He was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Both parents were of the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah was a priest of the division of Abijah.
Abijah was a priestly descendant of Aaron who in King David's day was recognized as Head of one of the paternal houses of Israel. David diveded the priesthood into 24 divisions, each to serve at the sanctuary for one-week period every 6 months. The paternal House of Abijah was chosen by lot to head the 8th division and thereafter it was known as the "division of Abijah."
A special place for the sons of Aaron began at Mount Sinai and it was at that time that special duties were given to each of the 3 lines of priests, through the 3 sons of Levi: the Gershonites, the Kohathites and the Merarites; but only the sons of Aaron (Aaronic Priests) were permitted to offer animal sacrifices in the Tabernacle or offer incense. Also, only they had access to the Holy and Most Holy place.
Aaron and Moses were sons of Kohath, the 2nd son of Levi, but had special pre-eminence over all others. The sons of Aaron and Moses camped on the East side of the Tabernacle that was the entrance and the most important area. They had front and center prominence.
Numbers 3: "These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar; these are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to minister in the priest's office. But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered unholy fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai; and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father. ... And those to encamp before the Tabernacle on the East, before the Tent of Meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, having charge of the rites within the sanctuary, whatever had to be done for the people of Israel; and ant one else who came near was to be put to death..."
The rebellion of Korah at Sinai was a challenge of the other 2 priests lines against this exclusive right that Aaronites had over them and it cost the their lives: "So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which the men who were burned had offered, and they hammered them out as a plating for the altar, as a reminder to the sons of Israel that no layman who is not of the descendants of Aaron should come near to burn incense before the Lord; so that he will not become like Korah and his company.."Num16.
Moses is called a priest in Psalms 99: "The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!... Mighty King, lover of Justice, You have establish equity; You have executed Justice and Righteousness in Jacob... Moses and Aaron were among His Priests, ... Samuel also was among those who called on His Name. They cried to the Lord, and He answered them. He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept His Testimonies, and the Statutes that He gave them. ... You showed them that You are a Forgiving God, but and Avenger of their wrongdoings..."
High Priests were appointed for life by Moses, but at the time of Jesus, they were appointed annually by the Romans. This is why we have multiple High Priests at the trial of Jesus (Annas and Caiaphas). The priesthood continued down to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD when it became physically extinct.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his Order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the Priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside praying.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Monday, November 21, 2016
RAS AL-AYN, THE REAL SOURCE OF THE CHEBAR RIVER.
The area, in North Eastern Syria, in which the city of Ras Al-Ayn is located has been inhabited since at least 8,000 BC. Today the city is inhabited predominantly by Arabs and Kurds, with a significant number of Syriacs/Assyrians and a smaller number of Armenians and Chechens.
Later Ras Al-Ayn was known as the ancient Aramean city of Sikkan, then as the Roman city of Rhesaina, and then as the Byzantine city of Theodosipolis. The area was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and in medieval times was fiercely embattled between several Muslim dynasties.
The first mention of Ras Al-Ayn is in Akkadian "Res'Ina during the reign of the Assyrian king Adad-Nirari (911-891BC). The Arabic name 'Ras Al-Ayn' derives from the Akkadian and has the same meaning:"Head of the spring." Or, "Hill of the spring,"indication a prominent mountain formation close to a well.
The underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves that form the springs around Ra'Al-Ayn are the main source of water of the Chebar River. Chebar means "strong", "many", "powerful".
In the Scripture, Che'Bar is defined as the River in the "land of the Chaldeans", known as "Babylon".
An artificial but powerful and royal water canal, property of the Assyrian king Nabuchadnezzar, besides whose fertile banks he located a part of the captive Jews and the place from where the prophet Ezekiel received his first prophetic and recorded vision of the Cherubim-Throne, the stunning effect of which lasted 7 days, and of his commissioning as "a watchman ... to the House of Israel, (Ezekiel 1:1-3:23), as well as a number of other similar prophetic oracles (10:15, 20, 22; 43:3).
The exact identification of the River is not possible. Shifting and flooding of the Euphrates River are known to have greatly altered the topography of the area over the centuries.
Ezekiel used the term 'River' in its widest sense to include the numerous Babylonian canals that once intersected the fertile area between the lower courses of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. The reason why they built the numerous canals was as a means of defense in order to contain the destructive waters of the flooding season not only by the excess but also by the depositing layers of soil-ruining salt over the agricultural areas. Many of these canals were broad enough for large sailing vessels, serving thereby to enhance Babylon's already renowned commercial and economic position.
In antiquity the course of the grand canal left the Euphrates North of Sippar and ran South East ca. 300 km / 186 mi through the Nippur Region before rejoining the Euphrates South of ancient Uruk. It is said to have been 15 to 20 ft / 4.6 to 6.1m deep in places, a sufficient depth to make it navigable by certain vessels. Today this artificial watercourse is dry.
The place 'the land of the Chaldeans' was a spot where Babel began. The name 'Babel' in Hebrew is the equivalent of 'Babylon' in Greek. Thus, Chaldea is actually Babylon and Babylon is Babel, the place where Satan collected the fallen people to rebel against God. The very place where Ezekiel saw the visions is the place where Satan instigated the greatest rebellion against God among the fallen people. That was also the place out of which God called Abraham (Genesis 11), and the very place into which the rebellious have fallen. In today Christian World, are most Christians on the right way to the Promised Land or in the land of the Chaldeans? The Book of Ezekiel exactly fits the situation of Christians today.
Chebar is also mentioned in several cuneiform documents of the 5th century BC from Nippur. The document certifies that the area was inhabited by a community of Jews that were exiled or in captivity. Cuneiform tables found from the archives of a Babylonian brokerage firm contains many Jewish names among their lists of clientele.
According to the Scripture the captives of Judah were deported to a place called Tel-Abib which was by the Chebar River (Grand Canal) in the land of the Chaldeans (Babylon). The name means 'Mount of the Deluge' because it was destructively flooded and ruined constantly by the Euphrates River. The prophet Ezekiel was among the first to be taken captive. When Ezekiel saw the visions, he was by a River. The River signifies the power of the enemy to damage God's chosen people.
Today the Chebar River is the satanic tide of the age that carries people away from God to Babylon.
There are two Rivers in the Book of Ezekiel: the Chebar River in chapter one and the River flowing out of the Temple in chapter forty-seven. The Chebar River carries the people away from God, but the River flowing out of the Temple brings people into God's life. These two Rivers are still on earth today. One River is the trend, the course, the tide, of this World, the River of Babylon, the River in the fallen World, which carries people away from God. And the River of the Lord that carries life wherever it comes and goes, the River of the Holy Land. You are free to choose in which River you want your journey in this World.
Later Ras Al-Ayn was known as the ancient Aramean city of Sikkan, then as the Roman city of Rhesaina, and then as the Byzantine city of Theodosipolis. The area was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and in medieval times was fiercely embattled between several Muslim dynasties.
