A while back, this question was posed to me:
Was the Sodom of the Bible found north of the Dead Sea?
Firstly, by referring to a Sodom "North of the Dead Sea", the debate usually immediately shifts to Tall el-Hammam, in the nation of Jordan, some 8 miles NORTH of the Dead Sea, and and some 8 miles EAST of the Jordan River.
http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2010/04/14/CSI-Hammam-The-Fifth-Season-of-Investigating-a-Biblical-City.aspx
http://www.tallelhammam.com/
Is that location Sodom, or ANY location north of the Dead Sea Sodom?
The answer is No to both of these. Tall el-Hammam is just a ruse for its excavators to gain notoriety and funding, and further, the Sodom that exists in the Biblical historical accounts has not yet been found, nor is it likely to ever be.
The location of Tall el-Hammam is the only sight to which I am aware where serious lazy scholarship has by scholarly consensus in failure to reasearch the topic, leaned to accepting as Sodom by a successful con in the last few years. The contention focused upon is that it rests on a peculiar 13 by 13 mile kikar or disc of land, but unfortunately for the theorists, that kikar is of the same valley basin that Joshua led the Children of Israel westward through into the Promised Land in 1511 B.C., and the same lands which Israelites of 2 1/2 tribes amounting to no less than 300,000 souls settled. That is, an average of at least 1775 Israelis per square mile of the Kikar settled there...in a place that was allegedly cursed as uninhabitable forever. Wherein, comes the con...for suckers and those wishing to be part of a cult mentality to believe in the personality excavating and theorizing wrongly, and not the Bible. I say this from the experience of having debated with these at length...the leader of the excavation, his immediate assistant, and other excavators of Tall el-Hammam (TEH). I explored from both pro and con possibilities, and offered various Northern Sodom Theory (NST) allowances to varying extremes, in order to sort out all the possibilities from the possible probabilities, and the possible probabilities from the likelihoods and facts...so that the end result was the best answer, ruling out as much error as possible, given what can be known.
However, I have concluded in the years since the debates, that it is most likely that Sodom will never be found, although one of the borders its country and the general vicinity of its town can be ascertained, prophecy declares it will never be lived in ever again...and therefore, this must also include archaeologists excavating and camping overnight there as well.
Ruling out the NST
From about the times of Solomn to the Assyrian conquest, much of the valley basin on the north of the disc around the Jordan River was forested, a vastly wooded area. During those same times Tall el-Hammam was a land full of life, habitations; Tall el-Hammam being a major influence east of the Jordan.
Prior to its Iron Age settlement, the disc, and most particularly the plain on which Tall el-Hammam is settled is, is 9 times referred to as "the plains of Moab": Numbers 22:1, 26:3, 26:63, 31:12, 33:48, 33:49, 33:50, 35:1, 36:13. There is NO MENTION OF SODOM, even though later in Deuteronomy we read that the land and country of Sodom is uninhabitable...
Deuteronomy 29:23 - The whole land shall be burned with brimstone and salt; it shall not be sown, nor shall it sprout; nor shall there be any herb in it. It shall be like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim, which Jehovah overthrew in His anger and in His fury.
Deuteronomy 32:32 - For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and their grapes of the fields of Gomorrah, grapes of gall; they have bitter clusters.
...that was not the case with the plains of Moab through which the children of Israel crossed in the Exodus, which was in the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1550-1200 B.C., as stated by Tall el-Hammam excavators). In fact, the plains of Moab east of the Jordan, where Tall el-Hammam was, was so fruitful, that the lands of the disc east of the Jordan were able to sustain "a great multitude of cattle" and 2 1/2 tribes...the number of them as listed in Numbers chapter 1 and chapter 32.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+1&version=KJV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+32&version=KJV
The excavators of the Tall el-Hammam mound further state that the site, once reinhabited after an absence from extinction in the Middle Bronze Age (they cite as 2000-1550 B.C.), lasted from the Iron Age 1 (1200-1000 B.C.) or most certainly by the beginning of Iron Age 2 (ca. 1000 B.C.) until after the Muslim conquest in the 700s A.D. That is, starting generally around 1100 B.C. and then for 1800 more years, under one name or other, Tall el-Hammam flourished at a time when the Bible again called the lands of Sodom as a current barren and salted wasteland, where even nomads refused to stop and rest if they found themselves in it.
The Bible says that in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses every word shall be established. So we have Moses and Deuteronomy, but the Tall el-Hammam excavators won't believe Moses in Deuteronomy 32.
I therefore will call forth twice the necessary witnesses needed to slam the door shut on the Northern Sodom Theory hoax in which Tall el-Hammam, a flourishing fruitful and well populated land with fresh waters, is put forth as Sodom by modern excavators using it as a con for fundraising a different civilization altogether.
Witness #1 -
In circa 760 B.C., Sodom is a destroyed place:
Amos 4:7 – it a place of no rain
In verse 9 – it a place of blasting and mildew [hence, moisture of some sort] and the creeping locust
In verse 10 - it is a place forsaken like the plague
In verse 11 – Sodom is an overturned [the use of the word “Hapak” or turned upside down, a plain now a valley in its use] place, a place of burning.
