Structure of Revelation
The First Message, 1st Seal, 1st Trumpet and 1st Plague
The Book of Revelation commences with admonitions to the seven churches of Asia Minor. Some cautions were heeded, some were not. This vision is a miniature review of the rest of Revelation. The Apocalypse also contains 7 messages, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 plagues as well as other sevens. From the word of God, Old Testament temple-history-type and the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Gospels’ antitype, where the Messianic Body models the true Temple, Revelation writes a summation. The Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle writings commence the journey to fulfill archetype and the Apocalypse concludes this journey on a global scale.
The Christian era can be aligned with the early formation of the kingdom of Israel. A confederation of ideas, an admix of Egyptian rule by one, an acceptance of a new order by the settlement in Canaan..with an interest in human welfare.
As the story goes, Israel had escaped Egyptian bondage. Saul, meaning asked, as Israel asked for a king, was Israel’s first king, and as ruthless as Pharoah’s task-masters. There had been little progress in the days of early Israel. Then Saul was killed in battle and the kingdom was given to the young shepherd boy, David, the beloved.
King David is where this story begins. The Revelation writers, personified as John as they were one in spirit, mind, hope, objective, commenced by following the Bible temple-history as a pattern. They applied this picture to the circumstances they believed would prevail during the days of Christendom.
The First Message
This is the first angel’s message, “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” Rev.5:1,2. The answer, “the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David…” Rev.5:5. In this dispensation the Lion of Juda is called “the Comforter” - John 16:7.
The little book had been closed for a long time. Isaiah reports in judgment upon Jerusalem for hypocrisy, “the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith I cannot; for it is sealed:” - symbolic statement of mental darkness, is here displayed.
What a tragedy. But was there hope ahead? O yes! A dark period had passed for ancient Israel. Now King David led Israel. Israel means ruling with God.
The First Seal
The four beasts from round about the throne open the first four seals. The throne embraced the four points of the compass. See Ezekiel’s vision in chapter one. To begin in Rev.6:1,2 John says “…And I saw and behold white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer.” The spirit of investigation is here introduced.
White horse, white from Greek KEUKOS means light. Light shines and is illuminating, representing purity.
The white horses in Zech. 6:6 go forth from between two mountains of brass after “the black horses…go forth into the north country.” The white horses go to Jerusalem. Thus saith the Lord, “I am returned unto Zion.” Zech. 8:3.
Bow is from Greek TOXON/TIKTO and means to produce as a seed, bring forth as a mother delivers a child. Bow in Hebrew is QESHETH, in the sense of bending. The bow in the cloud was a token indicating a covenant between God the Maker, and the earth. Humanity would always be delivered in future from a flood of violent fighting warriors bent on destroying the earth. The bow of Revelation is the new covenant.
Crown from STEPHANDS a symbol of honour. The rider, is Faithful and True. Crowned, from Hebrew ATAR is to encircle, compass for attack and protection.
“What is man that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hath made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and honour.” Ps. 8:4,5.
First Trumpet
What did the first trumpet cryptically sound as the opening of the first seal was observed? Was it a burst of light amidst darkness, and what of the resultant consequences?
Rev. 8:7. “The first angel sounded, and there fell hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
- “Hail”, shall sweep, YAAH 3261 brush aside, “away,” SUWR5493 turn off, “a refuge of lies,” KAZAB 3576 deceive, be found a liar. The hail shall brush aside and turn off the deception taught to multitudes for centuries.
- And “fire mingled with blood”. “Fire”, well Jeremiah writing about God’s judgments upon the Jews for perverseness explains:- “And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word,behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and the people wood, and it shall devour them” Jer. 5:14.
- “mingled with blood”. In highly graphic language this means, the word “blood” from HAIMA =juice of grapes, atoning blood of lamb. “This is my blood of the new testament.” In reality this was the sacrificial life of study and proclaiming by great reformers. This is blood. The “fire” was “mingled with sacrifice”.
The first trumpet is sounding confirmation of restoration. Restoration is necessary for reformation. But what happened? Was it greeted with open arms? The hail and fire mingled with blood were cast upon the earth. The word “earth” is often used as ground where the “sower went forth to sow”. And a third part of the trees was burnt up. “The third part of” refers to Jerusalem in Eze. 5:1,2 under the type of hair. The judgment of Jerusalem (the church today) for their rebellion. “Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.”
“And a third part of the trees was burnt up”. Because Jerusalem was full of idols and they worshipped the work of their own hands, these trees personify the “proud and lofty”. They are those who reject an affront towards tradition. “And the loftiness of man, shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isa. 2:11-13,17.
These arrogant trees are not akin to the trees of righteousness, ANIL meaning strong, a chief (politically) with the strength of an oak. The gallant fighters of the Maccabees are the trees of righteousness. Conscientious souls who triumphed over Antiochus Epiphanes and regained self-determination.
“And all green grass was burnt up.” Green from Greek CHIORES= verdant, inexperienced, naïve. “Grass”from CHORTOS = vegetation, those of an unthinking existence, all burnt up. Even today if a person be immature in judgment it is common practice to say “he is green.”
Re Jerusalem (the church today)
Jerusalem of old, claiming caretakers of the oracles of God, constantly regressed into idolatry. The true prophets condemned this. It is written, Israel a rebellious nation, “For they are impudent children and stiffhearted...” Eze. 2:4. Jerusalem, “their land is full of idols: they worship the work of their own hands...” Isa. 2:8. “And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces…and all idols thereof will I lay desolate …” Micah 1:7.
With the fall of Jerusalem when Messiah was silenced, Jerusalem,the heart of Judaism collapsed. Jerusalem of the new covenant, which is above, Gal. .4:26, is a symbol of elevated consciousness, a spiritual city. The Jew, those claiming allegiance to their Maker, is one with a circumcised heart. Rom. 2:29. The church (EKKLESIA) are those called out by their conscience – the still small voice. They are the true church. “Now ye are the body of Christ” 1 Cor. 12:27,“one body” Eph. 4:4. “And Christ,(righteousness and peace) is the head.” Eph. 5:23 the spiritual Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4.
Idolatry in the Christian age is false doctrine. “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:7. “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.” 2 Cor. 6:16. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols”1 John 5:21.
Reformation commenced with much earnest work and sacrifice but eventually faded. The seed sown, fell by the wayside, upon stony ground and amongst thorns. But in the residue of good ground the seed germinated and produced many fold. A resurgence of reform would come another day. The faithful were promised, “there would be a light always in Jerusalem.” 1 Kings 11:36.
First Plague
Now plagues follow as an inevitable result of shutting out light. As the messages, seals, trumpets continued their work, likewise the 1st plague is poured out. “And the first (angel) went and poured out his vial upon the earth (or ground); and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” Rev. 16:1,2. The beast, mark and image was briefly dealt with in a former article.
The noisome and grievous sore of the Old Testament was leprosy. See Strong’s Concordance for the word “leprosy” in O.T. Anyone with leprosy was considered unclean. In the spiritual age leprosy is intellectual decay. A scaly, ulcerated mind, figuratively speaking, a corrupting influence. Passion for rectification dwindled.
Structure of Revelation
The First Message (Part 2)
2nd Seal, 2nd Trumpet and 2nd Plague
Second Seal
“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard a second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” Rev. 6:3,4.
In referring to a “red horse” the biblical type in O.T. is found in the Book of Zechariah. Here we see a man riding on a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees…and behind him were there red horses, speckled (strong bay), and white. Incidently, the myrtle trees had a part in the feast of tabernacles, Nehemiah 8:14,15.
The angel that talked to Zechariah said, “I will shew thee what these (horses) be.” The man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and behold, all the earth stoodeth still, and is at rest.”