The first mention of Ras Al-Ayn is in Akkadian "Res'Ina during the reign of the Assyrian king Adad-Nirari (911-891BC). The Arabic name 'Ras Al-Ayn' derives from the Akkadian and has the same meaning:"Head of the spring." Or, "Hill of the spring,"indication a prominent mountain formation close to a well.
The underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves that form the springs around Ra'Al-Ayn are the main source of water of the Chebar River. Chebar means "strong", "many", "powerful".
In the Scripture, Che'Bar is defined as the River in the "land of the Chaldeans", known as "Babylon".
An artificial but powerful and royal water canal, property of the Assyrian king Nabuchadnezzar, besides whose fertile banks he located a part of the captive Jews and the place from where the prophet Ezekiel received his first prophetic and recorded vision of the Cherubim-Throne, the stunning effect of which lasted 7 days, and of his commissioning as "a watchman ... to the House of Israel, (Ezekiel 1:1-3:23), as well as a number of other similar prophetic oracles (10:15, 20, 22; 43:3).
The exact identification of the River is not possible. Shifting and flooding of the Euphrates River are known to have greatly altered the topography of the area over the centuries.
Ezekiel used the term 'River' in its widest sense to include the numerous Babylonian canals that once intersected the fertile area between the lower courses of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. The reason why they built the numerous canals was as a means of defense in order to contain the destructive waters of the flooding season not only by the excess but also by the depositing layers of soil-ruining salt over the agricultural areas. Many of these canals were broad enough for large sailing vessels, serving thereby to enhance Babylon's already renowned commercial and economic position.
In antiquity the course of the grand canal left the Euphrates North of Sippar and ran South East ca. 300 km / 186 mi through the Nippur Region before rejoining the Euphrates South of ancient Uruk. It is said to have been 15 to 20 ft / 4.6 to 6.1m deep in places, a sufficient depth to make it navigable by certain vessels. Today this artificial watercourse is dry.
The place 'the land of the Chaldeans' was a spot where Babel began. The name 'Babel' in Hebrew is the equivalent of 'Babylon' in Greek. Thus, Chaldea is actually Babylon and Babylon is Babel, the place where Satan collected the fallen people to rebel against God. The very place where Ezekiel saw the visions is the place where Satan instigated the greatest rebellion against God among the fallen people. That was also the place out of which God called Abraham (Genesis 11), and the very place into which the rebellious have fallen. In today Christian World, are most Christians on the right way to the Promised Land or in the land of the Chaldeans? The Book of Ezekiel exactly fits the situation of Christians today.
Chebar is also mentioned in several cuneiform documents of the 5th century BC from Nippur. The document certifies that the area was inhabited by a community of Jews that were exiled or in captivity. Cuneiform tables found from the archives of a Babylonian brokerage firm contains many Jewish names among their lists of clientele.
According to the Scripture the captives of Judah were deported to a place called Tel-Abib which was by the Chebar River (Grand Canal) in the land of the Chaldeans (Babylon). The name means 'Mount of the Deluge' because it was destructively flooded and ruined constantly by the Euphrates River. The prophet Ezekiel was among the first to be taken captive. When Ezekiel saw the visions, he was by a River. The River signifies the power of the enemy to damage God's chosen people.
Today the Chebar River is the satanic tide of the age that carries people away from God to Babylon.
There are two Rivers in the Book of Ezekiel: the Chebar River in chapter one and the River flowing out of the Temple in chapter forty-seven. The Chebar River carries the people away from God, but the River flowing out of the Temple brings people into God's life. These two Rivers are still on earth today. One River is the trend, the course, the tide, of this World, the River of Babylon, the River in the fallen World, which carries people away from God. And the River of the Lord that carries life wherever it comes and goes, the River of the Holy Land. You are free to choose in which River you want your journey in this World.
Friday, November 18, 2016
SYRIA AND DAMASCUS, GOD'S CHOSEN PLACES.
Syria is the region bounded on the East by Mesopotamia, on the West by the Lebanon Mountains, on the North by the Taurus Mountains, and on the South by Palestine and the Arabian Desert. This same region is called Aram in the Scripture. This boundaries are only general, since Syrian influence and domination within this area were rather fluid and unstable most of the time.
Syria is considered the cradle of prophets and apostles and most of the prophecies done in their ground were fulfilled.
During the patriarchal times, the Scripture records the concerned Syrian events around Haran involving the lives of Rebekah's family, her father Bethuel, and brother Laban, both being described as Syrians, or literally Arameans (Genesis 25; 28; 31). Because Jacob resided 20 years in this region, and there married Laban's 2 daughters and fathered sons and daughters, and because of the afflictions he experienced in Laban's service, he was later described as "a perishing Syrian." Also Jacob's mother was a Syrian. (Deuteronomy 26; Genesis 31; Hosea 12).
During the period of the Judges when the Israelites fell away from God's worship, the Syrian king Cushan-Rishathaim subjugated them for a period of 8 years (Judges 3;10). On another occasion, Syria's influence proved strong enough to cause Israel to worship her gods along with other of her deities.
From and after the birth of Israel's monarchy, Syria became aggressively active militarily, and throughout the entire history of the Northern Kingdom hostilities between the two prevailed.
Saul went to war with the Syrian kings of Zobah. (1Samuel 14). David, upon becoming king, inflicted heavy loses on the army of the Syrian King Hadadezer. At the same time much gold, silver, and copper were taken and sanctified to God. David also set up garrisons in Damascus and compelled the Syrians to pay tribute. (2Samuel 8; 1Chronicles 18). Later, more than 30,000 Syrian mercenaries that were hired by the Amonites, instead of fighting, took flight before the Israelites. However, after Syrian reinforcements were brought up, a battle with Israel ensued, and the Syrians suffered great losses, causing them to sue for peace. (2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 19).
Syria of the apostolic times meant the Roman province that Pompey annexed to the empire. This province embraced much of the territory of the Old Syria as well as the whole of Palestine. At the time of Jesus' birth it was ruled over by Governor Quirinius, the legate of Emperor Augustus, whose residence was in the capital of the province and third-largest city of the Roman Empire, Antioch, on the Orontes River. (Luke 2).
Jesus restricted His Ministry to Palestine proper, but reports of His Miracles reached out "into all Syria." (Matthew 4). Jesus also gave the greatest sermon in history, the"Sermon on the Mount", on Mount Hermon, in Syria (Matthew 5-7). God spoke on Mount Horeb, Hermon, and Gogotha, in Syria and the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Horeb. Syria also is the cradle of civilizations and Semitic peoples, and their languages.
Syria, in our days is one of the rich countries in the region because of its Petroleum and industries and the country has highly developed in the last two decades. For almost 45 years, the rain was scarce and the dry soil remained barren due to the lack of rain. But now the land has become fertile and people are amazed to see the fresh vegetables and fruits that dress the land after years of drought and scarcity.
The Biblical history and privileges of what God has done through all Syria and to the whole World is remembered throughout the Scripture. Syria was chosen by God, according to His Plan, as the center from where His Word was spread from Antioch to the World, and paved the way of the today Christian Church. In this holy spot God chose the prophets mentioned in the Old Testament, and the Apostles in the New Testament. The Greater and the Minor Syria is mentioned approximately 300 times in the Scripture. Still many cities and towns in Palestine are still called by the same name used during the time of Christ.
