Questions:
Here are some contrasts that I see between the natural types and the spiritual antitypes. Please let me know what your thoughts are.
The Passing of the Law in History showing in Christ - Externally Done Away in the Past FOR ALL.. or Internally Done Away in Christ FOR SOME :
"Old & New Jerusalem" - External, Historical Cities showing the Internal Condition of the Heart (Bondage/Free)
Aion = "Age to Come" - External Material Age for All showing Internal Kingdom "Without End" for Redeemed
Eretz = World/ Land - External Geographic Locale (Planet or Palestine) showing Internal Locale (The Kingdom Within)
"End of the Age" - External Destruction of the Mosaic Law "in AD70" showing Internal Overthrow of Old Things (2 Cor. 5:17)
The "New Heavens and Earth" - External Material World for All showing Internal Spiritual Renewal for Redeemed
"The Parousia of Christ" - An External, Historical Event "in AD70" showing Internal, Spiritual Presence of the Word
"At Hand" - External Historical Proximity showing Internal Spatial Proximity
Mystery Babylon - External Material City showing Internal Spirit of Antichrist
"The Temple" / Mt. Zion - External Center of Worship in Building showing the Internal Center of Worship in the Heart
"the Death", "the Sin" & "the Devil" - Externally Defeated For All "in AD70" showing Internal Spiritual Defeat on Behalf of Redeemed
"The Millennium" - External, Historical Epoch for All (AD30-70) showing Internal Era of transition for Redeemed
"Day of the Lord" - A Single Temporal, Historical Period of Judgment showing the Never-Ending Spiritual Judgment Seat of Christ
"The Return of High Priest" - Externally to those alive "in AD70" showing Internally to Each as Kingdom Comes to Them
"The Resurrection" - An Historical Event "in AD70" showing Internal, Spiritual Awakening in Christ
"The House of Israel" / Tabernacle of David - The External, Historical Nation Which Ceased "in AD70" showing Internal, Spiritual Nation of Redeemed
"The Gentiles" - The External, Not Racially Jewish, Nations showing Internal "Children of Disobedience" of all Races/Nations
Answer:
Thank you for your questions. Sorry for such a lengthy delay in answering you. I had been exceedingly busy and finding it hard to keep up the pace.
Many of your questions center on AD 70 when the Romans came against Jerusalem and destroyed it. These questions I cannot answer as there is no biblical record of that historical event and really no Biblical record of any other chronological historical event. For example, the seven days of creation is not a chronological event. The scriptures do not deal with historical chronology. That was not their forte. They use multiple types to explain what is best described as an abstract noun – a description of the quality of characteristics in life.
The writers delineated history to show the spiritual application with qualities being best described as abstract nouns. The Jerusalem that the Romans destroyed had rejected the antitypical lamb. Jerusalem had long abnegated the Oracles of God. The tenets of Judaism were literalised by the Pharisees and implemented by the Sadducees, persecuting the Messianic Body. The significance of the tenets had lapsed. They were described as having become diverse and stranged doctrines. The writers to the Hebrews said, “Be not carried about with divers and strong doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” Heb. 13:9.
It is difficult to grasp that qualities are expressed by abstract nouns, that Biblical history is not chronological history. Antitypes using types point always to the elevated. Later the types recur, and again these qualities are abstract, perceived and just as real as former applications. These applications are seen working towards archetypes.
The Hebraic writings are directed at the height, breadth and, depth of the Spirit. The world that came to an end in the scriptural picture in the days of the Messianic Body was the world of the tenets of Judaism. The keeping of the Levitical laws, “a figure for the time then present” could not “save” anyone. The keeping of the strict laws and rituals disabled the creative element of society.
The form of spiritual antitypes are abstract but very real, they are genuine qualities of character. You see, spiritual things are intangible, you cannot put your finger on them literally. It is up to you to enliven them. The biblical writers did not pin any of their tutorial to a single historical chronological event, and each event pictured, portrayed the spiritual, through time – ever present. It can therefore be said that chronological history pertains to the flesh, and it is also very real in each age.
The narratives spelling out the success of transcendence and the downfall of mediocrity fill the pages of the Bible. An important point is that the Hebraic scripture is based on the days of the Jewish sacred year and do not align with the calendars. The Hebraic scripture pointed to the divine being played out alongside the secular. It is important to keep this methodology in mind when following the pathway bequeathed to us. Scriptural writers appealed to all sides of society as they sought genuine improvement.
For example, the Book of Daniel is full of numbers of days. They are all based on sanctuary or ceremonial in the sacred year over a seven-year-period. Many have erroneously calculated these days and endeavored to terminate them on a current calendar or an historical record. This is to miss the point.
Spiritual things are spiritually discerned – see 1 Cor. 2:14. And what are spiritual things you may well ask? It is a question each of us individually must strive to answer. It is like trying to interpret the statement, “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fufil the lust of the flesh…” see Gal. 5:13-26. Here you see liberty versus license, reflective of duality in the great controversy. Rom. 8 is an excellent chapter on the Spirit and the flesh and is a good starting point.
A very brief answer to some of your questions:
Babylon - confusion and error – the Babylonians were idolatrous, today idolatry is literalism.
Temple - a pattern. Exd. 25:40 – we are the true Temple. 1 Cor. 3:16.
Millennium – one day is as thousand years. Ps. 90:4 and 2 Pet. 3:8
Lords day - Spiritual Pentecost in N.T. - day of new meat offering of O.T. – see Lev. 23: 15, 16 – 50th day after Passover.
Day of the Lord - see Rev, 1:10, 16:4 and 18:8.
High Priest – Christ Melchisedec high priest (spiritual of course) today – not Levitical now = Christ = King of righteousness, King of peace – see Heb. 6:19 and 7:1-3.
Gentiles and Jews today with circumcised heart are the spiritual Jew - see Rom. 2:28, 29, Gal. 5:13 and Eph. 2.
Do trust these few thoughts may help you.
Jean
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
1335 Days of Daniel 12:12
Question from the paper “Abomination of Desolation”:
According to this interpretation of the 1290 days, what would be the significance of the 45 days after when the 1335 days are accomplished and those who have waited are blessed?
Answer:
“Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five days.” Dan. 12:12
This period of 1335 days gives an overall picture of the Hebrews’ struggle to obtain a peaceful happy land. Spiritually, it is a pattern for all generations.
The story starts in Egypt whilst in bondage. Preparing for the Exodus the congregation of Israel were to select the paschal lamb on 10/1 Abib, and keep it until 14/1 then kill it in the evening, now 15/1. See Exd. 12:1-7. This was the beginning of Passover, and eating of unleavened bread, and was introduced into the sanctuary service. The sacred year continued for 6 months ending on 15/7 Tishri, Feast of Tabernacles. 180 days each year for 7 years = 1260 days.
When starting to total a lengthy period of struggle with the ups and downs, and many graphic illustrations, the five days of keeping the paschal lamb is added, thus 1260 + 5 = 1265 days.
However, there is more, for this did not bring the desired freedom and happiness in pre-exilic days. Not until Judas Maccabeus’ victory over Antiochus Epiphanes in post-exilic days did this eventuate. The temple was then restored and the ceremonial services renewed. This celebration is called the Feast of Dedication on 25/9 Casleu. 2 Macc. 10:5 – an additional 70 days. The Kingdom of the Jews had the contented, liberated life they had sought for many years. See Macc. 14:8-13.
These days add up 1335:
1. 10/1 – 15/1 - choosing the Paschal lamb until it was killed = 5 days
2. 15/1 to 15/7 - 180 days X 7 half-years (over a seven year period = 1260 days
3. 15/7 to 25/9 = 70 days
As mentioned in the paper, “Abomination of Desolation”, Jereboam’s celebration of idolatry was 30 days after the Feast of Tabernacles then it was 40 days to the Feast of Dedication.
John 10:22 refers to the Feast of Dedication, “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of dedication, and it was winter.”
According to this interpretation of the 1290 days, what would be the significance of the 45 days after when the 1335 days are accomplished and those who have waited are blessed?
Answer:
“Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five days.” Dan. 12:12
This period of 1335 days gives an overall picture of the Hebrews’ struggle to obtain a peaceful happy land. Spiritually, it is a pattern for all generations.
The story starts in Egypt whilst in bondage. Preparing for the Exodus the congregation of Israel were to select the paschal lamb on 10/1 Abib, and keep it until 14/1 then kill it in the evening, now 15/1. See Exd. 12:1-7. This was the beginning of Passover, and eating of unleavened bread, and was introduced into the sanctuary service. The sacred year continued for 6 months ending on 15/7 Tishri, Feast of Tabernacles. 180 days each year for 7 years = 1260 days.
When starting to total a lengthy period of struggle with the ups and downs, and many graphic illustrations, the five days of keeping the paschal lamb is added, thus 1260 + 5 = 1265 days.
However, there is more, for this did not bring the desired freedom and happiness in pre-exilic days. Not until Judas Maccabeus’ victory over Antiochus Epiphanes in post-exilic days did this eventuate. The temple was then restored and the ceremonial services renewed. This celebration is called the Feast of Dedication on 25/9 Casleu. 2 Macc. 10:5 – an additional 70 days. The Kingdom of the Jews had the contented, liberated life they had sought for many years. See Macc. 14:8-13.
These days add up 1335:
1. 10/1 – 15/1 - choosing the Paschal lamb until it was killed = 5 days
2. 15/1 to 15/7 - 180 days X 7 half-years (over a seven year period = 1260 days
3. 15/7 to 25/9 = 70 days
As mentioned in the paper, “Abomination of Desolation”, Jereboam’s celebration of idolatry was 30 days after the Feast of Tabernacles then it was 40 days to the Feast of Dedication.