Now it is in the time of the rule of Darius the Mede, and the Jews are returning from Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and their culture. There are details of interference and delays in rebuilding Jerusalem, and recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah. The Jews are promised a leader, Zerubbabel and Jerusalem is finally restored.
Zechariah in chapter six reiterates the vision of the horses presenting more narrative. This is very important to John the Revelator as he looks forward towards archetype in the days of Christendom. Zechariah provides a token for us today.
There were red, black, white and, grisled and bay horses. They came out from between two mountains of brass, Media and Persia. (mountains of brass not dealt with here.) The angel told Zechariah, “These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.” “The black horses go forth into the north country.” Zech. 6:6. This was despite being warned, “flee from the land of the north.” Zech. 2:6. Then cried he (the angel) and said, “Behold these that go to the north country have quieted my spirit…” Zech. 6:8. This was because there was no change of an obstrusive rebellious pre-captivity heart.
In symbolic scripture the north country illustrates an opposition to the south, the Negeb, southern Judah including Jerusalem. Thus far north represented Babylon. The hearts and minds of those who went to the north country were Babylonian predisposed.
Returning to the four chariots with horses coming out from Media and Persia; the white horses go forth after the black go forth into the north. But, where do the white horses go?
The Book of Zechariah opened with an early mould of post-exilic Jerusalem. The Book soon omits several centuries, as prophetic books do. Long since desolated Jerusalem, is restored and reasonably peaceful. Disaster strikes. These are the days of the Greek rule and many Jews have apostasised. They have joined the ranks of Antiochus Epiphanes to plunder the temple and exterminate the faithful steadfast citizens of Jerusalem.
Here God sends a “valiant man” to deliver Israel. The saviour was Judas Maccabees, son of Mattath of Modin, an Ephramite. And he went forth conquering and to conquer. Here is the typical white horse and his rider, Messiah, Faithful and True. The white horse, in the days of the kingdom of the Jews, was in Juda hence his mention in Zech. 1. The grisled horses also go forth towards the south country. Zech. 6:6. The bay sought to walk to and fro through the earth. So they did. Zech. 6:7.
In this article the red horse with his rider is the subject. The Book of Zechariah commences with the red horse already in Jerusalem, standing among the myrtle trees. That is where he stayed, to help the conqueror and is not mentioned as going anywhere in Zech. 6.
The black horse does not appear in Zech. 1. His rider, in going to Jerusalem’s enemy, could offer nothing but famine to the people of creativity. (That story comes later).
This short summary of Zechariah’s horses should hopefully, unsure a clearer understanding of the first four seals of Revelation 6.
However, before returning to Revelation an important question must be answered. Why was the rider of the red horse standing among the myrtle trees in the post-exilic Jerusalem? Answer: He was waiting for his bride.
Post captive Jerusalem was the capital of the Kingdom of the Jews. A new era was dawning. The man under the myrtle trees represented the new kingdom. His older brother was a personification of the pre-captive kingdom of Judah, or the last seven kings of Judah. The older brother had died of apostasy. But his wife, the people of Judah, (the woman, the life-giver) was taken captive to Babylon. Now the Jews were returning to Jerusalem. These people figuratively speaking, were to be the red horse-rider’s bride, according to the ancient descriptive law.
“If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her. And it shall be, that the first born which she beareth, shall succeed in the name of his father which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.” Deut. 25:5,6.
Soon there would be a wedding, a great atonement or reconciliation, followed by the feast of tabernacles. As a new Jerusalem, the city of peace, would be reborn. This celebration initiates the new rule, the Davidian prodigy redeemed. Presented here is Revelation’s type of “the marriage supper of the lamb.”
The vivid portrait of the four-horse-men in Revelation is set in the church of today. Though not judgmental the four seals are introspective. A great spiritual battle is predicted. The battle takes peace from the earth as the conflict intensifies. Where can the type be found? “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I am not come to send peace but a sword.” Matt. 10:3,4. And it is written, “they should kill one another.” Again the gospel narrative is inscribed. “I am come to set man at variance against his father.” Matt. 10: 35.36.
Different types and antitypes converge. Not to be taken literally these verses should be searched from the original Greek to find the original meaning. A greater intellectual controversy could not be expected.
There was given to the rider on the red horse, a great sword. With this powerful weapon he could help the trustworthy in their struggle. The sword from MACHAIRA is an instrument of war, or judicial punishment used against the defiant rejectors of enlightenment. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, the word of probity, compassion, justice, mercy. Would this weapon contain the turmoil?
The second seal reveals storm clouds forming on the horizon. Do you think the populace will accept the God of Creativity – action, or remain attached to a conjured idol?
Second Trumpet
“And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and a third part of the sea became blood;” Rev. 8:8.
The symbolism here is “a great mountain”. The Jews were returning from Babylonian captivity. The “great mountain” is ancient Babylon, a refuse of confusion, error and simplisitic dogma. Babylon had oppressed Israel and Judah. “All that took them captive held them fast, they refused to let them go.” Jer. 50:33. “And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the Lord, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain. And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, not a stone for foundations; but thou shall be desolate for ever, saith the Lord.” This type is from Jer. 51:24-26.
“The third part of the sea became blood.” “Sea” a large body of water (YAM), floods, rivers, springs are symbols of people, see quotes such as Isa. 8:6-8, Jer. 46:7,8, Rev. 17:15 “The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, the multitudes, and nations and tongues.” So in revelation, where the red horse stands in the centre of the Church, we have a great babel of concoctions blighting the gift of life. Cast amongst the inhabitants of spiritual Jerusalem (the third part) they become blood in this prophetic vision. The word “blood” is from the Hebrew word DAM, meaning guilty. DAM taken originally from Exd. 7:17 when Pharoah refused to allow Israel to go into the wilderness to serve their God.
And why should such a calamity fall upon “the third part”, the professing followers of Christendom? The token will answer “I set a watchman over you, saying Hearken to the sound of the trumpet, But they said we will not hearken.” Jer. 6:17.
Continuing the 2nd trumpet. “And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.” Rev. 8:9. “Died” from APO, means departed or ceased to be. “Ships” PIOION alludes to those who embarked upon an enormous enterprise of misplaced doctrines, wants of misconceptions. Hoping to escape coming judgment they were destroyed, DIAPHTHORN = perverted, corrupted, perished, left to thoroughly rot. “Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord come.” This is the second trumpet’s interpretation of the second seal.
The Second Plague
The second plague requires no explanation as it is a very concise reiteration of the second trumpet. “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.”
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
The information listed below shows a structure of the Book of Revelation that will be used in subsequent papers:
Message, Seals,Trumpets and Plagues
1st Message Rev. 5:1,2 – Opening of four seals - “I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?”
1st Seal Rev. 6:1,2 1st Trumpet Rev. 8:7 1st Plague Rev. 16:1,2
2nd Seal Rev. 6:3,4 2nd Trumpet Rev. 8:8 2nd Plague Rev. 16:3
3rd Seal Rev. 6:5,6 3rd Trumpet Rev. 8:9-11 3rd Plague Rev. 16:4-7
4th Seal Rev. 6:7,8 4th Trumpet Rev. 8:12 4th Plague Rev. 16:8,9
2nd Message Rev. 8:13 - “And I beheld an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”
3rd Message Rev. 14: 6,7 - “And I saw an angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come…”
5th Seal Rev. 6:9-11 5th Trumpet Rev. 9:1-12 5th Plague Rev. 16:10,11
4th Message Rev. 14:8 - “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, the great city, because she made all nations drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
6th Seal Rev. 6:12-17 6th Trumpet Rev. 9:13-21 6th Plague Rev. 16:12-16
5th Message Rev. 14:9-11 - “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or his hand”
7th Seal Rev. 7:1-3 & 8:1 7th Trumpet Rev. 15 -19 7th Plague Rev. 16: first part of verse 17 & 18:21
6th Message Rev. 16:17 - “It is done”
- 4th Message returns Rev. 18:1-3 - “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
7th Message Rev. 18:4,5 - “Come out of her my people…”
Message, Seals,Trumpets and Plagues
1st Message Rev. 5:1,2 – Opening of four seals - “I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?”