The most glorious gift to mankind is the Word of God compelled in the Scripture. The prophets were inspired by the Spirit of God to say and write what God wanted them to write. Christ is the living Word and Jesus is the Revelation of God to mankind. It seems that the Word of God is ignored or disregarded to study in our today lifestyle making many Christians unable to grasp the deep and sacred meaning and amazing history of Syria.
In the Gospel of Luke (chapter 2) it says: "In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman World." This was the first census that took place when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the exact time when this was happening. The time of the birth of Jesus marked the division line in the Scripture between before and after His Time (BC and AD).
Damascus was called "the oasis of the Arab World"and it was and still is a beacon and inspiration to all poets of the East and West. With his glorious history, it is considered the World archaeological museum and the World's oldest living city.
Damascus is now a modern capital like other modern capital cities. Being an historical city it is divided into two parts: the old and the modern. Both have a vivid Arabic character and splendor of its own.
The modern Damascus has grown so much in the surrounding suburbs and neighboring areas, being now named the Greater Damascus in the eyes of the World.
Damascus is mentioned about 60 times in the Scripture and Antioch 20 times. Jerusalem and Damascus are the ancient centers of Bible history and Jerusalem the center of the World in Prophecies. When the Christians in Jerusalem were scattered because of the persecution following the stoning of Stephen, some of them carried the Good News to Syria's capital, Antioch. First the Israelites there heard the message, and later those of other national groups. Barnabas and Paul were both instrumental in building up the congregation of Antioch. It was first in this Syrian city where "the disciples were by divine providence called 'Christians'". (Acts11; Galatians 1).
Syria is considered the cradle of prophets and apostles and most of the prophecies done in their ground were fulfilled.
During the patriarchal times, the Scripture records the concerned Syrian events around Haran involving the lives of Rebekah's family, her father Bethuel, and brother Laban, both being described as Syrians, or literally Arameans (Genesis 25; 28; 31). Because Jacob resided 20 years in this region, and there married Laban's 2 daughters and fathered sons and daughters, and because of the afflictions he experienced in Laban's service, he was later described as "a perishing Syrian." Also Jacob's mother was a Syrian. (Deuteronomy 26; Genesis 31; Hosea 12).
During the period of the Judges when the Israelites fell away from God's worship, the Syrian king Cushan-Rishathaim subjugated them for a period of 8 years (Judges 3;10). On another occasion, Syria's influence proved strong enough to cause Israel to worship her gods along with other of her deities.
From and after the birth of Israel's monarchy, Syria became aggressively active militarily, and throughout the entire history of the Northern Kingdom hostilities between the two prevailed.
Saul went to war with the Syrian kings of Zobah. (1Samuel 14). David, upon becoming king, inflicted heavy loses on the army of the Syrian King Hadadezer. At the same time much gold, silver, and copper were taken and sanctified to God. David also set up garrisons in Damascus and compelled the Syrians to pay tribute. (2Samuel 8; 1Chronicles 18). Later, more than 30,000 Syrian mercenaries that were hired by the Amonites, instead of fighting, took flight before the Israelites. However, after Syrian reinforcements were brought up, a battle with Israel ensued, and the Syrians suffered great losses, causing them to sue for peace. (2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 19).
Syria of the apostolic times meant the Roman province that Pompey annexed to the empire. This province embraced much of the territory of the Old Syria as well as the whole of Palestine. At the time of Jesus' birth it was ruled over by Governor Quirinius, the legate of Emperor Augustus, whose residence was in the capital of the province and third-largest city of the Roman Empire, Antioch, on the Orontes River. (Luke 2).
Jesus restricted His Ministry to Palestine proper, but reports of His Miracles reached out "into all Syria." (Matthew 4). Jesus also gave the greatest sermon in history, the"Sermon on the Mount", on Mount Hermon, in Syria (Matthew 5-7). God spoke on Mount Horeb, Hermon, and Gogotha, in Syria and the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Horeb. Syria also is the cradle of civilizations and Semitic peoples, and their languages.
Syria, in our days is one of the rich countries in the region because of its Petroleum and industries and the country has highly developed in the last two decades. For almost 45 years, the rain was scarce and the dry soil remained barren due to the lack of rain. But now the land has become fertile and people are amazed to see the fresh vegetables and fruits that dress the land after years of drought and scarcity.
The Biblical history and privileges of what God has done through all Syria and to the whole World is remembered throughout the Scripture. Syria was chosen by God, according to His Plan, as the center from where His Word was spread from Antioch to the World, and paved the way of the today Christian Church. In this holy spot God chose the prophets mentioned in the Old Testament, and the Apostles in the New Testament. The Greater and the Minor Syria is mentioned approximately 300 times in the Scripture. Still many cities and towns in Palestine are still called by the same name used during the time of Christ.
The most glorious gift to mankind is the Word of God compelled in the Scripture. The prophets were inspired by the Spirit of God to say and write what God wanted them to write. Christ is the living Word and Jesus is the Revelation of God to mankind. It seems that the Word of God is ignored or disregarded to study in our today lifestyle making many Christians unable to grasp the deep and sacred meaning and amazing history of Syria.
In the Gospel of Luke (chapter 2) it says: "In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman World." This was the first census that took place when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the exact time when this was happening. The time of the birth of Jesus marked the division line in the Scripture between before and after His Time (BC and AD).
Damascus was called "the oasis of the Arab World"and it was and still is a beacon and inspiration to all poets of the East and West. With his glorious history, it is considered the World archaeological museum and the World's oldest living city.
Damascus is now a modern capital like other modern capital cities. Being an historical city it is divided into two parts: the old and the modern. Both have a vivid Arabic character and splendor of its own.
The modern Damascus has grown so much in the surrounding suburbs and neighboring areas, being now named the Greater Damascus in the eyes of the World.
Damascus is mentioned about 60 times in the Scripture and Antioch 20 times. Jerusalem and Damascus are the ancient centers of Bible history and Jerusalem the center of the World in Prophecies. When the Christians in Jerusalem were scattered because of the persecution following the stoning of Stephen, some of them carried the Good News to Syria's capital, Antioch. First the Israelites there heard the message, and later those of other national groups. Barnabas and Paul were both instrumental in building up the congregation of Antioch. It was first in this Syrian city where "the disciples were by divine providence called 'Christians'". (Acts11; Galatians 1).
Sunday, October 16, 2016
ELEMENTAL BEINGS.
An elemental is a mythic being particularly elaborated and described in the 16th century works of Paracelsus, and later his ideas were adopted by the Rosicrucians, and modern theosophists.
The concept of subdivisions and elaborations of nature spirits draws from several much older traditions in mythology and religion. The ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles (490-430BC) was the 1st to propose that the 4 classical elements were sufficient to explain everything in the present world. The philosophy of nature spirits was also familiar to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and certainly Paracelsus.