John 10:22 refers to the Feast of Dedication, “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of dedication, and it was winter.”
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Genesis’ Creation of Seven Days Reproduced in the Seven Heavenly Angels’ Messages of Revelation
Genesis’ Creation of Seven Days Reproduced in the Seven Heavenly Angels’ Messages of Revelation
Please view at:
www.myspace.com/jc13579
The paper contains a Table that is not viewable in this Blog's format.
Rgds
Jean
Please view at:
www.myspace.com/jc13579
The paper contains a Table that is not viewable in this Blog's format.
Rgds
Jean
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Beast of Revelation 13:11 Part 2
1. Introduction to the Two Horned Beast of Rev. 13:11
[i]
Covered in the previous paper on the 1st Beast of Rev. 13 the days of Israel and Judah were used in that inscription to describe, or point to, the days of early Christianity. This 2nd Beast of Revelation takes the reign of the Kingdom of the Jews when the Pharisees and Sadducees ruled to show there would be a likeness to them in the latter days of the Christian Era. The two together, taken from Scripture only, enable us to begin to envisage the early and latter days of the Christian Era, as seen by these early inscribers.
Hence the 2nd Beast of Revelation will now consider Old Testament-come-New Testament illustrations during the time already mentioned above, when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to power in the Jewish Kingdom.
Firstly, a brief overall summary:-
Early Israel and Judah worshipped literal idols. This practice ended with Babylonian captivity.
The Kingdom of the Jews worshipped Judaism – making the literal exactions of the temple service their god. In Scriptural writings, Judaism crumbled when the Pharisees and Sadducees persucuted the Messianic Body, personified as Jesus the Christ and not in A.D. 70 when the Romans conquered a lost Jerusalem.
In this era (present tense) to the spiritual Jew, with circumcised heart, doctrine and dogma have continued to be worshipped. How this might end will, be judged in another paper.
It is during the time of the Kingdom of the Jews that the point of refraction occurs. The direction of light in the O.T. writings changes from a wide form (type), then converges and directly centres on the spiritual (antitype) in the Gospels. Once antitypes are later seen as objects hence becoming archetypes, the emanating light diverges and can ultimately reach a more global spiritual dimension.
2. Reflecting upon the First Beast of Rev. 13
The beasts of Daniel 7 represented kings and kingdoms of the ancient days of Israel. Daniel’s vision vividly told of a people ever backslidding into apostasy. It was written prophetically, taken from O.T. Bible-history, specifying a recurrence of like-circumstances. The wisdom of the writers (Daniel, God is judge) understood the compounding factors.
The first beast of Rev. 13 was written as a symbol for early Christianity, as a new Israel struggled for establishment.
Revelation notes a lack of knowledge (darkness) soon permeated the new landscape, as no one could open the little book, see Rev. 5:1-4. Thankfully, a message from the throne of heaven revealed that the Lion of the tribe of Judah (now the Comforter) would open the book.
Alas came reformation, as a man on a white horse. He had a bow (the new covenant), wore a crown (nobility of character) and went forth conquering and to conquer. Sadly the light faded, people clung to their idols. Respect for enthusiasm and understanding was lost.
3. The Beast of Rev. 13:11
The revelators, represented as a fugitive of Patmos, saw another beast make an image to the first beast and his infamy.
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon”
Following Judas Maccabeus’ victory over Antiochus Ephiphanes the Kingdom of the Jews became a well established entity. A prosperous, happy peaceful kingdom arose. Simon, brother of Judas, reigned in quiet days, his authority and honour pleased them well. They did till the ground in peace…ancient men sat all in the streets communing together…Simon provided victuals for the cities…made peace – every man sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them. See 1 Macc.14:4-12. Isa, 65:20-23 and Zech. 8:4-6 all describe the same time of peace and happiness.
Following these days the Pharisees emerged as the party of the synagogue. With strict adherence to ancient laws they demanded the people live “righteously” – forgetting those in need. The Sadducees also appeared representing the wealthy. They were a political party, and bought the position of high priest, controlling the priesthood. The church, a ritual law, conjoined with state, a civic law. A pious power was in the service of a secular authority. Beware grave danger in such a union. Things began to change. The two horns had met fulfillment as ruling powers. The horns were consistent with the horns on the beast in Daniel 7, - rulers.
The Sadducees
The Saducees ridiculed a spiritual life and did not believe in resurrection. There were seven brothers, one married and died having no children. The next brother married his wife and he died. This happened to all seven. Last of all the woman died. The petulant Sadducees using a trick question asked, “In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven?’ Jesus spiritually answered, “In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels (messengers) of God in heaven (elevated).” See Matt. 22.25-30. “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” This story indicates a coming friction – the power of the dragon.
The Pharisees
Similarly Matt. 22 using dialogue, shows a major schism developing. The Pharisees taking over the questioning asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self.” The Pharisees demanded ritual exactions. Jesus said, “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
In Matt. 23 begins the tyraid against the traditional dragonic Pharisees:- “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses seat, whatsoever they bid you observe, they say and do not, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, they lay them on men’s shoulders, all their works they do to be seen of men, they make broad their phylateries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, they love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Ye devour widows houses, for a pretence make long prayer, ye fools and blind, etc,etc,etc. For more read Matt. 23.
The final straw
As the story goes, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead many Jews had seen the things Jesus had done. Some told the Pharisees, “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? For this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nations.” Caiaphas, the high priest said, “ye know nothing at all.” “And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest he prophesied (exercised his prophetic office) that Jesus should die for that nation. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.” See John 11:47-53.
The dragon had spoken.
The abomination of desolation now stood in the holy place. This is mentioned in Matt. 24:15. Flee into the mountains for safety when you see this imposition. Rev. 18:4 in a different illustration writes to the spiritual Jews in captivity, “Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins…”
This scene may have several compounds. It is important, not to forget, it may also compact.
The two horned beast
Yes, this two horned beast exercised all the power of the first beast, that in type looked like Solomon, and when most depraved, behaved as evil Jehoachin. This beast caused the earth, where the good seed had been sown, to worship the first beast. See Rev, 13:12.
And of the image beast it was said in Rev. 13:13,14 “and he doeth great wonders, miracles.” This is referring to the practice of self-opinionated predicting, including like practices foretelling lengthy prophetic periods of great literal events, that never evenuate. This duplicity can appear so accurate, miraculously hoped for. Many have thought, at times, that such speculation was wonderful, marvelous, even supernatural. But the God of Scripture writings is not a magician.
Statements in O.T. pertaining to sanctuary and service over a seven-year-period have been stretched into thousands of years, by some. This theory begins in the days of type, structure, form, and ends in antitype, purity, excellence and transcedence. How ridiculous and contrary to a simple principle showing a progression from literal (fundamentalism) to the spiritual (incorporeal).
The practice of divination or great presages was condemned in the very early days, centuries ago. “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder and the sign or wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee saying, Let us go after other gods, (turn to idols - literalism)… thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet…Walk after the Lord your God, and fear, him…” See Deut. 13:1-4. The word “come” is from BOW meaning depart, and “pass” from ABAR meaning, to cross over, fail, perish. Build the habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph. 2:22. There are those today prophesying about times and associating the Beasts with others, always others, never us of course.
The lamb-like beast said that all should make an image to the beast, (first beast) resembling days of Israel and Judah. The first beast had power to give life unto the image of the beast. The Pharisees and Sadducees were now the example of the image beast. In the two-horned beast is seen a mischievious union with godliness being subject to political edicts. Giving life to the image beast, to cause as many as would not conform to him, should be killed – from APOKETEINO, figuratively destroyed or soul destroying. This is an abomination. This is to worship an idol. The combined forces become very domineering, enforcing their rule upon others. They steal away the intrinsic right of liberty of conscience.
Is it evident in the past, that this depraved league, committed such evil? Read the Book of Acts, as it is full of such accounts of persecution. Stephen was stoned, Acts 7:54-60. “Herod (Agrippa) killed James and proceeded to take Peter,” but he was protected. Acts 12:1-3. Regarding the preaching and healing work of Peter and John, “the rules and elders and scribes said…What shall we do with these men?..a notable miracle has been done by them and is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in his name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:5,16-18. Does this ring a bell?
“No man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or name of the beast.” Rev. 13:17.
The Beast with a number
Finally borrowing from O.T. type – Here is wisdom. “Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: (the first beast of Rev.) for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Rev. 13:18. The first beast as already stated “had power to give life unto the image beast,” making them of the same ilk.
Since the dawn of civilization it has been customary to number a person by wealth, possessions, ownership, and income. This commenced with acquisition, the serpent or dragon at the beginning of a great symbolical overview of human behavior. “Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold.” Gen. 13:2. “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job…there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.” Job. 1:1-3.
Today men have a number. Of course you may be worth nothing. On the other hand your number may be a few hundred, thousands, millions, billions. Who was this man numbered six hundred threescore and six? “Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon (the leopard) in one year was six hundred three score and six talents of gold.” 1 Kings 10:14. Solomon also had mighty possessions.
Here is confirmation, absolute confirmation, of Solomon’s (the leopard’s) role in the first beast of Rev. 13. This beast was imaged by the second beast as it described the Pharisees and Sadducees. This is a good example of type defined and imaged in antitype.