1st Seal Rev. 6:1,2 1st Trumpet Rev. 8:7 1st Plague Rev. 16:1,2
2nd Seal Rev. 6:3,4 2nd Trumpet Rev. 8:8 2nd Plague Rev. 16:3
3rd Seal Rev. 6:5,6 3rd Trumpet Rev. 8:9-11 3rd Plague Rev. 16:4-7
4th Seal Rev. 6:7,8 4th Trumpet Rev. 8:12 4th Plague Rev. 16:8,9
2nd Message Rev. 8:13 - “And I beheld an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!”
3rd Message Rev. 14: 6,7 - “And I saw an angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come…”
5th Seal Rev. 6:9-11 5th Trumpet Rev. 9:1-12 5th Plague Rev. 16:10,11
4th Message Rev. 14:8 - “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, the great city, because she made all nations drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
6th Seal Rev. 6:12-17 6th Trumpet Rev. 9:13-21 6th Plague Rev. 16:12-16
5th Message Rev. 14:9-11 - “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or his hand”
7th Seal Rev. 7:1-3 & 8:1 7th Trumpet Rev. 15 -19 7th Plague Rev. 16: first part of verse 17 & 18:21
6th Message Rev. 16:17 - “It is done”
- 4th Message returns Rev. 18:1-3 - “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
7th Message Rev. 18:4,5 - “Come out of her my people…”
The First Message - Part 1
The First Message, Seal, Trumpet and Plague
The Book of Revelation commences with admonitions to the seven churches of Asia Minor. Some cautions were heeded, some were not. This vision is a miniature review of the rest of Revelation. The Apocalypse also contains 7 messages, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 plagues as well as other sevens. From the word of God, Old Testament temple-history-type and the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Gospels’ antitype, where the Messianic Body models the true Temple, Revelation writes a summation. The Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle writings commence the journey to fulfill archetype and the Apocalypse concludes this journey on a global scale.
The Christian era can be aligned with the early formation of the kingdom of Israel. A confederation of ideas, an admix of Egyptian rule by one, an acceptance of a new order by the settlement in Canaan with an interest in human welfare.
As the story goes, Israel had escaped Egyptian bondage. Saul, meaning asked, as Israel asked for a king, was Israel’s first king, and as ruthless as Pharoah’s task-masters. There had been little progress in the days of early Israel. Then Saul was killed in battle and the kingdom was given to the young shepherd boy, David, the beloved.
King David is where this story begins. The Revelation writers, personified as John as they were one in spirit, mind, hope, objective, commenced by following the Bible temple-history as a pattern. They applied this picture to the circumstances they believed would prevail during the days of Christendom.
This is the first angel’s message, “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” Rev. 5:1,2. The answer, “the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David…” Rev. 5:5. In this dispensation the Lion of Juda is called “the Comforter” - John 16:7.
The little book had been closed for a long time. Isaiah reports in judgment upon Jerusalem for hypocrisy, “the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith I cannot; for it is sealed:” - symbolic statement of mental darkness, is here displayed.
What a tragedy. But was there hope ahead? O yes! A dark period had passed for ancient Israel. Now King David led Israel. Israel means ruling with God.
The First Seal
The four beasts from round about the throne open the first four seals. The throne embraced the four points of the compass. See Ezekiel’s vision in chapter one. To begin in Rev. 6:1,2 John says “…And I saw and behold white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer.” The spirit of investigation is here introduced.
White horse, white from Greek KEUKOS means light. Light shines and is illuminating, representing purity.
The white horses in Zech. 6:6 go forth from between two mountains of brass after “the black horses…go forth into the north country.” The white horses go to Jerusalem. Thus saith the Lord, “I am returned unto Zion.” Zech. 8:3.
Bow is from Greek TOXON/TIKTO and means to produce as a seed, bring forth as a mother delivers a child. Bow in Hebrew is QESHETH, in the sense of bending. The bow in the cloud was a token indicating a covenant between God the Maker, and the earth. Humanity would always be delivered in future from a flood of violent fighting warriors bent on destroying the earth. The bow of Revelation is the new covenant.
Crown from STEPHANDS a symbol of honour. The rider, is Faithful and True. Crowned, from Hebrew ATAR is to encircle, compass for attack and protection.
“What is man that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hath made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and honour.” Ps. 8:4,5.
First Trumpet
What did the first trumpet cryptically sound as the opening of the first seal was observed? Was it a burst of light amidst darkness, and what of the resultant consequences?
Rev. 8:7. “The first angel sounded, and there fell hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
- “Hail”, shall sweep, YAAH 3261 brush aside, “away,” SUWR 5493 turn off, “a refuge of lies,” KAZAB 3576 deceive, be found a liar. The hail shall brush aside and turn off the deception taught to multitudes for centuries.
- And “fire mingled with blood”. “Fire”, well Jeremiah writing about God’s judgments upon the Jews for perverseness explains:- “And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and the people wood, and it shall devour them” Jer. 5:14.
- “mingled with blood”. In highly graphic language this means, the word “blood” from HAIMA = juice of grapes, atoning blood of lamb. “This is my blood of the new testament.” In reality this was the sacrificial life of study and proclaiming by great reformers. This is blood. The “fire” was “mingled with sacrifice”.
The first trumpet is sounding confirmation of restoration. Restoration is necessary for reformation. But what happened? Was it greeted with open arms? The hail and fire mingled with blood were cast upon the earth. The word “earth” is often used as ground where the “sower went forth to sow”. And a third part of the trees was burnt up. “The third part of” refers to Jerusalem in Eze. 5:1,2 under the type of hair. The judgment of Jerusalem (the church today) for their rebellion. “Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.”
“And a third part of the trees was burnt up”. Because Jerusalem was full of idols and they worshipped the work of their own hands, these trees personify the “proud and lofty”. They are those who reject an affront towards tradition. “And the loftiness of man, shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isa. 2:11-13,17.
These arrogant trees are not akin to the trees of righteousness, ANIL meaning strong, a chief (politically) with the strength of an oak. The gallant fighters of the Maccabees are the trees of righteousness. Conscientious souls who triumphed over Antiochus Epiphanes and regained self-determination.
“And all green grass was burnt up.” Green from Greek CHIORES = verdant, inexperienced, naïve. “Grass” from CHORTOS = vegetation, those of an unthinking existence, all burnt up. Even today if a person be immature in judgment it is common practice to say “he is green.”
Re Jerusalem (the church today)
Jerusalem of old, claiming caretakers of the oracles of God, constantly regressed into idolatry. The true prophets condemned this. It is written, Israel a rebellious nation, “For they are impudent children and stiffhearted…” Eze. 2:4. Jerusalem, “their land is full of idols: they worship the work of their own hands…” Isa. 2:8. “And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces…and all idols thereof will I lay desolate …” Micah 1:7.
With the fall of Jerusalem when Messiah was silenced, Jerusalem, the heart of Judaism collapsed. Jerusalem of the new covenant, which is above, Gal. 4:26, is a symbol of elevated consciousness, a spiritual city. The Jew, those claiming allegiance to their Maker, is one with a circumcised heart. Rom. 2:29. The church (EKKLESIA) are those called out by their conscience – the still small voice. They are the true church. “Now ye are the body of Christ” 1 Cor. 12:27, “one body” Eph. 4:4. “And Christ, (righteousness and peace) is the head.” Eph. 5:23 the spiritual Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4.