Paracelsus believed that each of the 4 classical elements -earth, water, air, fire- is inhabited by different categories of elemental spirits that share our world. He described these elementals as the 'invisible, spiritual counterparts of visible Nature, neither divine nor human, but very like to human beings, who existed on a "plane", a world of their own, different from that of humans though occupying the same space, many resembling human beings in shape. They needed to eat, sleep, and wear clothes like humans, but unknown to man because his undeveloped senses were incapable of functioning beyond the limitations of the grosser elements."
The Paracelsian concept prevailed in the Classical world and was highly influential in medieval natural philosophy. The 4 elemental categories corresponded to the classical elements of antiquity: earth (gnomes, pygmy), water (undines, nymph), air (sylph, sylvestris), and fire (salamander, vulcanus). The elements were classed as the fundamental building blocks of nature. Paracelsus stated that each one stays healthy in its particular chaos, as he termed it, but dies in the others.
- Gnome (earth) is a diminutive being that lives underground. The word comes from a Greek name representing literally an 'earth-dweller.' Norse myth provides different mythical origins for the beings. They were associated with earth wisdom, smithing, and crafting. The Poetic Edda poem details that the dwarfs were the product of the primordial blood of the being Brimir and the bones of Ymir. They are similar to maggots that festered in the flesh of Ymir before being gifted with 'reason' by the gods. The Poetic Edda contains over 100 dwarf names, while the Prose Edda gives the 4 dwarfs, North, South, East, West, a cosmological role, holding up the sky.
Paracelso used 'gnome as a synonym of 'pygmaei', describing them as 2 spans (distance measured by a human hand from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger) high, very reluctant to interact with humans, and able to move through solid earth as humans move through air. They were known as 'chthonic, or 'earth-dweller' in ancient myths, often guarding mines and precious underground treasures.
- Undines (unda means 'wave)are beings associated with water. Similar creatures are found in classical literature, particularly Ovid's Metamorphoses. They are almost invariable depicted as females and usually found in forest pools, and waterfalls. The group contained many species, including nereides, limnads, naiades, and mermaids. Although resembling humans in form they lacked a human soul, so to achieve immortality they must acquire one by marrying a human. Such a union is not without risk for the man, because if he is unfaithful he is fated to die. The offspring of the union become human with a soul, but also with some kind of aquatic characteristic, called a watermark.
- Sylph is an invisible being of the air. The word was used as a metaphorical name for an 'echo.' Other use of the word was to describe something 'wild' (sylvestres). Paracelsus said that these elementals were rougher, coarser, taller, and stronger than humans. Because these elementals were able to move through air, sylphs were the closest to humans, while in fire they burn, in water they drown, and in earth, they get stuck.
- Salamander which renew its scaly skin in the fire was suggested by Paracelsus as the elemental of fire, being long, narrow, and lean. He considered them to be not devils but similar to humans.
The salamander is found throughout French folklore, although in differing form. Instead of its fire symbolism, it was attributed a powerful poison. Some legends say that merely by falling into a well, it would poison the water, and by climbing a fruit tree, poison the fruit. Its highly toxic breath was reportedly enough to swell a person until their skin broke. In Auvergne, it supposedly did the same to herds of cattle. The only way to kill one was said to be locking it in a confined space so that it breathed its own poison. The Bretons feared this elementals so much so they did not dare say its real name for fear it would hear and then kill them.
Marco Polo believed that the true salamander was an incombustible substance found in the earth.
In 1670, Comte de Gabalis was prominent in popularizing Paracelsus' theory of elementals. In particular focused on the idea of elemental marriage discussed by Paracelsus. In his book "Count of Kabbalah" explains that members of his order, to which Paracelsus is said to belong, refrain from marriage to human beings in order to retain their freedom to bestow souls upon elementals. He used the terms 'sylph' and 'gnome' to refer to female elementals. Male undines are said to be rare, while female salamanders are rarely seen.
The Rosicrucians claimed to be able to see such elementals spirits. To be admitted to their society, it was previously necessary for the eyes to be purged with the Panacea or 'Universal Medicine,' a legendary substance with curative power. As well, glass gloves would be prepared with one of the 4 elements, and for 1 month exposed to beams of sunlight. With these steps the initiated would see innumerable elemental beings immediately. The beings were said to be longer lived than man but ceased to exist upon death. However, if the elemental were to wed a mortal, they would become immortal in their own planes. One of the conditions of joining the Rosicrucians was a vow of chastity in hopes of marrying an elemental.
In Jainism, an ancient Indian religion, in which the central tenet is non-violence and love towards all living beings, there is a similar concept of the elemental beings within its general cosmology. The motto of its philosophy is "the function of souls is to help one another" and its 3 main principles are non-violence, non-absolutism, non-possessiveness. The word "Jain" derives from the Sanskrit word "Jina" meaning "conqueror." A human being who has conquered all inner passions is called "Jina."
According to Jainism, there are 6 simple substances in existence, namely, Soul, Matter, Time, Space, Dharma and Adharma. Jains maintain that all living beings are really soul, intrinsically perfect and immortal. Souls are said to be imprisoned in the body. In the Paracelsian concept, elementals are conceived more as supernatural humanoid beings which are much like human beings except for lacking souls.
The concept of subdivisions and elaborations of nature spirits draws from several much older traditions in mythology and religion. The ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles (490-430BC) was the 1st to propose that the 4 classical elements were sufficient to explain everything in the present world. The philosophy of nature spirits was also familiar to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and certainly Paracelsus.
Paracelsus believed that each of the 4 classical elements -earth, water, air, fire- is inhabited by different categories of elemental spirits that share our world. He described these elementals as the 'invisible, spiritual counterparts of visible Nature, neither divine nor human, but very like to human beings, who existed on a "plane", a world of their own, different from that of humans though occupying the same space, many resembling human beings in shape. They needed to eat, sleep, and wear clothes like humans, but unknown to man because his undeveloped senses were incapable of functioning beyond the limitations of the grosser elements."
The Paracelsian concept prevailed in the Classical world and was highly influential in medieval natural philosophy. The 4 elemental categories corresponded to the classical elements of antiquity: earth (gnomes, pygmy), water (undines, nymph), air (sylph, sylvestris), and fire (salamander, vulcanus). The elements were classed as the fundamental building blocks of nature. Paracelsus stated that each one stays healthy in its particular chaos, as he termed it, but dies in the others.
- Gnome (earth) is a diminutive being that lives underground. The word comes from a Greek name representing literally an 'earth-dweller.' Norse myth provides different mythical origins for the beings. They were associated with earth wisdom, smithing, and crafting. The Poetic Edda poem details that the dwarfs were the product of the primordial blood of the being Brimir and the bones of Ymir. They are similar to maggots that festered in the flesh of Ymir before being gifted with 'reason' by the gods. The Poetic Edda contains over 100 dwarf names, while the Prose Edda gives the 4 dwarfs, North, South, East, West, a cosmological role, holding up the sky.