4. Conclusion
We see in two parts the beasts of Rev. 13. These beasts are an enlargement of an illustrative scriptural interpretation of the out-stretch of an insidious dictatorial authoritarianism – a great pretense. Beware, the Patmos psyche has warned us using symbols. The two essays on the beasts of Revelation teach us not to start our study from the New Testament and then follow up by going to the Old Testament. It will not work. It cannot work. Start with the Old, a shadow, then proceed to the New, the great illumination.
www.myspace.com/jc13579
http://debunkingchristianitysydney.blogspot.com
Struth the Truth – Reclaiming the Light
[i]
Covered in the previous paper on the 1st Beast of Rev. 13 the days of Israel and Judah were used in that inscription to describe, or point to, the days of early Christianity. This 2nd Beast of Revelation takes the reign of the Kingdom of the Jews when the Pharisees and Sadducees ruled to show there would be a likeness to them in the latter days of the Christian Era. The two together, taken from Scripture only, enable us to begin to envisage the early and latter days of the Christian Era, as seen by these early inscribers.
Hence the 2nd Beast of Revelation will now consider Old Testament-come-New Testament illustrations during the time already mentioned above, when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to power in the Jewish Kingdom.
Firstly, a brief overall summary:-
Early Israel and Judah worshipped literal idols. This practice ended with Babylonian captivity.
The Kingdom of the Jews worshipped Judaism – making the literal exactions of the temple service their god. In Scriptural writings, Judaism crumbled when the Pharisees and Sadducees persucuted the Messianic Body, personified as Jesus the Christ and not in A.D. 70 when the Romans conquered a lost Jerusalem.
In this era (present tense) to the spiritual Jew, with circumcised heart, doctrine and dogma have continued to be worshipped. How this might end will, be judged in another paper.
It is during the time of the Kingdom of the Jews that the point of refraction occurs. The direction of light in the O.T. writings changes from a wide form (type), then converges and directly centres on the spiritual (antitype) in the Gospels. Once antitypes are later seen as objects hence becoming archetypes, the emanating light diverges and can ultimately reach a more global spiritual dimension.
2. Reflecting upon the First Beast of Rev. 13
The beasts of Daniel 7 represented kings and kingdoms of the ancient days of Israel. Daniel’s vision vividly told of a people ever backslidding into apostasy. It was written prophetically, taken from O.T. Bible-history, specifying a recurrence of like-circumstances. The wisdom of the writers (Daniel, God is judge) understood the compounding factors.
The first beast of Rev. 13 was written as a symbol for early Christianity, as a new Israel struggled for establishment.
Revelation notes a lack of knowledge (darkness) soon permeated the new landscape, as no one could open the little book, see Rev. 5:1-4. Thankfully, a message from the throne of heaven revealed that the Lion of the tribe of Judah (now the Comforter) would open the book.
Alas came reformation, as a man on a white horse. He had a bow (the new covenant), wore a crown (nobility of character) and went forth conquering and to conquer. Sadly the light faded, people clung to their idols. Respect for enthusiasm and understanding was lost.
3. The Beast of Rev. 13:11
The revelators, represented as a fugitive of Patmos, saw another beast make an image to the first beast and his infamy.
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon”
Following Judas Maccabeus’ victory over Antiochus Ephiphanes the Kingdom of the Jews became a well established entity. A prosperous, happy peaceful kingdom arose. Simon, brother of Judas, reigned in quiet days, his authority and honour pleased them well. They did till the ground in peace…ancient men sat all in the streets communing together…Simon provided victuals for the cities…made peace – every man sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them. See 1 Macc.14:4-12. Isa, 65:20-23 and Zech. 8:4-6 all describe the same time of peace and happiness.
Following these days the Pharisees emerged as the party of the synagogue. With strict adherence to ancient laws they demanded the people live “righteously” – forgetting those in need. The Sadducees also appeared representing the wealthy. They were a political party, and bought the position of high priest, controlling the priesthood. The church, a ritual law, conjoined with state, a civic law. A pious power was in the service of a secular authority. Beware grave danger in such a union. Things began to change. The two horns had met fulfillment as ruling powers. The horns were consistent with the horns on the beast in Daniel 7, - rulers.
The Sadducees
The Saducees ridiculed a spiritual life and did not believe in resurrection. There were seven brothers, one married and died having no children. The next brother married his wife and he died. This happened to all seven. Last of all the woman died. The petulant Sadducees using a trick question asked, “In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven?’ Jesus spiritually answered, “In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels (messengers) of God in heaven (elevated).” See Matt. 22.25-30. “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” This story indicates a coming friction – the power of the dragon.
The Pharisees
Similarly Matt. 22 using dialogue, shows a major schism developing. The Pharisees taking over the questioning asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self.” The Pharisees demanded ritual exactions. Jesus said, “In vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
In Matt. 23 begins the tyraid against the traditional dragonic Pharisees:- “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses seat, whatsoever they bid you observe, they say and do not, they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, they lay them on men’s shoulders, all their works they do to be seen of men, they make broad their phylateries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, they love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues. Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Ye devour widows houses, for a pretence make long prayer, ye fools and blind, etc,etc,etc. For more read Matt. 23.
The final straw
As the story goes, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead many Jews had seen the things Jesus had done. Some told the Pharisees, “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? For this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nations.” Caiaphas, the high priest said, “ye know nothing at all.” “And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest he prophesied (exercised his prophetic office) that Jesus should die for that nation. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.” See John 11:47-53.
The dragon had spoken.
The abomination of desolation now stood in the holy place. This is mentioned in Matt. 24:15. Flee into the mountains for safety when you see this imposition. Rev. 18:4 in a different illustration writes to the spiritual Jews in captivity, “Come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins…”
This scene may have several compounds. It is important, not to forget, it may also compact.
The two horned beast
Yes, this two horned beast exercised all the power of the first beast, that in type looked like Solomon, and when most depraved, behaved as evil Jehoachin. This beast caused the earth, where the good seed had been sown, to worship the first beast. See Rev, 13:12.
And of the image beast it was said in Rev. 13:13,14 “and he doeth great wonders, miracles.” This is referring to the practice of self-opinionated predicting, including like practices foretelling lengthy prophetic periods of great literal events, that never evenuate. This duplicity can appear so accurate, miraculously hoped for. Many have thought, at times, that such speculation was wonderful, marvelous, even supernatural. But the God of Scripture writings is not a magician.
Statements in O.T. pertaining to sanctuary and service over a seven-year-period have been stretched into thousands of years, by some. This theory begins in the days of type, structure, form, and ends in antitype, purity, excellence and transcedence. How ridiculous and contrary to a simple principle showing a progression from literal (fundamentalism) to the spiritual (incorporeal).
The practice of divination or great presages was condemned in the very early days, centuries ago. “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder and the sign or wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee saying, Let us go after other gods, (turn to idols - literalism)… thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet…Walk after the Lord your God, and fear, him…” See Deut. 13:1-4. The word “come” is from BOW meaning depart, and “pass” from ABAR meaning, to cross over, fail, perish. Build the habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph. 2:22. There are those today prophesying about times and associating the Beasts with others, always others, never us of course.
The lamb-like beast said that all should make an image to the beast, (first beast) resembling days of Israel and Judah. The first beast had power to give life unto the image of the beast. The Pharisees and Sadducees were now the example of the image beast. In the two-horned beast is seen a mischievious union with godliness being subject to political edicts. Giving life to the image beast, to cause as many as would not conform to him, should be killed – from APOKETEINO, figuratively destroyed or soul destroying. This is an abomination. This is to worship an idol. The combined forces become very domineering, enforcing their rule upon others. They steal away the intrinsic right of liberty of conscience.
Is it evident in the past, that this depraved league, committed such evil? Read the Book of Acts, as it is full of such accounts of persecution. Stephen was stoned, Acts 7:54-60. “Herod (Agrippa) killed James and proceeded to take Peter,” but he was protected. Acts 12:1-3. Regarding the preaching and healing work of Peter and John, “the rules and elders and scribes said…What shall we do with these men?..a notable miracle has been done by them and is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in his name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:5,16-18. Does this ring a bell?
“No man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or name of the beast.” Rev. 13:17.
The Beast with a number
Finally borrowing from O.T. type – Here is wisdom. “Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: (the first beast of Rev.) for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Rev. 13:18. The first beast as already stated “had power to give life unto the image beast,” making them of the same ilk.
Since the dawn of civilization it has been customary to number a person by wealth, possessions, ownership, and income. This commenced with acquisition, the serpent or dragon at the beginning of a great symbolical overview of human behavior. “Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold.” Gen. 13:2. “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job…there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.” Job. 1:1-3.
Today men have a number. Of course you may be worth nothing. On the other hand your number may be a few hundred, thousands, millions, billions. Who was this man numbered six hundred threescore and six? “Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon (the leopard) in one year was six hundred three score and six talents of gold.” 1 Kings 10:14. Solomon also had mighty possessions.
Here is confirmation, absolute confirmation, of Solomon’s (the leopard’s) role in the first beast of Rev. 13. This beast was imaged by the second beast as it described the Pharisees and Sadducees. This is a good example of type defined and imaged in antitype.
4. Conclusion
We see in two parts the beasts of Rev. 13. These beasts are an enlargement of an illustrative scriptural interpretation of the out-stretch of an insidious dictatorial authoritarianism – a great pretense. Beware, the Patmos psyche has warned us using symbols. The two essays on the beasts of Revelation teach us not to start our study from the New Testament and then follow up by going to the Old Testament. It will not work. It cannot work. Start with the Old, a shadow, then proceed to the New, the great illumination.