------Hence, Tall el-Hammam -- being inhabited -- is disqualified.
Witness #2 - In circa 735 B.C., Sodom was a place ruined since its overthrow over 1200 years earlier, and set forth as an example.
Isaiah 1:7 speaks of how the land of Israel, ravaged by war, is a desolation; and its cities burned with fire.
Isaiah 1:9 Except Jehovah of Hosts had left a remnant for us, a few, we would be as Sodom; we would be as Gomorrah
Isaiah 13:19 uses mahpekah to describe Babylon’s overthrow, to describe a destruction as complete as Sodom and Gomorrah…the word picture being to the effect of: 'it shall be taken down with great violence and poured out as liquid from a flask' as the emphasis of the violence of its overthrow. The word picture in reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, suggest volcanic lava or like activity as being the demise of Sodom and Gomorrah. The overthrow of Babylon will be as complete as if Creation and a volcanic disaster had wiped that city out.
Isaiah 13:20 tells us that as of Isaiah’s day, Sodom and Gomorrah were UNINHABITED, and in a place where the Arabian was UNABLE to pitch his tent, and flocks (though they might perhaps step upon), were unable to lie down there. In other words, Sodom and Gomorrah, even under a receding sea due to drought, could well have been known to be under even amounts as little as about a foot or less of water of the Dead Sea consistently in Isaiah’s day.
This points us by markers to the southern regions of the Dead Sea, in a valley that was depressed to be even lower than the Jordan Valley proper, ceasing the river’s former run to the Gulf of Aqaba.
-----Hence, Tall el-Hammam -- being inhabited -- is disqualified.
Witness # 3 - In circa 620 B.C., Sodom is desolation and uninhabited:
Zephaniah 2:9 …surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah, a possession of nettles, and a pit of salt, and a ruin forever
-----Hence, Tall el-Hammam -- being inhabited -- is disqualified.
Witness # 4 -
In circa 590 B.C., Sodom is still a destroyed place, having only bitter and poisonous waters, and visibly ruined: Jeremiah 23:14 “They are all of them like Sodom to Me, and those living in her like Gomorrah.
Jeremiah 23:15 So Jehovah of Hosts says this concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them wormwood, and make them drink poisonous water…”
Jeremiah 49:17 And Edom shall be a ruin, everyone who goes by it shall be amazed and shall hiss at all its plagues.
Jeremiah 49:18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, and its neighbor, declares Jehovah, no man shall remain there, a son of man shall not live in it."
-----Hence, Tall el-Hammam -- being inhabited -- is disqualified.
Witnesses #5 and #6 -
In circa 47 and 57 A.D., at the very time period of when the Tall el-Hammam excavators claims that their city thrived under the name of “Livias”, and was greatly inhabited, Jude and the Apostle Peter both testify that Sodom is a current example (current in the 1st Century A.D.) of everlasting destruction upon a location, suggesting its ruins were both still visible and uninhabited, and example of what everlasting fire will do:
Jude 1:7 “as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, in like manner to these, committing fornication, and going away after other flesh, laid down an example before-times, undergoing vengeance of everlasting fire.”
2 Peter 2:6 "and covering the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with ashes, He condemned them with an overthrow, setting an example to men intending to live ungodly.”
According to the historical testimony of 2 Peter 2:6, all the cities of the Sodomic Pentapolis are designated as being covered and/or reduced to ashes in the use of tephrosas. The cities were covered with ashes and condemed. In order to FIND Sodom, it must be located from under a great coat of "ashes".
-----Hence, Tall el-Hammam -- being inhabited -- is disqualified.
The Southern Sodom Theory alone fulfills this covered with great ash heaps requirement, because ashes are 20-30 feet deep at the southern bed of the Dead Sea, and 2-3 feet deep at Bab edh-dhra at the Lisan Peninsula of the Dead Sea further north, and of an irrelevant amount north of the Dead Sea here Tall el-Hammam is found. Therefore, the place with the greatest ash depths, is SOUTH of the Dead Sea in the droughted lake beds and amongst the SALTIEST section of any body of water on Earth, is geologic evidence (according to the Bible and its historic witnesses) of where we should look for Sodom.
It seems to me, that any who wish to propose the Northern Sodom Theory with Tall el-Hammam as Sodom, fall in one of 3 categories:
1) They have not properly researched the subject in any depth, whatsoever.
2) They wish to be deceived
3) They know it to be a lie and wish to deceive others.
[This ends what I intend to be part 1 of a multi-part answer regarding Sodom]
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 by George Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
I wish all an early Happy Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday November 25, 2010, wherever in the world you might be reading or viewing from. May all fellow believers into Christ Jesus rest and comfort in G-D's love, tender mercies and loving-kindness.
Let each and every day have a measure of Thanksgiving to G-D for blessings great and small, and even just for living...and joy and communion be found everlasting for all, whosoever will, come to and believe into Christ Jesus our L-RD, who came down from Heaven, was made man, paid for our sins at the Cross, died as was raised the Third Day, walked the Earth for a month and a half more before ascending into Heaven before many witnesses. A Testimony uncontested by those ancients, even the most hostile of them, of the same generation as these events occurred in.