Paracelso used 'gnome as a synonym of 'pygmaei', describing them as 2 spans (distance measured by a human hand from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger) high, very reluctant to interact with humans, and able to move through solid earth as humans move through air. They were known as 'chthonic, or 'earth-dweller' in ancient myths, often guarding mines and precious underground treasures.
- Undines (unda means 'wave)are beings associated with water. Similar creatures are found in classical literature, particularly Ovid's Metamorphoses. They are almost invariable depicted as females and usually found in forest pools, and waterfalls. The group contained many species, including nereides, limnads, naiades, and mermaids. Although resembling humans in form they lacked a human soul, so to achieve immortality they must acquire one by marrying a human. Such a union is not without risk for the man, because if he is unfaithful he is fated to die. The offspring of the union become human with a soul, but also with some kind of aquatic characteristic, called a watermark.
- Sylph is an invisible being of the air. The word was used as a metaphorical name for an 'echo.' Other use of the word was to describe something 'wild' (sylvestres). Paracelsus said that these elementals were rougher, coarser, taller, and stronger than humans. Because these elementals were able to move through air, sylphs were the closest to humans, while in fire they burn, in water they drown, and in earth, they get stuck.
- Salamander which renew its scaly skin in the fire was suggested by Paracelsus as the elemental of fire, being long, narrow, and lean. He considered them to be not devils but similar to humans.
The salamander is found throughout French folklore, although in differing form. Instead of its fire symbolism, it was attributed a powerful poison. Some legends say that merely by falling into a well, it would poison the water, and by climbing a fruit tree, poison the fruit. Its highly toxic breath was reportedly enough to swell a person until their skin broke. In Auvergne, it supposedly did the same to herds of cattle. The only way to kill one was said to be locking it in a confined space so that it breathed its own poison. The Bretons feared this elementals so much so they did not dare say its real name for fear it would hear and then kill them.
Marco Polo believed that the true salamander was an incombustible substance found in the earth.
In 1670, Comte de Gabalis was prominent in popularizing Paracelsus' theory of elementals. In particular focused on the idea of elemental marriage discussed by Paracelsus. In his book "Count of Kabbalah" explains that members of his order, to which Paracelsus is said to belong, refrain from marriage to human beings in order to retain their freedom to bestow souls upon elementals. He used the terms 'sylph' and 'gnome' to refer to female elementals. Male undines are said to be rare, while female salamanders are rarely seen.
The Rosicrucians claimed to be able to see such elementals spirits. To be admitted to their society, it was previously necessary for the eyes to be purged with the Panacea or 'Universal Medicine,' a legendary substance with curative power. As well, glass gloves would be prepared with one of the 4 elements, and for 1 month exposed to beams of sunlight. With these steps the initiated would see innumerable elemental beings immediately. The beings were said to be longer lived than man but ceased to exist upon death. However, if the elemental were to wed a mortal, they would become immortal in their own planes. One of the conditions of joining the Rosicrucians was a vow of chastity in hopes of marrying an elemental.
In Jainism, an ancient Indian religion, in which the central tenet is non-violence and love towards all living beings, there is a similar concept of the elemental beings within its general cosmology. The motto of its philosophy is "the function of souls is to help one another" and its 3 main principles are non-violence, non-absolutism, non-possessiveness. The word "Jain" derives from the Sanskrit word "Jina" meaning "conqueror." A human being who has conquered all inner passions is called "Jina."
According to Jainism, there are 6 simple substances in existence, namely, Soul, Matter, Time, Space, Dharma and Adharma. Jains maintain that all living beings are really soul, intrinsically perfect and immortal. Souls are said to be imprisoned in the body. In the Paracelsian concept, elementals are conceived more as supernatural humanoid beings which are much like human beings except for lacking souls.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
HYPNOSIS, AN THE UNSEEN WORLD.
Hypnosis is a tool that allows us to explore the unused potential of our minds to accomplish the goals we desire. Not all medical experts of Hypnosis would agree that Hypnosis is a state of increased suggestibility during which ideas and instructions become readily acceptable to the subconscious mind.
Hypnosis can eradicate and replace long-established habits and attitudes that the patient wishes to change.
Although modern scientific and medical hypno-therapy is 2 or 3 centuries old, Hypnotism itself dates back for millennia. Although no named as such, some elements of Hypnosis are indistinguishable from certain trancelike states induced during ancient religious ceremonies involving rhythmic drumming, chanting, or deep meditation.
Hypnosis has been used in United States since the mid- 1800s, and was the subject of deep studies to many psychologists of the time like Sigmund Freud, Pierre Janet, and Alfred Binet among others.
The origin of hypnosis are inseparable from the history of the ancient cultures, including the Sumerian, Persian, Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman. All of them used Hypnosis in some form.
The Sumerian practiced Hynosis 4000 years before the Time of Christ, as described on cuneiform tablets. The 'priest of Erech' had a manuscript that proved that 'cures had been achieved' through Hypnotic therapy. The practice 3 levels or grades of Hypnotherapy: Light, Medium, and Deep.
In Egypt, the 'Ebers papyrus,' found through excavations in their sacred places, shows methods of Hypnosis that were used as a therapy tool. Priests were regarded as doctors in ancient Egypt, and they used the 'Power of Suggestion.' Patients would stare at metal discs, which created a 'fatigue' that would cause them to fall into a hypnotic sleep. This technique came to be known as 'fixation' and is commonly used in Hypnosis today.
In Greece, the individuals affected by some sort of unknown frequencies in their brains, went to sleep temples that were used as healing places, to restore the brain health or other maladies. The patients followed special diets, took special baths, and participated in special cleansing rituals. The priest told them about cures that helped others in their condition, which encouraged them mentally and stimulated their expectations for the same healing to occur with them.
In ancient Rome, doctors served as middlemen between the gods and the ill. Certain philosophers also began to use the 'power of suggestion' that was used by physicians.
In India, the Sanskrit book known as 'the Law of Manu,' the ancient science of India, defines 3 different levels of Hypnosis as the sleep-waking, dream-sleep, and ecstacy-sleep states.
Many of the healing techniques documented in the Old Testaments in the Scripture have been linked to hypnosis. In pre-Christian times, the Jews used professional exorcists. These practices are described as what we know today as Hypnosis.
In the 2nd century BC, a poet named Porphyrus reported an argument between 2 students, Plotinus and Olympius, over the beliefs of their masters regarding Hypnosis. To settle the disagreement, Olympius challenged Plotinus to prove his gift in the 'art of hypnosis.' People gathered around and watched attentively. Plotinus stared at Olympius for a few minutes, in an intimidating way, and called out (using the minds of the audience as a resonance and at the same time unifying the thought), 'Behold, his body shrivels like a purse!' Olympus, receiving the suggestion mentally, felt a great pain shoot through his body, and agreed that the mental strength and the power of suggestion of Plotinus was far superior to his own.