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Struth the Truth – Reclaiming the Light
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The Beast of Revelation 13:1-4 Part 1
1. Introduction to Composite Beast of Rev. 13:1-3
This paper will discover in detail the O.T. types that carry through to match the composite first beast in Rev. 13:1-3. The purpose of the methodology is to understand fully what period of O.T. “history” was referenced. This paper will not make any overall comment on the Book of Revelation, but only concentrate on the original types.
Firstly look at the appearance of the beast with the linkage parts underlined.
Rev. 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev. 13.2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev. 13.3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and the deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast.
O.T. recollected “history” records these particulars of the compositional beast. Once these elements are sufficiently identified the reader can draw the parallel spiritual application revealed in Revelation.
2. Finding the Lion, Bear, and the Leopard of Rev. 13.2 – 1st,2nd, & 3rd Beasts of Dan. 7
Turn now to the Book of Daniel. Daniel has a vision of four beasts: - lion, bear, leopard, and one dreadful and terrible – Dan. 7:3-8. When explaining the interpretation to Daniel, a minister (Dan. 7:10) said, “These great beasts which are four, are four kings which shall arise out of the earth.” Dan. 7:17. Earth in Chaldean is ARA = low and in Hebrew is ERETS = common, country, ground.
So Daniel gives us the hyperlink to four kings. Once we find the four kings mentioned, we will then understand the carriage of these four types through to the Book of Revelation.
Daniel’s vision of four beasts, concisely covers the ancient biblical pictures of Israel’s and Judah’s experiences. Daniel’s profound concern was for the kingdom of Judah now in Babylonian captivity. Judah’s rampant apostasy and merciless ruthlessness, together with idolatry, had brought captivity as a punishment from God, according to the Bible-temple account. Judah was seen to be the Davidian line, and believed that it would be redeemed by a saviour. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Gen. 49:10.
Identification of the Composite First Beast of Rev. 13.2 in Dan. 7
Each of the features must be specifically located to co-incide with one king, – to be perfectly consistent. The words of Dan. 7 are: “and four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.” Now to find these king beasts.
Daniel’s 1st Identification - the Lion King - Saul
We are told “the first was like a lion and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given it.” Dan. 7:4.
The features:
“lion” had “eagles wings” In Proverbs 23:4,5 regarding eagles wings, the writer inscribes, “Labour not to be rich…riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven.” So this king, we need to identify, had riches.
“the wings thereof were plucked” The word plucked is from MERAT and means, peeled, polished (elegant, confident, skilled). Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish…“a mighty man of power” (substance, wealth). And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man and goodly. And there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he.” 1 Samuel 9:1,2.
“lifted up from the earth” and “stand upon the feet as a man” Referencing Daniel, the lion “was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man.” A lion standing upright upon his hind legs would be taller than all men. Saul, “from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” 1 Sam.9:2.
“a man’s heart was given it” “And a man’s heart was given to it” (the lion). Samuel anointed Saul. 1 Sam. 10:1, “And it was so, that when he (Saul) had turned his back to go from Samuel God gave him another heart.” 1 Sam. 10:9.
Now to the next King recorded by Daniel and reflected in Rev. 13.2.
Daniel’s 2nd Identification - the Bear King - David
Consider the second king. “And behold another beast, a second like a bear, and it raised itself on one side (or raised up one dominion, according to the margin) and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it; and they said thus unto it, Arise devour much flesh.” Dan. 7:5.
The features:
“raised up itself on one side” “And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the people Israel’s sake.” 2 Sam. 5:12 and 2 Sam. 7:16.
“three ribs in it’s mouth” David smote Moab but did not destroy them, “the Moabites became David’s servants.” 2 Sam.2:8. The same is said of the Syrians in 2 Sam. 8:6 and the Edomites in 2 Sam. 8:14. The three ribs in the bear’s mouth referred to these three nations. The bear had not devoured these three ribs or peoples.
“devour much flesh” David did devour much flesh in his conquests especially that of Philistia. This is recorded in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings.
It is clearly seen that Daniel’s vision of the bear demonstrated king David.
Daniel’s 3rd Identification – the Leopard King - Solomon
“The third beast was like a leopard which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl.” And wings as already stated indicate wealth. “The beast had also four heads,” illustrating much wisdom as, “the wise man’s eyes are in his head,” Eccl. 2:14 - much perception. So the question is, “who was wealthy, who was wise?”
The features:
“four heads” and “four wings” The Bible tells us, “So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and wisdom.” 1 Kings 10:23. “Hiram king of Tyre said, Blessed be the Lord this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.” 1 Kings 5:7.
This completes the identification of Rev. 13.2 where the composite beast is described “like unto a leopard” (Solomon), “feet of a bear” (David) and “mouth of a “lion” (Saul). There is plenty of scope here to visualize, this multi-faceted beast.
3. Finding the Types for Rev. 13.1 and 13.3 – 4th Beast of Daniel 7
Daniel’s 4th Identification – the Diverse Beast – Israel and Judah
There is no secret that one must start with Dan. 7 to find what the “minister” explained.
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns and behold there came up among them another little horn, before, whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horns were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” Dan. 7:7,8.
The features to find are:
“dreadful and terrible”
Amos 2:6,7,12 regarding the transgressions of Israel and Judah, “They sold the righteous for silver and the poor for a pair of shoes.” Micah 1-3 “O heads of Jacob, and ye princes (QATSIYN = magistrates, leaders, guides and rulers) who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; who also eat the flesh of my people…break their bones…the prophets make my people err, that bite with their teeth and cry, Peace…” Most of the prophetic books have much to say about Israel’s and Judah’s crimes recorded in O.T. history.
“diverse from all beasts that were before”
Daniel writes, “I would know the truth of the fourth beast which was diverse from all the others.” Dan. 7:19. The word diverse is from SHENA and means changed or made different. This change is explained as follows, Daniel was told regarding the four beasts, “These great beasts are four kings which shall arise.” The word king is from MELEK. When Daniel says, “I would know the truth of the fourth beast”…the interpreter says, “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth.” The word “kingdom” is from MALKUW. Note the difference, MELEK refers to “king”, MALKUW refers to kingdom.
The fourth beast was diverse, a non-descript beast consisting of two powers, Israel and Judah. They respectively regressed and were seen to devour the people. Bible “history” relates, that because of Solomon’s idolatry 1 Kings 11:4-11, the kingdom of Israel was divided. The northern kingdom of ten tribes became Israel with Samaria its capital. Jeroboam became king - 1 Kings 12:20. Jeroboam introduced the idolatry that the prophets condemned. Jeroboam made two calves of gold which the people worshipped. (See 1 Kings 12:25-33 and paper “Abomination of Desolation”). The southern kingdom of Judah with the small tribe of Benjamin, had its capital at Jerusalem. Rehoboam, son of Solomon, was their first king.
The fourth beast of the two kingdoms, both displayed the same cruel, ferocious characteristics with an emphasis on Judah following Israel’s demise, when it was assimulated into Assyria. All recorded in the Books of Kings and Chronicles.
“ten horns”
Daniel continued, “I would know the truth…of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and of mouth that spake very great things, and whose look was more stout than this fellows.” Dan. 7:20. The interpreting minister said, “The ten horns…are ten kings,” Dan 7:24. Micah 3:1 called them princes or royals when writing of the ten tribes of Israel. Rev, 13:1 reads “upon his horns ten crowns.” Returning to Dan. 7:24, “the ten horns…are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them…and shall subdue three kings.”
“there came up among them another little horn and there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots”, Dan.7:8.
Around the time the ten horns of Israel were lost to Assyria, Hezekiah became king of Judah. Hezekiah brought about a great reform – opening, restoring and cleansing the temple and its services that his idolatrous father Ahaz had polluted. Hezekiah having completed his cleansing of the temple invited all of Judah and Israel to come to Jerusalem to keep the Passover, 2 Chron. 30:5. Divers = man or mortals, of Asher, Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 2 Chron. 30:10,11. These are the three horns “plucked by the roots.” Their move to Jerusalem was permanent. “Before whom three fell” Dan. 7:20. “Fell” from the word NEPHAL means, was accepted.
With the passing of the reformer, Hezekiah, the panorama changes in this great shadow. The seven last kings of pre-exilic Judah reigned. With the exception of king Josiah, who conducted a partial correction (he repaired the temple) these kings did “evil in the sight of the Lord.” Together with the people they continued to pay homage to idols and the unwritten worship of gods (keep in mind the seven heads of Rev.13:1).. The little horn of Dan, 7:8, after the passing of Hezekiah, will be seen to represent the latter kings of Judah, he “had eyes like the eyes of man.” The word “eyes” from AYIN means outward appearance. A much later writer put this condition thus, “Having a form of goodliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.”
This horn had a mouth speaking great things, Dan. 7:8,20. Great things from the word RABRAB in Chaldean meaning domineering in character. “His look was more stout that his fellows = RAB = more mighty and domineering. See Jer. 23:1-40 for more details about the “great things” he spoke. “woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.” The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. Dan. 7:21. And that is putting it mildly.
The seven last kings of pre-exilic Judah:-
Mannasseh – shed innocent blood in Jerusalem 2 Kings 21:16
Amon – did evil ….2 Chron. 33:22
Josiah – great reformer, but people remained in idolatry 2 Kings 23:4-27 & 2 Chron.34: 22,25.
Jehoahaz – did evil…2 Kings 23:32
Jehoiakim – taxed the people…2 Kings 23:34-37. “They shall not lament him…he shall be buried with the burial of an ass….” Jer. 22:18,19.
Jehioachin – did evil 2 Kings 24:9 - “a despised broken idol…a vessel wherein is no pleasure.” Jer. 22:28-30.