Idolatry in the Christian age is false doctrine. “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:7. “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.” 2 Cor. 6:16. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” 1 John 5:21.
Reformation commenced with much earnest work and sacrifice but eventually faded. The seed sown, fell by the wayside, upon stony ground and amongst thorns. But in the residue of good ground the seed germinated and produced many fold. A resurgence of reform would come another day. The faithful were promised, “there would be a light always in Jerusalem.” 1 Kings 11:36.
First Plague
Now plagues follow as an inevitable result of shutting out light. As the messages, seals, trumpets continued their work, likewise the 1st plague is poured out. “And the first (angel) went and poured out his vial upon the earth (or ground); and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” Rev. 16:1,2. The beast, mark and image was briefly dealt with in a former article.
The noisome and grievous sore of the Old Testament was leprosy. See Strong’s Concordance for the word “leprosy” in O.T. Anyone with leprosy was considered unclean. In the spiritual age leprosy is intellectual decay. A scaly, ulcerated mind, figuratively speaking, a corrupting influence. Passion for rectification dwindled.
To be continued, added to blog - The Second Message, Seal, Trumpet and Plague.
The Book of Revelation commences with admonitions to the seven churches of Asia Minor. Some cautions were heeded, some were not. This vision is a miniature review of the rest of Revelation. The Apocalypse also contains 7 messages, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 plagues as well as other sevens. From the word of God, Old Testament temple-history-type and the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Gospels’ antitype, where the Messianic Body models the true Temple, Revelation writes a summation. The Acts of the Apostles and the Epistle writings commence the journey to fulfill archetype and the Apocalypse concludes this journey on a global scale.
The Christian era can be aligned with the early formation of the kingdom of Israel. A confederation of ideas, an admix of Egyptian rule by one, an acceptance of a new order by the settlement in Canaan with an interest in human welfare.
As the story goes, Israel had escaped Egyptian bondage. Saul, meaning asked, as Israel asked for a king, was Israel’s first king, and as ruthless as Pharoah’s task-masters. There had been little progress in the days of early Israel. Then Saul was killed in battle and the kingdom was given to the young shepherd boy, David, the beloved.
King David is where this story begins. The Revelation writers, personified as John as they were one in spirit, mind, hope, objective, commenced by following the Bible temple-history as a pattern. They applied this picture to the circumstances they believed would prevail during the days of Christendom.
This is the first angel’s message, “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” Rev. 5:1,2. The answer, “the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David…” Rev. 5:5. In this dispensation the Lion of Juda is called “the Comforter” - John 16:7.
The little book had been closed for a long time. Isaiah reports in judgment upon Jerusalem for hypocrisy, “the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith I cannot; for it is sealed:” - symbolic statement of mental darkness, is here displayed.
What a tragedy. But was there hope ahead? O yes! A dark period had passed for ancient Israel. Now King David led Israel. Israel means ruling with God.
The First Seal
The four beasts from round about the throne open the first four seals. The throne embraced the four points of the compass. See Ezekiel’s vision in chapter one. To begin in Rev. 6:1,2 John says “…And I saw and behold white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer.” The spirit of investigation is here introduced.
White horse, white from Greek KEUKOS means light. Light shines and is illuminating, representing purity.
The white horses in Zech. 6:6 go forth from between two mountains of brass after “the black horses…go forth into the north country.” The white horses go to Jerusalem. Thus saith the Lord, “I am returned unto Zion.” Zech. 8:3.
Bow is from Greek TOXON/TIKTO and means to produce as a seed, bring forth as a mother delivers a child. Bow in Hebrew is QESHETH, in the sense of bending. The bow in the cloud was a token indicating a covenant between God the Maker, and the earth. Humanity would always be delivered in future from a flood of violent fighting warriors bent on destroying the earth. The bow of Revelation is the new covenant.
Crown from STEPHANDS a symbol of honour. The rider, is Faithful and True. Crowned, from Hebrew ATAR is to encircle, compass for attack and protection.
“What is man that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hath made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and honour.” Ps. 8:4,5.
First Trumpet
What did the first trumpet cryptically sound as the opening of the first seal was observed? Was it a burst of light amidst darkness, and what of the resultant consequences?
Rev. 8:7. “The first angel sounded, and there fell hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
- “Hail”, shall sweep, YAAH 3261 brush aside, “away,” SUWR 5493 turn off, “a refuge of lies,” KAZAB 3576 deceive, be found a liar. The hail shall brush aside and turn off the deception taught to multitudes for centuries.
- And “fire mingled with blood”. “Fire”, well Jeremiah writing about God’s judgments upon the Jews for perverseness explains:- “And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and the people wood, and it shall devour them” Jer. 5:14.
- “mingled with blood”. In highly graphic language this means, the word “blood” from HAIMA = juice of grapes, atoning blood of lamb. “This is my blood of the new testament.” In reality this was the sacrificial life of study and proclaiming by great reformers. This is blood. The “fire” was “mingled with sacrifice”.
The first trumpet is sounding confirmation of restoration. Restoration is necessary for reformation. But what happened? Was it greeted with open arms? The hail and fire mingled with blood were cast upon the earth. The word “earth” is often used as ground where the “sower went forth to sow”. And a third part of the trees was burnt up. “The third part of” refers to Jerusalem in Eze. 5:1,2 under the type of hair. The judgment of Jerusalem (the church today) for their rebellion. “Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take take a third part, and smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.”
“And a third part of the trees was burnt up”. Because Jerusalem was full of idols and they worshipped the work of their own hands, these trees personify the “proud and lofty”. They are those who reject an affront towards tradition. “And the loftiness of man, shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isa. 2:11-13,17.
These arrogant trees are not akin to the trees of righteousness, ANIL meaning strong, a chief (politically) with the strength of an oak. The gallant fighters of the Maccabees are the trees of righteousness. Conscientious souls who triumphed over Antiochus Epiphanes and regained self-determination.
“And all green grass was burnt up.” Green from Greek CHIORES = verdant, inexperienced, naïve. “Grass” from CHORTOS = vegetation, those of an unthinking existence, all burnt up. Even today if a person be immature in judgment it is common practice to say “he is green.”
Re Jerusalem (the church today)
Jerusalem of old, claiming caretakers of the oracles of God, constantly regressed into idolatry. The true prophets condemned this. It is written, Israel a rebellious nation, “For they are impudent children and stiffhearted…” Eze. 2:4. Jerusalem, “their land is full of idols: they worship the work of their own hands…” Isa. 2:8. “And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces…and all idols thereof will I lay desolate …” Micah 1:7.
With the fall of Jerusalem when Messiah was silenced, Jerusalem, the heart of Judaism collapsed. Jerusalem of the new covenant, which is above, Gal. 4:26, is a symbol of elevated consciousness, a spiritual city. The Jew, those claiming allegiance to their Maker, is one with a circumcised heart. Rom. 2:29. The church (EKKLESIA) are those called out by their conscience – the still small voice. They are the true church. “Now ye are the body of Christ” 1 Cor. 12:27, “one body” Eph. 4:4. “And Christ, (righteousness and peace) is the head.” Eph. 5:23 the spiritual Rock - 1 Cor. 10:4.
Idolatry in the Christian age is false doctrine. “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mark 7:7. “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God.” 2 Cor. 6:16. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” 1 John 5:21.