- Paracelsus (1493-1541), famous for saying, "the deciding factor in a cure is the Inner Doctor," was an alchemist, a doctor of medicine, and possibly a time traveller as well. He discovered the usefulness of mercury as a mean of allaying and ameliorating some of the symptoms of syphilis, and his innovative medical skills included stroking a patient's body with a natural magnet - a lodestone. This technique have been closely allied to an early form of proto-hypnosis, in which healing suggestions accompanied the moving magnet. He was at risk of being executed because of the various treatment methods he used, being Hypnosis one of them, were considered satanic.
- Valentine Greatrakes, known as 'the great Irish stroker', continued with Paracelsus' magnet techniques. He actually worked with Robert Boyle (1627-1691), who carefully noted Greatrakes's method of magnetic stroking. The technique consisted of drawing the pain from the afflicted part towards the end of the limb and then out of the body altogether.
- Maximilian Hell (1720-1792) was an astronomer and Jesuit priest who achieved cures through the use of magnets. Maximilian's healing methods consisted of applying magnetized steel plates to the patient's images of diseased organs or places where pain existed in the body, and 60% to 80% improvement were obtained in his patients' physical condition.
- Johann Joseph Gassner (1727-1779) was a Catholic priest at Klosterle and later at Pondorf, now part of Winklarn in Bavaria. He firmly believed that illness was caused by demons and evil spirits. Working as an exorcist, he cured patients by a process that involved driving out the evil spirits responsible for their illnesses.
- Friedrick Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) studied Hypnotism under Father Maximilian Hell, who despite his unusual surname, was a Jesuit. Mesmer believed that he could cure sick people by magnetizing their fluids. This was achieved by passing a hand along the length of the patient's body, from the top of the head to the soles of the feet. This would cause a convulsive effect, and the patient would then fall into a deep sleep. In 1774 , Mesmer gave one of his patients a dose of 'medicine' that contained a significant quantity of iron. He then ran magnets over her body, and the patient described her strange feelings. She said it was as if tides, or streams, of fluid energy were running through her body and she reported that she felt much better for several hours afterwards. Memer was not convinced that the magnets were solely responsible for her improvement. He developed a theory of 'animal magnetism' that involved healing power flowing from him to the patient. Louis XVI commissioned the 'Royal Academy of Sciences' to examine Mesmer's doctrines. He was discredited, ridiculed, and called a quack by the 'commission.' The patients' convulsions were considered 'immoral', despite the healing impact afterward. Mesmer died discouraged and in poverty.
- James Braid (1795-1860), and English ophthalmologist, observed experiments conducted by the magnetist, LaFontaine. He studied these experiments to disprove the ancient theory of Hypnosis that dealt with the view and behavior of the unseen world. After practicing the techniques on his wife, friend, and servant, however, he was able to make them fall asleep by staring at the button on the tip of his nose.
- Sigmund Freud confirmed the occurrence of Hypnosis, but was unable to perform it successfully on his clients and therefore discourage the use of it.
- Emile Coue developed the doctrine of self-hypnosis or auto-suggestion. He believed any individual can be a powerful hypnosis-therapist. He also proposed 3 laws of hypnosis-therapy: concentrated attention's law, the dominant effect's law, the dominant action's law.
- Jean Martin Charcot (1825-1893) was a neurologist who worked with many illnesses. He used a 'shock technique' to startle groups of people and cause them to fall into a hypnotic state.
- I.P. Pavlov believed that Hypnosis and the 'power of suggestion' are phenomena that are inherent in daily life.
The British Medical Association 'approved the study of hypnosis' in medical schools and postgraduate curricula, and 'approved its use' for psychiatric and surgical purposes.
The American Medical Association followed suit and integrated hypnosis into its curricula.
Doctors in World Wars I and II used Hypnosis to treat neuroses. During the Korean War, hypno-therapy and psychology became connected together.
Hypnosis can eradicate and replace long-established habits and attitudes that the patient wishes to change.
Although modern scientific and medical hypno-therapy is 2 or 3 centuries old, Hypnotism itself dates back for millennia. Although no named as such, some elements of Hypnosis are indistinguishable from certain trancelike states induced during ancient religious ceremonies involving rhythmic drumming, chanting, or deep meditation.
Hypnosis has been used in United States since the mid- 1800s, and was the subject of deep studies to many psychologists of the time like Sigmund Freud, Pierre Janet, and Alfred Binet among others.
The origin of hypnosis are inseparable from the history of the ancient cultures, including the Sumerian, Persian, Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman. All of them used Hypnosis in some form.
The Sumerian practiced Hynosis 4000 years before the Time of Christ, as described on cuneiform tablets. The 'priest of Erech' had a manuscript that proved that 'cures had been achieved' through Hypnotic therapy. The practice 3 levels or grades of Hypnotherapy: Light, Medium, and Deep.
In Egypt, the 'Ebers papyrus,' found through excavations in their sacred places, shows methods of Hypnosis that were used as a therapy tool. Priests were regarded as doctors in ancient Egypt, and they used the 'Power of Suggestion.' Patients would stare at metal discs, which created a 'fatigue' that would cause them to fall into a hypnotic sleep. This technique came to be known as 'fixation' and is commonly used in Hypnosis today.
In Greece, the individuals affected by some sort of unknown frequencies in their brains, went to sleep temples that were used as healing places, to restore the brain health or other maladies. The patients followed special diets, took special baths, and participated in special cleansing rituals. The priest told them about cures that helped others in their condition, which encouraged them mentally and stimulated their expectations for the same healing to occur with them.
In ancient Rome, doctors served as middlemen between the gods and the ill. Certain philosophers also began to use the 'power of suggestion' that was used by physicians.
In India, the Sanskrit book known as 'the Law of Manu,' the ancient science of India, defines 3 different levels of Hypnosis as the sleep-waking, dream-sleep, and ecstacy-sleep states.
Many of the healing techniques documented in the Old Testaments in the Scripture have been linked to hypnosis. In pre-Christian times, the Jews used professional exorcists. These practices are described as what we know today as Hypnosis.
In the 2nd century BC, a poet named Porphyrus reported an argument between 2 students, Plotinus and Olympius, over the beliefs of their masters regarding Hypnosis. To settle the disagreement, Olympius challenged Plotinus to prove his gift in the 'art of hypnosis.' People gathered around and watched attentively. Plotinus stared at Olympius for a few minutes, in an intimidating way, and called out (using the minds of the audience as a resonance and at the same time unifying the thought), 'Behold, his body shrivels like a purse!' Olympus, receiving the suggestion mentally, felt a great pain shoot through his body, and agreed that the mental strength and the power of suggestion of Plotinus was far superior to his own.
- Paracelsus (1493-1541), famous for saying, "the deciding factor in a cure is the Inner Doctor," was an alchemist, a doctor of medicine, and possibly a time traveller as well. He discovered the usefulness of mercury as a mean of allaying and ameliorating some of the symptoms of syphilis, and his innovative medical skills included stroking a patient's body with a natural magnet - a lodestone. This technique have been closely allied to an early form of proto-hypnosis, in which healing suggestions accompanied the moving magnet. He was at risk of being executed because of the various treatment methods he used, being Hypnosis one of them, were considered satanic.