Zedekiah – did evil – rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar with whom he made a covenant, then broke it, and was blindly lead into Babylonian captivity – 2 Kings 24:17.
Daniel chapter seven is a summation of the Bible – temple-history of pre-exilic Israel and Judah. The prophetic books tell us Judah was delivered from Babylonian captivity by a saviour in the form of the Persian king Cyrus, the righteous man from the east - Isa. 41:2, the Lord’s anointed – Isa, 45:1. But that is not the subject of this paper.
The Book of Daniel continued accounts in a latter era of contemporary neighbouring nations of the Kingdom of the Jews. The Greek Selucid king Antiochus Epiphanes, with the help of renegrade Jews, was juxtaposed with ancient Israel and Judah. This showed they were all ferocious and barbaric. They were all in principle of the same ilk. The true king of both apostate Jews and the Selucid soldiers was Antiochus Epiphanes. Rev. 9.11 speaking (antitypically now of course) of the Greek destroyer writes “And they had a king over them which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.”
The Old Testament covered two eras, pre and post exilic, in the days of ancient Israel. In the latter chapters of O.T. the inception of Kingdom of Jews, as an entity appears. The writers of Revelation, in the Christian era, utilized these shadows projecting emblematically their groundwork formulae. They apportioned their description of events to two beasts, only the first being covered in this paper.
4. Now to Parallel Daniel with Revelation
The beast of Rev. 13:1-3 arose out of the sea. This is because in the original type in Dan. 7:3 “four great beasts come out of the sea.” (Seas or waters represent peoples throughout Scripture, but is not documented in this article). Israel arose from a struggling confederacy of tribes to form a nation. Christianity also struggled with small communities. Some Jews realizing that a messianic movement had arisen still clung to the exactions of the sanctuary service, some did not. Gentiles embraced the new-found principles of compassion, charity justice and beneficence. Unfortunately the little groupings, portraying life symbolically, were swallowed up by hierarchical institutions that had great outward appearance of beneficence and piety. In time deep, deep dogma prevailed.
Rev. 13:1-4 includes the dragon and shows a break from beast. Having studied the beasts of Daniel 7, here the first beast of Rev. 13 shall be considered. Revelation looking backwards sees the kings of Israel in opposite order to Daniel who looked forward. Rev. 13:2 “The beast which I saw was like a leopard” (Solomon – Solomon was wealthy and wise), “his feet were as the feet of a bear.” (David - David did cover much ground in his conquests.) “His mouth as the mouth of a lion” (Saul - Saul had many faults, condemned David as he was jealous of him and wanted to kill him.)
Rev. 13:1 repeats the details of the fourth beast in Daniel with added information that is recorded in the books of Kings and Chronicles. This non-descript beast had “seven heads”. By tracing the Old Testament Bible-history, the last seven pre-exilic kings of Judah fit the illustration of idolatry and blasphemy, except Josiah, who did reform in repairing the temple. Regardless of Josiah’s reform the people continued to worship idols. This beast had “ten horns” representing the northern kingdom of Israel consisting of ten tribes. The ten horns have “ten crowns” indicating a time of reigning kings prior to Israel being captured by Assyria. Rev. 13:4 note: “one of the (seven) heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed.”
“Wounded to death” - “wounded” meaning a victim or maimed, and THAHATOS meaning made deadly silent and having no defense, “and his deadly wound was healed”. “Healed” is from THERAPENO meaning, to wait upon menially.
Who was this king? Jehoiachin was the sixth of the seven last kings of Judah before total captivity by Babylon. “At that time Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem…And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes…And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. And Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king.” 2 Kings 24:8-17. What a dint to Jehoiachin’s ego. Jehoiachin’s dignity maimed, deadly silence followed, and there was no possible defense for Judah’s dethroned king.
Jeremiah, meaning God is high, wrote, “this man Coniah (Jehoiachin) a despised person, he is a vessel wherein there is no pleasure, they are cast out, he and his seed, cast into a land which they know not…write this man childless, a man that shall not prosper, no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.” See Jer. 22:24-30.
But regardless of this, “his deadly wound was healed.” “… it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah…that Evilmeridach king of Babylon…lifted up the head of Jeroiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison. And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life…” See Jer. 52:31-34.
“That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.” What a wonderful tutorial is type and antitype, to warn the just and wary!
The Dragon – Rev. 13:2
The dragon gave him (the beast) his power. Now to establish the identity of the dragon in O.T.
The words serpent, whale and dragon ( = NACHASH or = TANNIYM) in the Old Testament are the same as the DRAKON DRAGON = a fabulous kind of serpent, and from OPHIS = a snake, malicious person in the New Testament. Therefore we can refer to the word serpent, whale or dragon in the Old to determine the features of dragon in Rev. 13.2.
Initially, what did the dragon or serpent do? In Genesis the serpent deceived Eve, telling her to eat a forbidden fruit. The serpent said , “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods knowing good from evil.” When Eve saw the tree was good for food, pleasant and a tree to be desired she took of the fruit, and gave also to her husband. See Gen. 3:6. Just as the serpent deceived Eve likewise the dragon deceived the beast. You may discern from Old Testament figures where the serpent or dragon, first seen in the garden of Eden sketch, is lurking today.
This ingenuous allegory is expanded in Gen. 4:1. Eve conceived and bare Cain and said “I have gotten a man from the Lord.” Lord from YEHOVAH meaning, the eternal, the self existent, the beacon. The word Cain means acquisition. I have acquired knowledge of good and evil. So begins the struggle of good versus evil and continues throughout the entire Scriptures. What a curse, when the knowledge of possessions and ownership was born. Ownership makes one very great, very strong. Such a god is superlative, can judge, be mighty powerful and have rule over others for one’s own benefit. Acquisition is the more one could grab, the more control over others one could have. How enchanting and distracting a thought!
The Genesis scene is philosophically the beginning of a have and have-not world - an organized way of life, and society ruled by vehemence, disadvantaging the innate conscience. It heads for disaster. It is called Civilization by Kenneth Clark. Imagine such decadence in the hands of “justice” and “ethics”.
5. In Conclusion
The ancient writers believed the creative element would finally prevail. After disaster, calamity, captivity, would come a merciful deliverer. This is their story, their hope, our hope. Today, of course, deliverance comes not in the form of a person e.g. Hezekiah, Cyrus or Judas Maccabees. These stories are Old Testament-day shadows. Today the liberation of intuition, self-determination and dignity is the coming of understanding principles of genuine charity, mutual community interest and steadfast faithfulness to the pristine psyche. This is the indwelling God of love, this is the action of principle.
This essay has set out to establish in stone the type/antitype principle, layered within the Scriptures. It cuts asunder any exposition not based on type/antitype. No understanding of the N.T. can be acheived without a professional knowledge of the Old. We all learn by simple symbols, we all associate life with symbols. When it comes to symbolism, the ancient writers are the greatest teachers of a philosophy of history. Don’t you think so?
This paper will discover in detail the O.T. types that carry through to match the composite first beast in Rev. 13:1-3. The purpose of the methodology is to understand fully what period of O.T. “history” was referenced. This paper will not make any overall comment on the Book of Revelation, but only concentrate on the original types.
Firstly look at the appearance of the beast with the linkage parts underlined.
Rev. 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev. 13.2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev. 13.3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and the deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast.
O.T. recollected “history” records these particulars of the compositional beast. Once these elements are sufficiently identified the reader can draw the parallel spiritual application revealed in Revelation.
2. Finding the Lion, Bear, and the Leopard of Rev. 13.2 – 1st,2nd, & 3rd Beasts of Dan. 7
Turn now to the Book of Daniel. Daniel has a vision of four beasts: - lion, bear, leopard, and one dreadful and terrible – Dan. 7:3-8. When explaining the interpretation to Daniel, a minister (Dan. 7:10) said, “These great beasts which are four, are four kings which shall arise out of the earth.” Dan. 7:17. Earth in Chaldean is ARA = low and in Hebrew is ERETS = common, country, ground.
So Daniel gives us the hyperlink to four kings. Once we find the four kings mentioned, we will then understand the carriage of these four types through to the Book of Revelation.
Daniel’s vision of four beasts, concisely covers the ancient biblical pictures of Israel’s and Judah’s experiences. Daniel’s profound concern was for the kingdom of Judah now in Babylonian captivity. Judah’s rampant apostasy and merciless ruthlessness, together with idolatry, had brought captivity as a punishment from God, according to the Bible-temple account. Judah was seen to be the Davidian line, and believed that it would be redeemed by a saviour. “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Gen. 49:10.
Identification of the Composite First Beast of Rev. 13.2 in Dan. 7
Each of the features must be specifically located to co-incide with one king, – to be perfectly consistent. The words of Dan. 7 are: “and four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.” Now to find these king beasts.
Daniel’s 1st Identification - the Lion King - Saul
We are told “the first was like a lion and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given it.” Dan. 7:4.
The features:
“lion” had “eagles wings” In Proverbs 23:4,5 regarding eagles wings, the writer inscribes, “Labour not to be rich…riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven.” So this king, we need to identify, had riches.
“the wings thereof were plucked” The word plucked is from MERAT and means, peeled, polished (elegant, confident, skilled). Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish…“a mighty man of power” (substance, wealth). And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man and goodly. And there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he.” 1 Samuel 9:1,2.
“lifted up from the earth” and “stand upon the feet as a man” Referencing Daniel, the lion “was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man.” A lion standing upright upon his hind legs would be taller than all men. Saul, “from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.” 1 Sam.9:2.