May you worship and give thanks to G-D wherever you are, and may G-D smile upon and bless you as according to your needs, through riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
May all we who believe into Jesus Christ, and proclaim Him as the Only Way, Truth, and Life offered by the Father unto the world, unite in prayers of Thanksgiving on this day and all days...be we Gentile (of the nations) or Jew (the blessed first chosen of G-D's favor, to be honored by the saints when fellow believers into Yeshua/Jesus among us, and still to be shown greater patience and understanding/intelligent courtesy otherwise).
Shalom.
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
I wish all an early Happy Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday November 25, 2010, wherever in the world you might be reading or viewing from. May all fellow believers into Christ Jesus rest and comfort in G-D's love, tender mercies and loving-kindness.
Let each and every day have a measure of Thanksgiving to G-D for blessings great and small, and even just for living...and joy and communion be found everlasting for all, whosoever will, come to and believe into Christ Jesus our L-RD, who came down from Heaven, was made man, paid for our sins at the Cross, died as was raised the Third Day, walked the Earth for a month and a half more before ascending into Heaven before many witnesses. A Testimony uncontested by those ancients, even the most hostile of them, of the same generation as these events occurred in.
May you worship and give thanks to G-D wherever you are, and may G-D smile upon and bless you as according to your needs, through riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
May all we who believe into Jesus Christ, and proclaim Him as the Only Way, Truth, and Life offered by the Father unto the world, unite in prayers of Thanksgiving on this day and all days...be we Gentile (of the nations) or Jew (the blessed first chosen of G-D's favor, to be honored by the saints when fellow believers into Yeshua/Jesus among us, and still to be shown greater patience and understanding/intelligent courtesy otherwise).
Shalom.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Matthew 13:33 mused upon...when leaven is seen as part of the design and as a good thing.
Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
αλλην παραβολην - Another parable
{ ελαλησεν αυτοις } - {He spoke to them}
ομοια εστιν - 'Like is
η βασιλεια των ουρανων - the Kingdom of Heaven
ζυμη - leaven {i.e., into heat fermenting and expanding}
ην λαβουσα - which actively taking (and receiving)
γυνη ενεκρυψεν - a woman hid
εις - into
αλευρου σατα τρια - meal measures three
εως ου εζυμωθη ολον - until was leavened /heated and expanded the whole (of it).
Some thoughts on the matter:
Elsewhere, the Gospel in the Greek can seemingly be used to make the point that the unbelievers are like those who are shriveled back in soul and spirit, as if a cup or pitcher's worth of their spirit /soul as compared to the huge rain barrel size of their spirit's/soul's original state. This comes by example whereas the Greek word xeros, as used of the body or body part, such as the hand in its shriveled state (e.g. Matthew 12:10), is linked to xestes. But that explanation in detail may be saved for another time, but suffice the reference here.
By example, it seems as there is indication that the souls of all unbelievers (if they were to be seen) are to be likened to dried up prunes, or a fraction in size and intellectual and spiritual potential of the design they were meant to be in their unfallen state. Perhaps it might be described as if the souls or spirits were reduced to a semi-living entity that appeared as if tar or syrup residue substances (in their spiritual form, as it relates only to unbelievers) of what they were originally intended...and that in their restored state, it may be argued that the souls of the born again are restored to be a reflection of a perfect outward copy of themselves as they were meant to be.
Though fermentation is used in the context of "corruption" and "evil" in various biblical passages used by Paul (Galatians 5:9 and I Corinthians 5:6)...here in this Gospel passage and in context, it is NOT. In fact, the process of adding yeast into the flour or grounded wheat or barley meal in order to leaven it, is used to illustrate and help those who wish to know, how that G-D operates in their lives when the new believer lets G-D come and indwell them, placing the Kingdom of Heaven within them.
For this reason, Jesus says:
"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
Zume, or the leavening process, creates its own heat and air; causing an expansion and growing of the meal to that which the process was designed for.
In effect, the expansion is much like the spiritual process. No one honestly says that a loaf of French or Italian bread was meant to look like and eat like a flat cracker. Nor was the believer designed to be void of G-D's presence in their life, as though flat, spirit or airless creatures.
In Creation, by example, we are designed to be inflated with water and air...as if physical manifestations of the words "of water and the spirit". It is with each and every breath we breathe in and out the very NAME of the Most High: G-D ALMIGHTY. And that name is of YHVeH Messiah, or Christ who is G-D (Lamentations 4:20), and He who in Genesis 2:7 gave us our the spiritual DNA/RNA that is passed down along with our physical DNA/RNA, but now our souls and spirits are in a fallen state though our first father's lack of faith, until regenerated or reignited (John 1:9) by faith / belief into Him for that restoration and salvation unto eternal life. In the Bible this NAME of G-D that we breathe constantly is written as it sounds and is the Tetragrammaton.