- Valentine Greatrakes, known as 'the great Irish stroker', continued with Paracelsus' magnet techniques. He actually worked with Robert Boyle (1627-1691), who carefully noted Greatrakes's method of magnetic stroking. The technique consisted of drawing the pain from the afflicted part towards the end of the limb and then out of the body altogether.
- Maximilian Hell (1720-1792) was an astronomer and Jesuit priest who achieved cures through the use of magnets. Maximilian's healing methods consisted of applying magnetized steel plates to the patient's images of diseased organs or places where pain existed in the body, and 60% to 80% improvement were obtained in his patients' physical condition.
- Johann Joseph Gassner (1727-1779) was a Catholic priest at Klosterle and later at Pondorf, now part of Winklarn in Bavaria. He firmly believed that illness was caused by demons and evil spirits. Working as an exorcist, he cured patients by a process that involved driving out the evil spirits responsible for their illnesses.
- Friedrick Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) studied Hypnotism under Father Maximilian Hell, who despite his unusual surname, was a Jesuit. Mesmer believed that he could cure sick people by magnetizing their fluids. This was achieved by passing a hand along the length of the patient's body, from the top of the head to the soles of the feet. This would cause a convulsive effect, and the patient would then fall into a deep sleep. In 1774 , Mesmer gave one of his patients a dose of 'medicine' that contained a significant quantity of iron. He then ran magnets over her body, and the patient described her strange feelings. She said it was as if tides, or streams, of fluid energy were running through her body and she reported that she felt much better for several hours afterwards. Memer was not convinced that the magnets were solely responsible for her improvement. He developed a theory of 'animal magnetism' that involved healing power flowing from him to the patient. Louis XVI commissioned the 'Royal Academy of Sciences' to examine Mesmer's doctrines. He was discredited, ridiculed, and called a quack by the 'commission.' The patients' convulsions were considered 'immoral', despite the healing impact afterward. Mesmer died discouraged and in poverty.
- James Braid (1795-1860), and English ophthalmologist, observed experiments conducted by the magnetist, LaFontaine. He studied these experiments to disprove the ancient theory of Hypnosis that dealt with the view and behavior of the unseen world. After practicing the techniques on his wife, friend, and servant, however, he was able to make them fall asleep by staring at the button on the tip of his nose.
- Sigmund Freud confirmed the occurrence of Hypnosis, but was unable to perform it successfully on his clients and therefore discourage the use of it.
- Emile Coue developed the doctrine of self-hypnosis or auto-suggestion. He believed any individual can be a powerful hypnosis-therapist. He also proposed 3 laws of hypnosis-therapy: concentrated attention's law, the dominant effect's law, the dominant action's law.
- Jean Martin Charcot (1825-1893) was a neurologist who worked with many illnesses. He used a 'shock technique' to startle groups of people and cause them to fall into a hypnotic state.
- I.P. Pavlov believed that Hypnosis and the 'power of suggestion' are phenomena that are inherent in daily life.
The British Medical Association 'approved the study of hypnosis' in medical schools and postgraduate curricula, and 'approved its use' for psychiatric and surgical purposes.
The American Medical Association followed suit and integrated hypnosis into its curricula.
Doctors in World Wars I and II used Hypnosis to treat neuroses. During the Korean War, hypno-therapy and psychology became connected together.
Friday, September 9, 2016
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS.
The seven deadly sins in their current form are not found in the Bible, however there are biblical antecedents. One such antecedent is found in the Book of Proverbs, chapter 6, among the verses traditionally associated with King Solomon, it states: "There are '6 things' which the Lord hates, '7' which are an abomination to him: - Haughty eyes, - a lying tongue, - and hands that shed innocent blood, - a heart that devises wicked plans, - feet that make haste to run to evil, - a false witness who breathes out lies, - and a man who sows discord among brothers."
Another list, given by the Epistle to the Galatians, chapter 5, includes more of the traditional 7 sins:
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the Flesh, for the desires of the Flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the Flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. ... Now the works of the Flesh are plain: -fornication, -impurity, -licentiousness, -idolatry, -sorcery, -enmity, -strife, -jealousy, -anger, -selfishness, -dissension, -party spirit, -envy, -drunkenness, -carousing, -and the like. ... But the fruit of the Spirit is -love, joy, -peace, -patience, -kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law."
Still another list of things that God hates comes from Revelation, chapter 21. This list has 8 items, and includes 7 sins listed previously which states: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
There are 7 deadly sins in the first part of Dante's Divine Comedy (Dante's Hell). The story begins with the narrator, who is the poet himself, being lost in a dark wood where he is attacked by 3 beasts which he cannot escape. He is rescued by the Roman poet Virgil who is sent by Beatrice (Dantes ideal woman). Together, they begin the journey into the underworld or the 9th Circles of Hell.
Ranked in order, the 7 deadly sins are:
-Lust (Fornication), unlawful sexual desire, such as desiring sex with a person outside marriage. Dante's definition was 'excessive love of others,' and this reduced the love that a person could give God. Lust is placed in the 2nd circle of Hell, by Dante, where the punished souls, are blown around by a strong wind, without the hope of ever resting. This is because lust is so powerful, that it can blow one around without need or aim.
-Gluttony, wasting of food, either through eating too much food, drink or drugs, misplaced desire for food for its taste, or not giving food to the needy. 'Excessive love of pleasure' was Dante's definition. It is placed in the 3rd circle of Hell, by Dante, where the souls are forced to lie in a kind of slush, made by freezing rain, black snow, and hail. This used to symbolized what they made with their life.
-Greed (Covetousness, Avarice), greed is when somebody wants more things than the person needs or can use. Dante wrote that greed is too much 'love of money and power.' They are in the 4th circle. There, they are boiled in hot oil, it is the best oil that money can buy, but it is still pretty hot and they are turned into gold.
-Sloth, as a laziness, idleness and wastefulness of time that a person has. Laziness is hated because others have to work harder. Delay what God wants a person to do or not doing it at all. Makes the life of that person harder, because useful work does not get done. Like gluttony, it is a sin of waste, for it wastes time. Sloth is considered a state of equilibrium -one does not produce much, but one does not need much either. In Dante's theology, sloth is the 'failure to love God with all one's heart, all one's mind, and all one's soul.' They are in the 5th circle, where they are thrown into a snake pit where the indolent will have to move around to get the snakes off them eternally.
-Wrath (Anger, Hate) defined as an inappropriate (not right) feelings of hatred, revenge, or even denial, as well as punitive desires outside of justice. Dante's description was 'love of justice perverted to revenge and spite.' They are in the 5th circle as well. It is a combined circle of sloth and wrath. Their limbs are ripped apart, because the furious use their arms and/or legs in their act of violence.
-Envy (Jealousy) defined as hating other people for what they have. Dante wrote that envy is 'love of one's own good perverted to a desire to deprive other men of theirs.' In other words, thinking that the person himself should have more, even if it means someone else will have less because of him.
-Pride (Vanity) defined as the desire to be important or attractive to others or excessive love of self. Dante's definition was 'love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbor.'