“a man’s heart was given it” “And a man’s heart was given to it” (the lion). Samuel anointed Saul. 1 Sam. 10:1, “And it was so, that when he (Saul) had turned his back to go from Samuel God gave him another heart.” 1 Sam. 10:9.
Now to the next King recorded by Daniel and reflected in Rev. 13.2.
Daniel’s 2nd Identification - the Bear King - David
Consider the second king. “And behold another beast, a second like a bear, and it raised itself on one side (or raised up one dominion, according to the margin) and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it; and they said thus unto it, Arise devour much flesh.” Dan. 7:5.
The features:
“raised up itself on one side” “And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the people Israel’s sake.” 2 Sam. 5:12 and 2 Sam. 7:16.
“three ribs in it’s mouth” David smote Moab but did not destroy them, “the Moabites became David’s servants.” 2 Sam.2:8. The same is said of the Syrians in 2 Sam. 8:6 and the Edomites in 2 Sam. 8:14. The three ribs in the bear’s mouth referred to these three nations. The bear had not devoured these three ribs or peoples.
“devour much flesh” David did devour much flesh in his conquests especially that of Philistia. This is recorded in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings.
It is clearly seen that Daniel’s vision of the bear demonstrated king David.
Daniel’s 3rd Identification – the Leopard King - Solomon
“The third beast was like a leopard which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl.” And wings as already stated indicate wealth. “The beast had also four heads,” illustrating much wisdom as, “the wise man’s eyes are in his head,” Eccl. 2:14 - much perception. So the question is, “who was wealthy, who was wise?”
The features:
“four heads” and “four wings” The Bible tells us, “So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and wisdom.” 1 Kings 10:23. “Hiram king of Tyre said, Blessed be the Lord this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.” 1 Kings 5:7.
This completes the identification of Rev. 13.2 where the composite beast is described “like unto a leopard” (Solomon), “feet of a bear” (David) and “mouth of a “lion” (Saul). There is plenty of scope here to visualize, this multi-faceted beast.
3. Finding the Types for Rev. 13.1 and 13.3 – 4th Beast of Daniel 7
Daniel’s 4th Identification – the Diverse Beast – Israel and Judah
There is no secret that one must start with Dan. 7 to find what the “minister” explained.
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns and behold there came up among them another little horn, before, whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horns were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” Dan. 7:7,8.
The features to find are:
“dreadful and terrible”
Amos 2:6,7,12 regarding the transgressions of Israel and Judah, “They sold the righteous for silver and the poor for a pair of shoes.” Micah 1-3 “O heads of Jacob, and ye princes (QATSIYN = magistrates, leaders, guides and rulers) who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; who also eat the flesh of my people…break their bones…the prophets make my people err, that bite with their teeth and cry, Peace…” Most of the prophetic books have much to say about Israel’s and Judah’s crimes recorded in O.T. history.
“diverse from all beasts that were before”
Daniel writes, “I would know the truth of the fourth beast which was diverse from all the others.” Dan. 7:19. The word diverse is from SHENA and means changed or made different. This change is explained as follows, Daniel was told regarding the four beasts, “These great beasts are four kings which shall arise.” The word king is from MELEK. When Daniel says, “I would know the truth of the fourth beast”…the interpreter says, “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth.” The word “kingdom” is from MALKUW. Note the difference, MELEK refers to “king”, MALKUW refers to kingdom.
The fourth beast was diverse, a non-descript beast consisting of two powers, Israel and Judah. They respectively regressed and were seen to devour the people. Bible “history” relates, that because of Solomon’s idolatry 1 Kings 11:4-11, the kingdom of Israel was divided. The northern kingdom of ten tribes became Israel with Samaria its capital. Jeroboam became king - 1 Kings 12:20. Jeroboam introduced the idolatry that the prophets condemned. Jeroboam made two calves of gold which the people worshipped. (See 1 Kings 12:25-33 and paper “Abomination of Desolation”). The southern kingdom of Judah with the small tribe of Benjamin, had its capital at Jerusalem. Rehoboam, son of Solomon, was their first king.
The fourth beast of the two kingdoms, both displayed the same cruel, ferocious characteristics with an emphasis on Judah following Israel’s demise, when it was assimulated into Assyria. All recorded in the Books of Kings and Chronicles.
“ten horns”
Daniel continued, “I would know the truth…of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and of mouth that spake very great things, and whose look was more stout than this fellows.” Dan. 7:20. The interpreting minister said, “The ten horns…are ten kings,” Dan 7:24. Micah 3:1 called them princes or royals when writing of the ten tribes of Israel. Rev, 13:1 reads “upon his horns ten crowns.” Returning to Dan. 7:24, “the ten horns…are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them…and shall subdue three kings.”
“there came up among them another little horn and there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots”, Dan.7:8.
Around the time the ten horns of Israel were lost to Assyria, Hezekiah became king of Judah. Hezekiah brought about a great reform – opening, restoring and cleansing the temple and its services that his idolatrous father Ahaz had polluted. Hezekiah having completed his cleansing of the temple invited all of Judah and Israel to come to Jerusalem to keep the Passover, 2 Chron. 30:5. Divers = man or mortals, of Asher, Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 2 Chron. 30:10,11. These are the three horns “plucked by the roots.” Their move to Jerusalem was permanent. “Before whom three fell” Dan. 7:20. “Fell” from the word NEPHAL means, was accepted.
With the passing of the reformer, Hezekiah, the panorama changes in this great shadow. The seven last kings of pre-exilic Judah reigned. With the exception of king Josiah, who conducted a partial correction (he repaired the temple) these kings did “evil in the sight of the Lord.” Together with the people they continued to pay homage to idols and the unwritten worship of gods (keep in mind the seven heads of Rev.13:1).. The little horn of Dan, 7:8, after the passing of Hezekiah, will be seen to represent the latter kings of Judah, he “had eyes like the eyes of man.” The word “eyes” from AYIN means outward appearance. A much later writer put this condition thus, “Having a form of goodliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.”
This horn had a mouth speaking great things, Dan. 7:8,20. Great things from the word RABRAB in Chaldean meaning domineering in character. “His look was more stout that his fellows = RAB = more mighty and domineering. See Jer. 23:1-40 for more details about the “great things” he spoke. “woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.” The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. Dan. 7:21. And that is putting it mildly.
The seven last kings of pre-exilic Judah:-
Mannasseh – shed innocent blood in Jerusalem 2 Kings 21:16
Amon – did evil ….2 Chron. 33:22
Josiah – great reformer, but people remained in idolatry 2 Kings 23:4-27 & 2 Chron.34: 22,25.
Jehoahaz – did evil…2 Kings 23:32
Jehoiakim – taxed the people…2 Kings 23:34-37. “They shall not lament him…he shall be buried with the burial of an ass….” Jer. 22:18,19.
Jehioachin – did evil 2 Kings 24:9 - “a despised broken idol…a vessel wherein is no pleasure.” Jer. 22:28-30.
Zedekiah – did evil – rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar with whom he made a covenant, then broke it, and was blindly lead into Babylonian captivity – 2 Kings 24:17.
Daniel chapter seven is a summation of the Bible – temple-history of pre-exilic Israel and Judah. The prophetic books tell us Judah was delivered from Babylonian captivity by a saviour in the form of the Persian king Cyrus, the righteous man from the east - Isa. 41:2, the Lord’s anointed – Isa, 45:1. But that is not the subject of this paper.
The Book of Daniel continued accounts in a latter era of contemporary neighbouring nations of the Kingdom of the Jews. The Greek Selucid king Antiochus Epiphanes, with the help of renegrade Jews, was juxtaposed with ancient Israel and Judah. This showed they were all ferocious and barbaric. They were all in principle of the same ilk. The true king of both apostate Jews and the Selucid soldiers was Antiochus Epiphanes. Rev. 9.11 speaking (antitypically now of course) of the Greek destroyer writes “And they had a king over them which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.”
The Old Testament covered two eras, pre and post exilic, in the days of ancient Israel. In the latter chapters of O.T. the inception of Kingdom of Jews, as an entity appears. The writers of Revelation, in the Christian era, utilized these shadows projecting emblematically their groundwork formulae. They apportioned their description of events to two beasts, only the first being covered in this paper.
4. Now to Parallel Daniel with Revelation
The beast of Rev. 13:1-3 arose out of the sea. This is because in the original type in Dan. 7:3 “four great beasts come out of the sea.” (Seas or waters represent peoples throughout Scripture, but is not documented in this article). Israel arose from a struggling confederacy of tribes to form a nation. Christianity also struggled with small communities. Some Jews realizing that a messianic movement had arisen still clung to the exactions of the sanctuary service, some did not. Gentiles embraced the new-found principles of compassion, charity justice and beneficence. Unfortunately the little groupings, portraying life symbolically, were swallowed up by hierarchical institutions that had great outward appearance of beneficence and piety. In time deep, deep dogma prevailed.
Rev. 13:1-4 includes the dragon and shows a break from beast. Having studied the beasts of Daniel 7, here the first beast of Rev. 13 shall be considered. Revelation looking backwards sees the kings of Israel in opposite order to Daniel who looked forward. Rev. 13:2 “The beast which I saw was like a leopard” (Solomon – Solomon was wealthy and wise), “his feet were as the feet of a bear.” (David - David did cover much ground in his conquests.) “His mouth as the mouth of a lion” (Saul - Saul had many faults, condemned David as he was jealous of him and wanted to kill him.)