Thus, the design of the Kingdom of G-D placed in one's life -- much like the intentional design of bread is meal that has been leavened by yeast -- is designed to help us spiritually grow into maturity, and be restored to that which is G-D's original and perfect design, even as the plants are now looked upon by G-D as puny and in their shriveled form, as Patristics inform us that Jesus once said:
“The days will come when the vines will grow, each having 10,000 shoots; and on each shoot 10,000 branches; and on each branch 10,000 twigs; and on each twig 10,000 clusters; and in each cluster 10,000 grapes; and each grape when crushed will yield 25 measures [ca. 150 gallons].
And when one of the Saints takes hold of a cluster, another cluster will cry out,
‘I am better. Take me. Bless the L-RD through me.’
Similarly, a grain of wheat will produce 10,000 heads; and every head will have 10,000 grains; and every grain (will yield) 10 pounds of fine flour, white and clean.
And the other fruits, seeds, and grass will produce in similar proportions -- and all the animals feeding on these fruits produced by the soil, will in turn, be harmonious toward one another, and fully subject to man.”
-- Papias…who was a hearer of John and…saw John the disciple of the L-RD, recalled having heard how the LORD used to teach about those times…and he goes on to say [that Jesus, the L-RD, said]:
‘These things are believable to those who believe.’
And according to John, ‘when Judas the traitor did not believe, and asked, ‘’How then, will such a growth be accomplished by YHVeH?’’, the L-RD said, ‘’Those who live until those times will see.’’ “
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.33.3-4 (2nd generation student from John)
-----------------------------------
That same kind of growth and fullness, like the meal intentionally built up and expanded by leaven, finds completeness in that source placed within us...and we who believe and trust Christ Jesus to our eternal salvation Spiritually grow into that greatness and design that was intended for us to be and become, as we grow into the likeness of Christ Jesus (I John 3:2).
But no matter how near or far we come ...or even can dare think we come...in this mortal life, we cannot acheive anywhere near any full and absolute spiritual growth on our own. That doesn't mean we don't keep trying, because those who love G-D want to manifestly be more like Him (kind, loving, merciful, gracious, etc.). To one day be made entirely complete, in the Resurrection, in mind and body and spirit and soul to our full unfallen state and fullest potential, it is a gift that G-D gives us to be fully made complete when we pass from this life into the next, and from Judgment into eternal life through Christ Jesus, the Son of G-D. It is also a gift for we believers in Chrsit Jesus to also look forward to, but in addition to the primary of that fact that we shall one day be with Him .
"...whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For G-D so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
...And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
...If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be..."(John 3:16, 14:3, 12:26a). Amen.
αλλην παραβολην - Another parable
{ ελαλησεν αυτοις } - {He spoke to them}
ομοια εστιν - 'Like is
η βασιλεια των ουρανων - the Kingdom of Heaven
ζυμη - leaven {i.e., into heat fermenting and expanding}
ην λαβουσα - which actively taking (and receiving)
γυνη ενεκρυψεν - a woman hid
εις - into
αλευρου σατα τρια - meal measures three
εως ου εζυμωθη ολον - until was leavened /heated and expanded the whole (of it).
Some thoughts on the matter:
Elsewhere, the Gospel in the Greek can seemingly be used to make the point that the unbelievers are like those who are shriveled back in soul and spirit, as if a cup or pitcher's worth of their spirit /soul as compared to the huge rain barrel size of their spirit's/soul's original state. This comes by example whereas the Greek word xeros, as used of the body or body part, such as the hand in its shriveled state (e.g. Matthew 12:10), is linked to xestes. But that explanation in detail may be saved for another time, but suffice the reference here.
By example, it seems as there is indication that the souls of all unbelievers (if they were to be seen) are to be likened to dried up prunes, or a fraction in size and intellectual and spiritual potential of the design they were meant to be in their unfallen state. Perhaps it might be described as if the souls or spirits were reduced to a semi-living entity that appeared as if tar or syrup residue substances (in their spiritual form, as it relates only to unbelievers) of what they were originally intended...and that in their restored state, it may be argued that the souls of the born again are restored to be a reflection of a perfect outward copy of themselves as they were meant to be.
Though fermentation is used in the context of "corruption" and "evil" in various biblical passages used by Paul (Galatians 5:9 and I Corinthians 5:6)...here in this Gospel passage and in context, it is NOT. In fact, the process of adding yeast into the flour or grounded wheat or barley meal in order to leaven it, is used to illustrate and help those who wish to know, how that G-D operates in their lives when the new believer lets G-D come and indwell them, placing the Kingdom of Heaven within them.
For this reason, Jesus says:
"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
Zume, or the leavening process, creates its own heat and air; causing an expansion and growing of the meal to that which the process was designed for.
In effect, the expansion is much like the spiritual process. No one honestly says that a loaf of French or Italian bread was meant to look like and eat like a flat cracker. Nor was the believer designed to be void of G-D's presence in their life, as though flat, spirit or airless creatures.
