christian living in a world that has abandoned Christianity. A world where all individuals are forced to take an "image" of the positive part in Christian Democracy and in a non-Christian Democracy where none are allowed to take an active part in Christianity.
Kierkegard put it this way, "Getting the majority vote on one's side transforming one's God-relationship into a speculative enterprise on the basis of probability and partnership and fellow share-holders is the first step toward becoming objective." "The love which covers multitude of sins is never deceived. When the heart is filled with love, the eye has the power to foster the good in the unclean and is never deceived; for love when it gives, does not scrutinize the gift, and this eye does not see the evil but the pure and encourages the pureness of heart by loving it, this eye is fixed on the Lord. But when one gives with one eye and with seven eyes looks to see what one will get in return, then that heart is filled with envy, and the eye has power to call forth uncleanness even in the pure. Certainly there is a power in this world which by its words turns good into evil, and there is also a power above which turns the evil into good; that power is Love which covers a multitude of sins."
He continued, "Love does not seek its own, for there are no mine and yours in Love. The individual has the right to do so as he pleases with this contentious and yet legally entitled mine; and if he seeks his own in no other way than that which Justice allows, Justice has nothing with which to reproach him and has no right to upbraid him for anything. When Hate dwells in the heart, then sin lies at man's door, and its manifold desires exist in him; but when Love dwells in the heart, then sin flees away, and he sees it no more. Then, when disputes, malice, wrath, quarrels, dissensions, factions fill the heart, one then need to go far in order to discover the multitudinousness of sin. But when joy, long-suffering, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance dwell in the heart, a man, even if he were surrounded by a multitude of sins, remains an alien, a stranger, who understand only a very little about the customs of the country, even if these were explained to him. Justice is identified by its giving each his own, just as it also in turn claims its own. This means that justice pleads the cause of its own, divides and assigns, determines what each can lawfully call its own, judges and punishes if anyone refuses to make any distinction between mine and yours. As soon as someone is defrauded of his own, or as soon as someone defrauds another of his own, Justice intervenes, because it safeguards the common security in which everyone has his own. If the distinction between mine and yours is not achieve by its own, then confusion intrudes and a change is produced. Justice tries in vain to secure for each person his own; it cannot keep the balance and a revolution, war, earthquake, or so much terrible misfortune comes at stake. Yet does not Love in a certain sense, even in the most blissful way, produce the same confusion? But Love is the greatest of all, yet also the happiest. Love is a change, the most remarkable of all. Someone who is gripped by Love is changed or becomes changed. Love is the most blessed of all!"
Saturday, 29 April 2017
PERUN, A POWERFUL FORCE.
Perun, in Slavic mythology, is the highest god of the pantheon and the god of thunder and lightning. His other attributes were fire, wind, the oak, iris, eagle, firmament (in Indo-European languages, Perun was joined with the notion of "the sky of stone") horses and carts, weapons (the hammer, axe [Perun's axe], and arrow), and war.
Of all historic records describing Slavic gods, those mentioning Perun are the most numerous. In their mytho;ogy, much like in Norse and baltic mythologies, the World is represented by a sacred tree, usually an oak, whose branches and trunk represented the living World of Heavens and Mortals, while its roots represented the Underworld, the realm of the dead. Perun was the ruler of the living world, sky and earth, and his power was often symbolized by an eagle sitting on the top of the tallest branch of the sacred tree, from which he kept watch over the entire world.
Procopious of Caesarea (500-554CE), a prominent scholar from the Byzantine province Palaestina Prima (from 390 to 7th century), wrote about Perun in his Secret History writings. A note describing the beliefs of a certain South Slavic tribes states they "acknowledged that one god of the sky, creator of lightning, and the only lord of all; to him do they sacrifice an ox and all sacrificial animals." While the god is not mentioned explicitly by name, 20th century researchers established beyond their doubt that the name of the god of thunder and lightning in Slavic mythology was Perun. Procopius received a conventional elite education in Greek classical at the famous School of Gaza, and became a barrister or advocate in his late years. He knew Latin, as was natural for a man with legal training. In 527 CE, the 1st year of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian's reign, he became the legal advisor for Belisarius, Justinian's chief military commander who was then beginning a brilliant career. Procopius was with Belisarius on the eastern front until the military chief was defeated at the Battle of Callinicum in 531CE that took place on Easter Saturday, between the armies of the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanid Persians under Azarethes, the commander of the Persian army in Mesopotamia. Procopious called him an "exceptionally able warrior."In the ensuing battle, the Byzantines suffered a heavy defeat, but the Persian losses too were so high that the Persian king Kavadh (488-531CE) was so displeased with the chief and relieved him of his command.