Rev. 13:1 repeats the details of the fourth beast in Daniel with added information that is recorded in the books of Kings and Chronicles. This non-descript beast had “seven heads”. By tracing the Old Testament Bible-history, the last seven pre-exilic kings of Judah fit the illustration of idolatry and blasphemy, except Josiah, who did reform in repairing the temple. Regardless of Josiah’s reform the people continued to worship idols. This beast had “ten horns” representing the northern kingdom of Israel consisting of ten tribes. The ten horns have “ten crowns” indicating a time of reigning kings prior to Israel being captured by Assyria. Rev. 13:4 note: “one of the (seven) heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed.”
“Wounded to death” - “wounded” meaning a victim or maimed, and THAHATOS meaning made deadly silent and having no defense, “and his deadly wound was healed”. “Healed” is from THERAPENO meaning, to wait upon menially.
Who was this king? Jehoiachin was the sixth of the seven last kings of Judah before total captivity by Babylon. “At that time Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came against Jerusalem…And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes…And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. And Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king.” 2 Kings 24:8-17. What a dint to Jehoiachin’s ego. Jehoiachin’s dignity maimed, deadly silence followed, and there was no possible defense for Judah’s dethroned king.
Jeremiah, meaning God is high, wrote, “this man Coniah (Jehoiachin) a despised person, he is a vessel wherein there is no pleasure, they are cast out, he and his seed, cast into a land which they know not…write this man childless, a man that shall not prosper, no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.” See Jer. 22:24-30.
But regardless of this, “his deadly wound was healed.” “… it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah…that Evilmeridach king of Babylon…lifted up the head of Jeroiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison. And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life…” See Jer. 52:31-34.
“That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.” What a wonderful tutorial is type and antitype, to warn the just and wary!
The Dragon – Rev. 13:2
The dragon gave him (the beast) his power. Now to establish the identity of the dragon in O.T.
The words serpent, whale and dragon ( = NACHASH or = TANNIYM) in the Old Testament are the same as the DRAKON DRAGON = a fabulous kind of serpent, and from OPHIS = a snake, malicious person in the New Testament. Therefore we can refer to the word serpent, whale or dragon in the Old to determine the features of dragon in Rev. 13.2.
Initially, what did the dragon or serpent do? In Genesis the serpent deceived Eve, telling her to eat a forbidden fruit. The serpent said , “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods knowing good from evil.” When Eve saw the tree was good for food, pleasant and a tree to be desired she took of the fruit, and gave also to her husband. See Gen. 3:6. Just as the serpent deceived Eve likewise the dragon deceived the beast. You may discern from Old Testament figures where the serpent or dragon, first seen in the garden of Eden sketch, is lurking today.
This ingenuous allegory is expanded in Gen. 4:1. Eve conceived and bare Cain and said “I have gotten a man from the Lord.” Lord from YEHOVAH meaning, the eternal, the self existent, the beacon. The word Cain means acquisition. I have acquired knowledge of good and evil. So begins the struggle of good versus evil and continues throughout the entire Scriptures. What a curse, when the knowledge of possessions and ownership was born. Ownership makes one very great, very strong. Such a god is superlative, can judge, be mighty powerful and have rule over others for one’s own benefit. Acquisition is the more one could grab, the more control over others one could have. How enchanting and distracting a thought!
The Genesis scene is philosophically the beginning of a have and have-not world - an organized way of life, and society ruled by vehemence, disadvantaging the innate conscience. It heads for disaster. It is called Civilization by Kenneth Clark. Imagine such decadence in the hands of “justice” and “ethics”.
5. In Conclusion
The ancient writers believed the creative element would finally prevail. After disaster, calamity, captivity, would come a merciful deliverer. This is their story, their hope, our hope. Today, of course, deliverance comes not in the form of a person e.g. Hezekiah, Cyrus or Judas Maccabees. These stories are Old Testament-day shadows. Today the liberation of intuition, self-determination and dignity is the coming of understanding principles of genuine charity, mutual community interest and steadfast faithfulness to the pristine psyche. This is the indwelling God of love, this is the action of principle.
This essay has set out to establish in stone the type/antitype principle, layered within the Scriptures. It cuts asunder any exposition not based on type/antitype. No understanding of the N.T. can be acheived without a professional knowledge of the Old. We all learn by simple symbols, we all associate life with symbols. When it comes to symbolism, the ancient writers are the greatest teachers of a philosophy of history. Don’t you think so?
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Can a Spirit be "Put to Death", and What of "the Cross"?
The Gospel account of the “death” of Jesus of Nazareth is juxtaposed with the slaying of the Pashcal lamb at the Passover in the Jewish ceremonial. Jesus of Nazareth, the personification of a righteous Spirit was to be put to death. This is what we are told. But can a Spirit be “put to death” (Luke 18:33) - a literal death? Or does death have some other meaning?
In the story the words “put to death” have not been understood. This phrase comes from SUNIEMI – to put together (mentally) - Luke 18:34. Next ask what does “death” mean in this context? Notice the word “death” from Greek APOKTEINO means to slay - to kill outright. This word taken from the prefix OPO[1] usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion or reversal. Death can now in this context be understood. The Messianic Movement of the just and steadfast citizens must be psychologically separated from the staid mental furnishings of the rest of society. Effectively this meant they must differentiate themselves, depart or cease their cause and association.
The next question is what did Crucifixion mean?
The question became, how was this strengthening momentum (Reformation) against established traditions contained? By crucifixion was the answer. The word crucifixion is interchangeable with persecution, a point less than comprehended. This wider perception of meaning broadens the integrating dimensions of devious forms operating in society. Crucified from the word STAUROO, means extinguish and cross from STAUROS means, something upright. Also STAO[2] means to stand, set up, or stand by. From this, it can be gathered, something upright must be extinguished. However, we have been taught, crucifixion on a cross.
Confirmation of these thoughts is given by the fact that nowhere in the gospels, can we read that Jesus of Nazareth was nailed to a cross. In Acts, hanged on a tree, yes, but that is something very different. Let us stand aside momentarily from the word “cross” and briefly consider the meaning of the phrase “hanged on a tree”.
“Hanged on a tree” was chosen from Deut. 21:23. Hanged meaning, to remain in doubtful suspense, again to be taken figuratively. In Acts 5:30 it is a tree. To those possessing a torturous, injurious intent, the only tree they would have is a tree of the knowledge of evil, and of course, persecution is sadistically executed.
Speaking of Christ (a title) representing King of righteousness, King of peace, Peter said, “Who his own self bare our sins in his body to (margin) the tree…” The word “on” is written in the KJV text. The word “to” is written in the reference, as the word “on” is incorrect. This text in the Book of Peter has the word the (the definite article). The Revelator confirms this tree to be the tree of life (Rev. 22:14), “blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city”. Rev.22:14. So much for the myths taught and ingrained into our minds. It is not difficult to say that “venerable faith” cannot save when we see the absurdity of what it has taught.
Let us look at “cross upright and horizontal”. What did this mean?
As already stated, “cross” from the Greek word STAUROS, means - a stake or post as set upright. Coming from the base word HISTEMI it is used in various applications including stand-up - an upright and active position. We today might say, “stand up and be counted.”
If the cross has anything to do with the Spirit person, there needs be reference to a horizontal disposition also, to form a cross. You cannot have a cross without the intersection of the vertical with the horizontal. John 10:15-18 reads, “…I lay down my life for the sheep…I lay down my life that I might take it up again” (John 15:13). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.
Look up the original word for “lay” coming from the Greek TITHEMI and the primary word THEO meaning in a passive or horizontal posture. It indicated compassion. A curriculum of life would say, receiving or suffering without resistance, and in judgement, non-discriminatory.
Put the vertical upright with the horizontal compassion and we find a cross. But it is far from an actual, ritual cross. Was the purpose of Jesus of Nazareth solely to stand for justice, and to love and be helpful? No. His cross was a bit more purposeful in a missionary sense. And that is why, he did come not to send peace but a sword against darkness in high places. Nevertheless, the spirit person did heal and love from the heart and stand for justice.
Familiar to all, the word “cross” appears in several texts. Jesus advising the rich man said, “…take up the cross and follow me”. The spirit person also said, “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”. The gospel of John gives this account of the Son of God, “And he bearing his cross went forth to a place called Golgotha.” Then there is the well-known text in Matthew at the time of Christ’s death. “If thou be the son of God come down from the cross”.
Ask, why use the word “cross” in these settings? It appears that the primary implication of these texts is to imply a cause, a commitment or an understanding. As there is no Gospel mention of Christ being put on a cross maybe we should examine the term “come down” for more elaboration. Yes, it means descend, get down, go down, step down, and fall down. In today’s parlance one might say, “Back off” “Drop dead”. Also if a voice of dissent be uttered the reaction might well be, “come down off your high horse”. I believe this is primarily the sentiment acrimony engenders. Where there is little debate, judgement becomes rife, and human progress in the light of love is extinguished.
Now a distortion regarding Cross.
However, there is one text that shows a blatant distortion in the translation of the New Testament - Phils. 2:8. In older versions this text reads regarding Christ Jesus, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”. Modern versions read as follows… “even the death on the cross”. This is wrong. The “cross” was a “cause” not a wooden object: “Take up the cause and follow me.” The word “of” is consistent with the original Gospel story. Lexicons also maintain the word “of” to be correct. It seems to me, theists in a virtually desperate and panic attempt to prolong their deception, have changed the rendition of this text to read “on the cross”. This alteration of the text appears in most of the recent versions. One could say, it is best to always research the original meanings of words. There is a need to see what the author thought and wrote, and not what the translators’ pre-conceived ecclesiastical view would have us believe.