Some of this sins are connected. For example, 'pride' (love of self out of proportion) is needed for gluttony (the over-consumption or waste of food), as well as 'sloth', 'envy', and most of the others. Each of these sins is a way of not loving God and not loving others as much as oneself.
In philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, there is a desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. For example, in the Aristotelian view, 'courage' is a virtue, but if taken to excess would manifest in recklessness, and, in deficiency, turn to cowardice.
The opposite of these 7 deadly sins are the 7 virtues: -chastity, -moderation, -charity, -zeal, -meekness, -generosity, and -humility, in corresponding order.
THE 7 SPIRITS OF THE 7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION.
In Revelation, in the vision of John, on the Greek Island of Patmos, Jesus Christ instructs his servant, to "write on a scroll what you see and send it to the 7 churches of Asia Minor: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.
The purpose of the letters is to communicate with them and meet their needs revealing 7 different types of individuals in the form of churches throughout history and instruct them in God's Truth.
Each of the 7 churches describes issues that fit Christ's Church in any time in its history.
- Ephesus: the church that had forsaken its first love.
He speaks of the 7 stars and 7 lamp-stands. The lamp-stands symbolize the expectation that each of the 7 individuals have as a bright and shining light. The seven stars symbolize the 7 Guardian Spirits. Jesus emphasizes that he holds these stars in his right hand and they are secure in Him as well as dependent on Him.
Soul's Insight: "I know your deeds, hard work, and perseverance. You have not grown weary. I know what you are doing, and you are doing it well (and I know what you are refusing, and that you are right in your refusal). "
- Smyrma: the church that suffer persecution.
Jesus is the first and the last, the one who died and came to life again. He is the alpha and omega and everything in between. Jesus lives in the power of endless life.
Soul's Insight: "I know your afflictions and poverty, and yet you are rich. I know the challenging circumstances under which you live, and are destitute in material things, but are strong in faith and rich in spirit. Be encouraged."
- Pergamum: the church that needed to repent.
Jesus has the sharp, double-edged sword. He is in the position of authority and power and when he wields authority, it is a blessing for those who follow and a condemnation for those who do not.
Criticism: "Yet I hold this against you, 'You have held to teachings of traitors, ate food sacrificed to idols, committed sexual impurity, etc. You are leading (encouraging even) people away from the teachings from Jesus and moving people toward idolatry -putting created things before the creator (to be interested more in the temporal than in the spiritual). This leads to immoral behavior.' "
Soul's Insight: "I know where you live, where Satan has his throne, and you remain true to My Name."
- Thyatira: the church that have a false prophetess.
Jesus is one whose eyes are like blazing fire and his feet are like burnished bronze. He has penetrating insight and wisdom in all things. He is also swift to move and in action, and will perform quickly to do what needs to be done.
- Sardis: the church that have fallen asleep.
Jesus holds the 7 Spirits of God, the 7 stars, and the 7-fold Spirit of God. He holds those in leadership in his hands, and also provides the 7-fold Graces of the Spirit.
- Philadelphia: the church that endures patiently.
Jesus is the one who is Holy and True, who holds the key of David. What He opens, no one can shut; what He shuts, no one can open.
- Laodicea: the church with the lukewarm faith.
Jesus is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. Jesus is the exclamation of what God is saying. He is faithful to all God is, totally true, and is the ruler of all God's creation. He has glorious authority.
Criticism: "Yet I hold this against you, 'You have such an exaggerated opinion of your importance and effectiveness, that it has become misleading. You are not even close to being the church that you think you are.' "
The letters follow identical formats, and each letter has 7 sections: 1) Greetings, 2) Descriptive title for Jesus, 3) Insights into the personal life, 4) Constructive criticisms, 5) Warnings and instructions, 6) Final exhortations, 7) Promises and assurances.
Jesus promises that, for those who overcome, there are untold blessings to come, and Jesus assures the individual, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Anyone who hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in, I will eat with him and they with me."
The purpose of the letters is to communicate with them and meet their needs revealing 7 different types of individuals in the form of churches throughout history and instruct them in God's Truth.
Each of the 7 churches describes issues that fit Christ's Church in any time in its history.
- Ephesus: the church that had forsaken its first love.
He speaks of the 7 stars and 7 lamp-stands. The lamp-stands symbolize the expectation that each of the 7 individuals have as a bright and shining light. The seven stars symbolize the 7 Guardian Spirits. Jesus emphasizes that he holds these stars in his right hand and they are secure in Him as well as dependent on Him.
Soul's Insight: "I know your deeds, hard work, and perseverance. You have not grown weary. I know what you are doing, and you are doing it well (and I know what you are refusing, and that you are right in your refusal). "
- Smyrma: the church that suffer persecution.
Jesus is the first and the last, the one who died and came to life again. He is the alpha and omega and everything in between. Jesus lives in the power of endless life.
Soul's Insight: "I know your afflictions and poverty, and yet you are rich. I know the challenging circumstances under which you live, and are destitute in material things, but are strong in faith and rich in spirit. Be encouraged."
- Pergamum: the church that needed to repent.
Jesus has the sharp, double-edged sword. He is in the position of authority and power and when he wields authority, it is a blessing for those who follow and a condemnation for those who do not.
Criticism: "Yet I hold this against you, 'You have held to teachings of traitors, ate food sacrificed to idols, committed sexual impurity, etc. You are leading (encouraging even) people away from the teachings from Jesus and moving people toward idolatry -putting created things before the creator (to be interested more in the temporal than in the spiritual). This leads to immoral behavior.' "
Soul's Insight: "I know where you live, where Satan has his throne, and you remain true to My Name."
- Thyatira: the church that have a false prophetess.
Jesus is one whose eyes are like blazing fire and his feet are like burnished bronze. He has penetrating insight and wisdom in all things. He is also swift to move and in action, and will perform quickly to do what needs to be done.
- Sardis: the church that have fallen asleep.
Jesus holds the 7 Spirits of God, the 7 stars, and the 7-fold Spirit of God. He holds those in leadership in his hands, and also provides the 7-fold Graces of the Spirit.
- Philadelphia: the church that endures patiently.
Jesus is the one who is Holy and True, who holds the key of David. What He opens, no one can shut; what He shuts, no one can open.
- Laodicea: the church with the lukewarm faith.
Jesus is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. Jesus is the exclamation of what God is saying. He is faithful to all God is, totally true, and is the ruler of all God's creation. He has glorious authority.
Criticism: "Yet I hold this against you, 'You have such an exaggerated opinion of your importance and effectiveness, that it has become misleading. You are not even close to being the church that you think you are.' "
The letters follow identical formats, and each letter has 7 sections: 1) Greetings, 2) Descriptive title for Jesus, 3) Insights into the personal life, 4) Constructive criticisms, 5) Warnings and instructions, 6) Final exhortations, 7) Promises and assurances.
Jesus promises that, for those who overcome, there are untold blessings to come, and Jesus assures the individual, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Anyone who hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in, I will eat with him and they with me."
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