Reformation commenced with much earnest work and sacrifice but eventually faded. The seed sown, fell by the wayside, upon stony ground and amongst thorns. But in the residue of good ground the seed germinated and produced many fold. A resurgence of reform would come another day. The faithful were promised, “there would be a light always in Jerusalem.” 1 Kings 11:36.
First Plague
Now plagues follow as an inevitable result of shutting out light. As the messages, seals, trumpets continued their work, likewise the 1st plague is poured out. “And the first (angel) went and poured out his vial upon the earth (or ground); and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” Rev. 16:1,2. The beast, mark and image was briefly dealt with in a former article.
The noisome and grievous sore of the Old Testament was leprosy. See Strong’s Concordance for the word “leprosy” in O.T. Anyone with leprosy was considered unclean. In the spiritual age leprosy is intellectual decay. A scaly, ulcerated mind, figuratively speaking, a corrupting influence. Passion for rectification dwindled.
To be continued, added to blog - The Second Message, Seal, Trumpet and Plague.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Words - Inverting the Creation Evolution Debate
Words - Inverting the Creation Evolution Debate
Remember
It is interesting to investigate meanings to the words of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. These ancient works, written in allegorical manner, as study will prove, are designed to call-up to our minds important significant subjects of a life of a higher more excellent plateau.
To begin, take verses from Exd. 20:8-12 commencing with the word “remember”, from “Remember the Sabbath day,” in the law given to Israel of old. “Remember”, taken from the Hebrew word ZAKAR means, “to mark (so as to be recognized).” See Strong’s lexicon -2142. “Remember” implies, to make or be remembered, remembrance. This remembrance is of a name denoted from 2145, remembered, i.e. male. ZAKAR means, remember the male, “as being the most noteworthy.” And “male” means mankind, therefore the reading is remember mankind. This is determined by referring to the Scriptures. So God (love-benevolent affection for others) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam (mankind).
And why should mankind, the “most noteworthy”, be remembered? Because there is a great distinction between mankind and the rest of the animal kingdom, though we are all in accord with nature. The creative, inventive human was to have dominion over all life, be fruitful, replenish the earth and subdue it. The dignity of man was being recognized by the writers – man’s passion, tolerance, competence, awe, wonderment, realization of transcendence present in life and being. Mankind was the master of life, coming out of the earth, consciousness the most noteworthy of all. Mankind was an organism completely in harmony with the sacredness of nature, a living divinity, with Christ the anointed Spirit, dwelling within. Mankind possessed the inheritance given to all. Mankind had intrinsic conceptual thought and had control, insightfulness and determination.
Dominion
Dominion from RADAH in a creative form means, to rule, to govern, control, be a guide for action, a guide for direction in replenishment (flow, fill, furnish, gather, have wholly), in being fruitful (finding our being as the ground of being). Mankind’s senses abound.
Now reflect upon our elevated status as mankind is the epitome of spiritual experience. The writers were directing contemplation and meditation of the great work of the Benign, of the great philanthropic harmonious Evolve. Owing to the old Scripture writings being symbolic, the great power of Evolve is personified as God, the object of worship, God the Father. The great power of Evolve is the mystery that none of us can fully know. This substained allegory should be kept in mind throughout the reading of this paper.
Also the emanation of the creative principle is represented as a parent’s love for their offspring. Take the story of the old patriarch “Abraham; who is the father of us all.” This allegory encompasses the regenerative strength of the master of life - individual consciousness – harmony, rebirth, regeneration.
Cogitate, appreciate and revere the remarkable nature of motherhood - compatability. Yes, compatibility, that is the word, where duality ceases. Deliberate on the mutuality of the microscopic world. True affection or passion called “God is a consuming fire” burning within, enthusiasm, and that begat concept – a being of conceptuality, wisdom, linguistics.
To use concept, sentience, requires mental acuity - action. Considered thought plus purposeful action arrives at the very core of the question, what of this word “God”? The representation is a noun – the embodiment of love. Whereas the subject is a verb – thought plus action = creativity. The wondrous continuity of procreation amongst many levels of life, all an inseparable part of existence, is figured in such statements as, “Let the earth bring forth grass, and the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree after his kind, whose seed is in itself upon the earth, and it was so.”
“The Sabbath day, keep it holy.”
“Sabbath” or Shabath means, a temporary cessation, to repose, desist from exertion, cease, celebrate, intermission of a space of time between periods of endeavors. Plainly, a time to stop and think. This “time” in Exd. 20 is called “Sabbath day.”
Unfortunately the token Canaan rest, this tutorial “rest day” was literalised by the unbelief in man’s God-given ability to create. As the Sabbath rest in Canaan was an illustration of God’s spiritual rest after creation, literalizing it to a literal day produced an idol.
Day from YOWM means a day from one sunset to the next. Figuratively, a space of time, is defined by an associated word. In this instance the word is “sabbath.” YOWM can also mean:- age, always, continually, daily, to day, now, this day, forever, everlasting, perpetually, full year, yearly, and other periods. It may be observed there is no emphasis on any fixed “time.”
Holy
The statute says, “keep this repose holy.” Holy from GADASH is causative, something had come into being. QADASH means observe, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, proclaim, holy (er, place), sanctify, wholly.
What was the cause for such high esteem being placed upon this statutory maxim, “keep holy”? The human concept had emerged from the earth – ERETS, meaning ground. The same ground as the Greek word GE, where “the sower went forth to sow” in the New Testament parable.
In Genesis 1:2 “the earth was without form” from TOHUW meaning, a desolation, and representing a worthlessness and confusion. This “earth” “was void” from BOHUW indicating, an emptiness, a vacuity or no mental exertion, “and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” Deep for sea and waters is a metaphor for people throughout Scripture (not documented here). “And God said, Let there be light: And God called the light Day.” Alas! the being of conceptual thought had transcended. The scene of a new creation – rapture for life – having a real living experience.
Honor
Honor thy father and thy mother. The unrestricted congruous consciousness of relationship is perfection. It is life’s compatability complete with personal application of body, mind and soul. This should be applied to global governments, global communual consciousness, global spirituality. Liberation brings temperance and toleration, an appreication of cultures creating the desirable elementary, beneficient, response in humanity. Perfection, is sacred, concerned “not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” We know not how long mankind was without blemish before selfishness and the hunger for power was found in him.
Continual regeneration of the spirit of peaceful agreeableness is purity – the sacredness of the soul Temple. It finally begat the creative higher consciousness, possessing conceptual thought – a living mysterious creativity – portrayed in similar myths in all cultures. This “most noteworthy” accomplishment must be forever honored and respected by our very living. Hidden in the vault of antiquity the origin of nature’s progression is described by the symbolic writers as likening the wonderous marvel of the inception of knowing I am (if we will), as due to our father and mother who gave us life.
We are to extol benign, propagating, ever-advancing potency. This great moral influence teaches us, as no other can, the struggle for success of tolerance and unison. As though singing in one voice, make this lofty innate energy our object of worship, our indwelling God of love. As already stated, the Hebraic symbolic artists personified the great ethical fruitfulness. Early admonishers counseled us to revere and exalt it.
The writers of the Book of Hebrews, Pauline-like, who were presented as the embodiment of a little missionary worker, offered some meaning to the O.T. symbolic writings. Some Christian-Jews who had accepted the compassionate life of the Messianic Body were still clinging to the rigid teachings of literalism, given them by the Pharisees. They were also impoverished and tranquilized by the harsh dictates of the Sadducees.
The tenets of Judaism had crumbled with the silencing of the Messiah. There was not one stone of Judaism upon another that was not thrown down. Precepts symbolically written in the Mosaic law were to direct souls to forever extol nature’s pinnacle of development. After all, this Benign Endowment had set the Israelites free from bondage.