Additionally, after much investigation, it becomes obvious the names of the characters tell us a great deal about the God-experience of biblical days. This has taught me that the intention of the scriptural writers was, to show imagination of spiritual implications or the essence of events. The writers artistically painted vivid pictures turning undertakings into memorial experiences to perceive living and personified behavioural principles of higher philosophy.
What did midrash say about “the Cross”?
Was the idea of the cross, related from midrash, or has it been assumed that a Roman custom was implemented? The Book of Obadiah gives an explicit narrated image of the time when Esau (at that time the confederacy of Edom), came against Jacob (or Jerusalem). Condemning Edom for violence against the children of Judah the servant of God writes, “Neither shouldst thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape…”. Finding that “crossway” from the Hebrew word PEREQ meant a fork in the road and in Greek “cross” is equivalent to “crossway”, I compared our English meaning. The dictionary reads, cross - across, anything that thwarts, obstructs, or perplexes, hindrance…not parallel, crosswise - cross one’s path. This signals to me an underlying meaning that would be heretical to some.
Cross and athwart.
Could the Gospel painters, in their lucid drawn recollection of the life-experience, of Jesus of Nazareth, the spirit person, see the Messianic Body as crossing the path of the untouchable elite status quo, the Pharisees and Sadducees. Was the Spirit-life athwart to the accepted traditions and doctrines of Judean ancestry, athwart to Judaism? The word “across” meant a hindrance that obstructed the passage of idolatrous, face-value legalism. This was athwart to the exacting of Levitical laws and ceremonials. In actuality the practicality of the Levitical laws were designed so that their significance would stimulate intellectual comprehension. Unfortunately restrictive Judean rhetoric took a very dogmatically orientated approach thus suffocating the very substance of faithfulness.
A Closure
Outspoken obstruction, causing bewilderment to many, must be silenced; it must be kept at bay! Crucify, meaning persecute or torment, was the cry. This suppression was carried out. By quelling the Messianic Body, thus quenching the Spirit, the subjugation of vox-populi was rife. Darkness covered the land. This shook the minds of many as an earthquake causes vibrations along a fault line. However, some did determine to stop and think again. They were quickened. The Sower had sowed the seed. The question became, would it germinate and rise again, to ignite the hearts of subsequent generations.
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Struth The Truth – Reclaiming the Light
[1] Stong’s Concordance 615/575 a prim. Participle; “off”, ie away (from something near), in various senses of place, time relation
In the story the words “put to death” have not been understood. This phrase comes from SUNIEMI – to put together (mentally) - Luke 18:34. Next ask what does “death” mean in this context? Notice the word “death” from Greek APOKTEINO means to slay - to kill outright. This word taken from the prefix OPO[1] usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion or reversal. Death can now in this context be understood. The Messianic Movement of the just and steadfast citizens must be psychologically separated from the staid mental furnishings of the rest of society. Effectively this meant they must differentiate themselves, depart or cease their cause and association.
The next question is what did Crucifixion mean?
The question became, how was this strengthening momentum (Reformation) against established traditions contained? By crucifixion was the answer. The word crucifixion is interchangeable with persecution, a point less than comprehended. This wider perception of meaning broadens the integrating dimensions of devious forms operating in society. Crucified from the word STAUROO, means extinguish and cross from STAUROS means, something upright. Also STAO[2] means to stand, set up, or stand by. From this, it can be gathered, something upright must be extinguished. However, we have been taught, crucifixion on a cross.
Confirmation of these thoughts is given by the fact that nowhere in the gospels, can we read that Jesus of Nazareth was nailed to a cross. In Acts, hanged on a tree, yes, but that is something very different. Let us stand aside momentarily from the word “cross” and briefly consider the meaning of the phrase “hanged on a tree”.
“Hanged on a tree” was chosen from Deut. 21:23. Hanged meaning, to remain in doubtful suspense, again to be taken figuratively. In Acts 5:30 it is a tree. To those possessing a torturous, injurious intent, the only tree they would have is a tree of the knowledge of evil, and of course, persecution is sadistically executed.
Speaking of Christ (a title) representing King of righteousness, King of peace, Peter said, “Who his own self bare our sins in his body to (margin) the tree…” The word “on” is written in the KJV text. The word “to” is written in the reference, as the word “on” is incorrect. This text in the Book of Peter has the word the (the definite article). The Revelator confirms this tree to be the tree of life (Rev. 22:14), “blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city”. Rev.22:14. So much for the myths taught and ingrained into our minds. It is not difficult to say that “venerable faith” cannot save when we see the absurdity of what it has taught.
Let us look at “cross upright and horizontal”. What did this mean?
As already stated, “cross” from the Greek word STAUROS, means - a stake or post as set upright. Coming from the base word HISTEMI it is used in various applications including stand-up - an upright and active position. We today might say, “stand up and be counted.”
If the cross has anything to do with the Spirit person, there needs be reference to a horizontal disposition also, to form a cross. You cannot have a cross without the intersection of the vertical with the horizontal. John 10:15-18 reads, “…I lay down my life for the sheep…I lay down my life that I might take it up again” (John 15:13). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”.
Look up the original word for “lay” coming from the Greek TITHEMI and the primary word THEO meaning in a passive or horizontal posture. It indicated compassion. A curriculum of life would say, receiving or suffering without resistance, and in judgement, non-discriminatory.
Put the vertical upright with the horizontal compassion and we find a cross. But it is far from an actual, ritual cross. Was the purpose of Jesus of Nazareth solely to stand for justice, and to love and be helpful? No. His cross was a bit more purposeful in a missionary sense. And that is why, he did come not to send peace but a sword against darkness in high places. Nevertheless, the spirit person did heal and love from the heart and stand for justice.
Familiar to all, the word “cross” appears in several texts. Jesus advising the rich man said, “…take up the cross and follow me”. The spirit person also said, “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”. The gospel of John gives this account of the Son of God, “And he bearing his cross went forth to a place called Golgotha.” Then there is the well-known text in Matthew at the time of Christ’s death. “If thou be the son of God come down from the cross”.
Ask, why use the word “cross” in these settings? It appears that the primary implication of these texts is to imply a cause, a commitment or an understanding. As there is no Gospel mention of Christ being put on a cross maybe we should examine the term “come down” for more elaboration. Yes, it means descend, get down, go down, step down, and fall down. In today’s parlance one might say, “Back off” “Drop dead”. Also if a voice of dissent be uttered the reaction might well be, “come down off your high horse”. I believe this is primarily the sentiment acrimony engenders. Where there is little debate, judgement becomes rife, and human progress in the light of love is extinguished.
Now a distortion regarding Cross.
However, there is one text that shows a blatant distortion in the translation of the New Testament - Phils. 2:8. In older versions this text reads regarding Christ Jesus, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”. Modern versions read as follows… “even the death on the cross”. This is wrong. The “cross” was a “cause” not a wooden object: “Take up the cause and follow me.” The word “of” is consistent with the original Gospel story. Lexicons also maintain the word “of” to be correct. It seems to me, theists in a virtually desperate and panic attempt to prolong their deception, have changed the rendition of this text to read “on the cross”. This alteration of the text appears in most of the recent versions. One could say, it is best to always research the original meanings of words. There is a need to see what the author thought and wrote, and not what the translators’ pre-conceived ecclesiastical view would have us believe.
Additionally, after much investigation, it becomes obvious the names of the characters tell us a great deal about the God-experience of biblical days. This has taught me that the intention of the scriptural writers was, to show imagination of spiritual implications or the essence of events. The writers artistically painted vivid pictures turning undertakings into memorial experiences to perceive living and personified behavioural principles of higher philosophy.
What did midrash say about “the Cross”?
Was the idea of the cross, related from midrash, or has it been assumed that a Roman custom was implemented? The Book of Obadiah gives an explicit narrated image of the time when Esau (at that time the confederacy of Edom), came against Jacob (or Jerusalem). Condemning Edom for violence against the children of Judah the servant of God writes, “Neither shouldst thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape…”. Finding that “crossway” from the Hebrew word PEREQ meant a fork in the road and in Greek “cross” is equivalent to “crossway”, I compared our English meaning. The dictionary reads, cross - across, anything that thwarts, obstructs, or perplexes, hindrance…not parallel, crosswise - cross one’s path. This signals to me an underlying meaning that would be heretical to some.
Cross and athwart.
Could the Gospel painters, in their lucid drawn recollection of the life-experience, of Jesus of Nazareth, the spirit person, see the Messianic Body as crossing the path of the untouchable elite status quo, the Pharisees and Sadducees. Was the Spirit-life athwart to the accepted traditions and doctrines of Judean ancestry, athwart to Judaism? The word “across” meant a hindrance that obstructed the passage of idolatrous, face-value legalism. This was athwart to the exacting of Levitical laws and ceremonials. In actuality the practicality of the Levitical laws were designed so that their significance would stimulate intellectual comprehension. Unfortunately restrictive Judean rhetoric took a very dogmatically orientated approach thus suffocating the very substance of faithfulness.
A Closure
Outspoken obstruction, causing bewilderment to many, must be silenced; it must be kept at bay! Crucify, meaning persecute or torment, was the cry. This suppression was carried out. By quelling the Messianic Body, thus quenching the Spirit, the subjugation of vox-populi was rife. Darkness covered the land. This shook the minds of many as an earthquake causes vibrations along a fault line. However, some did determine to stop and think again. They were quickened. The Sower had sowed the seed. The question became, would it germinate and rise again, to ignite the hearts of subsequent generations.
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Struth The Truth – Reclaiming the Light
[1] Stong’s Concordance 615/575 a prim. Participle; “off”, ie away (from something near), in various senses of place, time relation
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