In Creation, by example, we are designed to be inflated with water and air...as if physical manifestations of the words "of water and the spirit". It is with each and every breath we breathe in and out the very NAME of the Most High: G-D ALMIGHTY. And that name is of YHVeH Messiah, or Christ who is G-D (Lamentations 4:20), and He who in Genesis 2:7 gave us our the spiritual DNA/RNA that is passed down along with our physical DNA/RNA, but now our souls and spirits are in a fallen state though our first father's lack of faith, until regenerated or reignited (John 1:9) by faith / belief into Him for that restoration and salvation unto eternal life. In the Bible this NAME of G-D that we breathe constantly is written as it sounds and is the Tetragrammaton.
Thus, the design of the Kingdom of G-D placed in one's life -- much like the intentional design of bread is meal that has been leavened by yeast -- is designed to help us spiritually grow into maturity, and be restored to that which is G-D's original and perfect design, even as the plants are now looked upon by G-D as puny and in their shriveled form, as Patristics inform us that Jesus once said:
“The days will come when the vines will grow, each having 10,000 shoots; and on each shoot 10,000 branches; and on each branch 10,000 twigs; and on each twig 10,000 clusters; and in each cluster 10,000 grapes; and each grape when crushed will yield 25 measures [ca. 150 gallons].
And when one of the Saints takes hold of a cluster, another cluster will cry out,
‘I am better. Take me. Bless the L-RD through me.’
Similarly, a grain of wheat will produce 10,000 heads; and every head will have 10,000 grains; and every grain (will yield) 10 pounds of fine flour, white and clean.
And the other fruits, seeds, and grass will produce in similar proportions -- and all the animals feeding on these fruits produced by the soil, will in turn, be harmonious toward one another, and fully subject to man.”
-- Papias…who was a hearer of John and…saw John the disciple of the L-RD, recalled having heard how the LORD used to teach about those times…and he goes on to say [that Jesus, the L-RD, said]:
‘These things are believable to those who believe.’
And according to John, ‘when Judas the traitor did not believe, and asked, ‘’How then, will such a growth be accomplished by YHVeH?’’, the L-RD said, ‘’Those who live until those times will see.’’ “
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.33.3-4 (2nd generation student from John)
-----------------------------------
That same kind of growth and fullness, like the meal intentionally built up and expanded by leaven, finds completeness in that source placed within us...and we who believe and trust Christ Jesus to our eternal salvation Spiritually grow into that greatness and design that was intended for us to be and become, as we grow into the likeness of Christ Jesus (I John 3:2).
But no matter how near or far we come ...or even can dare think we come...in this mortal life, we cannot acheive anywhere near any full and absolute spiritual growth on our own. That doesn't mean we don't keep trying, because those who love G-D want to manifestly be more like Him (kind, loving, merciful, gracious, etc.). To one day be made entirely complete, in the Resurrection, in mind and body and spirit and soul to our full unfallen state and fullest potential, it is a gift that G-D gives us to be fully made complete when we pass from this life into the next, and from Judgment into eternal life through Christ Jesus, the Son of G-D. It is also a gift for we believers in Chrsit Jesus to also look forward to, but in addition to the primary of that fact that we shall one day be with Him .
"...whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For G-D so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
...And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
...If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be..."(John 3:16, 14:3, 12:26a). Amen.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
John Warwick Montgomery, 1988-1989. A Recommended Modern Scholar of Christian Apologetics
Search Amazon.com for John Warwick Montgomery
Though the Youtube tape is dated 1989, I personally find that John Warwick Montgomery is as good and fun a scholar to watch and listen to in 2010 as he was in the ff. when it was recorded in 1988 and apparently aired in 1989.
To me, when a scholar in speaking is able to transcend time, and be as fresh today as in the decades ago time he spoke...that is a real treat, and no trick. Hope you enjoy this and other entries by Mr. Montgomery available through the John Ankerberg Theological Research Institute.
http://www.jashow.org/TV/ankjasrm-hist-jesus-wmv.html#AP1
Enjoy!
http://www.jashow.org/wiki/index.php/The_Evidence_for_the_Resurrection_of_Jesus_Christ/Part_1
http://www.jashow.org/wiki/index.php/The_Evidence_for_the_Resurrection_of_Jesus_Christ/Part_2
Though the Youtube tape is dated 1989, I personally find that John Warwick Montgomery is as good and fun a scholar to watch and listen to in 2010 as he was in the ff. when it was recorded in 1988 and apparently aired in 1989.
To me, when a scholar in speaking is able to transcend time, and be as fresh today as in the decades ago time he spoke...that is a real treat, and no trick. Hope you enjoy this and other entries by Mr. Montgomery available through the John Ankerberg Theological Research Institute.
http://www.jashow.org/TV/ankjasrm-hist-jesus-wmv.html#AP1
Enjoy!
http://www.jashow.org/wiki/index.php/The_Evidence_for_the_Resurrection_of_Jesus_Christ/Part_1
http://www.jashow.org/wiki/index.php/The_Evidence_for_the_Resurrection_of_Jesus_Christ/Part_2
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Understanding more on the Roman Centurion who was commended by Jesus
Luke 7 (King James Version)
1 Now when He had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9 When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
My Comments:
In the First Century A.D., the primary training center for new recruits into the Roman Army was located on the island of Sardinia (cf. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 18.3.5). There they drafted generally between the ages of 12-15 years of age. Thereafter, the boot camp and combat training was for 5 years of unrelenting combat training and drilling. That's 5 years. Boys became molded in mind and body into fighting men like machines, until they could rigourously and daily endure 5 hours of non-stop combat exercises. That is 5 hours of pretend battle practice every day, by men who came out of 5 years of training at the ages of 17-20 and then served a 5 year hitch at some location where they were sent, which made the average Roman soldier on first tour an age of 22-25 years of age when he finished, and 27-32 years of age when his second tour was over (after which most were released).