Inasmuch as man was the “most noteworthy” attainment he was to be venerated. This accomplishment was mainly lost to the sight of many. Later writers recorded that with metaphors ignored by keepers of the Oracles of God, the worship of idols was substituted. This delighted those holding the reins of power.
In Roman days, still embedded in the consciousness of many was the thought to literally keep one fixed day in seven as a day of refrain from labor and remember the Creator. But to remember what the power of Creativity had consummated, what Creativity had completed, that was the message. It was the same power used to expedite Exodus.
Honoring our elevated state possessing conceptual thought, makes us “I am”, and must ever be paramount. This we must believe if we are to redeem our pristine state and be set free from mind-control. The messianic life witnessed to this liberty. The example was set. God’s great helper can retrieve our original zenith. Only don’t abort the environment.
Today
According to the narrative in Exodus 20 ancient Israelites were to remember that Jehovah, their powerful active God of love, delivered them from Egyptian bondage. They were to honor this stirling benevolence by contemplating the magnitude of sublimity or rest, keep the sabbath day. “I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence, through the mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.” Deut. 5: 6,15.
This rest was a token, a type of God’s eternal rest to all to commemorate creativity. This token was also a product of capability given to conceptual thought, that would continually recur until ultimate realization. There were many illustrations of deliverers throughout the O.T. Scripture. All these forms were lessons of the ever-present substance existing from the beginning and were spherically anticipated in consummation. They were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of many dictatorial worlds have come.
The Messianic Body, personified as Jesus the Christ in the Gospels, fulfilled locally in Judea the essence of pure deliverance. This was in a confirmed life of liberated consciousness. With merciful loving deeds in spiritual healing and helpfulness the great antitype meets its edenic-given original gift. By ever-expanding movement the great ponderance into the advent of coming into a knowing-existence rolls on towards archetypes, which are elementary.
In the Hebraic writings there is one true rest. It is in remembrance of benign creativity. It is God’s rest.
Joshua, in Canaan, gave Israel a symbolic rest to honor a typical deliverance. Israel was under the Mosaic law. In the new covenant, love is the fulfilling of the law. The Jewish people were taught to keep a rest. It was called a Sabbath day. Oh! had this not been literalised, then well it may have been appreciated.
If there had also been another day, a literal day, “would not Joshua have spoken of another day.” He did not. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. “Let us labour, therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” “Again, he (God, Creator) limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice; harden not your heart.” Today now, Today now, Today now.
What, no mention of the commandments?
More Words
Law and Commandments
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.” Exd. 24:12.
Law
As the narrative proceeds, it is evident that there was a law and commandments. Law from TORAH means, directions – and from YARAH = to point out, to teach, inform, instruct. The Mosaic law written in Exd. 20-23 was given in “words”. Words from DABAR.
The Exodus illustration is of a people in servitude, having left bondage they arrived in a new land with a free settlement. Having been given a law to learn a new way of living, this was a new creation to them. This law (TORAH) presented directions for upright human conduct for a people once cowered, brutalized and spiritless by dictates. The law was to give them liberty, but not license.
Commandments
Commandments from MITSVAH means, precept, ordinance. Also from TSAVAH, to constitute, enjoin, give a charge, send a message, set in order. This word commandment MITSVAH is not law = TORAH.
The ten commandments were ten words or ten DABAR, as quoted above and also in Exd. 34:28.
Deut. 4:12,13 writing of the same example confirms this. “And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: Ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only you heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant which he commanded (TSAVAH) you to perform, even ten commandments (10 DABAR = 10 words); and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. And again Deut. 10:4 “And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments (10 DABAR = ten words) which the Lord spake unto you in the mount…” There is no mention in the Bible of the law (TORAH) having ten words = ten DABAR.
As Israel had been given a law there must be somewhere to keep it. It cannot be left to waft on a summer breeze, there must be a repository.
God said, “Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” The law of excellence first written in the heart and mind of pristine man had been removed. The law of love symbolically written, was “the tree of life.” Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding. She (the life-giver) is more precious than rubies. Her ways are the ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her.” See Prov. 3 & 15:4. Selfishness, greed and love of power over others had polluted the original Sanctuary. This being “the sanctuary and the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Now a modified procedure was devised to bring this desirable enjoinment to fruition.
The Mosaic law, a representation of transcendence, was placed in the tabernacle. The tabernacle was a pattern of the original abode of God’s law of compassion. That abode was the heavenly Temple, the soul Temple. Ten messages were given for the building of the tabernacle/temple where the Mosaic law was placed in the ark in the tabernacle.
The temple and its sacrificial service was a tutorial legend as to the true path of redeeming liberty of conscience. In the Gospel stories of one called Jesus, the old type met its antitype. Jesus was the Temple.
Details of the ten steps that were given to set in order the building of the tabernacle are briefly listed as follows:-
Make an ark with a mercy seat - Exd. 25:10-22
Make a table of showbread - Exd. 25:23-30.
Make a seven-stick candle - Exd. 25. 31-40.
Make curtains of fine line for walls of tabernacle - Exd. 26.1-6.
Make curtains of goat’s hair and ram’s skin dyed red for covering of tabernacle – Exd. 26:7-14.
Make boars for tabernacle - Exd. 26: 15 – 25.
Make bars of shittim wood - Exd. 26:26-30.
Make vail to divide holy from most holy and a hanging for door of tent - Exd. 26:31-37
Make altar of shittim wood- overlay with brass for burnt offering - Exd. 27:1-8.
Make an altar to burn incense – put it before the veil - Exd. 30:1-10.
New Dispensation
The purpose of this section of my paper is to show that the ever-developing and expanding process is incorporated into every facet of life. Conceptual thought learned to teach by relating simple objects to substance.
Man came to understand there was body (tangible) and soul (intangible). The O.T. stories relate how man perceived the soul Temple as the abode of the free Spirit when not in bondage. In bondage his conscience was repressed. But he was entitled to express his opinion.
To gather together in an express location would provide this necessary opportunity. An early illustration notes a portable tent of assembly would suffice.
The Scripture narrative relates that the children of Israel built a temple in Canaan. This was a model of the true Temple. The temple and its services in Jerusalem were to teach by demonstration the upright path to retrieve the lost right of liberty. The O.T. Bible history is a pictorial of life in ancient Israel. Did they progress with time and reach a higher comprehension?
As the Jews affiliated with the Western mind they realized the teachings of Judaism should not be accepted literally. They were written symbolically. The temple service was a token.
Turn to the New Testament to see how a great change was brought about in understanding, by comparing an archaic law of commandments contained in ordinances. (These ordinances were to do with separating Jews from Gentiles, the clean from the unclean). Note the teachings of the early missionaries, the resurrected Body, who travelled westward after the collapse of Judaism. You will see the difference when evolving steps come into play.
Here is an old archaic law, presented as having been given to one called Abraham. “He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.” Gen. 17:13.
Now here is where a difference arises. The Romans were taught, “if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.” To the Galatians, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faithfulness which worketh by love.” See Gal. 5:1-6 & 6:15. “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.” 1 Cor. 7:18,19. The Hellenized Jewish teachers had marked a significant social advance. Evolution is never still.
The Messianic Body, the true Temple, by example gave us a knowledge of grace. Those who comprised this Body were persecuted and silenced. Their message rose again giving hope, showing mercy and benignity and enlightening many who were previously in darkness.
The Mosaic law, once understood, reflects God’s law of love, God’s law of liberty, and stands forever. The Levitical priesthood, and the tabernacle service had been a type for the time then present. Today the priest and the sanctuary are Melchisedec. King of righteousness, King of peace is the high priest. Love is the fulfilling of the law of faithfulness, hope and charity.