Procopious, in his history of Kievan Rus, a loose federation of East Slavic tribes in Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th CE, relates that in the year 6,415 (907CE) prince Oleg made a peace treaty with the Bizantine Empire and by taking his men to the shrines and swearing by their weapons and by their god Perun, and by Volos, the god of cattle, they confirmed the treaty. The Byzantines attempted to poison Oleg, but the leader demonstrated his supernatural powers by refusing to drink the cup of poisoned wine. Having fixed his shield to the Gate of the Byzantine capital city, Constantinople, because of its great wealth, he won the favorable treaty, which eventually worked as of great benefit to both nations. The text of the treaty survived in the Chronicle. Oleg then is known as the Prophet, an epithet alluded to the sacred meaning of his name. It was prophesied by the mystical powers of the priest-soothsayer that Oleg would take death from his stallion. To defy the prophecies, Oleg sent the horse away. Many years later Oleg asked where his horse was, and was told it had died. Oleg asked to see the remains and was taken to the place where the bones lay. When he touched the horse's skull with his boot a snake slithered from the skull and bit him. Oleg died, thus fulfilling the prophecy. The same form of confirmation of a peace treaty was made by prince Igor in 945CE.
In 980CE, when prince Vladimir the Great came to the throne in Kiev, he erected statues of 5 of his gods, in front of his palace, being Perun the chief among them and the god was represented with a silver head and a golden moustache, which he thereafter discarded after his Christianization in 988CE.
The Greeks and East Slavs named the Vikings, who between the 9th and 11th CE ruled Kievan Rus, Varangians. They settled among many Rivers in territories of present Ukraine, Bielarus, and Russia, forming the Byzantine Varangian Guard. A group of Varangians known as the Rus then settled in Novgorod in 862CE under the leadership of Rurik. Rurik's relative Oleg conquered Kiev in 882CE and established the Kievan Rus, which was later ruled by Rurik's descendants. Engaging in trade, piracy, and mercenary activities, the Vikings roamed the River systems and controlled the Volga trade route between them and the Arabs, connecting the Baltic to the Caspian Sea, and the Dnieper and Dniester trade route between the Vikings and the Greeks, leading to the Black Sea and Constantinople. Those were the important trade links in everything, starting with religion, connecting Medieval Europe with wealthy and developed Arab Caliphates and the Byzantine Empire. Most of the silver coinage in the West came from the East via those routes.
Vladimir's uncle Dobrinja also had a shrine of Perun established in his city of Novgorod. Yaroslav the Wise was the city vice-regent at the time of his father's death in 1015CE. Subsequently, his eldest brother killed 3 of his other brothers for the sake of power. Yaroslav, with the active support of the Novgorodians and the help of the Viking mercenaries, defeated his brother and became the Grand prince of Kiev in 1019CE. Under Yaroslav (1010-1019) the codification of legal customs and princely enactments was begun, and this work served as the basis for a law code called "Rus Truth Law," among the Eastern Slavs and granted the city a number of freedoms or priviledges in relation with other princes. During his lengthy reign, Kievan Rus' reached the zenith of its cultural flowering and military power. Novgorod's size as well as its political, economical, and cultural influence made it the 2nd most important city in Kievan Rus.' His son, Vladimir, sponsored the construction of the great Sophia Cathedral, translated more accurately as the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom, which stands to this day. According to a custom, the elder son and heir of the ruling Kievan monarch was sent to rule Novgorod even as a minor. It now connects Moscow and St. Peterborough, and is one of Europe's largest cities.