So in the case of the above passage in Luke, the Centuion is somewhere between 22 and no more than 32-37 years old (after which, even centurions were retired from service involuntarily) due to the extreme physical exertions, strength and cardio-vascular endurances required. Josephus relates that those that call the Roman Army's every day "exercises as unbloody battles, and their battles as bloody exercises" (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 3.5.1) were NOT AT ALL mistaken in so saying.
In this time in Israel's history, the Roman Centurion was usually placed in charge of outpost stations, such as having the charge of calvary and troop assignments as a sort of military sortie and policing action station, and would also have discretion and just enough autonomy to direct and order (under full Roman Military authority) an equal number of carpenters, masons and slaves, as the number of his troop assigned under him.
The exception being when the officer of command of 400-600 Roman troops, such as a chiliarch, or higher would so direct...and these when they made their outpost rounds, or were of those chiliarch and higher permanently stationed 6 months at a time in Jerusalem or 6 months in Caesarea.
In other words, this Roman Centurion of Luke 7, who decided to join himself to the nation of Israel by faith, and be incorporated into the tribes of Israel by circumcision, profession, and good works toward the tribes of Israel...this one would likely have had as many as 20 Calvary, 60 foot-soldiers, 40-60 skilled workers and 20-40 slaves at his command and disposal. By employing the 40-60 skilled carpenters and masons, skilled at building trenches and walled forts overnight, and then hewing out and making seige engines, etc., rapidly (cf., Josephus, WOJ, 3.5.1-2) to build a Temple for the Jewish Leaders, this Roman Centrion would have had even a great stone synagogue erected (from start to finish) in under 30 days, at Rome's own expense. Indeed, this would have marveled the elders of the Jews, and made such a one as this -- even a Roman -- a righteous Gentile and one welcomed into the company of Jews as if one of the tribes of Israel.
In these times, Jews were careful to NOT associate with non-Jews, except by absolute necessity in business, government tax or plea requirements, and so forth. Great prejudices of non-association were required toward outsiders...so much so, that preaching Judaism to non-Jews was considered a betrayal of the faith, regardless of that spoken by the prophets like Isaiah.
In Rome, a city of about 3 millions (at the time), there were only about 8,000 Jews living there Josephus, AOJ, 17.11.1 and WOJ 2.6.1)...most likely in one primary location near major commerce, being primarily in merchant and related trades. Most of these 8,000 Rome located Jews also held Roman citizenship, a privilege not taken away from Jews until the administration of Florus in Judea in the 60s A.D. Under Roman Law, Jews who were "Roman Citizens" and also closely observant to their faith as Jews, were grant royal exemptions from having their sons drafted into the Roman Army (Josephus, AOJ 14.10.11-19).
By the wording of the above passage in Luke, we can clearly see that this Centurion was not originally Jewish by blood,
-- remember Jesus said: "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24) --
nor was this Centurion represented as having anything other than a profession of faith with works, and was being accepted by a group of at least 7 Jewish judges or elders as ritually clean and accepted into and/or among the tribes of Israel as a righteous Gentile convert; hence, now part of the House of Israel with an official proclamation by at least 2 or 3 of those Jewish elders of a Sanhedrinal support ruling stating the above was so factually correct.
By such a proclamation, we would have confirm that this Centurion is a "Ger", a "convert"...though the King James Version often translates this as "stranger" in the Torah (the 5 Books of Moses: Genesis to Deuteronomy).
Being sanctioned, this Centurion likely ordered his Command-post to be free of leaven during Israels annual 8 days of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:19); commanded that they observe Shabbat/Sabbath (Exodus 20:10, 23:12); that he personally attended Jewish services on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29); that he personally had gone to Jerusalem and as a Ger offered sacrifices to be made on his behalf (Leviticus 17:8); that he did not offer or allow idols or those things which ascended oneself in puffy pride or vanity within his own personal household or living space within his command (Leviticus 20:2, and the wordplay on the spelling of Mem-Lamed-Kaf).
As a result, as a As I stated previously, the Ger who loved Israel, he had the following rights:
1) To not be driven away or mistreated, nor oppressed by those of the 13 tribes of Israel (Exodus 22:21).
2) To be able to eat of the corners of farmer field's in Israel without harassment or accusation of theft (Leviticus 19:10, 23:22)
3) The right to be judged fairly and as equally with that of natural borns of the tribes of Israel of lineage through the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 1:16).