Before the Messianic people travelled westward to teach the Gentile world the sacrificial life, “we were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promise... But now in Christ Jesus, (anointed deliverance) ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood (HAIMA = kindred) of Christ.” For he (the anointed peace) who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross (= uprightness and lateral compassion)...”
The conscientious soul, whether Jew or Gentile, is “Jerusalem which is above (elevated), is free, is the mother of us all.” This Jerusalem is the true church (EKKLESIA = those called out), ever the true nucleus of development and progress in the mind of the human.
www.myspace.com/jc13579
Remember
It is interesting to investigate meanings to the words of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. These ancient works, written in allegorical manner, as study will prove, are designed to call-up to our minds important significant subjects of a life of a higher more excellent plateau.
To begin, take verses from Exd. 20:8-12 commencing with the word “remember”, from “Remember the Sabbath day,” in the law given to Israel of old. “Remember”, taken from the Hebrew word ZAKAR means, “to mark (so as to be recognized).” See Strong’s lexicon -2142. “Remember” implies, to make or be remembered, remembrance. This remembrance is of a name denoted from 2145, remembered, i.e. male. ZAKAR means, remember the male, “as being the most noteworthy.” And “male” means mankind, therefore the reading is remember mankind. This is determined by referring to the Scriptures. So God (love-benevolent affection for others) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam (mankind).
And why should mankind, the “most noteworthy”, be remembered? Because there is a great distinction between mankind and the rest of the animal kingdom, though we are all in accord with nature. The creative, inventive human was to have dominion over all life, be fruitful, replenish the earth and subdue it. The dignity of man was being recognized by the writers – man’s passion, tolerance, competence, awe, wonderment, realization of transcendence present in life and being. Mankind was the master of life, coming out of the earth, consciousness the most noteworthy of all. Mankind was an organism completely in harmony with the sacredness of nature, a living divinity, with Christ the anointed Spirit, dwelling within. Mankind possessed the inheritance given to all. Mankind had intrinsic conceptual thought and had control, insightfulness and determination.
Dominion
Dominion from RADAH in a creative form means, to rule, to govern, control, be a guide for action, a guide for direction in replenishment (flow, fill, furnish, gather, have wholly), in being fruitful (finding our being as the ground of being). Mankind’s senses abound.
Now reflect upon our elevated status as mankind is the epitome of spiritual experience. The writers were directing contemplation and meditation of the great work of the Benign, of the great philanthropic harmonious Evolve. Owing to the old Scripture writings being symbolic, the great power of Evolve is personified as God, the object of worship, God the Father. The great power of Evolve is the mystery that none of us can fully know. This substained allegory should be kept in mind throughout the reading of this paper.
Also the emanation of the creative principle is represented as a parent’s love for their offspring. Take the story of the old patriarch “Abraham; who is the father of us all.” This allegory encompasses the regenerative strength of the master of life - individual consciousness – harmony, rebirth, regeneration.
Cogitate, appreciate and revere the remarkable nature of motherhood - compatability. Yes, compatibility, that is the word, where duality ceases. Deliberate on the mutuality of the microscopic world. True affection or passion called “God is a consuming fire” burning within, enthusiasm, and that begat concept – a being of conceptuality, wisdom, linguistics.
To use concept, sentience, requires mental acuity - action. Considered thought plus purposeful action arrives at the very core of the question, what of this word “God”? The representation is a noun – the embodiment of love. Whereas the subject is a verb – thought plus action = creativity. The wondrous continuity of procreation amongst many levels of life, all an inseparable part of existence, is figured in such statements as, “Let the earth bring forth grass, and the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree after his kind, whose seed is in itself upon the earth, and it was so.”
“The Sabbath day, keep it holy.”
“Sabbath” or Shabath means, a temporary cessation, to repose, desist from exertion, cease, celebrate, intermission of a space of time between periods of endeavors. Plainly, a time to stop and think. This “time” in Exd. 20 is called “Sabbath day.”
Unfortunately the token Canaan rest, this tutorial “rest day” was literalised by the unbelief in man’s God-given ability to create. As the Sabbath rest in Canaan was an illustration of God’s spiritual rest after creation, literalizing it to a literal day produced an idol.
Day from YOWM means a day from one sunset to the next. Figuratively, a space of time, is defined by an associated word. In this instance the word is “sabbath.” YOWM can also mean:- age, always, continually, daily, to day, now, this day, forever, everlasting, perpetually, full year, yearly, and other periods. It may be observed there is no emphasis on any fixed “time.”
Holy
The statute says, “keep this repose holy.” Holy from GADASH is causative, something had come into being. QADASH means observe, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, proclaim, holy (er, place), sanctify, wholly.
What was the cause for such high esteem being placed upon this statutory maxim, “keep holy”? The human concept had emerged from the earth – ERETS, meaning ground. The same ground as the Greek word GE, where “the sower went forth to sow” in the New Testament parable.
In Genesis 1:2 “the earth was without form” from TOHUW meaning, a desolation, and representing a worthlessness and confusion. This “earth” “was void” from BOHUW indicating, an emptiness, a vacuity or no mental exertion, “and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” Deep for sea and waters is a metaphor for people throughout Scripture (not documented here). “And God said, Let there be light: And God called the light Day.” Alas! the being of conceptual thought had transcended. The scene of a new creation – rapture for life – having a real living experience.
Honor
Honor thy father and thy mother. The unrestricted congruous consciousness of relationship is perfection. It is life’s compatability complete with personal application of body, mind and soul. This should be applied to global governments, global communual consciousness, global spirituality. Liberation brings temperance and toleration, an appreication of cultures creating the desirable elementary, beneficient, response in humanity. Perfection, is sacred, concerned “not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” We know not how long mankind was without blemish before selfishness and the hunger for power was found in him.
Continual regeneration of the spirit of peaceful agreeableness is purity – the sacredness of the soul Temple. It finally begat the creative higher consciousness, possessing conceptual thought – a living mysterious creativity – portrayed in similar myths in all cultures. This “most noteworthy” accomplishment must be forever honored and respected by our very living. Hidden in the vault of antiquity the origin of nature’s progression is described by the symbolic writers as likening the wonderous marvel of the inception of knowing I am (if we will), as due to our father and mother who gave us life.
We are to extol benign, propagating, ever-advancing potency. This great moral influence teaches us, as no other can, the struggle for success of tolerance and unison. As though singing in one voice, make this lofty innate energy our object of worship, our indwelling God of love. As already stated, the Hebraic symbolic artists personified the great ethical fruitfulness. Early admonishers counseled us to revere and exalt it.
The writers of the Book of Hebrews, Pauline-like, who were presented as the embodiment of a little missionary worker, offered some meaning to the O.T. symbolic writings. Some Christian-Jews who had accepted the compassionate life of the Messianic Body were still clinging to the rigid teachings of literalism, given them by the Pharisees. They were also impoverished and tranquilized by the harsh dictates of the Sadducees.
The tenets of Judaism had crumbled with the silencing of the Messiah. There was not one stone of Judaism upon another that was not thrown down. Precepts symbolically written in the Mosaic law were to direct souls to forever extol nature’s pinnacle of development. After all, this Benign Endowment had set the Israelites free from bondage.
Inasmuch as man was the “most noteworthy” attainment he was to be venerated. This accomplishment was mainly lost to the sight of many. Later writers recorded that with metaphors ignored by keepers of the Oracles of God, the worship of idols was substituted. This delighted those holding the reins of power.
In Roman days, still embedded in the consciousness of many was the thought to literally keep one fixed day in seven as a day of refrain from labor and remember the Creator. But to remember what the power of Creativity had consummated, what Creativity had completed, that was the message. It was the same power used to expedite Exodus.