The name Perun is also commonly found in Sothern Slavic toponomy. The Bulgarian and Macedonian people believe that the name of the Bulgarian mountain Pirin, one of the highest mountains of the Balkan Peninsula, was named after Perun. In medieval times, large oaks (because they attracted the lightning bolts), sacred groves, and entire villages and citadels were named after the power of Perun.
The plant Iris germanica is known as Perun's plant and was believed to grow from the ground that had been struck by lightning. Also the Serbian name Perunicic and the Macedonian name Perunovski are derived from Perun. The Bulgarian people believe that the city name "Pernik" is derived from Perun in his Slavic name form with the Slavic place name suffix -nik, or ik added, and was first mentioned in the 9th century, when it was governed by a local noble named Krakra of Pernik, withstanding Byzantine sieges a number of times.
The same type of prophecy about death of a conqueror who was invested by the power of the sky, was proclaimed about Alexander the Great to his mother at the time of his birth, he would die as soon as he accomplished his mission and return the power to its source to be used by the next conqueror or conquerors, achieving it and then returning it to the source. This cycle was broken when Christianity was born, since Christ came to the World invested with the power by which the World was made and broke the power of the sky, making to all mortals an access to the living power of Heavens that is immortal. The vessels in which our mortal existence is trap need to win the battle from the inside out in order to sustain a new type of living bodies that are able to sustain our eternal existence.
Of all historic records describing Slavic gods, those mentioning Perun are the most numerous. In their mytho;ogy, much like in Norse and baltic mythologies, the World is represented by a sacred tree, usually an oak, whose branches and trunk represented the living World of Heavens and Mortals, while its roots represented the Underworld, the realm of the dead. Perun was the ruler of the living world, sky and earth, and his power was often symbolized by an eagle sitting on the top of the tallest branch of the sacred tree, from which he kept watch over the entire world.
Procopious of Caesarea (500-554CE), a prominent scholar from the Byzantine province Palaestina Prima (from 390 to 7th century), wrote about Perun in his Secret History writings. A note describing the beliefs of a certain South Slavic tribes states they "acknowledged that one god of the sky, creator of lightning, and the only lord of all; to him do they sacrifice an ox and all sacrificial animals." While the god is not mentioned explicitly by name, 20th century researchers established beyond their doubt that the name of the god of thunder and lightning in Slavic mythology was Perun. Procopius received a conventional elite education in Greek classical at the famous School of Gaza, and became a barrister or advocate in his late years. He knew Latin, as was natural for a man with legal training. In 527 CE, the 1st year of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian's reign, he became the legal advisor for Belisarius, Justinian's chief military commander who was then beginning a brilliant career. Procopius was with Belisarius on the eastern front until the military chief was defeated at the Battle of Callinicum in 531CE that took place on Easter Saturday, between the armies of the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanid Persians under Azarethes, the commander of the Persian army in Mesopotamia. Procopious called him an "exceptionally able warrior."In the ensuing battle, the Byzantines suffered a heavy defeat, but the Persian losses too were so high that the Persian king Kavadh (488-531CE) was so displeased with the chief and relieved him of his command.
Procopious, in his history of Kievan Rus, a loose federation of East Slavic tribes in Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th CE, relates that in the year 6,415 (907CE) prince Oleg made a peace treaty with the Bizantine Empire and by taking his men to the shrines and swearing by their weapons and by their god Perun, and by Volos, the god of cattle, they confirmed the treaty. The Byzantines attempted to poison Oleg, but the leader demonstrated his supernatural powers by refusing to drink the cup of poisoned wine. Having fixed his shield to the Gate of the Byzantine capital city, Constantinople, because of its great wealth, he won the favorable treaty, which eventually worked as of great benefit to both nations. The text of the treaty survived in the Chronicle. Oleg then is known as the Prophet, an epithet alluded to the sacred meaning of his name. It was prophesied by the mystical powers of the priest-soothsayer that Oleg would take death from his stallion. To defy the prophecies, Oleg sent the horse away. Many years later Oleg asked where his horse was, and was told it had died. Oleg asked to see the remains and was taken to the place where the bones lay. When he touched the horse's skull with his boot a snake slithered from the skull and bit him. Oleg died, thus fulfilling the prophecy. The same form of confirmation of a peace treaty was made by prince Igor in 945CE.