4) The right to be loved by G-D -- the G-D of Israel -- (as though a child by adoption in inference);
and when in Israel, to be clothed and fed by the charity of the sons of Israel (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
5) The right to be given any ritually clean animal possessed by the sons of Israel, who were forbidden to eat such, for food. It was not traif (i.e., not ritual unclean) for the Ger to eat such an animal (Deuteronomy 14:29).
6) The right to personally partake of the food tithes offered for the priest, the widow, fatherless, when offered once every 3 years (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
So indeed, this Centurion was adopted into the companionship of Israel in a way that no non-convert Roman soldier ever would.
The statement of faith made by the Centurion that he also believed into Christ as the Son of G-D by revelation (preceding the revelation given to Peter from G-D the Father) is found in this passage as
"...say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."
-- comes from an exposure to Genesis Chapter 1, and an acceptance that Jesus is the Son of G-D from Heaven.
Genesis 1:3 And G-D said,
Let there be light: and there was light.
Genesis 1:9 And G-D said,
Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and
let the dry land appear:
and it was so.
And repeatedly, throughout Genesis's opening verses, "And G-D said" and then it is followed by how that the very words were so (instantly, immediately, by mere thought and command).
This resonated with the Centurion who identified Jesus, the very one who could speak a word of command, and it was so that someone was healed of blindness, deafness, being maimed, or even of being dead. A simple word of command that only a Son of G-D would have the direct authority to do, even as the Roman centurion himself had the command and authority received in himself by rank to say to one of his soldiers "go" and he goes, or to a servant, "come" and that servant comes.
In fact, the Roman Centurion knew that where Jesus was, because He is the Son of G-D, he neeeded only to utter the word of Command into the air, and the Creation (including all spirits) made by G-D would have to obediently carry out His command and His will. Like in Genesis 1, all the Son of G-D needs do -- and by this he means Jesus -- is speak the word only, and like Genesis 1, it will be as "and it was so."
It is a Faith that is so obvious and so simply apparent from Jesus miracles, that no one in Israel "got it"...no one else YET understood, but this righteous Gentile who joined himself, by faith, to G-D and the House of Israel.
The message for us is to also believe into Christ Jesus simply and fully, understanding mature that the simplicity of Great Faith is often like that most revealed in understanding like that of a child, instead of making it so complicated and laden with something we so often (and wrongly) feel we must add to it.
Jesus is much more that an historical figure, back there, for those who are genuine Christians...born-again. Jesus is the ETERNAL Living G-D (cf. John 1:18, 14), who was with the Father before anything that was ever created was created, and spoke the Universe into existence by the thought and words of command (John 1:1-3).
1 Now when He had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9 When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
My Comments:
In the First Century A.D., the primary training center for new recruits into the Roman Army was located on the island of Sardinia (cf. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 18.3.5). There they drafted generally between the ages of 12-15 years of age. Thereafter, the boot camp and combat training was for 5 years of unrelenting combat training and drilling. That's 5 years. Boys became molded in mind and body into fighting men like machines, until they could rigourously and daily endure 5 hours of non-stop combat exercises. That is 5 hours of pretend battle practice every day, by men who came out of 5 years of training at the ages of 17-20 and then served a 5 year hitch at some location where they were sent, which made the average Roman soldier on first tour an age of 22-25 years of age when he finished, and 27-32 years of age when his second tour was over (after which most were released).
So in the case of the above passage in Luke, the Centuion is somewhere between 22 and no more than 32-37 years old (after which, even centurions were retired from service involuntarily) due to the extreme physical exertions, strength and cardio-vascular endurances required. Josephus relates that those that call the Roman Army's every day "exercises as unbloody battles, and their battles as bloody exercises" (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, 3.5.1) were NOT AT ALL mistaken in so saying.
In this time in Israel's history, the Roman Centurion was usually placed in charge of outpost stations, such as having the charge of calvary and troop assignments as a sort of military sortie and policing action station, and would also have discretion and just enough autonomy to direct and order (under full Roman Military authority) an equal number of carpenters, masons and slaves, as the number of his troop assigned under him.
The exception being when the officer of command of 400-600 Roman troops, such as a chiliarch, or higher would so direct...and these when they made their outpost rounds, or were of those chiliarch and higher permanently stationed 6 months at a time in Jerusalem or 6 months in Caesarea.
In other words, this Roman Centurion of Luke 7, who decided to join himself to the nation of Israel by faith, and be incorporated into the tribes of Israel by circumcision, profession, and good works toward the tribes of Israel...this one would likely have had as many as 20 Calvary, 60 foot-soldiers, 40-60 skilled workers and 20-40 slaves at his command and disposal. By employing the 40-60 skilled carpenters and masons, skilled at building trenches and walled forts overnight, and then hewing out and making seige engines, etc., rapidly (cf., Josephus, WOJ, 3.5.1-2) to build a Temple for the Jewish Leaders, this Roman Centrion would have had even a great stone synagogue erected (from start to finish) in under 30 days, at Rome's own expense. Indeed, this would have marveled the elders of the Jews, and made such a one as this -- even a Roman -- a righteous Gentile and one welcomed into the company of Jews as if one of the tribes of Israel.