Honoring our elevated state possessing conceptual thought, makes us “I am”, and must ever be paramount. This we must believe if we are to redeem our pristine state and be set free from mind-control. The messianic life witnessed to this liberty. The example was set. God’s great helper can retrieve our original zenith. Only don’t abort the environment.
Today
According to the narrative in Exodus 20 ancient Israelites were to remember that Jehovah, their powerful active God of love, delivered them from Egyptian bondage. They were to honor this stirling benevolence by contemplating the magnitude of sublimity or rest, keep the sabbath day. “I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence, through the mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.” Deut. 5: 6,15.
This rest was a token, a type of God’s eternal rest to all to commemorate creativity. This token was also a product of capability given to conceptual thought, that would continually recur until ultimate realization. There were many illustrations of deliverers throughout the O.T. Scripture. All these forms were lessons of the ever-present substance existing from the beginning and were spherically anticipated in consummation. They were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of many dictatorial worlds have come.
The Messianic Body, personified as Jesus the Christ in the Gospels, fulfilled locally in Judea the essence of pure deliverance. This was in a confirmed life of liberated consciousness. With merciful loving deeds in spiritual healing and helpfulness the great antitype meets its edenic-given original gift. By ever-expanding movement the great ponderance into the advent of coming into a knowing-existence rolls on towards archetypes, which are elementary.
In the Hebraic writings there is one true rest. It is in remembrance of benign creativity. It is God’s rest.
Joshua, in Canaan, gave Israel a symbolic rest to honor a typical deliverance. Israel was under the Mosaic law. In the new covenant, love is the fulfilling of the law. The Jewish people were taught to keep a rest. It was called a Sabbath day. Oh! had this not been literalised, then well it may have been appreciated.
If there had also been another day, a literal day, “would not Joshua have spoken of another day.” He did not. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. “Let us labour, therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” “Again, he (God, Creator) limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice; harden not your heart.” Today now, Today now, Today now.
What, no mention of the commandments?
More Words
Law and Commandments
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.” Exd. 24:12.
Law
As the narrative proceeds, it is evident that there was a law and commandments. Law from TORAH means, directions – and from YARAH = to point out, to teach, inform, instruct. The Mosaic law written in Exd. 20-23 was given in “words”. Words from DABAR.
The Exodus illustration is of a people in servitude, having left bondage they arrived in a new land with a free settlement. Having been given a law to learn a new way of living, this was a new creation to them. This law (TORAH) presented directions for upright human conduct for a people once cowered, brutalized and spiritless by dictates. The law was to give them liberty, but not license.
Commandments
Commandments from MITSVAH means, precept, ordinance. Also from TSAVAH, to constitute, enjoin, give a charge, send a message, set in order. This word commandment MITSVAH is not law = TORAH.
The ten commandments were ten words or ten DABAR, as quoted above and also in Exd. 34:28.
Deut. 4:12,13 writing of the same example confirms this. “And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: Ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only you heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant which he commanded (TSAVAH) you to perform, even ten commandments (10 DABAR = 10 words); and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. And again Deut. 10:4 “And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments (10 DABAR = ten words) which the Lord spake unto you in the mount…” There is no mention in the Bible of the law (TORAH) having ten words = ten DABAR.
As Israel had been given a law there must be somewhere to keep it. It cannot be left to waft on a summer breeze, there must be a repository.
God said, “Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” The law of excellence first written in the heart and mind of pristine man had been removed. The law of love symbolically written, was “the tree of life.” Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding. She (the life-giver) is more precious than rubies. Her ways are the ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her.” See Prov. 3 & 15:4. Selfishness, greed and love of power over others had polluted the original Sanctuary. This being “the sanctuary and the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Now a modified procedure was devised to bring this desirable enjoinment to fruition.
The Mosaic law, a representation of transcendence, was placed in the tabernacle. The tabernacle was a pattern of the original abode of God’s law of compassion. That abode was the heavenly Temple, the soul Temple. Ten messages were given for the building of the tabernacle/temple where the Mosaic law was placed in the ark in the tabernacle.
The temple and its sacrificial service was a tutorial legend as to the true path of redeeming liberty of conscience. In the Gospel stories of one called Jesus, the old type met its antitype. Jesus was the Temple.
Details of the ten steps that were given to set in order the building of the tabernacle are briefly listed as follows:-
Make an ark with a mercy seat - Exd. 25:10-22
Make a table of showbread - Exd. 25:23-30.
Make a seven-stick candle - Exd. 25. 31-40.
Make curtains of fine line for walls of tabernacle - Exd. 26.1-6.
Make curtains of goat’s hair and ram’s skin dyed red for covering of tabernacle – Exd. 26:7-14.
Make boars for tabernacle - Exd. 26: 15 – 25.
Make bars of shittim wood - Exd. 26:26-30.
Make vail to divide holy from most holy and a hanging for door of tent - Exd. 26:31-37
Make altar of shittim wood- overlay with brass for burnt offering - Exd. 27:1-8.
Make an altar to burn incense – put it before the veil - Exd. 30:1-10.
New Dispensation
The purpose of this section of my paper is to show that the ever-developing and expanding process is incorporated into every facet of life. Conceptual thought learned to teach by relating simple objects to substance.
Man came to understand there was body (tangible) and soul (intangible). The O.T. stories relate how man perceived the soul Temple as the abode of the free Spirit when not in bondage. In bondage his conscience was repressed. But he was entitled to express his opinion.
To gather together in an express location would provide this necessary opportunity. An early illustration notes a portable tent of assembly would suffice.
The Scripture narrative relates that the children of Israel built a temple in Canaan. This was a model of the true Temple. The temple and its services in Jerusalem were to teach by demonstration the upright path to retrieve the lost right of liberty. The O.T. Bible history is a pictorial of life in ancient Israel. Did they progress with time and reach a higher comprehension?
As the Jews affiliated with the Western mind they realized the teachings of Judaism should not be accepted literally. They were written symbolically. The temple service was a token.
Turn to the New Testament to see how a great change was brought about in understanding, by comparing an archaic law of commandments contained in ordinances. (These ordinances were to do with separating Jews from Gentiles, the clean from the unclean). Note the teachings of the early missionaries, the resurrected Body, who travelled westward after the collapse of Judaism. You will see the difference when evolving steps come into play.
Here is an old archaic law, presented as having been given to one called Abraham. “He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.” Gen. 17:13.
Now here is where a difference arises. The Romans were taught, “if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.” To the Galatians, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faithfulness which worketh by love.” See Gal. 5:1-6 & 6:15. “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.” 1 Cor. 7:18,19. The Hellenized Jewish teachers had marked a significant social advance. Evolution is never still.
The Messianic Body, the true Temple, by example gave us a knowledge of grace. Those who comprised this Body were persecuted and silenced. Their message rose again giving hope, showing mercy and benignity and enlightening many who were previously in darkness.
The Mosaic law, once understood, reflects God’s law of love, God’s law of liberty, and stands forever. The Levitical priesthood, and the tabernacle service had been a type for the time then present. Today the priest and the sanctuary are Melchisedec. King of righteousness, King of peace is the high priest. Love is the fulfilling of the law of faithfulness, hope and charity.
Before the Messianic people travelled westward to teach the Gentile world the sacrificial life, “we were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promise... But now in Christ Jesus, (anointed deliverance) ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood (HAIMA = kindred) of Christ.” For he (the anointed peace) who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross (= uprightness and lateral compassion)...”
The conscientious soul, whether Jew or Gentile, is “Jerusalem which is above (elevated), is free, is the mother of us all.” This Jerusalem is the true church (EKKLESIA = those called out), ever the true nucleus of development and progress in the mind of the human.
www.myspace.com/jc13579
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)