In 980CE, when prince Vladimir the Great came to the throne in Kiev, he erected statues of 5 of his gods, in front of his palace, being Perun the chief among them and the god was represented with a silver head and a golden moustache, which he thereafter discarded after his Christianization in 988CE.
The Greeks and East Slavs named the Vikings, who between the 9th and 11th CE ruled Kievan Rus, Varangians. They settled among many Rivers in territories of present Ukraine, Bielarus, and Russia, forming the Byzantine Varangian Guard. A group of Varangians known as the Rus then settled in Novgorod in 862CE under the leadership of Rurik. Rurik's relative Oleg conquered Kiev in 882CE and established the Kievan Rus, which was later ruled by Rurik's descendants. Engaging in trade, piracy, and mercenary activities, the Vikings roamed the River systems and controlled the Volga trade route between them and the Arabs, connecting the Baltic to the Caspian Sea, and the Dnieper and Dniester trade route between the Vikings and the Greeks, leading to the Black Sea and Constantinople. Those were the important trade links in everything, starting with religion, connecting Medieval Europe with wealthy and developed Arab Caliphates and the Byzantine Empire. Most of the silver coinage in the West came from the East via those routes.
Vladimir's uncle Dobrinja also had a shrine of Perun established in his city of Novgorod. Yaroslav the Wise was the city vice-regent at the time of his father's death in 1015CE. Subsequently, his eldest brother killed 3 of his other brothers for the sake of power. Yaroslav, with the active support of the Novgorodians and the help of the Viking mercenaries, defeated his brother and became the Grand prince of Kiev in 1019CE. Under Yaroslav (1010-1019) the codification of legal customs and princely enactments was begun, and this work served as the basis for a law code called "Rus Truth Law," among the Eastern Slavs and granted the city a number of freedoms or priviledges in relation with other princes. During his lengthy reign, Kievan Rus' reached the zenith of its cultural flowering and military power. Novgorod's size as well as its political, economical, and cultural influence made it the 2nd most important city in Kievan Rus.' His son, Vladimir, sponsored the construction of the great Sophia Cathedral, translated more accurately as the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom, which stands to this day. According to a custom, the elder son and heir of the ruling Kievan monarch was sent to rule Novgorod even as a minor. It now connects Moscow and St. Peterborough, and is one of Europe's largest cities.
The name Perun is also commonly found in Sothern Slavic toponomy. The Bulgarian and Macedonian people believe that the name of the Bulgarian mountain Pirin, one of the highest mountains of the Balkan Peninsula, was named after Perun. In medieval times, large oaks (because they attracted the lightning bolts), sacred groves, and entire villages and citadels were named after the power of Perun.
The plant Iris germanica is known as Perun's plant and was believed to grow from the ground that had been struck by lightning. Also the Serbian name Perunicic and the Macedonian name Perunovski are derived from Perun. The Bulgarian people believe that the city name "Pernik" is derived from Perun in his Slavic name form with the Slavic place name suffix -nik, or ik added, and was first mentioned in the 9th century, when it was governed by a local noble named Krakra of Pernik, withstanding Byzantine sieges a number of times.
The same type of prophecy about death of a conqueror who was invested by the power of the sky, was proclaimed about Alexander the Great to his mother at the time of his birth, he would die as soon as he accomplished his mission and return the power to its source to be used by the next conqueror or conquerors, achieving it and then returning it to the source. This cycle was broken when Christianity was born, since Christ came to the World invested with the power by which the World was made and broke the power of the sky, making to all mortals an access to the living power of Heavens that is immortal. The vessels in which our mortal existence is trap need to win the battle from the inside out in order to sustain a new type of living bodies that are able to sustain our eternal existence.
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