In these times, Jews were careful to NOT associate with non-Jews, except by absolute necessity in business, government tax or plea requirements, and so forth. Great prejudices of non-association were required toward outsiders...so much so, that preaching Judaism to non-Jews was considered a betrayal of the faith, regardless of that spoken by the prophets like Isaiah.
In Rome, a city of about 3 millions (at the time), there were only about 8,000 Jews living there Josephus, AOJ, 17.11.1 and WOJ 2.6.1)...most likely in one primary location near major commerce, being primarily in merchant and related trades. Most of these 8,000 Rome located Jews also held Roman citizenship, a privilege not taken away from Jews until the administration of Florus in Judea in the 60s A.D. Under Roman Law, Jews who were "Roman Citizens" and also closely observant to their faith as Jews, were grant royal exemptions from having their sons drafted into the Roman Army (Josephus, AOJ 14.10.11-19).
By the wording of the above passage in Luke, we can clearly see that this Centurion was not originally Jewish by blood,
-- remember Jesus said: "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24) --
nor was this Centurion represented as having anything other than a profession of faith with works, and was being accepted by a group of at least 7 Jewish judges or elders as ritually clean and accepted into and/or among the tribes of Israel as a righteous Gentile convert; hence, now part of the House of Israel with an official proclamation by at least 2 or 3 of those Jewish elders of a Sanhedrinal support ruling stating the above was so factually correct.
By such a proclamation, we would have confirm that this Centurion is a "Ger", a "convert"...though the King James Version often translates this as "stranger" in the Torah (the 5 Books of Moses: Genesis to Deuteronomy).
Being sanctioned, this Centurion likely ordered his Command-post to be free of leaven during Israels annual 8 days of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:19); commanded that they observe Shabbat/Sabbath (Exodus 20:10, 23:12); that he personally attended Jewish services on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29); that he personally had gone to Jerusalem and as a Ger offered sacrifices to be made on his behalf (Leviticus 17:8); that he did not offer or allow idols or those things which ascended oneself in puffy pride or vanity within his own personal household or living space within his command (Leviticus 20:2, and the wordplay on the spelling of Mem-Lamed-Kaf).
As a result, as a As I stated previously, the Ger who loved Israel, he had the following rights:
1) To not be driven away or mistreated, nor oppressed by those of the 13 tribes of Israel (Exodus 22:21).
2) To be able to eat of the corners of farmer field's in Israel without harassment or accusation of theft (Leviticus 19:10, 23:22)
3) The right to be judged fairly and as equally with that of natural borns of the tribes of Israel of lineage through the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 1:16).
4) The right to be loved by G-D -- the G-D of Israel -- (as though a child by adoption in inference);
and when in Israel, to be clothed and fed by the charity of the sons of Israel (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
5) The right to be given any ritually clean animal possessed by the sons of Israel, who were forbidden to eat such, for food. It was not traif (i.e., not ritual unclean) for the Ger to eat such an animal (Deuteronomy 14:29).
6) The right to personally partake of the food tithes offered for the priest, the widow, fatherless, when offered once every 3 years (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
So indeed, this Centurion was adopted into the companionship of Israel in a way that no non-convert Roman soldier ever would.
The statement of faith made by the Centurion that he also believed into Christ as the Son of G-D by revelation (preceding the revelation given to Peter from G-D the Father) is found in this passage as
"...say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."
-- comes from an exposure to Genesis Chapter 1, and an acceptance that Jesus is the Son of G-D from Heaven.
Genesis 1:3 And G-D said,
Let there be light: and there was light.
Genesis 1:9 And G-D said,
Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and
let the dry land appear:
and it was so.
And repeatedly, throughout Genesis's opening verses, "And G-D said" and then it is followed by how that the very words were so (instantly, immediately, by mere thought and command).
This resonated with the Centurion who identified Jesus, the very one who could speak a word of command, and it was so that someone was healed of blindness, deafness, being maimed, or even of being dead. A simple word of command that only a Son of G-D would have the direct authority to do, even as the Roman centurion himself had the command and authority received in himself by rank to say to one of his soldiers "go" and he goes, or to a servant, "come" and that servant comes.
In fact, the Roman Centurion knew that where Jesus was, because He is the Son of G-D, he neeeded only to utter the word of Command into the air, and the Creation (including all spirits) made by G-D would have to obediently carry out His command and His will. Like in Genesis 1, all the Son of G-D needs do -- and by this he means Jesus -- is speak the word only, and like Genesis 1, it will be as "and it was so."
It is a Faith that is so obvious and so simply apparent from Jesus miracles, that no one in Israel "got it"...no one else YET understood, but this righteous Gentile who joined himself, by faith, to G-D and the House of Israel.
The message for us is to also believe into Christ Jesus simply and fully, understanding mature that the simplicity of Great Faith is often like that most revealed in understanding like that of a child, instead of making it so complicated and laden with something we so often (and wrongly) feel we must add to it.
Jesus is much more that an historical figure, back there, for those who are genuine Christians...born-again. Jesus is the ETERNAL Living G-D (cf. John 1:18, 14), who was with the Father before anything that was ever created was created, and spoke the Universe into existence by the thought and words of command (John 1:1-3).
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